3rd July 2016

NO 2,053

SUNDAY, 3 JULY, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

N200

Oyo NURTW chief arrested with military, police uniforms, weapons pg41

Cracks widen among N/Delta pgs4&41 militants •More violence, bombings likely •Avengers accuse DSS of deceiving Buhari •Bodies of oil workers killed by militants found

A woman is something else when men don’t admire her —Mistura Asunramu

Panic in police, as more retirement looms pg42 Catholic faithful from all the dioceses in Enugu State during a procession on Saturday against attacks by Fulani herdsmen in the state. PHOTO: JUDE OSSAI

Murdered Oyo lawmaker just bagged Ph.D, set for graduation

•How he was killed g8 •Gov, APC, LP, others condemn killing P

Wife poisons rival’s baby boy 2 hrs after delivery Pg6

Court to FG: Forgery charge against Saraki, Ekweremadu abuse of court process

pg4

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3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

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3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

life&living ‘Why we settled for quiet wedding’ A wedding ceremony, for the average Nigerian, is expected to be a glamorous affair. But of recent, more and more couples, including celebrities, are opting for low profile ceremonies. RITA OKONOBOH examines the various reasons couples opt for quiet weddings and what to put in place to pull it off.

photo:zimhoodevents.global

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ATHERINE Adekoya (not real names) was at her wit’s end. She was determined to have a quiet wedding but her mother would have none of it.

“What exactly are you hiding? Do you have any idea how many of my friends’ weddings I have attended? The hundreds of thousands of naira I have spent on aso ebi and souvenirs, even for daughters of friends of friends?” her mother queried.

“I understand, Mom. It’s just that Raymond and I have agreed that...”

“Agreed that what?” Mrs Adekoya interrupted. “Agreed that what? Even if you are six months pregnant, which obviously you’re not, we must have a big wedding. My daughter, a whole medical doctor, quiet wedding.?” her face cringed at the mention of ‘quiet wedding.’

For the average Nigerian family, weddings are expected to be glamorous ceremonies. They are planned as an announcement to the world that the single status of the bride and the groom has changed. However, in recent times, more and more people seem to be embracing the

low profile wedding option for a variety of reasons.

Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj, stated that “I am not married, but even when I am ready, I will opt for a quiet wedding. I am tired of people asking me that question. It is my personal life. It is not going to change my music or my life.”

Popular gospel artiste, Psalm Ebube, in a recent interview also gave his reasons for making his wedding a lowkey affair.

According to him, “It was more or less like a family wedding. I actually wanted to make it loud, but I followed God’s instruction strictly. Honestly, despite its noiseless nature, it was a very classy wedding such that those who were privileged to attend have always been talking about it.”

Financial drawbacks, unplanned pregnancies, keeping up with the Jones’, prophetic declarations, and, sometimes, choice, are few of the reasons a couple may choose to have a quiet wedding.

Quiet weddings, in Nigeria, are subject to personal

interpretations, because of the various definitions given to it. According to a survey carried out by Sunday Tribune, quiet weddings in Nigeria take place for reasons ranging from advanced age, spiritual warnings, elopement, pregnancy, cheating, job security to financial challenges.

‘Unplanned pregnancy made me go for quiet wedding’ According to Mrs Emmanuela Chidieberem (not real names), who shared her experience with Sunday Tribune, she had to get married secretly because her parents were afraid of what people would say, seeing that she was already pregnant.

“I didn’t know I was pregnant for almost four months because I thought I was just adding weight. All of a sudden, it started showing and I had to inform my parents.

My parents have not forgiven me till today because, accontinues

pg 9

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Cracks widen among Niger Delta militant groups Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

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HE cracks within the rank of the former and current militant agitators in the Niger Delta appear to be widening in the face of denials, accusations and counter-accusations on the motive behind the militant groups’ activities.

The cracks became more noticeable going by the content of the various statements being released to the public, in recent times, on the reasons behind the spate of bombings of oil facilities, allegedly by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

According to findings by Sunday Tribune, some of the former warlords in the region had been condemning the activities of NDA, allegedly as part of a bid to join forces against Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a Tompolo), a former warlord who had been declared wanted by the security agencies.

In the same vein, it was learnt that the emergence of another militant group, the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) and the renewed resurgence in the region had been similarly condemned as a result of what a source said

is renewed rivalry among the former creeks warlords and their desire to pay back Tompolo in his own coin.

The contention, according to a source, was that many of the ex-militants felt betrayed for being excluded from the amnesty programme as well as the failure to accord them same recognition as given to Tompolo.

Interestingly, most of the former militants came from the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), even as the source told Sunday Tribune that the source of discontent was that “while some of them worked for the largesse that came with amnesty programme, only a few clique enjoyed the dividends.

“Some of them also see this new development in the region and Tompolo’s predicament as an opportunity to relaunch themselves into public consciousness”.

The source also claimed that many of the aggrieved ex-militants also saw the current happenings as an opportunity to “repay the powerful men of yesterday,” a veiled reference to those who held sway during the Jonathan adminis-

tration.

“Some of them are still angry with Tompolo for being excluded from the amnesty programme of the late President Umar Yar’Adua government and pipeline protection contract. They also felt that Tompolo is becoming too powerful in the region and needs to be cut down to size,” the source said.

Some of the militants, it was further learnt, felt that it was now their own turn to be recognised by government, believing that, “with the admonition by stakeholders, especially the United States and United Kingdom,, the Federal Government should engage the militants in dialogue, while a new round of amnesty programme should be implemented.

The US Government had, on June 7, issued a statement, saying it was monitoring “reports of attacks and other incidents in the Niger Delta. We share the concerns of all Nigerians about these attacks.

“Furthermore, the US remains supportive of efforts, including the promotion of dialogue, to address grievances in the Niger Delta. We encourage all parties to resolve their

disputes through peaceful means and emphasise that human rights of all Nigerians must be protected.”

The statement by the US and the recent announced intention of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to enter into a dialogue with the NDA, it was learnt, gave a renewed hope to some of the militants, some of whom, Sunday Tribune gathered, wanted to extricate the Niger Delta from the powerful grip of Tompolo and were willing to sacrifice him to achieve that purpose.

However, while NDA had remained obstinate and insisted that it would not enter into dialogue with the Federal Government, MEND and another group, Voice Delta, had taken turns to denounce NDA, a group they alleged was being sponsored by the embattled Tompolo.

The Voice Delta had vowed to continue to expose the operations and movements of NDA and also to reveal Tompolo’s hideout, which they alleged is in the creeks.

MEND had, while commending the Federal Government, recently, for kick-starting the process

of the implementation of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland, condemned NDA over the spate of attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta.

The group also accused the International Oil Companies (IOCs) of complicity in the pillage of the commonwealth generated from the Niger Delta region within the last six decades.

“MEND notes with grave concern the recent renewed spate of unprovoked and persistent attacks on Nigeria’s oil installations by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), “Many of its (NDA) members were MEND commanders and fighters who jumped on the presidential amnesty gravy train without knowing why they took up arms in the first place.

However, in the face of the unrelenting attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, allegedly by NDA, MEND, in another statement issued penultimate Sunday, enjoined the former to partner with it on a proposed dialogue with the Federal Government.

Jomo Gbomo, in the statement, further claimed

DSS deceiving Buhari over our members arrest —Avengers Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

MEMBERS of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have described as untrue the purported arrest of members of the militant group by the Department of State Services (DSS) as reported in most national dailies on Saturday.

Avengers, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Brig.Gen Mudoch Agbinibo and posted on their website on Saturday, denied the arrest, branding DSS as liars deceiving President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians.

The group said the socalled suspects, Mr Christian Oluba a.k.a Sensor and Selky Kile Torughedi, were sleeper agents of the DSS detailed to go after the avengers, but had fallen out with the security agency.

The group added that when they could not accomplish the task given them, the DSS roped in the suspects who were demanding payment of money agreed on.

The group denied having any connection with the suspects, challenging the DSS to allow the media have an audience with the suspects to ascertain the veracity of their claim.

The group admonished President Buhari to focus on addressing the

problems of underdevelopment, environmental degradation, lack of infrastructure and the issue of self-determination causing agitation in the region.

The statement reads in part: “Reports from National dailies that two suspects Mr Christian Oluba alias Sensor, and Selky Kile Torughedi arrested by DSS are alleged members of Niger Delta Avengers is laughable; the fact is that they are sleeper agents of the DSS sent after the Niger Delta Avengers.

“The boys have the right to demand for their money from DSS. Why not pay

them instead of arresting and labeling them as Niger Delta Avengers’ members?

“If the DSS is denying this, let it allow the suspects to speak to the press.

We (Niger Delta Avengers) don’t have any connection with these boys. We dare the DSS to allow the boys to tell the world their side of the story.

“DSS and the Nigerian Army can’t win the Niger Delta war by feeding their President with false information about situation of things in the region.”

It will be recalled that a statement issued on Friday

by Tony Opuiyo, on behalf

of the Service, announced that one of the suspected NDA members, Christian Oluba, a.k.a Sensor, was arrested while perfecting plans to carry out explosive attacks on critical oil and gas pipelines, including critical storage points.

The security agent added that it arrested another suspected militant, one Selky Kile Torughedi, on 17 June, 2016, in Calabar, Cross River State.

The DSS described Torughedi as an ex-militant and suspected member of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) who was arrested while planning

to assassinate one M.B. Yahaya, a serving military officer.

The security agency said Torughedi was a close associate of Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) and had already conducted surveillance at the residence of Yahaya in Kaduna, preparatory to his plot when he was intercepted.

Torughedi, the DSS alleged, was also a sponsor of pipeline vandalism in some states in the SouthSouth region and was said to be helping the security outfit with further investigations.

Forgery charge against Saraki, Ekweremadu, others abuse of process —Court Sunday Ejike-Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja has held that the forgery charge brought against Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) is a gross abuse of court and legal processes.

The court faulted the charge for being filed during the pendency of a civil action, challenging the propriety of the police report

on the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rule 2015, in which the AGF and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) are defendants and even joined issues with the plaintiff in the court action.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who ruled on Friday on a motion ex parte filed by Senator Gilbert Emeka Nnaji seeking to stop the implementation of the police report on the forgery, held that the forgery charge against Saraki, Ekweremadu and others was done in a desperate

haste that was not in the interest of the public.

Senator Nnaji had on July 23, 2015 instituted a civil action against the IGP and the AGF at the Federal High Court wherein he challenged the propriety of the police report on the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rule.

He later filed a motion exparte in which he asked the court for an order stopping the IGP and AGF from taking any step on the police report pending the determination of his originating summons.

Senator Othman Hunkuyi

who wrote the petition that brought the police report had engaged Abubakar Malami (SAN), then a private lawyer, as one of his counsel that filed a motion for him (Hunkuyi) to be joined as one of the defendants in the suit.

Malami’s name is still reflecting as one of the counsel representing Senator Hunkuyi at the Federal High Court, Abuja and the case had been adjourned to July 6, 2016 by the trial Judge, Justice Kolawole.

Continues pg 5

Sunday Tribune

that it had constituted a negotiating team, tagged ‘Aaron Team 2’ to dialogue with the government on the immediate, medium and long-term future of the Niger Delta region.

He listed the names of members of the negotiating team to include Henry Odein Ajumogobia SAN (who had since denied being a member), Bismark Rewane, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, Ibanga Isine, Ledum Mitee, and Lawson Omokhodion.

Similarly, another prominent former Niger Delta warlord, Chief Ateke Tom of the defunct Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV), absolved himself of involvement in any criminal activity as alleged by NDA. The former militant leader, while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, said his agitation was for development and advised members of NDA to shun violence and not to drag him into the renewed violence in the region.

“Don’t attempt to drag my name into the renewed violence in the region. Stop dropping my name on issues relating to violence.

I also want to advise the NDA to stop the unwanted destruction of oil facilities in the region because it is causing untold hardship on the people of the region.

“My struggle was devoid of criminality and was a true agitation for true fiscal federalism which eventually paved the way for the emergence of the first president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the Niger Delta region; increased political participation of indigenes of the region and emergence of more educated youths from the region under the amnesty programme,” he said.

NDA, on the other hand, had accused MEND as well as other groups in the region of being sponsored by politicians to cause a rift among people, naming a governor as the brain behind the resurgence of MEND. NDA is however unrelenting in the face of the several denials and allegations, as its spokesman, Brigadier General Mudoch Agbinibo, in a recent statement said the Niger Delta struggle was not for those he described as political thugs.

General Agbinibo vehemently condemned the linking of NDA with the government, adding that the group would not be part of any dialogue that would bring about “the peace of our time; but we want a peace with honour.”

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3 July, 2016

Dideolu Hospital ends free health screening, enlightenment programme •As beneficiaries laud management

By Kehinde Oyetimi

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HE joy was infectious and the turnout impressive.

It was one of the most remarkable outings of the Dideolu Specialist Hospital (DSH) in recent time. The hospital in a collaborative effort with the Centre for Epidemiology and Health Development (CEHD) and supported by Pathcare Laboratories has concluded a four-day free community health screening and enlightenment programme.

The free health screening and enlightenment campaign, which was held at the Dideolu Specialist Hospital, Ikenne, OgunState, had as its beneficiaries members of the Ikenne community and environs. The event, which started on Wednesday, June 29, lasted through to Saturday.

Medical specialists and professionals who came from far and near had prolonged sessions of consultations with both young and old individuals who visited the hospital while the free medical care programme lasted.

On Saturday, which was the last day of the exercise, beneficiaries told Sunday Tribune of the immense benevolence of the management of the hospital, just as they prayed that the good work would continue.

For Comrade Adedoyin Adesina, first vice president of Ikenne Development Association, the exercise was laudable.

“This is great. Many people who visited here during the exercise can testify to the generosity of the management. People travelled from far and near to access this fantastic offer. I equally came around to have myself checked.

“The specialists are indeed experts in their fields.

I salute the organisers and I pray that God will continue to enlarge their coast. I must also add that the free screening and enlightenment was not restricted to the poor, even the rich and the middle class were allowed to come. We want this gesture to continue.

We are indeed grateful,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein, another beneficiary of the free health care, Chief Sola Odumosu, was quick to add that “I can only pray that God will continue to bless the organisers. There are many people out there who are unable to have access to qualitative consultation. This is because of the cost implication. But

to have Dideolu Specialist Hospital bring in these specialists and at no cost

to us, it is wonderful.

“I came here and was attended to. I know my med-

ical status and I am very grateful for the privilege.

This should continue.”

While thanking the consultants, specialists and guests who made the ex-

Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran (4th right); Co-chairman African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Ambassador Dr (Mrs) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (5th left); Professor Akin Osibogun (4th left); Dr Tolu Adewole (5th right); Professor Adefule Ositele (third left); Dr Adenuga Bukola (second right) and others at the just concluded free community health screening and enlightenment held at the Dideolu Specialist Hospital, Ikenne, Ogun State, on Saturday. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

Yoruba leaders deplore lopsided security appointments

By Abiodun Awolaja

SOME prominent Yoruba leaders, on Saturday, deplored the pattern of appointments made so far by President Muhammadu Buhari in the security sector, saying that they were both unconstitutional and insensitive to the multi-ethnic nature of the Nigerian society.

Speaking with Sunday Tribune, Publicity Secretary, Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) Dr Kunle Olajide, said the appointments violated the principles of federalism and in particular, the federal character principle.

He added that the nation’s centralised security system was unsuitable to a federal state and multi-ethnic country like Nigeria.

“The pattern of appointments in the security sector is most unfortunate and it runs against the grain of true federalism and federal character principle.

“It is completely against the grain in a multi-ethnic, diverse society like Nigeria.

It gives the impression that the entire security apparatus of this country is under one ethnic nationality to the disadvantage of others.

In any case, in a heterogenous country like Nigeria, we cannot guarantee peace and security from a centrally controlled security organisation. It is not done anywhere in the world.

“I mean, in a situation where police commissioners take directives straight from the Inspector General of Police rather than state governors, citizens do not

feel safe under this kind of security apparatus because there is a lot of mutual suspicion and it also ignites ethnic rivalry. Policing can be best achieved by locals,” he stated.

Also weighing in on the issue, a renowned academic, elder statesman and member of the 2014 National Conference, Dr Amos Akingba, said it was not even strictly correct to say that the majority of the heads of the security agencies are Northerners.

Rather, he said, the appointments are a hundred per cent in favour of the North.

Dr Akingba said if President Buhari was uncomfortable with the 1999 Constitution as amended, the proper thing to do was to pursue constitutional amendment, rather than violating the supreme law of the land.

“The appointments are insensitive and unconstitutional because they violate the Federal Character Principle enshrined in the 1999

Constitution as amended.

“The 1999 constitution as amended has to be followed.

You must follow the law of the land; the constitution is the supreme law of the land and the government is not following it. The solution is to follow the constitution and if it is not working well, you amend it.

“Nobody should be above the law. The constitution was made in view of the multi-ethnic society that we have. People must be represented in every arm of governance,” he said.

Forgery charge, abuse of process —Court Continued from pg 4

The judge said that he would have nullified the forgery charge filed by the AGF before an Abuja High Court and set it aside for being a gross abuse of court and legal process if it had been filed before his court.

Justice Kolawole said the actions of the IGP and AGF whose offices were created by law were in bad taste because his court had, in the civil action asked parties not to do anything on the police report during the pendency of the civil suit, so as not to render the civil action nugatory.

The judge said the AGF ought to have used his power under the law to terminate any charge filed in breach of court process.

The AGF, the judge further said, acted in bad faith because before his appointment as AGF, he was one of the leading lawyers to Senator Hunkuyi who

authored the petition upon which the police report was prepared and upon which the forgery charge initiated by the Federal Government was predicated.

According to Justice Kolawole, by his involvement as a private lawyer in the civil matter to the petitioner (Senator Hunkuyi) before the criminal charge was preferred against the defendants, he (AGF) ought to have realised the pendency of several court actions on the issues and ought to have used his office and law to terminate the flagrant abuse of the legal process.

“In coming to a decision, I take due cognizance of the defendants — IGP and AGF — as offices created by the constitution. The 1st defendant (IGP) by virtue of Section 215(a) of the constitution is a creation of the constitution and by virtue of Section 215(2) of the constitution, shall com-

mand the Nigeria Police Force created by Section 214(1).

“By reason of the provisions, it is not out of place to describe the 1st defendant as the “Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Federation. The 2nd defendant (AGF) is a constitutional office created

by Section 150(1) of the constitution who the constitution describes as “The Chief Law Officer of the Federation.”

ercise a reality, Medical Director, Dideolu Specialist Hospital, Dr (Mrs) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, could not hide her joy, just as she gave certificates of appreciation to members of the medical community and a host of others who supported the gesture.

“I don’t know how to begin to thank you all for the dedication and love that you demonstrated while this exercise lasted. I can’t thank enough the specialists and all who came to support us. This programme became a success because of you. There is no single person that I had to dissipate so much energy to convince. It was just a conversation. The people who made this possible are consultants of no mean standing. I believe that those who are beneficiaries of this outing will forever be grateful. God will reward you abundantly,” she said.

While praising the efforts of members of staff of the hospital, she solicited their continued display of professionalism and selflessness.

According to her, “Members of Dideolu Specialist Hospital, you surprised me. Now that we have started, the sky is not the limit. This dream must not die. The purpose of holding this programme has been achieved substantially.”

Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, prayed that the efforts put into the exercise would continued to be fruitful.

Chief among the specialists who attended to the beneficiaries include Dr Tolulope Adewole, Executive Director, Pathcare Laboratories; Dr Tochi Okwor, Centre for Epidemiology and Health Development (CEHD); Dr Olajide Sobande of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, among many others.

Others who also came included Professor Akin Osibogun, Professor Adefule Ositele, Dr Olalekan Makinde, Dr Oluwatoyin Salawu and Dr Adenuga Bukola.

Ramadan message DOES man think that We will not assemble his bones?

Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips.

But man desires to continue in sin. He asks, “When is the Day of Resurrection?” So when vision is dazzled And the moon darkens And the sun and the moon are joined, Man will say on that Day, “Where is the [place of] escape?” No! There is no refuge. To your Lord, that Day, is the [place of] permanence. Man will be informed that Day of what he sent ahead and kept back. Rather, man, against himself, will be a witness, Even if he presents his excuses.

—Surat Al-Qiyamah verses 3-15

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3 July, 2016

crimereports

Sunday Tribune

edited by Oluwatoyin Malik 0807 889 1950, 0811 695 4633 praiseboy01@gmail.com

Wife poisons rival’s baby boy 2 hours after delivery

Blames action on her inability to have male child Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

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XACTLY a week after the publication of the story of the teenager who severed the genitals of her rival’s baby out of jealousy, another housewife, Bilkisu Adamu Isah, has been arrested and is being investigated at the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Niger State Police Command, as a result of an accusation that she attempted to kill a two-hour-old baby boy belonging to her rival in Kopa village, Bosso Local Government Area of the State.

She reportedly poured a locally-made insecticide popularly called ‘otapiapia’ into the baby’s mouth when he was put in her charge so that the new mother could take her bath and refresh after the painful experience of labour and child delivery.

The 25-year-old Bilkisu, said to be the second wife of the father of the baby, was said to have committed the offence on June 19, at about 7:00a.m.

Crime Reports gathered that the baby was delivered at about 5:00a.m by the senior wife, one Suwebatu Kohageuto.

According to a police source, shortly after the suspect observed that her rival had commenced washing herself inside a bathroom within the house, she went into her own room, brought out a bottle of ‘Otapiapia’ and poured part of the content into the baby’s mouth.

The baby was said to have made cries of pain.

Surprisingly, the suspect was the one that raised the alarm which attracted other members of the family, including the mother of the child, who all raced to the scene. Unknown to others, Bilkisu became uncomfortable when she noticed the way the two-

hour-old boy was foaming in the mouth.

Shocked by the occurrence, the baby’s grandfather, one Alhaji Mohammed Audu, was reportedly invited; and on his arrival, he moved close to the baby.

He was the one who was said to have perceived the odour of the insecticide which he revealed to the bewildered family members, saying that he suspected that the boy was poisoned.

Crime Reports further learnt that as the family made moves to save the baby’s life by rushing him to the hospital for medical treatment, the suspect escaped from the scene and ran to her father’s house

Bilkisu Adamu Isah in a nearby village, Gbedahan, in same Bosso Local Government Area of the state.

On arrival at her family house, she reportedly confessed to her father that she had poisoned her

newly-born stepson with a view to killing him.

Crime Reports learnt that the baby had since been on admission at the General Hospital, Minna, after the poisonous substance was flushed out of his stomach by a team of medical personnel.

When people from her husband’s family visited the suspect in her village, Crime Reports learnt that she confessed that she was responsible for poisoning the little boy, an action she claimed to have taken because of her inability to give birth to a baby boy for her husband.

The mother of two female children was there-

after handed over to the police and had reportedly confessed to the crime when interrogated.

In an interview with Crime Reports on Thursday, Bilkisu confirmed that she was responsible for the criminal act, adding that she was in good terms with her husband and her rival.

She blamed her act on the devil and said she did not know what came over her on the fateful day.

Confirming the arrest of the suspect, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, said that she would soon be arraigned in court for criminal trespassing and attempted murder.

Off-duty policeman arrests suspected robbers who snatched woman’s bag at dawn

By Oluwatoyin Malik

A policeman serving in Oyo State Police Command, Corporal Akintunde Abel, on his way home from night duty, shook fatigue off recently when he pursued and arrested two of three robbers after they had disposed a lady of handbag at Ashi area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

His efforts have also been complemented by the operatives of Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Ibadan, who followed up the case and arrested the third suspect. The suspects are Babatunde Adeniyi, Ogundeji Sunday and Adeitan Segun.

Crime Reports learnt that the victim, Temitayo (surname withheld), was on her way to office on June 8, when she was attacked by the three-man gang operating on a motorcycle. According to the lady, “I was on my way to work at about 6:40a.m when three men on a bike blocked my way.

“The one at the back got

The suspects down and pushed me. I got injured and he took my bag.

“As they were going, I was shouting ‘help! help!!’

A man who was in car heard me and I discovered he was a policeman who just left night duty and was on his way home. He asked what happened and I told him I had just been robbed.

“He asked me to en-

ter the car and I did. He started chasing the bike and was able to push one of them off the motorcycle.

He didn’t stop because my bag was still with the other two. He went after them and caught up with them at Favos area. My bag was recovered.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, who praised the solo effort

of the policeman, described the suspects as notorious for snatching bags around Ashi, Bodija and Basorun area of Ibadan, adding that the motorcycle used for the operation had been recovered.

Segun (26), who was later arrested by SARS operatives, disclosed that his gang members took off from a club at Mokola

area, went to Beere area to smoke marijuana before commencing on the attacks on victims.

According to him, “Sunday and I were at City Centre Club when he introduced Adeniyi to me.

Sunday said Adeniyi brought a motorcycle and suggested that we should use the motorcycle to carry out bag snatching at dawn from those going out early. We left City Centre for Beere area to smoke hemp.

From there, we went to Agugu area and snatched a bag from a lady. We found N1,700 and a phone in it.

“We left for Ashi area where we snatched another bag, which I handed over to Sunday who was sitting between me and the rider, Adeniyi. Unfortunately for us, we were pursued by a policeman. I was pushed off the motorcycle and got injured. I quickly stood up and hid behind a shrub, dabbing my wounds with my shirt.

“I have no excuse for my actions but I know it is the devil’s work.”

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crimereports

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

I lost my marriage after suspect raped me till daybreak, says mother of 2 She agreed to have sex with me —Suspect Stories by Oluwatoyin Malik

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AHEED Tijani a.k.a. Omo Olomo is a driver by profession. He even assumed the vice chairmanship position of a unit of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) at Gbagi branch, Ibadan, Oyo State.

But going by the allegation put up against him by one Abosede (surname withheld), it seems Omo Olomo is also skilled in driving ladies, albeit forcefully, to bed and alleged threat of driving knives into victims who try to resist him.

This was the revelation last Thursday at the police headquarters, Eleiyele, Ibadan, when 28-year-old Abosede narrated her experience in the hands of the driver. The lady, a married woman with two children, said she had lost her marriage as a result of the forceful sex Omo Olomo had with her after abducting her recently.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, had told Crime Reports that Omo Olomo was known for his notoriety in raping any lady that caught his fancy or that came across his way anytime he had sex urge.

The case was not different on April 4, 2016 when the suspect allegedly abducted Abosede at about 9:00p.m on her way home from work after threatening her with a knife, Oyebade stated.

He added that after subduing his victim, the suspect took her to a hotel along Sango-Eleiyele Road where he drugged her and raped her till daybreak.

Since the incident occurred and was reported, Oyebade said that Omo Olomo and his accomplices went underground to evade arrest, prompting the AntiKidnapping Squad of the command to commence a manhunt for him.

He was said to have been arrested at a hideout about two months after the offence was committed.

According to the police commissioner, “investigation has revealed that until his arrest, Omo Olomo was a pain in the neck of in-

nocent citizens, especially females, some of whom he had raped in the past. The suspect’s illicit sexual escapade was known to many people at Iwo Road axis but victims could not report due to stigmatisation and fear of attack by the suspect who was dreaded.”

His actions, Crime Reports learnt, had earned him suspension from the NURTW on many occasions.

Explaining how she became a victim to Crime Reports, Abosede said: “I didn’t know Omo Olomo before the incident. I was coming from work at about 8.45p.m. when I was stopped by the suspect and two other guys. He said he was not ready to hear anything from me, ordering me to mount a standby

Saheed Tijani a.k.a. Omo olomo motorcycle and threatening that he could kill me and nothing would happen. I knelt down and start begging him but he drew

a knife and threatened to stab me.

“I was scared stiff when I saw the knife, so I had to follow him to avoid be-

ing killed. He took me to a hotel and brought food for me, but I refused to eat.

From night till the following morning, he had vigorous sex with me under duress. He released me the following morning and I went to the woman I was working with to report the case. Thereafter, I went to a nearby police station to report the rape.”

The lady further stated: “I am a married woman with two children. The issue has caused problem between me and my husband and he has sent me out with the children.”

But the 35-year-old suspect denied raping the mother of two, saying that sexual intercourse they had was mutually agreed on.

According to Omo

Olomo, “I didn’t force the lady. I had been wooing her for about three weeks before the sexual relationship. I used to go to the beer parlour where she was working as a sales girl.

“She later agreed to date me. That night, she came to me of her own volition and we went to the hotel. She even went ahead of me on a bike and I joined her later. I had only had sex with her twice before daybreak and before she left, I gave her N2,200, asking her to use N200 for transport and N2,000 for herself. I didn’t know that she was a married woman, but I insist that I did not rape her.”

The police commissioner said that the suspect would be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation.

A year after previous arrest, suspect back in SARS cell over stolen cars KEEPING date with destiny is usually viewed in a positive light, but for 43-year-old Akodu Sunday, June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2016 are days that form part of a negative history in his life.

On the previous date in 2015, he was arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ibadan, Oyo State Police Command, for going to Ondo State with his gang members to steal a car.

Though later arraigned in court in September 2015 but granted bail in an ongoing case, Sunday is currently a guest at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, this time around, the Oyo/ Ogbomoso annex, and was shown to journalists last Thursday, the anniversary of his last arrest.

Crime Reports learnt that Sunday, who seemed unrepentant, was arrested with another suspect, Lawal Usman (31), following what the state Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, termed credible intelligence about the activities of a criminal gang which specialised in snatching posh cars at gun point.

At the time of the suspects’ arrest on June 28, the police commissioner said

Akodu Sunday (left) and Lawal Usman.

Inset is Sunday (right) when paraded with another suspect in 2015 that two snatched vehicles, a Honda Accord (Bulldog) with registration number KS 998 EKY and a Toyota Camry with registration number CC 807 FKJ were recovered from them.

Crime Reports gathered that the two suspects became friends after they met in SARS cell in 2015.

In an interview, Sunday expressed regrets that he had fallen back into crime, saying that the move was a

great mistake because he had made up his mind to live a decent life after his 2015 experience.

According to the suspect, “it was one Festus who in February this year brought a vehicle to me that he wanted to sell it. I knew Festus when I was still living at Felele area of Ibadan and was aware that he was into car theft but he told me he had stopped. I didn’t know he stole the

one he gave me. He told me it belonged to his brother.

“I called someone and he linked me with another person who needed a vehicle. I linked the buyer with Festus but since February 5 when the transaction took place, Festus refused to give me the commission he promised. I have not seen him since then.

I don’t know how police got to know that I was involved. The police came

to arrest me in my shop at Eleiyele on June 20.

He further disclosed that “I was once arrested on June 2015 for removing a car from where it was parked in Ondo State. I went with Olu and Jungle and we sold it to Sola Adenle. Sola and I were arrested and charged to court. I was granted bail but the case is still in court. I met Usman in SARS cell in 2015. I was the one who told him that someone had a car to sell.

I didn’t know things would turn out this way.”

The second suspect also said: “I am a driver to one Alhaja. I introduced her to Sunday, telling her that he was into car sale. When she said she wanted to buy a vehicle, I asked her to call the man. They negotiated the price and Alhaja sent money to his account.

‘For a long time, he didn’t bring the vehicle. Any time she spoke to him on phone, he would just give excuses.

That was how Alhaja told me that she would get me arrested because I was the one who knew and introduced the man to her.

I knew Sunday while in SARS cell in 2015. I was arrested when I bought a vehicle that was discovered to have been stolen.”

8

news

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Murdered Oyo lawmaker just bagged Ph.D, set for graduation •Ajimobi, Alao-Akala, Oyo, Kwara speakers, others condemn killing •How he was killed, his unfulfilled wish •LP, APC, PDP call for investigation •Investigation has commenced —Police FromOluwatoyinMalik,Dare Adekanmbi,TundeOgunesan, MosesAlao,WaleAkinselure with agency report

O

YO State House of Assembly member on the platform of the Labour Party, Honourable Gideon Aremu, who was on Friday night killed by gunmen, in Ibadan, Oyo State, was already making preparations for his doctoral degree graduation from the University of Ilorin.

Honourable Aremu, 42, holder of a Master of Science degree and ex-soldier from Oorelope State Constituency, was shot dead by the assailants who trailed him to his Alakia house, at about 9:00 p.m.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the assailants rode in motorcycles and only took the lawmaker’s two phones, leaving his car and the N65,000 he had with him.

The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Musah Abdul-Wasi, who made the doctoral preparations of the slain lawmaker public to newsmen, said Aremu was already looking forward to his convoction in the university in October.

“It is regrettable he is not going to see that future. He was supposed to be conferred with a Ph.D. by the University of Ilorin,” he said.

It was gathered that the gunmen threatened to kill his wife, Bukola, who attempted to open the gate of the house for her husband to drive in.

The wife was said to have been terrified by the incident and went upstairs, watching and praying that the assailants would spare her husband.

It was gathered that the assailants waited for a few minutes to confirm that their target was dead before leaving on their okada.

Sunday Tribune gathered that Honourable Aremu’s wife was watching from the house how the three men on a bike accosted her husband to the street, ordering him to come down.

His wife was said to have heard her husband asking the assailants “what do you want?” but could not help.

He was later rushed to Toun Hospital where he was confirmed “Brought In Dead.” His corpse has since been deposited at the

morgue of Adeoyo Hospital, Yemetu.

At the scene of the incident, which was a few metres to his house, the victim’s sandals and blood were still the ground as of Saturday morning when Sunday Tribune visited.

Family members were said to have called his telephone lines around 3:00 a.m., disclosing that though the calls went through, there was no response. The phones were later reported switched off after subsequent trails.

Honourable Aremu was the only opposition lawmaker in the Oke Ogun area, as his other nine colleagues are from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

There were conflicting accounts about whether the slain lawmaker attended the breaking of fast event held at the residence of former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala on Friday evening.

A text message was sent to all the 32 lawmakers inviting them to assemble at the car park of the Assembly complex on Friday where they would join Governor Abiola Ajimobi onward to Alao-Akala’s Bodija residence.

But speaking with Sunday Tribune, Chief Alao-Akala said although lawmakers accompanied Governor Abiola Ajimobi to his residence, Honourable Aremu was not among those who came.

The former governor said: “I was told the assailants did not take his car after they killed him. So, why was he killed? It is sad if politics has degenerated to the level where people have to kill to achieve their aim.

“It was a rude shock to me when I heard of his murder. He was cut at his prime. I am saddened by this development,” AlaoAkala said.

His unfulfilled wish Sunday Tribune gathered exclusively that the slain lawmaker planned to celebrate his wife’s 40th birthday in grand style whenever she clocked the landmark.

His colleague from Ibadan North I Constituency, Honourable Olusegun Olayele, who disclosed this to Sunday Tribune from the United States, on

The late Aremu Saturday, said the late lawmaker came up with the plan during his (Olaleye’s) wife’s 40th birthday.

“He told me he would celebrate his wife’s 40th birthday because he was impressed with how I celebrated my wife at 40. He said it was if though we were re-marrying.

Full weight of law on perpetrators —Ajimobi Governor Ajimobi has expressed shock and consternation over the incident, describing it as not only tragic but condemnable.

A statement by Mr YomiLayinka, his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, said: “As soon as news of the sad event filtered into the knowledge of the governor last night, the governor immediately got into contact with heads of all relevant security agencies including the police, state security services and the army to ensure that any and every one connected with the dastardly act is promptly apprehended and made to face the full weight of the judicial consequences of such sins against humanity.

“The security chiefs have consequently thrown their dragnets wide open to immediately investigate, arrest and prosecute all the antisocial elements who connived to snuff out the promising life of such a compatriot and public officer.

“While commiserating with the wife, children and

family of the deceased who was a ranking member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, the governor assured them and all the people of Orelope State Constituency that justice would not only be seen to be done, but will be done swiftly and thoroughly to ensure the repose of the soul of the good and committed patriot.

Ajimobi reiterated his government’s commitment to sustaining peace and security that the people of the state currently enjoy, warning anyone or group not to test his resolve in this direction.

LP, APC, PDP call for investigation The state chair of LP, Honourable Gbenga Olayemi, has described as barbaric and cruel, the assassination of Aremu, saying that his murder had political undertone.

Olayemi, who described Aremu as a gentleman whose murder came to the party as a painful loss, said the incident had shown that security of lives of people in the country had become endangered.

He called on security operatives and the state government to get to unravel the murder and bring culprits to justice, warning that the incident must not be swept under the carpet like other assassination cases in the state and the country.

Similarly, Oyo APC has called for thorough investigation into the incident.

In a statement by its pub-

licity secretary, Mr Olawale Sadare, the party condemned the murder of the lawmaker.

“This is in view of the fact that such nasty development and political violence have become history in the state since 2011 when the current administration took the mantle of leadership.

Also reacting, the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), called the federal, state governments and the police to unravel the killers.

The PDP, in a statement signed by the party’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Honourable Kehinde Salawu, said “it is high time the government both at the state and federal level put a stop to political killings by finding the killers of Honourable Aremu.”

We are investigating —Police When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, who visited the scene on Saturday, said he had ordered thorough investigation into the case.

Stating that the case was that of suspected murder, Oyebade added that the police would leave it open for investigation to determine whether it was assassination or not.

He confirmed that the phone of the deceased which had two SIM cards were taken away by his killers, but said that it would not hinder police investigation.

The police commissioner also disclosed that the state command would invite some people for questioning based on information gathered.

He said he had also deployed human and material resources to carry out a manhunt for the culprits, while he enjoined members of the public who have useful information that would aid investigation are encouraged to avail the police of such.

Kwara speaker condoles Oyo House, Ajimobi Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Honourable Ali Ahmad, has described the killing of the lawmaker as shocking and unfortunate.

In a message by his me-

dia aide, Shuaib Abdulkadir, the speaker lamented the murder of the lawmaker whom he described as an active member of the Oyo Assembly.

Dr Ahmad, who commiserated with Governor Ajimobi and his colleague in the state, Honourable Michael Adeyemo and the family of the slain lawmaker, prayed that God should give them the strength to bear the loss.

Speaker, LG chairman eulogise him The Speaker of the House, Adeyemo, has described Aremu as an energetic, intelligent and peace-loving man, saying that the news of his murder was shocking, confusing and sad.

“We are all short of words. There are no words to describe this sad and shocking occurrence. We never thought such thing could happen again in Oyo State, having enjoyed peace for so long.

“We never thought that a vibrant, brilliant, energetic and unassuming Honourable Aremu would be cut down. He was a tree that bore fruits. We are still confused. It is beyond our understanding.

“We pray that God will continue to be with his family and the children who are very young. He is like someone who worked so hard but was not allowed to live to enjoy the fruits of his hard work.

Similarly, the Caretaker Chairman of Oorelope Local Government, Honourable Samuel Okunlade, eulogised the late lawmaker, describing him as a hero and a good man who served his country when duty demanded it.

Aremu as soldier Aremu, who was enlisted into Nigerian Army in May 1996 as part of the 42 Regular Intake, was deployed to Sierra Leone as an Infantry Soldier in 1997, Sunday Tribune was informed by his friend and colleague in the military, Mr Amos Kunle Atitebi.

According to Atitebi, “When he joined the Army, he was posted to the 26th Battalion and from there; he was deployed to Liberia, where he worked with other security forces for Charles Taylor’s election.

9

life&living

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Unplanned pregnancy made me go for quiet wedding’ Considering my faith and where I come from, it is almost a taboo to have sex before marriage and if you do, never ever make the mistake of getting pregnant before marriage. My parents said they couldn’t bear the shame and we had to hush up the preparations Seyifunmi Thona Aivoji, Wedding planner

Prophet Nwazuo

that marriage would have been a disaster. I met and fell in love with Dayo but my folks, especially my mother, would hear nothing of it. I was 33 at the time. We went to the registry and got married. My father was aware but my mother, who had been at the forefront of the former union, wasn’t interested.”

Three reasons couples may want quiet wedding The General Overseer, Revolution Fire Christian Ministry, Ojodu, Lagos, Prophet (Dr), Emmanuel E. Nwazuo, in an interaction with Sunday Tribune, gave three reasons couples may want quiet weddings.

According to him, “I know of so many people that have died as a result of disobedience to instructions by God not to make their weddings a glamorous affair, but they chose to do otherwise. There was a couple that was warned to keep the wedding a secret, otherwise, they would die on the same night after their wedding and that happened as was foretold. Many people, out of stubbornness and penchant for disobedience, will choose to please man and self and displease God; and they end up paying for it afterwards.”

According to Nwazuo, another reason a couple may go for a quiet wedding option was if there were financial challenges.

“Suffice it to say that many people, in order to show to friends, neighbours and even their enemies that they have arrived, go to the length and breadth of this earth to raise money to impress and end up terribly indebted soon after their weddings. But a good number of people always remember that life and feeding must continue after the wedding and thereby choose the quiet wedding so as to cut costs.”

Another reason is the stipulation of the church doctrine.

As the cleric noted, “Sometimes, churches have elaborate wedding patterns that may make the couple go crazy on heavy spending to satisfy church authorities. However, there are a few churches now that advise couples to make the affair a quiet one. I make bold to say that I have advised so many to go for quiet weddings so as to save cost and ward off some terrible spiritual implications.”

Psalm Ebube and Wife photo:gmusicplus.com

continued from

pg 3

cording to my mother, I am a continuous reminder of her biggest disappointment. Considering my faith and where I come from, it is almost a taboo to have sex before marriage and if you do, never ever make the mistake of getting pregnant before marriage. My parents said they couldn’t bear the shame and we had to hush up the preparations. It was just the family members and one or two of our friends. More than 90 per cent of those who should known had no idea. All my mother said when people ask is that we got married before my husband travelled out of the country and that there wasn’t enough time for an elaborate wedding. Then she distracts them with the fact

that my husband is a successful businessman, and he spends so much on the family. It is really sad what society has reduced us to.”

‘At 33, with my parents’ rejection of my fiance, I had no choice’ Mrs Dupe Oluyemi, who also narrated her experience on why she had a quiet wedding, told Sunday Tribune that she had to, else, she would have risked losing a man she truly loved.

According to her, “There was this guy I was dating earlier but I never really liked him, even though my parents did. He was our pastor’s son and it was expected that such a union would bring good, but to tell you the truth,

‘It was either a ring before NYSC or the end of that relationship’ Speaking on his experience as a ‘quiet’ groom, David, noted that his experience stemmed from avoiding a fracas as a result of his cowardly betrayal.

“Invitation cards weren’t even printed. My father is late, so it was really my mother, sister and an uncle from my side of the family. I used to date some clients of mine, because my fiancé was out of town for her B.A. degree.

However, somehow, she got wind of the affair and gave me an ultimatum. I had postponed plans to settle down many times, because like I always told her, I wanted to continues

pg 10

10

interview

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

For us, Boko Haram radio is still a rumour —Theatre commander

Theatre commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, combating the Boko Haram in the North East, Major General Lucky Irabor after his monthly review of activities had a short interview with BODUNRIN KAYODE in his office at Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri. Excerpts:

W

HAT is the true position on the report that Boko Haram is now having a radio station to fight back through propaganda?

Our findings so far do not indicate that there is anything like that anywhere within our territory. The report we got is that it is somewhere in Cameroon. We have received some of the frequencies they are allegedly using and I have asked our units in the border areas to listen to it and give us feedback. However, that they have a radio station is really not a big concern to us. We also have a means to transmit to the public the true position of the operations with respect to our progress we have made so far. Indeed Lafiya Dole is equally an FM radio station with its limitations like any other FM radio stations but we are doing our best with it. The transmission power of Lafiya Dole is restricted here within our territory. It doesn’t get across to Chad or Niger. We are meeting our target audience, even though we are also making efforts to cover more areas by way of replication of the station elsewhere.

Is it not yet time for your intelligence department to fight back in the obvious electronics war like the Chinese do?

Well, electronic warfare is not necessary, especially for the radio at this time. Why is it not necessary? It is still an allegation that they have an FM radio station. Before you can fight back by jamming which you are suggesting, you must know their operating frequency and the characteristics of the frequency which nobody has been able to listen to apart from those in Cameroon. For the other warfare you talked about, there are a whole lot of issues involved, especially in internet communications. But what you must understand is that we are doing what is pos-

borders and can transform to something else. We ensure the impact is reduced on a daily basis and I think that is critical and that is what we are working to achieve and I think by and large we have been able to achieve that effectively.

Most times when you talk to journalists, your emphasis is mostly on Borno. Any further developments from the expanded theatre?

Well at least 60 to 65 percent of the problems we have are here in Borno. It only stands to reason that each time issues are talked about, it is Borno that would dominate. Even though few weeks back, we were in Kanama, near the boundary with Niger but the issue Yobe State, has been addressed. So you cannot say it is only Borno that is being reported in the theatre, leaving other vital areas out. Anybody can carry arms, even hunters. What is important is that you have the right information to give you the direction of what is happening so that you can respond by taking appropriate responses. This case you are talking about in Adamawa, they were celebrating something like wedding in the night and they did not send any information to security agents. So people who posed as hunters came in like herdsmen and shot at them.

The brigade commander has addressed the issues, talked to them to even obey curfew timings. When we insist that people should obey curfew, it is because of incidences like this.

Major General Lucky Irabor sible. It may not be appropriate to give you all the details right now, but we are actually doing what is possible .

How long will the current mop-up operations be carried out for us to get to the end of this lingering insurgency?

It may not be appropriate for me to give

you the exact time now. This is because I am rather worried about the impact that the threat of insurgency has produced so far. I can report here that the threat has significantly reduced. We are equally working to see that it keeps reducing.

I can’t give you a particular time frame because like in other forms of asymmetric warfare, it’s a very dynamic war without

What is your message to the people of the North East which is within the theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole?

We want to thank them for their support. They should always report suspicious movement of people. They equally have a part to play by reporting whatever is important to be handled by us.

life&living ‘Quiet wedding is a relative term’ continued from

pg 3

be very comfortable before settling down. However, the ultimatum came. It was either a ring before NYSC or the end of that relationship. We had put in three years into the relationship, and in all honesty, she had been such a wonderful companion, and my family had already accepted her. I had to give her some sort of assurance, and with the promise to throw a big ceremony after she concluded NYSC, and we had the quiet wedding. However, deep within me, I was grateful there wasn’t so much noise because I never really liked the terrible way things ended with the other lady.”

Planning a quiet wedding Seyifunmi Thona Aivoji, a wedding planner in an interaction with Sunday Tribune, listed the requirements for a quiet wedding.

“The word ‘quiet’, as it relates to the Nigerian setting is relative. I’ve attended a wedding, which was described as quiet, with about 60 people as guests. However, over N500,000 was spent. If I were to advise a couple on planning a quiet wedding I would first ask for the budget. This is important because people can be funny. You would see couples making plans that would cost N1 million, yet they have a budget of N200,000. So, an idea of the budget is necessary.

Quiet weddings vary in Nigeria because it is not uncommon for invitees to invite other people. I would suggest not more than 50 guests from both sides of the family. However, for food and drinks, plan as if you invited more people. The guests should also be made up of some family members and a few friends,” she said.

Sharing her experience of organising a quiet wedding, another Lagos-based events planner, Mrs Nonso Anderson, , stated that “quiet weddings can take place as simply

a registry affair with a reception, probably in the living room of the couple or as a traditional or church wedding ceremony involving a few family members and friends.

The venue can be as the couple wishes, but the couple has to ensure that the number of guests is limited and that invitation specifications are strictly adhered to. Preferably, use the parking space of a house, a small hall, or a small field, depending on the weather. Also, use security, to restrict the allure of unwanted guests.

“I actually prefer quiet weddings because they are better organised and the couple feels the intimacy and can savour the moment as they take a big step in their lives together. The ceremony makes more meaning. One ceremony I planned recently, the bride was over 40, and I guess that’s why she went low-key. Big weddings are too disruptive, impersonal and usually ends with the fear that the planner cannot quite satisfy the client because, whether the person likes it or not, there will be complaints.”

11

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

feature Horrifying plight of starving 50,000 children in Borno

S

HOCKING photographs by the Daily Mail of UK on Friday revealed the plight of the children starving in Nigeria after they and their families were made homeless by Boko Haram.

The tiny babies and toddlers are so thin that their bones can be seen clearly against their skin, as medical charity, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), warned that the country is facing ‘a catastrophic humanitarian emergency.’

Despite pledges from Nigeria to do more to tackle the food shortages among the internally displaced people (IDPs), the United Nations has said that some 50,000 children could starve to death this year in the northeastern state of Borno State alone.

At least 188 people died in the camp in Bama between May 23 and June 22,

mainly from diarrhoea and malnutrition, while more than 1,200 graves, many of them for children, have been dug near the camp in the last year, MSF said last week.

A Nigerian government delegation that visited Bama to see conditions for the 25,000 people living there described it as ‘an overwhelming situation for any government to handle.’

Maryam Uwais, special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on social protection, said: “The state government has done its best. We came to see things for ourselves. We came to see things for ourselves.

“We will go back and make reports and soon there will be some relief, more relief coming this way.”

Domestic and international aid agencies rely on the military to drive to 45 miles from the state capital, Maiduguri to Bama,

which was liberated in March.

Roads in to and out of Maiduguri are nominally open but vehicles are still vulnerable to attack from the Islamist militants, who have been pushed into the bush by the military since January 2015.

Many displaced people from in and around Bama are currently staying in camps and host communities in Maiduguri.

MSF’s claims angered the Nigerian government, and Borno State health commissioner, Haruna Mshelia, dismissed reports of severe acute malnutrition at the Bama camp as exaggerated.

But he said some 1,800 of the most vulnerable had been evacuated to Maiduguri for special treatment and feeding. continues

pg 12

12

feature

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Homeless IDPs face death from starvation

continued from pg 11

The United Nations said in a statement on Thursday that its agencies and partners in northeast Nigeria were “reporting high levels of severe malnutrition and desperate conditions’ in recently liberated areas.

“Improving security has enabled humanitarians to access areas that were previously cut off,” said acting UN humanitarian coordinator for Nigeria, Munir Safieldin.

“The conditions we are seeing there are devastating,” he added, demanding “a much faster and wider response.”

More people in urgent need of assistance are being discovered as hard-toreach remote locations are opened up and UNICEF Nigeria representative Jean Gough had a stark warning if nothing was

done.

“We estimate that there will be almost a quarter of a million children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Borno this year,” she said in a statement.

“Unless we reach these children with treatment, one in five of them will die. We cannot allow that to happen.”

The seven-year Boko Haram insurgency has killed at least 20,000 people and displaced more than 2.6 million, with a new influx heaping pressure on local authorities.

Food insecurity and malnutrition has reached emergency levels, the Nigerian government said on Monday, and more than 500,000 people require immediate food assistance.

13 Continued from

I

3 July, 2016 last week

N present-day Nigeria, however, one thing is common to the poor and the rich, and to all the gradations of social scale between the two extremes. Practically all of them are unhappy for some or all of the following reasons: their lives and properties are not as safe as before; their economic activities are in constant danger of unwarranted control, restraint, and extinction; and their welfare and freedom suffer continual derogation.

The Unity Party of Nigeria is fully conscious of the present circumstances, travail, and mood of our people. And since the present is the mother of the future, I have no doubt in asserting positively that the portents for tomorrow are very grave indeed. But we are quite prepared to grasp the nettle; and to disperse the darkening ominous clouds.

I shall presently deal with some of the areas in which we believe some drastic measures are essential, and I shall indicate in each case the kind of actions we propose to take.

However, for the avoidance of misunderstanding, I think it is apposite, at this juncture, that I should recall a portion of the press statement which I made on 22-9-78, the day after the ban on political activities was lifted. It runs as follows: ... There will be occasions when, in the course of electioneering, critical references will be made to some of the doings of the military administration since 1966. Indeed, it is our general thinking that a good number of the policies, programmes, measures, and legislations approved and now being pursued will have to be reviewed and some of them drastically revised or reversed or abandoned. And it will be necessary for comments along these lines to be made during the campaign. In this regard, let it be borne in mind always that any builder who undertakes a reconstruction or renovation of an existing structure, as we are determined to do, must at the same time do some measure of demolition. Such act of demolitionm, in no way suggests or amounts to a condemnation of the previous builders. It usually arises partly as a matter of taste, and partly to bring about new structural changes in keeping with current architectural concept. I would, therefore, like to say that whenever it becomes necessary, in the course of electioneering, indeed even in the course of this statement, to refer to and comment on existing policies, programmes, measures and legislations which are not in keeping with what we consider to be in the best interests of our people, all concerned with the outgoing regime should rest assured that no attack on their personal

Awo’s thoughts PATH TO NIGERIAN GREATNESS

On the campaign trail Whither the poor under the new dispensatlon*

efficiency and probity as public administrators is intended.

In dealing with the various measures, I have not followed any chronological order or historical sequence; nor have I had regard to any order of importance. Nevertheless, I would like to be permitted to declare that our most urgent problem today is that which relates to the abject poor in our fatherland. As we have noted, about ninety

Indeed, Leibenstein, a development economist who has done extensive research into this problem, is categorically of the opinion “that a 21 per cent increase in total calorie intake results in an almost 50 per cent rise in output

Sunday Tribune

per cent of our population belong to this class. So long as this huge number of people remain impoverished, our economic growth rate may continue to look good on paper, but our national development will remain depressed and subnormal.

In order to lift our country quickly from the quagmire of secular underdevelopment the Unity Party of Nigeria will, on its accession to power next October, embark on a rapid and massive transformation of the rural areas under its integrated rural development scheme. We will also take all such steps as will make it possible for farmers and the working class to enjoy a higher quality of life. In this connection, it is our aspiration that within our first term of office a worker or a farmer should have an income of a least 2,400.00 a year.

Having regard to the existing cost of living, it is this income alone that, in our view, can guarantee for the worker or the farmer the means to procure the necessaries of life. And it is this size of income alone that will help to raise the productivity of our workers, promote a more rapid growth of our economy and, at the same time, enhance the development of our fatherland and our people.

It is, I believe, apposite to deal with the problem of inflation at this juncture.

Whenever suggestion is made about increasing the wages or raising the income of the starving masses of Nigeria, the reaction of the well-to-do and the rich is one of outright opposition, on the ground that such increase would bring about inflationary pressure on the economy.

They appear always to overlook certain considerations.

Firstly, a person who only makes or receives subsistence or below-subsistence income or wages can never be an efficient or optimum productive agent. Secondly, development economists and all those who have given serious thoughts to the matter have come to the conclusion that a farmer’s or worker’s productivity is a function of his calorie intake. Indeed, Leibenstein, a development economist who has done extensive re-search into this problem, is categorically of the opinion “that a 21 per cent increase in total calorie intake results in an almost 50 per cent rise in output.”

It is, therefore, false economy and certainly not in the long term interest of the country, and of the rich in our midst, to pay below subsistence wages to workers, and to condemn Nigerian peasants to below-subsistence agriculture.

To be continued

AFRICAN NEWSPAPERS OF NIGERIA PLC Founders: CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO GCFR, SAN (1909 - 1987)

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voxpop

There are different categories of gifts, but some are more easily received than others.

AYOADE ADERINTO got the views of people on what they think of that wedding gift from their spouse’s ex.

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

What will you do if your spouse’s ex presents you a brand new car as wedding gift?

OLAKUNLE FAYIGA

It depends, I will only accept the car if my wife and I are in good terms with her ex and also sure that he got the car through legal means. But if her ex had a grudge with her because she has moved on with me, I will not accept the car because it could be a diabolical plan or a trap for my wife or myself.

RUTH JOHN MANDY AKUDO

I will accept the car. It’s a free world, so I don’t have to think otherwise since I already know about their past. I will accept the car openheartedly. I don’t think it’s a problem

I will not accept the car for any reason. I will return the car immediately to her after showering her with a lot of insults.

I think I will be left with no choice than to accept it. Since he is her ex, that means that they are no longer dating.

HAPPINESS DANIEL

I think I will be left with no choice than to accept it. Since he is her ex, that means that they are no longer dating, so they are just friends. I’m sure he is just doing that to surprise us and also wish us well. So I will accept the car.

CHRISTIANA OKEKUNBI SAMUEL DIKE

I will accept the car provided that there is nothing between my spouse and her ex. So we have to move on and enjoy our relationship. The car should not be a problem.

If it’s a good car that has a huge monetary value, I will tell my husband to sell it, then we either use the money to buy another car or use it for a project. But if the car is not too good, we will give it to either of our mothers.

BOLAJI OLAYIWOLA

I will collect the car. I think since she is feeling so generous, it will be more befitting then to sell the car and give the money to charity, this would erase any doubt.

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3 July, 2016

children’sarena NE day, an old Maine man was fishing on his favourite lake and catching nary a thing. Finally, he gave up and walked back along the shore to his fishing shack.

When he got close to the front door, he saw it was open. Being of a suspicious nature, he walked to the door quietly and looked inside. There was a big black bear. It was just pulling the cork out of his molasses jug with its teeth. The molasses spilled all over the floor and the bear rubbed

his paw in it, smearing it all over.

Well, the old man was not the timid sort. He went to the back of the shack, put his head in the window and gave a loud yell. The bear jumped and ran out the door. It was running strangely. The old man saw that the bear was holding up the foot covered with molasses so it wouldn’t get dirty.

The bear ran to the lake shore. Standing on its hind legs, it held up the paw full of molasses. Soon all the flies and

ILD E CHF TH K O EE W

bugs and mosquitoes were swarming all over the sticky sweet paw. Then the bear waded into the water with his sticky paw full of bugs. It held the paw out over the water.

Suddenly, a big trout came jumping out of the water trying

to get to the flies. The bear gave it a swat and it flew to the shore and flopped there. Then another fish jumped into the air after the flies, followed swiftly by another. Every time a fish jumped after his paw, the bear cuffed it ashore.

Soon it had a large pile.

Finally, the bear decided he had enough fish and waded to shore. The bear had caught a mess of fish any fisherman would envy.

The old man had caught nothing. He watched that bear eat half a dozen trout, his stomach rumbling.

All he had for dinner was some bread and what was left of the molasses. Finally the bear paused in his eating, and looked over to the bushes where the old man

Famousinvention

Water dispenser A water cooler or water dispenser is a device that cools and dispenses water. They are generally broken up in two categories: bottleless and bottled water coolers.

The water cooler as we know it was first invented in the early 1906 and is credited to two men – Halsey Willard Taylor and Luther Haws.

They invented the first drinking water fountain, with the primary motive being to provide safer drinking water and avoid the risk of typhoid fever caused by contaminated water. (Luther Haws’ father had died of typhoid fever precipitated by contaminated water.)

Early drinking fountains provided room temperature drinking water, but demand led to the development of fountains that could provide cooler water thereby killing the micro-organisms responsible for pollution and disease. But early water coolers did not have a discrete water treatment method for purifying the dispensed H2O. As the years went by, water coolers further evolved into smaller, lighter, and more efficient units. They also varied in shape and size, depending on the needs of the consuming public.

With health and safety being the main drivers in recent years, modern water coolers were created with inbuilt purifying systems with some having a reverse osmosis system that removes chlorine and destroys microbials.

Today there are two main types of water cooler: bottled and bottleless.

Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 0807 449 7425

The fisherman and the bear O

Victoria

ogungbade

Happy birthday.

1

clocked

Quote

PUZZLE

Sunday Tribune

was hidden. The bear stood up and laid the remaining fish in a row. Then it walked away up the shore.

It kept looking back at the bushes where the old man stood.

The old man crept out of the bushes and down to the shore. Sure enough, the bear had left six large trout for him. He looked over at the bear. It was standing at the edge of the wood watching. “Thanks a lot,” the old man called to the bear. The bear waved the now-clean paw at the old man and disappeared into the thicket. “Well,” said the old man, “That’s the first time a bear has ever paid me for my molasses.”

The old man never hunted bears again.

"You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

-- A.A. Milne / Christopher Robin

Hippopotamus

• SCIENTIFIC name is Hippopotamus Amphibius-meaning River Horse • Hippo’s are the third largest land mammal after the elephant and the rhino.

• A hippo can be 12 feet long and five feet tall. It can weigh 3 1/2 tonnes!

• Hippos can open their mouths wide enough to fit a four foot child inside!

• There are two types of hippos. The common hippo and the pygmy hippo.

• hippos live in East Africa South of the Sahara.

• They are herbivorous, meaning they don’t eat meat.

• A hippos main diet consists of grass.

• Hippos eat 150 pounds of grass everyday!

• Hippos are a semi-aquatic animal, meaning they spend a lot of the time in the water.

• Hippos do not have sweat glands so they spend a lot of time in the water to stay cool.

• A hippo can hold their breath for five to six minutes.

• A mother gives birth to her baby under water.

• A male hippo is called a bull.

• A female hippo is called a cow.

• A baby hippo is called a calf.

• The lifespan for a hippo is 50 years.

• Hippos live in herds of 10-30 hippos.

• Hippos can be aggressive.

• They are considered a dangerous animal in Africa.

• Hippos can be very territorial and will fight with other hippos over territory.

• A hippo’s predators are humans, lions and crocodiles.

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3 July, 2016

I

T would have been a misnomer for anyone named Buruji not to at least live above poverty line. The name is Yoruba’s anecdote for turning the corner of want. It is always used to signal the coming into affluence. The only negativity is the can’t-you-see connotation. Something close to a suddenness of wealth, even if explicable, betternot-said. I have met Senator BurujiKashamu, representing Ogun East twice. My opinion of his person will be a bestkept possession. You can bet it isn’t anywhere near what his political enemies and social media antagonists, think. I may not also be as generous as his political associates, constituents and friends are in their reverence. I will also stay with the known stories about his commerce and thrash the behind-the-curtain murmurs of the untoward. As much as I care, Kashamu is a successful businessman, with luggage of cash and the usual baggage of high-wired buying and selling.

His politics, which can be said to be less cloudy than his commerce, is the focus here. Let me quickly give a warning here to the current political associates of the Senator who are still thinking minimal of his politics understanding, seeing him only as an electoral mule. To his credit, he has proved his mettle against two old buddies and the credits of the contest, were loaded in his favour.

I met him the first time, euphorically, hosting Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and senior journalists at his Victoria Island hotel. It was a fairly large gathering and immediately the session with the then governor-elect began, Kashamu’s bulky frame disappeared completely, though he was evidently the “host.” That suggested something to me about his politics.

The second time was a restricted affair. A few senior journalists with him in one of the inner recesses of the hotel. It was the height of Olusegun Obasanjo’s determined efforts to help him shed weight in an American prison over the alleged drug ding-dong. Presidential election had been won and lost. There is the saying of a wiseman always counting his fingers to see if any should be bent differently. He went after Obasanjo at the parley, threatening to mention names in the former president’s dalliances when they were bestie, who are still legally answering some men’s names. I remember subtly cautioning him not to set cauldron on fire at homes where marriages are still thought to be blissful. I guess he heeded because he never filed the mass divorceprone litigation. That also said something to me about his politics.

What really do politicians do together as friends that

IT is my considered opinion that successive governments have failed to take the vast majority of Nigerians out of poverty because they have a warped perception of the whole issue.

Poverty alleviation and wealth creation are similar phenomena which produce two different results because they have two different targets. While poverty alleviation is aimed at helping people cope with poverty through palliatives, the focus of wealth creation is to rid the poor of their poverty by giving them skills that would enable them to generate wealth on their own. These two phenomena deploy different strategies; hence the different results they achieve.

Governments at all levels in this country are fixated on poverty alleviation, not wealth creation. Their intention is to help people manage their poverty, not to deliver them from it. That is why as part of their poverty alleviation programme, they give out two bowls of rice, millets or garri, some tablets of soap and a few naira notes to the poor. Pray, how far can those items take anybody? The items are soon consumed and the poor are back where they were. They again turn to government or others hoping for a handout to make it to another day.

When the governments want to create jobs for the poor, they give sub-human employment. Imagine employing a university graduate and paying him N10,000 or N20,000 monthly that is less than two dollars a day.

This already makes him an inmate in the prison of poverty. The question to ask is: how many of those ‘benefactors’ would encourage their own offspring to take up such appointments? Yet, when they do this they make so much noise about it that the public is sometimes deceived into believing that the government has done something out of the ordinary to help the poor.

My suspicion is that harping on poverty alleviation is a strategy by the overlords to keep the people perpetually poor. It appears as if those in government have no

0811 695 4647

olanreade@yahoo.com

Buruji Kashamuism

makes their enmity so smoking? I guess we won’t really get to know, beyond what they say in the open. Given Kashamu’s involvement in the resurgence of PDP in the South-West after weaning himself off Obasanjo’s suffocating politics, it would be eighth wonder if he wasn’t one of Fayose’s major sponsors for the 2014 election. If nothing at all, the chummy-yummy relationship immediately after the poll which I witnessed, suggested kind gestures here and there.

Kashamu and Fayose as soul-mates were also credited with resurrecting Ali Modu Sheriff. A quick word for Kashamu here. A “born-again” nationalist like he projected in his recent media assault against Fayose, should not be

With Sulaimon Olanrewaju 08055001708

lanresulaimon@yahoo.com

From poverty alleviation to wealth creation

real intention of helping the poor out of their poverty; they want to keep the masses poor so that they would eternally depend on them and they can continue to manipulate them as they find fit. They have no plan to extricate them from poverty; they merely want the poor to have enough to stay alive.

So, instead of poverty alleviation, we should be talking of wealth creation. Unlike poverty alleviation, wealth

Sunday Tribune

carrying a Sheriff banner. Even a kind-hearted Joseph of Arimethia won’t touch Sheriff’s cross.

Since Fayose and Sheriff parted way, he has bludgeoned the governor even more than his adversary in government, gradually moving towards the fine-line he threatened to cross with Obasanjo, though this time, more of financial illicitness. He has been dubbed opportunistic, allegedly running Buhari’s administration’s errand against his own party man, to earn seasonal reprieve (at least until Buhari is out) from the extradition harassment, considering Fayose as Buhari’s harshest critic.

If you add the misadvised praise he heaped on Bola Tinubu, in the wake of APC’s victory for which he was embarrassingly repudiated by the honoured, his politics could as well fit into the excoriating pejorative. He could be defenceless on it, if his sustained and rabid defence of Buhari’s wobbly leading is topped the assumptions.

But I see more of survival politics, common with all politicians, including Buhari. I have heard his supporters say he deliberately dined with the corrupt to be elected to deal with them. Where now is the dealing with them? By just denying their stooges appointments or rumbling against party renegades? Buhari’s, was just politics of desperation, full stop.

So, why can’t Kashamu imitate him? Why not even Fayose as alleged by his erstwhile friend who should know him? Why not the decamping folks, at least to escape Magu’smagun (thunderbolt)? Why not Sheriff, even as anyone’s destabilising agent? The morality line is tainted from top, down.

Whatever one may think of Kashamu’s politics, it isn’t mutually exclusive of the national brand that has remained very disappointing, with individual idiosyncrasies marking one player slightly different from the other. No ideological content. Politics of stomach for the needy, of put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is, for the loaded, always pushing for protectionism. Nothing suggests a change soon. The populace also seem to be getting by with it. So we all live with it.

But it won’t sustain us for too long. There will always be the breaking point. It came for UK with Brexit. I strongly hold it will come for USA with Trump White House in November.

People might appear to be cool with a discomforting note of a song sang too often to have lost its melody. Then one day...

You want to know my opinion of Kashamu’s politics. I think he is a devoted ally when not scorned. He also seems to have a kiss-and-tell DNA. It is always better to either never be with his ilk, or be, and remain in their good book forever.

creation is not a quick fix. It is a long-term project that requires proper planning and extensive investment.

I have often said it that the solution to poverty is the possession of a marketable skill. It is not enough to have a skill, such skill must meet market requirements. Otherwise, it would be a shackle. It is when a skill is marketable that it can be used to create wealth. So, the government needs to conduct a survey of the skills that are required now and do a study of the emerging markets and equip the people with the skills that would be required by them. The trainees have to be supported while undergoing the skill acquisition process, and after the programme, so that they can eventually stand on their own and also become employers of labour.

Poverty has gradually crept into the rank of university graduates because quite a number of them do not have the requisite skill set required by the market. This is a consequence of the universities relying on curricula that were developed in the 1970s and 1980s. To save university products from the chains of lack, the institutions have to update their curricula and make them relevant to the realities of today as well as the likely demands of the future.

The problem of poverty in a country is solved by instilling in the people entrepreneurial skills; the ability to identify needs and move to meet such. That is the strength of many of the world’s thriving economies. A country that has many wealth creators among its people cannot be pulled down by the weight of poverty. The government should start thinking along that line.

Poverty would not be banished in the land by alleviating it. The only way to kick poverty out of Nigeria is by raising a generation of entrepreneurs who will embrace wealth creation. Until we see wealth creation as a strategy for combating poverty, many Nigerians will continue to be listed among the most wretched on the planet. That would be a shame, considering our humongous resources.

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3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Kate Henshaw keeps mum on Akpororo’s apology Ebonylife Tv clocks 3, expands to Lagos

A woman is something else when men don’t admire her —Mistura Asunramu

Mistura Asunramu-Alao is one of the actresses in the Yoruba speaking movie industry. Lately, she has been missing in action after relocating abroad. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, she speaks about life abroad and why she would not quit acting for any other thing. EXCERPTS: The rumour doing the round since you relocated abroad is that you have quit acting. So, how has it been since you left the industry?

I have never and will never leave the movie industry.

I want to use this medium to inform my fans that I am still in the industry and nothing has affected my acting career. I am still an actress and I am enjoying the profession because it is what I love doing. People should disregard the rumour that I have quit acting. Nothing has changed about my acting career. In fact, I have even expanded my scope of acting abroad as well as diversified into other jobs, broadcasting precisely. The only thing that has changed is that I have relocated with my family to the United States.

What has been happening to you aside acting in recent times?

I have a lot of stuff at hand, I still shoot movies, I do radio presentation and everything pertaining to entertainment.

Don’t you think relocating abroad will affect your career?

God forbid! Anything about entertainment is sweet, so why would I want to get bored when I have a life? As an entertainer, no matter where you go, it’s in the blood.

Nothing has changed; instead I have used my wide experience to impact and affect the industry abroad. I have done a couple of works that were widely accepted and also spurred me to do more. I have also been able to increase

my fan base here too.

There were various reports about your absence in the industry. Some people said your home was in disarray, while others claimed that you were frustrated in the industry. Could you shed more light on this?

Yes, there were so many wrong insinuations. My God will never let my home be in disarray. To the glory of God, I’m living fine and I’m happy with my family and my job. I have never been frustrated with acting. I am in USA; I have produced two movies entitled: ‘Akebaje’ which is presently Continues on pg21

18

3 July, 2016

Segun Adebayo tegbollistic@yahoo.com 08116954644

Sunday Tribune Seyi Sokoya seyi_sky@yahoo.com 08075166585

Nollywood actress plans lavish birthday bash for daughter in Dubai

Ebonylife TV

clocks 3, expands to Lagos

PREPARATIONS are in top gear for the first year birthday party of Summer Adebayo, the daughter of Dubai-based Nollywood actress, Bridget Ighorojeh Adebayo, on July 9.

Summer clocked one on June 9, but the party was shifted to July 9, at Daniel Iranian Restaurant, at the United Arab Emirates, Dubai.

Some notable actors and actresses from Nollywood are planning to attend the party in Dubai.

R gathered that after the party, Bridget and her colleagues will hit location in Dubai to shoot her latest movie.

The actress is said to be leaving no stone unturned to make her daughter’s birthday celebration and the movie shoot a huge success.

By Segun Adebayo

E

BONYLIFE TV clocked three years on DSTV on Friday and announced that it has expanded its operations to Lagos State where all its daily and entertainment shows are now produced.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mo’Abudu, on Friday. Describing the threeyear journey as fruitful, Abudu revealed that the cable TV, in the last three years, created over 3000 hours of premium quality home grown programming in a variety of genre’s - drama, comedy, reality, talk, lifestyle, magazine and factual.

She said further that “EbonyLife TV has expanded its operations to Lagos where all our daily and

entertainment shows are now produced, but Calabar still very much remains home to EbonyLife TV, which has now become our drama production hub. I assure you of many great and exciting drama series. The Governor, Dere, On The Real, Sons of the Caliphate and even FIFTY the Series. For Talk shows we have added Mens Corner, The Boot and MOMENTZ for the 18-22 year olds also coming.

“In line with our vision to keep telling our stories, EbonyLife Films was birthed in 2014 with the production of FIFTY, a huge success in cinemas nationwide and is now also available on Netflix and you now watch FIFTY on most international flights. That’s not all, this year, EbonyLife Films is partnering with Film One, Koga Studios and Inkblot in a Film Collective to produce yet another block buster, The Wedding Party that will be available in cinemas nationwide this Christmas.

“I assure you that we have a lot more for you as we move into our third year, all I can say is stay glued to EbonyLife TV.”

FilmOne premieres ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ in Nigeria, to set new records

By Rotimi Ige THE much-anticipated movie, Independence Day: Resurgence, was premiered on Thursday in Lagos State by FilmOne Distributions, and distributed to cinemas nationwide.

The premiere, which took

place at Genesis Deluxe cinemas, and sponsored by Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, was one of a kind event and was graced by many entertainment business moguls; Kene Mkparu, MD/CEO FilmHouse Limited; Kene Okwuosa DMD FilmHouse; Moses Babatope, COO FilmOne Distribution and

artistes, Banky W, Sammy Okposo, Ikechuckwu, Oreka Godis and a host of others.

Redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale.

Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an im-

mense defence programme to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare fans for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction”. The movie has as stars Liam Hemsworth, Vivica A. Fox and Jeff Gold-

Wizkid anounces collaboration with Chris Brown, Trey Songz, French Montana in ‘Shabba’

By Segun Adebayo WIZKID is not slowing down on his dream to conquer Africa with his songs. Weeks after news came to town that the singer was planning another big collaboration after he was sighted in the studio with American hip hop singer, Chris Brown, many people have been asking what he could be up to.

In fact, there were reports that the collaboration was another publicity stunt from the Wizkid and his handlers at that time.

Wizkid finally laid all doubts to rest on Friday when he announced the new single, Shabba, via his Instagram

page. The song featured Chris Brown, Trey Songz and French Montana in his latest single.

Although it was yet to be ascertained whether it was Wizkid who featured Chris Brown or otherwise, ealier on Friday, a version of the song was released online and a report stated that Chris Brown actually featured Wizkid, Dallas rapper Hoody Baby and British rap collective, Section Boyz.

It remains to be seen who featured who in the new single. Head or tail, the song has been welcomed by Wizkid’s fans and it is obvious that they can’t wait to have a feel of it when it is finally released.

blum.

Independence Day: Resurgence is distributed by FilmOne Distribution and Production, with it being the first 20th Century Fox production to be distributed by FilmOne since they became Fox’s West African Film distributors in April this year.

19

razzmatazz

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

God, hustle earned me my first endorsement —Humblesmith Stories By Seyi Sokoya IN his humble manner and heart of gratitude, artiste, Ekene Ijemba, popularly known as Humblesmith, has attributed his first endorsement deal with one of the notable noodles companies in the country, Tummy Tummy Instant noodles, to God, fruitful hustle and grace.

The development could be as-

Fans shocked as Di’ja becomes mother

FANS of Mavin Music act, Di’ja, were taken aback when news filtered in that the singer had been delivered of a baby boy in the early hours of Friday.

Some of her fans who expressed their surprise on the social media siad the news of Di’ja’s pregnancy and delivery came as a surprise to them as many of them never expected it.

According to a source, the singer chose to make her pregnancy private when it was becoming obvious. This could be one of the reasons she was missing in action for months before now.

Having achieved her aim to protect her pregnancy from the public, Di’ja is out of her hiding to publicly share the good news through a video shoot she posted on her Instagram Page last Friday.

Aphrodija and her hubby, Rotimi, who are happy and grateful to God for the safe delivery, are now proud parents.

Expressing her delight for the nine-month journey and safe delivery, Di’ja wrote on her page, “So thankful to the Almighty for an amazing journey. Thank you to my family and amazing friends for your ongoing support. Thank you to my Mavin family who are forever providing me with guidance and last but not least my amazing fans for their undying love, well wishes and encouragements. I could not be DI’JA without you.”

According to the footage of the short video, Di’ja also confirmed that she is back in the country, Lagos precisely, and also ready for a great musical comeback having been absent from the entertainment scene for some time.

The video also revealed the beginning of her love journey which in 2014 with her hubby, detailing when he proposed to her, the courtship, engagement ceremony, wedding shopping and how they got married.

cribed as a grant of the request of the ‘cries’ of the Osinachi crooner’s popular hit, just as he has also joined the league of Nigerian artistes to become an ambassador.

The artiste wrote on his Instagram page saying, “Small boy with a big God…fruitful hustle, power of grace (Jukwese) #Osinachi1 of-Africa #Tummy Tummy-Ambassador (Na God de do am for me) We made it fam...just got my

first endorsement…now a brand ambassador of Tummy Tummy Instant Noodles. Thanks to Almighty.”

Humblesmith, who had a rough background in Ebonyi State where he hawked moi moi in the streets to raise money for the family, has eventually had a breakthrough, becoming a celebrated artiste through his music talent.

Kate Henshaw keeps mum on Akpororo’s apology

A

NOTHER brawl appears to have ensued in the entertainment industry again.

This time, it is a clash between actress-turned politician, Kate Henshaw and comedian, Akpororo.

The popular actress and her management had warned Akpororo who was said to have included Henshaw’s image and name to promote his upcoming event without her consent, to publicly apologise and also remove all that has to do with her in all the publicity within the next 48 hours.

While acknowledging the error, Akpororo was said to have apologised for his mistake, saying, “Good evening ma, Before anything else, I just want to say I am very sorry ma for the misunderstanding, so sorry for not following up after our last conversation about my show ‘Akpororo vs Akpororo’ holding at Eko Hotel and Suites on July 8 when you were out of the country. I will never disrespect you or even take you for granted for any reason, I respect you so much ma, please pardon me ma. Thanks and GOD bless you ma.”

But the matter seems not to have gone to rest, as Kate Henshaw who seemed to have been bitter with Akpororo’s act was yet to acknowledge the comedian’s apology.

Angry Henshaw, while complementing her management’s disclaimer to the development, expressed her dissatisfaction with Akpororo. She wrote on her

Instagram page saying, “There is a thing called RESPECT in this industry. The sooner people recognise this... the better it will be for all. Do not take my smile and

D.Wahx debut with ‘Shaye lo’ IN his quest to launch himself in the entertainment industry, fast rising Hip hop artiste, Onakoya Adebowale Yunus, otherwise known as D.Wahx, has released his debut video entitled: “Shaye lo”.

The video, which was directed by Tunji Afolayan, according to the artiste, ‘was built up with class and rhythms.

The Ogun State-born artiste who is delighted with the success of his first work said he is committed and would not give room for any distraction to have his breakthrough

in the entertainment industry.

He added that, “I have passion for music and I know that I am talented. I trust God that He will crown my hustles and hardworks. I am not in haste to be on the top of my game.

I am focused and full of confident that I will shine beyond my peers.”

simplicity for stupidity! Notice of 48 hours is hereby given to the organisers to remove my name and image from all publicity associated with this event.”

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3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune With Segun Adebayo &Seyi Sokoya tegbollistic@yahoo.com seyi_sky@yahoo.com 08116954644 08132577840

Emmanuel Joshua Oluwaseyi, otherwise known as Prince J, is a fast rising hip hop star whose music career is taking many people in the music by surprise. With seven years in the game, the singer and songwriter is already making a name for himself with his distinct voice. He shares the story of his music career with SEGUN ADEBAYO

I don’t want to be compared

with Adekunle Gold H

OW would you describe your journey into the music industry?

I’ll say it wasn’t easy. It was really full of ups and downs, stress, disappointment and a lot of hard work. Things were not as rosy as they are today. I never stopped believing in God. I have always known that getting to the top is not a tea party, so I was prepared. But in all, I am grateful to God for the grace to have come this far. This is just the beginning.

If things were that hard, why did you opt for music in the first place and not something else that could have been easier?

I am not the type that runs when the going gets tough. Having said that, music, for me, is a way of life and a way to get out from pain. It is just something I love doing. As I said earlier, this is just the beginning and we are gradually getting to the top. By the time we start dropping our materials, you will understand how much we have worked hard.

You are a songwriter, singer and performer, how do you want to keep all these going without a clash?

The three things you just mentioned are like separate elements to form a single body, which is music. It’s just like saying the soul spirit and body will clash. Let me break it down this way. You have to

—Prince J

be a songwriter to be a good artiste with contents. You have to be a singer to voice your ideas and a good performer to sell your songs to the world. A complete artiste must be the three in one.

for our fans. The vision is for us to keep moving on. We have just started and we are moving up day by day. I have been singing for about seven years now and the feedback has been massive.

You are signed to E.M.A entertainment, how did you find your way into the label?

Okay, it happened that the owner of the label was in a show I performed and he was thrilled and that’s how I bagged the deal. I am happy about the deal. It has been a smooth ride for me and I am hoping that this continues.

You sound like Adekunle Gold in your latest song, Shoutout, was this deliberate?

This is the first time I am actually hearing this, but a big shout out to Adekunle Gold, he’s a great act...

What exactly do you think stands you out?

I think its my voice. People say my voice is distinct. I am grateful to God for that beautiful gift.

Are you sure you have got what it takes to survive in the music industry? .... smile... That’s a deep question from you, but the truth is that you can’t get enough of me. I am bad like that.

You seem to have a lot of greatness in you that you are yet to unleash, how are you willing to let your fans know you have got what it takes?

By giving them hit songs back to back like my colleague. We have lined up hits

Don’t you think sounding like him will limit your chances in the music industry?

Like I said earlier, shout out to Adekunle Gold.

How easy does composing songs come for you?

Once it’s in you, it’s in you. I won’t say it’s hard or simple, it is something that just comes naturally. It’s an inspiration that is brought from within you. That’s how

We have lined up hits for our fans. The vision is for us to keep moving on

much I can say about that.

Who are your role models in the music industry and why?

Fela and The Weekend. I like their confidence musical content and story. They have this explanatory music, it’s like them sharing a part of them with listeners. And that catches my attention a lot.

Which Nigerian artiste would you like to work with?

Davido, Olamide and Yemi Alade.

You are called Prince J, where are you from and are you a real prince?

Yes, they call me Prince J, I am from Ekiti State... I am not a crown prince.

My music is just noble that’s why I see myself as a prince but I have come to become a real prince of music in the industry.

What next after Shoutout?

I have got lots of stuff coming out.

Something that will change the trend and make people get to know me without introduction any longer. Trust me, it’s going to be really nice Tell us about your educational background?

I am a 300 level mathematics student of the Federal University of Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State.

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glitz

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Continues from pg17

on YouTube and ‘Ayeajifa’ which will be premiered very soon. I have done a soap opera right here, and I have featured in a lot of movies here too such as: ‘Ola Inukan’, ‘American Babes’, ‘The twins’, ‘Aminat Minaj’ among others. So, I’m still very relevant in the movie industry within and outside Nigeria. I have come to realise that I don’t need to feature in every movie. I feature in good ones and try as much as possible to produce good movies myself.

I am a professional in the industry and a known face before I went abroad ... I have no problem settling and fitting into the system.

How did you overcome all that were said about your home and your relocation abroad?

I am not bothered about the rumour because it was not true. People are used to saying whatever they like about entertainers. I have a happy home and I am comfortable with my acting career.

that I’m versatile to the extent that I can play any role given to me, and I love the fact that my fans appreciate the movie.

Looking at how far you have come in the industry, would you say you have done enough for yourself ?

I have done a lot, but it’s not over until it’s over. In fact, to top up my entertainment life, I now present on African Pride FM, Houston Texas, where I run a programme known as ‘Konnect with Mistyee .

Do you feel you get the deserved respect, especially among the female folks?

Of course, I’m highly respected because I respect people too. I am not too forward and I don’t overdo things because respect is reciprocal and self respect is the ultimate wisdom. I’m learned and I know what it takes to keep one’s dignity and humility.

You celebrated your fifth marriage anniversary early this year.

How has the journey been?

Thanks to the Almighty, the journey of my marriage has been very good and I appreciate my backbone for his support always in all I do.

Could you recall how acting started for you?

Acting started as a choice because I have the talent. It all started in 2002 when I was in the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, as a Mass Communication student.

Later, I joined the ‘Awadakerikeri Organisation’ which belongs to Adebayo Salami, Iya Awero and Sunday Omobolanle. I started acting English movies, soap operas, and then later switched to Yoruba movies till date. It has been God all the way.

If not acting, what

Are you satisfied with the state of the movie industry in Nigeria?

No stakeholder in the industry is satisfied with the situation of things when piracy is killing our jobs. We are still hoping and I believe it will get better soon by God’s grace.

What do you miss most about Nigeria?

I miss Nigeria’s activities in general and I also miss going to parties. We go to parties here too, but only important ones like movie premieres, awards ceremonies, among others.

‘My p i h s n o i t a l re with e d a l n u d O Adekola’ would you have become?

I would have become a newscaster or a journalist.

This is what I also love to do.

How have you been able to handle scandals?

Scandal is in every industry, so it’s not a new thing. It has just been God. There are allegations that female actresses camouflage acting for

dirty jobs. How true is this?

I don’t know about that, I only believe in hardwork and humility and that has been helping my acting career.

Who are your friends and foes in the industry?

Everybody is my friend, my colleagues, my fans and family. They have really supported me positively, so, I don’t have foes.

at all.

Do you still keep in touch with your friends in the industry?

Sure. I still have a cordial relationship with my friends. I would say that distance has not affected the bond too.

How do you handle male admirers?

I appreciate them for admiring me. If you are a woman and you are not being admired by men, then you are something else.

What is your relationship like with Odunlade Adekola?

We are colleagues and there is not string attached to our relationship; nothing

What is your most challenging role ever?

My most challenging role would be my movie entitled: ‘Faliolomi’, where I played the role of a comedian. I’m not a comedian but I know

How would you compare the movie industry abroad and that of Nigeria?

Entertainment is the same thing everywhere; it is easy to work at location abroad because there won’t be any disturbance. No noise pollution, especially from generator and car horns. Also, no disturbance of area boys that would want to collect money because we are shooting in their area; there is always silence and mind your business attitude abroad. Anyway I miss going to several locations to shoot, the noise and activities of moving around in Lagos.

How were you able to fit into the industry abroad?

I am a professional in the industry and a known face before I came here. So, they know what I am capable of doing. I have no problem settling and fitting into the system. Meanwhile, I want my fans in Nigeria to expect me soon. I will return very soon.

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3 July, 2016

Going

natural

Rita Okonoboh 08053789087 rosarumese@gmail.com

Photo:www.konnectafrica.net

makeover

Sunday Tribune

S

INCE 2015, more and more women are embracing the natural look. From Kate Henshaw to Omoni Oboli, and quite recently, Shola Allyson, ladies have taken the decision to go back to their roots. This may seem like a difficult task but it shouldn’t be impossible.

Besides, even if it may seem that it would require so much effort, it is a step as many women as possible should embrace.

The transition proper According to Francesca Emmanuel, owner of Beauty Flicks Hair Port, Ojodu, Lagos State, there are three ways to switch from relaxed to natural hair: waiting it out entirely, regular trimming of the major parts of the relaxed strands or cutting it off. Whichever way you pick is entirely up to you.

Ms Emmanuel also shares other tips for successfully switching from relaxed to natural hair as follows: Know your hair type It is not enough to just take the decision to move from relaxed to natural hair. It is equally important to determine your hair type to ensure you are using the right products. As a result, book an appointment with an expert to get the correct products’ recommendations. Type of hair depends on the texture and general outlook and can range between curly, straight, kinky, soft and coarse.

Know the pros and cons of each process Whether you choose to shave your hair and go for low cut, decide to trip the relaxed tips or simply choose

Photo:www.konnectafrica.net

Before you go natural Making the decision to maintain your natural hair comes with the attendant responsibility, and as such, there are questions to ask before the transition: Are you ready for the task?

Contrary to the notion that natural hair is easier to maintain, natural hair demands high maintenance.

Remember that the average Nigerian lady’s hair is usually curly and sometimes hard to touch. As such, be ready to embrace proper and regular washing, conditioning and detangling, whether you cut it off or not.

Are you close to regular water supply?

The reality for natural hair growers is that you will need to shampoo and condition at least once a week.

This will help to ease out drying, coarseness and tangling and help with easier management. However, with more washing comes the need to have enough water around dedicated strictly to your hair.

Are you ready to embrace uncomfortable change?

Transitioning from relaxed to natural hair has its advantages but the beginning stages can be quite difficult. Besides, unlike the smooth scanty feel of retouched hair, you’re now left with thick, curly hair. Be absolutely sure you’re ready for the job at hand because maintenance can be quite tasking.

Are you ready to trust an expert?

Having access to as much information available over the internet is not the same as engaging the services of a physical expert who can examine your hair and determine the right products you should use.

to wait and grow it out, it is important to know the high and low sides of your decision. If you decide to start over, decide just how low you’re willing to go. For example, instead of cutting it so low, you could wait a few weeks to have enough natural hair on the roots before chopping your hair off.

Know the rituals of grooming Unlike fixing weavons and using hair extensions, grooming your natural hair requires pampering because of the nature of the hair. For starters, you could go for braids to help you prepare your hair for its natural state.

Braids also help with evading the ritual of detangling and aid with growth. However, for best results, let your natural hair breathe as much as possible. Wash at least once a week with rich conditioner and shampoo. Shampoo helps to take care of dirt and conditioner helps with softening. If you feel there isn’t much dirt, go for strictly shampoo.

Buy the essentials In the early stages of grooming natural hair, try to use

natural products if you can to ensure that your hair retains its natural hair as much as possible. As much as you can, rely on a certified expert.

Switch between styles Even if you decide to go natural, it does not automatically mean that you have to retain just that look. You can still fix weavons, make braids, and if you like, make Ghana weaving. Your limitation is really a function of your mindset and how much you’re willing to explore.

And your hair in its natural state can still be styled so beautifully, even those with relaxed hair will envy you.

The trick is to work with your full rich texture.

Be patient Going from retouched to natural takes time and sometimes the process can be frustrating but in the long run, you will be rewarded.

P.S. And if you do not feel up to going totally natural, but still crave the look, there are many weavon options to choose from.

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3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

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Sunday Tribune

Sunday Tribune

3 July, 2016

glamour I

Foray into acting got into acting professionally five years ago, after a friend of mine in Kaduna invited me for a television commercial for one of the leading telecommunication companies in Nigeria. I got the job and was paid handsomely for it. I later fell in love with acting because I really had fun working on the commercial.

M y first exp e r i e n c e on set My

With Tayo Gesinde temiligali03@yahoo.com 08054727801

Beauty regimen I don’t have any beauty routine. I just use exfoliating fade soap, and a good day and night cream. I drink lots of water and eat vegetables. I also make sure I get my sleep. Occasionally, I visit the spa to spoil myself a little.

Those who tone their skin have low self-esteem

Fashion obsessions My fashion obsessions are shoes and perfumes.

I love perfumes.

Favourite perfumes Love Story by Chloe and Eternity by Calvin Klein.

Fashion item I can’t do without A sweet scent, I must say.

Secret of beauty The secret of my beauty are sleep, water, vegetables. I also have my parents’ DNA to thank for that.

What I will like to change about myself There is nothing to change about me and if I will ever consider going for surgery, it would be a tummy tuck. I like to show my midriff.

My view about toning I believe people who tone have low self-esteem so they think that they will be more accepted if they have a lighter skin. All things are bright and beautiful, the Lord God made them all.

My take on provocative dressing People also believe that the more skin you show, the sexier you are, but the reverse is the case. When you are all covered up, you leave a lot to your admirer’s imagination. But if you bare it all, there is nothing to look forward to. I believe there are ways you can flaunt your asset without exposing so much. Modesty is the key. “Less is much.”

—Jennifer Igbinovia

When you are all covered up, you leave a lot to your admirer’s imagination. But if you bare it all, there is nothing to look forward to.

first experience on set was interesting and nerve-wracking at the same time. I had the crew, makeup artiste and the wardrobe consultant all around me. I was under pressure because I was shooting with Desmond Elliot, who happened to be an A-list actor and my favourite actor. I didn’t want any anxiety from my side. Also, I didn’t want him to know I was a greenhorn. I made a few mistakes here and there but he was patient and nice.

He made sure I was comfortable so I was able to loosen up in no time and I just flowed after then. The movie is entitled, Passion of the Widow. It was done with Desmond Elliot and Kalu Ikeagwu. The producer was Blessing Suleiman Ndak.

Challenges faced There are a lot of challenges up -and-coming artistes faced. I got my first role on a silver platter and

Jennifer Igbinovia, a graduate of Tourism from Kaduna State Polytechnic, Kaduna State, is an actress and a businesswoman. She speaks with TAYO GESINDE on her first experience on set which she described as `nerve-wracking and how she has been coping with competition in an industry that is filled with many talented actresses. Excerpts: I thought it was business as usual. After falling in love with acting, I wanted to take it to another level (professionally) so I started going for auditions. At some point, you are lucky and you are given a role to play, at some others, they will tell you that they will get back to you but they will never do. And if they eventually get back to you, you will have to vie for a particular role with five other people before you can get the role. I had to do a number of them and I’m thankful I always come on top. It is the survival of the fittest. At times, you have to vie for a role with your friends.

The journey so far It has been an exciting journey so far with the help of God. There had been some downsides but I have never looked back since I joined the movie industry. It is a beautiful career path and with support from friends and family who are proud of me, I intend to follow it to where it leads. So far, I have featured in Webs (the aftermath), Passion of a Widow, The House, 90 ‘ Gogoro, Karma (The Ripples), Braids on a Bald Head, Clinic Matters, to mention a few.

My role models in the industry In Nigeria they are; Bimbo Akintola and Dakore Akande. On the international scene, Sigourney Weaver, Judy Dench, Sicily Tyson, Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker.

Special treat I go to a nice spa.

My greatest physical asset My eyes and lips.

How I handle advances from male admirers It is not a do or die affair. I simply tell them that I am not interested and that’s it.

Some of them become my friends afterwards.

Coping with competition in the industry The competition in the industry is off the charts.

I mean it is crazy! It has been God and passion for the acting that has been helping me to cope because at times you just want to throw in the towel. There is a pressure to dress well, to speak well, look good for your age and a whole lot of others. But we are coping, it is our job. It is what we do.

Qualities I want in a man I want a God-fearing man who is loyal, funny and intelligent with a bit of good looks.

What I do aside acting I am a business woman as well. I travel to buy stuffs and sell to fellow actresses.

Philosophy of life My philosophy in life is: “You can never be bigger than the way you think. For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

Description of self I could be a taciturn individual, I enjoy my company a lot. I have a small circle of friend and I like it that way. I am also free spirited and fun-loving when I need to be. I love swimming, watching movies and reading books.

Definition of style Style means elegance, sophistication and simplicity. I guess you have heard of the saying “Less is

25

more,” that is me. The event I am attending determines my mode of dressing because my dress has to conform to the kind of event l am attending. I do follow fashion

trends e s p e cially if the trend i beautiful and suits my style, if not, I dump it.

s

My favourite designers I like Coco Chanel and Diane von Furstenberg. For bags, I like Gucci, while for shoes, I go Prada.

Assessment of Nollywood Nollywood is a work in progress. A lot of improvement has occurred and I know producers are now gearing towards Hollywood movies ‘standard which is impressive. I see tremendous change, as we are no longer under the hold of the marketers. We have various ways of distribution processes to market our movies now, for example, Cinema, YouTube and others. There are a lot of factors stifling progress though. Piracy and many young producers are facing financial constraint. If only the government can be involved in financing the industry, it would make life easier for producers. I think we will get there in a few years time.

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3 July, 2016

With Akintayo Abodunrin akinjaa03@yahoo.co.uk 08111813058

80 garlands for Idonije, inimitable music critic Broadcaster and music critic, Benson Idonije, who clocked 80 recently, was loudly celebrated across four venues in Lagos

A

ND then he was 80. And because of his immense achievements in those four score years, four days were set aside to celebrate him. From June 16 to 19, music critic and broadcaster, Benson Idonije was celebrated in four venues across Lagos under the theme ‘The Benjay Phenomenon’.

The opening event of the celebrations which included concerts, film screening, workshops for music students, conversations on highlife and jazz music, was a tribute/colloquium held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan on June 16.

Ex-Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria), and Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, who chaired the occasion with the theme ‘Essential Benson Idonije’ recalled that when Idonije, popularly known as Benjay, “started troubling people with his thoughts on music, we thought who’s this young man telling us what we already know.

He brought us information on music. It’s been long and by his performance, it’s been well.”

He disclosed that he accepted to chair the occasion for two reasons: the first is that he’s always happy to be where positive things are being celebrated and because it’s an opportunity to meet people who were with him in broadcasting back in the day. “Iron sharpens iron; I thought I was iron but they sharpened me. Benjay is one of the people for whom I have genuine respect and admiration for what they’ve done and I say God bless you.”

Moderator and chair of Troyka Holdings,

Benson Idonije (middle) with his wife and Soni Irabor at one of the events marking the birthday.

Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, also relived old times with the celebrator, especially his Bohemian ways. He highlighted the qualities of the presenter of popular programmes, ‘Big Beats’ and ‘NBC Jazz Club’, and the sense of loss people felt when Idonije was moved from programs department to the FRCN Training School in 1984.

Another veteran of the NBC/FRCN, Mr. Kevin Ejiofor, in giving the first lead talk, alluded to the Biblical ‘Whatsoever your hand findeth to do, do it with all your might’ and said that aside giving it his all, Idonije exhibited passion, diligence and rigor beyond the ordinary in his broadcasting days.

He explained that broadcasting is a sacred enterprise and that its cornerstone is the audience whom one grows to fall in love with.

“If anyone had that diligence and love for the audience, that person was Benjay,” Ejiofor continued, adding that “Benjay is the quintessential summary of what we were taught at the FRCN. He also epitomises the lessons Dr. Kolade taught us; Dr. Kolade gave us dili-

gence, heart and passion.”

Sir Victor Johnson, who gave the second lead talk, described Idonije as an enigma.

He disclosed that he met him in 1964 when he joined the NBC and that it’s important to celebrate achievers while they are alive.

Johnson, who also dwelt on the programmes Idonije presented, nostalgically said “then, NBC was the golden era of broadcasting. It was managed by giants with insatiable appetites for perfection.”

The speaker didn’t fail to highlight Idonije’s qualities as a producer, noting that he distinguished himself in producing dance music bands across all genres and that he is a very caring family man.

Mr. Ron Ngbatogu, another of the several veteran broadcasters at the event, hailed Idonije’s professionalism and love for family.

He also let the audience in on why the celebrator, the grandfather of musician Burna Boy, wore a beret back in the day. “He was balding,” he said to laughter from the audience.

Renowned music producer, Odion Iruoje

Entries open for NB Golden Pen Awards THE race for the 8th Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Awards is on as journalists have been invited to submit entries for the three available categories.

Launched in 2008 by Nigerian Breweries Plc to celebrate the partnership between it and the media, the award’s objective is to promote professionalism and objective reportage of events in the country.

The three available categories are NB Golden Reporter of the Year, NB Golden Pen Report of the Year and NB Golden Pen

Photojournalist of the Year.

Speaking at a news briefing on Tuesday, Corporate Adviser, NB Plc, Kufre Ekanem, disclosed that the theme of the past two editions, ‘Education, Youth Empowerment and Talent Development’ have also been retained for this year.

Explaining the decision, Ekanem said “each of the past seven editions have strengthened the credibility of the NB Golden Pen Awards because they have made it more inclusive and ensured an increased

From left, Anthony Akaeze, 2015 Golden Pen Reporter of the Year; Mr Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Mr Canice Opara, winner, 2014 Golden Pen Report of the Year, at the call for entries.

media buy-in.”

He added that only reports that were published in the country between January 1 and December 31, 2015 are eligible and that each person is limited to a maximum of three entries.

Entries, he continued will be opened till Friday, August 19 while the awards ceremony will hold on Friday, October 28.

Ekanem, who disclosed that TPT International is the new agency in charge of collating entries and that there’s no discrimination between online and print publications, said that originality, news value, use of resources, credibility and factuality are some of the criteria the jury would use in appraising entries.

Others include info-graphics, layout/headline, clarity and social responsibility.

Apart from plaques and gift items, the NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year comes with a cash prize of N1, 000,000 while the Golden Pen Nigeria Breweries Report of the Year comes with N500, 000. The winner of the NB Golden Pen Photojournalist of the Year will also get N500,000 while the first and second runner up of the NB Golden Pen Reporter of the Year will be given N300,00 and N200,000. The first and second runner up of the NB Photojournalist of the Year will get N250, 000 and N200, 000 respectively.

also had nothing but praises for Idonije who maintains three weekly columns on music in The Guardian. He said: “The name Benjay is synonymous with highlife; he is the custodian of the highlife culture; he singlehandedly assembled members of Fela’s first band in Nigeria.”

Mr Dele Adetiba, another ex-NBC staffer said he was shocked to hear that Idonije has clocked 80 because he has always looked the same. “He is a quiet person, hardly spoke above a whisper but when he got behind the microphone he became a tiger. He had so much firepower behind the microphone; he was a darling and unique. I had no idea he was that good, knowledgeable about music until he started writing for The Guardian. He is a blessing to his trade. I hope one day, other people will recognise what he has done.”

In rounding off the colloquium segment before Idonije’s books were presented, Dr. Kolade responded to some of the comments about him from his former subordinates. He disclosed that managing the group of mavericks back then was no mean task and that it was tough surviving them.

Returning to Idonije, he said he “was not made by broadcasting; he had something in him. Broadcasting was only the medium of sharing it. In fact, the potential of a man is between him and his creator.” The former Pro-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University urged people to draw important lessons from Idonije’s life and that one of the reasons he must continue to be celebrated is that he’s “doing the things that keep us sane.”

The former diplomat also enjoined Nigerians to “work to bring improvement to the morale of our nation. Be mindful of your actions and consider the legacy you are leaving for your offspring.”

Though ‘Dis Fela Sef’, ‘The Great Highlife Party’ and ‘All That Jazz’ written by Idonije, were scheduled for presentation, Jahman Anikulapo, Program Chair of the Committee for Relevant Art, the main organiser of the celebration, explained that only two were ready. He explained that they had money issues and that it was Steve Ayorinde’s intervention that saved the day.

The chief presenter, the art patron Rasheed Gbadamosi, commended Idonije. He noted that being appreciated in one’s life time is very sweet and that what the author has put together is a collector’s item. Ex-chair, Editorial Board of The Guardian and presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, thereafter reviewed ‘Dis Fela Sef’.

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Sunday Tribune

thepolity PDP: From temporary to deeper coma DARE ADEKANMBI, MOSES ALAO and YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE look at the new twist in the leadership palaver in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the light of the Abuja High Court judgment which nullified the amendment done to the party’s constitution in 2014 and upon which Senator Ali Modu Sheriff emerged acting national chairman.

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from February when the appointment of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was ratified by the national caucus of the party as acting national chairman, has remained in the intensive care unit, awaiting surgeon’s blades to have its overgrown tumour removed. The party, which ought to be strategising for Edo and Ondo state governorship elections, has had its time and resources eaten away in the ensuing supremacy tussle.

The latest in the party, since its series of post-election traumas, is the judgment delivered by Justice Valentine Ashi of Abuja High Court of June 29. The judge invalidated the amendment done to the constitution of the party at its special convention of December 10 and 11, 2014, upon which the certain national officers of the party have been elected and appointed.

Amended at the 2014 convention were articles 33 subsection 1 and 47 Rule 6 of the party’s constitution. While the amended Article 33 sub 1 makes all ex-governors of the party automatic members of the National Executive Council (NEC), Article 47 Rule 6 empowers NEC to appoint a replacement to a vacant national office with such replacement serving out the tenure of the last occupant.

The amendment of Article 47 was done to foreclose those challenging the emergence of Adamu Mu’azu, who replaced Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who was forced to resign following the plethora of crises in the party under his watch.

Chairman of the convention electoral committee at that time and former Senate president, Senator Ken Nnamani, who supervised the ratification of the amendment, had declared the constitution amended upon the endorsement of the amendments by 2,691 out of the 2,672 delegates at the convention.

Forms which requested the delegates to ratify the alterations had been circulated at the convention venue. The then governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, moved the motion seeking the amendments, and same was seconded by the then Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil.

But Justice Ashi, in a suit marked FCT/HC/ CV/1867/2016 and brought before him by a chieftain of the party from Ondo State, Mr Joseph Jero, ruled that the amendment was null and void, having been done in violation of Sections 66 (2) and (3). Section 66 sub-sections 1-3 entitled ‘Amendments’ state as follows: 66 (1) The party shall have the power to amend this constitution, save that no amendment of the constitution shall be valid unless made by a motion Page 80 of 85 passed by two-thirds majority of members present and voting at the National Convention.

(2) The Notice of the proposed amendment to the constitution shall be given to the National Secretary, at least two months before the date of the National Convention and the notice, which shall be in writing, shall contain a clear statement of the amendment sought and the reasons for the amendment.

(3) The Secretary upon receipt of the notice shall cause it to be circulated to the state branch-

Senator Ahmed Makarfi,

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff,

es of the party for publication at least one month before the date of the National Convention.

Since the motion was only circulated at the convention venue in contravention of the express provisions of sections 66 (2) and (3), the court set aside the 2014 amendments to the PDP constitution and ruled that: “All persons, individuals, officers, servants or agents of PDP parading themselves as the national officers of the PDP, pursuant to the purported constitution, which has now been nullified, are hereby restrained from further parading themselves in these capacities.”

The judgment, which appears to have substantially weakened the foundations upon which Sheriff has continued to lay claim to the stool since his ouster at the May 21 Port Harcourt convention, has been commended by the national caretaker committee of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi. But Sheriff’s camp, speaking through its national secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipo, has since refuted the sack of Sheriff and others from offices by the judgment.

Prior to the May 21 convention, Sheriff and senator representing Ogun East in Ogun State, Buruji Kashamu, were said to have perfected legal fireworks to stop naySayers to Sheriff’s emergence. The landmine was said to have gone off when a Federal High Court in Lagos barred the PDP from electing chairman, national secretary and auditor at the convention. Realising the damage done by the restraining order, Sheriff denied being part of the claimants in the suit that led to the order. In a letter to the court that issued the order, Sheriff claimed the party was also impersonated, explaining that nobody was ever authorised to file any suit on his behalf and for the party.

Investigation of the claim has yet to be made known.

He, however, got a shocker which his biggest set of backers, the party’s Governors’ Forum had kept under wrap for him, in the early hours of the convention. At about 4:00 a.m., Sheriff was disappointed when the governors and other stakeholders unveiled what they considered the items that should be on the cards as the business of the convention. The governors hinged the decision on the restraining order and the need to bring the estranged leaders at the Abuja parallel convention under the same umbrella to forestall a repeat of the New PDP scenario that shattered the party in the past.

A devastated Sheriff, it was gathered, begged the governors to rescind the decision, pledging not to disappoint them. Unknown to him, the governor had seen through his decoy. It was learnt that Sheriff had deliberately re-

chairman, PDP National Caretaker Committee

Was the suit by Jero a judicial ambush?

Analysts agree that the suit, which little was known about prior to the judgment, was a master stroke against Sheriff and his camp by those who have declared overwhelming support for the Makarfi committee. It will be recalled that the PDP governors, the party’s National Caucus, Board of Trustees (BoT) and others have openly endorsed the Makarfi-led committee.

claimant to the office of PDP national chairman

Continues pg 30

28

interview

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

It’s sad that Edo govt didn’t employ for 8 years —PDP gov candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State. The former Secretary to the Edo State Government speaks with BANJI ALUKO on the leadership crisis affecting the PDP, his invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), his agenda for Edo State, among other issues.

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OW that you have emerged the candidate of your party, what is the next line of action?

We are trying to put a campaign team together. What we had before was a vehicle to get to the stage we are now. It will be wrong to continue with that same structure. Now, I’m no longer Osagie IzeIyamu, an aspirant trying to get the ticket of the PDP, but the candidate of the PDP. I must now sit with the leadership of the party to work out the campaign arrangements, the itinerary and the campaign structure. So, what we are doing now is more of consultation and trying to put up a structure. You also know too well that we have to do some reconciliation with those who are aggrieved. Some people supported other aspirants, but having won, one must stretch his hands and reach out to them. They are all PDP members and we must try to bring everybody together.

Talking about reconciliation, how far have you gone in that direction?

We are reaching out and our opponents are also reaching out. We are optimistic that we will come out of the whole exercise stronger than we were before. One thing is that you can’t win everybody, but we will do our best to reach out to aggrieved people. We know that some people, for some reasons, might decide that they are not comfortable and that they want to leave.

There is nothing one can do about that.

The good thing is that in the other party, there are so many, who also want to come and identity with us. From the 18 local government areas, we have people who want to join us.

Are you not bothered about the leadership crisis currently affecting your party, the PDP? A lot of our members are worried but quite frankly, I’m not. I believe it will sort itself out. I know that there is a lot of engagement ongoing at various levels and at the end of the day; the matter will be sorted out. To worry about it amounts to distraction. I have chosen to focus on the issues here rather than issues I have no control over. I’m happy that the primaries we had was witnessed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and they have also expressed satisfaction in the transparency of the process.

One of the issues raised by the APC candidate was that the PDP government that you were part of killed the civil service in Edo State. To what level is the claim correct?

Maybe he was misquoted or he didn’t know the situation. On the other hand, the Edo State civil service has never had it this bad. The service is totally depleted and is in dire need of new hands. It is very difficult to find anyone who has been recruited in the past eight years. That means that everybody in the civil service came in long before now. Many people have died

job awards. When you finally get figures of how much jobs were done, they are scandalous. Government cannot disclose even during inauguration stages how much was spent on projects.

We have a comprehensive plan that covers every sector and every part of our state because we believe in even development.

We don’t develop a place at the detriment of another. Development can go on simultaneously and we believe that Edo State has enough resources to go beyond where we are now. In every area, whether it is health, economy, agriculture, sports or tourism, we have a detailed plan of what we intend to do. Sincerely, I believe the present government has been very wicked to Edo people and youths. How can you explain the fact that this government has not employed teachers in the past seven and half years despite the obvious vacancies in the schools? Apart from the urban schools, you need to go to the rural areas to see the pathetic situation. In many of these rural schools, they have one principal and one teacher. The public service including the civil service is suffering acute shortage of manpower. Most of the legal cases of the government are not being done by the Ministry of Justice, but people outside. What of industries? When I was in government, Bendel Breweries was giving the state millions every month as contribution to the state’s IGR. What about agriculture? Government’s attention to agriculture has been zero. Sports?

Edo used to be number one in sports. How come we can no longer compete?

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu

and many have retired, while punitive dismissals have been carried out without regard to extant rules. In many places, a lot of directors have been summarily dismissed without even taking their cases to the Civil Service Commission.

I know that before we left, we injected fresh blood into the system. Young professionals such as lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers and town planners were employed. Today, how many physics or other science teachers do we have in public schools? Less than 20. How many general surgeons? Two. How many dermatologists? One, on a contract employment. When you look at the statistics, it is shocking. It is only one quantity surveyor, who is an external person, that does all the bills of quantity in this state. The same man will quantify, supervise and okay payment. Is that not corruption? If you calculate how much he has received in the past seven years, it will run into billions. It would have been easier if government had employed if only 10 quantity surveyors.

That statement by the APC candidate clearly reveals ignorance. If you ask the civil servants, they will tell you that this is the worst government they have ever had.

It is a common secret.

How prepared are you to face the APC, bearing in mind that the lead-

ership of the Edo APC said the PDP was dead in Edo? How can a party that has two out of the three senators in a state be dead? Out of the nine House of Representatives members in this state, the PDP has five. That was an election that was conducted a little over a year ago. Even the governor of the state, which party is representing him in the state House of Assembly? PDP. So what will you be bringing into government?

We are coming to government with a clear-cut agenda. We have a clear idea of how we will start and where we are going. We are not coming to government by trying to determine our destination. We have spelt out our ideas in a very simple manner. The economy of the state will be revitalised in such a way that we will not rely solely on what comes from Abuja.

We intend to reinvent our public service because it has been destroyed in the past seven to eight years. The morale is currently at the lowest ebb and many core departments don’t even have the personnel.

A lot of things are being given to external consultants. The level of corruption in the system is staggering. Money that should have been in government’s coffers is in private pockets. Projects are not being advertised and there is no due process in

How do you rate the achievements of the state government in the health sector and provision of infrastructure?

We must go beyond cosmetic approach to governance. Edo State is not desperate for a five-star hospital. What Edo needs is a functional healthcare system. You will agree with me that healthcare is something that should be at the beck and call of our people. A man in in Akoko-Edo, who is critically ill, might not be able to make the journey to the so-called five-star hospital in Benin considering the bad road. What he needs is a functional healthcare centre in Igarra. If he has to to go for a specialist care, they would have stabilised his condition. Our primary healthcare centres, how many of them are functional? How many doctors and nurses have been employed by government and where are they posted? Can you talk about healthcare when the only school of nursing and midwifery in the state has lost its accreditation in the last five years due to lack of facilities? A school that is supposed to produce certified nurses and midwives can no longer do so because government refused to provide the fund they needed. What healthcare do you have when you don’t have nurses, midwives and doctors?

Stella Obasanjo Hospital is a first class Continues pg 31

29

interview

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Wall of good governance has broken down in Ekiti —Ex-Rep member Honourable Bimbo Daramola is a member of the seventh House of Representatives, from Ekiti State. In this interview with Deputy Editor, DAPO FALADE, he speaks on his governorship ambition in 2018 and the ongoing probes across the country. Excerpts:

S

INCE you left the National Assembly in 2015 as a member of the House of Representatives, not much has been heard about you.

It is not often you find people who want to take a retrospective look at situation, scenario and all that, particularly when you just lost an election. Your first inclination, having lost an election, will be to say, ‘what happened? Did I serve the people right? Should I also have been deemed enough to return? So what I did immediately after we lost the elections was to review my time in public service and I asked myself, ‘okay Bimbo, what is the next thing?’

The truth of the matter is that one would have expected that a core politician would have started saying that, ‘oh, they have not patronised me. They have not given me this or that. We don’t have positions’. I am not on that bandwagon yet to the extent that I know that before I got into politics I have something to do; I have a job and I know that my job, by the grace of God, can feed me and my supporters.

So, how do you think you can be useful in the present dispensation?

I have decided to allow and align myself with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to see how, from the back end, we can add value. This is one of the reasons I am doing what I am doing now, with regard to ‘The Naija Green Card’. The government being very sensitive and, of course, deemed it fit, under the office of the vice-president, to appoint a special adviser to deal with social protection plan.

That is one of the reasons I am committed to ‘The Naija Green Card’ and all of that.

But why much has not been heard of me politically is because I also feel that Mr Ayo Fayose, the Ekiti State governor, should also be given the opportunity to show who he is and to really prove whether he is a friend of the masses or not. This is one of the reasons I have decided to keep quiet.

But within the next couple of months, we would be back on stream.

2018 is still far away; where do you stand now in terms of seeking elective offices?

I am still very inclined to serving the people. Initially, after I lost the election, my first reaction was that I was done with politics. I stand under God, politics did not make me any richer; rather, it impoverished me. Anytime I went to Ekiti, you needed to see people who will come to me for succour; incidentally, some of these young people are there.

The reality today is that you need officials who are people-centric to be in the seat of government. The driving seat has been with people who feel and think about themselves for too long. Thank God the APC government, the government of Change, has also given us an inclination, a refreshing difference to know that people can actually get to power and serve the masses.

For me, where do I stand in 2018? Con-

denominator; what have you done for the people when you had the opportunity?

Honourable Bimbo Daramola sultation is already going on. I am under tremendous pressure to run for the highest political seat in Ekiti State and it is being considered. I have been actively involved in the political hemisphere of Ekiti State for 15 years and in the period of time that I have the opportunity to represent a constituency out of the six in that state, people should also refer to it. So, whoever will aspire to lead the Ekiti people on the path of healing...indeed, for me, it is going to be an Hezekiah project. Remember when God sought out the prophet called Hezekiah and said it is time to rebuild the broken wall. There is no doubt about it; the walls of good governance, the walls of sensitive leadership and all of that are broken in Ekiti State and this is the time for people to rise up and say ‘no, an Hezekiah must come out at this time to confront the realities.’

You intend coming out on the platform of APC? Absolutely. But let me put it like this: as we speak today and by the grace of God, APC is still a party of choice. Since the day I left PDP, I have never looked back.

Are you aware that you have some strong contending forces in your party who are speculated to be eyeing that same seat?

Like?

They included former Governors Segun Oni, Kayode Fayemi and even Senator Femi Ojudu, among several others. How do you see yourself contending with these forces?

Well, let me say it very clearly. I know all these people you have mentioned and may be more; indeed, there are more people, including Opeyemi Bamidele, Femi Bamisile and a whole lot of others. How do I contend against this people? I believe that it is not by power nor by might but by my spirit, says the Lord. I will not covet and I am not coveting that seat for myself.

I don’t need any point anymore to prove to anybody. By the grace of God, I am not a rich man but He has enabled me up to a point where I can feed myself and also take care of so many others.

Whoever would lead Ekiti in 2018, God knows and I don’t, but the truth of the matter is that there must be one thing that must run through the minds of the Ekiti people and I am speaking to the Ekiti people this time. There must be a common

We must live with the realities of the fact that probe must start from somewhere.

One day, the hunter must be the hunted

Given the personalities highlighted earlier, do you think you stand a chance to get the party’s nod?

Let me also allude to the fact that I respect leadership. I am a process person; I am a party man and that is why I have not jumped ship. I am not a prostitute when it comes to political affiliation; I am a very strong idealist. I believe in the principle of welfarism and all of that and I believe that our leaders will also take a little of time to really analyse what and who exactly would best serve Ekiti at this time. This is not the time to just guess and say this or that person.

Everyone who is coming on the APC platform to aspire to that office has many good sides and many bad sides; same applies to me. But we should put everybody on a scale and match it with realities of the pictures of Ekiti State today.

Talking seriously, the best thing to do is to profile who is aspiring to run. This exercise must include the aspirants, the electorate and our leaders. They should be able to realise that it is time to connect the dots. Look at me now: I have been out of government and what am I doing? I am putting the little resources I have into impacting the lives of 30 million Nigerians, via the Naija Green Card. Do you think I am stupid? I can fold my arms and care less about them. But when I get discounts for the sons and daughters of people that I never meet in my life, I am doing some public good.

Look at the value I am adding to the party through that project. I don’t have one naira of government money in it but it is about time for the government to come and support this initiative. There is nobody in this country who has 2,000 partners that can enable the sons and daughters of the poor to have a meal at the half of the price; to ensure that the sons and daughters of the people, when they leave the orientation camps, they don’t sleep on the street; to ensure that they get jobs.

That is the heart I have for people and that is the same heart that I am taking to government; not the heart of keeping money in a bank or wherever.

You are talking about probity and what we have been having in this country today is probe that seems one-sided. How do you reconcile this with your stand?

We must live with the realities of the fact that probe must start from somewhere. One day, the hunter must be the hunted; have you forgotten that? Look at all the seemingly untouchables; are they not having their cases in court now? Let them that realise that things will always turn; you cannot be immune to it. So, let it continue to turn but the hunter, one day, will be the hunted. So when they become the hunted, people will also say come and account, after all, when you were there, you got some people to render their own accounts.

30

thepolity

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Leadership tussle: Has Sheriff’s back been broken?

Continued from pg 27

frained from tampering with the party’s structure in the 12 states where PDP has governors. But in the remaining 24 states, he was accused of installing those who will do his bidding and help him realise his touted presidential ambition in 2019, so much so that he could discountenance the support of the 12 governors to be whatever he wants to be. The clandestine plan got the governors upset and they consequently withdrew support from Sheriff.

Lawyers dissect the judgment, party men speak Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said: “We cannot dance around the import of the court which invalidated the amendments made to the PDP constitution, which is that as of now, there is no amendment to the constitution of the PDP. If officers were appointed for the party in furtherance of the amendment that has now been invalidated, such appointment is also void and of no effect in law. This is because we cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.”

“The concomitant effect of all these is that Senator Sherrif, and others in his mould, who all emerged upon the said amendment, automatically cease to hold any position in the PDP by virtue of the judgment of court which has more or less removed the rug from under their feet.

We cannot dance around the judgment to be employing semantics to cause confusion within the judiciary. In particular, there is an urgent need to caution the PDP and all its members to stop ridiculing the judiciary with frivolous suit, all leading to conflicts and needless controversies.”

A former chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Mr Dave Ajetomobi, spoke in the same vein. “Anything done pursuant to the provisions of the amended sections has to die with the invalidated sections, except there are saving sections which nevertheless save such act done under the annulled sections,” he said.

Acting National Youth Leader of the Sheriff-led faction, Mr Alonge Dennis, described the crisis rocking the party as unfortunate, noting that the party, which is expected to provide a viable opposition to the ruling party, has been enmeshed in a web of crises. He contended that though

There’s hope for PDP, but…

—Ex-Rep member

The immediate past member representing Irepo/Olorunsogo/Oorelope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Afees Adelowo Jimoh, speaks with MOSES ALAO on the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), efforts to review the 1999 constitution and other issues.

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OUR party lost in the last election, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) taking over power. Since then, many narratives have been in the public domain about how badly your party performed. How will you respond to this?

This issue of PDP performing badly is quite funny; people are tired of listening to this kind of baseless excuses.

In a country where democracy is practised, it is expected that another party will win an election at some point, which was what happened in the last election. Despite the fact that we are not happy that our party lost, we had the belief that the person taking over from us must have been well-prepared, as he has contested for three times and lost. We felt that should have allowed him to be prepared but I wonder why even after he had ample time to prepare, he is still talking about what the PDP had done wrong in the past.

But there is a general impression that PDP ruined Nigeria…

That view is relative. If you are talking about what the PDP did wrong in 16 years, what about the good things it did? Or are you saying PDP did not do anything good in 16 years? It could be so disheartening when they are dropping this kind of fallacies and people like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom they said would be their navigator in APC, would sit among them. That is like saying that what he did for eight of the 16 years was rubbish. Out of the governors we have had in this country, we know how many of them were once in the PDP and how they are in APC today; does that mean they didn’t do anything? Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Audu Ogbe and so on were all in the PDP before and they are now ministers, does it make sense to say they did so much evil and were getting rewarded by APC now? I don’t know what they mean when they say the PDP has done damage to the country. I know the party did not inherit a healthy economy when it took over from the military and we operated based on our best ability and left something far better. If our ability of 16 years is not appreciated and our effort was not good enough, President Muhammadu Buhari consciously promised Nigerians to bring change and they listened. Now, the APC is coming to say the change is not possible? Or why do they keep referring to

Honourable Afees Jimoh the past? They said PDP was bad, that PDP didn’t do well and they promised change, so there is nothing we are expecting but change. So, if PDP spent 16 years to do what it did and it is being adjudged not to have done well and the APC is starting on the note of reversing its promises, that is not a good omen for Nigeria.

You talked about the PDP not inheriting a good economy but leaving one that was better, what is your take on the state of economy one year after?

You can see how the APC government has been lamenting and tying everything to the decline in oil price.

Is it just about oil? Nigeria is not just about oil. There are policies that can help the country to improve its IGR but this government has not been able to explore those opportunities. To worsen matters for Nigerians, they introduce policies, which are stifling the economy and Continues pg 31

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, PDP Governors’ Forum chairman

they were willing and waiting for the crises to be resolved, no one has consulted them, just as he stressed the need for every member of the party to be carried along.

“It is in our interest that PDP should move forward.

As party members, it is our interest that all the crises in the party be resolved. But our position is that we should sit at a roundtable to discuss these issues holistically so that everybody will be happy at the end of the day. We are ready to make sacrifice, but the sacrifice will be meaningless where we’re not carried along. That’s our position.

As of today, it is just the governors’ forum, the national caucus, Board of Trustees and the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee that are meeting here and there but, nobody has consulted the complainants. We have court judgment that still recognises us as national officers of the party.”

But a member of the PDP Reconciliation and Zoning Committees and 2015 governorship candidate of the party in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, said the crisis in the party is “democracy in action,” noting, however, that the party was at a great risk of not being able to win elections if the crisis continues.

“There is a crisis at the national level of the party; there is no question about that. But again, it is democracy in action. If you look at the structure of the PDP in the past, because we have the president who is a central figure; a father figure, people automatically deferred to him. You may not like him or respect him, but you have to play by his rule because he is the president. So, there was orderliness then.

“But now, there is no president. There are 12 governors who are going in different directions and the other stakeholders are not united. This is akin to the problem we have in the PDP in Oyo State in the last four years, when there was no central figure. But the good thing is that the crisis shows that there is something in the PDP that is worth fighting for. If the party is worthless, people will not fight.

“What I can assure you is that in the coming weeks, we will achieve true reconciliation. We have been working very hard. We need everybody. All of them are our friends. Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Ben Obi were in the Senate with me; Senator Ningi was also in the National Assembly with me and Prince Dayo Adeyeye is also a friend. Senator Sheriff is also a friend, though he was in the Senate at different time from us; but I can tell you that we are working round-the-clock to achieve true reconciliation and once we do that, this visionless All Progressives Congress (APC) government can start packing its loads,” Folarin said.

On the implication of the litany of court cases over the leadership crisis for effort to bring all factions together, Folarin said: “It is true; the manner in which members have been using the court could affect reconciliation efforts. But there is no standing committee doing all the works; leaders of the party are all talking to one another. One of the things we are impressing on one another is that even if you gain victory in the courts, it will not translate into votes. If you control the party structure and you don’t win elections, what is the point? So, for us to be able to win elections, we all have to come together. It is as simple as that; let us forget all these courts, courts. Let us all sit down and be civil; if we sit down with calm heads, we will make progress and believe me, that will happen.”

31

interview

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Why I was invited by EFCC’ Continued from pg 28 hospital. There are new equipment there that have not been used because the present government did not bother to put them into use and get the personnel to use them.

Sometimes they say the reason they cannot use them is because their supply is doubtful.

It is strange that all a Comrade Governor is interested in building is a university and hospital for the rich. People have not complained that they lack university to send their children. I doubt if any of these people will even go to this hospital in Benin. Those who really need this hospital are poor folks, who might not be able to afford the cost of the suite. What they want is a general ward, where they can be looked after. So, these are just grandiose projects that the governor cooks up to impress people and win voters.

If that was what he said, then he should go to sleep. If he believes it will be easy defeating me, then he should be celebrating. How can a governor, who said it would be easy to defeat me say that I would be moving from one EFCC cell to another when they are busy campaigning? He is afraid and in that statement, he has actually expressed his fear. If EFCC will not help him, what is he going to do? Like I said, the governor should allow his candidate to speak. Edo people are not going to vote for an aspirant who cannot speak; they want a man who can speak for himself. He (Oshiomhole) should know now that this is not a third term agenda, unless he wants to tell us that he is the one contesting. As long as he is pushing one Godwin Obaseki, he should allow him to express himself. The reality is that all their actions have show that they have completely lost.

Many state governors appear to have hijacked the responsibilities of the local government chairmen. Will you free councils if you become governor?

Definitely. The difference between Pastor Ize-Iyamu and many of these people is that I am not afraid to highlight what I intend to do. We intend to ensure strict supervision of council resources and expenditure. We shall, however, encourage financial autonomy for the local government areas and create Local Councils Development Areas (LCDAs) so as to fast track development in these areas. We will also give freedom to local government areas in order to function in accordance with their mandates and protect council chairmen from executive intimidation and constant harassment and unwarranted removal. Council chairmen are elected just like governors, but it is unfortunate that they now live in fear.

Their tenures could be brought to a sudden end with an announcement by the governor. How can you remove a man who was elected by his people just because you are governor? You removed the chairman of Orhionmwon, who was elected by his people. You removed chairman of Oredo, even Etsako Central when you are from Etsako West. That amounted to lawlessness and abuse of power.

These councils have been castrated and cannot function anymore. State government and supervisors of local governments should publish what the councils are bringing as IGR. Do you know that just as you share VAT, the councils are entitled to 10 per cent of the IGR of the state government, have they ever been given? They have actually aided the financial mess of these councils to the extent that they cannot pay salaries or complete projects.

Nothing has been heard about your invitation by the EFCC lately. Is the matter over or when are you going back there?

EFCC’s invitation is in the public domain. I thank God that the EFCC did not invite me because of any crime I committed. I was the coordinator for the former president in Edo. Money was sent to Edo and in conjunction with two others, we were told to witness the arrival of the money and to ensure that the money was given to those it was meant for. The money was meant for the election and it is a common knowledge that election anywhere in the world is capital intensive. There was a budget and every local government area had an amount specified for them. The money was collected and signed for. Those who signed and collected money also went to their local government areas to disburse them. That was what I explained to the EFCC. As far as we were concerned, the president (Goodluck Jonathan) had an elaborate fund raising that was televised live. I didn’t go there but I saw it on TV. One naturally expects that it was the proceeds of the fund raising that was brought to us.

It is instructive to know that I personally did not take kobo out of the money. Because of my position, I saw myself as someone that should be contributing, not taking out of money that was brought. So people like us, despite what came, we were adding to it. Perhaps if I had taken some, the issue of pastor must come and make some refunds will come in. I can assure you that the EFCC thing is not a problem. I have always said the EFCC is a public institution and I must say, to the best of my knowledge, that they have conducted themselves in a very professional manner.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu

There are talks that if elected into office, your government will probe the current government.

Do you actually have such plans?

When you use the word probe, it is like you have concluded that they are guilty. I am a lawyer by profession.

Of course, there must be handover and the handover note will be thoroughly investigated. Sometimes, the word, probe, is given a negative connotation. I’m happy you didn’t use the word, “prosecute.” Certainly, Edo money belongs to Edo people. If you find out that some of the money went into wrong hands, you take steps within the law to ensure that the money comes back. Our intention is, however, not to witch-hunt anybody. I’m not coming with a mindset to punish or pursue anybody. Certainly, we will look at what is in place.

The governor said you will be the easiest candidate to defeat in the election. How easy will it be defeating you?

‘Constitution review must capture Nigerians’ wishes’ Continued from pg 30 people’s abilities to flourish. It is known that you cannot change everything at once and that to change people requires some time; that is what PDP was known for in terms of policies. Maybe that was why former President Goodluck Jonathan was tagged weak and clueless, because he would call those who mattered and they would discuss policies and arrive at a conclusion that would favour people. Take for example the Treasury Single Account issue. Jonathan introduced it but not all at once, in order to ensure that the policy does not kill the economy.

But the APC government came up and in a bid to impress people as being tough, it introduced TSA across and today, you can see the result. Banks are sacking people in droves. Imagine those being put into the unemployment world. There has to be human face to policies.

You can also see the inconsistency of this government on foreign exchange. Do you know how badly the management of foreign exchange regulation has affected businesses? Today, how many people can import goods?

I do not want to criticise too much, but the APC government needs to rise up and fast too to address the state of the economy.

But people give Buhari kudos for fighting cor-

ruption…

The corruption issue that people refer to is not peculiar to the Jonathan administration. I think corruption is a Nigerian issue and the only thing that can solve the problem is for us to tackle it from the root and not all this windowdressing and media trial of opposition figures. I know there is so much pressure on those in authority. If there is no pressure, I don’t know why a civil servant or a politician that only needs to take care of his immediate family will steal billions. But because he is a director somewhere, his town will mount pressure, religious associations will mount pressure; his friends will mount pressure and so on, so he has to look for a means of augmenting his take home pay if he doesn’t want to be seen as a bad person.

The National Assembly has begun another effort to review the 1999 Constitution. It would be recalled that a similar attempt was made when you were in the National Assembly, but some people have been calling for a total overhaul of the constitution. What is your take?

I think it is wrong to say that the constitution that has guided our democracy for 16 years should just be discarded. What we should do is to consider it, see the areas where it is defective and work on those areas. Or are we saying that the constitution was done without any rele-

vance to the constitutions of other countries and without relevance to what obtains around the country? The truth is that there will always be a need to review the constitution; only that it should represent what people actually want. My take is that this review should be thorough; it should not be a routine. We should consciously work on things to actually review; all the areas that are making justice difficult, making corruption easy and preventing some sections of the country from enjoying what others enjoy and areas that make religious problems rampant.

Your party is in comatose; it is expected to die off any moment from now. Do you have an epitaph ready for the PDP? That is funny. Where did you get that impression?

There has been serious crisis…

Crisis is part of politics; we have been managing the crisis and I can tell you that the PDP will not die. Before 2019, PDP must have got its bearing. We should not expect less from what is happening now, with the party parading the kind of people it has; people who have been in power for so long but are now in opposition. Obviously, there will be power tussle but people have been speaking senses to one another and it is sinking. So, there is hope for the PDP.

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opinion

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Fayose’s election funding: Questions begging for answers

By Alade Moromoke

I

N the last few days, among national political issues that have dominated the news media are the freezing of the personal accounts of Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose and the brouhaha that followed the reasons given by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for placing a lid on the governor’s personal account. The other issue is the sponsorship of the election of the governor in 2014 by Zenith Bank Plc and other well-meaning individuals.

Thank God that those who wrote the 1999 Constitution did not lace it with ambiguities, as to the responsibilities of each tier of government and the protection offered public officers against certain things among others.

It was Fayose who raised the alarm that his account and those of some of his associates have been frozen on the orders of the anti-graft agency without any court orders or those involved being invited for questioning by the EFCC. The governor, while stating his own side of the story, said the account is domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc and that as a serving governor, he enjoys immunity under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The EFCC later came out with the story that a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and some people floated a firm through which the sum of N4.7 billion was collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser over a period of eight months.

Page 8 of The Punch newspaper of Wednesday, June 22, 2016, has the story with the headline ‘N4.7 billion arms funds traced to Obanikoro, Fayose- EFCC’. Let’s quote paragraphs 2-6 of the said story.

“The EFCC, which has frozen the bank accounts of the Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, and the account of a company belonging to the two sons of a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, said it had recovered evidence of the alleged illegal transactions from the

banks.

“The bank tellers and other relevant documents, which were made available to The Punch, showed that the alleged scam took place between April 4, 2014 and December 15, 2014, when a total of N4.745bn was paid into the Diamond Bank account of Sylvan McNamara.

“A document, made available to one of our correspondents showed that Sylvan McNamara was incorporated in November 2011, with the following people as directors; Ikenna Ezekwe, Idowu Oshodi and Elizabeth Adeniyi.

“However, the company, on May 7, 2012, passed a resolution that it should open an account at Diamond Bank and have the following persons as signatories - Gbolahan Obanikoro, Babajide Obanikoro, Ikenna Ezekwe and Theresa Matuluko.”

The questions to ask here are: What is the relationship between Fayose and this company? From the account by the EFCC up till today, there is no connection between Fayose and the company. The other

question is that, did the company play any role in the governor’s election? Up until this moment, the EFCC has not provided any answer too, and the company has not said it was involved.

Moreover, Senator Obanikoro, the prime factor in Sylvan McNamara issue, is not in Nigeria presently. He issued a statement when agents of EFCC allegedly raided his residence to say nobody could extradite him from the United States where he stays now. Then, where did EFCC get any tip off that could have linked Fayose to the N4.7bn paid into the firm’s account?

So far, EFCC appears to have relied on a statement made by an expelled member of the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Temitope Aluko, who was the state secretary at the time of the said election.

This can be confirmed going through what he said on a private radio station, Adaba FM, based in Akure, Ondo State after he had testified in camera before the General Oyebade Military Panel that probed the role of some military officers in the Ekiti, Osun and Rivers states elections. What

he said is verifiable and some dailies even wrote stories from it.

That Obanikoro supported Fayose during the election is not unexpected because he, like Fayose, is a chieftain of the PDP. The revelation by Fayose that Zenith Bank Plc, sales of souvenirs and support from friends and well-wishers were means through which he got funds for the election is the issue that antagonists of the governor have been trying to pooh-pooh and they are making strident effort to link Fayose to the arms probe of Colonel Sambo Dasuki as the National Security Adviser (NSA). They want to convince Nigerians Obanikoro, who supported Fayose as a Defence Minister, probably did that with money from Dasuki.

Why are they making efforts to link Fayose to Dasukigate? It is to have a means of arresting some aides of Fayose, members of the state executive council and members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, all in the bid to get the governor removed from office.

If the money said to have been taken to Akure Airport in The Punch story was meant for Fayose’s election, why did the bank bullion vans take the money to the Akure branch of the bank and not straight to Fayose in Ado-Ekiti?

Fayose has repeatedly said the bank was the major sponsor of his election and to confirm this, a team from the bank came on Thursday, June 23, 2016 to beg him over the matter. The team was led by an Executive Director, Mr Shola Oladipupo and it comprised two zonal managers and the Ado-Ekiti branch manager of the bank. The drama and other things related to the visit are now in public domain.

The onus now lies on the bank to tell the world where it got the money it gave to Fayose from.

Providing answers to the knotty questions associated with the funding of the election will help in separating facts from fictions and facts from political propaganda.

• Alade writes from Ekiti.

Solution to Fulani herdsmen’s constant attacks

By Yinka Oyediran THE Federal Government continues to pursue the unconstitutional agenda of providing grazing reserves across the country despite land issues being solely the preserve of the state governments. The best Federal Government can and should do is to provide the enabling environment for owners of cattle to establish cattle ranches in their respective states – perhaps by encouraging the Bank of Industry to provide secured loans to ranchers – and leave the individual states to decide whether or not to grant Certificates of Occupancy to intending ranchers.

Ranching is an industry, and President Muhammadu Buhari should be wary of appearing self-serving in proposals for the Federal Government to acquire land to be given to ranchers. There has never been any suggestion that other industries could benefit from such Federal Government largesse, and President Buhari’s assets declaration of 270 herd of cattle, certainly makes him a significant cattle owner. He must, therefore, avoid creating perceptions that the proposed grazing reserves are a ploy to benefit himself and other Fulani cattle owners, to the detriment of manufacturing industries.

Any “Grazing Reserves Bill” must, therefore, be an en-

abling bill, setting out the requirements for any reserve established, the facilities they must provide, and the care and husbandry of the grazing animals. It must not be a prescriptive bill trying to set out how government would acquire, grass and dole out such “grazing reserves” to “deserving” ranchers.

Then, there is the problem of roving, rampaging ‘Fulani herdsmen’. Sometimes, the simple solutions are the best.

This particular problem would be quite literally stopped dead in its tracks if the Federal Government puts forward an executive bill and it is passed, to make the moving of cattle and other animals in droves illegal, and requiring the transportation of animals to be done by suitable road, rail or water means of transport. There would of course need to be limited exceptions, allowing say, the herding of no more than 20 animals at a time over a distance no greater than two kilometres, to allow a small holder farmer move his animals from one of his grazing pastures to the next, while making him liable for any damage caused by his animals to property of other people on the way.

The passage of such a bill would bring major economic benefits, firstly in stopping the ongoing wanton carnage and destruction of farmers’ crops and property by herdsmen, but just as important, in also expanding the econo-

my and creating jobs. Think of the boom in the haulage and transportation industry, as it strives to meet the increased demand for its services. The local vehicle assemblers looking for carpenters/woodworkers to erect wooden cattle pens on the chassis of their trucks; the drivers need these for their cattle trucks. The roving “Fulani herdsmen” would also be brought into the 21st century by becoming non-nomadic practitioners of up-to-date animal husbandry. There would need to be the expansion of the regulatory body – presumably within the Ministry of Agriculture – to monitor and regulate the conditions in which the animals are transported, with vets on hand to ensure the animals are fit to travel, and fit for consumption at their journeys’ end at the abattoir. The new Act should provide a moratorium of three months from its enactment for the haulage companies to get themselves ready, and the cattle owners to provide loading stations at their ranches/grazing pastures where they keep their cattle. And to expedite the legislative process, the present “Grazing Reserves Bill” should be stood down and replaced by a “Grazing Reserves and Prohibition of Animal Droving Bill” incorporating all the foregoing.

• Oyediran, an engineer, writes via Yinka.

Oyediran.kc60@gmail.com

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T

WO Thursdays ago will go down in the lives of many residents of Ogun and parts of Lagos state as a very black Thursday that they would never forget. No fewer than 20 persons were reportedly killed after suspected militants invaded some villages in Imushin, a boundary community between Lagos and Ogun States.

The affected villages include Oke Muti, Elepete, Ajegunle, Ola Imam, Ereko junction, Igbo Olomu, Pakisa and Magbon. The ensuing carnage led to the desertion of a total of 18 villages making up Imushin. There are two versions of the cause of the trouble and different figures of casualties depending on who is giving the details. According to one source, trouble started at about 10p.m. that Thursday when unknown gunmen opened fire on a group of vigilantes in Ola Imam located in one of the communities. Seven of the men were said to have died on the spot. An eyewitness, who lives in one of the communities, told reporters that a large number of the victims were landlords. Due to incessant armed robbery attacks in the community, landlords were said to have mobilised themselves, formed a vigilance group and had made bonfires at strategic points and were on foot patrol when the militants swooped on them.

Another version, however, says the whole problem started after some SARS officers, who were acting on a tip-off, stormed a hotel in Elepete called Top-Catt Hotel. “The officers killed two of the militants, carried away their corpses and arrested the female owner of the hotel. One of those killed was an engineer who worked for the militants. The militants claimed he was unarmed and innocent and they demanded that the police should release the two corpses.

“When they couldn’t get the corpses, they decided that they would kill 110 people in revenge. They killed 15 people the night the two people were killed and now, they have killed more people.”

Are these really militants? The word militant suggests a civilian group taking up arms against constituted authority (government) to right some perceived wrongs where dialogue has failed to work. As a commentator said and I quote, “these are definitely not Ijaws. The Ijaws don’t kill innocent people without being provoked. And if they do they own up and do not shroud it in mystery. The Ijaws fight only a just war that’s why it is difficult for any ethnic group or even the Nigerian soldiers to withstand the Ijaw Warriors. We are

3 July, 2016

frontrow with Toyin Willoughby Muyi 0805 500 1769 toyeenz@yahoo.com

Militants, herdsmen or armed robbers?

not cowards that kill people and run away. During the Obasanjo era, on several occasions, the Ijaw Warriors sent messages to various army checkpoints informing them that they were coming to attack on a particular date and they kept to it and flushed out the military.

How then would such a people attack some defenceless

Sunday Tribune

Yoruba, we know the Yoruba are only gifted in talking but that will not make the Ijaws to go and kill innocent people. Rather they will confront and wipe out the OPC militant group.” Boastful, one would say; but he might be right.

Having read this treatise, I was left wondering: was the attack planned to create problems between the Yoruba and the Ijaw? Could the attackers indeed be the notorious herdsmen causing havoc as they have done in the South-East? Reports have it that these attackers used the hour of the night to unleash mayhem on defenceless and innocent people. This looks very much like their modus operandi - attack at night without warning. Or would these agents of Satan be armed robbers? But why would robbers behead innocent people?

Whoever these people are, the incident is a confirmation of what all Nigerians have always known and feared. Nowhere is safe and no one is safe, what with all the guns and ammunition all over the place.

Re – This is disgraceful The Americans have made it clear beyond any reasonable doubt, that there is no hiding place for philanderers in their land. The shameful behaviour and loathsome attitudes of these three lawmakers made me classify our lawmakers into two categories. The first category is made up of members of the house. These are those who know the laws of the land and respect it, while the second category is made up of those I would call tenants in the house. These are those who know the law but trample upon it. I must admit that when I look at most of Nigeria’s politicians, it is only their back view that projects them as political leaders; the remaining parts of their bodies suggest other characteristics - political robbers, political brutes and political philanderers. Indeed, I would rather look at and derive satisfaction from the statue of the late leader Chief Obafemi Awolowo; this is more preferable for me than interacting with looking the present-day politicians who are still well and alive but have nothing positive for this country. Finally, we need a strong alibi from each of these law breakers to in order for them to exonerate themselves. Oh, they have indeed disgraced our great nation.

Taiwo Sangotikun. Iseyin, Oyo State.08056309372.

Day Senator Adeleke empowered his constituents

By Olumide Lawal THE social contract between elected public officers and the people who voted them into offices dictates that the former should not only ensure effective representation for the latter but also respond to the people’s other needs that may arise. This was demonstrated at Ede, the country home of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first Executive Governor of Osun State, when a crowd of constituents from Osun West Senatorial District, last Sunday thronged the city for the 2016 empowerment programme of the senator. Well-wishers from the Osun East and Osun Central also joined others from the West to make the day memorable in the history of giving back to constituents.

The APC family in Osun led by the state chairman, Mr Gbenga Famodun, also came to solidarise with Senator Adeleke, as did other eminent personalities such as: Dr Peter Babalola, Mr Ayo Afolabi, Honourable Wale Afolabi, Speaker, Osun House of Assembly Right Honourable Najeem Salam; the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeotu; Alhaji Sule Alao; Honourable Kamorudeen Ajisafe and Honourable Debo Akanbi.

A meeting of Osun West district kick-started the programme with members renewing their pledge for the APC in Osun to wax stronger. Various speakers called on those with the means to extend hands of fellowship to the underprivileged in society, with a view to taking some burden off the neck of government. They all commended the effort of Senator Adeleke for being there for the people.

Some of the empowerment tools distributed included motorcycles, sewing machines, two 18-seater buses, deep freezers and others. They were given out to carefully chosen APC members in the district by a committee saddled with the responsibility. Before the items were

given out, Adeleke gave a re-assuring message to all. He promised to continue to relate to the underprivileged members of society. According to him, those who are blessed should assist those in need, affirming that “we brought nothing to this world and we will leave without anything.”

He urged his constituents to be self-reliant and embrace entrepreneurship to lift them up to self-sufficien-

cy. Adeleke pledged to continue to identify with the yearnings and aspiration of his constituents who feel more, the pinch of the harsh economic downturn in the country. He called on the people of Osun in general to give support to the various reform programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he said meant well for the country.

Adeleke used the occasion to appeal to APC members to guard their loins and prevent any divisive tendencies that could weaken their rank and file. The chairman of Senate Committee on Capital Market said his two bills on Criminal Justice and parole among others were being vigorously pursued, while he would gear up efforts in the National Assembly through zonal intervention fund to improve the deplorable condition of some of the federal roads in district. In addition, Senator Adeleke stressed that motions would be moved to compel the executive arm of the government to attend to some of the federal roads in the district as a matter for urgent attention.

He promised the gathering that more school leavers would be afforded the opportunity of jobs within available vacancies at various federal agencies. He also used the occasion to call for absolute religious tolerance among different faiths in the state, as they are all brothers and sister in a united family. Senator Adeleke stressed that now, more than ever before, was the time to embrace peace in the state, so as to complement the efforts of Mr Rauf Aregbesola to move the state forward.

Senator Adeleke promised that the empowerment programme was in phases and that those who could not benefit now would be taken care of in subsequent exercises. Governor Aregbesola later arrived and delivered a goodwill message at the occasion. .Lawal is a Special Adviser (Media and Public Affairs) to Senator Adeleke

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3 July, 2016

ON THE

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lord’sday War or referendum: The British example

B

ARRING any last-minute miracle, Britain is out of the European Union. A referendum sanctioned by an over-confident Conservative Prime Minister, David Cameron, produced a shock result that signalled the exit of Britain from the EU in what has now come to be tagged Brexit (or British exit).The margin was close: 51.9 for exit and 49.1 for stay – and that is what makes it even more painful for the gallant losers. The demography of the poll shows that the oldies voted for exit while the youth wanted to remain in Europe. Cosmopolitan London as well as Scotland also voted EU. Scotland has thus begun to rue its own decision in a recent referendum to remain in the United Kingdom instead of becoming an independent nation of its own.

It may now want to revisit the issue in view of new developments. Some radicals are also pushing London to “secede”, so to say, and go with EU. Cameron, on his part, is quitting as PM because, according to him, he cannot navigate a course or midwife a cause he does not believe in. That is integrity and the path of honour, although there are many who are accusing him of putting fire to the house and bolting!

As they say, winners never quit and quitters never win.

Encouraged and buoyed by the outcome of the Scotland referendum, Cameron had thought to win the EU argument as well – but he terribly misfired. Although some incurable optimists are still reaching out for last-grasp straws to undo what has been done apart; the next line of action is to negotiate Britain’s exit from the EU in such a way that will cause less pain and dislocation to those exiting and those remaining in the Union.

In the interim, many of the analyses, conjectures, and predictions remain majorly in the realm of speculations.

There is palpable fear in the air, but no one can say for sure whether Brexit will, ultimately, be for good or for evil. No one has travelled this road before; so we never can be too sure what lies in wait. Will Britain regret this decision? Pro-EU folks think so. But the Brexit people are more concerned with what Britain had lost already and which they wanted recouped by all means. Hence, they are derided as people nostalgic about a past which may not have been as romantic as it has been painted and which, in the global village that the world has become today, may be absolutely non-recoverable. But Europe as it is has not been without its failures, pains, and frustrations. And if you are not certain where you are heading, you can at least return to where you are coming from!

We will soon find out which of the two divergent views is right!

Britain has never been enthusiastic about Europe. It was a reluctant joiner and late entrant; and it gave all manner of conditions and extracted all possible concessions before fearfully – and tearfully – stepping on board. And it has never stopped looking back over its shoulders ever since! It has had many demons to contend with: It feared for its solid economy; that it would be made to subsidise Europe’s poor; it feared for its illustrious history; that it would be swarmed and might lose her cultural identity; its history teaches it to be wary of France and Germany, but Europe compels that rivalry and circumspection give way to integration and cooperation; and as attractive as Europe as a possible third force in a bi-polar world may be to some, it does not recommend itself as much as Pax Britannia, even though its resurrection is as remote as the recovery of the lost city of Atlantis.

Would Cameron have called for referendum if he had a whiff of doubt he would win it? Perhaps not! Nevertheless, Britain would still have had to confront that demon at some point. The opposition to Europe is so widespread that it hampered Britain’s effective participation in the continental organisation as well as weighed down the EU itself. Resolving the doubt was a task that must be done

and the earlier, the better. Necessities, when postponed, ultimately increase the cost that we eventually get to pay.

Now, everyone can heave a sigh of relief and face up to realities.

Referendums are an important weapon in a democracy.

It is the sovereign power of the people to decide the shape and flow of events. Often, representative government with all its imperfections does not adequately represent the people. The whims and caprices of the ruling elite often masquerade; nay, nakedly displace the wishes of the people. According to the Marxian thesis, the ruling ideas in any given society are the ideas of the ruling class. Bourgeois theorists of power also posit that in all human societies, irrespective of the system of government in place, the elite rule. Even where revolutions take place and the existing social and political order is dislocated, it soon settles and a new set of “masters” replaces the decadent and the drudgery continues. In no society do the people rule in the real sense of the word. Thus, democracy, with all its trappings and attractions, is, at best, make-believe, and, at the worst, a ruse. We are thousands of years removed from the Greek city-states where democracy, properly so-called, flourished.

Referendums are, however, to be preferred to wars.

Britain has tasted both and may have come to the inevitable conclusion that bowing to the wishes of the people is far better than trying to hold down an unwilling people and forcing bitter pills down their throats. Its gruelling war against the Irish Republican Army remains fresh in everyone’s memory. When the clamour for Scotland break-away was becoming a din, a referendum was the preferred option, rather than another gruelling IRA experience; and as fate would have it, Scotland voted to remain in the UK. That settled it – at least before Brexit!

Nigeria has a lot to learn from Britain. We, too, had fought a gruelling 30-month Civil War to frustrate Biafra

secessionist bid and keep the country one. By various accounts, between one and two million lives were lost to the war. Imagine if we had resorted to referendum instead of war! I know many would say it was a distant possibility that the South-East, as we know it today, would have voted to remain in Nigeria – but how about the SouthSouth? It appeared they would not have voted to go with Biafra; for that would have amounted to exchanging one overbearing master for another and a Pharaoh for a Sennacherib.

As if he had a premonition that the victory by the federal side would eventually be pyrrhic, the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, had declared, after the Biafran surrender, “no victor; no vanquished.” Events today, where Biafra is resurging, have proved Gowon right. If care is not taken, we may fight yet another civil war over the same issue all over again and in the end, the matter may still not be decisively resolved, even if Biafra is defeated a second time. The fact that the South-South had since the end of the Civil War of 1967–1970 transmuted from a docile community to, perhaps, the most militant community in the country today has radically changed the ball game.

Niger Delta militants are miles ahead of Biafra in terms of the capacity and capability to deliver destruction.

While Biafra can yet be ignored, we do so to the Niger Delta militants to our peril. Faced with the same danger; and having similar goals, both are networking, collaborating, and cooperating. That is very dangerous. It was because this kind of understanding was lacking in 1967 between the South-East and South-South that it was relatively easy to isolate Biafra and quash it. With the synergy between both, the next civil war – God forbid! – will not be that easy to fight; moreso with the groundswell of discontentment in the South-West which sided with the Federal cause in 1967. This time, it will be much harder to convince the South-West to vote Nigeria. It seems much more likely to expect that they will rather vote with their legs!

But rather than get to the edge of the cliff to find out what will be obtainable, I think it makes more sense to rule out war completely and choose, instead, referendum.

What the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, said recently, to wit; that the country’s sovereignty is negotiable, is not novel in that it has been said again and again by many people. Only those who delude themselves say that the unity of this country is not negotiable. It is! And one day very soon, it will, whether on the battlefield or with the ballot box in a referendum. My preference is for the latter but those who are in vantage position to decide appear to have other ideas.

It is sad that a Muhammadu Buhari administration that Nigerians pinned great hopes upon has roundly disappointed. Buhari’s administration has unravelled within just one year in office. Today, Sai Baba’s demystification is total. He has not been a Nigeria president but a Northern/Muslim/Fulani president – in his appointments; in his speeches and statements; in his policies; in turning a blind spot to the activities of Fulani herdsmen, already catalogued as the fourth most deadly terrorist group in the world, while he breathes hostilities towards Biafra and Niger Delta militants; in the recent ethnic cleansing of the South in the Army; in the hounding of opponents under the ruse of an anti-corruption war; in the selectiveness of the “war” that shields Army Chief Tukur Buratai but parades the Amosus, Adiguns and Gbadebos of this world; among so many other infractions. At no other time in the history of this country has a leader been so contemptuous and snobbish of the necessity to carry every segment of the country along! Equity and fair play; justice and sincerity of purpose are virtues alien to the Buhari administration. And that is sure recipe for disaster.

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3 July, 2016

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WCC members at the meeting

By Kehinde Oyetimi

World Council of Churches urges Christians to have hope amid persecution

H

OPE in a pilgrimage of justice and peace formed the integral thread for proceedings at the meeting of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Trondheim, Norway, held last week.

The meeting of Central Committee, the WCC’s main governing body until the next assembly, was called to order by its moderator, Dr Agnes Abuom, from the Anglican Church of Kenya, on 22 June, who urged member churches to be catalysts for change in “a rapidly changing and increasingly pluralistic world”.

The 2016 meeting took place from June 22-28, the second gathering since the Central Committee was elected at the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea in 2013.

The theme, “Pilgrimage: Discerning the Landscapes Together,” reflected the final message of the 10th Assembly prompting, among others, a powerful statement for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine.

At the invitation of the Church of Norway, the Central Committee talked about the key issues for the world ecumenical fam-

‘Current socioeconomic Pg36 situation’ll make Nigeria stronger’

ily, in Trondheim, an important Christian pilgrimage site, home to the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world.

Possibilities from pilgrimage Abuom observed that “the pilgrimage offers us immense possibilities to re-imagine ourselves as a movement of God’s people in the mission – open and inclusive, and agile and receptive to the prompting of the Spirit.”

Meeting every two years, the Central Committee has 150 representatives elected from the 348 WCC member churches. It is responsible for carrying out the policies adopted by the assembly, reviewing and supervising WCC programmes and the budget.

The election of new Executive Committee members also took place in Trondheim. In addition, the Central Committee elected a committee to perform a midterm evaluation of its programmes and another to plan the next WCC assembly.

“We have affirmed time and again that the church is a people’s movement and that the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace will also engage people of other faiths and men and

But for the church, Nigeria would have been forgotten Pg37 —Pastor Balogun

women of good will. Let us reclaim and rebuild our capacity for discourse,” Abuom said.

WCC general secretary, Reverend (Dr) Olav Fykse Tveit, a member of the Church of Norway, described the church on pilgrimage as “a people defined by hope”.

He said, “This is not about generalised optimism, but instead about conveying a reason and motivation for hope.

“Often, it means being able to see beyond what we see and expecting something more and something else, looking for justice and peace, and nothing less. Hope is a criterion of our Christian faith,” explained Tveit.

He cited examples mentioned in the Executive Committee’s review of activities since 2014 with the WCC’s involvement in stages of the pilgrimage such as in the Korean peninsula, Ukraine, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine, South Sudan, Burundi, Colombia, Nigeria and in cities of the United States that have experienced racial confrontation.

Panel discussions were held on child rights and there was critical introspection on religion and violence, while the WCC also spoke up on behalf of forcibly displaced persons,

Mid-year prophecies:

Countries to pull out of ECOWAS Pg38 —Primate Ayodele

This is not about generalised optimism, but instead about conveying a reason and motivation for hope... Hope is a criterion of our Christian faith

including the right to asylum.

‘Network of peace initiatives’ “We have established a network of peace initiatives,” Tveit reported, noting a previous week’s gathering of church participants “for a workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa, commemorating 40 years since the Soweto massacre. The churches share with one another, from different parts of the world, how we are fulfilling our role of being peacemakers and calling for justice.”

World Mission Conference On 29 June, the Central Committee chose Arusha, Tanzania as the venue for the next World Mission Conference to be held 8-13 March 2018.

Bishop Geevarghese Mor Coorilos, Moderator of the WCC’s Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME), presented the conference theme, “Moving in the Spirit: Called to Transforming Discipleship.”

More than 700 delegates from churches worldwide are expected to gather for the event hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

During the meeting, the WCC welcomed three new member churches to the ecumenical fellowship and also admitted two others to interim membership status.

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3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

With Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 08074497425

churchnews

Current socio-economic situation’ll make Nigeria stronger —Prophet Omitade Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

T

HE General Overseer of Holy Trinity Authority Prophetic Church, Prophet James Omitade, has charged other clerics and Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the country, saying the current economic downturn in the country would make it stronger and more united.

Prophet Omitade told newsmen in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, while announcing the ongoing Holy Trinity Authority Church’s annual Liberty Period, that Nigeria had always failed to look beyond its problems to plan, but only scrambled when the issues arise.

Omitade said: “The current economic situation will rather make us stronger and give us a better tomorrow. It is not going to break Nigeria. God says we shall remain one. The country would be rocked, but it won’t break.

“Nigerians’ agitations in the various regions should be seen as a catalyst for development. They are meant for us to learn how to think of solutions to our problems rather than the fear of problems which, so far, has remained our nature. So it’s a strength for the future.”

He said the “Liberty Period (prayer and fasting programme) that would continue till July 16th,” was a “special programme for all families and that the theme: “Hands of God,” was “a call for families from far and near to come and receive from God and experience true family reconciliation.”

The cleric, who had pre-

dicted the current schism in the top echelon of the ruling APC, also charged the country’s health officials to brace up for what he said would be “a health

epidemic that would affect some African countries.”

Omitade said: “While all the faithful are urged to pray, health officials are

urged to prepare for this airborne disease which would affect mostly children. Its symptoms would be itching, high temperature, nausea and vomiting

for Nigeria, saying “God has been at work in this country and would continue to hear the prayers of the saints as they cry to Him in righteousness.

Church to FG: Provide solutions to nation’s insecurity Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure BISHOP of the Diocese of Akoko, Ondo State, Church of Nigeria (Angli-

can Communion), Right Reverend Gabriel Akinbiyi, has called on the Federal Government to provide lasting solutions

to the insecurity challenges confronting the nation.

He also said that the incessant kidnappings, killings, herdsmen attacks

and the vandalisation of crude oil pipelines were slowing down development of the country.

This was contained in a

From left, Bishop Nathaniel Ogundipe of Ifo Anglican Diocese; his wife, Florence and the Obasewa of Ifeland, Chief Agboola Odeyemi, during Odeyemi’s address as chairman, during the synod of Ifo diocese, held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Okenla, Ifo, Ogun State, recently.

Bishop charges clerics to be good Christian examples THE Bishop of Ilesa Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Osun State, Right Reverend (Dr) Samuel Olubayo Sowale, has tasked the new deacons and priests to be good ambassadors of Jesus Christ and the Anglican Communion in general as they engage in evangelism at their various places of work.

The cleric stated this at

the Ordination Service of two deacons and five priests at St. James Anglican Church last Sunday.

According to Bishop Sowale, their main focus should be to win more souls into the house of God even in hostile communities.

He said with the Holy Bible at their disposal, they should be able to confront demons and others that

may constitute block to evangelism.

During the ordination, the seven deacons and priests vowed not to take part in homosexual and other crimes forbidden by the Holy Bible.

Bishop Sowale, however, warned the new clerics to see themselves as servants of God and not boss over the congregation.

‘Christians must prepare for the end times now’ CHRISTIANS have been urged to prepare for the end time now.

This call was made by John Piper who referenced the parable of 10 virgins as evidence for the need to be ready for Jesus Christ’s second coming and the urgency to evangelise those who were not yet saved.

Piper, who serves as the founder and teacher at De-

and redness of the eyes.

Nigeria and Zimbabwe and other African countries would be affected.”

He charged clerics not to relent in their prayers

siringGod.org, stated this in a sermon posted to his website last week.

According to him, as outlined in the parable in Matthew 25:2-4, Christians needed to be fully prepared for Christ’s return, instead of just pretending to be prepared with a façade of superficial religious belief.

The parable reads, in

part: “Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.”

According to the sermon, “The parable goes on to say that God tells believers to “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” of His

arrival, adding that the 10 women were tasked with preparing the way for the Lord, but five were unprepared.

“This parable relates to Christians’ preparedness for the End Times, Piper explains, as the oil represents true spirituality, while the lamp can prove empty if one is lacking an active faith.”

While delivering his sermon at the occasion, Venerable Timothy Opeoluwa Kujenro, who stated that healing of people started from the Anglican Church at the beginning, noted that new generation churches copied such healing programmes to establish their various churches.

Speaking further, Venerable Kujenro saluted the courage of Sowale, describing him as one of the bishops who upheld the tenets of Anglican Communion.

The deacons and priests were Emmanuel Oluwatoyin Badmus and Ore Ofe Oluwa Folarin ordained as deacons; Tope Yinka Akinpeju, Matthew Abiodun Akintoye, Joseph Obenga Famusiwa, Stephen Olufemi Omolade and Emmanuel Ademola Adedoyin, who were ordained as priests.

communiqué issued at the end of second session of the eleventh synod of the Diocese of Akoko, Ondo State, held at St. James Anglican Church, Supare Akoko, Ondo State, with the theme, “How Shall We Escape.”

The cleric called on the Federal Government to put in place measures to secure the lives and properties of citizens in all parts of the country and also solicited for the total commitment of the political class to fulfil their “change” mantra in order to salvage the nation from total collapse.

Reading the Bishop’s charge, Akinbiyi noted with dismay the recent revelations on the massive corruption by some government officials, particularly at the federal level.

“It is rather sad that the fund meant for the procurement of weapons to combat Boko Haram terrorists was diverted into individuals’ accounts for private purposes, leaving Nigerian soldiers helpless.

“We enjoin our leaders and those in positions of authority to be God-fearing and those who have looted the nation’s treasury must be made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

He noted that with the recent deregulation of the downstream sector, life had become difficult for Nigerians, while workers were owed several months of salaries and pensions, urging the Federal Government to pay workers’ salaries as well as pensioners being owed to save people from continuous starvation.

The church also called on government at all levels to create jobs for the unemployed to reduce poverty and insecurity in the society.

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3 July, 2016

Pastor Oladele Abiodun Balogun is the Pastor-in-Charge of Region 21 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Covenant Sanctuary, which comprises all RCCG churches in Oyo State. He is also a professor of Philosophy. He shares with RITA OKONOBOH his thoughts on how he balances philosophy and religion, the story of his experience as a pastor, and other national issues. Excerpts:

W

HAT was growing up like?

I was born in Ijebu-Igbo and I attended Moslem Primary School in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, from 1973 to 1979. I proceeded to Ladugbo Community High School, Oke-Agbo, IjebuIgbo from 1979 to 1984. After that, I went to Ogun State College of Education for my HSC between 1984 and 1986. Afterwards, I went to the then Ogun State University to study Philosophy, from 1986 to 1989 and to God be the glory, I graduated as the best student of my set. I am a professor of philosophy at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, formerly Ogun State University. I have my Masters and PhD degrees from the University of Ibadan.

How long have you been in the ministry?

In the RCCG, we have two categories of ministers – full time and part time. I must state categorically that I am a full time lecturer and a part-time minister. So, my main job is as a lecturer with the Olabisi Onabanjo University. I can’t say I had a calling in the sense of the word since I am not a full time minister. I joined the RCCG in 1983 as a worker, became a minister, then an assistant pastor, pastor, zonal pastor, provincial pastor. I became pastor-in-charge of Oyo province 1. After some time, Region 21 was created by Pastor E.A. Adeboye in 2014 and so, I became pastor-in-charge of Region 21.

I grew up as a Muslim before I became born again and joined the church in 1983. I am a full time lecturer, and as a matter of fact, I am the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Olabisi Onabanjo University.

How do you balance being a philosopher and a pastor?

Not all philosophers are atheists. St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, among others are philosophers who also believe in God. Philosophy deals with the ability to reason rationally and to separate dogmatism from fact. It is the ability to analyse critically.

Even philosophy has helped me to interpret the Bible better. When I pick a verse from the Bible, through the help of philosophy, I analyse. There is no conflict between philosophy and religion. In most seminaries in the world, philosophy is taught.

RCCG Region 21 is popularly described as Noah’s Ark. What is the story of Covenant Sanctuary?

RCCG Covenant Sanctuary started some time ago with one of my predecessors, Pastor Elijah Daramola (he’s presently coordinating RCCG churches in South Africa and is a Special Assistant to the G.O.), who at the time was pastor-in-charge of Oyo Province 1. He was the one God used to buy this land.

After some time, Pastor Innocent Utulu, who was a provincial pastor, started the laying of the foundation, and the building project, which was done in 2006. I took over in 2010 and by the grace of God, it has got to the stage it is now. The building will be dedicated on July 10 by the G.O. of the RCCG, Pastor E.A. Adeboye and his wife.

The church has been described, arguably, as the biggest RCCG parish in the world. What efforts have been made to ensure winning of souls to worship in such edifice?

When it comes to structure, you may refer to this church as the biggest, for now.

It can seat 10,000 people and depending on the arrangement, it can seat more people. Like I told our workers recently, this is not a monument, nor a museum. We have planned our strategy and we’re intensifying on aggressive evangelism, coupled with the

Sunday Tribune

The Bible is subject to various interpretations. Someone who wants to drink alcohol can pick a part of the Bible to support his/ her action. Someone who even batters his wife can turn the Bible upside down to justify his action. From my interpretation, the scripture is not against women performing their responsibilities in the church. For example, in the RCCG, women are in all the positions available. We could even say we need more women.

So, are you saying a woman can be a G.O. of the RCCG? We have female pastors in charge of regions, provinces, zones and areas. However, on the issue of female G.O., God determines that. If that is in God’s plan, it will come to pass. In the RCCG, we have only got two G.O.s so far – the founder and the present G.O. The church is just starting. There is no need to be in a hurry.

But for the church, Nigeria would have been forgotten — Pastor Balogun mandate given to us by Daddy G.O. that every church must double its membership. On another hand, the church has come in very handy when we have regional programmes.

We have two churches in the Covenant Sanctuary for now – the Yoruba church called Apata Ogo and the English church called Glory House. We have been engaged in personal evangelism and media advertisements to ensure that people come to the knowledge of Christ.

You have mentored pastors. How would you assess the rate at which the RCCG produces pastors and the failing moral standards in society?

The church is playing a major role to ensure that corruption and immorality become a thing of the past, although there is room for improvement. If not for the church, Nigeria as a country would have been forgotten. The church has played a major role in ensuring development. For example, the RCCG has produced the vice president. The number one soldier in Nigeria is a member of the RCCG. The Commissioner of Police of Oyo State is also a member of RCCG. That is just a few that we have mentioned and that is just the RCCG. There are also many examples in other Christian denominations across Nigeria. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities are also a vital aspect of the RCCG. However, I appeal to all Christians, in whatever position they find themselves, to establish the culture of righteousness even in the face of temptation.

Spousal murder seems to be on the increase. As the South West coordinator of the Redeemer’s Men Fellowship (RMF), how would you advise

men on making marriages work?

First of all, we must correct the impression that men are the sole perpetrators of domestic violence. There are women who perpetrate domestic violence against their husbands. However, in the church, such is drastically reduced because the church preaches monogamy, and where one man, one wife is established, domestic violence will be drastically reduced. The RCCG doctrine preaches against divorce so, the earlier one accepts that fact, the better. In fact, as a pastor, if you divorce your wife, you will be dismissed. Adultery is also against the RCCG doctrine. If the soul of a man is regenerated, he will not beat his wife. The whole issue boils down to soul winning and evangelism. If you really love someone, you can’t beat the person. The antidote to domestic violence is for every man to be born again.

In the RMF, we preach soul winning and the need for every man to be born again. We also discuss health and family issues.

There is a new trend now in Pentecostal missions. Women are now becoming more outspoken when it comes to the gospel, with some going as far as founding churches. What is the RCCG’s stand on that?

The antidote to domestic violence is for every man to be born again

Still on the issue of G.O., there are fears that when Pastor Adeboye completes his tenure, the church will disintegrate, especially as it seems that he has no favourites. What are your thoughts on this?

Daddy G.O. is a man full of wisdom and knowledge. God is omniscient and possesses all wisdom. Daddy G.O. has told us not to be fearful about who will succeed him and that when the appointed time comes, RCCG is owned by God and will not disintegrate. It is the Redeemed Christian Church of God, not the Redeemed Christian Church of anybody. When the founder died, God raised Baba Adeboye, and after Baba Adeboye, the church will not collapse. One of the covenants God gave the founder is that when He shall return, he shall meet RCCG. Let nobody be fearful or apprehensive, God has a great plan for RCCG during and after Baba Adeboye completes his assignment.

In the face of the prevailing economic situation in the country, how have you managed to complete the assignment of such a building and how much would you estimate that this project has gulped?

Honestly, it has been God. God promised that He that began the good work will surely complete it. God has been sending people from all over to support the project. In fact, I had thought that with the state of the economy, work would have stopped. Rather, work has continued. It has been God. On the amount spent so far, I would rather not want to state how much.

What challenges have you faced as the head of a large congregation?

Different kinds of people make up a congregation – the good, bad, holy, unholy, weak, strong, among others – and as a good father, you have to manage them all. There have been challenges but with wisdom and the grace of God, it has been possible.

What would be your advice for government and religious leaders?

Let the president and his team seek God. Once we attempt to remove God from the equation, there will be problems. If they have the fear of God, they will rule us well.

There should also be no attempt to favour one religion over the other. As the constitution states that this is a secular state, so should be followed. There should also be policies to improve the economy and other sectors of the economy, such as electricity supply, health, among others. There is also the need to pay serious attention to education as a tool for national development.

For the CAN president-elect, Reverend S.O. Ayokunle, since CAN is made up of different denominations, his first assignment should be unification. He should use his position to entrench righteousness. For other religious leaders, let us preach Christ, entrench righteousness and live like Christ.

If we’re able to do that, other things will follow.

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3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Mid-year prophecies:

Countries to pull out of ECOWAS —Primate Ayodele

By Kehinde Oyetimi

F

OUNDER and head of the Inri Evangelical & Spiritual Church, with headquarters in Lagos, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has sent a note of warning to members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on an imminent fracture that would affect the unity of the countries,

Nigerians should brace up.

More hardship is expected.

This presidential system of government will fizzle out.

God is angry with Nigeria because of bloodbath and irregularities of this government

saying that this would lead to the exit of some of them.

This was part of the mid-year prophecies which he made available to TribuneChurch.

It will be recalled that the seer had, barely two years ago, called on the European Union to tread carefully with the eventual exit of Britain from the union. He, however, said that the occurrence left much to be desired.

According to him, “The only thing is that it is a wrong signal to the whole world.

There is nothing to jubilate about this. It will affect the whole world. Scotland will pull out of the United Kingdom in less than five years from now. I see Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister of Britain.

“I see some African countries that will pull out of ECOWAS as the head of the ECOWAS union would have crisis in his home country.”

Speaking on the state of the Nigerian economy, he called on both citizens and leaders to brace up for more hard times, insisting that revamping the economy was a long way ahead.

“Nigerians should brace up. More hard-

ship is expected. This presidential system of government will fizzle out. I must say that the present Federal Government is totally confused. God is angry with Nigeria because of bloodbath and irregularities of this government,” he said, noting that “We need a lot of prayers to survive.”

In his message to the states, the religious leader revealed that the bailouts expected from the Federal Government would not help salvage the economies of the states.

“Despite the Federal Government’s bailout to states, the economy will get worse for them. A lot of governors will still run into crisis,” he said.

He canvassed for prayers for the health of President Buhari, just as he said that “I foresee the death of a former First Lady.”

Continuing, Primate Ayodele charged the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to be careful of the allegations brought on him by the Federal Government.

“Saraki should not underestimate the charges as it has been forewarned that certain powers would want him out as Senate President at all cost. The removal of Saraki would cause a crack in the APC. Some senators would gang up against Buhari which would also affect the party and the nation.

“Modu Sheriff is not the messiah of the PDP. His chairmanship would collapse the PDP. I see a new party coming out from the residuals of the APC and PDP. Buhari’s second term is uncertain,” he warned.

Hope rekindled as Catholic bishops visit Borno IDP camps •Donate N5.5m, foodstuffs

By Rita Okonoboh

A

S part of efforts to contribute to the welfare of persons displaced by insurgency in the North East, and as a means of rekindling hope in God, Maiduguri Catholic diocese played host to the bishops of Ibadan Province.

The visit to the diocese by the archbishop, bishop and priests of Ibadan archdiocese was led by the Archbishop of Ibadan and Apostolic Administrator of Osogbo Diocese, Most Reverend (Dr) Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin; the

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Reverend (Dr) Emmanuel A. Badejo; the Vicar General of Osogbo Diocese, Very Reverend Father Michael Okodua and Reverend Father Martin De Cross.

The visit began with the celebration of the Mass, which was presided over by Archbishop Abegunrin.

In his introductory remarks, he expressed delight for the opportunity to visit Maiduguri diocese, which is globally termed as the suffering church because of the activities of the insurgents and called on the people not to relent for there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Clerics and Internally Displaced Persons during the visit. Inset: Archbishop Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin (left) and Bishop Emmanuel Badejo (right), praying for a baby during the visit.

Bishop Badejo, in his homily, thanked the faithful for remaining Christians, for being steadfast and courageous despite the fierce persecution, basing his sermon on John 16:33.

He described the Bishop of Maiduguri diocese as being happy, patient and courageous enough in the midst of these overwhelming challenges, because of the good people of the diocese.

According to him, “the world is troubled by aggression, bloodshed, violence, selfishness and all sorts of greed and disrespect for human life. And we have two choices to make, either to run over and to give into despair and die or to continue to believe in the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ who saw suffering, marginalisation, deprivation and death and still emerged victorious.

“It is true that some people carry smaller crosses while obviously the people of Maiduguri carry bigger crosses, which is a source of blessing and encouragement to other people. Always remember that you are not standing alone.”

The Vicar (Administration) of Maiduguri diocese, Very Reverend Father Donatus Tizhe and the Local Ordinary of Maiduguri, Most Reverend (Dr) Oliver Dashe Doeme, expressed joy over the show of love and concern and assured the congregation that victory had already been won.

The visit was extended to the internally displaced persons camps (IDPs) in Wulari, the camp ground and the Catholic camp in Polo within Maiduguri metropolis, and were welcomed by Bishop Mohammed Naga, who lamented the poor response they received from the government. Nevertheless, he said the people have remained strong and hardworking despite government’s failure to provide adequate relief materials.

The bishops concluded their visit by handing over bags of rice, beans, maize, and the sum of N5.5 million to support the work of caring for and rehabilitating the victims of insurgency through the Diocese of Maiduguri.

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Sunday Tribune

livingword

dawnofanewera with Most Revd J.O. Akinfenwa

By Bishop David Oyedepo Call 7747546-8; or e-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

A distinguished man

Understanding vital keys to operating in the supernatural!

Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese

BELOVED, it has been said that those who stand for nothing will fall for anything. What do you stand for? Daniel stood for God in his generation, and each time his back was against the wall, God showed up for him.

Great miracles happened, not really because Daniel had great spiritual power, but because Daniel had great spiritual convictions.

People are all over town now seeking spiritual power, Christians inclusive. They are seeking the wrong priority. People who have strong spiritual convictions, who stand for Gods truth and who defend godly principles, will never be in short supply of God’s power. We saw that several times in the life story of Daniel. Because he stood for God, God arose and performed mighty wonders so that Daniel’s words would not fall to the ground. Those who exalt God in word and deed will NEVER lick the dust.

Even though He is altogether divine, Jesus Christ our perfect example still acted to earn prominence. The Bible says: Philippians 2:7-11 But (he) made himself Of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We must clearly define our values, and we must live them out with utmost determination. There is no room for “one leg in, one leg out. “We need to learn this lesson. They say that a fish rots from the head. If the head is rotten, the whole body will soon equally rot away. And that is true not only for fish, but for all things, including families. But if the head is noble and upright, the whole body will take a positive cue from the head and do likewise. As heads of families, God wants to use us to bring glory to His name through our families. So, we must appropriate this blessings and make quality decisions for the Lord that will make our families to stand out in the kingdom of God and in the world.

In the words of Moses the man of God, I ask us today, Exodus 32:26 ... Who is on the LORD’S side?

The full complement of heavenly resources is always deployed on behalf of those who are on the Lord’s side, therefore such people can never be ordinary. The Lord always distinguishes those who stand in the defense of His name and of His glory. Will you purpose in your heart today to be that kind of man?

Who is here today that wants to be a distinguished man; that wants his family to be a distinguished family? Purpose in your heart to stand for God; to make God’s priority your priority, and you shall see God’s power at work in your life in great and mighty ways that shall exceed your highest expectations.

7 ways to teach mission to children For the expansion of Christ’s kingdom, it is vital that the youth in our churches be taught about God’s passion for the lost and that he desires his disciples to reach out to non-believers and teach them about the grace and mercy of Christ.

Here are seven ways (adapted from Mike Pettengill) on how your church can reach the kids of your congregation and teach them about the importance of world missions: Study missionary biographies Tell your kids about the incredible missionaries who have served in the name of the Lord. Revere the martyrs and laborers who sacrificed for God. Let the youth see how these great servants were not superChristians, but simply obedient Christians.

Have the youth study, write, and report on their favorite missionaries of today and the past.

Video Conference With Missionaries Help the children of your church get to know missionaries by asking missionaries to use video conferencing technology to talk directly to your Sunday school or VBS classes. Take a few minutes to interview the missionaries and their kids and let the kids of your church ask questions that interest them. Help your youth to get to know the missionaries your church is supporting and praying for. Allow the kids to learn missionaries are normal people just like they are.

Study Biblical Missions Make concerted efforts to regularly study what Scripture says about the relationship between the church and missions. Help your youth understand missions and evangelism are central themes throughout the Bible. Train the kids of your church to see missions was on the heart of God from the beginning of time and that it is a command every church is to follow. Learn about bibli-

cal missionaries like Abraham, Jonah and Paul and study how God used average disciples to accomplish amazing things.

Write Letters To Missionaries Have the kids of your church write letters to the missionaries and missionary kids your church supports. Instruct the children to write how they learned about the missionary’s ministry and prayed for the missionary. Allow the kids to connect and create a bond with the individual missionaries.

Help the youth to love and support the missionaries in their own way. Give the kids pointers, but allow them to express what is on their own hearts.

Make Ministry Gifts With the missionary’s help, share information about the people group the kids are serving. Help the kids connect. With the missionary’s direction, have your youth create culturally appropriate gift bags, blankets, dresses or Christmas gifts. Once the gifts have been shipped to the foreign culture and distributed, ask the missionary to share pictures or video with your kids.

Raise Money Every Christian is a goer or a sender. Help the kids of your church embrace their calling as senders. The amount of money is not important, but regular lessons on sacrificial giving are important. Show pictures and videos about the ministry to the kids and help them see exactly how their hard work and sacrificial giving will be used in missions.

Have Missionaries Visit When missionaries are on furlough, ask them to visit youth groups and Sunday school classes to share with the kids. Hearing directly from missionaries is impactful and building a relationship is powerful. The value of meeting the person the church has been praying for is important.

THE scriptures make us recognize that everyone who is born of the Holy Spirit is ordained to operate in the supernatural.

Speaking on the supernatural, prophet Isaiah said: Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion (Isaiah 8:18; see also John 3:8).

“Signs and wonders” here, implies the supernatural. That means, the supernatural is the natural estate of everyone who is born of the Holy Spirit.

However, it is not enough to know that we are ordained to operate in the supernatural; we must have a working knowledge of the supernatural before we can operate in that realm. This is because every provision in redemption requires a working knowledge before it can be delivered.

For instance, we need a working knowledge of healing to command the flow of healing virtues, when attacked. Also, we need a working knowledge of prosperity to walk in divine supplies. Furthermore, we need a working knowledge of success to emerge as one. Just as we cannot develop skill without knowledge, we can’t operate in the supernatural without a working knowledge of what it entails. That is why God sent me to educate the saints on their supernatural roots in Christ, in an encounter on November 23, 2000.

That day, the Lord spoke to me saying: The world is crying, ‘Who will teach us how to operate in the supernatural as the original disciples did.’ I’m sending you to undertake

this task. Your mission is to make known the mystery of supernatural Christianity, to herald the manifestation of the sons of God, to educate the saints on their supernatural root in Christ, to unleash the truth concerning walking in the realm of the miraculous to the body of Christ, to promote supernatural Christianity through anointed and in-depth exposition of the Word of faith.

Therefore, in the coming weeks, I shall be teaching on how to operate in the supernatural as ordained by God. As we go through these teaching series, I see God changing your level both physically and spiritually in the name of Jesus Christ! Remain ever blessed!

Are you born again or have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Walking in the Miraculous, Operating in the Supernatural, Releasing the Supernatural, Commanding the Supernatural and All you need to have all your needs met.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.

theapostolicmessage

By Pastor (Dr) G.O. Olutola JP.

Seven things the power of prayer does ELIAS was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:17-18.

Prayer is one of the weapons of warfare available to the children of God. It is a way of communicating with God to praise Him, adore Him, make supplication, and request and to come against the wiles and fiery darts of the devil.

God has instructed His church to always pray for the Nation. We have been trying, and the Lord still request us to do more. It is our responsibility to pray. By it when we knock the door, and it will be opened to us.

Jesus Christ would not have taught the disciples how to pray if it was not necessary. But He did because He too, also prayed. He knew there is power in prayer: Power to cast out the devil, cast out evil spirit, possess one’s possession, silent the enemy, bind the strong man and have victory in every battle of life.

Before we talk on the inherent power in prayer let us dwell a little on the text taken above, i.e. James 5:17-18. We are taken into the life of a man of God, Elijah otherwise called Elias. James described him as “a man subject to like passions as we are” that is a man of the same nature such as we have in feeling affection and constitution.

• He prayed earnestly that it might not rain • His prayer stopped rain for three and half years • He prayed again and there was rain • After the rain there were the fruits of the earth.

These actions of his are recorded in 1 Kings 17. And they spoke of the tremendous grace God has given to those who can exercise their divine authority in prayer.

Children of God have been empowered to exercise authority, and this is achieved through prayer as the Lord has given to us to “ask and it shall be given”.

He said in Jeremiah 33:3; “call unto me; and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not”.

So when we are able to call upon Him with our prayer we have assurance of His answer and the consequences which include demonstration of His power.

How great would it be if we are able to commit all our ways unto him through our prayer all the time! When we could pray we would bring not only blessing and goodness unto ourselves, and our family and our nation but also proclaim the goodness of God. By the word of Elijah when the rain came, the signs that followed included goodness and relief to the city of Samaria.

To be continued next week

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3 July, 2016

language&style

by Samson Dare 0805 500 1770 samsonadare@yahoo.co.uk

Senate on randy lecturers!

S

AMPLE 1: “She noted that she was preparing the evening meal when suddenly the sound of sporadic gunshots rented the air around their village, a development which made everyone, men, women, young and old to scamper everywhere for safety”(Fulani Herdsmen Made us Widows---Agatu Women, The Sun, Sunday, March 27, 2016) I draw your attention to the curious form, rented, which occurs in the following context: “sporadic gunshotsrented the air.”

The various forms of this word together with other forms with which they are often confused have been discussed several times on this page. Since the confusion evidently lingers, it is expedient for us to look at the forms again with a view to securing better understanding on the part of our readers. Repetition and reiteration are important for the purpose of making points clearer and enabling them to be properly digested. In some places, we will feel free to adopt and adapt some of the words we have used previously.

The verb from which the formrented is supposed to derive is rend, meaning to break through violently, to tear apart, to make a loud, deafening noise. The form rented has been presented by the reporter as the past form rend.

However, there can be no mistake about the fact that the writer’s head is racked by confusion regarding the forms rend, rent and rented. There is the verb rent, meaning to take and use for some time, say an apartment, a facility, a vehicle, etc, for a fee. The forms of that verb are: rent, rents, renting and rented.

Usage examples: 1) She rents a car every week for that purpose.

2) He has been renting out his father’s houses for the past five years. 3) The facility was rented for five hundred thousand naira. 4) I have not rented any house since I secured this job; the company has been providing accommodation. 5) The university has been renting facilities from the company.

The noun form of that verb remains rent: 1) She always takes a loan to pay her rent.

2) When is your rent due? 3) Rents have gone up astronomically since the increase in the prices of petroleum products.

4) Is the house for rent? 5) We pay an annual rent of one million naira.

We need, however, to distinguish the various forms of the verb rent from the various forms of the verb rend. The verb rend has the following forms: rend, rends, rent, rending. As we have noted, this verb means to tear violently apart, break into pieces with violence, to utter loud, deafening noise. Usage examples: 1) Every night, the noise of carousing men rends the air.

2) When the president arrived, shouts of ‘APC’ rent the air. 3) A hefty branch of the huge tree was rent by the storm. 4) Heartrending stories of death and destruction were told by the hapless returnees. 5) Her loving and innocent heart was rent by a bitter disappointment. 6) It was the tradition of the ancient Hebrews to rend their clothes as a sign of penitence. 7) The rocky hill was rentby an earthquake. 8) It was a terrible crash in which the vehicle was rent into two.

It is important to note that the past tense of rend is not rented but rent; the past participle is not rented but rent.

It is also important to note the difference between rend and render. The following sentences are defective: 1) We are *rending an account before the end of the financial year. 2) She narrated a soul-*rendering story of how her husband and children were brutally murdered. 3) He collapsed while he was *rending a song. 4) That sad development *rendered her heart. 5) Increased technology seems to be *rending many workers redundant.

Those sentences are re-presented as follows with the appropriate word replacing the wrong one in each case: 1a) We are rendering an account before the end of the year. 2a) She narrated a soul-rending story of how her husband and children were brutally murdered. 3a) He collapsed while he was rendering a song. 4a) That sad development rent her heart. 5a) Increased technology seems to be rendering many workers redundant.

At any rate, the form rent should replace rented (as the past tense of rend) in the context under review.

Sample 2: “Talks about how university teachers use their overbearing advantage over their students to intimidate and seduce female students is widespread…The proposed legislation, whose sponsors span across all geo-political zones of the country, also stipulates as offences solicitation of sex or sexual advances by lecturers which result to intimidation, hostile or offensive environment for students…”(Senate Takes on Randy Lecturers, TheNation, Sunday 8 May, 2016) Let’s note the singular verb-form (is) which occurs in the following context: “Talks about how university teachers use their overbearing advantage over their students to intimidate and seduce female students is widespread.” It is clear, no doubt, that the verb (is) immediately preceding the adjective widespread is in its singular form. It is our duty now to identify the relevant noun/noun phrase whose singular status must have influenced the reporter’s choice of the singular form of the verb.

I think the appropriate place to start is to ask ourselves: What is the subject of the sentence? It should be obvious that the subject of the sentence is the noun talks. The next question is: What is the status of that noun---singular or plural?

I believe anyone with elementary education should be able to identify talks as a plural noun. I do suspect the confusion resulting in the choice of a singular verb-form in the place of a plural verb arises because of the long verbal distance between the subject and the verb slot. At any rate, given the plural nature of the subjectnoun, talks, the verb is hereby changed to its plural form: are.

Let’s note the expression span acrosswhich occurs in the following context: “the proposed legislation whose sponsors span across all geo-political zones of the country.” Please note that the preposition across following the verb span directly does not normally collocate with that verb. I have this gut feeling that the usage of the verb span has been confused with that of spreador cut. Of course both the verb spreadand cut can take the particle across but span cannot.

Now read the following sentences: 1) The deadly activities of the Boko Haram insurgents have spanned four years now. 2) She had a brilliant career that spanned almost thirty years. 3) The Old Oyo Empire spanned almost the entire geographical area now known as Western Region of Nigeria. 4) The marine scientist claims that the pollution spans up to one hundred nautical miles. 5) The pipelines conveying fuel to various parts of the countryspan over one thousand kilometres. 6) The desert, we are told, spans more than five thousand square miles. 7) The proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge will span thirty kilometres.

8) The Prophet Elisha’s ministry was said to have spanned fifty years. 9) Wole Soyinka is unique as a writer in that his writings span all the genres of literature. 10) His career as a civil servantspanned the tenures of five Heads of State.

Please note that in each of those sentences, the preposition across has not been allowed to collocate with span.

The discussion of the excerpt continues next week by God’s grace.

However, there can be no mistake about the fact that the writer’s head is racked by confusion regarding the forms rend, rent and rented

Sunday Tribune

line

life with

Niyi Osundare

Random Blues (for the Nigerian Senate*) A brave new bill is stirring In the chamber of our Senate Hear? A brave new law is stirring In the belly of our Senate Self-serving, repulsive, utterly senseless, Another sick sign of a lawless state A lifetime bonanza for the Senate King, His paramount peers and other parasites Yes, lifetime bonanza for the Senate King, His paramount peers and other parasites Maggots who fatten on our nation’s corpse They vow it’s all part of their royal rights Scoundrels, nation-wreckers, venal warriors Spawns of Nigeria’s triumphant Kleptocracy Agbaga!*, scoundrels, cut-throats, venal warriors Criminal spawns of our triumphant Kleptocracy They steal our votes, purloin our prospects In their noble service to our ‘New Democracy’ Lifetime perks for the Senate King and his Chiefs And from their serial criminalities, an absolute immunity Haba, lifetime pay for the Senate King and his Chiefs And from their serial criminalities, an absolute immunity A super sanction-buster bestrides our sorry streets The kabiyesi of crimes, the Grand Imuniti* Beyond Shame, allergic to Honour, Our lawless lawmakers and their countless crimes Alas, beyond Shame, allergic to Honour Our lawless lawmakers and their countless crimes The nation wails beneath their yoke, Reeling through the turmoil of these confounding times Onward, brave legislators, Indulge your greed, unhinge the Nation I say, onward, brave legislators Indulge your greed, kill the Nation Forge the rules, immunify your crimes It’s all so in tune with your lofty station And WE THE PEOPLEare the absent factor Bought, sold, disdainfully discarded Again, I say, WE THE PEOPLE are the absent factor Bought, sold, disdainfully discarded Servile servants of mindless masters We forgo our right to be well regarded in its desperate ploy to carve out a lifetime pension bonanza for its top officers and sanctify theiracts of corruption and other criminalities with an all-encompassing immunity.

Agbaga: Alas; horror of horrors!

Kabiyesi: The-one-that-will-challengehim-is-not-yet-born Imuniti: Un-arrestability or beyond arrest. Yoruba pun on ‘immunity’.

41 news Oyo NURTW chieftain arrested with military, police uniforms; weapons

By Oluwatoyin Malik

A

team of Operation Burst comprising operatives from the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested the suspended chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Saki inter- state branch, Alhaji Kazeem Aderibigbe popularly known as Kazeem Iwo, over an alleged illegal possession of arms, ammunition and weeds suspected to be marijua-

na.

Sunday Tribune learnt that the NURTW chairman was arrested at about 2:00a.m. on Saturday at his residence, Challenge Area, Saki, alongside his personal guard, Mr. Akeem Kolapo a.k.a. Stainless, his night guard, Mr. Nasiru Oyebisi and the NURTW Ajegunle motor park cleaner, Mr. Ibrahim Olubuse.

Items recovered from Aderibigbe’s residence included one single barrel gun, a locally-made pistol, a cutlass, cartridges, wraps of marijuana, a number of

syringes and needles, as well as a military cardigan and a police camouflage uniform.

Parading the suspects before newsmen at Operation Burst’s office along Oje-Owode road, Saki, the Commanding Officer of 244 Recce Battalion, Asabari Barracks, Saki, Major Ibrahim Mohammed, said that the operation was as a result of intelligence reports received that the Kazeem Iwo led-faction of NURTW was threatening to cause mayhem in Saki following his removal by the local

government security committee headed by the council chairman, Mr Kareem Kasali Adegoke.

It was gathered that the suspects had been taken to Operation Burst’s headquarters in Ibadan for further investigation.

Sunday Tribune’s findings revealed that the local government had asked Aderibigbe to move the NURTW’s motor park from Ajegunle area to another place allocated to it, but he had refused to do so, leading to the take-over of the new park by another faction of the union.

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Piracy: China indicates interest to partner Nigeria Tola Adenubi-Lagos

THE Chinese government has indicated interest to partner with Nigeria in the campaign against piracy on its territorial waters.

This was disclosed by the Acting Chinese Consul General to Nigeria; Mr. Li Yong who paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside over the weekend.

Mr. Li Yong, who explained that he was happy with the current China-Nigerian relationship, stated that the Chinese central government was willing to partner with Nigeria in the areas of technological advancement and information sharing.

The Chinese envoy also expressed his government’s determination to support Nigeria in the fight against piracy and other criminal activities at sea.

Governorship position should be left for younger people —SGF SECRETARY to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, has said that he was not nursing the ambition to become the governor of Adamawa State.

Lawal told newsmen in Yola, Adamawa State, on Saturday that the speculation was baseless, adding that at his age and because of his position as SGF, it was not proper for him to think of serving as state governor in the future.

“At over 60 years of age and with my position as SGF, I should not be thinking of being a governor; governorship should be left for younger people,” he said.

Lawal also said that he was not planning to sponsor a candidate for governorship seat in the state.

“The whole thing is funny; they were even saying that I favoured my own tribe of Kilba in federal appointments becaused Mustafa was recently appointed the Managing Director of Nigeria Inland Waterways Agency.

“People need to know that Mustafa was not only well qualified for the job but also a chieftain of the party who actively participated as an official in the Buhari Campaign Organisation,” he stated further.

Anti-cultism war: Gov Wike leads security agencies to demolish more hideouts The embattled chairman of Saki inter-state branch of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Kazeem Aderibigbe (second left) and three other suspects when paraded at the premises of Operation Burst’s office in Saki, Oyo State.

Bishops lead rally as Catholics march against herdsmen attacks in Enugu Jude Ossai-Enugu

THOUSANDS of Catholic faithful in Enugu State on Saturday held a prayer rally in protest of the repeated Fulani herdsmen attacks in some communities in the state.

The processions, which were held simultaneously in Awgu, Enugu and Nsukka, attracted the attention of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who had to pay a visit to the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, at about 11.45am, to stop miscreants from taking over the protest.

Reports from Awgu and Nsukka revealed that scores of Catholic faithful took to the streets of the towns carrying placards.

Bishop John Okoye led the Agwu protesters, while Bishops Godfrey Onah and Calistus Onaga led the Nsukka and Enugu protesters respectively.

It was also learnt that the protesters in Enugu had scheduled to take off at the Holy Ghost Cathedral,

after the church service to major streets before moving to meet Governor Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, to register their displeasure.

However, following security reports, the governor joined the protesters at the church where he assured them of the efforts of the state government to protect lives and property in the state.

Ugwuanyi commended the church for the leading role it had been playing in the struggle against social injustice, human rights violations and other crimes against humanity in every part of the country.

“I wish to sincerely thank you all for the peaceful conduct of this prayer rally. It showed the high regard that the church and its faithful have for the rule

of law and for constituted authorities.”

“It was indeed a day that would ever remain dark, sad and solemn in the memory of the people of Enugu State and Nigerians in general.

“We are however consoled by the fact that the whole world had stood by us and offered us sympathy and solidarity, ever since the incident occurred.”

Bodies of oil workers killed by militant found THE search and rescue team raised following attack by gunmen suspected to be militants at oilfield in Bayelsa State has recovered the remains of two of the three oil workers that died in the incident.

The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Bayelsa State command, Mr Desmond Agu, confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Saturday.

The victims were two en-

gineers and a diver.

They were ambushed and killed in the creeks while repairing Agip pipelines that were destroyed

by Niger Delta Avengers.

Agu said their remains had been taken to an undisclosed mortuary in Port Harcourt.

“The search team, made up of NSCDC operatives, Navy, Army, gunboat crew and others, left Obama station at 0915 hours on Thursday in search of the Agip personnel.

“At about 1100 hours, the bodies of two personnel were discovered in Oguama River close to Oguama community in Bayelsa State.

“They were taken to Ogbia jetty for onward movement to Port Harcourt,” he said.

Gunmen suspected to be militants sympathetic to Niger Delta Avengers had killed the three oil workers at an oil field operated

by Nigerian Agip Oil Company, in Bayelsa State.

IN continuation of the anti-cultism war of the Rivers State government, Governor Nyesom Wike on Saturday led security agencies to root out cultists and kidnappers at the Eagle Island neighbourhood of Port Harcourt.

The governor and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso, Adebanjo supervised the demolition of two deadly cultists camps in the area.

One of the camps was located behind the Redeemed Church and the other camp was known as Andoni camp.

Governor Wike announced that a police station would be built on the cultists’ camp site behind the Redeemed Church, while a community hospital would be built at the site of the demolished Andoni camp.

Addressing journalists after the security operation, Governor Wike said that the entire cultists’ hideouts in the area would be demolished so that law abiding residents would live peacefully.

He noted that the war against cultists and kidnappers would be sustained to ensure that people carry out their lawful businesses without molestation.

The governor called on residents to always avail the security agencies of necessary information on the hideouts of criminals for action to be taken against them.

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news

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

PDP picks dep gov candidate in Edo Banji Aluko -Benin City

The Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi Odundun and the Brigade Commander, 32 Artillery brigade, Brigadier-General C. Ofoshe, when the royal father paid him a visit in his office in Akure, on Friday.

Panic in police, as more retirement looms Chris Agbambu -Abuja

F

EAR has gripped the Nigerian Police Force, following the retirement of 21 Assistant Inspectors of General of Police (AIGs), on Friday.

Informed police source revealed to Sunday Tribune that panic has now gripped the force on who next would be affected.

The source disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Police Service Commission (PSC) to go into records of the senior police officers and identify those who had one time or the other being involved in any corruption case.

According to the source, the president further directed that all police officers must begin on a clean note, as his administration has no room for corruption.

Sunday Tribune reli-

ably gathered that the retirement of the AIGs followed the directive given to the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, specifying that all AIGs senior to him should be retired.

Already, Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) have retired, following the retirement of the former IGP Solomon Arase.

The source said that the PSC has already started screening seven new DIGs to form the management team to be headed by IGP Idris.

It was reliably gathered that the new DIGs would be named at the meeting of the PSC scheduled for early this week, while the AIGs to man the zones would also be named.

54-year old man, defiles 11-year old orphan in Ekiti Sam Nwaoko -Ado Ekiti A 54-year-old man, Gbenga Adebayo, has been remanded in prison by an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for allegedly abducting and having sex with an 11-year-old girl.

Adebayo allegedly asked the girl to follow him to his aged mother’s place in UsiEkiti, some 60 kilometres away from Ado-Ekiti, and he camped her there for three weeks.

While she was kept in the

community, Adebayo paid visits to her there regularly and was allegedly sleeping with her while at the same time, joined the search party for the girl.

The girl claimed tha Adebayo promised to rescue her from her school teacher she said she was staying with, following the death of her parents.

She had claimed that she wanted to leave her teacher’s abode because the teacher was harsh on her.

Niger Delta communities face extinction over erosions—ERA Austin Ebipade -Yenagoa WORRIED by the menace of ocean surge that has continued to pose dangers to communities on the coast land in the Niger Delta, a foremost environmentalist, Mr. Alagoa Morris, has raised the alarm that several coastal communities in the Niger Delta are facing imminent extinction due to recurring ocean surge and coastal erosion.

Morris, the Bayelsa State Coordinator, Environmental Right Action, expressed concern that communities’ lands along the coastlines are washed into the Atlantic Ocean, rivers and creeks in the region on a daily basis.

The environmentalist, who expressed his fears

The source added that some Commissioners of Police (CPs) might be elevated to the position of DIGs to represent their geographical zones.

Following the retirement, a lot of vacancies have been created in the top echelon of the force, which would warrant the elevation of the officers to fill the vacancies.

through a statement made available to Sunday Tribune in Yenagoa, said the threats cut across communities in Bayelsa, Ondo, Delta, Rivers states, among others.

He said, “this threat cuts across such communities in the Niger Delta from Ondo to Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states, among others.

“Those of us who visit the affected communities from time to time have no option but to take the risk of ‘crying more than the bereaved’ as the communities have lost their voices and confidence in government to assist them.

“Communities in Bayelsa such as Anibeze in Sagbama Local Government Area, Peremabiri and others in Southern Ijaw,

Fangbe in Yenagoa LGA, Anyama and Abobiri in Ogbia LGA and so on are all along rivers and seriously threatened by coastal erosion current.

“The same is the case with other communities in the state such as TwonBrass, Okpoama, Sangana, Odioama in Brass LGA; Koluama 1 and 2, Ekeni, Ezetu in Southern Ijaw and so on. They are threatened by ocean encroachment.

He added that communities’ lands, school buildings, roads, burial grounds, farmlands, among others, were being washed into the water “every now and then.”

Morris said the environmental challenge such as desertification was far beyond what any community could shoulder.

She said: “Gbenga Adebayo is my neighbour. He used to ask me to buy things for him.

One day, he approached me, saying he wanted to help me because my teacher was harsh on me. He said he would rescue me from my teacher and take good care of me. He then took me to his mother’s place in Usi-Ekiti.

“Whenever he comes there, he used to sleep with me. He has done this for 10 times now.

“I was at his mother’s place for three weeks after which I refused to sleep with him again and because of that, he decided to take me to my aunt’s place in Akure. He told my aunt that he found me in his mother’s place in Usi and decided to help me by taking me to her.

He is the first man in my life, “ the girl said.

An aunt of the girl, Mrs. Theresa Agboola, who spoke with newsmen in Ado Ekiti, confirmed that the girl was an orphan, having lost both her parents some years ago.

Agboola said: “The girl was staying with her female school teacher (name withheld) who lives in a rented apartment behind Olagold, opposite Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, (EKSUTH) in Adebayo area.

Confirming the Development, Ekiti State Police Public Relations Offcer, Alberto Adeyemi, said the suspect has been charged to court for defilement.

AHEAD of the September 10, 2016 governorship election in Edo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has picked a former local government chairman of Esan North-East Local Government, Mr John Yakubu as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The decision was taken on Saturday, in Benin, at a meeting held at the residence of a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

It will be recalled that the PDP had earlier zoned the position of the running mate of its governorship candidate to the Edo Central district.

The meeting had in attendance notable politicians from the Edo Central district, who had been touted as likely running mates such as Hon Friday Itulah, Hon Akhere Ugbesia, Hon John Yakubu, Hon Felix Akhabue, Barrister (Mrs) Philomena Ihenyen, and Felix Imosili.

The governorship candidate of the party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; Edo State chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih and leaders of the party across the three senatorial zones of the state were also at the meeting.

It was gathered that a consensus agreement was reached to pick Yakubu as running mate, as majority of the leaders of the party endorsed his candidacy.

2 Division celebrates Nigerian Army Day with sanitation exercise

By Oluwatoyin Malik

THE acting General Officer Commanding of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Oyo State, BrigadierGeneral Jude Egbudom, on Saturday, joined other officers and men of the division in carrying out a sanitation exercise at Sango market area in Ibadan, Oyo State, to mark this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

The Nigerian Army Day Celebration is an annual event and is expected to hold in all Nigerian Army formations nationwide from June 29 to July 5, 2016.

The theme of the year’s celebration is “Optimising the Capacity of the Nigerian Army to Meet Contemporary Security Challenges,” while activities lined to mark the day in 2 Division headquarters include Jumat prayer, environmental sanitiation exercise and interdenominational service between Friday and today July 3.

During the sanitation exercise on Saturday, troops from the 2 Division headquarters and Garrison unit were at the market as early as 6.30a.m to clear the market and the surrounding of dirt, as well as clean drainages.

Speaking with journalists after the cleaning, BrigadierGeneral Egbudom said that sanitation exercise was meant to assist the local community to do something that would touch their lives.

He stated that it was in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army that would discharge its constitutional roles.

Check illegal importation of arms to get result on insecurity, NATFORCE urges FG

By Oluwatoyin Malik THE National Task Force (NATFORCE) on illegal importation of small arms, ammunition, light weapons and pipeline vandalism has warned that the efforts of the Federal Government at overcoming security challenges across the country would continue to yield little results except the illegal importation of ammunition into Nigeria was adequately checked.

The warning was given by the South-West Coordinator of the task force, Colonel Anthony Awote (rtd.), while inaugurating the Ogun State command of the task force in Abeokuta.

The coordinator also appealed to the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Bill before it, which he said would further give legal backing to the task force to arrest and prosecute illegal importers of firearms in Nigeria, saying that insecurity across Nigeria was fueled by the proliferation of arms, ammunition and light weapons in circulation.

Pointing out that the establishment of the task force was to complement the duties of existing security agencies, Awote said that NATFORCE, which was inaugurated by the former Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga in 2008, has the capability to curtail the activities of those who engage in gun running in Nigeria.

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3 July, 2016

Ex-militants storm gov’s office over unpaid stipends Anthony Ubong-Calabar

E

X-MILITANTS under the aegis of the Bakassi Volunteer Force (BVF), on Friday, stormed the office of the governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, protesting over the non-payment of three-month stipends.

Their grouse was that the state government had been insensitive to their plight by allegedly refusing to prevail on the Federal Government to fast-track the payment of their monthly stipends.

One of the ex-militants, who did not disclose his

name, said that they decided to lay down their arms and embrace peace due to the Federal Government’s amnesty programme but that they had been treated unfairly.

He said they were at the governor’s office to appeal to the governor to prevail on the Federal Government to pay their threemonth stipends.

The militants, however, dispersed after being addressed by a government official.

Reacting to online reports that the militants invaded the governor’s office and held the deputy governor hostage, Chief Press Secretary to the governor,

Mr Christian Ita, said the report was false.

In a statement issued in Calabar on Saturday, Ita described the report as not only misleading, but a sad demonstration of ethical bankruptcy.

According to the statement, “the report is a regrettable sensationalisation of a peaceful protest by some ex-militants over their three months unpaid allowances by the Federal Government.

“The ex-militants were not armed and so could not have invaded the Government House. Rather, they were very civil in their conduct as they sought audience with the officials

of the state government whom they hoped would take their message to Abuja.

“Once attended to, they peacefully dispersed. So it beggars belief that such a peaceful and innocuous protest would be reported as an invasion of the Government House. More ludicrous is the claim that the deputy governor was held hostage. No such thing happened.”

The statement concluded that Cross River remains the safest state in the country and urged the media to refrain from unnecessary sensationalism so as not to cause panic among members of the public.

Sunday Tribune

Bayelsa releases funds for teachers’ salaries, decries ghost workers Austin Ebipade-Yenagoa BAYELSA State government has expressed appreciation to teachers in the state for their cooperation during the ongoing verification exercise just as it has decried the activities of ghost workers on its payroll.

The verification, it also said, was responsible for delay in the payment of the teachers, but would now start after the exercise.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Serena-Dokubo Spiff, the government said that it had already released funds to start payment of teachers’ salaries in the state. Payment of salaries will, however, be done upon due verification of identity and status of every teacher.

According to him, the verification, which involves community leaders and other stakeholders, is already yielding results in many parts of the state.

He said that there were discrepancies and fraudulent activity in the payroll of the educational system in the state and assured that government was committed to meet its obligations to teachers as soon as the evil practice was rooted out and funds available for the purpose.

Plateau govt to make N1bn monthly from geographical map Isaac Shobayo-Jos AS part of the efforts to boost its Internal Generated Revenue, Plateau State government has inaugurated the State Geographical Information System (PLAGIS) with the anticipation of netting N1 billion on a monthly basis.

The Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Mr Festus Faunter, who disclosed this during the inauguration of the project said the projected revenue for the rest of the year, is within the region of N5.5 billion, mostly from payments for uncollected Certificates of Occupancies, ground rents as well as new application and tribulations.

On the advantage of PLAGIS, the commissioner said with the clarity of the project map which is put at 10mm, it was capable of providing security operatives with the possible hideouts of insurgents and the shortest possible routes to flash points of conflict in the state.

Faunter further stated that the PLAGIS could also be useful in determining which areas of the state might be most suitable for agriculture purposes and solid mineral exploration and tourism.

Edo 2016: PDM adopts Ize-Iyamu From left, Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola; President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria (AMJN), Dr Moshood Aderele Fashola and Missioner-in-charge of AMJN, Mulvi Abdul Khaliq Nayyar, during the Ramadan lecture by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State, on Saturday.

Doctor still in kidnappers’ den as lecturer regains freedom in Rivers Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt The abducted lecturer of the Department of Science and Laboratory Technology of the Rivers State-owned Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, Abiye Ogan, has been rescued by security agencies.

The lecturer, who was abducted at 11:00 p.m., last Sunday, while resting in his home in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, was rescued on Friday night.

Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) of the institution, Ferry Gberegbe, confirmed the release of Ogan, who was said not to be in good health as of the time of regaining his freedom.

“We thank God for his release and the efforts of security agencies who ensured his release last night due to credible information gathering and successful rescue operation of the security agencies.

“As I speak to you, he has reunited with his family in

Okrika but he is not hearing well due the beatings and torture he received from his abductor forcing him to pay ransom.”

Consequent upon the freedom of Ogan, the ASUP chairman directed lecturers of the institution who went on strike in solidarity with their kidnapped colleague to resume work on Monday.

In a related development, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association

of Nigeria, Rivers State branch, has give a 24-hour ultimatum for the release of their kidnapped colleague, Dr Chukwuemeka Agi. Chairman of the association, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Dr Lucky Onotayi, said nothing had been said about the doctor over 72 hours since he was kidnapped.

When contacted, the new spokesman of the Rivers

State Police Command, DSP Omoni Nnamdi, said he was yet to be briefed about the abduction of the doctor as he just resumed office.

“However, I can assure you that I will get a clearer picture of the incident by Monday and, by then, I should be in a better stead to tell you what the police are doing to effect his release,” he told Sunday Tribune in a telephone conversation, on Saturday.

Thousands protest in London against Britain’s exit from EU Thousands of people converged on central London on Saturday in protest against Britain leaving the European Union.

Marchers gathered at Park Lane at 11:00 a.m. and marched towards Parliament Square.

The march followed a similar rally earlier last week in Trafalgar Square that was cancelled due to heavy rain – but which tens of thousands of people turned up to anyway.

Britain voted to leave the European Union in a referendum upper week by 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

Support in urban areas and amongst young people was significantly lower, however. The capital strongly backed Remain by 60 per cent to 40 per cent.

The disparity between different parts of the country has promoted a fourmillion signature petition calling for a second referendum and even a renewed

push for Scotland to cede from the UK. The event’s organiser, King’s College graduate, Kieran MacDermott, wrote: “We can prevent Brexit by refusing to accept the referendum as the final say and take our finger off the selfdestruct button.

“It is the responsibility of parliament to consider our democracy more carefully and call for a vote before they all accept the UK’s decline,” he stated.

Banji Aluko-Benin City AHEAD of the September 10 governorship election, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) has adopted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as the governorship candidate of the party.

The party said the decision was taken after its leadership and some members in Edo State assessed the governorship aspirants of the two major political parties in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP. Edo State chairman of the PDM, Nosa Omorodion, who led some other members of his executive to the residence of the PDP candidate on Saturday, said his party would make available their resources for the actualisation of the gubernatorial ambition of Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

Responding, Ize-Iyamu said the Edo PDM leaders, by their actions, demonstrated an uncommon level of patriotism, assuring them that he will not disappoint them and the Edo people if elected as governor.

The national organisation secretary of the PDM, Paul Oronor; Edo State treasurer of the party, Philip Uwaifo and Dr Saliu Edogiaware were some of the PDM leaders who attended the event.

Lawyer petitions Navy over continued detention of fisherman Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

THE Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS DELTA), Warri Naval Base, Warri, has been petitioned for the continued detention of a fisherman, Piroro Tomola Omope, in connection with pipeline vandalism.

The petition was signed by Taiwo Orisabinone of Taiwo Pius Orisabinone, Chambers at Udu road, Effurun-Warri, Delta State, and made available to Sunday Tribune.

The petitioner, Orisabinone, said Piroro was arrested on June 17 with two teenagers, Orimisan Igbaya and Meshack Ifiriyele while on fishing expedition at Escravos waters where members of Sumoge community had been carrying out their fishing activities for ages.

The lawyer, therefore, urged the Chief of Naval Staff and the National Human Rights Commission to prevail on the authorities of NNS DELTA to release Mr Piroro unconditionally so that he can reunite with his family.

44 opinion

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

How Senate Rules are evolved and reviewed

By Abu Quassim

Since the issue of how Senate Standing Orders can be changed has been subject of both ongoing civil and criminal litigations, which are now threatening the freedom of the presiding officers and the independence of the institution itself, it is pertinent that one addresses the question of how does the Senate generate its rules and how does it amend it?

Starting from June 1999, when the fourth Senate was inaugurated, the convention has been established that the bureaucracy, that is the Clerk of the Senate and his staff, prepare the Standing Order with which the Senate will be inaugurated. The rules contained in the Standing Order may or may not be adapted from the one used by the previous Senate, and also with or without some changes.

That is why the Senate rule book provides for the process of amending the rules so that after the Senate has been properly convened and inaugurated, members can use the provision to put the rules in the shape that represents their interests. The current Standing Order in use has the provision for amendment in Order 110 (1-5).

It should also be noted that the Standing Order used by a previous Senate is deemed dead with the Senate that adopted and used it. That is why all the Standing Orders, except the one first used to inaugurate the fourth Senate have the label ‘as amended’. After a Senate is dissolved at the end of the tenure by the presiding officer, the rule book dies with it. On the day of inauguration of a new Senate, the first thing that is done is for the Clerk of the National Assembly to read the Proclamation Order by the President of the country. The reading of the President’s Proclamation Order breathes life into an hitherto dead Senate and brings it alive.

Then the Clerk will make a roll call of the senators present and confirm the writs of election as well as declaration of assets and liabilities of senators-elect in alphabetical order.

After this, the Clerk will call for nomination of candidates for the office of Senate President. Each nomination made by a senator-elect must be seconded by another senatorelect. The senator-elect so nominated must indicate his acceptance of the nomination. After the close of nominations, it is either the sole candidate is led to the elevated chair of the Senate President by his nominators to be sworn -in as it happened in the case of Dr Bukola Saraki or where there are two candidates, the senators-elect go on to vote for the candidates so nominated.

In Saraki’s case, he was the sole nominee. So, whatever provision guiding election was not activated on June 9,

2015. The oath of Allegiance and Oath of Membership are then administered on the Senate President-elect by the Clerk of the National Assembly. Having been sworn in, the new helmsman returns his acknowledgement to the Senate for the honour conferred on him. He then goes ahead to sit in the chair. The mace which hitherto had been laid on the lower bracket is then laid on the upper bracket of the table.

The same procedure is applied in the election of the Deputy Senate President. We have to note that up to this point, the electors are senators-elect. It is the newly elected Senate President who will then administer oaths of Membership and Allegiance on the senators-elect after which they become Senators.

The implication of the above procedure is that no senator can, before or at the first sitting influence the procedure or the rules to be used. The senators as at that time are inchoate. They are still senators-elect with no role, influence or power to effect changes or their will on the senate. That remains the prerogative of the Clerk of the National Assembly or the Clerk of the Senate. The clerk is also free to use his discretion, since it is known that after the Senators-elect are sworn in on the inauguration day, any senator who does not like any provision in the Standing Order can initiate or activate the process for amending the said rule. Order 110 mentioned above empowers “any senator desiring to amend any part of the rules”. It does not talk of a senator-elect.

Again, the Senate can adopt the provisional Standing Order presented to it on the first day by the bureaucracy and therefore it remains the Standing Order of the insti-

tution. Now, how does the above stated explanation apply to the case of forgery instituted against Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Ben Efeturi?

First, the Standing Order used by the seventh Senate is deemed dead with that Senate. Also, the copies of the Standing Order distributed to senators-elect on June 9, 2015 during their inauguration was prepared, and rightly so, by the National Assembly bureaucracy. Since members of the eight Senate had the opportunity to amend the provisions of the rule book entitled ‘Senate Standing Orders 2015 As Amended’ after they have been inaugurated and nobody has initiated the procedure for amendment, then it is deemed that they have adopted, accepted and endorsed what was initially the creation of the bureaucracy. The issue of forgery can therefore not arise as a man cannot forge his own signature.

Also, forgery can only exist where there is an original and a fake. The present Standing Orders of the senate have no fake version. Only one version exists. Some of the aggrieved senators who are not happy with the emergence of Saraki and Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively once raised their dislike for certain provisions of the Standing Order now in use on the floor and since the motion was unpopular, it was overruled by the majority. At that point, the Senate only once again confirmed that it has adopted the Standing Order which has now been operational for the past 13 months.

Also, with the procedure stated above, it is clear that no senator-elect can influence the content of the standing order. They actually have no say on it. Even, if a senatorelect could have a say, definitely Saraki who was not a member of the leadership of seventh senate did not have the influence or power and reach to direct what should happen. It should also be noted that the said Order 3 (3) (e) (ii) which is said to have provided for secret balloting instead of open show of hand as provided in the Standing Order 2011 was not used in Saraki’s election to the office of Senate President. He emerged unopposed under Order (3) (c) which is consistent in all the previous rules.

The decision to now put Saraki and the others on trial was a simple game by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malam who was a lawyer to the aggrieved senators before he was appointed to his present office to help his clients achieve what they could not do on the floor of the Senate and what may not be possible with their civil suit.

Quassim writes from Abuja

50 killed, 18 injured in Bangladesh, Syria, Saudi attacks, stampede About 50 people were, on Saturday, reportedly killed in Syria and Bangladesh, while 18 others were injured in a stampede involving pilgrims attending this year’s Lesser Hajj at the Holy City of Mecca.

Intensive Syrian air strikes, on Saturday, killed at least 30 civilians in a Damascan suburb town northeast of the city a day after the reported execution of a Syrian air force pilot, said a monitor and rebels.

They said the raids targeted a medical centre, a school and a residential area in Jayrud town, a heavily populated area that struck a local truce with the army that had spared it the heavy bombing on other rebel held areas.

The town, it was gathered was made a sanctuary for thousands of civilians fleeing heavy battles nearby.

The United Kingdombased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said scores were also injured in the aerial strikes as well as

shelling from army posts in the area.

A rebel spokesman said the strikes seemed to be in revenge for the killing of a Syrian air force pilot who parachuted down near the town after his plane crashed on Friday.

“The strikes against civilians are in retaliation against the execution of the pilot by Nusra Front,” said Said Seif al Qalamoni from the Free Syrian Army’s (FSA), Shahid Ahmad Abdo brigade that operates in Jayrud alongside the al Qaeda’s Nusra Front and other groups.

Rebels in a joint operations room targeted a main army base in the region with Russian-made surface to surface missiles after the aerial strikes, al Qalamoni said.

Syrian state media said the crash was due to a technical fault and the pilot had ejected, while the rebel group Jaish al-Islam said it shot down the plane, but did not say how.

Islamist militants kill 20 in Bangladesh

In a similar development, Islamist militants killed 20 people, including at least nine Italians, inside an upmarket restaurant in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, before security forces stormed the building and ended a 12hour standoff on Saturday.

Islamic State said it was responsible for one of the most brazen attacks in the South Asian nation’s history, but that claim has yet to be confirmed.

The attack marks a major escalation in a campaign by militants over the past 18 months that had targeted mostly individuals advocating a secular or liberal lifestyle in majorityMuslim Bangladesh.

The gunmen, who stormed the busy restaurant in Dhaka’s diplomatic area late on Friday night, ordered all Bangladeshis to stand up before they began killing foreigners, a source briefed on the police inves-

tigation said.

Among the dead was the wife of an Italian businessman killed with a machete.

She was found by her husband after he spent all night hiding behind a tree outside the cafe while the gunmen were inside, said Agnese Barolo, a friend who lives in Dhaka and spoke to him.

Nine Italians were killed in the attack, the country’s foreign minister said, and authorities were trying to confirm the fate of another person missing.

Seven Japanese citizens were unaccounted for, while one Indian, a 19-year-old female student, was killed in the assault, India’s foreign minister said on Twitter.

The killing of foreigners will likely shatter the confidence of the expatriate community in Bangladesh, many of whom work for multinationals in the country’s $26 billion garment industry that accounts for around 15 per cent of the economy. Bangladesh is

the world’s second largest apparel exporter after China.

18 injured in Mecca stampede

Eighteen pilgrims have been injured in a stampede near Islam’s holiest site, Saudi media reported on Saturday, as the kingdom continues to review safety after a deadly crush during last year’s hajj.

The incident happened on Friday night near the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Al-Riyadh newspaper said, as Muslims gathered in large numbers to mark the Night of Destiny, one of the high points of the holy month of Ramadan.

All the injured were treated at the scene and none required admission to hospital, the newspaper quoted a health official as saying.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock to Mecca to carry out the lesser umra pilgrimage during Ramadan -- especially during its last 10

days.

They include the Night of Destiny, when the Angel Gabriel is believed to have given the Prophet Mohammed the verses of the Quran.

The incident comes as Saudi authorities continue to unveil new safety measures for this year’s hajj in September.

A crush at last year’s hajj killed more than 2,000 pilgrims in the worst disaster to ever strike the annual ritual.

According to figures from foreign officials, at least 2,297 pilgrims died. Saudi Arabia issued a death toll of 769.

Newspapers reported on Friday that, among new security measures, hajj pilgrims this year will have to wear an electronic safety bracelet to store their personal information, including address and medical records.

The hajj and umra pilgrimages bring millions of Muslims to the holy places in Saudi Arabia every year.

45

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

46

3 July, 2016

THE

Fabio Lanipekun 08050498512 lanipekunfabio@yahoo.com

The dead and the living P aying tributes to departed sports personalities is as painful as it is pleasurable. In one breadth one is acknowledging the contributions of such people and in another one is providing historical material to immortalise the departed. And if like, me, you are fortunate enough to be acquainted with the sports personalities during their life time, you are on to good thing.

In the last three to four weeks, seven sports stars passed on, beginning with the immortal Muhammad Ali and there is no point adding more to the tribute published on June 19 because sugar is already sweet and no sweetener can make sugar sweeter.

Ali was a boxing legend in the ring so also was Chief Francis Ayegbeni of the Ring Road Ibadan, the promoter who spent loads of money to revive professional boxing in Ibadan. Last month I attended a friend’s 70th birthday in Ibadan and driving through Ring Road to the Church and coming to the reception venue near the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, I had the urge to say a quick hello to Ayegbeni at his famous D’Rovans Hotel which he strove to turn into a famous boxing destination, with modest results.

I must have lost touch with the boxing impresario because by the time I visited Ibadan, D’Rovans Hotel had been renamed just as Ayegbeni’s boxing interest faded.

That same week his death was announced and a number of media houses forgot to pay tributes to a philanthropist who spent millions of naira to promote Bash Alli and his ill fated misadventure. Dele Jonathan was for many years protégé of Francis Ayegbeni and some others are still alive to acknowledge his generosity.

I will still remain in Ibadan, where a few weeks ago, the death of Mrs Ronke Obanubi was announced. With due respects to her matrimonial status, few people in Ibadan and indeed Oyo State, or the whole of the South west will not readily recognise Obanubi but mention Ronke Akindele, now you are talking. Though athletics has never been a popular sport in the west of those days, some individuals stood out in track and field events.

One of such was Ronke Akindele and her close rival was Jumoke Bodunrin who won a gold medal in the 100 metres at the first All Africa Games Congo Brazzaville, 1965. Mrs Ronke Obanubi devoted her life to sports and when she ceased to be an athlete, she switched to management and rose to the enviable post of Director of Sports in Oyo State. She died at age 72. As a sprinter, Ronke Akindele was tall, graceful and elegant. Usain

Amodu

Sunday Tribune

Obanubi

Keshi Bolt of Jamaica reminds people of what she raced like.

May her graceful soul rest in peace.

Another sport personality that ended his race recently is Smart Akraka also known as Akra Baby, Akra Water.

When Nigerian athletics was in the “Golden” era – when Nigeria rubbed shoulders with the best in Africa and in the Commonwealth, Akraka was right there with them.

He specialised in the sprints – 100 meters, 200 metres and 4 x 100 metres relay and was in the Nigerian quartet that won the silver medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. His team-mates were policeman, Thomas Obi, Jimmy Omagbemi and Victor Odofin.

Ali

Four years earlier at the Vancouver Games, Emmanuel Ifeajuna a graduate of U.I, had won Nigeria’s first gold in the men’s high jump.

When Bayelsa State was created in 1996, Smart Akraka was the happiest man in the world. He came over to my office at the Nigeria Olympic Committee to celebrate the fact that he was born in Lagos in 1934 as a westerner, became a mid-westerner, later a Bendelite, then Edo-Delta River, then Delta and finally Bayelsa. Smart Akraka served athletics throughout his life and rose to become the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, (AFN) built a house in Lagos after which he was struck by the Parkinson Disease which eventually subdued him. Smart Akraka hailed from Angiama Sagbama Local Government of Bayelsa State, but proudly passed on as a Lagosian.

If you mention his name, Taiye Onibuje, you are not likely to strike a chord, but say “Uncle T” millions, of football fans across the length and breadth of Lagos State and beyond, will readily recognise the tall, dark, friendly six footer who had been leading the most vociferous football supportership club in the country, called the Stationery Stores, otherwise known as the Super Stores, the Flaming Flamengoes or Adebajo Babes. UP SUPER. Before the Super Stores took a stumble, they were the biggest, richest and best organised supporters club in the country. They had units, cells, branches in every corner of Lagos and to raise funds for the club activities was child’s play. Onibuje and his colleagues in the management committee of the club saw to the need of the club. And when it came to providing for strategic needs of the club, like subduing the opposition at home or away, Uncle T’s men were ever ready. There was a day Super Stores played the Shooting Stars of Ibadan at then Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. Stores supporters from Lagos outnumbered Shooting Stars which made the Late Chief Lekan Salami to say “Won ko wa leru ri” (we have never been enslaved……. Extra police reinforcement had to be provided on that day …….. and thanks goodness nothing untoward occurred that day. Uncle T was a peaceful man deeply religious and a servant/leader who did not worship money. Football has lost a super adherent. He was 75.

Nothing presaged the demise of Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu, yet, like a thief in the night the two were snatched away from our grip. The dead are gone those of us still alive will be softened by the reality of life. Do your best and leave the rest.

To be concluded.

Ayegbeni

47 sport

3 July, 2016

Sunday Tribune

No Nigerian coach can handle Eagles to qualify —Owolabi

Russia 2018:

NIGERIA is drawn alongside Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria in its quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and mixed feelings are being expressed as to the possible fate of the Super Eagles after the qualifying series. NURUDEEN ALIMI in this piece, reports the submissions of football stakeholders who assessed the chances of the Super Eagles in making their sixth World Cup appearance.

A

n average Nigerian football follower believes the Super Eagles are in a ‘group of death’ given the pedigree of their opponents.

In fact, many football stakeholders believe Nigeria needs a miracle to qualify for the global fiesta based on the challenges facing the team at the moment.

Part of it is not having a substantive coach for the Super Eagles three months to the team’s campaign for qualification.

Former international, Tijani Babangida, after the draw was released in Egypt, said Nigeria needs a miracle to land the Russia 2018 ticket.

“The worse happened already after we were not seeded. And now with Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia in our group, only a miracle could take us out of this group. Let’s be realistic though we also know that anything is possible in football.

“Other nations are 100 per cent ready for the qualifiers, while we are still not certain who our coach will be,” said Babangida, who featured at the 1998 World Cup and was recently a special assistant to former Nigeria coach, Sunday Oliseh.

But to chief Adegboye Onigbinde, a former Nigeria coach, it depends on the preparation by the Super Eagles saying every team stands an equal chance.

“In my coaching career, I’ve never bothered about who I’m playing; I’ve never believed in the group of death. We all qualified to be there to play at that level. What we should concentrate on is building a strong team. This should include appointing a substantive coach for the team; this idea of an acting coach should stop if we want to be serious. All I care for is to ensure that the team is adequately prepared for the qualifiers,” the former technical director of Trinidad and Tobago said.

Ex-international, Felix Owolabi (MON), while speaking with Tribunesport emphasised the need for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to hire a competent coach to handle the Eagles to start with.

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme “One thing that is very paramount is that the NFF should be able to get a very successful and reputable coach with a little bit of African culture. The coach should be able to know a little bit of African football.

“If the NFF feels hiring a foreign coach for the Super Eagles is the only way to secure the World Cup ticket, so be it. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t see any Nigerian coach that can take us to the promised land at least for now. It is not out of play to ask the NFF to hire a foreign coach and I will tell you the reason.

“The coach to be hired must be very versatile, he must be technically and tactically sound. I have

discovered over the years why we have not been able to reach the quarter-final (World Cup) is because most of our coaches lack the tactical acumen to take our boys through.

“At the beginning of any competition, it is the brilliance of our players that always give us a reason to smile, but when we get to the knockout stages where we will need the expertise of our coaches, we will fumble. So I am in total support of a foreign coach for the Eagles for now, because time is not on our side. We all know that our first qualifier will hold in October this year. We must have a sound coach who is very successful who

I don’t see any Nigerian coach that can take us to the promised land at least for now. It is not out of play to ask the NFF to hire a foreign coach.

has good record and influential so he that he can have absolute control of these players,” said the Shooting Stars legend.

Owolabi, a member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning Green Eagles, however, suggested that the Eagles should be built round domestic players.

“Greater percentage of the players that will constitute the team must be from the local league. Just like what Stephen Keshi did, I believe if all these things are strictly adhered to, Nigeria will definitely be at the 2018 World Cup,” he added.

However, another ex-international, Idowu Otubusen, prefers a local coach for the Eagles “To me, Nigeria should not be in a position to be afraid of any country because of the potential that we are blessed with. The only problem is that we are not always serious with whatever we do. We do not start preparation in time for any major competition.

“And after crashing out in maybe the quarter-final or semi-final, people will start saying that preparation for the next competition should start immediately. But that is a lie. On the issue of a foreign

coach, I do not think that should affect our preparation because we have a lot of good coaches in this country who can take the Super Eagles to any length. But our quest for a foreign coach is so much that it is affecting us. We have a name, We are giants of Africa, it is only now that things are now going as expected again that we are apprehensive.

“So, I do not believe that a group should be tagged a group of death.

It depends on the team’s level of confidence and preparation. All a team needs is to beat its chest that it is going to qualify and that will be all.

But our problem is lack of adequate preparation, we have qualified coaches, why don’t we use our indigenous coaches? We have them all over the places, are they trying to tell us that nothing is happening in Nigeria as far as coaching is concerned?

“Let me also confess to you that we can not get the best foreign coach, he will just come like others to collect money and go. So, I strongly believe if we can do with our local coaches and home-based players, Nigeria will qualify for the 2018 World Cup,” said the former Shooting Stars defender.

SIDELINES NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

3 JULY, 2016

NO 2,053

www.tribuneonlineng.com

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While other African countries participating in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers have employed coaches and got the players to play the matches, Nigerian football officials are still fighting over whether the country will employ a foreign or local coach. It should be clear for now who to blame if the country finds it hard to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

We Yoruba say it again: We demand meaningful change (II)

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OCAL and Regional initiatives would have boosted electricity supply across our country; but in the interest of centralization, that has been refused – and, as a result, our country has been suffering abominably from lack of electricity and from declines in entrepreneurial and business development. Because of low and inconstant supply of electricity, even the most successful industries in Nigeria are forced to operateat low capacity;most of the industries in all parts of Nigeria at independence in 1960 have shut down; and most Nigerians desiring to embark on businesses are discouraged out of their dreams.

Educational standards in our schools in the Southwest, once our great source of pride, have declined horribly. Our Regional university which we built at great expense and with great love and care at Ife, was taken over by the Federal Government and, under insensitive or even hostile federal handling, has been made to decline in every respect. Our Yoruba pride and morale, and our confidence in our ability to achieve and develop, is being continually assailed in Nigeria. We now live in a degree of poverty that is alien to us and that we do not deserve.

Our youths used to hurry back home after studying abroad, because of abundance job and professional opportunities. Now, most of our educated youths are unemployed and hopeless, and large numbers of them are fleeing abroad daily.

In total desperation, many of our youths even embark on walking across the Sahara Desert and continuing across the Mediterranean Sea in smuggling boats, in their attempt to reach Europe – and very many of them die in such attempts. Many others

fall for various foreign job scams and end up in various kinds of slavery abroad.

We can easily see that these disasters which we and other peoples of Nigeria have been suffering are welcome to the controllers of the Nigerian Federal Government, whose sole interest is to control all peoples and sections and resources of Nigeria. In fact, from Nigeria’s all-powerful federal authority, perverse ideas have been generated to the effect that the nationalities of Nigeria must be subdued and destroyed, so as to make way for the building of a united Nigeria under sole federal control. Among many other things, federal interferences in the curriculums of schools have subtly prohibited the teaching of the histories and languages of Nigeria’s nationalities – a step

designed to speed up the death of most Nigerian nationalities. Unlike nationalities like ours in other multi-nation countries all over the world, we the peoples of Nigeria are watching our children being robbed of the knowledge of the history of their nations, and being perversely guided

We seriously demand of President Buhari, whom we voted for as President of Change, to respond expeditiously and forthrightly to our needs and demands

into shunning their indigenous languages.

The Indian Union, with many nationalities like us, recognizes twenty-two official languages and strongly supports their being taught in schools; and the Union of South Africa has followed suit with eleven official languages. These countries recog-

nize that the cultures of their various nationalities are treasures worthy to be preserved and enhanced; but Nigeria sees the cultures of Nigerian nationalities as evils that must be eliminated.

For us Yoruba nation, and for most other Nigerian nationalities, the above is the heritage of Nigeria in our lives since independence. Some persons may respond that we have not been without some gains.

Yes, we have had some gains, but not nearly as much as we could, and should, have made at our various paces in Nigeria. The perpetual resistances, inhibitions, and outright push-downs, have hurt us and are hurting us. Our losses have been horrendous - in level of development, development pace, the quality of life, morale, confidence, focus, momentum, and pride.

We Yoruba want to stop our decline and our pain. We want to propel ourselves upwards and forwards again. And we are not asking for favours from any Federal Government; we demand the regional and local autonomy that will empower us to achieve progress in our own way and at our own pace in Nigeria.We know that other Nigerian nationalities want the same for themselves too. That is how successful federations all over the world are organized.

The resistance of some Nigerian nationalities to the perpetual federal obstruction and disruptionof their lives has produced violent confrontations for decades. We Yoruba have preferred to resist in peace.

But we seriously demand of President Buhari, whom we voted for as President of Change, to respond expeditiously and forthrightly to our needs and demands.

We have lost too much already. The slippage must now stop. We will stop it.

Bolt sustains injury ahead Rio Olympics

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Bolt

IX-TIME Olympic gold medallist, Usain Bolt has suffered an injury scare ahead of Rio Olympics in Brazil after tearing a hamstring at Jamaica’s Olympic trials.

Bolt, 29, sustained the grade-one tear during the first round of the 100m and withdrew after winning his semi-final race.

He is still expected to defend his 100 and 200m titles as Jamaica’s selection policy allows medical exemptions.

Bolt “will seek treatment immediately” and is aiming to return for the London Anniversary Games on July 22.

In the double world champion’s absence, the 100m final in Kingston was won by London 2012 silver medallist Yohan Blake in a time of 9.95 seconds.

The injury has hindered Bolt’s preparations for the Olympic Games that leaves him fighting to be fit for Rio 2016.

The Jamaican’s plan for the build up to Brazil centred around starring at his country’s National Championships in Kingston before fine tuning himself at the Anniversary Games in London in three weeks but, as it stands, he is now facing a race to be ready for that meeting.

Bolt had to pull out of the 100m final having been examined by a doctor who diagnosed a grade one tear in his hamstring.

It was a hugely disappointing moment for the thousands who had come out in force to see Bolt compete at his local track.

The embattled sprinter later through his twitter handle confirmed he was now facing a period of rehabilitation.

“After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night and then again after the semi-final I was examined by the

Chief Doctor of the medical team and was diagnosed with a grade one hamstring injury,” Bolt tweeted.

“I have submitted a medical exemption reminder to be excused from the 100m and the remainder of the national championships. I will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn my selection for the Olympics in Rio.” Later, Bolt was back on social media posting pictures of himself in physio with the caption: ‘Starting the recovery process right away.’

NPL Result Nasarawa Utd 1 Rivers Utd 0 POOLS:

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