NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER
NO 1,119
SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER, 2015
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Alaba Lawson, Ogun Chambers of Commerce, others celebrate pg5 HID Awolowo
Why British police arrested Alison-Madueke Her Abuja house sealed off by EFCC
pg4
Why Fuji artistes have many wives —Saheed Osupa
pgs32 & 33 Dean of Cathedral, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Sagamu, Venerable E.A. Adegbuyi (middle); Reverend Tola Oyediran (fourth right); Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (third left); Professor A.B.O.O. Oyediran (third right) and other guests at the Ikenne home of the Awolowos on Friday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE
scrutinises records APC can’t be Saraki: CCB in fresh move Bureau of ex-govs, others saved in Kogi against Senators, Reps Northern lawmakers under pressure —Deputy Governor pg4 pg38
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CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915 - 2015)
Saturday Tribune PHOTOS: YEMI FUNSO-OKE
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(1) President of Fountain of Hope 30 NG, Reverend Mellor Methodist Cathedral, Agbowa, Sagamu presenting a condolence letter to Reverend Tola Oyediran and Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu. (2) Reverend Tola Oyediran (middle) with members of Ogun State Chamber of Commerce led by Otunba Toyin Taiwo (fourth right); Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson (third left) and others. (3) From right Elder Tayo Soyode; Mrs Adijat Jamiu; Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; Mr Taiwo Ayegbayo and Mrs Adenike Oyesanya. (4) Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (right); Mrs Olufolake Adewunmi-Oshin and Olori Ajoke Adewunmi.
(5) Reverend Tola Oyediran (fourth right); Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (middle) and the executive of Fountain of Hope 30 NG Reverend Mellor Methodist Cathedral, Agbowa, Sagamu. (6) Olori Ajoke Adewunmi (left) and Chief (Mrs) Comfort Olutunda. (7) Mr Lade Bonuola signing the condolence register. (8) A cross section of Adeeko family with Reverend Tola Oyediran and Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu. 9. Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu with Olotu Omoba Jas Adekunle. 10. Mr Sina Rosanwo signing the condolence register.
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Why ex-Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was arrested in London •Abuja house sealed off by EFCC Lanre Adewole - Lagos
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HE desire of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to make huge recovery from alleged looted funds by senior officials in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan reportedly underlined the arrest, on Friday in London, of the immediate past Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. The arrest, according to Saturday Tribune findings, was an outcome of several bilateral cooperations between the United Kingdom and Nigeria since Buhari assumed office. Several suspicious inflows and outflows of hefty sums in pound sterling were said to have been traced by the UK to her accounts in that country, hence the arrest on Friday. An online newspaper, Premium Times, broke the news of the former minister’s arrest on Friday in London and the sealoff of her Asokoro Abuja home by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to the reports, she was arrested with four other people in London for offences related to bribery and corruption being investigated by the UK National Crime Agency. The report quoted the British High Commission in Nigeria confirming that some arrests were made Friday but declined to disclose the identities of those involved. Joseph Abuku, Press and Public Affairs Officer according to the report, said, “This morning, five people between the ages of 21 and 60 were arrested on suspicion of bribery and corruption offences. The crimes are being investigated by the National Crime Agency. “The National Crime Agency does not confirm identity at arrest nor provide information that could be used to corroborate the identity of an arrested individual.” The Buhari administration, it was learnt Friday night, also opted for the London justice system in achieving its objective of recovering looted funds as a further demonstration of his lack of confidence in the Nigerian judicial system. Before becoming president, Buhari had never hidden his disavowal of the collective integrity of the Nigerian judiciary, having been ruled against in election petition cases thrice. He was said to have recently told a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who has an election petition case, that he prayed
the petitioner would not suffer his fate. To further demonstrate his lack of faith in the judiciary, the president had gone ahead to compensate the said chieftain politically, even when the case, had not been determined. Buhari’s kitchen cabinet was said to have resolved on an alternative foreign jurisdiction in the handling of alleged major looting cases, in order to make quicker headway with them, particularly in the area of the recovery of alleged looted fund which administration’s insiders said would be needed to jump-start the ailing economy. The oil sector was considered corruption-ridden under Madueke. A government insider also told Saturday Tribune that despite her denial, she had attempted to refund certain sum of money immediately Buhari assumed office as president. It was claimed that the amount she offered through a certain former Head of State was considered too insignificant for the alleged mind-boggling looting under her, for which reported incontrovertible evidence had been provided by the western world. After the planned truce fell through, the Buhari administration was said to have placed her under security watch even while abroad for medicals, without giving her any inkling she was being watched. Before her arrest on Friday, nearly all alleged corruption deals involving her were said to have been tightly packaged, with the one involving UK companies reportedly being used to facilitate her arrest. Findings revealed that apart from the alleged bribery saga for which she was pulled in, other charges would be brought in once her trial commences. Saturday Tribune was equally informed that her arrest would trigger a chain of arrests in Nigeria, with some of those to be picked, particularly aides that served in sensitive positions under her, to be used as prosecution witnesses for reduced punishment back home in Nigeria. One of the anti-corruption agencies was said to have been on the trail of her aides, associates and subordinates on fact-gathering mission, with its findings expected to form part of the evidence against her. A top judiciary source told Saturday Tribune that the leadership is worried with the lack of confidence in the system being expressed by the president,
adding that days ahead may also see a deep surgical exercise in the judiciary. Buhari further demonstrated his mindset about the judiciary as currently constituted by refusing to nominate any judicial officer to the presidential committee on anti-corruption. His men were said to have relied on the outcomes of the London and Nigerian trials of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, in drawing their conclusion that a foreign jurisdiction would deliver faster on the desired objective of loot recovery. It was learnt that the president deliberately sold a dummy on where the trial of alleged oil thieves would take place when he recently disclosed that the trial would commence soon, with many assuming the trial would be in Nigeria. Senior security officials of the administration, it was learnt, have been making secret trips to countries where the alleged looted funds had been traced to as well as the destination of alleged diverted crude oil. The trips reportedly afforded the opportunity of cross-checking the information given by western world collaborating with Buhari on the fight against corruption. When a source in the government circle was asked if the former minister would be shipped home to face trial soon, the source said if such
would be necessary, it would be after the London trial. A security source noted that even if granted administrative bail in London, the implication is that she can’t leave the UK until the end of her trial. According to the source, “it is not like our judicial system. One day, you are released on bail and travel document confiscated, the next day, you are back asking for release of same to travel for medical treatment abroad. Since they are always going to the same London for their treatment, where would she tell the Metropolitan police or the court she wants to go again.” Buhari is also reportedly planning a massive reform in the justice system that would bring a radical change. A former CJN is said to be collaborating with him on the imminent shake-up. The failure to get 37 judges with integrity nationwide to handle alleged corruption trials being planned by the administration is said to be a major reason the sector would witness a shake-up soon. A former Nigerian president is also said to be involved in the Alison-Madueke arrest saga. He is said to have been putting his international connections in the UK at the disposal of the president. Another former minister currently studying in London is also said to be
on the alleged corruption watch-list. Alison-Madueke had been in London on health grounds before her arrest. She is considered Jonathan’s right-hand person while the administration lasted. Under her watch, then Governor of Central Bank and now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, alleged that about $20 billion was unaccounted for in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). A February 2015 Reuter’s Special Report entitled: Anatomy of Nigeria’s $20 billion “leak” speaks on what it called the waste, mismanagement and leakages in the oil sector in Nigeria. The report noted that in late 2013, then central bank governor Sanusi wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan claiming that the NNPC under Alison-Madueke had failed to remit the amount to the state. After the letter was leaked to Reuters and a local news site, Jonathan publicly dismissed the claim and replaced Sanusi, saying the banker had mismanaged the central bank’s budget. A Senate committee later found Sanusi’s account lacked substance. If Nigeria continued to leak cash at the rate described in his letter to the president, Sanusi said at the time, the consequences for the economy would be
disastrous. Specifically, the failure of state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation “to remit foreign exchange to the Federation Account in a period of rising oil prices has made our management of exchange rates and price stability ... extremely difficult,” he wrote. “The central bank of Nigeria is always blamed for high rates of interest,” but “given these leakages, the alternative is a devalued currency ... and financial instability.” Sanusi handed his documents to a parliamentary inquiry set up February 2014 to investigate the assertion in his letter that billions of dollars in oil revenue had not reached the central bank. He told the inquiry that the NNPC had made $67 billion worth of oil sales in the previous 19 months. Of that, he said, between $10.8 billion and $20 billion was unaccounted for. A “forensic audit” of the oil industry was set up by then finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The audit report was given to Jonathan on Feb. 2, 2015 and he said he would hand it on to Nigeria’s auditor general. NNPC said on Feb. 5 2015 that it had received a copy of the audit, before it was made public. The firm said the audit cleared it of wrongdoing, although it found NNPC owed the government $1.48 billion for a separate shortfall.
Saraki: CCB in fresh move against Senators, Reps
•Bureau scrutinises records of ex-govs,others •Northern lawmakers under pressure Taiwo Adisa - Abuja IT emerged on Friday that despite the perceived rapprochement between the Presidency and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, a move aimed at splitting Saraki’s support base in the Senate and the House of Representatives has been flagged off. Investigations by Saturday Tribune showed that the Code of Conduct Bureau, which keeps the records of public officers, has commenced the vetting of the records submitted by senators and members of the House of Representatives. Investigations revealed further that the Bureau is concentrating on new Senators and Rep members while the files of former governors in the Senate is also being examined. It was gathered that the leadership of the Bureau had set aside the forms
submitted by Senators and members of the House of Representatives following the hype over their investigation by the CCB. It was learnt that aside from keeping the files away from the prying eyes of the public, the Bureau has also commenced detailed scrutiny of the files to determine those that would be referred to the Code of Conduct Tribunal. An alarm was raised last week, following the commencement of the trial of Saraki at the CCT but the Bureau, through its spokesperson, Iyabo Akinwale, insisted on Monday that the CCB was not specially investigating anyone. When contacted, Akinwale said, “I am not aware of anything like that.” Investigations, however, revealed that the files of former governors in the Senate have come under scrutiny, while that if newly elected senators and Rep members
are also being examined. A source said that the experience of the CCB has confirmed that newly elected persons into office have the tendency of making faulty and anticipatory declarations. The source said that the powers of the CCB have been renewed through the Criminal Administration law which was passed under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The source said that the Bureau is already planning to operate under the auspices of the CCT Act and the Criminal Administration Act to ensure it barks and bite at the same time. “The Bureau will not overlook infractions to the law just because some persons are making a noise in the media. A number of newly elected senators and former governors already have their files separated for further action. It is being
vowed that some of those who are seen as making anticipatory declarations are not to be treated as having made mistakes,” the source said. When asked why the focus is on members of the National Assembly, the source insisted that the Bureau should start from somewhere, adding that its officials believe they can now operate better with the Criminal Justice Administration Act. Sources in Abuja also told Saturday Tribune that lawmakers from the North who are backing Saraki have come under intense pressure from the people who are already seeing them as working against the interests President Buhari. Family members of some of the lawmakers are said to have started forwarding messages of threat to their lives to the lawmakers, who believe however that the Buhari-Saraki saga would end soon.
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Alaba Lawson, Ogun Chambers of Commerce, others celebrate HID Awolowo From Olayinka Olukoya and Tunde Ogunesan
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he Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson was among dignitaries who visited the Ikenne home of the Awolowo family to commiserate with them on the death of their matriach, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, on Friday. Lawson, in her condolence message eulogised the exemplary life of Mama Awolowo, saying she made
Nigeria as a country proud. She wrote: “Yeye Oodua, you have done the whole nation proud. In all spheres of your endeavour, you left an indelible mark. We will miss you till the day of resurrection.” The Dean of Cathedral St Paul Anglican Church, Sagamu, Ogun State, Venerable Emmanuel Adetayo Adegbuyi also urged the children and family of Mama HID Awolowo to learn from her the act of impacting
lives which was part of her lifestyle. Venerable Adegbuyi stated this while delivering a message during the daily morning devotion held on Friday at the Efunyela Hall, Ikenne. Reading from the Book of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 11, Verses:1 to 3, with the topic “ Imitate me as I imitate Christ”, Adegbeyi noted that if there was anything the children and the family should emulate in the life of Mama Awolowo, “it is her passion to impact on
lives. “I want you to imitate the good deeds Mama and Papa did during their life time. They derived satisfaction in doing good, so I want to urge you all to learn this from them and make use of it. “I am saying this because Mama being the Diocesan mother of Remo diocese showed this quality to the admiration of every member of the diocese. The family members should not be left out in this regard.”
From right, the widow, Mrs Margaret Emosu and children, Mr Ayotunde Emosu, Mrs Olubusola Samuel, Miss Olubunmi Emosu, Mr Adewale Emosu, Pastor Olusegun Emosu and Mrs Oluyemisi Sokoya, at the funeral service of Prince Christopher Adeniye Emosu, held at Our Saviour’s Church, IkenneRemo, Ogun State, on Friday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU.
Glo’s ‘Dance With Peter’ debuts on MTV Base today Television viewers can now watch the Glo-sponsored ‘Dance With Peter’ reality television show to be aired by a popular youth music television channel, MTV Base. The sponsor of the dance show, Globacom, made this known in a statement released from its headquarters in Lagos. According to the telec o m m u n i c a t i o n company,”MTV Base, a choice music station, is a veritable platform for the broadcast of the reality television dance which would be aired on MTV Base from 6.00p.m. to 7.00p.m. beginning from today.” Other television stations which have already started aring the programme are Africa Independent Television (AIT), Sundays, between 3.00p.m. and Africa Magic Urban,Saturdays by 7.00p.m. The highlights of the regional auditions in Abuja,
Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana was aired in the maiden broadcast of the show last weekend. Globacom further added that the second episode would be aired this weekend and would feature Port Harcourt and Benin auditions which it promised would be entertaining and action-packed. The dance show the company said, would feature talented dancers competing for several prizes among which is a brand new Toyota RAV 4 sports utility vehicle, N3 million cash, and the rare opportunity of featuring in PSquare’s next music video. Other prizes to be won are a Honda Civic car with N2million and a Kia Rio car with N1million for the first and second runner-up respectively. Some of the judges at the event are Peter Okoye, Kafayat Shafau Ameh, popularly known as Kaffy and Don Flexx.
In their message, the Fountain of Hope (FOH) 30NG, who came to condole with their grand patroness described Mama HID as “a great gem, a mother that one would love to have forever.” FOH, which has Dr Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu as its grand matron, further stated that “the whole Yoruba race, Ogun State and Nigeria as a nation have lost a great mother. The entire Remo people in general have lost a matriach.” Mrs Olufolake Adewunmi-Oshin stated that Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo was great both in life and death. She added that events after Mama’s death was a testimony to this fact. According to her, the Yeye Oodua was “an enig-
ma in life and death”. The President, Chambers of Commerce, Ogun State, Otunba Toyin Taiwo said “Mama, you have been a pillar economically to all your children, we will all miss you.” Meanwhile, members of various committees and sub-committees were seen holding meetings on the burial programmes on Friday.
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APC chief lauds Nigerians, salutes Buhari A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Mr Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, has felicitated with Nigerians on the 55th independence anniversary celebration. This is just as he commended President Muhammadu Buhari for putting the country on the path of glory. Shittu, who gave the commendation in a message, stated that the country was presently witnessing a turnaround in all facets of life. According to him, the various overseas tours of President Buhari have started yielding positive developments as developed nations of the world are now truly interested in investing in Nigeria. Shittu maintained that the manner in which the president was handling sensitive issues had shown that Nigeria is now a new nation.
Tax Controller, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Large Tax Office (Non-Oil), Iyaganku, Ibadan, Mr R. K. Giwa, being presented with the maiden edition of the Nigerian Tribune by the Chief Accountant, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Mrs Oluremi Olufisayo, during a courtesy visit to the Tribune House, Ibadan, on Friday.
Taraba crisis: Returnee IDPs lament deplorable living conditions Sylvanus Viashima -Jalingo
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NTERNALLY Displaced Persons in Taraba State who are returning home on the directive of Governor Darius Ishaku have appealed to the state government and other relevant agencies to come to their aid. Chairman, Taraba Tiv Peace Initiative in Bali Local Government Area, Reverend Daniel Anum, made the appeal while speaking to journalists on the plights of the returnees. Anum said the appeal became necessary, given the hardships faced by the people who are returning to their ancestral homes. He commended Governor Ishaku for the steps taken to ensure the return of peace in the state and appealed to him to look at the condition of the returnees who, he said, lost everything in the crisis and provide them with basic necessities of life. “Life is difficult for us. Our
main challenges now are food and shelter. We want to appeal to the state government to assist us with food and tents to hide our heads pending when rain will stop. “Our houses have been destroyed and anytime it rains, we have to look for ways of taking cover. Many of our children are suffering from malaria, cough and other diseases associated with cold. It is a good
thing we are back to our places, but life is unbearable,” he said. Anum commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for the food and other materials donated to them while in camps and appealed to the agency for more assistance. He said no fewer than 2,400 people had returned with a good number of them around Bali at its environs
Mina stampede: Emir Sanusi meets Saudi authorities on transparent probe THE Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, on Friday, said he held a meeting with Saudi authorities on the ongoing investigation into the recent stampede in Mina, Mecca. More than 747 Muslims, including 64 Nigerians, lost their lives and 805 others were injured at a stampede on the way to Jamarat complex (stone throwing site) on Septem-
ber 24. Addressing pilgrims during a visit to South-South and South-East camps in Mecca, Sanusi said Nigeria had already requested from Saudi authorities, a fair and transparent investigation. The Emir said he had met with Saudi Minister of Hajj Affairs and he had promised a thorough investigation.
We did not place embargo on admission —OSPOLY The management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Osun State, has said that it has not placed embargo on its admission into various programmes of the Institution. A statement by the Media Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Tope Abiola stated that the Polytechnic has not received any directive from the State government on the alleged merger of the institution with another polytechnic
because of lack of shelter. There have been series of ethno-religious crises in the state in recent years, particularly between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers, which have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands mainly in the central and southern parts of the state. Governor Ishaku had set up a committee to ensure the safe return of the IDPs to their homes.
in the state. The release also said that there is no any iota of truth in the alleged retrenchment of fifty per cent workforce of the institution, saying that the government of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola is a responsible government that has the welfare of the staffers of the institution at heart. On the postponement of the institution’s PostUTME earlier slated for Wednesday September
30, Abiola said that the shift in the date of the Post-UTME screening did not have anything to do with the rumoured merging of institutions in the state, but hinged on logistics reasons. While faulting the report, the management urged candidates for the Post-UTME screening to disregard the rumour, assuring that they would be invited for the screening when a fresh date is fixed.
He said although the Saudi authorities had made adequate arrangements to avoid hitches, the exercise had encountered one of the worst stampedes in the history of Hajj operation. “Vehicular movements were restricted in parts of Mecca on Arafat and Jamarat days all in an effort to have hitch-free movement to the stone throwing site. “But unfortunately and as God wishes, there was stampede in one of the road leading to the stoning complex. “All of us have our time. No one can spend more than a second when it comes. The stampede cannot be stopped by anyone as that is an act of God,” he stressed. The Emir also said that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had received complaints on accommodation in Mecca and Mina from stakeholders, assuring that issues that were raised would be addressed before the next hajj operation.
Ikere community members want Education Varsity back Sam Nwaoko -Ado Ekiti A social group in Ikere community in Ekiti State, Ikere Dynamic Group, has called for the rescucitation of The University of Education, Ikere Ekiti (TUNEDIK), which establishment by the Segun Oni administration in the state failed to see the light of the day due to a communal uprising. The group, which made the call during a courtesy visit to the new Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, at his palace at Ikere-Ekiti, flayed the crisis that erupted during the creation of the university and charged the monarch to “use his influence and wherewithal to facilitate the re-opening of the institution.” President of the group, Professor Emmanuel Agbedana, who led other members to congratulate the monarch on his coronation and ascendancy to the throne, expressed hope that with the new monarch, the ancient community would witness tremendous development and transformation. “Over the years, you have demonstrated accountability,trustworthiness and excellent leadership... We have no doubt that Ikere will witness tremendous development in your time,” he stated.
Akinyo, Labour Party chieftain, dies THE Labour Party senatorial candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the last general election, Mr Nurudeen Akinyo, is dead. Akinyo died during a brief illness in the early hours of Friday in a hospital in Garki, Abuja. He was aged 43. According to a family source, the former Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters will be buried today at his Ikolaba, Ibadan residence. A former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, was one of the early callers at the deceased’s house, where a condolence register has been opened.
SDP chieftain condemns Falae’s abduction By Kate Ani A Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain in Osun State, Honourable Abolubode Bibiire, has described the recent abduction of a former Federal Minister of Finance and the party’s national leader, Chief Olu Falae, as unfortunate and insulting. He made the remark when the party’s members from the state visited Chief Falae to rejoice with him on his release from captivity. Honourable Bibiire, who lamented the increasing rate of abduction in the country, said people’s experiences at the hands of kidnappers, as narrated by survivors of such an ordeal, had always been traumatic. According to him, it was appropriate to thank God that Chief Falae survived the captivity and came out of the ordeal unhurt.
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Buhari won’t stop Saraki’s trial —Adesina, presidential spokesman
Following the dust raised by the ongoing prosecution of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has distanced President Muhammadu Buhari from Saraki’s travails but assures that his prosecution won’t be stopped by the president and will have no adverse consequences on either the Presidency or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He spoke to Deputy Editor, Leon Usigbe, at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States of America.
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t was reported that the president missed an important meeting at the just concluded United Nations General Assembly on Boko Haram and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that was considered vital to Nigeria. There has been a furore since then. What really happened? The truth is that you don’t miss what you have not been scheduled to attend. So, the president couldn’t have been said to have missed a session when he was not scheduled for it. That’s what I will just say and I have the entire invitations that Nigeria received. All of them, about seven pages. That specific item was not in that invitation document. So, if you want further clarification, you go to the (Nigerian) Mission. But as far as we are concerned and as far as the president is concerned, it was not in his schedule. So, those talking of a miss are not getting it. One, they do not know how the United Nations operates. Apart from the main meeting, there are side meetings. There is no way you can attend all the meetings. You pick the ones you like and I guess the Mission picked the ones they wanted the president to attend and he attended all. Well, if you want to say that was an important meeting because it was on Boko Haram, there were two other meetings also that dealt with Boko Haram and violent extremism. Why do you think there was an uproar on this? It beats me hollow. I don’t know. Maybe you can give me an answer because you are also in the media. I think it is making a mountain out of a mole hill. It’s like a storm in a tea cup. On the president’s delegation to the UNGA were former governors Rotimi Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi. What informed his decision to bring such people to the General Assembly? The president has a right to ask anybody to be part of his delegation. Even you as a Nigerian can be called to be part of the president’s delegation if he feels that there is something you are coming to contribute. It’s the right of every Nigerian to be part of the delegation. There are suggestions that the president is not enthusiastic about working with ministers because by his own confession, they are noisemakers as the technocrats do more of the job... You have only quoted a part of what he said in Paris. To conclude that thought, he said even as a military ruler, he had a cabinet. That already shows you he will have a cabinet and not to have a cabinet is to breach the constitution because the constitution says there will be a federal cabinet with at least a minister appointed from each state. Does it not suggest to you that ministers may have reduced roles in his government if he believes that the technocrats do more of the job? You know that the ministers are the ones that head the ministries and so, they can’t have lesser roles to play. No. You will recall that following an outcry about the president’s perceived lopsided appointments, you told Nigerians that he would correct it... I didn’t say correct. I said it would balance out. That’s what I said. Are you still standing by that statement? Sure. Sure. Because when the ministers come, one per state, each state will have its due. That’s a mechanism already in the constitution to balance out things and there are about 601 board positions. When they come, you will see. There’s no cause for alarm. But there are people who are saying that the most critical appointments have been made already. Every appointment can be made critical depending on how you apply yourself to it. When Dora Akunyili was made DG NAFDAC, who knew NAFDAC? People could have said then that they didn’t make you SGF, they didn’t make you Chief of Staff, it’s DG NAFDAC they are making you. But see what she made of NAFDAC. So, every appointment can be made critical depending on how you apply yourself to that position. Some members of the National Assembly are
murmuring, saying that the president may have engaged himself in several constitutional breaches, especially in spending money not appropriated by the legislature. Do you think there is any cause for worry? This president respects the constitution and if there is anything that should be appropriated, I am sure he would pass it for appropriation. You can’t be too sure that there are no allowances for him to have operated and manoeuvred in the spending he has done. For instance, when the NLNG tax, $2.1billion came in and it was shared among the states, some people raised the issue that it should have been appropriated until somebody educated them that when a budget is passed, that budget has already given a window for taxes that would come, that are not captured in that specific budget. So, those are some of the things that happened that people need to be sure of before they take positions. The president has often stressed that there are no sacred cows in his war against corruption. Are we then to think that the prosecution of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal is in line with this? The Executive has nothing to do with that. Absolutely nothing. It is purely a judicial matter and this president, you can be sure, will not tamper with any other arm of government. He believes in separation of powers. He’s in the Executive. The Judiciary will do its duty, the Legislature will do its duty. That’s where the president stands. There are people who see a nexus between the president’s perceived refusal to recognise Saraki as Senate president and his travails at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. How do you react to that? No. You need to get back to the statement that was issued on the day that Saraki was elected Senate president. The president said the party started a process, that process was not concluded, another process took place in the Senate and that process was, mark his words, somewhat concluded. So, the president recognised that the process was concluded in the Senate. So, it’s news to me when you say he did not recognise him as Senate president. Is the Presidency not worried that the prosecution of Saraki may cause instability in the National Assembly, the APC and cause distraction for the president? I don’t see how it can cause instability unless you are saying that there should be sacred cows. If there should be no sacred cows, then it won’t cause instability. Some members of the APC are saying that they are standing by Saraki... Which will be their democratic right. Yes. And some are pushing for his removal because
he apparently has a moral question... Which will also be their democratic right. The president will not be worried about potential of this division to cause instability? The president is going to maintain separation of powers. The president has focused on his war on terror and corruption but on the economic side, he appears not to have paid too much attention. No blueprint or clear-cut economic programme to encourage investors and some industrialists say his administration’s policies are hurting their businesses with fears of job losses. What do you say? Now, to show you that the economy is not just floating on auto pilot, you will recall that in the first month of the president in office, the external reserves gained over $2billion. That shows that the economy is not just floating. And then, don’t forget that when he took over, naira to dollar was about 265. Now, what is it? It oscillates between 220 and 215. So, it is not near half as bad as you want to make it seem. But then, yes, an economic policy is yet to be unfolded. But as soon as there is an economic team, which should come with the cabinet, when an economic team comes, a policy will also be enunciated. And then, don’t also forget that we have a Central Bank governor in place who is still overseeing some monetary policy issues. When the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria came on a visit to the president, and they complained about some of the policies, you know what the president did, he said Central Bank governor, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Investment and some other relevant ministries should all go, have a meeting and make an input into the 2016 budget in terms of economic thrust. And he said that anything that will lead to the creation of jobs for Nigerians, he would be willing to do it. He said including policy somersaults, that he would change some of the existing policies if the new ones would guarantee more jobs for Nigerians. So, it’s not quite true that the economy has just been left like that. But then, yes, an economic team will emerge. Going forward, what can you tell Nigerians especially those who are doubtful of the true character of the administration in view of the perception that the president is being vindictive on the perceived political opponents? Yes, it is our country and there is a government in place. For the sake of our country, I think people should put the divisive politicking that preceded the election behind us and just join hands with the government to move Nigeria forward. This government is clean, it is transparent, it is well-intentioned. When this government tells you something, you can believe it. So, it is in the interest of all Nigerians to team up with the government. And I tell you, this government will succeed beyond the expectations of Nigerians.
9
3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
newsmaker Marafa: New Nzeribe of Nigerian Senate? LANRE ADEWOLE tracks the trajectory of the new sensation of the Nigerian senate.
D
OES anyone still remember the maverick former Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe, who represented Imo West, Orlu senatorial district? The Ogbuagu himself. Between 1999 and 2007, he was the “news” of the Upper Chamber as far as the politics of senate leadership and its attendant shenanigans are concerned. Nzeribe simply dwarfed other colleagues in putting senate leadership during his time under constant tension, even when the motifs were not altogether altruistic. Whenever he rose to make a “Point of Order” the chamber froze. He was bold, daring and rearing, almost-unstoppable, possessed limitless capacity for anything as well as being deft and devious in delivery. He was in nearly every plot to sack leadership. He spoke openly and unabashedly against leadership at plenary. No word was too “unsenatorial” for him to use. Senate Presidents of his time dreaded and loathed him when not on their side. Disgruntled colleagues coalesced around him as impeachment arrowhead anytime they wanted to sack a Senate President. He spoke openly about plots to sack leadership. He was always involved in collecting signatures for impeachment. He wasn’t one to nurse disavowal in silence. Once a leadership didn’t factor Nzeribe in, he signed such up for impeachment. He got away with such projects a couple of times. He burnt his fingers a couple of times. But he was always the darling of a presidency that wanted a senate leadership no more. He was “The Senator” of his time. He was “The News” of his chamber. During his time, everywhere in the chamber quacked with Arthurmania. When he left the senate, Nzeribeism left with him. But the Arthur era appears to be returning to the Upper Chamber with Senator Kabir Garba Marafa, representing Zamfara Central as the new face of leadership scourge, for reasons that are personal, clannish, partisan and genuine. Since the leadership tussle that produced the unprecedented brand of hybrid senate leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki of APC and Senator Ike Ekweremadu of PDP as senate President and Deputy Senate President, the Zamfara-born engineer has remained implacable. Always loud-for-a-purpose on behalf of the Senator Ahmed Lawan Unity Forum of APC senators in the Upper Chamber, the combative former Commissioner for
Water Resources and Education, has practically remained in the muddy fighting arena, journeying to and fro the realms of accusations and sustained attack against Saraki’s leadership. It should be about what the punch-jabbing, expletivethrowing choleric lawmaker hasn’t said about Saraki and his camp since “a legislative coup” outfoxed APC and its choice for the number three job, Lawan, as well as the senate president’s refusal to surrender the other available leadership positions to the party leadership to fill with Unity Forumers. From the alleged forgery of the senate rule to favour Saraki and Ekweremadu, to the alleged corruption cases against the senate president’s family at both EFCC and SFU as well as the on-going Bukola’s trial over alleged falsification of asset declaration in 2003, Marafa has been very visible against the senate leadership, rising to become the spokesperson of the anti-Saraki group. In fact, it was only in recent time that he had not been abrasively assuring that Bukola and Ike’s days are numbered. Specifically, on July 24, Marafa had predicted
with peacock assuredness that Bukola and Ike would be booted out a week on, precisely July 28 when the chamber was to resume from its “ adjournment of necessity”. He had unapologetically called Saraki’s camp including his PDP supportingcast, forgers, without a moral authority to summon officials of executive arm of government over legislative oversight functions. He was quoted as saying that Saraki’s leadership lacked constitutional foundation and should be impeached. Marafa isn’t also about combustible diatribe alone. His theatrics at plenary have also been very discomforting for the Saraki leadership, with the latest being on Tuesday when the chamber resumed plenary. At party caucus meetings, especially during the heady days of finding a common ground between the two opposing camps in June, Marafa equally got physical with Senator Tayo Alasoadura from Ondo State, when he felt his tongue wasn’t doing enough justice to the hot argument between them. But for the quick intervention of Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, fathers and supposed distinguished senior citizens would have gone for bloodied nose and broken heads. Before he staged a one-man walk-out on Tuesday after Saraki outsmarted his tra- ducers again with 83-senator vote-of-confidence, Marafa also wanted to unleash himself on another senator after the senate president ruled him out of order on the confidence vote, before being physically restrained. While political watchers would continue to marvel at the calm conduct of Lawan that
would be the main beneficiary of Saraki’s exit in juxtaposition with Marafa’s habitual war-like raging, conjectures can only be hazarded regarding the Zamfarian’s decision to cry more than the bereaved. With his name having not featured on any leadership list including the party’s, assumptions can only be made on his real motive and what he stands to gain, which if be national prominence, is already sensationally achieved. Whatever anyone may say, Marafa has built a reputation for himself in the senate. Whenever he raises a Point of Order, not even the senate leadership can ignore him. But with Bukola’s leadership consolidating every day, the question is, how far can this feather-ruffling, rumble mongering, ever-dissenting senator go in achieving his desire of an end to Saraki’s regime? Maybe a bit of history will help. In 2002, after putting up with Nzeribe’s antics for a while, then Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim decided to move against him, to stop him from being the route to inside for outside interference. Ogbuagu was indefinitely suspended from the senate. In April 2006, when Imo State and its leadership under former Governor Achike Udenwa also got tired of Arthurmania, the Orlu Peoples Consultative Assembly, backed by Udenwa, sponsored a million-man march for Nzeribe’s recall from the senate. The man that prided himself as “direct political fighter” like Marafa, didn’t survive the crisis until he lost the re-election ticket to Osita Izunaso. Born September 16, 1960, Marafa is a two-term senator like Arthur. Has Nzeribe reincarnated in him? Will he also end up like his forerunner? Ekweremadu hinted at a point while apologising to Nigerians on behalf of the senate over Marafa’s conduct on Tuesday. He said it was the last time Marafa would pull such stunt.
feature
entertainment
politics
seniorcitizen
Cattle rustlers profit from Boko Haram bonanza
Why fuji artistes have many wives —Saheed Osupa
APC can’t be saved in Kogi —Awoniyi, Deputy Gov
No president can short-change the Yoruba and go scot-free —Senator Adefuye
Pp22&27 Pp32&33
P38
Pp35&37
10
3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
08050498504 toluwaniforever@yahoo.com
‘My promotion
as professor gave my hubby
sense of fulfillment’
She made a feat as a first class graduate of Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), after which she bagged Masters degrees from Boston University, United States of America and Stirling University, Scotland, United Kingdom. Still aiming high, she proceeded for a Ph.D in Communication Arts, University of Ibadan. Today, Mrs Victoria Olufunmilayo Ajala is a Professor of Mass Communication at Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State. In this interview with TOLUWANI OLAMITOKE, she captures her childhood days, her work experience and married life.Ahabem octum corit. Gratus. Igna, cus, duciis facistia L. Ima, nons vid
Y
OURS could be considered a family of academics in view of the fact that you and your spouse are in the same field. Are your children toeing the same line? Only one of our four children is a medical doctor, the others are in various business fields. In terms of relating with the opposite sex, were your parents liberal or conservative? From my observation of the way my parents handled my elder siblings and their relationship with the opposite sex and from the perspective of being the last born, I would say my parents were conservative when it came to their female children. By the time I started to have relationship with the opposite sex, my father had passed on. My mother, however, had a great hold on me in my choice of whom to marry. How did you meet your husband? That’s a long story. We are both from Otan Ayegbaju and we attended the same primary school, although I did not know him then. Education kept us apart for a long time; apparently he was on my prowl. He was persistent, just as I was adamant. My eyes were on other suitors. He got my mother to his side; I quarrelled with my mother for advising me to marry
him. But God has His plans and we got married in 1968. Can you please introduce him? My husband is Professor James Abodunrin Ajala, a retired Professor of Health Education, University of Ibadan. How would you describe your husband? My husband is very supportive. All my husband wants for me is to have quality education to enable me to reach the peak of my career as a university teacher. He is a good baby sitter. You know what I mean? He took great care of our children all the time he insisted I pursued my degrees. When a man does that, what else does a woman want? Even up to my promotion to the chair, he was more eager for it than me! When I got the promotion he said “I am now fulfilled.” How old is your marriage? Our marriage will be 47 years old in November 2015. It has been observed that female children tend to love their fathers more while male children are drawn to their mothers. What can you say about it? To answer this question, I like to cite my daughters’ perception of the two of us. Sometime ago, when my children were younger I jok-
ingly posed a question: “If your dad and I were to be separated, which of us would you go with?” My eldest daughter quickly said, without blinking: “Daddy of course!” And very recently, my three girls ‘connived’ to say to me: “When daddy gets annoyed with you, it quickly dissolves, but mummy’s annoyance gets you punished almost forever, such punishments like doing the dishes for weeks.” Even in my personal case, I loved my father more than my mother. Are you a strict mother? Yes, I am a strict mother, but I love my children. On the other hand, my husband thinks I am too soft with our children; letting them get away with what he would not tolerate. At work, some of my colleagues who were once my students at the University of Ibadan, now tell students,“She is a no-nonsense teacher”. As a seasoned academic, how is your experience like? My experience can be described as an accumulation of knowledge. It has also been of a winding sort— from learning to be a trained teacher, to being a confidential secretary, to being a student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a student at Boston University, Massachusetts, United States of America; a student at University of Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom and back to being a Ph.D student at the University of Ibadan. To tell you the truth, my accumulation of knowledge got to a climax as a lecturer at the University of Ibadan; Babcock University and now at Bowen University. I truly believe that each time I stand in front of students I learn a thing or two, even as I try to impart knowledge. How did you receive the news of your promotion to a professor? Since I have had such a long wait for the promotion to come, I re-
ceived the news with mixed feelings—ambivalence—true or false, joy tinged with sadness. But after that initial shock, I started to thank God, as the promotion couldn’t have come without Him. In our society sometimes ago parents were reluctant to send their daughters to school as they believe women’s education ends in the kitchen. Did your parents hold this belief? No. My father who is now late harvested farm produce to send us to school. However, I heard the story from my mother that her sister-inlaw was always yelling on my father to stop sending my elder sisters to school. The argument was that “who would help you in the farm if you send them all to school.” By my time, (I am the last child of the family) I think she had relented. Where were you born and how was growing up like? Oh yes, I was born in Otan Ayegbaju, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of Osun State. Growing up was wonderful in that quiet, sleepy town and in a monogamous family setting. My parents though poor and without formal education, showed us love at its best. Being the last born, I remember my siblings grumbled that I was a spoilt child. My father wanted the best for me, but when he could no more fund my education, I went to live with my eldest brother in Ibadan and he was responsible for my personal upkeep and education. Do you have any childhood memories? Childhood memories. The most remarkable one was the lesson I learnt ‘never to tell lies’. I really like to narrate the story. We all left home for Mass that morning, but my immediate sister and I dodged our parents and chose to catch termite. We got
back home with my parents and we pretended we attended Mass. My father called the two of us and asked us the name of the priest that officiated at Mass that morning. My sister and I gave different names! The most painful punishment, among others, was that our parents did not let us cook and eat the termite, a delicacy kids love. I can never forget that! What’s your philosophy of life? I believe in what my Public Relations teacher told me while studying at the University of Stirling, Scotland and I have adopted it as my philosophy of life. And this is: “Make friends before you need them”. How do you relax? Flower gardening is my first passion, followed by writing for children. Keeping fit through exercise is another form of relaxation (of course, my husband motivates me) .I love watching television drama and traditional dances. Do you consider yourself fashionable? Fashionable? Not really. But when I see my fashionable students and colleagues, I tell them I admire them and learn from the way they combine their clothes and colours. I don’t make-up, I believe in being natural but my daughters and daughter-in-law give me beautiful jewelry and beads. What are your favourite fashion accessories? I love handbags. Shoes! I have big legs, always having difficulty finding good shoes in my size. The shoes I use now were sent to me by my daughters in the United States where the ‘tall and big’ ladies find their match. One other headache I have is tying headgear. It is really a shame, and my husband does not spare me; not even my friends! They often tell me to go to beauty school to learn how to tie it.
11
3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639
food&drink ‘In Okija, nsala soup is king’
Where are you from? I am from Okija in Anambra State but my husband is from Delta State. Can you recall some of the foods you had as a child? It was predominantly pounded yam; we ate that every day. Then there was akpu. We also had a variety of soups which were never kept till the following day; every day, a fresh pot of soup was cooked. Some of them were nsala soup, ogbono soup and also egusi soup. Which of these soups was most celebrated? It is nsala soup. There is a river in Okija and every family has someone who fishes. So, on a daily basis, these men bring home different sizes and types of fish. The best nsala soup is the one made with fresh fish. Besides being a source of protein, fresh fish also thickens the soup. It was the king of soups in those days. But now, people just eat what every other person is eating which is an unfortunate development. And which was your favourite? I liked ogbono soup. It was a bit difficult for me to swallow back then, so since ogbono is very viscous, it made food go smoothly. How did it turn out the first time you prepared it? I learnt the art of cooking the soup from my mother. She was a fantastic cook. So, I didn’t have problem with the first attempt because I was always in the kitchen with her. I learnt it thoroughly. The first day I prepared it, it was as good as hers. How old were you then? I was 14. Over the years, how have you modi-
In these times when it’s getting increasingly difficult for the career mother to ensure her family feeds healthily owing to busy schedules, Mrs Gladys Ujumo, Principal, St. Isabel Comprehensive Model College shares with BLESSING EKUM some tricks to overcome this challenge. She also talks about creative ways she prepares several traditional foods. fied the preparation to suit your taste? When my mother prepared it, she did not add okra. But in my years in school when I studied a bit of domestic science, I learnt that we could add okra and ugwu (fluted pumpkin leaves) to ogbono soup. I believe they add more uniqueness to the soup. In the village, they just prepared it alone with dry fish, stock fish and meat, but I add the vegetables to make it richer. How long have you been in Yoruba land? I’ve been here for about 45 years. When you first arrived, how did you cope with the change in cuisines? For the first three years, I did not eat any local food. I saw amala as black and ugly, but as time went on, I found out that amala is from elubo which is from dried yam. So, I started developing interest and discovered it was rather lighter than akpu. Since then, I’ve been enjoying it and other local foods. Which has come to be your favourite? It is amala and ewedu soup. Is there a special way you prepare ewedu? Though traditionally, broom is used to prepare the leaves, I use a blender. I’ve not learnt how to use the broom. Then I add okra, locust beans and crayfish. I don’t
need stew to eat it. It’s a delicious delicacy. As a career mother, how do you balance feeding the family healthily with your other responsibilities? The timing in the teaching profession is quite flexible so I closed early from school and was able to make sure my kids ate healthily. But one trick we learnt when it came to preparing pounded yam was buying tubers of yam and giving them to a restaurateur to ensure it is ready by the time we would be leaving for home. So, when we get home and served the family hot pounded yam, our husbands would wonder how and when we did all these things but we didn’t disclose this to them. It was only the soup we prepared ourselves. Amala, wheat and semolina are not really difficult to prepare, so we easily did that ourselves. We could also cook and store in the freezer to be eaten when needed. Do you have a weekend special? I love eating scaly fish especially croaker. However, I don’t fry it but prefer it steamed. So, at weekends, I eat vegetables, fruits, fish (scaly) and snails. What has changed about your diet since you clocked 50? A lot has changed. I’m now on a vegetable diet and I also choose and prepare my food carefully. I also eat a very sumptuous breakfast, skip lunch and then eat when I close from work. I learnt that as a woman
clocks 40 years, she has to cut down her consumption of fried foods. So, I don’t eat stew but rather use ofe aku (palm nut soup) with lots of vegetables and fish. And I steam rather than fry foods. Can you share the recipe for nsala soup? You would need some native spices such as uziza, utazi and isha. You would also need azuopo (a type of dried fish),beef, salt, pepper, ogiri (locust beans), some slices of yam or some fresh fish to thicken. Clean, de-bone fish and bring to boil till it scatters. This would act as thickener. If yam is used, bring yam to boil till it breaks. When it’s cooked, add spices and other meat and leave to cook for a few minutes. When the aroma begins to fill the air, it’s ready. What kind of pepper is used? Atare (alligator pepper). But rodo (scotch bonnet) can also be used because of the flavour. What is it best eaten with? It’s strictly for pounded yam and akpu. How often do you prepare nsala soup? Since I no longer take stew, it is my basic soup. I do it once in a week. Why do you prefer it to other soups? I just love it. It doesn’t contain palm oil, so it’s just white and this is good for the health.
12
3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
08055001741 (sms only)
conversewithyemisi Should I forget him and move on? I yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com
Dear Yemisi, am 34 years old. I graduated some years ago from a polytechnic with a good grade in Banking and Finance. After the mandatory youth service, I was so lucky to be offered a job in the bank where I had my primary assignment. Before I left for service, I met a guy who I felt I was on the same page with. I thought we could have a home and we started going out. In the process, he insisted I got introduced to his parents and sisters and I obliged. But shortly after the visit to his people I discovered that it appeared I was the only one in love as he never discussed his future plans with me. He was never forthcoming on whether he wants us to be husband and wife. I can say that in all my dealings that I have been open, clear and honest with him. After waiting for months, weeks and days, I was forced to ask myself where I was heading
to in a blind relationship. The guy has never for once shown any affection for me neither has he been serious about any issue that affects me. I sought audience with him to be honest with me by expressing how he feels without any pretence. For almost 10 minutes, he could not mutter a word. When he was not saying anything I asked if I could give him time to think of an answer, he then paused to say that his heart was not with me. He added that I was at liberty to move forward as he was not ready to settle down. In his words: ‘I doubt if I have any serious plans for you. I am not ready to settle down.’ After this encounter, I waited for days to see if he would come out of his confusion, but he neither called nor sent any message apologising for wasting my time all this while. I have been wondering what could have come upon him be-
For Him Akinola, 29, needs an educated, working class, lady aged between 22 and 30. Call 08107674619. Abass, 38, from Akure, Ondo State, needs a lady for serious relationship from either Ondo or Ekiti state aged 30 to 35. Contact 08053569539. Shina-Ayo, 31, needs a lady aged between 23 and 28 for a relationship. Call 08173056150 Olaitan Alade, from Kwara State, needs a working class lady aged 29 to 32. Call 09034457894. Rasheed, 33, Muslim, Lagos State-based, needs a devoted Muslim, single, Yoruba lady, ready to live in Lagos. Contact 08058995141. Sola, 35, needs a lady aged between 26 and 33 for a relationship. Call 08056131871. Remmy, 35, self employed, Lagos-based, needs a caring, friendly, supportive, single/divorce/widow for a relationship. Call 08125865003. Joe, 38, fair-complexioned, Igbo, working class, needs a lady aged between 27 and 40 from any tribe for an affair. Call 08165041416. Samuel Oluwasetemi, 35, civil servant, Ogun State-based, needs a reliable, decent lady aged between 27 and 34. Call 09050001964. Ifeanyi, from Abia State, Lagos-based businessman, wants a God-fearing, humble, good mannered lady aged between 40 and 45 for a relationship. Call 08169069949. Lanre, 45, widower needs a responsible, caring, woman aged between 30 and 45 for a relationship. Call 08034206054.
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cause I have never experienced such in all my earlier relationships. Dear Yemisi, what do you think is going on? Should I forget him and move on? Agnes.
Dear Agnes, From the content of your message, it appears you are the only one in love with this guy. If you took time to investigate his deals you will discover that taking you to meet his parents and other family members might have been occasioned by you mounting pressure on him. Agnes, it will amount to sheer waste of time if you keep hoping that this guy will have a rethink. He has told you point blank that he has no feelings for you and that there is the need for you to move on. He has indirectly told you to shift your attention somewhere else. If he could summon up courage to break his silence over his future with you, then there is no point expecting any good news from him. Though I can imagine how hurt you are, you need not dissipate much energy on a man who is not sure of his
intention. From his reaction, it is clear that he is confused and does not know what he wants. May I ask you, is he as educated as you are? Has he any job? Are you better paid? Answers to these questions will guide your thinking. If you are better remunerated, he is likely to be suffering from inferiority complex and if he is still searching for a job, then your status might be intimidating him. Agnes, please, don’t force him into loving you because
the union will not last. It is better to call it quits with him. I am convinced that you have learnt a lesson. It is upheld that a man should be the one wooing a lady and not the other way. You will be saving yourself a lot of pains and embarrassment if you allow him to be as long as he has told you the piece of his mind. Forget what you have lost in the process and move on. Take care of yourself and be hopeful that your man will surely locate you. Wishing you the very best.
What can I do? I’m getting fed up with the mess Dear Yemisi, I am at my wits’ end as I send this message to you. I have been dating a guy in the last three years and we are planning to formalise our relationship. I am 30 years old while the man is 35. He works in a reputable company while I am into business, a thriving one for that matter. In spite of the fact that he has a fat pay packet, I have observed that I am the one responsible for oiling the relationship financially. Left to me, there is nothing I cannot give. We planned having our traditional wedding late October this year, but the unfolding scenario on a daily basis seems to be suggesting the contrary. Unknown to me, he has another lady who he has promised to marry. The lady is a graduate, going by the information at my disposal. A friend of mine told in me sometime in February that she suspected that my supposed partner was having an affair with
a lady who lived on the same street with her. But I never took what she told me with any seriousness. I made all efforts to get words out of my fiancé on his alleged romance with another lady, but he swore with all he could to dispel the rumour. I believed him as I felt that my friend was being envious of our relationship. But the reality of her findings dawned on me finally in August when I learnt that he formalised his union with the said lady in July. I still doubted the authencity of this until I saw the photographs taken at the registry. This guy had the temerity the very day he went to the registry with his new found love to pay me an unscheduled visit. I pretended as if I was not in the know of what has happened. He came as usual and never mentioned it. I called him early the next day to tell him the piece of my mind that he must never come to my place again as I spilled the beans
by telling him that I learnt that he had formalised his relationship with his heartthrob which he again denied. I told him that I have evidence of his trip to the registry, but he stuck to his gun that he could not have gone to the registry with somebody else but me. The evidence are too glaring and obvious for the same man to deny. He has gone to the extent of sending emissaries to me that he could smell the work of his detractors that I should have a rethink. But what do I make of the situation? My friend didn’t lie, or do pictures lie? Dear Yemisi, what can I do? I am getting fed up with the mess. Mopelola. Dear readers, what advice have you for Mopelola to rescue her from a dishonest man. Kindly send your pieces of advice to 08055001741 or yemiaofolaju@yahoo. com.
13
3 October, 2015
intimacy
Saturday Tribune
With Bosede Ola-Samuel 08112658560 bosedeola_samuel@yahoo.com
STRICTLY FOR ADULTS
How to enjoy romance without finance
I
T’S official. Once you’re married, you are now legally a twosome and it is said that two is always better than one, right? Two together equals balance and harmony, building a new life together, and raising a family. Two people together for the rest of their lives. And financially speaking? You’ve won the jackpot. You have two incomes, two bank accounts, and two retirement accounts. Combining assets feels great, but what happens if — all of a sudden — you need to separate them? What happens if you get divorced? Many marriages today end in divorce, and money is one of the primary reasons. Money is the springboard for realising your shared hopes and dreams, and yet, if you’re not careful, it can easily become a trap that destroys your marriage. Here are some ways to avoid the money trap if you want a long, happy marriage:
Align your goals It’s shocking how many couples don’t discuss their financial goals for the short and long-term future. Communication is essential to any healthy marriage and finances need to be a part of the regular conversation. Before you discuss them with your spouse, you need to define to yourself what your goals are: Do you want a house? Kids? Great vacations? Early retirement? What’s your five-, 10-, 20-, 30-year financial plan to support those dreams? And what happens if your plans get derailed? What happens if you lose your job? What’s your contingency? The rule of thumb is to steer clear of any debt and have six months of expenses in the bank if you lose your job. How will you both know to do that if you haven’t discussed it? How do you know you will be prepared? How do you know that you’re both on the same page when it comes to spending and saving? And, perhaps most importantly, how do you know that you’re both working toward the same future? Get specific with each other. Without specific long-term goals in mind, it will be difficult to make financial decisions together. Without a clear focus, money will flow like water through your fingers and you’ll never know where it went. Or worse, you’ll discover five or 10 years into the marriage that you never wanted the same things. Share responsibility So you’ve both decided that you want the house, kids, great vacations, and early retirement. Unfortunately, there is a lot of responsibility — both personal and financial — that comes with each of these goals. Regardless of who does what in the relationship, this responsibility needs to be shared as much as possible. Why? Because that’s what a partnership is. The sharing aspect of responsibility is the glue that will keep you together. It is important that you both feel equal in your contributions and efforts. Without balance, there is an oh-so-subtle shift in knowledge and power that can create an ever-expanding crack in your relationship. And, you should ask yourself, why would just one of you own a responsibility that is so important for realising your shared
hopes and dreams? However, division of financial responsibility isn’t always easy. Most couples don’t have equal incomes, so, it is unrealistic to expect a 50/50 contribution from each person—and yet most couples don’t know any other way. They sabotage themselves immediately with an unrealistic expectation. Per the Suze Orman formula however, each spouse can be responsible for an equal percentage of the bills, rather than an equal dollar amount. With this formula, each spouse is contributing equally based on their income. Do not live below your means Living on two incomes is fabulous… until you are faced with a job loss, divorce or realise too late that you won’t be able to achieve your goals. Too many people get caught up in thinking that they “should” have what their friends and neighbours have forgetting that more or better “stuff” that does not equal
Too many people get caught up in thinking that they “should” have what their friends and neighbours have forgetting that more or better “stuff” that does not equal a happier marriage or life.
a happier marriage or life. S t o p “shoulding” yourself. It all equals more responsibility — responsibility that actually detracts from your marriage and your shared goals. And once a marriage breaks under all that responsibility, it is a huge shock when all of your combined assets are now divided in a divorce. You are now back where you started, but now older and with kids. Focus on what is really important, make smart financial decisions, and live below your means. It isn’t easy to take a good, long look at your finances, and to make realistic, responsible decisions. However, when you do, there is less financial stress on your marriage and more financial opportunity to achieve what you both want. You’ll be the big winner when you have a happier marriage. And hey, you may even get to retire early. Now that’s financial bliss. Culled from yourtango.com
14
3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
With Aunty Yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com
t u o b a w o n k e w t Wha Papa Awo and Mama HID Awolowo
Pupils of CAVEGINA PRIMARY SCHOOL, Warri, Delta State, VESTER ROSE COLLEGE, Molete, Ibadan and TOYOSI MODEL COLLEGE, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State speak on
Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo.
Alabi Samuel, SSS1 Chief Obafemi Awolowo is regarded as a notable and outstanding premier of then western Nigeria . One of his notable quotes is that “anyone starved with books, especially the right type of books will suffer intellectual malnutrition, stagnation and atrophy.” That is why we read in history that he provided free education in his regime.
Hamzat Aishat, 11yrs old, Jss3 Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a great African leader. He is the one whose portrait is on One hundred naira note. He fought for the independence of Nigeria; he built schools in Nigeria during his time and gave free education to students. When I grow up; I would like to rule Nigeria and be like Papa Awolowo in all ways.
Suleiman YakubuMALE, PRY 6 What I know about Chief Awolowo is that he was a great man in Nigeria. He fought corruption in Nigeria and solved quite a lot of problems.
Oyedeji Marvellous, SSS3 Obafemi Awolowo, popularly known as “Baba Awo” lived as a man of vision and was a dynamic administrator. But for him, some of our parents said they wouldn’t have been able to go to school. This is a lesson we should learn as students. We should be focused.
Godwin Victor, 11yrs old, Jss3 Papa Obafemi Awolowo was once a leader of Nigeria. His wife died recently and I heard it in the news that she would be buried on her 100th birthday, November 25.
Kobiro Isiakpere, PRY 6 I don’t know much about Papa Obafemi Awolowo and Mama HID Awolowo, but I know that Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s granddaughter is the wife of the present vice president.
Wasila Shaibu, PRY 5 I watched HID Awolowo on television, but I don’t know anything about her. She died recently at the age of 99 years.
Favour Ezekiel, PRY 6 All I know is that his face is on N100 note.
David Joshua, JSS3 Chief Awolowo is best remembered for his remarkable integrity. He laid some landmarks in Nigeria; he built the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, the first of its kind in Africa. He also erected the first Sky scraper in tropical Africa (The Cocoa House) sited in Ibadan and so many other marvelous things. Indeed he was a great man! I wish to be like him in my lifetime. ith tarved w Anyone s cially the right spe books, e books will suffer , type of al malnutrition intellectuon and atrophy stagnati mi Awolowo —Obafe
Olabisi Ruth, 11yrs old, Jss3 The late Obafemi Awolowo was a Nigerian leader, before his death he did many things in Nigeria. He constructed roads and he is the founder of the Nigerian Tribune newspaper. He was one of the politicians who fought for Nigeria’s independence. The university in Ile Ife”Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)” is named after him. Esther Adesoye, 11 yrs old, JSS 2 Chief Obafemi Awolowo did a lot of things for Nigeria before his death; such as building of many schools and creating employment opportunities. I learnt that students enjoyed free education,s health facilities when he was the leader of the Western Region. Mama Hannah Idowu Awolowo (HID) died on September 19 2015.Like her husband, Mama Awolowo was very kind and loving. I got this information from the News and Current Affairs disk.
Innocent Michael, PRY 5 Chief Awolowo was very handsome and his face is on N100 note because he was a great man when he was alive.
Bello Barakat Ololade, JSS2 The Action Group political party of Chief Obafemi Awolowo was federalist. He advocated federalism and the federal constitution was introduced in 1954 Lyttleton Constitution following primarily the model proposed by the western region delegation led by him. As a premier, he proved to be a man of vision and a dynamic administrator. He was also the country’s leading social democratic politician.
Oyedokun Samuel, JSS3 One of the unforgettable gifts Papa Awolowo gave to Nigeria is his fight for Nigeria’s independence. If that did not happen, maybe we would have still been under the colonial masters. I appreciate that kind gesture.
Jane Mordi, PRY 5 Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a great man; he helped Nigeria a lot. Alese Oluwafolajomi, JSS2 In spite of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s humble beginning, he grew up to become great and everybody’s favourite today. One of the good things that is still speaking even after his demise is his newspaper house, the Nigerian Tribune. I heard that it is the oldest surviving private Nigerian newspaper which he used to spread nationalist consciousness among his fellow Nigerians.
15
3 October, 2015
health&fitness
Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM
ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639
Is religion good or bad for mental health?
By Blessing Ekum
I
N the past weeks, lots of religious activities took place on a global scale. Millions of Americans navigated crushing crowds and spent hours travelling in order to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis on his first visit to this country. To those who are devoutly religious, the pope’s U.S. trip presented a unique opportunity to get papal blessings, receive mercies and get closer to God. In the Islamic World, the hajj saw about three million Muslim faithful visiting the Holy land of Mecca. Several researches have tied being religious with better well-being and overall mental health and a number of studies have found that devout people have fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as a better ability to cope with stress. Some other studies have also suggested that certain religious practices may even change the brain in a way that boosts mental health. However, religion could also be a double-edged sword. Negative religious beliefs — for example, that God is punishing or abandoning you — have been linked with harmful outcomes, including higher rates of depression and lower quality of life. This article from Livescience provides more insight: “If people have a loving, kind perception of God and feel God is supportive, they seem to experience benefits,” said Kenneth Pargament, a professor of psychology and an expert on religion and health at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, United States of America. But “we know that there’s a darker side to spirituality,” Pargament said. “If you tend to see God as punitive, threatening or unreliable, then that’s not very helpful” to your health, he added. Religion’s mental health benefits A large body of research — particularly among people in the United States — has tied religious beliefs with positive outcomes for mental health. For example, a 2005 study of older adults in the San Francisco Bay area of the United States found that being religious served as a buffer against depression among people in poorer health, with the highest levels of depression among those who were in poor health and not religious. In addition, a 2013 study found that patients who are being treated for mental-health issues such as depression or anxiety responded better to treatment if they believed in God. In another review of 93 studies on religion and health, Dr. Harold G. Koenig, director of the Centre for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University Medical Centre, found that more religious people had fewer depressive symptoms. “People who are more involved in religious practices and who are more religiously committed seem to cope better with stress. One of the reasons is because religion gives people a sense of purpose and meaning in life, and that helps them to make sense of negative things that happen to them,” Koenig said. A person’s religious community can also provide
support a n d encouragement through hard times, he said. Religion and the brain Studies on the brains of religious people may also provide an explanation for the link between religion and mental-health benefits, said Dr. Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital in Philadelphia. Studies suggest that meditation, and meditative prayer (such as prayer that repeats a particular phrase), activate areas of the brain involved in regulating emotional responses, including the frontal lobes, Newberg said. A 2010 study by Newberg and colleagues that included brain scans of Tibetan Buddhist and Franciscan nuns found that these long-term meditators had more activity in frontal-lobe areas such as the prefrontal cortex, compared with people who were not long-term meditators. Strengthening these areas of the brain may help people be “more calm, less reactionary, better able to deal with stressors,” Newberg said. However, these studies can’t say that prayer changed the brain — it’s possible that these differences existed before the meditators took up their prayer practice. It’s also possible that the beliefs and teachings advocated by a religion — like forgiveness, love and compassion — may “become integrated into the way the brain works,” Newberg said. The more that certain neural connections in the brain are used, the stronger they become, he said, so if a religion advocates compassion, the neural circuits involved in thinking about compassion become stronger. “So you keep coming back to these positive feelings and emotions, and that reduces stress, anxiety, and can lead to reduction in stress hormones,” Newberg said. Some religions also advocate that members stay away from high-risk health behaviours, such as smoking, drinking alcohol or overindulging in food. Steering away from these unhealthy behaviours could also be beneficial for brain function, he said. Downsides for the devout However, religion
Studies suggest that meditation, and meditative prayer (such as prayer that repeats a particular phrase), activate areas of the brain involved in regulating emotional responses, including the frontal lobes...Strengthening these areas of the brain may help people be more calm, less reactionary, better able to deal with stressors. doesn’t always have a positive effect on mental health — its impact depends on a person’s beliefs, and whether religion is generally accepted by the larger community, experts said. For example, if instead of advocating love and compassion, a religion advocates hate of nonbelievers, these negative beliefs would also become part of the way the brain works, Newberg said. In theory, this would turn on areas of the brain involved in thinking about hate, and could increase stress and stimulate the release of stress hormones, Newberg said. In addition, if some people believe that a health condition — such as addiction — is a punishment from God, they may be less likely to seek treatment, Newberg said. Pargament has also found that when people believe that God has abandoned them, or when they question God’s love for them, they tend to experience greater emotional distress, and even face an increased risk of an earlier death. “These kinds of struggles have to do with the aspects of life that you hold sacred. When you get shaken to that level, then … it’s going to be very distressing,” Pargament said. Exactly why some people take a positive view of religion while others take a negative one is not known, and more studies should be conducted to examine this topic, Newberg said. Pargament said some people can come out of a religious struggle feeling more whole, particularly those who have support from the community throughout their struggle.
16
healthandfitness
3 October, 2015
Is oral sex medically safe? I am a newly-married young woman. My husband wants us to practise oral sex. I have never done this before because I am always afraid of catching a disease from the act. However, my husband, who is more sexually experienced than I am, has reassured me that oral sex is safe but I am worried. Kindly advise. Chioma (by SMS) Although some couples find oral sex very fulfilling, recent studies have shown a steady rise of cases of infections through oral sex. One of these infections is throat cancer, caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Another concern that has recently arisen is the question of catching chlamydia and gonorrhoea through oral sex. This risk of developing infections is closely associated with a history of having six or more sexual partners – and
Dr. Wale Okediran 08055069356 (sms only)
What is migraine?
I have been having a very bad headache for the past two months. The doctor I saw called it ‘migraine’. Although I have a vague idea of what migraine means, I will appreciate it if you can kindly give me a detailed explanation. Olabisi (by SMS)
of having four or more oral sex partners. The conclusion is that oral sex is not quite as safe as it may have seemed a few years ago – except of course if you only do it with one partner. In addition, couples should respect each other’s opinion
about oral sex. So, if you’re a woman, don’t let yourself be pressured into doing something that you don’t want to. And if you’re a man, please don’t try and blackmail your partner into having oral sex with you if she is not comfortable with the idea.
My foul-smelling sneeze I am a keen reader of your column. I am 47 years old and whenever I sneeze, it always has a foul smell to it. Kindly tell me what could be the problem. Gani (by SMS) You most probably have some degree of infection in your nasal passages.
It will be helpful if you can collect a sample of your mucus for laboratory analysis in order to know the specific organism and the appropriate antibiotics to use. In addition, daily frequent steam inhalation will assist in clearing your nasal passage of any additional infected mucus.
Migraine is a complex condition with a wide variety of symptoms. For many people the main feature is a painful headache. Other symptoms include disturbed vision, sensitivity to light, sound and smells,
sickly feeling and vomiting. Migraines can be very frightening and may result in you having to lie still for several hours. There is no known cause for migraine, although most people with it are genetically predisposed to migraine. If you are susceptible to migraine there are certain triggers which commonly occur. These include stress, lack of food, alcohol, hormonal changes in women, lack of sleep and the environment. The symptoms will vary from person to person and
A growth on my back
MY wife recently noticed a skin growth about the size of a thumb on my back.
Although the growth is not painful, it looks darker than the surrounding skin.
Is this appendicitis?
A pain in the lower part of my stomach has been bothering me for quite a while. I have taken so many antibiotics without cure until a doctor I saw diagnosed appendicitis. He subsequently asked me to pay N150,000 for an operation. I am a bit worried in case the diagnosis is wrong. What should I do? Emeka (by SMS) Acute or chronic appendi-
citis can sometimes be difficult to diagnose after a long course of antibiotics just as in your case. Since you are in doubt, I will suggest you go for a second opinion preferably from a surgeon in any specialist or teaching hospital nearest to you.
Womb transplantation approved for 10 British women
T
HE first British baby to be born as a result of womb transplantation could arrive as soon as 2017, after doctors in the UK have given the green light for a clinical trial in which 10 British women will undergo the procedure. Last year, Medical News Today reported on the world’s first ever successful birth from a transplanted womb in a 36-year-old woman from Sweden. The woman - who wishes to remain anonymous - was born without a womb. After receiving a donor womb from a 61-year-old family friend, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Vincent. Now, doctors from Imperial College London in the UK have given their ethical approval for a clinical trial that will involve performing the procedure on 10 British women without wombs, giving them the opportunity to carry their own babies. The trial will be led by Dr. Richard Smith, consultant gynecologist at the UK’s Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, who says he is “really, really pleased” the project has been given the go-ahead. Each year, around 1 in 5,000 women are born without a womb - a condition known as Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser Syndrome (MRKH). Many more women lose their womb as a result of cancer. Dr. Smith hopes the new trial will offer hope for women who are unable to carry a child as a result of such conditions. “Infertility is a difficult thing to treat for these women,” says Dr. Smith. “Surrogacy is an option but it does not answer the deep desire that women have to carry their own baby. For a woman to carry her own baby - that has to be a wonderful thing.” Women must be between the ages of 24 and 38 to take part in the clinical trial, or they must have had their eggs frozen by the age of 38. They must also be able to produce
Saturday Tribune
If the trial is successful, the first British baby born as a result of womb transplantation could arrive by the end of 2017.
a satisfactory number of eggs; women who have received donor eggs are not eligible. Additionally, women are required to have a healthy weight - a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or less - to take part, have no major medical problems, be eligible for care under the British National Health Service (NHS) and have a long-term partner. Of the 304 women who have applied for the trial, 104 have met the strict criteria, of whom 10 will be selected for womb transplantation. Prior to the trial, embryos will be created for each woman using their eggs and their partner’s sperm. The transplant will then be conducted by a team of 12 surgeons, in which each woman will receive a womb from a donor who is deemed brain dead but whose heart is still beating. It is estimated that the retrieval of the donor womb will take three hours and the transplant will take six hours.
waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk individuals may have different symptoms during different attacks. Your attacks may differ in length and frequency. Migraines usually last from four to 72 hours and most people are free from symptoms between attacks. Migraines can have an enormous impact on your work, family and social lives. The complex nature of migraines means that the treatments available are varied and differ from person to person. There is currently no cure for migraine.
I want to leave it alone but my wife is insisting I should do something about it. What do you think? I am a 60-year-old business man. Joel (by SMS) Your wife is right. One should not ignore any abnormal growth in the body especially when you are over 40 years old. Let a doctor take a look and most likely, remove the growth and send it to the Laboratory for investigation. If the result shows that the growth is harmless, all well and good. However, if the growth is cancerous, a prompt course of appropriate treatment will save your life.
“Donor retrieval is a bigger operation than transplanting the uterus into the recipient,” notes Dr. Smith. “We don’t want to subject a live donor to that operation.” The women will then take immunosuppressant drugs for 12 months and during pregnancy to reduce risk of the donated womb being rejected. If all is well, each woman will be implanted with one of her embryos. If successful pregnancy is achieved, the baby would be delivered by cesarean section (C-section) at 35-37 weeks in order to limit damage to the transplanted womb during labour. In order to reduce the need for lifelong use of immunosuppressant drugs, the women will have the transplanted womb removed six months after giving birth. Alternatively, they can try for another baby. Dr. Smith has high hopes for the clinical trial: “As we have seen from the tremendously successful womb transplant program being carried out by our colleagues in Sweden, this operation is clearly a viable option for those women who otherwise have absolutely no chance of carrying their own baby.” However, before the project can go ahead, Dr. Smith and his team must raise £500,000 ($760,000). To date, around £40,000 ($60,700) has been donated. Despite this potential drawback, the team is optimistic that they will raise the required funds. ‘’I’ve always been an enormous optimist,’’ says Dr. Smith. ‘’The project has run with no money from the start. Somehow or other, somebody has always turned up and given us enough money to keep it going.’’ If the project is a success, the first baby born in the UK from a womb transplantation could arrive by late 2017. Courtesy: Medical News Today.
17
3 October, 2015
mediascope
H
OW would you describe the life of a Public Relations consultant? It is very challenging because most of your time you spend looking for briefs. It is very competitive because, even when you get the business, people are trying to snap it. So, it is one thing to get the business, it is another thing to hold onto the business. You are dealing with many issues and one of them is finance. For instance, all what the blue-chip companies would do is to give you an LPO and ask you to go and source for funds, to run the business and they pay you. But sometimes it takes 30, 60,90 and some even take 120 days before paying. So, the payment cycle is very killing. Also you have to deal with the challenge of resource because we don’t sell sugar, we don’t sell milk, we sell ideas, so we need the right kind of resource, human capital to run the business, and that’s very challenging especially if you want to stand out in a competitive market. Twenty three years ago, you took that decision to go into PR consultancy, from then till now, how has it been? Well, we’ve had various phases, though I’m glad in a way that I took that decision then because I was young and I could do very risky things. A lot of my mates wanted to do it at this age , but it is more difficult because there are bigger challenges. There is your family and so on and so forth. How has it been? We’ve had the good moments and the bad ones. Our company has grown from that very young company over the years. We have been in business for 23 years now. There are times when we thought the bottom-line was going to get very bad, and there are times we’ve had some very good business. We’ve gone through the challenges of Nigeria, we were formed around 1992, when all the challenges of June 12 and the annulled elections came up. It was difficult for us, but in all of that we tried to survive. What we did was that we remained very focused in terms of what we wanted to do and how we wanted to impact this market We had a clear vision and we pursued that vision, even though, we had enormous challenges from time to time, we tried to pursue that vision, to re-invent ourselves until we got to where we are today. How were you able to weather the June 12 storm being a young and very tender PR firm then? Don’t forget that at that point in time our overheads were lower. I had just one or two or three members of staff, and when I started, I started from my flat, Off Toyin Street, my living room was my first office, I was living in the room so during the day it was an office, but at night it was a living room. One, the overheads were kept low, and then I wasn’t married, though I was dating my wife then and it was serious, but it wasn’t as if I had children. So if I took out my rent, my feeding and fuel in my car, my wants were rather little, and we got by. I remember I also approached a man called Alhaji Bawa Garba, he was the one that started this satellite in those days, before Dstv even came. We called it Cable then, it was like a mesh. You put it on a long pole, then you turn it, he had an office in Federal Palace then. I had gone to meet and tell him that I had wanted to position his business, and he agreed, but also asked me to come and become one of his distributors. At that time, the concept of what we knew as satellite were those big dishes and how many of us could afford it? And for every installation, I was able to make some money. So largely that’s what kept us going. It was from the sale of satellite equipment that we were able to get our full-fledged office on Adelabu Street, in Surulere. It is interesting that you said when you were setting up the business the desire to be different made you go for creativity and innovation in the industry, how would you rate the level of creativity in the industry today? We are not doing enough and some of my people here will testify to this. In fact somebody asked me to come and deliver a paper at the conference and asked me what subject I would like to speak on, I told him, ‘Rethinking Public Relations’, because really the era of what we call traditional service in public relations is gone. I mean the era of doing some media relations and press releases. Now the internet has taken care of all these. What I’m saying in essence is that the traditional ways of doing PR have gone. Anybody that is waiting on that to make money will run at a loss. Anyway you guys, (the media) are already competing with us on that, all of you are doing some form of media relations or the other for
Saturday Tribune WITH AKIN ADEWAKUN
akadewakun@yahoo.co.uk 08054683584
PR in Africa still tied to the apron strings of governments —Yomi Badejo-Okusanya,
Chief Executive Officer, CMC Connect Burson-Masteller Yomi Badejo- Okusanya is the Chief Executive Officer of CMC Connect Burson-Masteller. In this interview with Akin Adewakun, the former Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) explains his reasons for floating a Public Relations firm, the challenges facing the practice today in Africa and how his company has been able to weather the storm in the past 23 years. Excerpts :
the practice of public relations and you would agree with me that many companies have come and gone and for us to still be the leader of the pack, at least when they are calling some of the foremost companies in the country, they will call us, it means we are doing something right. How have we been able to redefine ourselves in 25 years? We formed a company that started with less than N100,000 and grew it into a group. So creativity is at the middle of it all. You went into global PR affiliations with Burson-Masteller at a time when some of your peers are moving out of such arrangements, what would you say informed that decision? A number of reasons. There is no point in re-inventing the wheel. If it had been done somewhere, why don’t you take those best practices and take it home. I’m not in an affiliation to get ‘business’ I’m not saying that I don’t want business, I will get the business, but I didn’t get into the affiliation so that they can give me business. I went into the affiliation, so that I can emulate best practices, so that I can become part of the global team. You cannot be in isolation. The world has become a global village. There are brands that are situated somewhere, the way it works is that they don’t go to each market and start appointing people differently. They appoint what we call networks, whether in advertising, PR or whether it is even in media independents, they then pass the business on to us. I want to be part of that game, I want to learn the way they’ve done it globally and then I put my own local flavour. Really, it depends on what you want from affiliations, but we are very clear of what we want from it, and I think we are getting it. We are in the last quarter of the year, but how would you describe activities in the Integrated Marketing Communications sectors so far? Well it’s been a challenging time. Don’t forget that the first part of the year was committed to the elections and the outcome. It was very tough for us to the extent that we didn’t have business running. For us also who also have some form of retainership, it was easier for us. But what I tell people is that in this trying time, just make sure you keep your head above water, it’s going to get better. You do whatever you know you can to survive. You can downsize, rationalise, manage your expenses, you could even do some jobs that the profit margin may not be great, but you are holding on to them because they keep you going. But in all, it has been very challenging, not just for us, but for the industry
some clients. So I can’t run a business on that, I need to re-invent my business and that is continuously what we do. So we need to re-dimensionalise our business. Our business is no longer the way it used to be. It has changed. The way we want to do our things is totally different. In the past, you would wait for the client to come and call you, but now we take it ahead. We have a section that does something on business analysis. So we are ahead of the curve. Our goal is to re-define
If you look at the entire budget of Africa, it is small, it may just be like that of a country, in another continent. But we are coming up because Africa is the next frontier.
With the benefit of hindsight, and as a key official of African Public Relations Association (APRA) , how much of our PR culture have we been able to export to other African countries? PR generally is at its embryonic stage in Africa because of what you hear about what has been done on the global stage. When we are talking of PR globally, Africa is not even there. We don’t even show up. We have a conference coming up in International Public Relations Association, in a few weeks time and for the first time, they are giving Africa an opportunity to speak. If you look at the entire budget of Africa, it is small, it may just be like that of a country, in another continent. But we are coming up because Africa is the next frontier. The question you asked me is how much of our PR culture have we been able to export? There are some big markets in Africa and the largest markets are in South Africa, Nairobi, Nigeria and may be Egypt, if you want to talk about four top markets in Africa. But in varying degrees, there is Ghana, The Gambia and Cameroon. I think the major challenge we are having here is that PR is still tied to the apron string of governments in this part of the globe. Very few African countries have a very thriving PR consulting sector, because the markets are not so big. So in response to your question, I’m not so sure it’s about us exporting from Nigeria, it’s about sharing best practices across the continent and then using that to establish a foothold in the global stage of public relations.
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3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
Saturday Tribune
crimeandcourt
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She confessed to aborting a pregnancy for one of her boyfriends —Husband He abandoned my daughter and me for a long time —Wife Stories by Oluwole Ige, Ayomide Owonibi and Tunde Adegbola with Agency Reports
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He ruled that the custody of their daughter, Imoleayo Boluwatife, 15, should be awarded to the wife, while Imoleayo Olaoluwa (27) can decide on his own. Ogunsemi also ruled that the husband should be paying N4,000 monthly
as the feeding allowance of their daughter and be responsible for her education. The court granted access to the husband to see his daughter.
N Ado-Ekiti customary court in Ekiti State during the week dissolved a 28-year-old marriage between Mr Imoleayo Sunday and his wife, Funmise, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. The marriage was dissolved on grounds of frequent fighting and adultery. Sunday, 51, a resident of Omolayo, behind Queen’s Court, Ado-Ekiti, told the court that they use to fight over the way his wife spends their daughter’s school fees. The father of two said whenever he gives his wife their children’s school fee, she will not pay the money, which affected their first son academically. He said whenever they have crisis, his wife would tear his clothes and destroy his properties. He told the court that his wife was an adulterous woman, saying that she aborted a pregnancy for one of her concubines. The plaintiff said that his wife made the confession to him and her mother when she fell sick. He said that the man had been to his workshop to pick his wife, and sometimes came with his colleagues to threaten him. “There was a day they were discussing an issue, suddenly a car came to pick her by my side and left me alone,” he said. Sunday said he was not happy that his first son refuses to be educated, stating that his mother was his problem. He prayed the court to award him the custody of the female child. However, their 15-year-old daughter told the court that she does not want her parents to divorce because it would break their home and affect her future. She said her mother informed her about the divorce, but told her to put her mind at rest. But the wife, Funmise, 45, denied the allegations levelled against her. She said that her husband abandoned her for a long period of time without considering her and the children. She said that she was pregnant before she knew that her husband has a wife before her. Funmise said that her husband’s parents knew how he was beating her while she was with him then. The respondent said that she never had any man since their separation, because she loves her husband, even their daughter will not allow her to have another husband. She, therefore, urged the court to award her the custody of their daughter. President of the court, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi, observed that the marriage had broken down irretrievably and consequently dissolved the marriage.
While urging the court to dissolve the marriage, Kabirat said, “I can no longer cope with his attitude and other problems. Because of this frustrating condition, I am begging this court to separate us so that I can live a peaceful life”. Responding to his wife’s accusation, the defendant, Akeem Salawudeen said it was untrue that he did not care for his family, stressing that “I always provide money for their feeding which varies between N800 to N1,000 every three days. “I don’t bring other women into our matrimonial home for any form of sexual activity. She is only saying that to tarnish my image or portray me in bad light before this court. There is no iota of truth in all
He only found me with a man in my brother’s house —Wife A man, Mr Zuaheeb Tomori has told a customary court 2 in Osogbo,Osun State, how he caught his wife, Tawakalitu with another man having sex inside their apartment. He begged the court not to dissolve the 30-year-old marriage to her wife, saying “our quarrel began when she became a politician. She was so wayward that she was committing adultery inside my house. I once caught her in the act”. Tomori, who denied beating the plaintiff (wife) or threatening her life said “on the allegation of threats to life, it was at the time I went to meet her at Alfa Barbers’s shop in Gbonmi. I went to ask why she was reporting me to everybody around”. He continued, “before then, I met her with a man in her rented apartment. I remember slapping her. I have never threatened her life. I don’t want to divorce her because of the care of the children”.
But the wife said: “The cause of our misunderstanding was that he found me with a man when I visited my brother who had a baby. Since that time, my husband always beat me mercilessly”. According to Tawakalitu, “on the 8 of August, I was at Alfa Barbers’s shop in Gbonmi, charging my phone when my husband came in, in company with my son and started calling me harlot and threatening to kill me. The harassment became unbearable, hence my coming to court to seek for divorce”. Responding to a question on the possibility of a reconciliation, Tawakalitu maintained that she was fed up with the marriage and insisted on a divorce, stating that “the children are grown ups except the last one”. In his judgement, President of the court, Chief Popoola Bolarinwa said “both parties after stating their respective positions now agreed to divorce. The marriage is hereby dissolved”.
She’s arrogant, fights all the time,man tells court I’m no more interested in the marriage —Wife
THE two-year-old marriage between a 32-year-old driver, Mr. Adekoya Opeolu and his wife, Bukola, has been dissolved by an Ikorodu Customary Court in Lagos State over the wife’s alleged arrogance and constant fighting. The complainant, who resides at Ewu Elepe Road in Ikorodu, Lagos had reportedly approached the court to dissolve his marriage, saying that he could no longer cope with his wife’s hostility, whereas, Bukola in her defence said she did not object to the divorce plea. Bukola said: “I am also fed up, we fight every day since the beginning of the marriage, I am no more interested in the marriage.” The respondent, however, prayed the court to order her husband to take full responsibility of the five-month-old child of their union. President of the court, Mr Olu Adebiyi, in
He usually had sex with other women in our bedroom —Wife •She’s a liar —Husband A housewife, Mrs Kabirat Salawudeen has pleaded with the Customary Court 2, in Osogbo, Osun State, to dissolve her marriage of 13 years to her husband, Mr Akeem Salawudeen, describing him as a highly promiscuous person. She said: “My husband is a chronic womaniser. He is in the habit of bringing other women into our matrimonial home to have sex with them in the one-room bedroom where we live”. According to her, “apart from his insatiable appetite for sex, he is very uncaring for me and our only child, Ziyyad, who is four years old. Anytime I discuss with him over his behaviour, it often resulted in constant argument and physical assault.”
I caught her having sex with another man inside our house —Husband
the allegations she had raised against me.It is not true that I don’t listen or take to correction from my people. I have married another woman since she left me about two years ago”, he asserted. Delivering his judgement, President of the Customary Court, Chief Popoola Bolarinwa said: “the marriage collapsed almost as soon as it was contracted. Plaintiff claimed that she left the defendant seven months ago. The marriage is no longer existing and is therefore dissolved forthwith”. He added that the only child of the marriage, who is only four years, is to remain under the custody of the plaintiff since he is under the legal age of six years.
his ruling, said they should go their separate ways, as all efforts to reconcile their differences fell on hard rocks, stressing that the court was not in doubt that the marriage between the duo had broken down irretrievably. “The court hereby, officially, dissolves the marriage,” Adebiyi ruled. “The custody of the five-month-old baby boy from the marriage is hereby awarded to Bukola. The petitioner is to pay N5, 000 monthly to the respondent for the feeding of the only child of the union,” he added. The President of the court also ordered Opeolu to take charge of the medical and educational needs of the child, adding that any party, who is not pleased with any section of the judgment, should appeal within 30 days at a higher court.
She’s a disgrace to my pastoral calling,husband tells court No, I’m not, but you can separate us —Wife AN Akure customary court in Ondo State has dissolved a pastor’s 15-year-old marriage, citing the wife’s constant nagging, the News Agency of Nigeria reports. President of the court, Mrs Olayinka Falodun, who made the pronouncement, said the evidences presented by both parties showed that there was no more love between them. The husband, Pastor Tunde Adekunle, had approached the court seeking the dissolution of the 15-year-old marriage to Agbeke, blessed with four children.
He accused her of nagging and assault. Adekunle, the founder of Christ Living Church, Owo, Ondo State, told the court that some of the scars on his body were caused by the constant fisticuffs between them. The court’s president, however, said the husband had confessed to his inability to perform his fatherly and marital responsibilities to the family. She ordered the petitioner to pay a sum of N10,000 monthly upkeep for the children through the court’s registry. Falodun, however, granted the custody of the chil-
dren to the respondent with effect from September 30. She also directed that the man should continue to pay the school fees of the children. In his defence, Adekunle said the estranged wife was a “disgrace to his pastoral calling.” He accused his wife of tearing his clothes in front of the congregation while he was preaching. Agbeke, in her response, denied the allegations, but said that she was ready for the dissolution of the marriage.
He’s planning to have sex with our daughters —Wife
I want our daughters, I don’t want her again—Husband
A woman, Mrs Adenike Dossou, has accused her husband of inserting his fingers into their daughters’ private part while giving them a bath. Mrs Dossou, a civil servant, who is seeking the dissolution of her 12-year-old marriage to Segun Dossou, an Immigration Officer, at a Lagos Island Customary Court, said her husband always volunteered to bathe their children while she handled the cooking. “I was shocked when our first daugther told me that she is growing and didn’t like what her dad did to her,” she said. She said on three occasions, she didn’t find her husband beside her at night, adding whenever she searched for him, she saw him sleeping beside their children. She said: “I scolded him and asked if he wanted to ruin our children’s life but he didn’t respond. I am in support of the dissolution because I know he wants our children in his custody to continue his misdeeds.” Adenike added that the only thing her husband is interested in is charm, adding that there were times he wouldn’t go to work but he gets paid. “I went with him to Cotonou, Republic of Benin to seal our union in their registry. I was just signing documents; I don’t know what was written in the papers. I don’t love him anymore and I don’t want to give my girls to live with him,” she said. Dossou, 39, said their troubles started when his wife got a job. “She is a thief, she steals government’s property. She brought cement and coal tar home. It was her attitude that made us fight and she left me. “I just want our daughters. I don’t love or need her anymore,” he said. The marriage has produced three children between ages 8, 10 and 12. The president, Chief Awos Awosola, advised them to be very careful with their utterances and adjourned the case till October 7 for judgement.
I always beat her so as to put sense in her head —Husband He’d rather play Baba Ijebu than feed us —Wife
ADETIRE Adebola, a 40-year-old carpenter has told an Ikeja High Court in Lagos State to dissolve his marriage of five years because his in-laws often intervened whenever he is beating his wife. “She is a stubborn woman. They don’t want me to teach her a lesson. I don’t like it when her people stop me from beating her. It is either they take their daughter or allow me put sense into her head”, was what Adebola told the court during the proceedings. His wife, however, told the court about her unwillingness to continue with the marriage. “He does not bother about what I and my children would eat. He would rather play Baba Ijebu with his money than take care of his home. “As I speak, our children have been sent home from school because we could not pay their school fees,” she told the court. The presiding magistrate, Mrs A. Awope adjourned the matter till 8 October for continuation of trial.
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feature
3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
D’Banj serenades his fans at the Glo music fiesta. Senator Daisy Danjuma presenting a prize of N500,000 to Egbe Obafuwaji which emerged best regberegbe in the male category
Contestants for Miss Ojude Oba beauty pageant
Globacom Business Director, Ogun State, Mr. Ayo Ogunranti presenting a prize to Egbe Gbobaniyi(Obinrin), first runner-up, regberegbe contest
OJUDE OBA: Celebration of glitz, glamour
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HE whole of Ijebu Ode, the capital of the Ijebu nation was agog last weekend as usual in celebration of Ojude Oba, an event that is not only over 100 years old but one which has become a unifying factor to all sons and daughters of Ijebuland at home and in the Diaspora. The camaraderie was simply enthralling. Ojude Oba takes place the third day of Eid el Kabir, but is now celebrated by Muslims and Christians of Ijebu origin and their friends from across Nigeria and from the Western world who were attracted by the fame that the festival has garnered over the years. Celebrated for over 100 years since the first set of Muslim converts thought it befitting to visit the then Awujale as a mark of obeisance and gratitude to him for giving them free rein to practice their new found faith. They also seize the opportunity to pray for unity within the king’s domain as well as long life and prosperity for him and his subjects. But, the festival has since gone beyond that initial razzmatazz to a full scale carnival which has ingrained Ijebuland on the world’s tourism map as a destination of note to tourists from all over the globe. At the turn of the 19th century, the Ijebu people came into wealth by virtue of their diligence and industry and this further led to the systemic internalization of different age grades into its social fabric. Each of the groups comprises of people born within the same age bracket of three years and their nomenclatures also signalled major happenings. These groups have, in time, crystallised into instruments of social cohesion and mobilization for the development of the Ijebu nation. The present Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adcetona himself belongs to Egbe Mafowoku which is for people born between 1932 and 1934 and is one of the groups of the elderly in Ijebuland today. The list has since grown from the last celebration as some new groups including Egbe Maiyegun Akile Ijebu comprising people born between 1st of January 1974 and December 31, 1976 was recently inaugurated. Each group is usually bedecked
in the latest fashion items filing past in unison to the tunes of traditional music at the background, to pay homage to the king. The entire palace ground venue is enveloped in glitz and glamour of wondrous beauty. The parade of the descendants of the war heroes who gained notable victories for the ijebu Nation during the inter-ethnic Yoruba wars in the pre-colonial history of Nigeria would then follow after the parade of regberegbes. The festival avails these classes of people the opportunity to simulate the battle shows and displays. Each of the families including the Otubu, Kuku and Balogun would file out with the leader of the family- in most cases the eldest in the family or his child or grandchild mounts upon horsebacks and dances to war-like drumbeats. The company also gave cash prizes to some age groups whose performances impressed Oba Adetona at the festival. While Egbe Bobakeye Obinrin Double T won N500, 000 as best Regberegbe in the female category, Egbe
Dr Mike Adenuga said his company had shown interest in the festival because its socio-cultural value complements Globacom’s vision to celebrate the unique accomplishments of Nigeria as a nation.
Gbobaniyi Obinrin Olori and Egbe Jagunmolu Obinrin came second and third and went home with N300, 000 and N200, 000 respectively. In the male category, Egbe Obafuwaji came tops winning N500, 000, while Egbe Jagunmolu Akile and Egbe Obaleke took the second and third positions winning N300, 000 and N200, 000 respectively Globacom, it will be recalled has been the festival’s main sponsor since 2006. It has also become an avenue for the company to bring its products and services closer to the grassroots. The town usually wears Globacom’s trademark lemon green colour as branded parasols, kiosks, and event-specific banners dot all the nooks and crannies of the ancient town. Globacom, this year fused a musical fiesta into Ojude Oba. The musical event which took place on the grounds of Equity Hotel in the heart of the town showcased artistes like Dapo Oyebanjo popularly called D’Banj, God win exponent, Korede Bello and Oba asakasa, Abass Akande Obesere who thrilled the excited audience to moments of exhilaration. In his goodwill message to the festival, Dr Mike Adenuga said his company had shown interest in the festival because its socio-cultural value complements Globacom’s vision to celebrate the unique accomplishments of Nigeria as a nation. He described Ojude Oba as a social melting pot where all divergent issues affecting the lives of the people are firmed up and where the sons and daughters of Ijebuland both home and abroad regard themselves as active players in the socio-economic project of development of Ijebuland. According to him, Globacom is mindful of the importance of the festival to the cultural and religious being of the people of Ijebuland, hence, its commitment to the sponsorship. ”This kind of commitment to diligence, excellence and avowed determination to contribute to the furtherance of social development which the Ijebus are noted for is the very essence of Globacom’s continued relevance as a frontliner in laudable initiatives in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.” The high point of the music fiesta was the Miss Glo pageantry which was a feature of the night. It witnessed an array of a bevy of beauties who stunned the audience in different attires and performances. Miss Kofo Odujo emerged winner while, Miss Adejoke Balogun and Miss Toyosi Anibi became first and second runners-up respectively.
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3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
Fowler: Challenges of increasing tax revenue
By Kasim Adegoke
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bout one month ago when his appointment as acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was announced, many Nigerians applauded the appointment. He had a rich background and antecedents in government revenue matters to flaunt. Mr. Babatunde Fowler, the chairman of Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) thus, assumed leadership of the FIRS almost immediately, pledging to work with state revenue agencies and relevant stakeholders to shore up tax revenue and improve on the country’s tax administration. While taking over the mantle of office from his predecessor, Sunday Ogungbesan, August 21, Fowler told staff members of the Service that the FIRS should be able to take the lead in tax revenue collection as well as share information and ideas with the States’ Boards of Internal Revenue to improve tax administration in the country. True to his character, he did not mince words when he assured of a new era at FIRS which would be predicated on the resolve of the presidency to ensure maximum increase in tax revenue to end the country’s dependence on oil proceeds. He said: “My vision and mission is neither to alter the existing management organogram structure in FIRS nor lay off management staff from their duty posts, but to take FIRS as well as the nation’s tax system to an enviable height. This we cannot achieve all alone without a robust partnership and collaboration of all stakeholders within and outside the system. We must build a synergy for a healthy exchange of information between FIRS and SBIR. “This synergy will produce the best form of revenue generation in the FIRS and the states in general as well as ensuring that over dependency on oil revenue becomes a thing of the past.” Fowler dismissed insinuations that he would introduce consultants to help him in tax assessment and collection in the FIRS. The use of tax consultants to collect taxes, a practice that is prevalent among state governments, has been criticised as illegal and open to corruption. At a meeting of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), in Abuja recently, Fowler said that the staff strength of the FIRS was not enough to undertake all that would be required in tax administration and as such, consultants would be engaged but their duties would be exclusive of tax assessment and collection. His words: “You can imagine a staff roster that can audit the books of well over 400, 000 corporate organisations. It won’t work. Therefore, to increase the level of transparency and accountability, we would engage consultants. But these consultants will only
gather data. The law does not allow them to undertake assessment. The law does not allow them to collect revenue on behalf of government. “Consequently, they will collect data; they are to assist our staff. We will do the assessment and issue the Demand Notice for the tax to be paid.” On his view of the level of tax payers compliance, the chairman regretted that slightly over 30 per cent of companies and other businesses pay tax in the country. A situation, which, he said, must change. According to him, “there are about 450, 000 corporate organisations with only one out of every three paying tax. Based on our objectives, we want to have at least 99.9 percentage success level of compliance. Meaning that every individual at the state level and every corporate organisation at the federal level is in the tax net and pays the appropriate type of tax. “We have exchanged information with all States’ Internal Revenue Boards. We have all the information on the database. We have given them out already and in case they need further information that they currently don’t have on their database, we will always collaborate with them. With this development, we should have a growth in tax payers both at the states and federal levels within one week.” Fowler warned that organisations that evade taxes would be made to face the law in order to collect outstanding arrears and Chief Executive Officers of such organisations could face criminal charges. The meeting, according to Fowler, was to enable the JTB fashion a roadmap to provide a workable tool for both the FIRS and the Internal Revenue Boards of the states with a view to raising the level of tax revenue in the country. Experts in the sector have been quick to align with the acting chairman on this note, positing that there are many stones left unturned as far as the country’s current tax administration processes are concerned. For example, they argue that it is common knowledge that the administration of the Value Added Tax (VAT), is greatly hindered by many factors, ranging from inadequate coverage of ‘VATable’ persons to no-remittances of VAT deductions. Tax revenue loss in this aspect can only be imagined. Fowler has so far been quick to respond to this obvious gap in revenue generation when he stated at a forum recently saying, “I have also identified the fact that there is deficiency on our part as tax administrators in terms of collaboration and cooperation in the areas of exchange of information for tax purposes.”
He said that the FIRS and the state boards would have to work with greater synergy in the areas of conducting joint audit exercises by FIRS and SBIRs; carrying out joint tax enlightenment and enforcement exercises; sharing and exchange of information concerning unremitted taxes identified by either side; embark on joint training programmes and workshop; review and amendments of tax laws and legislations from time to time. The acting FIRS chairman has no doubt sold his vision across the board for urgent implementation. Days ago he caused a representative to spread the message of his war against tax evasion to Kogi State. At that event, the FIRS called for a collaboration with the state’s Inland Revenue Service against current and potential tax evaders. Disclosing that a new technology designed to checkmate such tax dodgers, as being currently employed in the aviation and power sectors, would be deployed to other sectors very soon, the FIRS under Fowler gave the five areas of envisaged collaboration with the states as follow: Joint tax auditing; information gathering and sharing; joint training; education and sensitisation, and tax law review. Fowler was the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue from 2005 to 2014. He had his higher education in the United States where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Business Administration degree from the California State University. Before joining the service of the Lagos State government, Dr. Fowler worked in the banking sector for about 20 years with long stints at Credit Lyonnais Nigeria Limited and Chartered Bank. Under his leadership, the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue reportedly achieved a sharp increase in internally generated revenue from an average of N3.6. billion per month in January 2006, to an average of about N20.5 billion per month in 2013. Fowler, who holds an honorary doctorate degree of the Irish International University, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Business Management Association of the United Kingdom. With his coming to the FIRS, expectations are high that Fowler, who got the tax revenue generation right in Lagos, would in no time replicate his success in his current beat. Opinions, too, suggest that the Senate would, in all wisdom, confirm his appointment to enable him deliver with every authority of his office. Of note is the fact that the FIRS has not had a substantive chairman since the departure of Ifueko OmoguiOkauru in 2012. Adegoke is a media consultant based in Abuja
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newsfeature
Cattle rustlers profit from Boko Haram bonanza
The majority of the dead and wounded during the Zaria bombing were civil servants and primary school teachers, who had assembled at the Sabon-Gari local government secretariat for a biometric verification exercise regarding salary payment. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IBRAHIM/IRIN
A little girl feeds the family herd in Kaduna State
By Mohammad Ibrahim (IRIN News Agency)
M
ALAMA Amina stands quietly in the middle of her late husband’s compound in northwestern Nigeria trying to figure out how she will feed herself and her six children in the coming months. Thieves stole 48 cows during a raid on their village in Kaduna State earlier this year. Her husband was killed trying to save the herd. At an average sale price of $500 per cow, the family lost its entire life savings as well as its sole means of income. “They [left] us with nothing,” 40-year-old Amina told Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). “I don’t know how to take care of my children because we depended on the cows to survive.” Amina borrows milk from a neighbour’s cow and sells it to earn what she can, but it isn’t enough. Cattle theft has long been a problem in the region but the general insecurity caused by the militant group, Boko Haram, has emboldened seasoned rustlers, while others struggling with endemic poverty and unemployment have turned to it as a lucrative second ‘career’. The rustlers are not believed to have direct ties to the Boko Haram insurgency, which has killed more than 15,000 people and displaced more than 2.1 million, but they wage similar, armed attacks on villages, setting homes on fire and killing anyone who stands in their way. “Our people’s livelihoods are being destroyed by these bandits who kill and take away their animals,” Dodo Oroji, chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), told IRIN. Accurate numbers are hard to gauge as many thefts go unreported, but the association estimates that at the current rate, Nigeria will lose around 40 million cows to rustling over the next two years. Most attacks occur in remote villages, close to forested regions in the northwest where there is little security presence. Some rustlers, however, have become more brazen.
Former Vice President Namadi Sambo, for example, lost more than 1,000 cows to rustlers during one raid last year. Livelihoods destroyed Like Amina, most of the victims depend on these animals as their main source of income. Instead of depositing their money in banks, farming families often save their profits by investing in livestock. Though the big money comes from selling the animals during holidays or religious festivals, the animals are also used to plough fields and transport produce to and from market. Cow’s milk can also be sold daily to earn a little extra, while the dung is a key component of fertiliser for many farmers. Without the animals, crop yields are also expected to suffer. Once the cattle are gone, it can take years to build up a sizeable herd again. Many find it is impossible to recover financially. For all these reasons, many men are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect their cows. So as the raids have become more deadly, many families are also losing their main breadwinner. Britain’s Department for International Development estimates that the sale of Nigerian animal skins and meat amounts to more than $800 million in foreign revenue each year. It warns that unless the rustlers are stopped,
But the principal cause of the insecurity allowing the rustlers to operate with a sense of impunity is the hardest to address: the Boko Haram insurgency.
the economy in the north of the country could be crippled. “People are afraid to venture into the cattle business because of the increase in rustling across the northern region,” Abdiel Kude, Executive Director of the Global Community Prime Initiative, a local NGO that promotes livestock farming, told IRIN. “If people don’t want to venture into the business because they are not sure of getting good profits, it becomes a problem.” MACBAN’s Oroji said many farmers and herdsmen have begun migrating to neighbouring countries to keep their animals safe. This not only drains money away from Nigeria but it also uproots families. “Their migration affects the education of their children,” Oroji explained. “When they migrate, the children will be out of school, and because the parents spend more time rearing their animals they have no time to enrol the children in another school.” Fighting back Following a recent spate of attacks in Bimin Gwari, a town a few kilometres outside Kaduna’s main city, regional officials met in July to form a joint security operation to drive the rustlers out. It ended up recovering around 2,000 stolen cattle and arresting a number of suspected rustlers. “Already, our joint security personnel have begun operations in these forests that link our states, but we need to deploy more troops to that area to stop the criminals from terrorising our people in the villages,” Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, told IRIN. Nigerian authorities are now working with neighbouring countries to prevent the cross-border sale of stolen cattle and to return any stolen animals to their rightful owners. Officials from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger are also discussing ways to address the underlying causes. These include diminishing grazing lands, conflicts between nomads and farmers, and ethno-religious tensions between the various tribes. But the principal cause of the insecurity allowing the rustlers to operate with a sense of impunity is the hardest to address: the Boko Haram
insurgency.
No aftercare for Boko Haram bomb victims
M
USA was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. On 25 June, 2014, a suicide bomber believed to have ties to Boko Haram blew himself up at the busy Emab shopping plaza in the heart of the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Dozens were killed, many more injured. Musa, a 35-year-old businessman who loved the art of trade, sustained severe head injuries. He spent eight months in the hospital before finally being sent home, still suffering from seizures and brain damage. Unable to afford further treatment or a neurological operation abroad, he died from complications due to his injuries earlier this month, more than a year after the blast. There have been hundreds of bombings throughout northern Nigeria since the Boko Haram insurgency started in 2009. The frequency of such attacks has diminished slightly since July, following the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, but they still occur with alarming regularity. On 7 July, a teenage girl blew herself up in the ancient city of Zaria in northwestern Kaduna State. Twenty-six people were killed. The majority of the dead and wounded were civil servants and primary school teachers. Most recently, last Sunday, in the deadliest wave of attacks since Buhari took office, a series of four Boko Haram bombs ripped through crowded spots near the airport in northeastern Borno State’s capital Maiduguri, killing more than 100 people. Despite the raising of more than $400 million by a government-formed committee to support the victims of Boko Haram, many say they still face financial hardship due to prohibitively expensive treatment costs. “Victims are dying needlessly with deaths that could be avoidable if urgent and continuous medical attention was provided,” said Kayode Oladele Olatunji, chairman of the Bomb Victims Association of Nigeria. “We have cases of first-degree burns, cornea opacity, compound fractures, orthopaedic cases, limb amputees, [ear] damage, intensive nerve and tissue injuries,
and so on, all of which are in need of urgent medical attention.” Here is what some of the survivors had to say: Sadik Ibrahim, age 18 Injured during a 2012 blast in Kaduna State “I was training in my brother’s shop on the day the suspected suicide bomber was arrested trying to bomb the Thisday Newspaper office along my street. We rushed to the scene to have a look, but unfortunately the suspect threw a bag at the crowd and it exploded.” Ibrahim spent four months in a coma at the 44 Army Reference Hospital before being transferred to the Zaria Teaching hospital in Shika. “I was seriously injured… My left hand and leg are now partially paralyzed. I also can’t see clearly with my left eye.” He said the government helped pay for some of his initial treatment, but most of the costs, including prescription drugs, fell onto his parents, who have exhausted their savings trying to help him recover. “We really need assistance because my left hand and left eye are still not functioning well,” he told IRIN.
Musa Hassan
Injured during the 7 July attack in Zaria “The suicide bomber, a woman, came into the verification centre screaming ‘move, move!’ But before we realised what was happening, the bomb [she was carrying] on her exploded.” Hassan lost consciousness and didn’t wake up for many days. He spent the next few weeks in the hospital. “I was lucky… Many of my colleagues died on the spot because of the magnitude of the blast. It is a day I will never forget in my life as we are still traumatised and confused. We are just civil servants. We saw no reason why somebody would want to kill us.”
Ibrahim Aliyu, age 25
Injured during 2012 suicide bombing while selling newspapers “I was [working]… when it exploded,” Aliyu told IRIN. “I woke up in the hospital bed in cold blood. I was seriously injured. I lost my left eye and seven teeth. Now I use dentures given to me at the hospital. We are hoping the government will come to our aid, because I don’t have enough money to treat myself. I am just a newspaper vendor.”
Malam Hamisu
I was [working]… I woke up in the hospital bed in cold blood. I was seriously injured. I lost my left eye and seven teeth. Now I use dentures given to me at the hospital.
Father of a bomb victim injured during an attack in Kaduna in 2013 “I almost lost my daughter… on the day Boko Haram hit the city,” Hamisu said. “As a father, I was very terrified because I thought I was going to lose her because of the number of people killed. We were lucky though. She only sustained a fracture on her right leg.” His daughter, Lubabatu, spent more than a month in the hospital recovering from her injuries before going home to see a traditional healer. “I had to take her out of the hospital because I couldn’t continue footing her drug bills. As you can see, I am financially broke and we were left with no compensation.”
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Counter-terrorism: A call on Borno elite By Fatima Goni
T
HE signal we receive daily in counter-terrorism campaigns, especially from Borno State, is disturbing and alarming. The alleged conspiracy and seeming collaboration with members of the affected communities are also grave and disturbing, considering the sacrifice of Nigerian troops to curtail the excesses of the terrorists in the North-East region. More worrisome is the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari deliberately appointed top security officers from NorthEast, especially Borno, hoping that they could reciprocate the gesture by cooperating with the security agencies. It is indeed, very embarrassing that in three months, there have been at least three attacks in Monguno, the hometown of the current National Securiy Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd). There were similar attacks in the village of Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, in Biu Local Government Area also in Borno State. Also, the Nigerian Army has come out to publicly denounce the activities of Borno elders whom it accused of not cooperating enough with the military to end the war on terrorism but would rather profit from the escalation of the hostility. In a recent emotional statement, the Nigerian Army sent “a very strong and serious final warning” to some prominent individuals and political groups who hail from Borno State against sabotaging the efforts to end terrorism. The military stated that there was information of plans by some highly placed individuals and political groups to undermine and scuttle the fight against terrorism and insurgency in this country. According to the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Colonel Sani Usman, “the unscrupulous individuals and their cohorts were determined to reverse the gains made and scuttle our efforts of achieving the presidential directive to defeat Boko Haram terrorists within three months”.
The military further disclosed that the suspected groups of Boko Haram sympathisers were employing the services of marabouts and other unethical means in order to frustrate military efforts and the operations, in addition to campaign of calumny. While we may have reservations on the strategies of the previous administration of Goodluck Jonathan in counter-terrorism, we are aware of the successes recorded towards the tail end of that administration. In fact, the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, disclosed how the administration recovered over 22 local government areas from the terrorists and the liberation of Sambisa before May 29, 2015 handover date. Monguno, Baga, Bama and Konduga were among the local government councils in Borno State which were under Boko Haram for several months but were liberated before the change of government. The question bothering my mind is why terrorists are now coming back to attack communities in Borno State when most top military and security positions are today held by Borno people or officers from the North-East. Why is it that most of
the suspects and leaders of Boko Haram are Kanuri rather than Hausa, Fulani or other tribes in the North? Rather than engage in blame-game, Northerners, especially the Muslims whose religion is used by terrorists for their baseless and unwholesome jihads, should come out openly to condemn the atrocities as well as caution their backers and sympathisers to desist. It is interesting reading the response of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) which supported the Nigerian military in condemning some Borno elites who are alleged to be backing the terrorists. ACF as a northern socio-political group should continue to express strong condemnation of those those allegedly aiding and abetting the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East and other parts of the country as enemies of Nigeria. ACF urged the military to investigate the clandestine activities and other diabolical efforts of these politicians, expose and prosecute them to serve as a deterrent to others. Nigeria cannot afford to treat such unscrupulous groups or individuals with kid gloves at this time that all hands are on deck to restore peace and order in the North-East and the country in general. The military and other security agencies should conduct thorough investigation, arrest and prosecute all those involved. We should all support and encourage the military to take any lawful action against the so called prominent elders and politicians undermining the effort of the Federal Government to combat terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria. I strongly urge the current National Security Adviser, General Monguno, to wake up and proffer new strategies to ensure that the military accomplishes the task of ending Boko Haram in three months as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari. He should also join other community leaders and youth groups in Borno, the only state where Boko Haram operates, to appeal to the members to surrender or expect elimination. Goni wrote in through Fatimagoni1@yahoo.com
Obama, Putin:When same words mean very different things By Julia Ioffe (Foreign Policy) WHEN Russian President, Vladimir Putin, took the rostrum at the United Nations Monday morning, many noted the oblique shots that he traded with President Barack Obama, who spoke from the same podium before him. What struck me, however, was how similar the two men sounded and how they used many of the same words and concepts to accuse each other of undermining the very same words and concepts. “The United Nations is a structure that has no equal when it comes to legitimacy, representation, and universality,” Putin told delegates. It was, surely, a statement Obama could agree with. The UN, Putin argued, was still relevant despite the changing times. “There is talk now that the organisation, in the form in which it was created, is outdated and that it has fulfilled its historical mission,” Putin said. But meddling with its structures, Putin warned, “could lead to the collapse of the entire architecture of international relations. Then we really won’t have any rules left, except the rule of the strongest.” Not only is this also something Obama would agree with, it’s something he had said to the same gathering just a halfhour beforehand. “There are those who argue that the ideals enshrined in the U.N. charter are unachievable or out of date,” Obama intoned. “Effectively, they argue for a return to the rules that applied for most of human history and that pre-date this institution: the belief that power is a zero-sum game; that might makes right; that strong states must impose their will on weaker ones; that the rights of individuals don’t matter; and that in a time of rapid change, order must be imposed by force.” That, in turn, is something Putin would have agreed with — what he said was, after all, basically the same thing — if only the two men weren’t using the very same words to talk about very different things: To anyone who has followed the news in the last year-and-a-half, Obama was talking, quite obviously, about Putin’s annexation of Crimea and his invasion of eastern Ukraine. Without naming names, he was accusing Putin of going back to the pre-UN order, which was in effect a blow at the organization’s very foundation. Putin, on the other hand, spoke in veiled terms about the UN playing referee, of not allowing, in Obama’s words, might to make right. “We all know that after the end of the Cold War — everybody knows this — the world was left with only one center of dominance,” he said. “And then those who found themselves at the top of this pyramid were tempted to think that if they’re so strong and exceptional, then they know best. And that, in
turn, they don’t need to consult the UN, which, instead of automatically sanctioning and legalising the necessary decision, is often simply in the way.” This was, of course, a swipe at the United States for invading Iraq in 2003 without the UN’s approval, though Putin seemed to forget the UN condemning his adventure in Ukraine. There were many such strangely opposing overlaps: Both Obama and Putin talked about the rule of law and the importance of international institutions in maintaining whatever fragile peace exists in the world. They both invoked history as warning: Doom befalls those who contravene the established world order. It’s easy to dismiss these linguistic symmetries, to write them off as the blandishments befitting the 70th anniversary of a controversial institution or as mere cynicism. But I would argue that the two men used these words genuinely, that they believe in their meanings, and that the fact that they define those same words and concepts in such drastically different ways offers us a very important window not only into why Obama and Putin don’t get along, but why Russia and the United States so often and so fundamentally misunderstand each other. For Barack Obama, like for many of his predecessors, the ideal of the United Nations was about bringing the concept of the rule of law — the idea that laws, not individual whims, should govern a country — to the international arena, to regulate a historically chaotic and bloody playing field and to make it more like a parliament than a coliseum. That, at least, is the idea. Regardless of how the United States has used or misused the organization in the past, the hope that the UN can impose order on the gruesome entropy of international affairs is why someone like Obama believes the U.N. is sacrosanct. Putin also treasures the UN. He wasn’t lying when he said that. He said much the same the last time he addressed the body, at its 60th anniversary, in a speech that was remarkably similar to Monday’s. “It was in these walls,” he said in 2005, “that [the world] worked out a fundamentally new, non-confrontational world order.” Putin wants to see the UN live another 10, 20 years — but not because he wants to apply one set of rules to all nations. The UN is important to him because it enshrines the outsize projection of Russia’s geopolitical power through the country’s permanent seat at the Security Council — and, with it, the veto. In his speech, Putin spoke of the vital importance of other international bodies, like the G-20 and the World Trade Organisation. But their significance lies in the same basic fact: These bodies allow Russia to use its historic and unparalleled talent at bureaucratic maneuvering to punch above its weight. Putin cares
about the WTO, but it’s not because he’s a free marketer — just look at the oligarchy he has set up at home — but because it could undermine Obama’s Trans-Pacific Partnership at a time when Russia, stung by US and EU sanctions, is trying to pivot to the Asian market, too. The same is true when the two men talk about a certain postwar world order. In Obama’s mouth, the phrase evokes certain American ideals, however patchily or hypocritically implemented: human rights, democracy, and the idea that governments serve their people, not the other way around. It is about the democratic peace theory — the idea that democracies don’t go to war with one another. It is a force of progress and, often, progressivism. In Putin’s understanding, however, it is the vessel of a certain brand of stand-patter conservatism and, most significantly, statism. Putin, at his core, is a gosudarstvennik, a believer in a strong unitary central government. Another point where the word collapses: chaos. Russia, like America, wants to prevent chaos in the world, but they define the term differently. For America, chaos is human suffering. For Russia, it is the destruction of another term he threw around in his speech today: legitimnye gosudarstva, or legitimate states. This is why, in Putin’s logic, it is providing weapons both to Ukrainian separatists and Assad’s army. The former are fighting for the cause of the legitimate Ukrainian government overthrown last February, in Putin’s view, by a CIA coup; the latter are fighting to hold on against a batch of terrorists sponsored, or at the least encouraged, by the United States. When NATO acted to prevent chaos in Libya — “where,” in Obama’s words, “we joined an international coalition under a UN mandate to prevent a slaughter” — Putin saw it as the sowing chaos because it destroyed the legitimate state without replacing it with anything. This is why, back in 2005, Putin said that the collapse of the Soviet Union was “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the [20th] century,” and why he laughed on Sunday when Charlie Rose thought it meant that Putin wants to restore the USSR. He doesn’t really, but he genuinely believes that the collapse of the state was a tragedy and that it sowed chaos in the region — and he’s not totally wrong. In a way, Putin articulated best why he and Obama seem to talk past each other. “You cannot manipulate and play with words,” Putin told the General Assembly on Monday. “In international law, in international relations, each term must be clear, transparent, and must have a uniform definition and uniformly understood criteria.” Of course he was talking not about his own deft verbal gymnastics, but Obama’s — and there’s the rub. LOFFE contributed this piece to foreignpolicy.com
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Saturday Tribune
Jean jackets are back!
3 October, 2015
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Saturday Tribune With Kate Ani 08071080888 anikate92@yahoo.com
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3 October, 2015
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At this ‘holy site’ in India over 300 corpses are burnt everyday
T
HE Hindus are one of the most popular tribes in India. They have the belief that is very peculiar to them about the hereafter. Their belief is that the bank of Ganges, one of their rivers, is the most sacred place on earth to die.
As a result, according to the Daily Mail of UK, up to 300 bodies are cremated at the ‘sacred site’ everyday in what they believe will liberate the souls of the dead and make them to be reborn. So, in order to liberate the souls of the dead, the bodies
must first be burnt and so, many locals take the bodies of their dead for cremation there. It was gathered that this site has been used to burn the dead for over 3,000 years.
A body being prepared for cremation The body being taken to the ‘holy site’
Logs of wood placed on the body The body now on fire, ending the process
Bodies in various stages of burning
Saturday Tribune
A man carrying out the burning of his family member
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3 October, 2015
businessextra How responsive are Nigerians to life insurance policy? Gbemi Solaja - Lagos
A
DEWALE, 45, is a dashing married man, full of energy and enthusiasm for work. Blessed with a wife and four children, he had not hoped for anything less until he suddenly succumbed to a strange ailment that left him partially paralysed. With a very lean bank account at the time the ailment struck and a bungalow which had not been fully paid for, his hope of being a ‘responsible’ family man had suddenly disappeared before his very eyes. Prior to this, Adewale had believed he was the best parent that ever lived, and was determined that nothing could deprive his family of the good life. But what was the guarantee for the good life he had hoped for? He had heard about insurance and was not naïve when it came to such matters. Somehow, he missed out on a life insurance policy and never got one before the unfortunate incident. Fortunately still, Adewale’s group life insurance from his employer was intact. With this, his family was thrown out of a sudden life changing situation. The importance of group life insurance cannot be over stated. Group insurance, according to Investopedia, is “life insurance offered by an employer or large-scale entity; association or labour organisation to its workers or members. It is simply a product designed to provide life insurance to a group of people under a single master policy. The many benefits of group life insurance include providing “auto-cover” to the member or employee simply by virtue of being part of that particular group or organisation, tax benefits, ease in premium payment since the payment of the premium is not missed as it is deducted from the employee’s salary, thereby leading to continuity of cover as long as a person is part of that group. According to former Managing Director, ACEN Insurance Company Limited, Mr Emmanuel Oyetoyan, group life insurance
secures life itself. He maintained that insurance was the only thing that guaranteed safety and security of the assets belonging to a nation including human beings who work and therefore must be protected at all cost. For him, “In a properly ordered economy, all workers must be insured; so; he is taken care of and if any of them dies the family is compensated. Those families who are compensated cease to be dependent on others but if nothing is coming, you can imagine what will happen to them. Every individual must be sustained by insurance because that is the only way the economy can remain buoyant and strong because when you reduce dependencies, social insecurity and social miscreants also reduce and the result is that the burden of the society becomes less. However, while majority of Nigerian workers expect their employers to offer life cover under group schemes, it has been found that only few employers actually provide the facility. Most of the employees Saturday Tribune spoke with expressed deep worry about their family’s financial security, their children’s education and welfare in case of premature death . They concluded that they were concerned about lack of comfortable lifestyle even if they manage to reach retire-
Only one of ten Nigerians that we spoke with said that they would take life insurance without support from employers.
ment age. Operators heaved a sigh of relief when the Federal Government started including premium for group life insurance in the annual budget and N14,690,036,516 was allotted as premium for Group Life Insurance for all Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDA), including Department of State Security (DSS) in the 2015 budget passed by the National Assembly. But, there is increasing worry for the fate of Nigerian employee. Many are of the view that in an environment where citizens are not outright law abiding, an important concept like this must be enforced. Managing Director, LASACO Assurance Limited, Mr Olusola Ladipo Ajayi, recommended prosecution of group life insurance violators Quoting the Pension Act 2014, “every employer shall maintain a Group Life Insurance policy in favour of each employee for a minimum of three times the annual emolument of employees and that premium shall be paid not later than the date of commencement of the cover,” he said. Section 6b of the Act equally states that an employer that fails, refuses or omits to make payments when due shall be liable for payment of claims arising from the death of such employee for failing to arrange life Insurance cover. He added that this provision had not only helped to reinvigorate the work force within the industry, but has also enhanced profitability. He regretted that majority of the employers in the private sector had not been adhered to the law and stated that violators be made to face the consequences of their actions. According to reports, even the Federal Government failed to pay up premiums in past years. For instance, it was gathered that for the year 2012, only in the month of November did the Federal Government pay 41 per cent of the group life insurance premium to affected insurance companies. The remaining 59 per cent of premium was never paid. Speaking further, Oyetoyan who called for a deeper understanding of insurance, implored
Saturday Tribune
Edited by Sulaimon Olanrewaju
lanresulaimon123@gmail.com 08055001708 Nigerians to take up individual life insurance policy even without their employers. “Even when your employer insures you from group life you can have personal accident insurance. Though I’m not working for anybody yet I have insurance in case of any accident. Individuals too can take up personal life insurance in addition to the group life insurance,” he stated But in a chat with Toyin Gbolade, who manages her own company, she said, “things are very difficult in this country. We manage to work here. The environment is too harsh for business. As for me, we try for our workers. I have just three workers here and the law does not mandate life insurance for that number. But after we try to pay salaries and even be an employer in the first place, should we start worrying about paying premiums again? I don’t think this is a country where such laws should exist. They should only exist where there are better conditions for living.” Oyetoyan said people who expressed financial instability could take up other forms of life insurance; for instance, Term Life Insurance, a form of coverage over a specified time period, which can often be renewed or converted to a permanent policy. Term coverage offers a death benefit, but no cash value. It is a good option for people who cannot afford high premiums but still want coverage, or people who have short-term coverage needs. Offered through the group policy, this can be very affordable for employees now, but offers less stability long term because premiums can greatly increase upon renewal. The Permanent Life Insurance has been defined as any coverage besides Term insurance and it includes whole, universal and variable. Premiums for permanent coverage start out higher than term, but are usually more consistent throughout the life of the policy. In addition, this coverage offers a death benefit paired with a cash value savings component, so it is of more value later in life. In her own view, Mrs Ekanem Ilo, a freelance journalist said, “I know the importance and meaning of life insurance and providing a good life for my family whether I’m alive or not is my greatest desire. So, why would I not want to buy it? But the simple truth is, I would rather worry for this life first before I start thinking about what I don’t know. God knows everything and he will take care of that. But on a more serious note, I think things are too difficult that is why people are not buying insurance. I am a freelancer for the company I work for which means that I don’t have anything like life insurance but do I even care? All I am concerned about is living everyday; tomorrow will take care of itself.” In a country where many struggle to survive, it is not unexpected to hear such responses. Speaking recently in an interview with an online medium Managing Mr Ajayi, who suggested that access to credit was the most effective way to deepen insurance in the country, asserted that there were serious issues on the side of the society. According to him, because people have to struggle to buy a car and build a house and in some cases manage to eat, by the time they finish, pockets are already empty. “And then somebody is talking about fire that will never occur in probably three years or accident or death no one knows about. You will just simply say God will take care of that,” he said. According to Ishola Ismail who works in a microfinance bank, “I spend most of the time at work thinking about money and personal financial issues. So, it is not enough to talk about insurance at all. Even as an employee, I am seriously worried about my finances, the stress is just too much.” Only one of ten Nigerians that we spoke with said that they would take life insurance without support from employers.
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3 October, 2015
ntertainment News
Society Gist
Genevieve, Eucharia Anunobi are back! —P31
Why fuji artistes are polygamous —Osupa —P32
Kim Kardashian to bring forth Christmas baby —P32
Maheeda goes
completly nude —P30
Damns fans religion and reactions
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with oan
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Celebrity Interviews
30 entertainment
3 October, 2015
Kim Kardashian set to give birth on Christmas day
Maheeda goes completely nude
KIM Kardasian sure knows how to remain in the news for whatever reason. The controversial reality Tv star is reported to be expecting her second child on the 25th of December, 2015, which is Christmas day. According to TMZ, Baby West will arrive on Christmas and the couple have reportedly booked a deluxe maternity suite at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. The reality Tv star already has a baby named North West for her eccentric musician hubby, Kanye West.
•Damns fans religion and reactions
H
IGHLY controversial gospel cum hip hop musician, Maheeda who is known for posting semi nude pictures on instagram rather than her songs has gone more daring this time around. The musician, during the week posted a picture baring her bare boobs on instagram, tagging it fuck what you , your religion or whosoever think. One of her fans immediately rebuked her saying “ Sweetheart, leave some to the imagination like you have been doing. Don’t let it all out. But an unconcerned Maheeda later posted on her instagram page “I love freedom. Enjoy today , be you, be free” she posted.
Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber dominate MTV EMA nominees list THE nominees in all 2015 MTV EMA categories have just been announced through MTV’s international Snapchat Discover channel. International superstar, Taylor Swift is leading the way with a recordbreaking nine nominations, including three nods to her global hit track, Bad Blood for Best Song and Best Video, as well as brand new category Best Collaboration for her alliance with Kendrick Lamar. The 2015 MTV EMA will broadcast live across Africa on Sunday 25 October at 21:00 GMT on MTV (DStv channel 130) and MTV Base (DStv channel 322) from the Mediolanum Forum in
Milan, in partnership with Expo 2015. In the same race is Justin Bieber, who is up for no fewer than six MTV EMAs, boosted by the global success of his current charttopping track What Do You Mean? The 2015 MTV EMA will also see 2014 host Nicki Minaj and 2015 MTV VMA host Miley Cyrus face off in the Best Female category, as well as a host of other top-musicians.
DJ Xclusive bids bachelorhood goodbye
Flavour, Olamide set to thrill at Basketmouth’s ‘Lord Of the Ribs’ show POPULAR Comedian, Basketmouth has announced that Favour, Olamide, Vector, Mi, Wizkid amongst other top Nigerian musi-
Genevieve, Eucharia Anunobi get back into Acting JUST as we thought we were bidding some of the best hands in Nollywood farewell, entertainment just got better with the announcement that prolic Nollywood actresses, Genevieve Nnaji and Eucharia Anunobi have returned to the industry. Saturday Tribune gathered that Genevieve Nnaji, who hasn’t acted in any movie for over two years, will be featured in a new movie entitled ‘Road to Yesterday’ produced by T.E.N (The Entertainment Network) and directed by Ishaya Bako. The movie also introduces Nigerian-British actor, Oris Erhuerho. Also, actress cum en-
vangelist, Eucharia Anunobi, recently joined TV series, Tinsel as Claudia Ojeme, the wife of Japheth Ojeme and mother to Jared, whose character is supposed to urge her son
Saturday Tribune
give up of his passion of becoming a professional biker. The Glamour girl star, is currently a serving evangelist at a church in Egbeda, Lagos Nigeria.
cians, will perform at his highly anticipated show “The Lords of the Ribs” which is set to hold tomorrow at Eko Hotel and Suites. The comedian urged his fans to come and laugh away their sorrow and asked people reportedly begging him for free tickets to desist from it saying on his twitter page “And that’s the upfront I’m paying for the venue, food and drinks for the VVIP guest, yet people will be calling to request for free tickets like the show doesn’t cost money to put together. God dey sha.... all those awoof people,make una no let me naked swear for una oh.” He further added “come and laugh away your sorrow. If you have no sorrow come and laugh with those that have”.
CELEBRITY disk jockey, Rotimi Alakija, better known as “DJ Xclusive” who got engaged to his dj girlfriend in July 2014, is set to marry her this weekend The couple will had their traditional wedding during the week , while their white wedding will take place today. T h e C o o l FM and EME DJ and his fiancée have invited close friends and the who-iswhos in the industry and are expected to have a starstudded but intimate wedding.
32 entertainment Saheed Osupa is one artiste that knows his onions in the world of Fuji music. In this interview with JOAN OMIONAWELE, he speaks on his early days as a musician and other issues.
Why most
Fuji artistes are
polygamous
—Saheed Osupa
Y
OU have been singing for over two decades, how have you been able to preserve your voice? There is a secret that I would not really like to reveal. If you know you are using your voice to sing, you don’t talk too much, that is why I make sure when I’m talking, I don’t talk too much. I can sing too much but I don’t talk too much. I avoid unnecessary conversations in order to preserve my voice. Apart from that, nothing else How has life been as a Fuji artiste since you started? It has been rough but now it’s smooth.
I believe what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. I am a Yoruba artiste and I teach people my language with my songs. I have to let people know the value of my language through my songs.
3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
It’s normal when you start a business, you need to pay some dues. There are a lot of unforgettable encounters. I’ve had many encounters with people who fight during the shows. You think it’s because of the security so you get another security and in the next show you still have the same type of problems you had. These days we have some Fuji artistes collaborating with hip hop artistes. Are you thinking of collaborating with any young artiste? I have already done about thirteen tracks of hip hop now but people are asking me to collaborate with other famous hip hop artistes. I am trying to do so but I believe in my God-given ability so I don’t think I need to collaborate with anyone to give me what I want. Some Fuji and hip hop artistes sing lyrics that don’t contain morals, what message do you have for them as a stakeholder in the industry? I don’t have much to say to them because they believe that is the next thing in life now. Its what is in vogue but I don’t believe in today, I believe in tomorrow. I do things that people will make reference to in the future. However, people believe in instant things. They want people to dance to their songs right now, they don’t think of the future. It depends on people’s thinking. I do what people will appreciate now and appreciate more in the future .I can only advise others to think like that. You make use of the Yoruba language in a unique way when you sing, what’s the secret behind it ? I believe what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. I am a Yoruba artiste and I teach people my language with my songs. I have to let people know the value of my language through my songs. That is why I sing the way I sing. Do you think Fuji music is making waves the way it did back then? Fuji music has been in existence for a while but other genres come and go. That is what hip hop is like now, although there are some hip hop artistes that stylishly sing Continues on pg33
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Continues from pg32
fuji music. This is why I decided to sing hip hop songs on my own so they will know I have that versatility. Just like one of my songs, African Beauty. I also did a song with Shoki beat about Yoruba culture. And another song about my mum like Olori Oko. Where is your mum now? She’s dead. What impact did she have in your life? She did a lot and when she died I felt it. Most of the wise sayings in my lyrics are from her. If there is reincarnation, I’d love her to still be my mother. Most Fuji artistes don’t speak good English but you do. What’s your educational background? I have a National Diploma. Why did you choose to become an artiste? Music is a natural talent. If you have it in you, then you have to nuture it. When I was in America, I was frustrated and then I decided to go and join the US Marines. The level of promotion of African music was very low. It was only Fela that was well promoted. I tried to promote my Fuji music there but I needed to put in a huge amount of money, so I decided to join the Marines. I went for the exams and they were highly impressed and they said they would put me in the nuclear section and they gave me a hundred thousand dollars. They also offered me a house with a zero down payment. The offer was so likeable but I had a rethink about it and decided it was not what I wanted. I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t regret it in the future. I left Chicago and went to New York . Who was the late Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister to you? The late Dr. Barrister was my father’s junior brother. They came from almost the same place because their houses were very close. He used to follow my father when my father was singing then. My father’s parents did not want him to be an artiste so he stopped. Do you see yourself above any other Fuji artiste in Nigeria? I don’t see myself as that, I only see myself as being gifted. There are people with inbuilt talent that they don’t discover. They don’t know they have the ability to do this because they don’t try it.I thank God I have been able to discover mine. I cannot say I’m above anybody, it’s other people that can say that, not me. I’m not fighting anybody, we are all friends. Is there any rivalry between your and Wasiu Pasuma Ayinde? That one is an issue of superiority. I cannot say it’s gone but I cannot say it isn’t. During the Ramadan, a cleric asked the two of you to come out and settle the rift, is this true? The rift cannot end. There is no lousy rivalry . I know you’re Muslim, but why is it hard for Fuji artistes to keep one wife? As a public figure, if you are married to one woman, she will be scared that others will take you away from her. That’s how the problems start .If you cannot maintain the marriage, you split and take an-
‘I want all my children to get educated before they go into music’ I believe what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. I am a Yoruba artiste and I teach people my language with my songs. I have to let people know the value of my language through my songs.
other wife. As a man you cannot be alone. If you live alone, you tend to invite all types of girls. If the new wife doesn’t trust you, the same thing will happen again. Are your children taking after you, is there any interested in music? About three or four of them but I don’t want them to do it because I want them all to go to school. I did a song with my 20-year old, Real Money. I have the collabo here and I can play it for you. He’s in 300 level now at the University of Ilorin. I told him when he is through with his education, he can sing.
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Saturday Tribune
with Tunde Ayanda ayandaayotunde@yahoo.com 08034649018
Party time for Reno Oghene FOR the posh owner of G-MYT, Reno Oghene, this is a time to wine and dance. The lady, who is a top model for Orange Drugs celebrated her birthday recently with a statement that has brought her the attention of the Lagos event planners. The birthday party had in attendance a large number of celebrities who are friends and colleagues of the model. The chairman of Orange Drug, Tony Ezenna, was also present and shared part of the fun of the event where Reno was serenaded with a birthday song by singers, Skuki who were contracted to thrill guests at the party.
Isaac Fayose revamps Valentino Paradise ISAAC Fayose surely knows what time it is as he prepares the resurrection of some of his ailing businesses. Fayose, one of the brothers of Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, and the Chief Executive Officer of Alibi TV, has set his mind on the revival of his entertainment business starting with the renovation of his Valentino Paradise hangout in Ibadan, Oyo State. The hangout was opened some years ago and it competed for sometime with other popular nightclubs in Ibadan before its owner’s relocation to Abuja. The hangout once housed the Le Mervielle and La Guliano nightclubs before their closure which later prompted Fayose to take over the business. Fayose has commenced the re-construction of the building.
T
OP society woman, Ada Osakwe has returned to the social radar where she deserted for a long time. Ada, a senior special adviser to the former Minister of Agriculture, Akinwumi Adesina, was spotted at
Ada Osakwe is back on the beat a function recently in Lagos. The woman, who relocated to Nigeria from the United States of America has developed her understanding with Nuli Juice, a company that manufactures fruit juice, which is fast taking over the mar-
ket and earning Ada some cash. Many were thrilled to see Ada coming back to the party scenes and they didn’t fail to show this as she stood for hours enjoying embraces and backslaps.
Chief Folarin Coker steps out FOR a long time, no one in the social circle could lay claims to seeing popular Lagos politician, Chief Folarin Coker in public which some were attributing to old age but the nonagenarian dispelled rumour when he stepped out recently to the surprise of many of his admirers. Chief Folarin whose son, Folly, was listed among the new commissioners in Lagos was a guest at the burial ceremony of one of his friends. The 94-year-old politician despite his old age looked agile and did not hide his joy when he spotted old friends and family members. The influential man, popularly known as ‘Baba Eto’, is a staunch supporter of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Something new from Deola Layade Top confectioner and Chief Executive Officer of Exquisito Cakes, Deola Layade has added a new bite to her services. The young woman, who organises the Cakes and Bread Connosieurs, an annual exhibition of cakes and pastries in Ibadan, Oyo State, now has the Exquisito-Donut, which has become the favourite to many of her clients and cake lovers. The new bite is designed to add to the varieties for top events and end of the year celebrations.
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3 October, 2015
seniorcitizen
Saturday Tribune With Kate Ani
08071080888
anikate92@yahoo.com
No president can short-change the Yoruba and go scot-free —Senator Adefuye Business mogul and Secretary-General of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Senator Anthony Ogungbemi Adefuye, in this interview with KATE ANI, speaks about his life and times and on some national issues. Excerpts:
C
OULD you let us into your background? I was born on August 14, 1944, in Lafiaji, Lagos State, to Mr and Mrs Christopher Adefuye.
Are you the first child of your parents? No, I am the fourth of 22 children. How many wives did your father have? He had four wives. My mum is the first.
What was it like growing up in a polygamous family? Growing up in a polygamous family was fun in those days, especially in Lagos, where it was everybody for themselves or with their mums. During our time, fathers were just to procreate while the mothers took care of the children. So, we spent most of our time with our mums. So, there wasn’t any bickering or fights among the wives or children as is usually the case in a polygamous family? No, it was not very common. The bickering was usually between my father and any of his wives. The wives respected one another according to seniority. All the others respected the most senior wife. Did you have any remarkable experience while growing up in that kind of environment? When I was growing up, I had a small body frame. One day, I came back from school for the Christmas holiday. There was this girl in my street that also came home for the holiday. We were both Catholics and were on our way to the church on Christmas Eve. Midway to the church, I was chased by a bulky boy. He was bigger than me. I ran as fast as my leg could carry me back home and fortunately, my father was at the gate when I ran in. He asked me why I was running. I told him about the big fellow that chased me all the way home. ‘This one?’ he said, pointing at the boy.
‘Come on, get out and face him,’ he said. I said, “ha! Daddy, can’t you see how bulky and strong he is?’ He shouted at me to go out and face the battle. I went out and this lad started giving me blows and I became his punching bag… (cuts in) Your father was there watching? He was there watching. And then he told me I could use any weapon, since it was a street fight. I dipped my hands into the sand and threw it into his [the bulky boy’s] eyes. While he was trying to clean his eyes, I jumped on him and gave him more blows than he gave me. Before he knew what was happening, food was coming out of his nose. Since then, I have always had
It is unfortunate that this is happening but it is not as bad as the last government. At least, we have the number two man in Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. We are waiting to see other appointments before giving our reaction. I am not going to say because the president is from my party, I won’t say anything. If President Buhari dares us, we will dare him.
confidence to stand up and fight, no matter how big the problem is. That experience served as a lesson: stand and fight, don’t just run. Let us into your educational background At first, my education was tough because I was from a polygamous family. I went to St. Mathias Primary School, which was even by chance. I was hawking fufu when some people who were registering children for primary education accosted me. They asked for my name and then registered me with a new Christian name, Anthony and gave me a registration card to show that I was registered to enter primary school. When I got home and showed the card with my new name on it to my father, he was confused. He asked who Anthony Adefuye was... (cuts in) what is your birth name? My birth name is Ogungbemi. I tried to explain to my father that it was because the school was a Catholic school that they gave me the Christian name. He angrily marched me back to the school and demanded to know the person who registered me with such name. He insisted that it was either I went by the name ‘Ogungbemi’ or he won’t allow me to attend that school. The school authorities agreed with him. I later got baptised in that school and chose the name Anthony, since it was the name that the school had already chosen for me. After my primary education, during our time, one had to strive for scholarships. I went to Holy Cross Preparatory School and was charged 10 pounds per session. My mum asked if she could pay twice and the school agreed. She asked again if I could start immediately, the teacher said yes but I insisted not to start that day but the next day. The reason I said so was because I didn’t know where my mum would get the five pounds… Continues pg37
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3 October, 2015
weekend cartoons
Saturday Tribune
Adeeko Olusegun adeeko.olusegun@yahoo.com 0811 695 4638
Just a Laffing Mata Segeluulu with his
POLITICO
barber friend
Segeluulu walks into a barber’s shop and asked,’ Can I get a haircut?’ The barber looked around the shop full of customers and said, ‘About two hours.’ Segeluulu left. A few days later Segeluulu stuck his head in the door again and asked, ‘How long before I can get a haircut?’ The barber looked around at the shop and said, ‘About three hours.’ Segeluulu left. A week later Segeluulu visited the shop again and asked, ‘How long before I can get a haircut?’ The barber looked around the shop and said, ‘if you can wait for an hour, you’ll get it done.’ The Segeluulu left. The barber turned to one of his apprentices and said, ‘Hey, Kulubo, do me a favour, follow that guy and see where he goes. He keeps asking how long he has to wait for a haircut.’ A little while later, he returned to the shop, laughing hysterically. The barber asked, ‘So where does that guy go whenever he leaves?’ Kulubo looked up, tears in his eyes and said, “To your wife.”
FUNOLOGY
The rich & the poor man A rich man was in the back of his Hummer jeep while on his way home, he saw a poor man eating grass by the roadside. He ordered his driver to stop and investigate the matter. ‘Why are you eating grass?’ he asked the poor man. ‘I have no money for food,’ the poor man replied. ‘Oh, please come to my house!’ ‘But sir, I have a wife and eleven children…’ ‘Bring them along!’ the man said. They all climbed into the Hummer. As they were going, the poor man said: ‘Sir, you are so kind. Thank you for taking all of us to your house.’ The rich man replied, “No, you don’t understand. The grass at my house is over 4 feet tall it will be enough for all of your family members.”
Nollywood actress blasts colleague over belly-exposing outfit
37 seniorcitizen Why I was attacked at Abiola’s burial —Adefuye What about your dad, was he not in support of you going to school? He did, but there were so many of us. He chose a child from each wife to send to secondary school. I asked my mum where she intended to get the money from. She said I shouldn’t worry; that she would melt her gold and sell it. And because I knew how the money came about, I made sure I was serious about my studies so that I could win a scholarship. I later got scholarships to Kings College, Loyola College and St. Gregory College but only as a day student. I didn’t want to be a day student because I would still be subjected to hawking fufu. Even while in primary school, my mates would make jest me, calling me omo oni fufu (cassava pudding seller). Since I didn’t want that to happen, I had to settle for the scholarship at Yaba College of Technology Secondary School, which afforded me the opportunity to be a boarder. During those four years in school, I sat for several GCEs and passed so may A-levels. After completion, I was employed as an account clerk in Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), which is now called Electricity Distribution Company. ECN sponsored me to Ibadan Technical College, Ibadan, to study Mechanical Engineering. After that, they sponsored me to Yaba College of Technology for HND in Mechanical Engineering. It was from there that I went to the University of Lagos, where I graduated with honours in Mechanical Engineering.
How did you come about the Olugbon of Lagos and the Sobaloju of the Source titles? I was given the title of the Olugbon of Lagos by the Oba of Lagos at that time, Oba Oyekan and the Sobaloju of the Source title was given to me by the late Ooni of Ife. I was the last person he honoured with a chieftaincy title before he passed away. Your name is synonymous with the June 12, 1993 presidential election saga, what role did you play at that time? Well, during that period, I was one of the major supporters of Chief MKO Abiola in achieving his presidential bid. I was in the Senate then and I played a major role to ensure that he became president and he won the election. It was the annulment by General Ibrahim Babangida that caused the whole trouble. Along the line, there were divisions, and different factions were formed. Some people teamed up and took positions from the [Sani] Abacha–led government. Of course, I never took any positions from the Abacha government… (cuts in) But you were accused of secretly supporting Abacha, hence your being publicly attacked and humiliated during Abiola’s burial? Remember, I told you there were divisions and those people
Saturday Tribune
to 25 key appointments in Nigeria, there was not a single Yoruba person. Not even as vice president, Senate president, Speaker [of the House of Representatives], at appeal court, supreme court, central bank governor, NTA director-general and so on. We then decided to go and visit Goodluck Jonathan in Aso Rock and table our concerns. He promised to set up a committee and that before three months, he would call us back and look at how to solve the problem. Seven months passed and we still didn’t hear from him. We booked another appointment with him. We told him we waited for his summon and that he hadn’t done anything concerning our request. It was like he wasn’t interested in addressing the issue. He only favored the Igbo and the Hausa. Having seen the neglect, should I now go to another election and persuade the people to vote for him? I must be a bastard Yoruba man to do so. I received so many threats because of that statement.
Continued from pg35
How did you foray into politics? During my days at the University of Lagos, I was involved in school politics. I became the treasurer of the students union. I was one of those who initiated ‘Gowon must go.’ Also, it was during our time that they wanted to start the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and I was one of those who insisted that we would not partake in the oneyear exercise. The programme eventually started after our set graduated. Also, I was one of the organisers of the infamous Ali-must-go protest. He was the minister for education then. It was from there that I developed interest in politics. My friend, Yemi Adefulu, was the president of the students union, while I was the treasurer. He comes from Ilisan, Ogun State, and Ilisan were neighbours to Ikenne. During the days of the UPN, when they were looking for someone to fill the post of organising secretary, he suggested my name and Papa [Obafemi] Awolowo invited me for an interview. At that time, I was a senior manager at an engineering company. I went for the interview and papa was happy when he heard me say I was the right person for the job. When it got to salary, I was offered N6,000 per annum and of course, at that time, graduates were earning N750 per annum. Although N6,000 was big money, it was peanut compared to the N32,000 I was earning at my place of work. I told papa that I won’t be able to forgo my salary for the N6,000 offer and he laughed. He said ‘Tony, this is a political position that people are fighting and struggling to get, and are even ready to do for no salary. But we offered you N6,000 and you are saying that it is small.’ I told him that I was already living like someone earning N32,000. So, instead, I volunteered to be donating that N6,000 to the party every year; that if he didn’t mind, he should take somebody else. He asked why I wanted to make the donation from my salary and I told him that if not for him, I wouldn’t have been where I was today. I said the free education he started enabled me to stand before him and earn my salary at my place of work. That was how I plunged into politics.
3 October, 2015
But President Muhammadu Buhari seems to be toeing the same line. The key appointments he has made so far were given to the North? Well, it is unfortunate that this is happening but it is not as bad as the last government. At least, we have the number two man in Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. We are waiting to see other appointments before giving our reaction. I am not going to say because the president is from my party, I won’t say anything. If President Buhari dares us, we will dare him. Really? Oh, yes. Nobody dares the Yoruba people and goes free. No! That is why we don’t dare people. But if you dare us, we will dare you.
She said I shouldn’t worry; that she would melt her gold and sell it. And because I knew how the money came about, I made sure I was serious about my studies so that I could win a scholarship. started to spread falsehoods about me. During the transition, we formed a party that was called UNCP and it won all elections in the South-West. I led that party. That was where I offended them. It was the humiliation of defeat at the elections that pushed them to say that I was pro-Abacha. That was why I was attacked at the burial. Was that attack the most humiliating experience of your life because you were almost stripped? Well, the problem was that if I had allowed my supporters to react, it would have resulted in something different. I just sacrificed myself and told them not to react but to find their way out of the place. But I am happy today that most of those who instigated those people against me are no more. Some of them who are still alive are politically dead. I left them to God and MKO because most of these people worked against MKO’s interest. Was that why you refused to run for another political position when your tenure as senator expired? No, I decided to focus on my business. During Abacha’s regime, I was hunted like a rat and my businesses were destroyed. I later supported Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who was the presidential candidate of the [Peoples Democratic Party] PDP, being a Yoruba man. But when he became president, he also turned against me. Why? His reason was that when he came to Owo for Afenifere meeting, I insulted him and told him off, which was true. He didn’t mention that when I was supporting him for president. He said so only after winning and I just decided that well, if this was what I would gain from politics, I should stay away from everybody and build my business and that was how I was able to build my business back. You seem to have a strong dislike for former President Goodluck Jonathan, judging by your comment in Ibadan some months back, during a campaign for Buhari, that only a Yoruba bastard would vote for Jonathan… I don’t hate Jonathan. What happened was that as the secretary-general of the Yoruba Unity Forum, we always look out for the interest of the Yoruba. It does not matter whether you are in party A, C or D, but as Yoruba leaders, we would ensure that the Yoruba nation is not cheated in the central government. We looked at it that from number one position
So, are you telling President Buhari that if he shortchanges the Yoruba, they will deal with him? I don’t think he will short-change us, but if he does, we will complain. The Yoruba are not a people you offend and go away with it. President Buhari is a man of his word. I am only worried about all these newly appointed officials who seem to be all Fulani. President Buhari will be a good president for Nigeria. He is a good man. I think we should all be patient and wait. Let’s talk about Senator Bukola Saraki’s case with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). Some people believe that he is being witch-hunted by powers that be in the [All Progressives Congress] APC? I don’t believe that. I think it is karma that is catching up with him. Why are they not witch-hunting you? If you commit a crime, no matter how long it takes, if there is enough evidence, you will be charged to court. Some people have demanded for his resignation, what would be your advice to him? Honestly, I don’t know, but if I were him, I wouldn’t let it get to this stage before I step down and allow a president temporal to be appointed. After I clear myself, I take my position back. The circumstances that surrounded his emergence as Senate president may not encourage him to do so… Well, that is his headache. If he refuses to toe the party line, then, he is on his own. Who is suffering now? That is not witch-hunting. If you decide you want to team up with the opposition to fight your battle, nobody can hold him back. PDP has already started to shop for a possible replacement, should the seat of the Senate president be declared vacant. Does your party have any candidate in mind? No, I don’t know. We are not hunting Senator Saraki. We are not foreclosing the decision of those who have accused him. He would go through the system and then if he is cleared, no problem, and if not, that is his headache. Honestly, it is a very simple matter that he made public. It was because he refused to appear in court when he was first summoned that all this is happening. What was your first encounter with Mama HID Awolowo like? I met mama for the first around 1977/78 when I was getting close to Papa Awolowo. Papa would always invite me to dinner and because I was allergic to onion, he would tell mama not to forget that I didn’t take onion; that she should prepare mine specially. So, anytime I showed up for dinner, they always made my food specially and mama never complained for one day. She would always laugh and ask me why I didn’t eat onion and I would explain to her. She was always a mother to all of us. She was very accommodating but didn’t harbour people that were not straightforward. When you were saying something that mama did not agree with, she would say, ‘iiishh!’ and turn sideways. She won’t attack you but cleverly end the conversation.
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politics&policy
3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune With Saheed Salawu
0811 695 4643
yinkadejavu@yahoo.com
Guber poll: APC’s national profile won’t help it in Kogi in November —Yomi Awoniyi Kogi State deputy governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, in this interview, speaks on the forthcoming governorship election in the state. BOLA BADMUS brings excerpts:
W
HAT do you say to some stakeholders’ criticism of the conduct of the PDP’s primary ahead of the governorship election in November? It was a free and fair governorship primary. I am happy that the governor won overwhelmingly. The most remarkable event of that day was that while the counting of votes was still on, Alhaji Jubril Isah Echocho stood up, walked over to my boss and shook him and they hugged. I joined them. The three of us hugged. He pledged to work for the party’s victory at the November poll. The media is full of rumours and all sorts of things, but Alhaji Echocho is a man of his word. He will be part of the campaign train.
During the election that ushered in the APC-led Federal Government, there were lots of issues. The APC won the presidential and National Assembly elections. Two weeks after, the PDP won the House of Assembly election in Kogi State. The House of Assembly election is a local election. The issues are more local.
Governor Idris Wada has clinched the party’s ticket for the poll, why is he seeking a second term? Governor Wada is desirous of a second term to complete the projects he started in his first term and also to do more. When this administration came on board, the first priority was to complete all ongoing projects. These include the secretariat building, the waterworks in Lokoja, various road projects, the diagnostic centre, the vocational centre and other projects. With the completion of those projects, the governor embarked on new projects, which he was able to do by accessing the bond market. The ongoing projects include the motor park in Lokoja, College of Medicine, Akaragba, various water schemes, township road in Lokoja and by-pass road. We are striving to complete these projects and initiate new ones. What are the issues that will likely shape the coming governorship poll in the state? There are many issues confronting our state at the moment, but Governor Wada is always on top of every situation. For instance, he has not defaulted in the payment of salaries, so, there is no industrial dispute in the state. Owing to the importance attached to the welfare of workers, the NLC has also been showing understanding and giving cooperation to our government. Another issue is that of power rotation. There is so much agitation by the people of west and central senatorial districts for power shift. We in the PDP are committed to power rotation. The PDP is committed to power shift in 2019 to either the west or central. Other things that will shape the election will be the personality of the candidates. Our people are aware of the antecedents of the candidates. At the end of the day, they will make the right choice. What is your assessment of the candidates? I have good relationships with all the candidates. I know Prince Abubakar Audu of the APC very well. Chief Philip Salau of the Labour Party (LP) is my immediate predecessor. Governor Idris Wada is a fine man, worthy of respect. I have worked with him in the last three and a half years. The people can assess them. I can only talk about my boss. He is hard-working, humane and diligent. He has sacrificed a lot to ensure that Kogi State made a lot of progress within the context of the scarce resources. But what is your reaction to some people’s description of Audu as the builder and father of Kogi State? He was the first civilian governor of Kogi State. He was also the first governor in this dispensation [which started] in 1999. Prince Audu had the benefit of being the pioneer governor. But some of the things he did we are doing again; maybe it is because they were done over 20 years ago, they are decaying. For example, the Lokoja Township Road, for the first time, we are trying to do proper drainage to make the road last much longer. Development is a continuous process. Alhaji Ibrahim Idris was there for about nine years. He did a lot of things --- roads, schools and clinics. Within the limit of the resources we have today, Captain Wada has done well. So, the cap still fits Captain Wada.
What are the conditions you think will guarantee free and fair governorship election in November? Impartiality of all the institutions and agencies involved, including the [Independent National Electoral Commission] INEC, the police and the support facilities. I know the Federal Government is on the track of honesty, truthfulness and anticorruption. Election manipulation is the height of corruption. It corrupts the democratic process. If we can ensure that the democratic process is not corrupted, there will be free and fair election and we stand to benefit from that type of arrangement. How is the state government tackling security problems like kidnapping and onslaught of Fulani herdsmen against farmers? Kogi State has a peculiarity: it is located in the centre of the country and we are surrounded by nine states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This creates a lot of entries and exits. Compared to other states, we have more boundary disputes. The herdsmen are nomads who move around the country. The rift between Fulani herdsmen and farmers is a national problem. A few days ago, a respected elder statesman was kidnapped in Ondo State. This is why the government of Idris Wada is interested in the ideas of the Federal Government about having grazing reserves. It will go a long way in curbing this criminal movement of herdsmen. We as a government will continue to sensitise our farmers to try and accommodate these herdsmen and not indulge in violence as a means of settling dispute. We have made some progress there. We have a situation where some of these herdsmen carry out armed robbery, but with the support of the police, we have been able to stop that to a large extent.
On kidnapping, we had an unfortunate spate of kidnapping in the state. It was a racket. But the moment that racket was broken, kidnapping stopped. There was a time Boko Haram insurgents were flushed out of the North- East and some of them came to our state, so, we had an upsurge of attacks, especially in the Central Senatorial District. But the citizens, working in concert with the police, were able to come together to assist the government in arresting the situation. But following the jailbreak in Kotonkarfi, crime reared its ugly head again. It was alleged that suspected Boko Haram insurgents went to the DSS office in Lokoja to secure the release of detained suspected members. This is a national problem but we as a government are ready to cooperate with relevant security agencies to ensure that Kogi State is safe. That is one of the major achievements of the administration of Captain Idris Wada. Our youths were used for thuggery and arson but now, we have been able to inculcate in our youths, better values and they now shun vices. We have programmes that have taken our youths off the streets and into gainful entrepreneurial concerns. Is the second term ambition of Captain Wada not being threatened by the rising profile of the APC, which is now wielding power at the centre? The PDP remains the party to beat in Kogi State. During the election that ushered in the APC-led Federal Government, there were lots of issues. The APC won the presidential and National Assembly elections. Two weeks after, the PDP won the House of Assembly election in Kogi State. The House of Assembly election is a local election. The issues are more local. They are issues dear to the people. The candidates are very close to the local people. With the strength of the PDP in the House of Assembly, it is evident that the PDP is on ground. So, I am not worried by the national profile of the APC. It is not an issue. A level playing field will be provided for all parties to contest for the governorship of Kogi State and I am sure the PDP will win.
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3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
I support protests against Okowa over DESOPADEC —Frank Kokori
Chief Frank Ovie Kokori was the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) during the struggle for the deannulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The elder statesman speaks with EBENEZER ADUROKIYA on sundry national issues. Excerpts:
W
HAT is your take on the 100 days of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta State? I won’t judge him yet, till after about six months in power. There were insinuations that Okowa recently tried to manoeuvre himself into the APC. Were you aware of this alleged move? Okowa would not manoeuvre himself just like that. They also said that [former governors Emmanuel] Uduaghan and [James] Ibori would come to the APC. I have heard the rumours before. There is no way they will come to APC; they are the backbone of PDP. But if they do come, we will welcome them, but they will queue behind. That is the way it is, because we have the structure already. If the governor comes... in any case, they are at the tribunal, so, I won’t say much about that. But if he decides to come to APC, then we will put him through our manifesto, accountability and everything. However, we don’t see how they can cope, because in APC, you must do things the right way. The state governor has repealed DESOPADEC law of 2006 and this has led to some ethnic agitations. What is your take on this? Well, DESOPADEC is another conduit for corruption in Delta State. It is the biggest conduit for stealing government funds. I know that the oil-producing communities are fighting Okowa on this. They know that Okowa is from non-oil producing local government and community; they don’t benefit from DESOPADEC funds. The little I know about it is that they are saying he wants to spread the money allocated to the board to the 25 local government areas. Obviously, it is the host communities that bear the brunt of the degradation and environmental hazards and they won’t accept that. So, you are in support of the stand of the protesting host communities? Why would I not be in support of it? I know the pains of the oil-producing areas. It is so devastating. You should see the degradation - aquatic life, eco system, everything destroyed. They are finished in those areas. So, that is the problem. You can’t even get good drinking water. It is just unfortunate that the leaders of Delta and other South-South states have actually dipped their hands too deep into the resources of their states instead of using them to improve the living standards of the people. They have diverted the resources to their private pockets. They have forgotten the people. The people are docile, but then the militants sprang up from these areas and when they were being properly taken care of, they forgot their mandate for the government to work hard; they were being spoon-fed so heavily, especially by former President Goodluck Jonathan, that in the process, the people were short-changed. If you go to the creeks, everything you see is the poverty of the people. Even at times they don’t have ordinary drinking water. It is different from those of us who are on the mainland who can dig a well or a borehole. Over there in the creeks, you dig and dig and you won›t find water to drink. So, it is the government that can take care of such things like giving them water, electricity, roads, because they are very expensive in those areas. The APC in Delta State is divided along ethnic lines, particularly prior to the governorship election. Is the party now one in the state? We are trying to make it one. It is not really divided along ethnic lines. What do you mean by ethnic lines? The Urhobo have a lot of people in the [Peoples Democratic Party] PDP. They also have a lot of APC members. Actually, it is the Anioma agenda that gave us some problems in the APC. Even some of our stalwarts in the area decided to follow the agenda. The issue of disunity in the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) executive ahead of the elections has further polarised the ethnic group. What are you doing about the development? That is very unfortunate, because the UPU is an organisation that the Urhobo respect a lot and I think the present problem we are having is that the present UPU leader was not really elected; he was just one of the deputies. Even in those days, it was a life position. The earlier leaders were people with pedigree. The PDP infiltrated the body because of the last election which they took as a do-or-die affair. They infiltrated
It is just unfortunate that the leaders of Delta and other South-South states have actually dipped their hands too deep into the resources of their states instead of using them to improve the living standards of the people. They have diverted the resources to their private pockets. every place and used money to bribe a lot of people. Even the Yoruba who were noted for objectivity and progressiveness were influenced with dollars and they too started speaking in tongues. Leaders from the South-South and South-East were speaking in tongues after returning from the governors’ mansions and Aso Rock. They spoke in tongues and they tried to deceive their people. PDP was so desperate to corrupt every institution in the country in order to retain power. So, in the process, UPU too was corrupted and a lot of things happened. That is the factionalisation you are seeing in the union today. That notwithstanding, the UPU has a lot of respect and I think they will put their acts together very soon. Do you think the APC has been well-represented at the ongoing governorship election tribunal? Yes, we are lucky to have a man like O’tega. He can fund his campaigns properly without the party. He can fund his legal battles. O’tega is a successful businessman, banker. We are well represented. The lawyers are there, tough lawyers and I am sure that the elections will be annulled probably with the acceptance of all those documents from INEC recently, because the number of votes out-shorts the card readers far ahead and that has been probed. We have a few APC leaders
in Delta North who are genuine APC members. But most of them are bowing to the Anomia agenda which is, to me, very unfortu5nate because people like us believe in good governance. The PDP cannot put a stop to corruption in the state because they are all birds of a feather. I don’t expect much from Okowa’s regime because he can’t step on toes. If he steps on toes, he steps on his own toes. That is the problem. The PDP should be swept out of Delta State, even the entire South-South. They are too corrupt and they celebrate corruption. People who celebrate corruption cannot give you good governance and that has been the mantra and the cradle of the PDP. They celebrate corrupt people. As a Marxist socialist who fought the status quo with activism, what would you want to be remembered for? I want to be remembered for what I did for my country. That’s all. I want history to judge me properly. I want to be on the right side of history. During the June 12 struggle, when Pascal Bafyau, the president of NLC, was trying to sell out, I said, ‘Pascal, the NLC has decided on this and now you people have gone to Aso Rock and you are speaking in tongues. If you want to join the right side of history, join me and let us fight the battle. If you don’t want to join the right side of history, you be on the wrong side of history, I will be on the right side.’ Today, I am on the right side. I want to be on the right side of history and that is why I am a free man. I stay in the heart of Lagos, off Ojuelegba. You know, the masses are in that area of Lagos and if I had messed up in the June 12 struggle, they would have burnt my house, but they protected me throughout the time. Even in this village, my people protected me throughout. Anywhere I go, they protect me. Even if I go to the airport and there is only one seat remaining, those boys still respect me. They say ‘Baba Kokori.’ The people would tell the younger ones, ‘that is the Kokori you have been hearing about during the struggle.’ Even though they say the Nigeria Police is corrupt, when they meet me, they give me respect. I have no regrets. Look at Buhari, he has been compensated. It is his integrity that gave him victory. If not, how could he win Plateau and Benue states, those two Christian states? He got the whole north and then the whole of the South-West. So, there is no way the Niger Delta, with their rigging, could defeat him. I pray that God will give Buhari the strength to sanitise this country and after he has put this country on track, nobody again will be able to take us out of that.
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feature
3 October, 2015
Is the office of the First Lady a vital govt institution?
Saturday Tribune
By Stella Benjamin (NAN)
O
NE of the topical discussions at the recent 55th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was on “Office of The First Lady: An Important Institution in Governance or an Additional Cost of Governance?’’ Discussants at a breakout session by the Women Lawyers Forum at the conference observed that the topic was apt in addressing the controversy that the existence of the office had generated in recent times. The conference, held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, from August 21 to August 28, drew the crème de la crème of the judiciary and other prominent Nigerians. Some discussants at the conference recalled that the title “First Lady’’ was first used in 1849 when the then United States President, Zachary Taylor, ascribed it to his wife, Dolley Madison, at her funeral. They observed that the title, however, became popular in the US in 1877 when the subsequent US presidents used the title for their wives. They also traced the history of the title in Nigeria to the period of Mrs Flora Lugard, the wife of the first colonial Governor-General of Nigeria, Lord Frederick Lugard. The title’s popularity in other climes notwithstanding, critics have asked whether or not it has relevance in governance in Nigeria, especially when the office requires fund to function. Apparently reacting to the critics’ opinions, Mr Yunus Usman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), opined that “the position of the First Lady is as old as creation” He said: “The first lady was Hauwa’u – Eve — the wife of the first man -- Adam. The maxim that beside a successful man is a woman amply described the impact of a woman in the life of her husband. “It also explains why the success story of any leader may be incomplete without the role of his wife; a woman is indeed to her husband a help mate and to any leader, a partner in progress.” Usman said that although “the office is not recognised constitutionally, it has brought about significant development in nations across the world, including Nigeria.” He recalled that with the exception of first ladies during the first and second republics, successive first ladies in Nigeria had embarked on several development projects, especially those that promoted women’s interests. “During the First Republic, Flora Azikiwe [wife of the first president of Nigeria] played largely domestic role and was rarely involved in affairs of government. “But when the former military President Ibrahim Babangida came to power in 1985, his wife, Maryam, departed from the old norm and set the pace to promote the office, inaugurating Better Life Programme for Rural Women as her pet project. “The subsequent wives of Nigerian leaders -- Mrs Maryam Abacha, Justice Fati Abubakar, the late Stella Obasanjo, Mrs Turai Yar’Adua and Dame Patience Jonathan -- have also contributed to governance in their capacities as wives of the heads of the country by running some development organisations,’’ he argued. In spite of this viewpoint, political analysts argue that the roles played by the first ladies can as well be played by a minister of women affairs. But some analysts insist that a minister might not be able to exert the same influence as that of the wife of the president. They argue that wives of presidents have, somewhat, acquired a degree of political influence by virtue of being important unofficial advisers to their husbands on important national issues. “Whether we like it or not, the wife of the president is the first lady. It is worrisome that Nigerians want to deny the wives of presidents and governors the respect accorded their husbands. “These women suffer the same fate with their hus-
Maryam Babangida
Whether we like it or not, the wife of the president is the first lady. It is worrisome that Nigerians want to deny the wives of presidents and governors the respect accorded their husbands.
bands in most cases. For instance, the late Kudirat Abiola, who would have been the first lady, was assassinated during a political struggle involving her husband, the late Basorun M.K.O Abiola. “In the same way, Mrs Aisha Buhari was attacked in Ilorin when she was campaigning for President Muhammadu Buhari, so, they are involved in the struggle, why would they not participate in such government’s formation? “Definitely, there will be no budget allocation to the office of the first lady as it cannot use public funds to execute projects, but I think it is not unlawful for her to accept voluntary donations for her pet projects,” Usman observed. In her view, Mrs Onari Duke, wife of former governor of Cross River State, said the role she played was largely complimentary to that of her husband. “When Donald was governor, the state’s focus was on tourism, agriculture and job creation, so, my complimentary roles largely boosted the components of the programmes and others. “For instance, in early 2000, a rating outfit classified the state as the one with the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the country. “My project -- Women Arise -- rallied the women and encouraged them to fight the spread of the virus in the state. “We agreed that nothing will preclude us from changing the classification via sensitisation of the public to
the dangers of the virus. “We, therefore, ran an aggressive campaign across the state and in collaboration with appropriate agencies and authorities and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS scourge dropped by 50 per cent within 18 months,’’ she said. She recalled the importance of the famous quote by Martha Dandridge Washington of the United States of America that “as first ladies, our office is not in the American Constitution but definitely in the hearts of the presidents. In most cases, we shape their decisions in office not from office tables in the White House but at matrimonial meetings held between only two of us at the odd hours of the night in the bedroom. But do not mislead him, for the sake of your country.” But Mrs Nana Oye Lithur, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection in Ghana, said that some African countries such as Namibia, Cameroun, Sierra Leone and South Africa had formally recognised the office of the first lady. She argued that African first ladies had performed diplomatic roles at sub-regional and national levels, thus meriting formal and legal recognition of the office. She called for increased advocacy for formal and legal recognition of the office of the First Lady through African Union and regional economic communities. Sharing similar sentiments, a former member of the House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said that the office of the First Lady should epitomise the best of the Nigerian women. “The office of the First Lady or wife of the president is an important one that should be managed as it is currently being run without a budget,’’ she cautioned. Analysts, nonetheless, admit that in the contemporary society, the role of the first lady has metamorphosed from the traditional role of hosting dinners and state receptions in honour of the president’s guests to being in the forefront of shaping certain state policies. They, therefore, call for the provision of parameters for the guidance of spouses of public office holders to check the abuse of the role of the office. According to them, defined guiding principles for holders of public office and their spouses will ensure good governance.
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sport
3 October, 2015
Saturday Tribune
How I was detained for eight hours in Congo — Nigeria Wrestling Federation boss, Igali
President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Dr Daniel Igali was in the news a few days ago, after he was detained on arrival at the Brazzaville International Airport for the just-ended 11th All Africa Games. Igali, who a gold medal for Canada in wrestling at the Sydney 2000 Olympics was later released after about eight hours in captivity by the people who were supposed to play good the hosts to him. The intervention of the National Sports Commission (NSC) officials and leadership of the Nigerian embassy in Congo saved the Olympian from further ‘detention’. In this interview with Deputy Sports Editor, NIYI ALEBIOSU, the Bayelsa State-born Igali whose wrestlers at the just-ended Games finished first on the medals chart with nine gold, five silver and four bronze medals speaks more on his ordeal. Excerpts:
H
OW were you able to leave the airport? It was really shameful the way I was treated at the airport. At the immigration spot right at the airport, they just kept me there and said that my name was not on the list. I said how can I have accreditation if my name was not on the list. I am the president of the Wrestling Federation in Nigeria, I’m the chairman of the technical commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, why should my name not be on the list? I was kept there till about 10 pm before I was allowed to leave the airport. I was there for more than eight hours. And some people at the NSC don’t even know that I was detained. They don’t see it as something that the press should hear about because it gives them a bad image. Until it was done to them, I wonder if they would think that it was not detention. I could not leave the place (airport), I had to stay there, there was no food. If that was not detention I don’t know what to call it. What effort did you make to let them (security operatives) listen to you? They refused to listen, they said that they wanted to talk to the Embassy. The Embassy man there even said he will write an undertaking on my behalf but they refused to listen. That they needed to go and write another letter with our names on it because there were three other people that came. They went and brought the letter, still it was the same story. It was until the Ambassador came around when this issue became news in Nigeria. Some television stations reported it and it was then they called them. It now became a diplomatic issue. I don’t have their telephone line here, if not I would have called the Canadian Embassy.
They would have seen how quick it will take the Canadian Embassy to sort out my problem. But because you live in Nigeria, Nigeria is a place where only people in
government, who are in high places think you are, that the person of my status will be at the airport for no reason and be kept for eight hours and they think that it is not supposed to be heard by the press. I’m not a spokesman of the National Sports Commission, that was what I was told. Did you inform NSC immediately? Forty-five minutes after I got into this situation, I called the Director-General (Alhassan Yakmut) and he called people at the NSC to come with a letter. In fact, that letter did not come for about four hours, and when the letter eventually came, they still took about two hours. So I was somehow kept in a place without access to water or food for over six hours and they (NSC) were telling me that I don’t have a right to tell my journalist-friends this is what I was undergoing. In any airport, I don’t care where the airport is, it can be in the South or North Korea, as much as I have not committed any crime, except they are telling me I am not a high-ranked sports official here.
Igali with the Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medal.
Which of the Ambassadors came to your rescue? The Acting Ambassador here in Congo. The Director-General (Yakmut) had to send him to come and bail me out. In fact, he told me because of the way the issue was going, DG personally sent him to come. That if he comes it would have been a diplomatic crisis, that is why the Acting Ambassador had to come. So he came and they were able to finally resolve the matter after my eight hours of detention. But it is a known issue now and I’ve put it behind me. It’s just that I would have felt that they (NSC) would have said what happened was unacceptable and there should
So I was somehow kept in a place without access to water or food for over six hours.
be a public apology, but I didn’t expect them to tell me that the press should not have heard about it. I am not a kid, that I come to this sport does not mean that somebody is going to shut my mouth, even when my right had been infringed on. For eight hours I was detained at the airport despite the fact that I have accreditation. if it had happened to them, would they have liked it.? Did the Congolese apologise? No, nobody apologised. I don’t care if they do that to their people, don’t do it to me. I am an international citizen, I am an important figure in sports and I made my status known to them. Apart from the fact that I’m coming for sports, I am a parliamentarian and there are rules that guides parliamentarians when you travel. So, my detention was malicious, wicked, dehumansing and unacceptable.
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3 October, 2015
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Dipo Ogunsola 081 169 54 641
Gerrard shows friends LA hospitality
Tran
Depay
Depay, girlfriend in Manchester hotspot M emphis Depay rewarded himself with a shopping trip to Selfridges in Manchester following his first Premier
League goal against Sunderland last weekend. The Manchester United forward was joined by model Karrueche Tran, 27, as he hit the shops on Monday afternoon.
Both Depay, 21, and Chris Brown’s ex-girlfriend attended the same hot spots on Saturday as they were pictured by the Daily Mail outside Suburbia nightclub and Club LIV.
Depay has scored four goals in 11 games since sealing a summer move to the Red Devils - with his latest strike helping United move to the top of the Premier League.
Ronaldo’s jolly shave Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo appears he’s in high spirits. Ronaldo has scored 321 goals for the Spanish giants with sports daily AS leading with the former Manchester United forward on their front page. Ronaldo posted an Instagram snap while shaving and captioned the post: ‘My bros making fun of me while I am shaving!! Good face eh?!’ And AS led with the picture on their front page, headlined ‘Ronaldo prepared for the record’.
Ronaldo
Former Liverpool and England captain, Steven Gerrard appears to still be enjoying the LA life... and he’s brought two old friends along for the ride. The LA Galaxy midfielder, who scored the winning goal for his side against FC Dallas last Sunday, celebrated the successful result with a meal out alongside two old friends, who are professional footballers in their own right.
Ian Craney and Ian Dunbavin, both from Liverpool, The Sun reports travelled out to the United States to watch their old friend in action, and were delighted to see him net the winning goal in a 3-2 victory. The trio, all wearing sunglasses and dark shirts, headed out in LA following the match, with Gerrard even stopping for a quick snap with a fan.
Dinner with the Carolls
West Ham striker Andy Carroll (second left) shared a picture on Instagram after hosting team-mates Aaron Cresswell (left), Winston Reid (second right) and Joey O’Brien (right) for dinner.
W e s t H a m striker, Andy Carroll clearly loves to play host, judging by his latest Instagram posts. C a r r o l l Billi Mucklow (second right), Carroll’s fiancee, poses with Joanne shared a Martin (left, Joey O’Brien’s wife), Jess Unsworth (second left, Aaron p i c t u r e Cresswell’s partner) and Yana Reid (right, Winston Reid’s wife) of himimage ‘Come dine with the self with West Ham team- Carrolls’. mates Aaron Cresswell, The couple have a pink Joey O’Brien and Winston theme throughout the Reid on the social network house including a neon pink site, with the group suited beauty salon and pink sofas. and booted for a dinner at Carroll’s West Ham side his house. has made an encouraging And Carroll’s fiancee, Billi start to the Premier League Mucklow, uploaded a pic- season with away victories ture to her account with the over Arsenal, Liverpool and WAGs and captioned the Manchester City.
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Iheanacho returns against Newcastle MANCHESTER City manager, Manuwel Pellegrini has confirmed that Kelechi Iheanacho is available for selection against Newcastle United today, and maintained that his team can win without influential skipper, Vincent Kompany. The Nigeria junior international, who has a goal in three Premier League appearances this term, has been nursing a problem that ruled him out of his side’s 4-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. However, Pellegrini has declared the young midfielder fully fit, while revealing that Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri and Kompany are out to injury. “Vincent Kompany, Clichy, Delph, Nasri and Toure are injured. Mangala is on the squad list and so are Kelechi and Bony,” Pellegrini told the club’s website. “Kompany’s calf is still injured - we’ll see if he’s fit after the international break. “It’s not been a normal situation to have so many injury cases - against Sunderland we had 11 injured. I hope after this break, most of them will be fit.”
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Eagles to pocket $6,000 each for Belgium friendlies
E
ACH each Super Eagles player will pocket $6,000 for the two friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon later this month with coach Sunday Oliseh earning double that sum. A source disclosed this to AfricanFootball.com adding that: “It will be a flat rate of $3,000 per game for the matches in Belgium, meaning each player will be paid $6,000 for the two matches and their ticket fares reimbursed.” It is possible that savings on the play-
ers’ fares may have been responsible for an upward review as the Eagles previously received an appearance fee of $2,000-aman. The Super Eagles will face DRC in Antwerp on Thursday, October 8, and then the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Sunday, October 11. The matches are aimed at preparing the three-time African champions for next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against either Swaziland or Djibouti.
Super Eagles’ hitman, Ahmed Musa
I’m sorry for being rude to the media—Ronaldo
Petrovic, sacked via facebook
Coach sacked in Bosnia via Facebook COACH of Drina Zvornik, Vladica Petrovic got a shocker of his life when he logged on to the social media and find out that he had been sacked! The club which occupies the bottom on the Bosnian Premier League table with just two wins from 10 matches, posted a message on its official Facebook account, revealing that the trainer
C/Palace A/Villa B/mouth Man City Norwich S/land
had been relieved of his duties. Petrovic replied to the post, writing “thanks for the notice”, and his post received over 270 likes. Petrovic has now expressed his surprise at the way in which the story has been received across the globe, in an exclusive interview with Goal. "I never expected to be so popular this way. Yes, they really sacked
me via Facebook! That was the way I found out about it,” he said. “FC Drina are among my Facebook friends and as I logged in to check what was up, I saw their post. I posted a "thank you for announcing me" comment, more as a joke, waiting to see what will happen, but I never thought my comment would gather so many likes!"
CRISTIANO Ronaldo has apologised for being “a bit of a bastard” to the media at an event to celebrate him equalling Raul’s record as Real Madrid’s all-time leading goal scorer. Ronaldo broke Raul’s record of 323 goals for the Madrid club with a brace in the 2-0 Champions League win over Malmo on Wednesday night. The double in Sweden also took the former Manchester United forward passed the 500 career goals mark, joining the ranks of prodigious goalscorers such as Gerd Muller and Ferenc Puskas. But at an event organised by Real, with his team-mates and coaching staff present, Ronaldo chose to thank those who had helped him throughout his career and also apologised for the way he has treated the media recently. “I am very happy, thanks to my team-mates because without them this would never be possible,” Ronaldo said. “Also thanks to all my coaches, (Manuel) Pellegrini,
(Jose) Mourinho, (Carlo) Ancelotti, (Rafael) Benitez. They have always helped me, the equipment managers, the physios “I also thank the media, because I know that lately I’ve been a little bastard with them, but it’s my way of being.”
Ronaldo
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