5th November 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 1,176

SATURDAY, 5 NOVEMBER, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

Tinubu nominated me •Laments that as VP —Osinbajo Nigerians are suffering pg8

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

N150

SPECIAL TREAT

How to prevent cancer with turmeric

pg36

Buhari will hand over to another Fulani —Olaniwun Ajayi

pgs32&33

Afenifere chieftain dies 48 hours after expressing fears over Nigeria pgs4&5

My vision is to empower 10 million aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs

—Bamitale Alimi, CEO, Tale Alimi Global pg9

Uproar over death of cadets in NDA 53 others expelled

pg8

We’ve recruited 200,000 graduates at N30,000 per month —FG pg36

Ondo PDP ticket: Appeal court

fixes Monday for hearing

pg6

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi speaking with Saturday Tribune on Wednesday, in his Isara, Ogun State home. PHOTOS: D’TOYIN

Buhari, Awo Foundation, govs, Afenifere, pgs4&6 others mourn Ajayi

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5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

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5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Beautiful actress, Olayinka Olukunga-Ademo, popularly known as Nnenna, is rarely known by her real name. The Lagos State-born actress, who commenced her career in the make-believe industry after a brief romance with modelling, is the anchor of the children show, Nnenna& Friends, a franchise of Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP).

The mother of twins, who won the heart of many with her role in Nnenna, A gift of love, TV series, told NEWTON-RAY UKWUOMA, among other things, that she is living her dreams.

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OT many people know that your real name isn’t Nnenna.

Yes. My real name is Olayinka Olukunga-Ademo. I am from Lagos State and I am very Nigerian.

But even your curly hair doesn’t look Nigerian.

Yes. I get that a lot. People just say different things about where I came from. Some say I am Spanish, some Indian, some Mexican, you know, different things. Sometimes, I wonder. I am completely Nigerian, from Lagos State.

Where did you get your looks from?

My paternal grandmother. I was told I look exactly like her.

She died before I was born. She was Nigerian, but of a mixed blood. Her own mother wasn’t Nigerian, but her father was.

So, the gene was from my grandma.

Would you say your look opens doors for you?

No. I think God opens the doors. It is just the grace of God. One thing I do is that I take things the way they come. I know God is taking me places. And I know I am not there yet. I am just letting Him lead me. I am not in a hurry. I believe, if it is yours it will come, and it will stay with you. That is basically the theory I have lived by over the years. It has really helped me.

How did you acquire the famous Nnenna stage name?

I got Nnenna from a Super Story series called,“Nnenna, A gift of love,” a Wale Adenuga Productions. After the series, everybody fell in love with the character. People began to call me Nnenna, especially children. That was how the name stuck.That was also how we started Nnenna& Friends. My name is Nnenna and children are my friends.

Nnenna& Friends has become quite a brand. Tell us about it.

Yes. It is possibly a household name. Children, parents have somehow heard about Nnenna& Friends. If you haven’t heard of the live shows, you must have heard about the magazine or the Nnanne& Friends educational tour that we do around the world.

For kids that want to participate in any of your events, how should they go about it?

For the live show, it is open to everybody. We have had two shows this year at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos: one on Children’s Day, (27th May) and the other on Independence Day(1st October).The Brain Power Game is open to children in Lagos State. We work with schools only. This programme sees children compete with one another in subjects like English Language, Mathematics and General Studies. It is open to primary and secondary schools in Lagos. Best three students are given award prizes. Participation is free. And for the educational tour around the world, parents of interested kids could give us call to enrol their children. Once we have planned the trip, the adverts will be on all our programmes.

Interested parents could just give us a call. Then we can give them the necessary information about the event.

My first movie role was just a scene, but now, I am living my dream s — Nnenna of Nnenna& Friends

How many years have you been in the industry?

About eight years now.

How did Wale Adenuga find you?

First, I started as a model. I had done some jobs for companies like Petals, Relaxer, Dudu Osun, Visafone among others.

I was really active then. But sometimes, I would go for movie auditions. In one of the auditions for the Papa Ajasco series,I was given a scene. That was my first movie experience. You know, for someone who is passionate about acting, there are no small roles. There are only small actors. That one scene

was a big boost for me. It was from there I was featured in an episode in Super Story where I play an Indian lady. After that, I got the Nnenna role.

What did you study?

I studied Marketing at the Lagos State University.

As a kid growing up, what were your fantasies?

As a child I always wished I was an actress. I wanted to do something that bordered around acting. I also wanted to do things with children. But the form it was going to take, I Continued on pg15

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news

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Afenifere chieftain, Olaniwun Ajayi dies at 91 Buhari, Awolowo Dosumu, Ooni, Atiku, govs, others pay tributes Bola Badmus, Clement Idoko, Olayinka Olukoya and Seyi Gesinde

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chieftain of the pan Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, died on Friday at the age of 91, drawing emotional messages of condolence from across the country.

The prominent Yoruba leader who, 48 hours before his death, spoke exclusively with the Saturday Tribune, died before 12 midnight on Thursday, according to his personal secretary, Mr Samson Aremu.

(See his last interview on pages 32 and 33) The Isara-Remo-born politician was reported to have complained of pain on Thursday afternoon and was taken to Lagos by one of his sons, Dr Konyin Ajayi, SAN. He died hours later.

Sir Olaniwun was born in Isara-Remo on 8 April, 1925, to Mr Benjamin Awoyemi Ajayi, a farmer and Marian Efundolamu Ajayi, who traded in farm produce to sustain the family.

Sir Olaniwun had his early education at Islamic Primary School, Epe, where he schooled for three months and later enrolled into a primary school in 1937 and completed his primary education in Ode-Remo afterwhich authorities of the school engaged him to teach there due to his intelligence and excellent result.

Sir Olaniwun later attended Wesley College, Ibadan, Oyo State, for a four-year teacher’s course. After leaving Wesley College, Sir Olaniwun became a supervisor of schools for the entire Remo and Ijebu province.

He attended the London School of Economics and Political Science where he read Law and also studied to become a chartered secretary. In October 1962, he returned to Nigeria and worked with the UAC for six years. After his resignation from UAC, Sir Olaniwun was appointed by the then Governor of Western State, Brig. Gen. Oluwole Rotimi as commissioner for education and two years later, he was appointed commissioner for health. After about three years of public service as commissioner for health, he went into private practice as a lawyer.

Buhari mourns President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of Ajayi and the

Afenifere on the death of one of its oldest surviving members, Sir Olaniwun.

Buhari also commiserated with the government and people of Ogun State on the death of the author, legal practitioner, elder statesman and nationalist.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Friday in Abuja, the president commended Sir Olaniwun’s efforts at strengthening democracy in the country through his engagements in Afenifere, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and the Patriots.

“Guided by Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s principle, the president believes that the late revered Yoruba leader effectively combined his sharp commentary on the state of affairs in Nigeria with uncommon patriotism while working tenaciously to further unity, development and prosperity in the nation.

“President Buhari urges all who mourn Pa Ajayi to emulate his lifelong commitment to dialogue, democracy and development, which are key ingredients for national growth.

“He prays that God will comfort Pa Ajayi’s family and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest,” the statement said.

He was full of knowledge, wisdom —Awolowo Dosumu The Co-chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, has described the late Sir Olaniwun as a man full of knowledge and wisdom, who will be sorely missed.

She said this, on Friday, during her condolence visit to Pa Ajayi’s residence in Isara-Remo.

Awolowo Dosumu said that the vacuum created by his death would be difficult to fill, saying that the deceased was one of the titans of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s political ideology.

“Yet another one of the ti-

tans has left us. May their legacies continue to endure.

May the great soul rest in peace”, she said.

He was a pillar of support —Ooni The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, joined other Nigerians to mourn the death of Sir Olaniwun Ajayi.

The Ooni described the late Ajayi in glowing terms calling him a pillar of support and an “exemplary panAfricanist with unapologetic patriotism in the course of Yoruba emancipation, unity and progress.”

“I commiserate with the family of our beloved Papa Olaniwun Ajayi; I commiserate with Remo people, I commiserate with the people and government of Ogun state. I commiserate with the Yoruba race, with Nigerians and the entire continent of Africa over the death of this exemplary leader who until his death remained a fantastic family man, a dependable Remo leader, an exemplary cultural and political ambassador of Yoruba race, a Nigerian nationalist par excellence with an undying spirit for pan-Africanism.

“His moral support for my reign since I mounted this sacred throne of Oduduwa will definitely remain indelible,” the monarch said.

We’ve lost a rare leader —Afenifere The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, declared that with the passing of Sir Olaniwun, its oldest surviving member, it has lost a rare leader.

The group, in a statement in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, said Sir Olaniwun’s death had robbed it of the wealth of experience of a philosopher, prolific writer and memory bag.

In the statement titled “We Lost A Rare Leader,” Afenifere said it mourned the death Sir Olaniwun but ex-

pressed joy that in a country with life expectancy of 53, the elder statesman made it to 91 ageing graciously and in good health till the last 24 hours of life when he had to be hospitalised for some health complication.

Afenifere said one remarkable trait of the deceased’s life was “his consistency in the Awolowo political family where he put almost 70 years of dedicated service as a lieutenant of the sage and one of his worthy successors after his transition.”

“He had a sense of history and lived his life deliberately to make impact on his environment. In Afenifere, the National Democratic Coalition, The Patriots and the Methodist Church where he was a knight, he left his indelible footprints on the sand of time.

“The last days of his life were spent in worries over the state of affairs in Yorubaland in particular and in Nigeria at large. He was not just lamenting but he was taking practical steps to find verb for our noun in the syntax of human experience.

“It is hoped that all those involved in such intervention would keep those efforts on as a memorial for this worthy son of Oduduwa.

“The great man of sound intellect may not have much good news for AWO as they meet in yonder but the seeds he planted in the last moments of his life must grow into trees that would bear the fruits of freedom,” the group said.

It promised to pay the right due in honour of the elder statesman, while still awaiting the burial arrangements from the family for the man it appreciated as good and of sartorial elegance.

“While waiting for burial arrangements from the family for the good man of sartorial elegance, it is a promise that we shall pay his shade the right due,” Afenifere.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the good family he has left behind and it is our prayer that the Lord will take his

place in their lives. Adieu, Papa. Goodnight to a worthy leader,” it added.

He was a man of integrity —Fape The Archbishop of Lagos Province, Dr Olusina Fape, said that the late Sir Olaniwun was one of the few Nigerians that did not allow politics to stain his garment of purity.

Fape, in an interview with Saturday Tribune, in IsaraRemo, described the death of the elder statesmen as saddening, saying he was a man of integrity who led a transparent life.

“The last time I saw him was during my presentation as the Archbishop of Lagos Province. He was in attendance with Pa Ayo Adebanjo. He was an encourager to me as a minister of God. His identification went beyond denomination. I am of the Anglican faith and he belonged to the Methodist fold.

“His voice rang loudly and he gave candid opinion on issues that are right. He was one of the few Nigerians that did not allow politics to spoil his garment of purity. His life was a living epistle worth reading by all men and women.

“He was an embodiment of purity, honesty and transparent life. His loving nature was infectious. He contributed his quota to the development of Yoruba nation and Nigeria. He was, indeed, a worthy elder statesman,” the cleric said.

He was a patriot —Atiku Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar describes the deceased leader of the panYoruba group, Afenifere, Pa Olanihun Ajayi as a patriot whose exit will create a void that will be difficult to fill.

Atiku, in a press statement by his media office on Friday, said he was shocked at the announcement of the demise of the Yoruba leader, noting that Ajayi’s convincing advocacy of a restruc-

Isara Remo community mourns Olayinka Olukoya Abeokuta ISARA-REMO, home of Sir Olaniwun Ajayi has become a mecca since the news of his death broke.

Scores of sympathisers have signed a condolence register opened for the deceased elder statesman by his family.

Our correspondent, who was at the residence on Friday, noticed that a giant can-

opy had been erected with chairs underneath for people to sit. Some family members were seen attending to visitors.

As of the time of this report, over 50 people had signed the register and paid glowing tributes to the departed.

Sir Olaniwun’s nephew, Mr Adebari Ajayi, in an interview with Saturday Tribune, described his uncle as a great man of Africa.

“Papa was well known for his uprightness, straightforwardness and truthfulness.

I cherish him because he always admonished me to always do good to fellow human beings.

“He was a great catalyst for the development of his hometown, Ibara, and the entire Remoland. It will be difficult to fill the vacuum he has left behind here in Isara and Nigeria. He will

be greatly missed”, Mr Ajayi said.

To Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi, Pa Ajayi was a noble and affectionate man.

“An embodiment of love, Papa was a cosmopolitan and urbane. He maintained a sartorial excellence to the last syllable of time,” Chief Ogunjobi added.

The Regency Council of Isara said the news of the death was a shock.

tured Nigeria was the noble signature he left behind.

According to the Turakin Adamawa, “Pa Olanihun Ajayi was a patriot you could rely upon. His advocacy for true federalism and for respect for human dignity will be a signature he left behind.”

Nigeria has lost a major progressive voice — Ambode Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday, expressed sadness over the passage of Sir Olaniwun.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, said the late Ajayi was a frontline politician who was passionate about the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

“Papa was one of the few surviving close associates of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. After Chief Awolowo’s death, he was a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers.

“He was very passionate about the progress of Nigeria. He was an intellectual genius who had an enthusiasm for the development of his immediate community and the country at large.

“I recall my last meeting with him just about three months ago at the residence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It was like a premonition. He had admonished all of us to give him a long lasting legacy and ensure that the Yoruba hegemony is not trampled upon and tarnished.

“This wish of his, as a great Nigerian statesman, and true son of Yoruba land, we are committed to uphold and to cherish,” the Governor said.

We have lost a giant — Aregbesola Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, mourned the death of Sir Olaniwun.

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said the late frontline politician believed and worked for the progress of the Yoruba race and the country as a whole.

The governor, who described Sir Olaniwun as a giant and one of the students of the Obafemi Awolowo school of thought, said the politician was one of the best the country had produced as he never wavered in his political philosophy until his death.

“He was a politician of high Continues on pg6

5 Newsfeature

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Reporter’s diary

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi: Death waited in the room

By Kehinde Oyetimi

H

is was an old age carried with an uncommon gait of intellectual nobility. His eyes looked on, contemplative. Pa Olaniwun Ajayi—affable, temperate, thoroughgoing—possessed a presence of mind that was matchless for a man his age. Few weeks to his 90th birthday in 2015, I started a relationship with him I never knew would barely last two years. It was at the instance of the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Tribune, Mr Edward Dickson. The MD told me to conduct a full interview for Pa Ajayi which would be published on his 90th birthday. His Isara, Ogun State, palatial home depicted Papa’s temperament. Well mown lawn, a spaciously furnished sitting room and a properly stocked library are among the many attractions of Papa’s home. After the interview, Papa insisted that I ate a meal of fried yam and beans. While I ate, it was difficult to forget his passion for the Yoruba nation, a deep preference for Nigeria’s restructuring and his repeated call for true federalism. That was my first interaction with him in 2015.

Subsequent visits to him followed. While some were for light reasons, others were for interviews for publications.

On Monday, October 31, 2016, the Saturday Tribune insisted that I visited Pa Olaniwun Ajayi and interview the elder statesman. I couldn’t say no. For my bosses and colleagues at the Tribune, I was Papa’s adopted son. I called him on Tuesday and informed him of my intention. I also must say that I also used the opportunity to inform Papa of my wedding scheduled for November 12, 2016. Answering at the other end of the line, he screamed: “Kehinde, you are getting married? That is great! Now I am very happy. God, I am grateful.” He laughed...he laughed for a very long while.

It was difficult to hide his joy.

I continued, “Sir, we would also want an interview with you.” To which he quickly responded: “You want an interview? But when would you like to come?” I was not so sure but I remembered the urgency with which the interview instruction was conveyed to me. “Sir, we would be delighted to visit you tomorrow. Wednesday would be fine by us,” I said. “Wednesday? That should be November 2, 2016. It is all right then. Be here by 3 p.m. Do take care, Kehinde,” he said. I had a lot of questions to ask him...from politics to matrimony. He sounded very happy. He appeared to have been glad at the news of my intending wedding than of the interview session. “Today is Tuesday; I will see him tomorrow,” I soliloquised.

Feeling trapped between the urgency of the assignment and a wedding ceremony scheduled for next week, I craved Rita Okonoboh’s assistance, sister-colleague at the office. I also pleaded with Baba D’Toyin, our old ace photojournalist. They both agreed to follow me. Pa Ajayi always felt comfortable with such assemblage.

Wednesday, we set out about 2 p.m. We talked about Papa and his intellectual depth and convivial disposition. We laughed as we travelled. We recalled earlier interactions with him and his unquenchable thirst for knowledge, promotion of Christian piety, search for a truly federated Nigeria and a united Yoruba nation.

We drove into his parking lot at exactly 3.15 p.m. It was unusually quiet. We alighted from our vehicle. Papa’s aides met us, welcoming us. One of them asked if we had a pre-scheduled visit, to which I answered in the affirmative. He then told me to call Papa over the phone. I did but rather than the lively voice that met mine over the phone a day earlier, it was a lethargic whisper that answered at the other end of the line.

“Good afternoon, Sir. I am here with other colleagues of mine. We are within your premises,” I informed him over the phone. With much effort, he replied: “Kehinde, I am very weak. I wish I could push the interview for another day.

I slept on my right shoulder. I feel very unwell. But you are here already. You have travelled with your colleagues from Ibadan. I can’t turn you back. Let’s go ahead with the interview. Please come into the house. Give me a few minutes.”

“You look worried. What is wrong with Baba Olaniwun?”

Rita asked me. “He is not feeling well. He would have turned us back safe for the distance that it took us to get here,” I answered. We found our way into Baba’s lobby and after a

This picture of Pa Olaniwun Ajayi was taken on Wednesday, two days before his death, by D’Toyin during the interview.

Nevertheless, he answered each question with such verbal clarity and intellectual depth that I wondered how he could have maintained such articulateness and presence of mind at age 91. few minutes, one of his aides invited us in. At a glance, I found that he wasn’t his usual self. Our photographer, Baba D’Toyin asked Pa Ajayi after we had greeted him, “Daddy, how are you? You do not look good.” Pa Ajayi looked sad and with much pain replied, “I am not fine, D’Toyin. My right shoulder aches so badly. I have been in pain since I got up this morning. The pain is getting unbearable. But you are here, please take your seats.”

The interview started in earnest. His voice was husky; he struggled to speak. Nevertheless, he answered each question with such verbal clarity and intellectual depth that I wondered how he could have maintained such articulateness and presence of mind at age 91. At a point, one of his assistants came around and placed some iced cubes on his right shoulder. He shuddered in pain. He complained weakly, letting out short sighs of pain. This therapy was carried out intermittently until the interview was over. “I am worried about Nigeria; I am worried about the Yoruba race,” he said.

After the interaction, he remembered I had told him of my wedding and a smile beamed across his face, momentarily ignoring his pain. I passed the wedding invitation to him.

“Kehinde, you are getting married,” he said. “Yes, I am sir,” I said. “Now, Rita, why are you not yet married?” Looking surprised that Pa Ajayi had shifted the focus from me, Rita answered: “I will do very soon.” He kept his gaze on her and then said with a tone of finality: “God will settle you.” To that, we all said a loud “amen.”

He reached into his pocket and brought out an envelope.

On it he wrote the following, “Hearty congratulations on your union in holy matrimony with Titilope. May the richest blessings of God be on your marriage.” I prostrated and I

collected the envelope from him. He prayed after which he bade us a safe trip back to our base in Ibadan. It was 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

I was rudely woken up on Friday morning by the Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Debo Abdulai, two days after our visit to Pa Olaniwun. “Kehinde, are you in Lagos or Ibadan?” he asked. “Good morning, Sir. I am in Ibadan,” I answered.

“Papa Olaniwun Ajayi is dead,” the editor informed. My heart skipped a beat; my blood pressured. I called Baba D’Toyin; I also got across to Rita. She sobbed quietly. No, I never knew death was just a short distance away from Pa Olaniwun Ajayi while we interviewed him. It was 48 hours after the interaction.

Yet, I am grateful to the Editor, Nigerian Tribune and Editor, Saturday Tribune for the privilege of that last communion.

91 words for Pa Olaniwun Ajayi

By Rita Okonoboh

An undecided Wednesday Sunny skies, hanging clouds A 45-minute trip My third visit, our final meeting Rare privilege, unrivalled phenomenon Smiling, albeit, half-way Tired and aching He’d slept on his right shoulder Despite the pain, disappointment He wished Nigeria could become better That God-willing, we would remain one Embracing nobility, shunning selfishness, corruption He teased about companionship, His last words to me: “The Lord will settle you well.”

They say older friends are the best Despite our ‘million’ age difference, He was exceptional And one of my very few rarest friends!

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news

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Awo Foundation mourns Olaniwun Ajayi, expresses shock

T

HE Obafemi Awolowo Foundation has expressed shock at the death of frontline Afenifere leader, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi.

A statement issued on Friday by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu described the deceased as a member of the nuclear family of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The statement reads: “We received the news of the sudden death of Sir Ọlaniwun Ajayi in the early hours of this morning with utmost shock and dismay.

“Our sense of disbelief would be easily understood given the fact that, just four days ago, precisely on Monday, October 31, 2016, Sir Ọlaniwun Ajayi was with us for the best part of the day at Ẹfunyẹla Hall, Ikẹnnẹ for a meeting of the Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Foundation.

“He was his usual erudite and vibrant self throughout the meeting and he, along with Chief Ayọ Adebanjọ, gave invaluable historical and personal insights that helped to appropriately contextualize AWO within the paradigms under discussion.

“For Sir Ọlaniwun Ajayi, Chief Awolọwọ was far more than a political leader — he

was an avatar — and he remained completely and passionately loyal to the ideals that they shared to the very end.

“Above all, he was considered a bona fide member of the nuclear family of Chief Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ and Yeye Oodua H. I. D. Awolọwọ and he also regarded himself as one.

“For these reasons, his appointment to the Selection Committee of the Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Prize for Leadership came most naturally and he never missed a single meeting of the Committee.

His profound knowledge and wisdom will be sorely missed.

“Sir Ọlaniwun Ajayi remained resolutely committed to the ideals that Chief Awolọwọ espoused and embodied till he breathed his last, despite the prevailing practices that suggest that they are in retreat. He had absolutely no doubt about the justness of their position and, therefore, remained fearless in his defence of it till he was called home.

“Sir Ọlaniwun Ajayi was a foremost member of a gradually disappearing ‘band of pilgrims’ whose vision and mission in public life extended way beyond self and material

gain.

“As we at the Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Foundation continue to strive to keep the legacy alive in our own way, it is our fervent hope that there exist others who possess the gravitas, the moral fibre and the grit to step forward to move the vision of equity and progressivism forward in Nigeria.

Sir Ọlaniwun Ajayi, at 91,

Continued from pg4

“Sir Olaniwun was a great patriot who stopped at nothing to fight for the entrenchment of good governance through the instrumentality of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO),” he said.

The chairman of Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, described the death of Sir Olaniwun as a great loss to Nigeria and, indeed, the Yoruba race.

The traditional ruler said Sir Olaniwun died at a “critical time” his “wise counsel” was needed the most.

Oba Akinruntan recalled the roles of Sir Olaniwun in lending support to resolving crises among Yoruba monarchs and his support for the committee which, he said, had resolved many crises among the monarchs.

“It is painful to lose him at this critical time. He was an intelligent Yoruba man. He worked assiduously for the unity and uplift of the Yoruba race to take its rightful place in Nigeria. He was a selfless leader and I will always remember his contributions to resolving crises among Yoruba obas.

I know history will be kind to him,” the traditional ruler said.

He led highly impactful life —Amosun Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said although he would be “sorely” missed, “we cannot but thank the Almighty for the eventful and highly impactful life that the late Sir Olaniwun Ajayi lived”.

The governor described the associate of Chief Obafemi Awolowo as one of the icons of Ogun State and architect of the modern-day Nigeria.

He added that the fact that the elder statesman lived a long, fulfilled life in good health and made it to the “gracious” old age of 91 was something to be grateful to God for.

He was a great patriot —Oyinlola A former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, expressed his condolences to the Yoruba race, government and people of Ogun State, especially the immediate family of Sir Olaniwun over the death of the elder statesman.

Prince Oyinlola, in a message, described the death as one that has robbed the country of a leading light in its journey to political maturity.

Yoruba race has lost an icon —Daniel A former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, said that Sir Olaniwun was one of the greatest Yoruba men that ever lived.

Daniel, in his condolence message, described the late Ajayi as a leader of leaders, noting that the Yoruba nation had, indeed, lost an illustrious son.

“Finally, we lost one of the greatest Yoruba men that ever lived, a quintessential leader of leaders, most consistent, most eloquent, clearheaded, ideological and as constant as the Northern star in thought. The Yoruba nation has, indeed, lost one of the most illustrious leaders.

“He was a very strong force in Nigerian polity and well respected in the political landscape over the years, as he improved on the democratic ideals of the founding fathers and played his roles in the service of the nation in various capacities,” Daniel said..

His death great loss to Yoruba race, Nigeria — Olugbo

the words of the ‘Pilgrims’ Progress’ ring so true: “Who would true valour see, let him come hither; one here will constant be, come wind, come weather; there’s no discouragement shall make him once relent his first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.’

And Hebrews 11: 13-16: “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not

receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. . they were longing for a better country... therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

“Farewell, valiant pilgrim.

You have earned your rest.”

Appeal Court slates Monday for Ondo guber suit Sunay Ejike - Abuja

THE fresh Court of Appeal panel sitting in Abuja to hear all appeals emanating from the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] yesterday adjourned sitting till November 7, 2016 after identifying all the processes filed by counsel to all the parties.

The Justice Ibrahim Salauwa-led three man panel took over from Justice Jummai Sankey’s panel which disqualified themselves over bribery allegations.

Other members of the fresh panel set up by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa are Justices Ignatius Igwe Aguba and

Nigerians pay tributes to Ajayi in death

repute and immense clout.

His political horizon spread across the country and beyond. He was a giant in the battle for a better Nigeria,” Governor Aregbesola said.

lived well and he lived long.

He is blessed with successful children and grandchildren. We urge them, as inheritors of a proud heritage, to ensure that the heritage endures. We wish them God’s enablement as they do so. And we pray that the Lord will guide their every step as they journey into the future.

“For Sir Ọlaniwun Ajayi,

He was a consummate Awoist —Kaka A former senator for Ogun East district, Adegbenga Kaka, in his condolence message, described Sir Olaniwun as a consummate Awoist, political mentor, legal icon, peacemaker and outstanding lover of his family, community and nation.

“Words can never be adequate to capture the bundle of blessings the nation has just

George Mbaba.

Meanwhile, the fresh panel was confronted with multiple applications for and against the hearing of the appeals.

For instance, while Wole Olanikpekun [SAN] counsel to Mr. Eyitayo Jegede who is seeking leave of court to appeal the judgment of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court prayed the court for accelerated hearing, lead counsel to Prince Biyi Poroye, B.E.I. Ngwufor [SAN] drew the attention of the court to a motion filed on November 3, 2016 challenging the composition of a special panel.

Ngwufor submitted that given the nature of his motion challenging the

lost. It may take decades to realise what our nation would be missing by his exit, just as the un-regained lost opportunities in Papa Obafemi Awolowo.

“We, however, take solace in a purposeful life well spent, nearly seven decades of mentoring of the younger generation in an increasingly morally decadent society and preserving the legacy of good leadership bequeathed to the nation.

Papa, you deserve eternal rest after putting everything at your disposal in the service of the nation and humanity,” Kaka said.

He was an advocate of Nigeria’s restructuring — Akinfenwa Former national chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Senator Mojisoluwa, commiserated with Afenifere and family of Sir Olaniwun.

Akinfenwa, in a message titled “Tribute to a Titan: Sir Chief Olaniwun Ajayi”, said: “One of the very few remaining leaders of the puritan era of politics in Nigeria, has fallen at 91.”

The AD chieftain said Sir Olaniwun “witnessed and took part in the struggles that won Nigeria its independence from the colonial masters in 1960.”

“He was also at the forefront of the several struggles, successes and challenges of progressive politicking in Nigeria, especially during the oppressive military regime in Nigeria.”

jurisdiction of the court, his motion should first be determined before that of Jegede.

In his own submissions, counsel to the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff led faction of the PDP, Godswill Mrakpor told the court that neither the application by Jegede nor the motion filed by Ngwufor were ripe for hearing.

He informed the court that the processes in both applications were only served on him on Thursday evening adding that he needed time to file his response to them.

But it was the application brought by Ahmed Raji [SAN], counsel to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led faction of the PDP that threw up controversy in the courtroom.

Arguments ensued between Raji and Raphael Oluyode, another counsel representing the Sheriff faction of the PDP, over who has the authority to represent the party in court.

While Oluyode informed the court that there is no appeal from the party against the judgment of Justice Abang, Raji insisted that he has the authority to appeal against the judgment of the trial court.

Besides, Oluyode drew the attention of the court to a motion seeking to strike out the purported appeal by the

Makarfi faction of the party in urging the court to invoke Order 11 rule 5 to strike out the appeal.

But Raji stood on his feet to counter the submissions of Oluyode insisting that there was a competent appeal before the court.

Irked by the protracted arguments in court, a member of the panel, Justices Ignatius Igwe Aguba slammed the PDP for its failure to internalize democracy within the party.

Justice Aguba who said he wanted to be quoted stated ‘I feel sorry for our country.

I feel sorry for the legal profession. There is need for the PDP to internalize democracy, if the party has done that; it will not be passing through this. The party has been factionalized and now come before us to wash its dirty linings in court. Go and put your house in order and stop bordering the court.’

Meanwhile, members of state executive of the PDP in six South West states (loyal to Ali Modu Sheriff) led by Biyi Poroye (factional Chairman of the Ondo PDP) have asked the Court of Appeal to reverse the decision by its President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to constitute a fresh panel to hear appeals relating to the dispute.

4 arrested as police rescue kidnapped lecturer in Delta EbenezerAdurokiya-Warri

OPERATIVES of the Nigerian Police, B-Division, Warri Area Command, have arrested four suspects in connection with the abduction of a lecturer with the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Ugbomro, Delta State.

The rescued victim, Dr (Mrs) Tessy Egbushanam, was allegedly trailed from a church at Edjeba road and was kidnapped to an unknown destination last Sunday.

Saturday Tribune gathered on Friday that the combined operation by men of B Division, Warri and men of the Anti-kidnapping Squad of Delta State led to hot exchange of fire between them and the hood-

lums at Egini village.

One of the hoodlums identified as Onus, as gathered, was fatally wounded and arrested during the gun duel between the police and the hoodlums.

A top security source described Onus as a notorious criminal who, no sooner he’s arrested and imprisoned, than he’s released by some powerful members of the society.

Sources said six more suspects were picked up at Orhoakpor and Orhuwhorho villages in Udu Local Government Area in connection with the kidnap incident.

Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

7

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5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Oluwo carpets parents over cultism among youths

By Tunde Busari

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi with Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, inspecting the Iwo-Osogbo Road being rehabilitated by the Oluwo Self-Help Projects. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

How former NIMASA DG diverted millions from NSA for personal use Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin -Lagos prosecution witness on Friday told an Ikeja High Court how a former Director General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, requested for N496 million from a former National Security Adviser (NSA) and diverted the money to his personal use.

Giving his evidence in chief before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi, the witness, Orji Chukwuma, who is an investigating officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recalled that the commission received intelligence

A

report of monumental fraud going on in NIMASA under the leadership of Akpobolokemi who was the DG of the agency at the time.

It is recalled that the EFCC accused Akpobolokemi and others of allegedly stealing over N754, 740,680 million belonging to NIMASA. Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia, and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited, on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing the money belonging to NIMASA.

Giving further evidence, the witness said that Akpobolokemi raised a memo to the NSA asking for the said amount while also giving a detailed table showing how the money was meant to be spent.

“After the money was disbursed, the first defendant asked that the money be transferred from the NIMASA account to a Zenith Bank account 1013961926.

“Also, the sum of N318 million was also transferred to the Zenith Bank account which we discovered was used for personal purposes,” he said.

He also told the court that through investigations, it

Lagos will not discriminate against tribe or creed —Ambode LAGOS State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday hosted the executive members of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), at the Lagos House, saying that his administration would not subscribe to any form of discrimination based on tribe or religious affiliation.

The Governor, who hosted the group at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said, “In Lagos, it is very clear that there is a heavy presence of religious organisations. Lagos is a cosmopolitan state; we do not discriminate and we are set out to obey the constitution of this country.

And in doing so, free citizens of Lagos State should be given the chance to excel to where God has planned for them to be.

The Governor, who said Lagos was honoured to be chosen as the host for the 31st edition of the FOMWAN Conference, also commended the group for embarking on laudable projects just as he assured

them of the readiness of his government to partner with them in executing the projects earmarked to be done in the state.

Earlier, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who is also a member of the group, expressed appreciation, es-

pecially for the support the group and the entire Muslim family has been receiving from the Governor.

Also speaking, President of the group, Hajia Aminat Omuti, commended him for the giant strides he has done in the state in the 16 months of his administration.

was also discovered that fictitious contracts were awarded to some companies one of which is Arroworld Consulting and Kofa Fadan Nigeria Ltd. It was also discovered that the companies were paid for bogus contracts which were never executed.

“During investigations, we spent two days searching for the address of the company which we finally located.

“We also discovered that the sum of N11 million was transferred to one Aneke Julie Nkechi. It was discovered that she is related to Lady Captain in NIMASA. She was invited to the EFCC’s office where she claimed that she didn’t know how the money got into her account but later refunded the money to the Commission,” he said.

“One of the defendants, Ekene Nwakuche, made eight withdrawals of N3 million each through the instruction of Captain Ezekiel Agaba,” he said.

Justice Adebiyi consequently adjourned the matter till November 30 for continuation of trial.

Democracy threatened by orchestrated intimidation of the judiciary—Wike

By Dapo Falade GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has alleged that the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) is deliberately threatening the foundation of democracy by its orchestrated intimidation of the judiciary through false allegations and illegal arrests.

This was as he also said, due to the harassment of judges, no judge would deliver judgments against the interest of the Federal Government and the ruling party.

The governor made this known while speaking when

the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Friday.

Warning lawyers against allowing what he said was the deliberate destruction of the judiciary under any guise, Wike said the ruling party and its officials had elevated the art of frivolous petition writing against judges as a means of subverting the course of justice.

“Our democracy is in danger. Our democracy has been threatened. What is happening to the judiciary is very deep. NBA must be careful of the deep implica-

tions of what it is also doing in the course of the present attack on the judiciary.

“All these actions are geared towards silencing everybody as we head to 2019.

If anybody tells you that they are fighting corruption in the judiciary, tell the person that he is lying,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA, Mr Victor Briggs, commended Governor Wike for his commitment to the development of the state and also thanked him for the construction of the ultramodern law centre for the branch.

THE Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi (Telu I) on Thursday pointed accusing fingers at parents for the increasing cultism activities among youths, describing it also as leadership failure.

Oba Akanbi said the youth inadvertently received inspiration from their parents whose lives allegedly depend largely on their association with groups not aligning with the stipulation of God. The monarch, while receiving the new Commissioner of Police of Osun State Command, Olafimihan Adeoye in his palace, remarked that failure of parents to show their children the right way was an albatross to the peace and security of the society, urging Nigeria Police to rise to the challenge as the hope of common man.

Oba Akanbi said that parents lack moral right to check their children from engaging in criminal activities simply because their own hands were already soiled in the same acts, a development, he reasoned, not hidden to the vigilant children.

“The children monitor and see what you do in secret.

That is why they are also bold to get back to their various schools and replicate it because they believe it is the way of life. I want to advise parents and leaders to shun such acts to have a peaceful society.

8

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5 November, 2016

Tinubu nominated me as VP —Osinbajo Says: Nigerians facing the most challenging times Bola Badmus - Lagos

V

ICE President Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday declared that former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nominated him as running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Osinbajo’s clarification came against the background of President Buhari’s biographer claiming that the president picked him in defiance of pressures from Tinubu not to do so.

Osinbajo spoke in Lagos at the State of the Nation Colloquium organised by Coalition of Nigerian Apostolic Leaders, where he also said current steps being taken by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were aimed at finding lasting solutions to the nation’s economic problems.

Speaking on the controversy trailing his nomination as the vice president, Professor Osinbajo said, “The party’s national leader, a former governor under whom I served as a commissioner nominated me.”

He was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under Tinubu.

Osinbajo contended that the solution to Nigeria’s

problem did not lie in restructuring or adopting confederation as a system of government, but in ensuring that those at the helms of affairs do what they were elected for, instead of waiting on Abuja to share money to units of government at the end of every month.

Speaking on the State of the Nation, Vice President Osinbajo said the Federal Government was making frantic efforts to put an end to the issue of hunger, contending that it was a recognised fact that when there is hunger in the land, the people’s visions become blurred.

According to Osinbajo, governments and Nigerians were facing one of the most challenging times in the history of the country, especially in the area of the economy to the extent that people are forced to ask if “this is really the change they voted for.”

He said, “We are facing one of the most challenging times in the history of our country, especially in the area of the economy. The times are so challenging that sometimes you ask yourself what is really going on, like Pastor Wale Adefarasin asked, is this the change we voted for?”

Speaking on the cause of the current recession, the

vice president said the country over the years, ran a single economic structure driven by a single commodity, stating that 80 per cent of the nation’s earnings came from sale of crude oil.

“We have a largely importdependent economy where practically everything is imported. Everybody that claims to be a manufacturer is importing virtually all the components. Every parts of our economy is import-dependent and the economy depends on foreign exchange and 90 per cent of the foreign exchange comes from oil,” he said.

Osinbajo, while lamenting that huge resources were being expended on importation of food into the country, said about 11 states of the country had currently embarked on the mass production of rice to reverse the trend and ensure that the country achieved self-sufficiency in rice consumption.

“Because of oil Nigeria left agriculture. Take for instance Ivory Coast is now the leading producer of cocoa. We used to be the leading producer of cocoa. What has changed? Nothing, but oil.

We just diverted our attention to easier way to make money,” Osinbajo said.

Minister of Information

Ondo 2016: Oke, Akeredolu trade words over alleged rigging plans HakeemGbadamosi-Akure THE Olusola Oke Campaign Committee, on Friday alleged that some unnamed ministers were plotting to rig the election for the All Peoples Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.

However, the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Governorship Campaign Organisation described the allegation as cheap blackmail and baseless, saying Oke had accepted defeat before the election.

The Oke Campaign Organisation, which stated this in Akure, disclosed that all arrangements had been concluded by some serving ministers to use part of the N10 billion infrastructural contract to rig the election in favour of the APC candidate.

The chairman of the Publicity Committee of the organisation, Mr Kolawole Olabisi, said in a statement that the plan was hatched in in Abuja wherein a bogus contract was without due process mooted for Owo area of the state, while a substantial part of the money would be used towards rigging the election.

Olabisi stated in the statement said “the boast of APC, which had been sedentary in its approach to canvassing for votes in the state, is that they would rig this election, even if only one vote

is cast for them. They have been preaching it and now they have professed it with this dastard plan perfected and supervised by the top echelons of the government to use government funds to make good their threat.

“We want to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to be aware of what is being done by members of his cabinet in their vaunted ambition to win this election at all cost and immediately arrest the situation.

“While we have been going round the state canvassing for votes from the people, they have remained in their offices boasting that they will use federal might to rig the election, even if nobody vote for them.

“The APC members in Ondo State have been preaching this strange gospel of rigging and we are now amazed by this latest antics to win the election with the award of a strange contract for a whopping N10 billion for Owo community where Akeredolu hails from, with a view to releasing a whopping sum of N7 billion to him to make the rigging plan a reality.

However, the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation, in a statement issued by Chairman of the Campaign Research and Communication Committee, Mr. Soji Alakuro, said no amount of

blackmail would stop the party from winning.

The statement reads, “It will be recalled that Oke and one of his main supporters were behind the crisis in APC before it was resolved.

“They intentionally painted the process of the September 3, 2016 APC primary as being fraudulent by asking journalists to interview Oke’s cook and one of his brother from Ilaje who pretended to be delegates.

“They were declared wanted by the security operatives after Akeredolu officially laid a complaint on the allegation and after it was exposed to the whole world that they lied against our candidate.

“Oke is afraid because he knows that his political trick by running to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to contest cannot change the mind of the electorate, who have made up their minds to vote for APC. “We also challenge Oke to explain the source of his funds because we are aware of those governors oiling his campaign through their states resources.

“It is unfortunate that Oke, who raised the allegation that N7billion project had been diverted to the campaign of Akeredolu, failed to mention where the project will be cited in Owo and the kind of project that will be executed in that ancient community.

and Culture Alhaji Mohammed, while speaking, said many years of misrule, accentuated by high level of corruption, worsened the current economic recession, saying all hands were now on deck to ensure that the problem of hunger was solved in the country.

The minister reiterated that government had intensified its fight against corruption and terrorism, while changing attitude of Nigerians in the way things were done rightly, even as he maintained that government was poised at communicating directly through channels such as Town Hall meetings and also getting feedback from the citizenry.

In his contribution, Lagos State governor, Mr Ambode Akinwunmi, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Mr Akinyemi Ashade, said the state government had partnered with other state governments in the country to solve the problem of hunger.

According to him, the government had improved its tax administration and is currently targeting a N50 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 2018.

Earlier, the presiding Apostle, Nigeria Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, said the excruciating effects of hunger and poverty in the country had made life miserable for the people, saying, more than ever before, people now flock around worship centres begging for alms and wondering when the change they voted for would materialise.

Saturday Tribune

Buhari meets with Saraki at Aso Rock $29.9 billion loan, work-in-progress —Saraki Clement Idoko - Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, met with Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The duo met behind closed-doors inside the president’s office, shortly after observing jumaat prayer at the State House Mosque.

Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, accompanied the Senate President to the Villa.

Saraki, however, told State House correspondents after meeting with Buhari that there was no political undertone behind the alleged rejection of President Buhari’s foreign loan request.

He said the $29.9 billion foreign loan request which the Senate turned down on Tuesday, was still a work in process.

It would be recalled that the Senate had cited “technical grounds” for rejecting President Muhammadu Buhari’s request seeking approval for the loan.

Saraki advised Nigerians not to politicise what he described as “very important issues” while clarifying that the rejection of the loan request was not a reflection of the relationship between the executive and the legislature.

He stated: “I came here to pray. I have finished praying and I just had a general felicitation with the president.

It did not go beyond that.

“We should not look at that (the loan request) as a reflection of the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. “Don’t let us politicise very important issues. As we said, this is work in progress.”

Aregbesola appoints Popoola as UNIOSUN VC VISITOR to the Osun State University and Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has approved the appointment of Professor Labode Popoola as the new Vice Chancellor of the university.

The appointment followed the recommendation by the Council of the institution which was signed and forwarded to the Visitor by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Yusuf Ali (SAN), after considering the report of the Selection Board.

As contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Director, bureau of Communication and Strategy, Offic of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, the appointment takes effect immediately.

Uproar over death of 4 cadets in NDA, 53 others expelled Chris Agbambu - Abuja TONGUES are now wagging in military circles over the fitness or otherwise of many of the cadets undergoing training course in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), as well as several others recruited into the armed forces.

The latest revelation followed the death of four cadets who reportedly died in the nations’ premier military institution, early October and three weeks after the resumption of their training.

The NDA, established in the 1960s, runs a five-year course, four of which is purely for academics with little military training, leading to the award of B.Sc. or B.A. honours while the remaining one year is for full military training.

The premier military institution, for the first time since its existence, produced female combatants officers in the Army, Navy and Airforce, last September, while it admitted about 250 cadets this year, including female cadets.

Following the death of the four cadets,53othersfoundmedically unfit for the rigours involved in

the training course were sent packing, even as it has been revealed that politicians were imposing candidates on the foremost military institution.

Informed military sources disclosed to Saturday Tribune that the death of the four cadets in the course of the training caused much anxiety, forcing the military authorities to reassess its selection procedure into the academy.

Saturday Tribune gathered that military board of inquiry recommended a medical re-examination of all the cadets selected and admitted for the 2016 academic year, and discovered that 53 others were not medically fit to be admitted to go through the strenuous course and were thus expelled.

It was further disclosed to Saturday Tribune that the politicians (whose names were not mentioned) are of the habit of insisting on admission of unfit cadets, as against the established norm where physical and medical fitness were parts of the requirement for the admission of would-be cadets.

This alleged imposition of intending cadets, though said to be a common phenomenon

since the return of democracy in 1999, has become a source of worry and concern for the military command, it was learnt.

“The elevation of godfatherism has become more worrisome as it is depriving a lot of qualified and medically fit candidates the opportunity to be selected into the armed forces, unlike what obtained up till the early 1980s when admission into military institutions was strictly based on ability to pass all required examinations and medical tests.

“But these days, the situation is different as intending candidates now look for politicians from their areas to submit their names to military authorities, either to be selected into NDA or to be recruited into the military.

“This has led to pressure on thoseconductingtheseexaminations to succumb to the whims and caprices of the politicians.

“If this situation is not checked, it will destroy the military which is known for its tradition of discipline because such unfit candidates are coming from one politician or the other. The earlier this practice is checked, the better for the country,” the military source said.

x

9

quisite

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Editor Tayo Gesinde 08054727801 temiligali03@yahoo.com

mum&child —12

Dealing with pregnancy at work Food —30

Experience distinct flavour, texture with mushrooms style —10 & 31

Join the brooch brigade movement

Crew

Blessing Gbarada Kate Ani Oyeyemi Okunlade

o t s i n o i s i v My n o i l l i m 0 1 empower g n i g r e m e d n a g n i r i asp s r u e n e r p e entr

l a b o l G i m i l A e l a T , O E C , i m i l A e l a —Bamit ness coach, epreneur, busi i is an entr m li A le . The CEO of a it st o m h a B io d ra d eaker an man motivational sp nd founder of the five star wo n al a esses wome n si u b Tale Alimi Glob n o .

E D YO GESIN speaks with TA can do to survive recession. ple and young peo See pg29

10

xquisite

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

style

31

With Kate Ani 08071080888 anikate92@yahoo.com

Attention! Attention!! Attention!!!

Do you own a boutique? Are you a fashion designer, jewellery store owner, make-up/hair expert or spa treatment specialist? This notice is for you! You can now reach more prospective clients across the nation by advertising your goods and services on our STYLE page at a very affordable rate.

For more information, call Tayo Gesinde on 08054727801 or Kate Ani on 08071080888.

Tinuola Ayanniyi tayanniyi@yahoo.com 08055069379

Do-It-Yourself:

Leather bow

What you need - A piece of leather, approx. 22cm x 10cm (approx. 8.7" x 4") - Scissors - Leather glue or super glue - Thread - A snap button

Omowumi Akinfesi

STEPS 1. Cut an oval piece of leather, approx. 22cm x 10cm (approx. 8.7” x 4”). You can make it longer or smaller, depending on the size of your wrist.

Rita Dominic Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Ireti Doyle Chichi Okwelu

Join the brooch brigade movement

Noble Igwe

By Zainab Dada Nita Byack George

B

ROOCH is back in a big way and as these lovely ladies demonstrate; brooch adds a delightful finishing touch like frosting on a cake. Judging from the way it has been sweeping across the fashion scene of late, it looks like brooch is bound to remain at the peak of its popular-

ity for long. Although this jewel has retained its principal wearing style which is by pining it on a tuxedo or suit jacket lapels, the manner of wearing it has changed significantly. It can be attached on turban, hat, beaded neckpiece or worn as a décolleté (a delicate embellishment at the chest area), on dresses, tops and can also be fastened at the waist of dresses.

Brooch comes in different colours, pat-

terns, shapes such as designer logos (the most popular is the Chanel designer logo) and sizes.

The more intriguing the design, the more striking your outfit will look. The only thing to take into consideration is if the fabric of your piece of clothing is able to withstand the weight of the creative jewel, as some brooches are heavier than others.

2. Form a bow.

3. Secure the bow by wrapping thread around it and knot.

Kemi Lala Akindoju

4. cut a small rectangle of leather, approx.

4cm x 1cm / 1.6” x 0.4”

6. Sew the snap button, one part of the button at one end of the leather, and the other at the other side.

11 healthandfitness

5 November, 2016

My baby has six fingers

Saturday Tribune

Dr. Wale Okediran

I was recently delivered of a baby boy, my first son a few weeks ago. On examination, we discovered that his left hand has six fingers instead of the normal five. While some of the family members want us to cut off the extra sixth finger, some others want us to leave the extra finger alone. Kindly advise.

Nneka (by SMS)

waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

08055069356 (sms only)

No child after 5 years marriage I have been married now for the past five years and I am yet to have a baby.

All the tests carried out on me showed that there is nothing wrong with me.

However, my husband has refused to do any test. Each time I ask him to go for tests, he will say that nothing is wrong with him. He said that two of his former girlfriends took in for him even though he aborted the pregnancies. Please tell me the way forward. I am very sad.

Even though the sixth finger may be harmless, in order to avoid any form of future embarrassment to the child, it is usually advisable to remove the sixth finger.

This should be done at a very early age by a competent doctor in order to reduce discomfort and bleeding.

Ekaete (by SMS)

It is important that in all cases of infertility, both husband and wife should be thoroughly investigated since both of them can be the source of the infertility. For this reason, you

will need to get the support of your family members on both sides to try and convince your husband to go for a medical examination in order to know the source of the infertility for adequate treatment.

and other male characteristics, such as a deep voice.

The best way to unravel the mystery is to see your doctor for a complete medical

examination. However, it is usually advisable for you to leave the hairs alone as they will keep coming back even after being shaved.

I am too hairy

My hearing problems MY problem started a few weeks ago with some ringing sensation in my ears.

Now each time I sit up, it is like the whole room will be spinning round me. I have tried some antibiotics, ear drops and blood tonic to no avail. Kindly help me.

Matilda (by SMS) Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes episodes in which you feel as if you’re spinning (vertigo), and

you have fluctuating hearing loss with a progressive, ultimately permanent loss

of hearing, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and sometimes a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear. Because no single cause has been identified, it’s likely that Meniere’s disease results from a combination of many factors.

No cure exists for Meniere’s disease, but a number of treatments as prescribed by your doctor can help reduce the severity and frequency of vertigo episodes.

I am a 35-year-old spinster. I have a lot of hair on my chest, chin, arms and legs. Each time I shave them, the hairs will grow back again. The situation is very embarrassing to me.

What else can I do?

Halima (by SMS) Women develop excessive body or facial hair due to higher-than-normal levels of androgens, including testosterone. This can cause malepattern hair growth and other male characteristics.

All females produce androgens, but the levels typically remain low. Certain medical conditions can cause a woman to produce too many androgens. This can cause male-pattern hair growth

My son’s mouth odour MY 10-year-old son’s mouth odour worries me. Even when I brush his teeth for him (as I do now regularly) I still perceive the odour somehow. I also need your advice on what could be responsible for his teeth discoloration and what to do about it.

Babatunde (by SMS) In most cases of persistent bad breath (halitosis), the smell comes from a build-up of germs (bacteria) within the mouth. These are in food

debris, in plaque and gum disease, or in a coating on the back of the tongue. Good oral hygiene will often solve the problem. That is, regular teeth brushing, cleaning between the teeth, cleaning the tongue, and mouthwashes. It is equally important to check for the presence of foreign objects such as cotton buds or pieces of beans or corn in the nostril. Regarding the teeth discoloration, you may need to see a dentist for a proper advice on this.

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5 November, 2016

CONDOLENCE VISIT TO SIR OLANIWUN AJAYI’S RESIDENCE AT ISARA REMO, OGUN STATE on Friday

Saturday Tribune

PHOTOS: D’TOYIN

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8 1. Co. Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (right); Archbishop Michael Olusina Fape, Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical province of Lagos (left) and Mr. Adebari Ajayi (Pa Ajayi’s nephew) during the condolence visit to Sir. Olaniwun Ajayi ‘s residence at Isara – Remo, Ogun State, on Friday.

2. Archbishop Michael Olusina Fape signing the condolence register.

3. Former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel signing the condolence register.

4. Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (left); Mrs. Adenike Ajayi (centre) and Chief Pekun

Awobona (right) 5. Hon John Obafemi, former member, Ogun State House of Assembly signing the condolence register.

6. Venerable David. I. Fadugba (right) with Venerable Timothy. T. Omowaye Vicar, St. Peter’s Church, Isara.

7. Otunba Gbenga Daniel (left); Engr. Sina Adebayo. (Centre) and Mr. Adebari Ajayi (nephew to the late Pa Ajayi).

8. Chief Olorunjuwon Julius Fakoya, Bada of Isara, signing the condolence register.

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5 November, 2016

ntertainment News

Society Gist

Saturday Tribune with Joan Omionawele and

Newton-Ray Ukwuoma jistwtjoan@yahoo.com Twitter:@joanbajojo 08059793705

Celebrity Interviews

Victor Olaotan’s

health improving —Wife

Stories by Joan Omionawele T was indeed traumatic as news of the ghastly accident involving popular Tinsel actor, Victor Olaotan filtered the air during the week.

The actor who reportedly fell into coma has been successfully revived as his wife, Mrs Olaotan confirmed to Saturday Tribune.

When Saturday Tribune further inquired on the health of the actor who played the lead character in ‘Tinsel’ for seven years, she said he is able to talk and eat now, but he would not be able to talk to you right now, just keep praying f o r us, I really appreciate your call” she said

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Tchidi Chikere’s ex-wife finds love again THINGS are looking up for Nollywood actress, Sophia Tchidi Chikere as she has found love again. She recently received a luxury ride from her new lover, known as young Mula on her birthday.

This is coming after the former couple’s messy divorce in 2014.

Although there are no details on her new relationship, the new lover of the pretty actress wrote a birthday message with the picture of the car saying “happy birthday Achalugo 1 of Ime Obim(first lady of my heart) . Wishing you all the good things in life! God bless your new age and many more years to come”!!! To this, she replied “thank you my Lord for giving me more than I deserve. I can’t wait to have you and cruise you in Nigeria. Thank you my drug” she wrote.

My first sexual experience —Eve Thomas RISING Nollywood actress, Eve Thomas is set to take the Nollywood industry

by the storm. A Biochemistry graduate from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State (2008), in a chat with newsmen spoke about herself and her dreams “I joined the industry through my brother who is in USA(Edward Thomas) and since then, I have been doing well.

I have acted with the likes of Baba Wande, Jimoh Aliu, Ojopagogo, kunle Afod among other established actors in the industry” Though she claimed to be single , but

not searching “ I am single but not searching” as she took time to reflect on her first sexual experience “ I had my first sex in my final year at the university and it wasn’t a nice experience” she said amidst laughter.

On sexual harassment in the industry ‘she further said “ There is sexual harassment in the industry, I have encountered it before”.

The actress who singled out Bimbo Akintola as her role model stated thus “I am always after my career and I think differently.”

M-Net presents special Harry Potter Pop-Up Channel for movie lovers IN commemoration of 30 years in operation, M-Net continues to treat viewers to magical entertainment, a channel dedicated to the Harry Potter films has been launched Soon after the fun-filled M-Net 30th Birthday BlockParty, as the iconic eight-film Harry Potter series will take over the entertainment on channel 109.

M-Net will treat viewers to a special M-Net Movies Harry Potter Pop-up Channel extravaganza from Friday 4 November until Sunday 13 November, and it will run for 17 hours per day from 5am until 10pm.

Every night at 7pm, viewers will be captivated by the magic of the Harry Potter stories and trans-

ported into the spellbinding world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The films will be screened in this time-slot each day in chronological order. But, if you can’t wait another day to watch the next film in the series, you can watch backto-back screenings throughout the day.

“By creating this channel, it proves yet again that M-Net allows our viewers in Africa to stay connected to the latest entertainment trends and buzz across the globe.” says Jan du Plessis, Director: MNet Channels.

For more than a decade, Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter films have captivated the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike all over the globe with enchanting tales of magic, adventure and friendship.

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5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Dakore, Liz Femi, others star in Yemi’s

Dilemma

Stories by Joan Omionawele RITER/Director/Producer, Sade Oyinade has announced the production of a shortfilf , Yemi’s dilemma, which is set to hit the cinemas soon.

The short film, Sade Oyinade, is the Co-Executive Producer of the award-winning TV One shows “Unsung” and “Unsung Hollywood” – both series that celebrate African American artists, music and movies.

The movie ‘Yemi’s Dilemma’ is the story of three sisters, a wedding and a family torn apart because of it, as the sisters are first generation Americans, who, although are proud of their Nigerian heritage, tend to relate more to the American culture within which they were raised. Their parents, however, have a strong desire to maintain the traditions of their country and this ultimately leads to culture clashes in the family.

The eldest, Yemi, is expected to marry a Nigerian man, but she’s keeping a huge secret from her parents that will forever change the dynamic within the family for better and for worse.

The movie currently lists the cast as Dakore Akande, Liz Femi among other celebrities

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Raymond Reddington is back in blacklist 4 LOVERS of movie series, ‘The Blacklist’ are in for more intrigues as ace actor, James Spader returns as Raymond “Red” Reddington in season 4 of the action-thriller The Blacklist on Wednesday, 9 November at 8::30pm.

Season 3 topped the drama and espionage with a fast-paced plot involving former FBI Agent Elizabeth Keen, who, having suffered through a traumatic childbirth, was tragically ‘killed’and then quite unexpectedly discovered alive.

Throughout the arrival of numerous villains (including one Alexander Kirk, who claimed to be Liz’s father), the FBI’s most wanted criminal, Red, remained as cool as a cucumber-especially when he found out that Liz survived.

Season 4 opens right where season 3 left off: everyone finds themselves in the middle of a crisis and there’s a job to be done. Again, Liz , her new-born baby, and bad-guy-turned-good-guyturned-loving-father Tom Keen are in danger. Liz is still being held prisoner by Alexander Kirk, and his startling paternity revelation may have some serious implications.

The Blacklist stars James Spader as Raymond “Red” Reddington, Megan Boone as Elizabeth “Liz” Keen/Masha Rostova, Ryan Eggold as Tom Keen, Harry Lennix as Harold Cooper, Diego Klattenhoff as Donald Ressler.

Biodun Okeowo opens luxury spa in Lagos SULTRY Nollywood actress, Biodun Okewo is in celebration mood as she recently launched her ultra modern luxury spa in Lagos, during the week.

The award-winning actress was a point of attraction as it was well attented by a host of celebrities including Doris Simeon, Iyabo Ojo, Nollywood actor, Kunle Adegbite, Regina Chukwu, Pasuma, among others.

Speaking on the making of the spa, Okeowo who was full of gratitude to God for the new feat wrote “If I cannot thank God, then I’m ungrateful. I started

this precisely 11 monhs ago, I can remember a friend asking me if I had money to equip the shop as the rent is too high, she wondered how I will cope. But I answered, with God, all things are possible. Truly, I didn’t have the capital then, but God has made my business flourish and God has completed this being my second beauty palour. Don’t relent in whatever you do or desire to do, don’t look or listen to detractors, side talks or talks of discouragements. You might be nothing today but no one knows tomorrow” she said in an instagram post.

Movie Review: th, ‘93 days’ of dea e trial and sacrific

By Joan Omionawele NIGERIA was thrown into turmoil in 2014, when a Liberian official, Patrick Sawyer fled his country to Nigeria to seek solution to his health as he was showing symptoms of the highly contagious and dreaded Ebola Virus Disease which was snuffing life out of the people of his country.

He was transported to First Consultant Hospital, Obalende where he was, based on a high index of suspicion, screened for EVD. Sawyer (Keppy Ekpeyoung Bassey) was eventually suspected and tested for (EVD) by Dr Ameyo Adadevoh (Bimbo Akintola) and tested positive, a situation which led to 93 days of hell on earth as each medical officer in the first Consultant Hospital as well as their spouses battle to save their lives.

The movie, directed by Steve Gukas 93 Days, was reportedly funded with a budget of 400 million and produced

by Bolanle Austen-Peters 93Days is a successful attempt in merging Nigeria and the West. It was written by Paul S. Rowlston, a South African based filmmaker and features Nollywood and Hollywood actors.

93 days placed in perspective heroes who were of the health workers that against all odds fought to eliminate the deadly Ebola Virus Disease by putting their lives on the line to stop the spread of the virus as the endocrinologist Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, ( Bimbo Akintola) as an almost perfect being, she had no flaws. It did a little too much to her as it tried so hard to make her a hero, which of course, she was and still is.

Not much depth is shown on the lead role, (Dr Adadevoh’s background except that she was portrayed as a saint who could do no wrong. She even prayed for her colleagues everyday over dinner. The only time she was made look weak was when she slipped into denial as she began to notice symptoms , but she still saved the day by persuading the men in her life to go into the isolation process.

Director Steve Gukas showed a great deal of professionalism at this project, as he successfully synchronised the cast with the great talent, skill and passion.93 Days will always be a point of reference as other works of his will be judged based on his performance with 93 days.

The technical part of the movie is impressive as pictures are clear, while their costumes were carefully chosen to make it a masterpiece. Danny Glover’s accent was finely fitted to a typical Nigerian accent.

However, real scenes such as the part where people avoided them while trying to touch them were not really elaborate. While another younger doctor, Dr Ada Igonoh played by Somkele Idhalama was not weighed down by the pangs of death, as she fought for her life. Her delivery made the audience swoon in awe of her great role interpretation.

“93 Days” is a triumphant story of tears, intrigues, patriotism, and victory. It is a movie which must be documented for generations to come. It was a triumph for Nigeria as Nigerians came in unison to fight against a common enemy, tons of hygiene classes rolled in, the government was involved and even the most uninvolved, uneducated masses fought to secure their lives and that of their children.

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entertainment

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Simi, Falz, Mayorkun thrill at Quilox Halloween party

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HE month of October ended grandly for the quilox family as the Halloween edition, was truly memorable with an over the top ambiance set up to guarantee a wild, sexy and scary experience . The “other room” entrance was simply out of this world which is further proof that Quilox is always pushing creative boundaries to give our patrons the best.

This Quilox Ultra Pool Party took place on the 30th of October 2016, at Tickle bay with so many side attractions and thrilled guests dancing to the beat of DJ Caise,DJ Consequence and DJ Hassan. Every edition has a different theme, a different experience and definitely a different ambiance. The hostesses were also dressed to match the theme as they had on customized mermaid outfits There were a good number of A list celebrity appearances and also performances from top artists like our favourite duo Falz D Bahd Guy and Simi who took to the stage and wowed the audience with hit after hit. Other fantastic artists such as Dremo, Airboy and Mayorkun also blew the audience away with energetic and well choreographed performances.

Another highlight of the event was when the King of nightlife - Mr Shina Peller himself went up on stage accompanied by mermaid dressed hostesses to unleash the customized QUPP champagne spray gun on Falz to commemorate his birthday.

A list celebrities in attendance include : Psquare, Tekno, Baseone Special, Dammy Krane, Bred, shina Rambo and sexy steel just to mention a few.

Emem Isong back with Ayamma AWARD-winning producer and director, Emem Isong-Misodi is back with another movie entitled ‘Ayamma’.

The movie which is set to hit cinemas on 23 December was unveiled at an exclusive screening which took place at Silverbird Galleria, last weekend as Majid Michel, Adesua Etomi, Wale Ojo, Jonathan Ben-Bruce, Theresa Edem, officials from Bank of Industry, media and among others were in attendance.

The movie bothers on Prince Daraima, the charming heir to Obong Ikpaisong, who repeatedly dreams of Ihuoma, a poor but beautiful maiden whose beauty is matched only by her voice. In Daraima’s dreams, flowers blossom and

birds gather when Ihuoma sings. He is in love with the girl of his dreams. In the real world, Prince Daraima was arrainged to marry Princess Ama, the Arrogant child to a neighboring Monarch.

During a dance presentation to welcome princess Ama to the kingdom, Daraima is shocked to see that one of the dancing maidens is Ihuoma– a girl who hitherto existed only in his dreams. Unknown to him, this is Iko, a poor maiden in the village who’s an exact replica of Ihuoma and strangely possessing the same singing genius.

Isong stated that the movie is a blockbluster which everyone should watch out for.

Nollywood is different from what it used to be’ Continued from pg3

had no idea. My mum told me that as a child I would stand in front of the mirror, gesticulating, acting and miming things I watched on TV. I remember my mum would be like, “Kini omodeyi n se yi . Lo ka we!” [What is this child doing? Go and read your books!] She would beat me some times. At that time, my parents didn’t understand me, or why anyone would want to act. Now, I am happy that I am living my dream. This is what I want to do. I want to work with children. I want to be around children. And I am doing it. I am having fun.

People say you are restricted to Wale Adenuga productions, or why did you not take up other movie projects?

[Smiles] My work here doesn’t prevent me from acting. And I am not restricted from taking up other movie roles. The challenge is when people see me, they see Nnenna& Friends.

People think I am a child. I have had situations where when people see me they will be like, “Nnenna, are you this big? You are big o! The small girl of that time is now a big girl o!” And I am like, “I wasn’t that small at the time I started”. People think I am a small girl. When they see me, they see a child.

I don’t mind anyway.

How old were you when you started modelling?

I was about eighteen at that time.

If a script was given to you now, would you take it?

Yes. Why not! If it is a fantastic one, why not?

What is your views about Nollywood?

I think Nollywood is different from what it used to be. We are growing. We have fantastic producers.

People are doing well. Lots of good movies. Technically speaking, we use good cameras now. The stories are more realistic. We can relate to them.

You are a mother of twins. How is life being a mother?

It has been amazing. It is an experience I would not want to trade for anything in this world. I am thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to become a mother.

It has been an amazing journey. Though it has its ups

and downs, the smiles in the faces of my children make every effort worthwhile.

Did you expect to have twins?

My mother is an identical twin. I didn’t imagine I would have twins anyway. When it happened, I couldn’t be any more grateful.

Were you ever afraid of marriage?

Sincerely, No. I was ready for it. I had learnt a lot from elderly people. I love to listen to people’s experiences.

And I have great mentors, women, who have inspired, who have always been there for me. One of them is Linda Etukudo. She is an amazing woman. She has always told me that marriage is not a bed of roses, but that one can make oneself happy in marriage. She told me that as a woman, you have the power to build your home how ever you want it. That was one thing I held on to way before I got married. I would say it is working for me. It is not that it is always romantic all the time. A man will always be a man. And a woman will always be a woman. Friction will happen. But how you want it to be is dependent on you, the woman. The man has a role to play. He has to be a man, mature and caring, putting his home first all time. But as women, most of the work depend on us. Even the bible says admonishes that. I tell God all the time to give me the grace to build my home. And that has been one thing that has been helping me as well.

When did you get married?

Two years ago. Two years, two kids. It has been amazing.

What were the qualities you looked out for in men as a young woman?

I just wanted a good man. I just wanted God to choose for me. Like I said, I have always had people who talk to me, who give me counsel. So, I wasn’t looking for any spectacular quality or that he had to be this or that. I just wanted a good man. And I got it.

Can you share with us your love story with your husband, OluwarotimiAdemo?

I met him when I was serving at Ojodu-Berger, Lagos. And we were basically friends. From friendship we graduated into dating. And he proposed and we got married in December 2014.

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5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

with Tunde Ayanda ayandaayotunde@yahoo.com 08034649018

When Pastor Iluyomade hosted dignitaries at AWC2016

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Kazeem Nalado expands business frontiers THE Chief Executive Officer of Dependable Homes, Kazeem Nalado is one individual that sees ahead and plans for the rainy day.

The property developer is just extending the tentacles of his business at a time many consider the lowest point for such business in Nigeria.

Nalado, an expert in the construction of serviced apartment has to his name multimillion projects both in Nigeria and Canada and he is not just resting as he plans to break grounds in some major parts of Nigeria in the first quarter of 2017.

The Dependable Homes recently drew attention by selling out various multimillion naira serviced apartments that signalled a good record for the company in 2016.

HE 8th edition of the annual Arise Women’s Conference has come and gone, but it left in the minds of many a powerful message that shapes the thoughts on the existence of women all over the world.

The Arise Women Conference 2016 with the theme, ‘Grace to Grace’, is an organisation committed to accelerating nation building through the empowerment of women which is hosted by Pastor Siju Iluyomade of the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s City of David Parish, Lagos.

At the conference where Pastor Grace Okorede and Pastor Becky Eneche were guest ministers there was free medical treatment, cervical cancer screening, skin care consultation, free eye test and free tests on blood sugar.

Guests in attendance the wife of the vice president, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, Hon Abike Dabiri, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Mrs Omolara Ahmed and many other prominent women.

Beshy Kuti wins big at the 6th Glam n Essence Style Awards

Horizon Suites marks 10th anniversary REPUTABLE hospitality haven, Horizon Suites, Ibadan, Oyo State, a few days ago marked its tenth anniversary with pomp and pageantry.

Patrons and staffers of the hotel, which was commissioned ten years ago by exGovernor Adebayo Alao Akala, were all caught up in the celebration where the founder, AIG Isaac Boladuro was honoured.

The new management of the Horizon Suites under Boladuro stated its commitment to maintaining the high standard known with the hotel and also promised to inject innovations to place the hospitality haven in an enviable position in the country’s tourism sector.

The anniversary night was spiced with several activities and award presentations to the hardworking and long serving staff-

THE Glam and Essence Style Awards is a runway show and an event where the best of the Nigerian Fashion industry are celebrated and the Fifth edition of the awards had the BKK Ultimo of wardrobe consultant, Alhaji Beshy Kuti picking the Men’s Custom Designer Of The Year.

Susan Eyo-Honesty, the award organiser, stated that the recent Glam awards was strictly selected by a panel of style judges who picked distinguished individuals that have contributed to the profound change in the country’s fashion and lifestyle sector.

It was a galaxy of the finest in the fashion industry at the Elizabeth Philips Marquee, Lekki, Lagos State, where style personalties, fashion designers, beauty gurus

and celebrities all gathered to light up the event.

The highlight of the ceremony was when the BKK Ultimo brand won the Men’s Custom Designer Of The Year, a resounding applause charged the atmosphere with the designer, Beshy Kuti dedicating his latest award to God and his patrons.

The Ibadan-based wardrobe consultant disclosed that he didn’t expect winning the award as he considered the category challenging based on the profiles of the other designers he contested with.

Display of fabulous collections from Keto Couture, Fin Afrik, Luxury by Feyi, Topstitches, Otumemine Couture, JF Labels and Rhoda Michaels signposted the award ceremony.

Friends, family hold tributes night for Bola Davies IT was a day laden with emotions, tears and tributes when friends of late socialite and journalist, Bola Davies recently gathered at Mauve 21, Ibadan, Oyo State to pay their last respect to the woman who died some weeks ago during a brief illness.

The hall was filled with friends, family members and colleagues of the deputy Editor of City People magazine, who took turns to deliver strong tributes to the late journalist.

The Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in his tribute described the deceased as a ‘very hardworking and creative journalist who distinguished herself in her career’, he also described her passage as a personal loss to him and his family.

Present at the event were the publisher of City People magazine, Seye Kehinde, Femi Oye, Yinka Agboola, Honourable Ba-

batunde Oduyoye, Erelu Sumbo Famuyibo, Alhaji Bashir Kuti, Olumide Oludare, Gbenga Obembe, Alhaji Tunde Ologburo, among others.

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5 November, 2016

Divorce

Saturday Tribune

Court & Crime

I want to run for my dear life; I don’t want to die now —Wife God’ll judge us and keep our children —Husband

By Oyeyemi Okunlade

I should have listened to my parents who warned me —Wife She’s right about many things, but I ’ll change —Husband Ayomide Owonibi-Odekanye

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frustrated wife has dragged her husband before an Agege Customary Court in Lagos State seeking the dissolution of their ten-yearold marriage because of lack of care and neglect.

Mrs Adedoyin Salau, a trader, accused her husband, Segun, of being neglectful of his duties as a husband and a father.

“We have been married for ten years and I can’t remember the last time my husband paid our three children’s school fees,” she lamented.

She further added that though he makes money on a daily basis as a transporter, he doesn’t deem it fit to drop any tangible amount for the family.

“Even when he got another job with an interstate transport company, my husband did not change and in fact, the situation worsened as we continued to depend on the

goodwill of neighbours.

“My husband is a heartless man.

He doesn’t care about the welfare of the children. Whenever the children are sick even to the point of death, he would ask me to give them agbo. My son was so sick last month that I had to threaten to leave him and go back to my parent’s house in Oyo if he didn’t buy him proper drugs.

“I should have listened to my parents who warned me against marrying into the family.

“I started experiencing different kinds of bad treatment of which starvation was num-

inside

ber one.

“I still managed to endure with him for 10 years and when I saw that things would not change, I moved out of his house and I have taken my children with me,” she said.

“As if those are not enough, he could not pay for any of his children’s hospital bill, let alone mine,” she lamented.

In his defence, her husband, however, denied the allegations.

“I am ready to welcome her back as I still love her.

She is right about so many things and I am ready to change,” the husband said.

President of the Court, Chief R. Williams, advised them to bring two members of their family and adjourned till December 9 for possible settlement.

See pages He smells my pant anytime I came 18 & 23 back from a journey —Wife She’s stubborn, disobedient and promiscuous —Husband

AFTER several adjournments for a possible settlement between Odunola Kuforiji and her husband, Sulaimon have failed, aCGrade ‘C’ Customary, Inalende, Mokola, Oyo State, has dissolved their marriage.

When asked by the court for the last time what their resolutions were after the adjournments, the plaintiff, Odunola, said, “although, some elders got involved in settling the dispute between us, I’m not interested in him anymore. I want to run for my dear life; I don’t want to die now.

“He married me as a virgin about 16 years ago without payment of any dowry but we’ve separated for more than seven years. We have three children in our marriage and at the moment, all of them are with their father.”

The defendant responded to his wife’s charges with a head shake and asked his wife: “Do you remember where we both started?” But the wife did not give an answer.

Sulaimon, however, told the court that he is not interested in the dissolution of their marriage because he has no sin to count against his wife. “I just know that God will judge both of us and keep our children,” he exclaimed.

Again, the court asked the husband what the outcome of the meeting the said elder was. “Our families tried but it’s not working out,” he said. At this point, the wife spoke, “the reason we cannot remain husband and wife is best known to me. It’s not that I cannot talk about the whole thing, but I just desire each person go his or her way. May God keep us and give us grace to carry out our responsibilities as parents whenever the need arises,” Odunola told the court.

Having listened to both parties on oath in which none of them could give any tangible reason necessitating divorce, the acting president of the court, Mr Dauda Babatunde, said: “where there is no love, there can’t be progress.

This court sees that their house has broken down irreparably while their reason of divorce is best known to them. The marriage between the plaintiff and the defendant is hereby dissolved forthwith. Defendant should take care of the children.”

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5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

courtandcrime

He smelt my pant anytime I came back from a journey —Wife

She’s stubborn, disobedient and promiscuous —Husband

By Oyeyemi Okunlade

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woman, Dasola Adeosun, has pleaded with Ile Tuntun Customary Court, Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State, to put an end to her union with her husband, Taiwo, whom she alleged on several occasions had attempted to use their only two-year-old child for money rituals and that he used to smell her pants and fingers her each time she travelled to check whether she had slept with another man.

“My husband married me about three and a half years ago as a virgin and we gave birth to a child who is two-year-old, Emmanuel.

We’ve separated for about one and a half years and he has not been responsible for our welfare. Whenever he beats me, he either takes me to the hospital for treatment by himself or calls a nurse to come and set a drip for me in the house. I’ve tried to endure his excesses but it seems my patience does not pay any longer.

“After delivering my baby, he insisted on taking the child to his family house where unfortunately, my things were set on fire when a stick of matches was lit and thrown into my room through a window. It was after that incident that he told me he was taking the child to Lagos for money rituals. He took this step twice but he returned to me with the baby that he was told the child was not useful.

“Each time I asked him to give me money to take care of our child, he would say: “the child is not useful for me,” and since then I’ve been doing what I could for the child. I can’t dispute the fact that his sisters brought golden morn and milk for the child every month since he started feeding on them but it’s not enough.

“He paid no dowry on me before we became husband and wife because I was the one who ran,” Dasola told the court.

The defendant, Taiwo, denied the allegations. He said that his wife is promiscuous and stubborn.

“I observed that each time I go to my shop, my wife calls other men. She even uses my phone sometimes to make calls. I’ve tried to stop her but she’s been adamant.

“She’s stubborn, disobedient and wayward. Shortly after our marriage, we had a quarrel and she slapped me.”

The court, however, asked Taiwo if he ever beat his wife and what step his parents took.

He replied ‘I never beat her once.’ Dasola, however, opened up to the court that although Taiwo’s father has been intervening in their affairs since they got married, he withdrew at the point of provocation from his son. She said that Taiwo takes advantage of his father’s old age and opposes him each time he tries to make peace between them and that his mother is dead.

Not satisfied with his wife’s submissions, Taiwo said: “I’ve made a mistake getting married to you.”

President of the court, Chief Agbaje Henry Olasunkanmi, after listening to the couple, told them to bring their family members and the child, Emmanuel to the court on November 11 for judgement.

He did not tell me I will be in purdah —Wife She’s free to go if she won’t comply —Husband AN Ilorin Area Court in Kwara State, has dissolved a two-yearold marriage between Azanat Bashiru and Mumin Bashiru, over the wife’s refusal to cover her entire body while in purdah.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that purdah requires married Muslim women to totally cover their faces and bodies with black cloth.

The plaintiff asked the court to dissolve her marriage to her estranged husband due to his insistence in her being in purdah.

She said that their marriage was contracted in 2014 and had produced two children.

“My lord, I want an end to this marriage because my husband didn’t tell me this before I married him that I will be putting

on in purdah.

“This is not in our agreement. I cannot be covering my body with black cloth, including my eyes, all of the time,” she said.

The defendant, however, did not object to the prayer of his wife.

“If she doesn’t agree to be in purdah, she is free to go,” he said.

Mumuni urged the court to grant the divorce request, as well as award him the custody of the children.

The presiding judge, Mr Abdulqudri Ibrahim, dissolved the marriage and issued a certificate of divorce to the plaintiff.

Ibrahim also awarded custody of the children to the petitioner.

My wife goes around telling everybody she’s single —Husband

He stopped loving me and the children —Wife

By Ayomide Owonibi-Odekanye DISSATISFIED with his marriage, a man, Adedoyin Salami, has asked an Agege Customary Court in Lagos State, to dissolve his marriage to his wife, Yemisi, over lack of care and irreconcilable differences.

He told the court that his wife was having extra marital affairs with several men.

He also claimed that his wife was not submissive, adding that there was no more love in the marriage.

“The trouble is too much; when l went on transfer for about 11 years to Kaduna, Benin, Calabar and Ibadan, she did not for once visit me.

“When l travelled to Liberia on official duty, l sent huge amount of money to my wife for a house project.

“Yemisi diverted all the money to her personal use and lied to me that she had opened an account and saved it on my behalf,” he said.

The petitioner alleged that on his return from Liberia, he realised she had diverted the money to buying and selling from Benin Republic without his knowledge. “l went to Idiroko border to make some investigations and l realised my wife claimed she did not have a husband,” Adedoyin said.

He claimed that his wife had been going to parties and frolicking with different men.

“I can no longer love such an adulterous woman,” he told the court.

He also claimed that his wife had turned their five children against him.

“The children do not have respect for me anymore; they have stopped greeting and talking to me after all I did for them.

“I am asking for a divorce because this marriage has already broken down; all we have now is lack of love and threat to life,” he said.

Yemisi denied sleeping with any man apart from her husband.

She also denied all the allegations against her, urging the court not to dissolve the marriage.

“All the claims of my husband are not true; I have never been abusive, even as he often beats me, I still endured the marriage for the sake of my children.

“My husband does not respect me as a wife; he claims that l am an illiterate and that he had married an educated woman,” she said.

“He started victimising me at home and stopped loving me and the children since he brought another woman into the house The court’s President, Mr Philip Williams, appealed for reconciliation between the couple for the sake of the children.

“The court does not encourage divorce, we are here to make peace where possible.

“The woman should be submissive if she cherishes her marriage,” he said.

He beat me to state of unconsciousness on two occasions —Wife Give me time to reconcile with her —Husband

He always sent me out after beating and stripping me naked —Wife She packed out of the house without my consent —Husband

By Oyeyemi Okunlade AN Ile Tuntun Customary Court, Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo, has granted that Mr Kehinde and Mrs Mariam Hussein cease to live together as husband and wife.

According to the plaintiff, Mariam, their 10-year-old marriage, which is blessed with three children has been experiencing unrest.

“I want to divorce my husband because since I got married to him, I’ve not, for one day, had rest of mind. He always sends me out of the house after beating and stripping me naked. This is even a reason I want to divorce him. He is wicked, troublesome and irresponsible. I struggle to feed the children.

“At one midnight recently, he attempted to kill me and since then, I ran out of the house,” Mariam said.

Responding to his wife’s charges against him, Kehinde, told the court that he’s been responsible for the welfare of his family.

“My wife packed out of the house without my consent, paid the children’s schools fees and withdrew them from their school without my knowledge. I don’t even know the whereabouts of the children,” Kehinde said.

In his judgement, the President of the court, Chief Agbaje Henry Olasunkanmi, held that both parties were tired of their union as all efforts to restore peace had failed. He ruled thus: “The divorce on payment of no dowry is granted forthwith. They

are no more husband and wife again. The custody of the child is granted to the plaintiff. The defendant is to be paying N6, 000 as feeding allowance every month and also to be responsible for education and health care.”

A house wife, Sekinat Aliyu, has urged an Ilorin Area Court in Kwara State to dissolve her six-month-old marriage to Idris Aliyu over alleged battering and drunkenness.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sekinat said she was tired of the union as Aliyu had beaten her to state of unconsciousness on two occasions among several other cases of battering.

She pleaded with the court to save her from the troubled

Tell him to return my mattress and bathing sponge he took —Wife I didn’t take her sponge and I bought the mattress —Husband

A mother of two, Falilat Abubakar, has sought for N140,500 among other claims from her husband, Abubakar Imam, who sought to divorce her before an Ilorin Area Court in Kwara State.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Imam had approached the court seeking dissolution of their marriage for lack of love.

The plaintiff said she had packed out of the matrimonial house since 2014, but wanted it to be legally executed.

Falilat said she was objecting to the relief being sought by the plaintiff, but urged the court to grant her claims.

She also applied for the custody of their two children as well as N60,000 as a monthly maintenance cost of the children.

Besides, she prayed the court to compel the plaintiff to settle the rent for their accommodation, which she said had lapsed since May. She urged the court to order the estranged husband to return her bathing sponge as well as N38,000 worth of mattress he took when he came to their house recently.

She further prayed the court to compel him to offset the medical bill of

N30,290 she spent on one of the children, who she said was asthmatic.

“He also asked me to borrow him N7,500 for feeding in July and also borrowed a sum of N5,000 thrice before Eidel-Kabir festival,” she told the court.

In his response, the plaintiff agreed to her request for the custody of the children, but said he would only pay N5,000 as monthly maintenance allowance for the two children.

He also denied taking her sponge and said that he bought the mattress he took.

He agreed to refund the N7,500 feeding allowance and denied any knowledge of N30,290 medical bill.

Imam also acceded to pay the outstanding rent, but said he would discontinue the payment once it lapsed.

However, the Presiding Judge, Mr AbdulQuadir Ibrahim, adjourned the case to January 4, 2017, for the claimant to produce her proof on the disclaimed requests.

relationship, saying her family was no longer in support of the union.

The petitioner also sought payment of N30, 000 the husband allegedly owed her.

She also demanded N10, 000 spent on medical expenses when she was beaten.

In his response, the respondent objected to the divorce sought by his wife, saying he is still in love with her.

He, however, acceded to the claim of N30, 000 debt, but said that he was not aware of the N10, 000 medical bill.

He also denied the allegations of battering and drunkenness and urged the court to give him time to reconcile with his wife.

In his ruling, the Judge, AbdulQuadir Ibrahim, granted the prayer of the respondent to settle the misunderstanding with his partner.

He adjourned the case till January 2, 2017 for a report on the reconciliation.

23

He beats me and does not know what marriage entails,woman tells court I only beat her once —Husband AN Ilorin Area Court in Kwara State, has dissolved a two- yearold marriage between Rasheedat Abdulganiy and Jimoh Abdulganiy over lack of maintenance.

The plaintiff had prayed the court to dissolve her marriage to her husband for lack of maintenance in their union.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that she said that their marriage was contracted in 2014 and had produced one child.

“My lord, I want an end to this marriage because my husband does not know what marriage entails and lacks understanding.

“My husband does not care for me and his child and he used to beat me a lot.

“He did not pay his child’s school fees and left all his responsibilities to me,” she said.

The defendant did not object to the prayer of his wife, saying he beats her once.

The Presiding Judge, AbdulQudri Ibrahim, dissolved the marriage and issued a Certificate of Divorce to the plaintiff.

Our marriage lacks love and peace —Wife Dissolve the marriage —Husband A Mararaba Area Court in Nasarawa State has dissolved a 10-year-old marriage between Maimunatu Idris and Musa Adamu for lack of love and peace.

Maimunatu, who resides at Mararaba, Nasarawa State, had prayed the court to dissolve her marriage to Musa for lack of love and peace in their union.

She said that the marriage was contracted in 2006 and had produced four children.

“Your honour, I want an end to this marriage because my husband does not know what marriage entails and lacks understanding.

“This our marriage had broken down irretrievably as there is no love and peace since the inception of the marriage, “Your honour, my husband does not care for me, he had no respect for my parents and beats me alot. He doesn’t know his responsibility in the area of feeding and clothing,” she alleged.

She added that the respondent gave series of divorce, but denied given her the last one.

Musa, who was not in court when the case was mentioned, had earlier endorsed at the back of the summon that the court should grant the petitioner’s request.

The Area Court judge, Ibrahim Shekarau, dissolved the marriage and issued a certificate of divorce to the petitioner.

My wife wanted to assume the role of family head —Husband A man, Abdullateef Yahaya has pleaded with an Ilorin Area Court in Kwara State to dissolve his 16-year-old marriage to wife, Rahmatallahi Yahaya for her alleged misbehaviour.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Yahaya told the court that the wife he married since 2001 had suddenly turned against him.

He alleged that his wife wanted to assume the role of the family head whenever a decision was to be taken particularly on the children.

According to him, the wife is misleading their four children in spite of his instructions to put things right.

“The children do not respect me anymore as their father due to the way their mother behaves,” he said.

Yahaya urged the court to grant the divorce request as well as award him the custody of the children.

In his ruling, the Presiding Judge, Mr AbdulQuadir Ibrahim, adjourned the case till December 6 for the respondent to enter her defence.

My marriage is no longer appealing to me, woman tells court AN Ilorin Area Court in Kwara Statae has dissolved a four-yearold marriage between Aminat Abubakar and Ahmed Ibrahim for abandonment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Aminat prayed the court to dissolve her marriage to Ahmed because he no longer cater for her.

She said the marriage, which was contracted in 2012, which produced no child was no longer appealing to her.

“He doesn’t provide food or any other thing for my sustenance maybe because I have not given birth yet.

“I want an end to this marriage because he has even abandoned me at home. So, I am no longer interested in the marriage,” she said.

The defendant was not present in court, but the presiding judge, Abdulquadr Ibrahim, dissolved their marriage and issued a certificate of divorce to the petitioner.

19

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Weekend Lagos Editor Lanre Adewole m: 0811 695 4637

e: olanreade@yahoo.com

A Reporter’s Diary

Arrest of a ‘journalist’

pg21

When the idea was conceived to get inside the gay community in Lagos, nobody doubted it would not be a piece of cake. But three ‘straight’ reporters took it upon themselves to seek the ‘bent’ ones out. KASALI OLUSEGUN QUDUS sought them out, NAZA OKOLI and NEWTON RAY-UKWUOMA sorted them out.

T

A rare peep into happenings in Lagos gay community •‘I made over N600,000’

OLA Olopade (not real name), a 33-year-old fashion designer, was living with his grandmother when he started exhibiting homosexual behaviour.

He was in primary school when he dis-

covered his love for feminine accessories.

He used to wear his sisters’ shoes and church hats. He learnt to catwalk through an old TV fashion show. He realised his love for same-sex relationship through his addiction to girls’ stuff.

He acknowledged that the orientation had been with him over time.

Homosexuality as defined by the ancient Greek simply means romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between members of the same sex or gender.

As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is “an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions” to people of the same sex.

Continues on pg20

20

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

Weekend Lagos

‘I discovered I was gay when I started craving girls’ stuff’

Continued from pg19

This act prior to now was alien to Nigeria’s culture and belief, therefore, anyone found to be indulging in it has surely brought shame to his/ her family.

The two predominant religions in the country – Islam and Christianity – frown at homosexuality. The religions are very clear as regards their prohibition of homosexuality as a phenomenon that clashes with the natural order.

Even none of the cultures in Nigeria supports homosexuality. But Nigerians are finally at home

with the phenomenon despite the constitutional and moral ban on it. In Lagos, Saturday Tribune found out that it is a leveller that brings both the low and the mighty together in a state where anything not found is possibly nowhere in the country. Our reporters’ finds equally point at the act as a gauge of social influence. It has almost become a major way for the wealthy to enjoy their wealth.

Findings Unfortunately, hiding under the clash between civilisation and culture, the illegal act

has not only crept into Lagos, the heart of civilisation in Nigeria, but the city has become a melting pot for the majority of homosexuals in the country.

Lagos is believed to have the highest concentration of gay people in the country. The reasons adduced for this are many. To begin with, nightlife in Lagos is known to be topnotch.

There are night clubs in every corner of the metropolis. Under the cover of the dark, gay men (young and old) feel secure to fraternise and explore different ideas in the name of relaxation.

Also, because of the abundance of wealth in the city, which is a major attraction, many young men who engage in the act are sometimes motivated by money as they are usually able to find rich dudes who are able to meet their needs.

Findings by Saturday Tribune revealed that there are parts of the city that have, for some reasons, come to be associated with homosexuality.

First on the list is Surulere, adjudged as the centre of art and creativity. Surulere is home to some of the finest musicians and artistes

in the city. The National Theatre and the National Stadium are both located in this part of the city; landmarks which have continued to attract fun seekers and entertainers and, in some ways, create a kind of friendly atmosphere for homosexual behaviour.

The National Stadium, it was discovered, provides a perfect cover for this illegal sexual act. It is often noticed that young people who go to the stadium to play football or to exercise also indulge in homosexual activities, especially under the cover of darkness.

Victoria Island is another area known to be inhabited by a good number of these same-sex partners. Indeed, even where a gay person does not live there, there is almost always a reason to take him to the Island, which is home to most of the richest men in the city. Some of the tall buildings and fenced residential buildings adorning the area have been found to encourage these rich men to give full vent to their desires, away from the prying eyes of neighbours.

Victoria Island is also home to the city’s most sophisticated clubs where, according to information gathered, the use of mobile phones and all forms of gadgets is prohibited. Visitors are first screened in a special room before they are admitted into the clubs. This, it was gathered, is to ensure that no pictures or videos are taken since many of the club goers are, in fact, celebrities.

Cinemas on the Island are also frequented by gay people. Saturday Tribune found that one of the cinemas is also used as a meeting place for gays and lesbians. The meeting day, it was learnt, is Saturday.

The gimmick is that gays and lesbians often walk into the compound together so as not to arouse suspicion.

Some of the many gyms on the Island are equally known to be patronized by gay people.

One of such centres, it was learned, has most of their gay clients registered as family members; it is also said to have some reserved rooms for special guests.

The state capital, Ikeja, is also a popular hideout for same-sex lovers. The most notorious place is said to be an old hotel, where older men (known as sugar daddies) visit frequently to pick up younger men who are usually seen around the pool side.

Ikeja is also said to have some clubs whose owners (while not actually gay) are “gayfriendly”. In these clubs, provision is made for gay parties which often take place during the weekends.

Most of the beaches in the city, it was also found, are popular locations for homosexual gatherings. Because these beaches are often used for private parties and the administrators have no way of checking the backgrounds of their would-be guests, gay people enjoy unfettered freedom at these beaches.

True confession Tola (mentioned earlier), who spent 17 years in the illicit romantic escapade of homosexuality, disclosed the hideouts of homosexuals in Lagos State to Saturday Tribune.

According to him, his first hideout was the room of some National Youth Service Corps members who were living within his neighbourhood in the Somolu Local Government Area. He said when he was initially lured into sex with men, he thought it was an abuse but he soon succumbed to the illegality.

“In my secondary school days, we used to

I love the gays there because they do not only sleep with us but they also ensure that we learn one trade or another. The men are learned and you must have something doing before they can sleep with you. You are either in school or learning a particular trade.

hang out with Kings’ College guys and St. Gregory’s guys at Ikoyi. The venue is somewhere behind Ikoyi Tennis Club.

We had patrons who used to sponsor us there. I know two of those patrons whose alma mater is Kings’ College.

“There is also a place in Ikoyi called Bells Street on Lateef Jakande Road. I cannot say if that place is still in existence. The place was as quiet as a cemetery. The man’s family didn’t live in Nigeria but he was a full-blown gay man.

He used to bring his men and organised young boys like us to come over. We drank all kinds of drinks. We were not ashamed of anybody because we were all stark naked romancing one another,” he confessed.

“One popular hotel in Ogba also used to be one of our hideouts in Lagos back then. There was a place in the hotel that was in form of a conference room. I cannot say if the place is still being utilised

for such stuff. It was those days people found it hard to recognise gays”, he added.

When Saturday Tribune contacted the front desk officer of the hotel who gave his name simply as Akin, he denied the existence of such a hideout in the hotel. When asked how long he had been in the employ of the hotel, he declined a direct response.

Ijesha/Surulere is also a popular hideout for homosexuals in Lagos. Tola described a one-storey building in the area where he said the ground floor is dominated by traders with baby item shops but the main floor is for gay activities.

“I love the gays there because they do not only sleep with us but they also ensure that we learn one trade or another.

The men are learned and you must have something doing before they can sleep with you. You are either in school or learning a particular trade”.

21

Admiralty Way in Lekki is also not excluded from the hideouts of homosexuals in Lagos. The fashion designer said that there used to be a family man who lived in Admiralty Way in Lekki but had his wife and children abroad. He described the place as being very cool and having an underground where they drank themselves to stupor and also had sexual intercourse with one another.

Unlike the past, Tola said, it is pretty difficult to host gay parties in three to seven-star hotels but mushroom ones.

“I have attended gay parties in at least three mushroom hotels in Egbeda, Surulere and Agege. There are several gay parties at Shitta and Ebutte-Metta”. He also disclosed to Saturday Tribune the total amount he made while indulging in homosexuality.

“Initially when I started fully, I just did it for the fun of it. I always had sexual intercourse generously with those guys I admired. But a friend of mine advised me to commercialise the act and I picked it up from there. I made over N600,000 while in the act”.

He emphasised that his choosy attitude made him the most sought after and earned him better pay than his colleagues in their various hideouts.

Banned Nigeria’s intolerance for homosexuality is very obvious. The administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan signed into law, an Act of the Parliament making the contentious sexual orientation a criminal act despite the protestations of the Western powers. In Nigeria, Lagos inclusive, the act is criminalised and offenders are liable to 14 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

But the revellers do not look like quitting soon, making the situation a game of “you have to catch us first before jailing us”.

A Reporter’s Diary

Arrest of a ‘journalist’ Akin Adewakun JOURNALISM, no doubt, belongs to that class of noble professions. The reason, perhaps, is that the men with the midget tapes, microphones and pens are seen to be powerful and of the fourth estate of the realm.

They hold a microphone or midget tape in your face and, irrespective of the socio-economic status, you begin to shiver and quiver. A confirmation of the fact that the world still sees men of the pen profession as opinion moulders, builders and sometimes destroyers.

But of late, of huge concern is the rise in the ranks of those who eke out a living in journalism without really belonging to the profession. And, unfortunately, the activities of these people have begun to tell on the ‘authentic’ ones.

I had set out earlier in the day to

cover the inauguration of a microfinance bank somewhere around Olowu, in Ikeja. I had no inkling of the embarrassment I was to face later at the venue of the event.

It was an inauguration, not a press briefing, so, we were supposed to operate from the background; unnoticed.

Surprisingly, immediately the anchor of the programme introduced the dignitaries, journalists were asked to introduce themselves with emphasis on the organisation they represented.

I never had problem with that since I was representing the oldest surviving newspaper in the country and, if anything, it was an opportunity to market myself and the organisation.

But something in me kept on saying something was wrong somewhere, which was soon to be revealed.

We were actually asked to introduce ourselves because the organisers had discovered a ‘fake’ journalist in our

midst and they were ready to give him a public disgrace.

A fake had just introduced himself as the representative of a media organisation, whose publisher was once lord of the manor in one of the oil-rich states in the country, when the real correspondent stood up and introduced himself.

The impostor was immediately taken out of the venue and questioned behind the scene. Four identity cards each belonging to different organisations were found on him. As he was being whisked away in handcuffs, he kept pleading and attributing his action to the state of the nation’s economy.

Interestingly, while some of my colleagues and the organisers felt a sense of triumph that one of those bringing the noble profession into disrepute had been uncovered and sanctioned, what I felt within me was a huge embarrassment, an assault on journalism.

22

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

With Aunty Yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com

ISA, JSS 1 GLADYS AD In spite of the the recession in s still nt re pa y m y, econom as lunch money give me N100 food worth of y every day. I bu ning N30 on ai m re e th N70 and h is I now buy ut tr e Th . ks snac pared to what lesser food com before the I normally buy ssion. economic rece

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YO, ATA L O CH ENO BASIC 5 r onge s no l . They t n e r y a My p ch mone selves em lun h e t no m give acks by e. I have n m s h to w at buy them ppreciate se I e v i ecau c and g than to a i me b e choic hey give e econom t s h i t r e y d ev rstan rybod unde lem eve prob ng. faci

E, NIK OJE A LUW S 2 INIO JS oney ch m to N50 n u l My ndown n cut t I still ma ith e e b u w b has t I wan et of N100 from uy things ch y a sa ob age t ount. I bu d biscuit. n m the a r, sweet a wate

y u b o t y e n o m h c n u l r u o e s u e What w Puzzle uwa, Oyo State.

LAWOLE, HULDAH KO BASIC 5 Sometimes, my parents give me lunch money while other times, they don’t. Whenever I’m given money, I buy biscuit and pop corn, ten naira each.

Little Johnny was overheard by his mother reciting his homework, “Two plus two, the son of a bitch is four; four plus four, the son of a bitch is eight; eight plus eight, the son of a bitch…; “Johnny!” shouted his mother. “Stop swearing!” “But mom!” Little Johnny protested, “That’s what the teacher taught us! And she said we should recite it till we learned it!”

The next day his mother went to the teacher to complain. “No, no.” said the teacher terrified. “That’s not what I taught them.

They’re supposed to say: ‘Two plus two, the sum of which is four.’

• SET a goal for yourself by having a specific amount in mind as you start.

• Get a piggy bank or any other container and put it in a safe and hidden place in your room. Don’t use your wallet, though it looks like a decent place to keep money.

• You can get involved in daily contribution called “ajo” in Yoruba.

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JAMES, JEREMIAH JSS 1 ed My parents us before to give me N70 downturn the economic reduced but it has been y N30 bu I a. to N50 nair ve sa d an snacks N20.

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BISI, GRACE OLA 4 IC S A B Before, I used to buy food and snacks with my lunch money, N70. But now I can only afford N20 biscuit and N10 sweet.

GET INSPIRED

ngo, Er vate Schools, Sa ri P e n o St g in p e pupils of Step Respondents ar

Tongue Twister Nine nice nieces never noticed nine nice nieces noticing nine nice nieces

Tips that can help you save money • As a student, there are ways one can generate money for saving. They are: pocket money, gift from relatives etc. Before you know it, the little savings would have become much.

• We can also generate money by running errands for our parents and elders which at times make them appreciate our

effort and give us tips.

• Self discipline or determination. While saving money, we should be disciplined in order not to be tempted to take from it.

It will be of great benefit to every kid to learn how to save from now. This will help us as we grow into adulthood.

By Moses Ayomide Samuel

24

interview

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Ereke at 40, there is still room for improvement

—Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Chairman 40th Ereke Grand Finale Celebration

Ikenne Development Association (IDA), the brains behind the annual Ereke Day Celebration in Ikenne Remo, the homestead of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is 40 years old today. FOLA OKE AND WOLE EFUNNUGA had interactions with some distinguished sons and daughters of the town, particularly those who were part of the maiden edition in 1976, to sound them out on the journey so far. Here are their responses:

Y

OU are a distinguished daughter of Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, how would you describe Ereke Day in the last 40 years?

It has improved in so many respects. The concept came to being to pave the way for socioeconomic development of Ikenne town. It was meant for Ikenne indigenes to come home and participate in the development of the town. And generally, to get to know one another.

In those days, I think it was a weekend of events. The high point then was Saturday, when we would have the ‘Woro Dance’ early in the morning and the various societies would dance around the town. And in the afternoon, we would congregate. First, we used to congregate at the Town Hall but later, the venue changed to the Obafemi Awolowo Square where clubs brought their own foods and drinks with a bit of cultural entertainment. I think they still do that now. What I think is probably missing now, which is a pity, is that in those days, it was a competition to see which club had done the most for the town.

There used to be prizes. Maybe they still have that, I’m not too sure. The club that I belong to donated an outpatient block, fully furnished, to the local hospital at the time. Mama donated the children’s ward, also fully furnished. Papa donated a well-equipped science laboratory to one of the secondary schools.

Other people donated school libraries and so on. They were big projects at that time. Of course, one can understand that perhaps due to the economic downturn, the opportunities appear not to be there as much as they used to be in those days. People probably no longer have the capacity to donate as much but a few still make the effort. The celebration itself is now a whole week long.

There is the Miss Ereke competition, the marathon, essay

competition, etc. for which prizes are given out. It’s more of a social affair now.

You mentioned ‘Woro Dance’ vis a vis Uren River, what exactly is the significance of that Uren River to Ikenne indigenes?

Uren has a spiritual dimension to those who believe in it, but it is the river that provided life to the town from day one. To that extent, it was very important. Life would have been very difficult if there is no source of water. Of course, in those days, the water was cleaner than it is now.

To what extent would you say that the IDA has achieved its set goals since inception?

Well, the set goals included socioeconomic development and infrastructural development of the town. People have donated key projects to the town so to a large extent, the goals are being met. However, there is always room to do more.

Most importantly, I think one achievement of IDA which was not part of its original concept is that it has become a rallying point for Ikenne indigenes. It unifies the town despite conflicts here and there on different issues.

The IDA remains a forum that everybody recognises, accepts and acknowledges.

Most importantly, I think one achievement of IDA which was not part of its original concept is that it has become a rallying point for Ikenne indigenes. It unifies the town despite conflicts here and there on different issues.

First Saturday of every November is the fixed day for the celebration, why the choice of that particular day? In whose memory was it fixed?

I don’t know why the date was chosen. I don’t think there was any particular significance to it. And I don’t think it was fixed in memory of anybody. I think it has to do with the time that the idea came up and it was just the most convenient time to host the first one, and it just stuck. I am not an expert on the history of Ikenne.

Ikenne people are fond of singing their praises, claiming to have a tree that produces money, where is that tree situated?

That is not for people who are not Ikenne indigenes to know, that is our own secret.

No matter how good a project is, there is always room for improvement, what do you think can be done to improve Ereke Day celebration in subsequent years?

Interestingly, the chairman of the awards ceremony, held on Saturday, 22 October, 2016 brought up a very useful suggestion that we should open the celebration more. In other words, we should bring in major sponsors so that they can, sort of, take the celebration into the national cultural agenda. The Ojude Oba celebrations in Ijebu Ode is a prime example. We should open it up more and generate more interest beyond the confines of Ikenne. One major advantage of that is that there will be opportunities for more, and better, initiatives in terms of human and infrastructural development from within and outside the town.

There is a car carefully placed at a vantage position in the Town Hall with the inscription “Winner’’. It is believed to be a star gift for the 2016 Miss Ereke. Who and who are eligible to contest for this?

I don’t know but I suspect that they would be Ikenne indigenes within a certain age bracket.

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xquisite INTIMACY

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

With Bosede Ola-Samuel 08112658560 bosedeola_samuel@yahoo.com

STRICTLY FOR ADULTS

When opposite sex friendships become dangerous

F

RIENDSHIP with the opposite sex becomes a little too close for comfort when you are always thinking about him/her on a daily basis; when it happens that hardly can a day pass away without you sparing a thought for him/her; when you are always looking forward to your meeting with, or eager to hear from or speak with him/her; you always wonder where he/she will be, or what he/she will be doing at a point in time. Like an artist sang many years ago: “Hello!

Is it me you are looking for? I wonder where you are, and

I wonder what you do; are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you...” This kind of thought life is best reserved for your spouse, rather than for an opposite sex friend. Anything contrary becomes a problem needing urgent attention.

What threatens your spouse about your opposite sex friendship • When you speak glowingly about him/her at the slightest opportunity. For example, at every discussion with your spouse, there is something to refer to about

him/her.

• When you speak of him/her at odd times/hour.

Such as before, during and after sex with your spouse.

Saying things like “Mary said sex is best enjoyed with the lights out” or “Jide said this sex position is outdated” or you begin to talk about Sade’s best food or colour.

• When you often refer to his/her comment as to his/her likes or dislikes when you are with your spouse.

I remember a woman, who at the dining table with her spouse, said the food she served was her male colleague’s best food. The husband simply told her she could take some to him right away.

Doing or saying such things can lead to serious friction in the marriage. So, avoid them like a plague in order to protect your marriage. There is a mould in your thought life where only your spouse is allowed to fill. Don’t allow any other person, especially of the opposite sex, to fill such a space in your emotions.

• Lastly, let me say that you should not think that you can handle intimate relationship with the opposite sex without problems. People who feel like that are the ones greatly at risk of messing it up. They end up as bad insurance risk in such relationship. When you feel like that, or always say it, you are an easy prey. So, keep off of it so as to prevent the inevitable extra-marital affairs, which comes with consequences you may not be able to bear.

CONVERSE WITH YEMISI

08055001741 (sms only) yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com

Re: What else can I do?

D

ear Ola, life is short. Life gives you what you give him. If you are positive about life, it will be positive to you too. Anticipate your future, have a self-oriented good mind. You made a mistake by cursing your wife and son. There is no curse without a cause. Don’t blame your ex-wife and son, have a positive attitude towards life and also discover your talent, 08177551700.

Dear Ola, what is the relationship between you and your parents? Hope you have not been cursed too? Do you still relate with the church? You still need the church for better advice. Light, 09036803002.

Ola, your problem is still amenable. You have taken an objective decision in settling for another wife, but went wrong by allowing an absconded wife to settle with you again through your son. Also, you took wrong decision in cursing your child and his mother. Forgive them because to err is human and forgiveness is divine.

Best of luck, Lasun Azeez Omosanya, Iseyin, 09026522426.

Ola, you were too hasty in arriving at the decision to curse your former wife and her son. Humanly speaking, what had befallen you is unimaginable, but you should have waited on God. Now that you have taken laws into your hand, what is now

left of you? All you need now is to ask God for forgiveness as you equally take time to make peace with all those concerned even if you are not going to have the first woman under your roof again- Joy, Jos. Ola, as much as I sympathise with you on this nasty experience of yours, you never allowed dust raised in your first marriage to settle before getting married to another woman. Did you dig into the root of the exit of your first wife? Though having waited for 10 years might have been long in your estimation, but what can you point at now as the reward of your 10-year wait?

Ola, were you legally /formally separated with the woman in question? If you did not, I will counsel you do the needful. You have to consult with your second wife’s parents on the way forward. Your peace is very important please. Jacob, Ajah, Lagos.

Ola, you need to examine yourself properly so as to know where you got it wrong.

Is it in estimation of yourself or expectations from others? If you take time to do a critique of yourself, it will afford you the opportunity of not being disappointed on many fronts. Always give room for individual differences. God bless you, Cletus.

Dear Ola, thank God for the achievement in spite of the hiccups on your way to selfactualisation. Your determination is com-

mended. I doubt if you had told us the real reason why your first wife decided to live you after three children. Though you claimed in your letter that the church waded in the matter, but your wife’s father has remained adamant. What steps did you take to curry his favour in settling the issue between you and your ex wife? It appears to me that you are hiding something from your in laws, hence her father’s decision not to agree with the church’s intervention. As a civil servant, what was this woman doing for a living before she left with all you had worked for?

How were you able to know that your son poured salt on your car’s engine as well as poisoned your daughter? You might have made false assumption and reacted wrongfully.

Now that the second woman’s parents have counseled their daughter to call it quits with you, are you not of the view that you need to dig deep into your background to actually pinpoint the source of your crisis with the women who have come your way.

Once you are able to trace this, the solution is at hand. But I want to believe you have learnt a lesson by not being too rash in taking major life decisions. You need to be more positive about life. Never at any

point of your life avenge for any wrong done to you, but allow God to take over the battle

For Him

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James, 40, single, Christian, from Kwara State, church worker, needs a Christian working class lady for marriage. Call 08183418553.

Ola, 33, employed, Christian, tall and fair in complexion, desires a brilliant, mature, humble, working-class lady aged between 23 and 28 for a relationship. Call 08028839246.

For Her

Biola, 42, single mother, fair-skinned, God-fearing, homely, needs a God-fearing man aged between 43 and 50 working class widower for a relationship. Call 07080414621.

Gbemisola Olaitan, 50, widow, needs a caring elderly man for an affair. Call 09078588227.

Olayemi, 29, from Ondo State, 5.5 feet tall, Christian, needs a God-fearing man aged between 35 and 47 for a relationship. Call 08134746173.

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xquisite

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

‘My vision is 0 1 r e w o p m e to g n i r i p s a n o i l l mi g n i g r e m e d n a ’ s r u e n e r p e r ent Continued from pg9

F

Growing up AMILY wise, I was born into a military family. My dad was an Airforce officer. I grew up with a lot of discipline and structure which has stayed with me till today. Education wise, I have a first degree in Accounting, an MBA and numerous certificates in business and technology, including a certificate in personal coaching from the Coaching Academy, United Kingdom. Career wise, I have worked in multiple sectors of the economy especially in consulting and technology which equipped me for the work I do as a business coach.

Foray into entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship for me is something I was exposed to growing up from my mum who was always involved in one business or the other. She is still actively business oriented. It was never strange for me to sell something because that is what I grew up seeing. However, as I have gotten older, I have gotten more clarity on my own path in life and I see my work as a calling.

Challenges faced My earlier challenge was convincing my family that entrepreneurship was my own path in life. It was not easy for them to absorb, especially because a lot had been invested in my education, so, I didn’t really get support and I was afraid to fail because I knew I would be told; I told you so, now they have more or less accepted it. Another challenge was finding my own path in life as an entrepreneur.

I have done a lot of businesses, especially in the creative space, as I was modelling after my mum and the inspiring women I considered mentors because I did not see a lot of women operating in the intellectual business coaching and consulting space. Now that I have found my path, it is much easier and the usual challenges like building a brand and getting buy-in from clients are part of the business territory and I am in it for the long haul so I have embraced it.

Driving force My number one driving force in life is to make an impact on the lives of millions of people through my multiple platforms. My vision is to empower 10 million aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs in the next five years to create authentically successful businesses. Everything I do is driven by the vision which I believe is Godgiven and I will keep leveraging multiple platforms to see it happen.

Most defining moment As a mission driven person, every new season has been defining for me. From the

first client that signed up to one of my programmes to hitting revenue milestones, to impacting thousands of people. I dare say my most defining moment will be the next one and the next one.

Businesses women and young people can do to survive recession I have read several articles about businesses to do during the recession and I will rather take a different approach and say the question should not be what business to do, but how do you meet needs in this economy. Recession or not, there are so many needs that still need to be met.

Aspiring business owners should look around them and find a need they can meet that they have the requisite skill and ability to offer a solution to. People will always pay for real solutions to their needs.

They should also find a way to start small so that capital will not be a hindrance.

Role models I have had so many role models in my life and they mostly have one characteristic, strong women who have created

something laudable in their lives and are using their gift to impact the wold.

Lessons life has taught me I have learned that no matter what challenges you face, you can still win if you don’t quit. I have also learned that I am the captain of my own ship and I can determine the course that my life will take by my decisions and actions so I am proactive in creating the life I desire by the inspiration of God. How I have been able to combine my career with the home front I am mission minded and I have decided what is important to me so all the areas of my life are well integrated and I focus on the things and people that are important to me and I keep a small and close inner circle.

My prized possession My most prized possession is not a ‘possession’ per say. I appreciate material things, but they don’t take top place in my life. So, my most prized possession is my

Aspiring business owners should look around them and find a need they can meet that they have the requisite skill and ability to offer a solution to. People will always pay for real solutions to their needs.

relationship with God. My life has more meaning and direction because of it. Of course, I also appreciate my family and close friends. I also believe more in investing in experiences than in things.

My strength and weaknesses For strengths, I have a very analytical mind and I can connect the dots very easily which helps me in my work as a business coach. I am also very compassionate and I care about people. As per weakness, I am work in progress and I am learning to be more patient with people who are different from me. I am learning to embrace differences in opinions and beliefs which will make me less judgemental.

The legacy I want to leave behind My life legacy is quite audacious. I will like to impact one billion people by giving them permission to live without limits and creating platforms to enable them do it.

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5 November, 2016

quisite

Enoki mushrooms

Wood ear mushrooms

Experience distinct flavour, texture with mushrooms

By Blessing Gbarada

K

NOWN as olu/oosun in Yoruba, ero in Igbo and naman kaza in Hausa, mushrooms are one food group that though have been grossly underrepresented in meals, hold tremendous nutritional and medicinal benefits.

A member of the fungus family, mushrooms are rich in protein, dietary fibre, Vitamin B, Vitamin D, Copper, selenium, potassium, phosphorus and low carbohydrate. Touted for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-enhancing properties, nutritional researches have shown that some of their medicinal advantages includes protecting diabetic patients from infections, lowering cholesterol levels, preventing breast and prostate cancer, improving bone health, boosting the immune system, reducing blood pressure, stimulating the absorption of iron, aiding in weight loss, promoting

BLESSING GBARADA ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

FOOD Shiitake mushrooms

a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy among others.

They can also be cultivated domestically, picked in the wild and are also available for purchase in markets.

When buying mushrooms at the market, one has to be careful to choose ones that are firm, dry, and unbruised. Also, avoid mushrooms that appear slimy or withered. When storing mushrooms in the refrigerator, do not wash or trim them until ready for use.

Mushrooms are very easy to prepare and incorporate into dishes.

They can be sautéed in olive or grapeseed oil with onions or any other vegetable of choice for a quick and tasty side dish. They also make a great alternative to meat.

Not all mushrooms can be consumed.

Some are edible while others are poisonous. Some of the safe, common ones include the shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushroom, oyster mushroom, simple button mushroom, enoki mushrooms.

Saturday Tribune

Simple button mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms

32 interview

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Buhari ’ll ensure that his successor is a Fulani man —Olaniwun Ajayi ‘North has a think-tank in England and the US, John Paden is one of them’

Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Western Region, a foremost lawyer and chieftain of the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, died in the early hours of Friday. In this interview conducted on Wednesday (2 November, 2016) by Saturday Tribune’s KEHINDE OYETIMI and RITA OKONOBOH, which turned out to be his last, the elder statesman spoke on the state of the nation, the judiciary and the anti-corruption war, among other issues. Excerpts:

A

S a foremost lawyer, how would you react to the accusation of judges involved in money laundering and corruption?

It’s most disappointing. Again, it is part of the corruption going on in the country, but one least expected that the judiciary should have been involved in this very very ugly enterprise. It is most disappointing. I was devastated to hear that so much. The judiciary is our hope; the hope of everyone in the country. But to think and realise that the people on whom we will rely for hope and salvation would be involved in such a very dirty practice is most terrible. On whether they should be arraigned and tried, the DSS applied Gestapo practice, there is no doubt about that. But the thing is why should our judges be found in that practice? Although the way they have been dealt with, such as going to their houses in the dead of night, that could be described as high-handed.

But then, why should the circumstance arise for such to happen? It is very bad.

One of the arrested judges indicted one or two serving ministers in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Do you think that these indicted ministers should step aside?

They should certainly step aside and that allegation should be investigated.

They shouldn’t resume office until they are exonerated. In fact, without anyone forcing them to do so, they should voluntarily step aside and declare that they are ready for probe. Buhari shouldn’t harbour such people because he is out to clean the Augean’s Stable in this country. It shouldn’t be half and half; he should go the whole hog.

There have also been various allegations against the presidency that the fight against corruption is lopsided. How would you react to such claims and what do you think can be done?

What does the law require? What does the law provide? If we cannot meet the requirements of the law, it should be out. It doesn’t matter who you are. Not too long ago, the former president of Egypt was sent to prison for having behaved improperly. So why not we? We are talking of leaders. What sort of example are they giving our young people? It is very bad. Anybody and everybody involved in this dirty practice should be dealt with according to the law.

Do you believe that the fight against corruption is holistic?

I’m not too sure about that because if it was holistic, the name of the Minister of Transport wouldn’t have been mentioned, as well as one or two others. However, once their names are mentioned, the president should say, ‘brother please go home and get yourself clean before you are considered whether to come back here or not.’ It should be holistic and there should be no sacred cows. If it is done half and half, then it is not clean.

That brings us to the issue of one of the APC national leaders, Senator Bola Tinubu. Some time ago, the president’s wife did say certain interests had hijacked the presidency, insinuating that the likes of Tinubu were not accorded their place in the presidency.

Also, recently, frontline Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said they wouldn’t sit back and watch Tinubu being rubbished. What is your take on that?

Really and truly, Tinubu should not be rubbished because he, Buhari and others worked for the success of APC. So, for him to be sidelined and ignored in the affairs of government and administration is unfair. What ought to be done is that Tinubu should be treated decently because he was more or less the champion of the politicians who brought Buhari to power. He shouldn’t be ignored or maltreated or rubbished. That is not to say Tinubu is a holy man. He has his own weaknesses, no doubt about that. At the same time, he has worked for the party and should benefit from what goes on in the party. But for him to be neglected or relegated to the background, I think it is improper.

Thegovernmentofthiscountryis being,Idon’tknow,whetherguidedor beingtutoredbytheWest–Britainand America.SotheNorthhasathink-tank inEnglandandAmerica.Oneofthe membersofthethink-tankinAmericais themanwhorecentlywroteabookon Buhari,JohnPaden.

Photo taken on Wednesday by D’TOYIN.

Do you see Tinubu as the face of the Yoruba nation?

I don’t see him as such. It’s a bit intricate, in the sense that if Tinubu had behaved in the way expected by Yoruba people, the politics of Nigeria wouldn’t be as it is now. What I mean is this. Alliance for Democracy (AD) came in and through the party, Tinubu became governor. However, when he was well seated comfortably as governor, he rubbished the leaders of the party and in any case, brought the AD into problem, until the party more or less, collapsed. Then, he was looking for alliances from various parties until they formed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). From that, they jumped to APC. Tinubu was, more or less, promoting self interest as opposed to the interest of the Yoruba people.

If he had been consistent in promoting the interest of the Yoruba people, what is happening to him today would not happen because AD would have become a very formidable, strong political party. Of course, he was not alone. With the other governors elected in 1999, they all connived and brought AD to an end. So, that is it. But Tinubu could not say that he was not warned about allying with the Fulani. He was warned. Those who were, at that time, sounding notes of warning about Fulani coming into power, it’s not that they were so convinced about the Continued on pg33

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interview

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

‘Buhari’s treatment of Tinubu will worsen’ ing of the Red Sea.

Continued from pg32

How do you think Nigeria got into recession and what do you think is the way out?

Well, you know that so much money has been recovered from those who stole our money both here and overseas. Secondly, we relied on one-land industry – oil. I am very happy that something is happening to that oil. What I would pray to God for is that the oil dries up, then we will learn our lessons. Why should we have one-land industry? Agriculture is there, from which we can have so many businesses. We are principally an agricultural country.

Why should we suffer? Why should we hunger? Why should we be unemployed? Few days ago, I was talking to someone and he told me his would-be wife studied communication in the university and now, the wife is doing tailoring because there was no job for her and she is making money from that. There are university graduates in shoe making and furniture. I was reading in the papers today of a Nigerian who performed a medical miracle outside Nigeria. We are missing such people. When they train abroad, they stay away. But then, which country would develop without the use of its intellectuals? That’s the problem.

This place is not conducive for work for our sons and daughters.

But, that’s the doing of our government. And of course, if we ask the powers-that-be, they would say this is democracy. It is only by word of mouth; we are not practising democracy. All the legs of democracy are crippled – the judiciary, executive, national assembly, even the press and the police. We have a constitution in which we have what we call Code of Conduct.

Are we following that?

suitability of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan was preferred by some people because he was quite easy to talk to. Of course, when he arranged the 2014 National Conference, he promised to implement the decision of the conference, but he was not given the opportunity because he was defeated. Maybe he was properly defeated or he was rigged out of the election, I don’t know. However, as I said, Jonathan was not the fit and proper person to lead Nigeria. He has his own faults which are very serious. See all the mess about corruption during his administration, even extending to his wife. It is an unfortunate situation. However, if care had been taken about allying with Buhari, maybe Tinubu might have been in another situation.

You have repeatedly called on President Buhari to address Nigeria’s diversity lest we disintegrate. When you consider the accusations and counter-accusations about the president being lopsided in appointments, how would you assess that?

Well, I’m not surprised because when he was about to assume the presidency of this country, your colleagues in other newspapers came to me and I told them point-blank that Buhari would not be able to play the game as it ought to be played. What I realised is that, he is a highly disciplined person, being a soldier, but we saw what he did at PTF. Buhari is a Fulani man. The Fulanis are very conscious of power and they don’t joke with power.

And of course, Buhari’s treatment of Tinubu has just started. It could be worse for Tinubu realising the political power Tinubu possesses and how he exercises such power. But then, the Fulani are more adroit and more clever about that. I’m sure Nigeria is not unlikely to regret Buhari becoming president because at the end of his term, he will leave no stone unturned to ensure that he is succeeded by a Fulani man. I wouldn’t be surprised.

With the events leading up to the Ondo governorship election and the recent protests regarding the emergence of Jimoh Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), do you see federal might coming to play to influence INEC regarding the eventual outcome of the electoral exercise?

I don’t know. Anything can happen. In Nigeria, politics is not clean and that is unfortunate. You know what happened in Kogi and how the Yoruba man was prevented from becoming governor. It wasn’t by way of balloting or something. It’s a design to ensure that no Yoruba man would be governor of any state in the North. So, that’s the problem. The other day, all the Northern governors went to America. That’s not without a purpose. So, let’s wait till 2019. You’ll see what will happen. What makes a person like me very sad and disappointed is that there’s no true, proper politics and unless and until Nigeria is restructured, there will be no stability or peace or progress in this country.

You have been calling for Nigeria’s restructuring for many years. Why does this appear difficult to realise?

It is because the people of this country don’t get themselves together. I don’t know whether to say they are docile or that they are afraid to exercise their rights. My fear, however, is that whether we like it or not, Nigeria, if not properly restructured, will go the way of Yugoslavia because we are a heterogeneous country and we cannot be properly or safely treated as a homogenous country. There are so many nationalities, cultures, sense of values, culture and, of course, the attitude to religion.

In the light of the forthcoming Ondo election, how would you assess the Edo election, in view of the protests that greeted the announcement of the results?

Well, Edo election is already past and gone but there is very little we can do about that so the people will just accept their fate and move on. However, I’m not too sure about Ondo. Anything can happen.

So, do you think INEC is as independent as its name suggests?

I doubt it very much.

Why do you doubt INEC’s independence?

Except the election that was held in 1993, when they used Option A4, that was the time rigging was exceedingly minimised.

But since then, before and after then, there has been no occasion when our elections are not contested. There has been no occasion when our census figures are not disputed. The government of this country is being, I don’t know, whether guided or being tutored by the West – Britain and America. So, the North has a think-tank in England and America. One of the members of the think-tank in America is the man who recently wrote a book on Buhari, John Paden. So, that is it. What has John Kerry come to do in Nigeria? He came and first visited Kano, then the president, then he met with the northern governors. For what purpose?

Why are we kept in the dark? We should know.

PHOTO: D’TOYIN.

Itwasn’tbywayofballotingor something.It’sadesigntoensurethat noYorubamanwouldbegovernorof anystateintheNorth.So,that’sthe problem.Theotherday,alltheNorthern governorswenttoAmerica.That’snot withoutapurpose.So,let’swaittill 2019.You’llseewhatwillhappen.

But the South-West governors did not seem to raise their eyebrows regarding Kerry’s visit...

The governors of the South-West, South-East and South-South still feel themselves subservient to the presidency because from time to time, they visit Abuja on appointments. However, they forget that they are not under the president. The body of persons which can control the state governor is the state House of Assembly; no more, no less. The president has no power to dictate to a state governor. That is the truth of the matter. But then, that would be so if really and truly we are running a federal system.

We call ours a system federal but it is unitary.

In the light of Nigeria’s current economic recession, would you also align with the calls that legislators be on part-time duties?

Certainly! What are they doing there to make them entitle to huge amount of remuneration? They are all self-serving; they are not serving the interest of Nigeria. Even the very composition of the Senate is most unfortunate. Yes, they should be paid sitting allowance and nothing more. You have a senator having two, three, four vehicles, then allowance. How many voters in their constituencies have such accumulation of vehicles? You find a senator who had no bicycle before he became senator having houses and cars all over the place. It is a pity, but I want to assure you of something; all those who are making Nigeria difficult to govern, making Nigeria unstable, making Nigeria economically weak, in their self-interests, are going to suffer. They are going to suffer so much for what they have done because what you sow, you reap. If something is wrong and you’re doing it for your own interest, you will be punished for it. We will be deceiving ourselves if we think that the wrong we do will go unpunished.

Nobody can escape that. The other time, the children of Israel were in Egypt for many years suffering because they were reaping what they sowed. That was the order of God. But when God was satisfied that they had suffered enough, he raised a leader who rescued them. Moses, with all his weaknesses, was a very courageous leader. God made sure he was brought up for such position and all the obstacles were cleared in the presence of Pharaoh, up till the point of leaving Egypt, even with the cross-

Days ago, the Senate decided to tinker with the provisions of the act guiding the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Are you satisfied with such, considering the trial of the Senate President and his deputy?

How could I be satisfied? The two you mentioned – the Senate President and his deputy – how did they get to those positions in the first place? Did they get there as one would expect a Senate to be constituted? Certainly not. The presidency is watching the Senate and the Senate is watching the presidency. Everyone is being careful. That is where we are. These people sometimes forget that there is God and that Jesus is operating just as Mohammed is operating. My question now is that if Mohammed were to come now and ask the Senate President if he is running affairs righteously and in the interest of the masses and the country, I’m sure he will be dumbfounded. Same question for all of them.

As a former Commissioner for Education in the defunct Western Region, do you think the proposed 5-year jail term for lecturers caught sexually harassing their students is adequate?

The very fact that such person is going to jail is enough, even for one day. Then, he has scored a very black mark for himself and his family.

We are approaching 2019. What do you foresee for the major political parties?

Anything can happen. It is possible for some conflict and unrest to arise. I know this is a country which God Almighty loves so much, but we are behaving like children who have no home training. We just do things as we like. It is a great pity. Then of course, it won’t be a problem to God Almighty to get rid of those who are here completely and put some other people here. I used to read about the Lost Continent. See also the example of Sodom and Gomorrah. It can happen anywhere.

Of course, I want to assure you that the role which the West is playing in the affairs of their former colonies, they are going to pay for it. See the example of Egypt, where everything in ancient times began. How about the Roman and Greek Empires today? Empires rise and they fall. I don’t think there’s any country so blessed like America but they will go down.

When, I don’t know. But they have to pay as a consequence of what they’re doing. To all of us, it was a great surprise for a black man to become the president of America. However, there was a lesson which President Barack Obama should have learnt which he unfortunately didn’t. It was to show the world that God was in charge. Obama made some important achievements. However, when preparing for second term, he gave some support to homosexual relations, which is against what God wanted. They won’t go unpunished for that. The punishment will be upon the black people. It will take a very long time for another black man to become president of the USA because we abused the opportunity God gave us.

What is your take on the two major USA presidential candidates, Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump?

Well, I prayerfully hope that Hilary would win. She is more cultured in the way she conducted her campaign. If Trump wins, then maybe you and I would be in very serious trouble.

The way he talks, behaves, is unlike a president. Unfortunately, the contest is very close. However, I hope and pray that Hilary wins.

34 feature

By Kristy Siegfried and Tom Westcott (irinnews.org)

A

FTER an accord with Turkey practically shut down the Aegean route, the EU is eying a raft of deals with African nations to stem an increasing surge across the Central Mediterranean that has led to a record number of migrant deaths at sea.

Following recent visits by the Italian and German foreign ministers, the EU dispatched a delegation this week to the Nigerian capital, Abuja. The reason for the flurry of high-level meetings is no secret.

Nigerians represent the top nationality of migrants arriving by boat to Italy this year.

Out of 157,000 migrants and refugees who have arrived so far in 2016, 19 per cent were Nigerians according to the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR. Nigeria is one of five African nations the EU has prioritised as part of its Partnership Framework with third countries, launched in June – the other four being Ethiopia, Niger, Mali and Senegal.

The EU officials were in Abuja this week to formally kick off negotiations with the Nigerian government on an agreement that would allow Italy and other EU member states to return Nigerian migrants not found eligible for asylum.

A progress report on the Partnership Framework released on 18 October notes that “stepping up cooperation [with Nigeria] should be a particular focus of the coming weeks”, with the main goal being “a swift conclusion” on a readmission agreement.

Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by boat are widely perceived to be economic migrants, and yet, in the absence of a formal agreement, EU member states have struggled to return them.

Diplomats and officials quoted in a Financial Times report said directing private European money to Nigerian infrastructure projects was one EU priority, but also mentioned more controversial “return and readmission” goals of 50 per cent over the next three to six months and 75 per cent by 2018-2019.

Problems back home Hosting Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Chancellor Angela Merkel (of Germany) pointed out at a joint Berlin press conference on 14 October that while most Syrians in Germany came from a war zone and were granted asylum, the approval rate for Nigerians was only eight per cent. “We presume that most of them came for economic reasons,” she added.

The Boko Haram conflict in Northern Nigeria has displaced millions internally and regionally, but poverty is seen as the main driver of migration to Europe, although the violence and political turmoil often play a factor too.

This week, on board a rescue vessel operated by SOS Méditerranée in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières, IRIN found that 84 out of the 521 rescued migrants were Nigerians. They gave an array of different reasons for being there, ranging from unsubstantiated claims of religious and political persecution to fears over deteriorating security and soaring crime.

“I was doing well in Nigeria, working as a hair stylist and I earned enough money for my family,” said 27-year-old Maxwell. “But after my brother and my mother were killed, it became too dangerous for me to stay.”

Maxwell said his brother – a taxi driver – was killed after witnessing a crime and being pressured into giving a police statement that led to the incarceration of a criminal gang leader. “The gang threatened my brother and then one day came to the house and shot him dead in front of me,” Maxwell told IRIN. “Then they came after me. Even though we

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Nigerian migrants in Italy: Situation here is very difficult

moved house, they found us and killed my mother and I couldn’t stay in Nigeria after that. This gang had killed all my family and I knew they still wanted to kill me; so I took all the money I had and made the journey to Libya”, he added.

Victor, 33, who worked as a driver for a Nigerian politician, said he fled after becoming caught up in a feud between rival political parties. “A group from the opposition approached me and asked me to help arrange the kidnapping of my employer. But he was a good man who always treated me well, so I refused”, he said.

“I told him what they were planning and that his life was in danger and explained that I had to quit my job because my life was also in danger.” Within a week, Victor said his boss had been assassinated and the perpetrators came after him. “I left that night and never looked back. I didn’t want to leave, but there are so many bad guys now in Nigeria. I had no choice. I did what I had to do to survive”, he told IRIN. Twenty-three-year-old Esther, who left Nigeria heavily pregnant and gave birth to baby Naomi in Libya just one week ago, said that she left for economic reasons, having been promised a prosperous future in Europe by people smugglers.

“I was working as a receptionist in a hotel and I had an income, but it was small and

not really enough to help my family,” she said, nursing her baby in the makeshift MSF clinic on board the boat. “Then, one day, a Ghanaian man came to the hotel and said he could help me get to Europe. I told him I didn’t have any money, but he told me it was no problem, he would arrange everything, which he did. It was really strange that he helped me for nothing.”

Esther left in secret, without telling her family or friends and has not contacted them since leaving Nigeria. “I really hope I can get a job in Europe, to help me and Naomi and I hope to be able to send some money home to my family, because money is very difficult to get in Nigeria now.”

Shattered dreams Along the roads near the Southern Italian coast, the cruel reality that exposes the smugglers’ empty promises is visible. Young African women can be seen wearing unseasonably small clothing, working as prostitutes for passing motorists.

“Our government is not helping us in Nigeria,” said 25-year-old Festus, who alleged huge corruption in the country’s political sphere. “I worked hard and didn’t get money, but all around me I saw people who didn’t work getting money.”

Festus ran a small grocery store, but said

I left Nigeria two years ago and it was a big risk because I nearly died on the boat, but, really, it wasn’t worth it. I am even thinking about going back to Nigeria now, and from there maybe I will try to get to Canada, with the grace of God, because I hear there are a lot of jobs in Canada.

his business was ruined by desperate customers begging for credit and then being unable to pay him back. “I worked in Tripoli for three years to pay for this boat crossing.

It was so hard in Libya [that] sometimes I thought about going back to Nigeria. But everything is going up in price and life is becoming impossible there,” he said. “I spoke to a friend just last week who told me a bag of rice that used to cost 17,000 naira ($54) now costs 20,000 ($63). Ordinary people can no longer afford to buy even basic foodstuffs.”

For economic migrants like Esther and Festus, the reality of Europe rarely lives up to their hopes and expectations.

In a small town near Naples, Joshua, a 24-year-old from Nigeria, walked slowly around the town, asking people in poor Italian if they had a few spare euro cents.

“The situation here is very difficult,” he told IRIN. “There is very little work and even when I can find work, the money is very bad.

“With the fruit-picking, you have to fill a very big basket to earn €4 and how quickly you can fill it depends on your capability. But now, there are very few opportunities, even with the fruit-picking. And more and more people are coming from Africa, so I think there will be even less work in the future.”

Joshua was in his third year of medical school when severe financial difficulties, which left him unable even to buy medical books, forced him to drop out. He fled to Libya, then Europe, believing he could find work and better opportunities. But the hardship of life in Italy has left him disenchanted.

“I left Nigeria two years ago and it was a big risk because I nearly died on the boat, but, really, it wasn’t worth it. I am even thinking about going back to Nigeria now, and from there maybe I will try to get to Canada, with the grace of God, because I hear there are a lot of jobs in Canada,” he said.

35 interview Ereke Day Celebration Ereke Day is like Xmas for Ikenne indigenes —The Alakenne Of Ikenne, Oba Adeyinka Onakade

5 November, 2016

It is so far, so good

Saturday Tribune

Where the word ‘Ereke’

—Otunba Olusola Odumosu, came from —Idowu Sofola, San Development Association President, Ikenne

I thank God for allowing me to witness the 40th Ereke Day. I thank God for everything. I am happy because I am one of the founding members.

Around 1976, when there was no pipe borne water TO my mind, I think it’s God’s grace because before then, in Ikenne, during the construction of the Abeo- OTUNBA Odumosu, you are the 8th presie there was a lot of division among people of this small place nt of the Ike nn e De vel opment Association an kuta/ Iperu/ Ilishan Ijebu Ode road, the pipeline d through politics. Division in the sense that it could be traced the ass oci ati is on celebrating its 40th anniv was distrupted. ersary. How has the jou to those days when we had the Action Group (AG) and the ne ry bee n so far?

Everything was uprooted. That was the pipeline NCNC and many people belonged to both. And there was a lot It has been very smooth and that brought water to Ikenne from Ogere. Then, challenging. The journey has of problems.

Serious problems. So bad that some times, some not bee n bad. There had been ups and we had no water. What we used to do when comdowns but we thank God be- people who had been married to a side were withdrawing their cau se the glo ry belongs to Him. I also hav ing from Lagos was to fetch water from Lagos for e to thank all the past daughters from the marriage. From the start of Ereke Day, it our use in Ikenne. There was a day my self and presidents beginning from the pioneer president, the late Dad- was the beginning of true onenessof Ikenne people. dy Kol a Oronti, to Architect Adenike my wife went to Odogbolu from Ikenne to fetch Adesina, to Barrister Ariyo Because since we started, we got people together no matAde bay o, to Dr Tun ji Adelowo who handed ove pipe borne water.We put kegs at the back of our ter your political difference, no matter where you belong, it r to the Bar rist Om er ololu Layemo, to Elder Tay car. When we got there, we met five indigenes of o Fadipe and to my sister, is Ikenne first. When we started, it was like a federation of Mr Ola s olu Adu bifa. We thank God for everyth Ikenne who also came there to fetch water. Along ing . clubs that made up the IDA. It was the the clubs that took The mo st importhe line, the crowd became unbearable for the in- tant thing is that we have peace in the town. over projects. If you look at our roads, you will see that they digenes and they started to abuse us. They wantare all good. They were not made by the government, they You have been in the sys ed to drive us away. They reluctantly allowed us tem for decades. What, were done by IDA. One club will say I will take this projet, the in to fetch water that day. I was annoyed. Ditto oth- your opinion, informed the establishment of other will say I will do that project and so on. Then, specific ID A? The wh ole thing was based on gen er Ikenne indigenes who were there. I rememeral development of the bills of street lights were undertaken by the IDA. Apart from tow n par ticu larl y education. We cannot lea ber Revd Awobajo was there; one Akinola was ve Papa Awolowo’s that, every year, we have a chairman who presides over that there. And some others too. It was then we put education programmes. From inception, it was a decision to event. That chairman will undertake a project which he will edu cat e the people of Ikenne. That was heads together and asked ourselves; what manwh y we sta rted giv- start and finish before the next Ereke Day. ner of embarrassment is this? We then mooted ing scholarships to people, establishing schools, inc Let me state here that Ikenne started this idea of annual day rea sing the num ber of public schools, from prima the idea of having a borehole. Fortunately, Revd ry to secondary. I remem- before others joined.. Here, unlike in some other places, we dont ber we sta rted with Our Saviours Primary Awobajo and others belonged to a society. I School. Then Wesley invite people to come and make donations. We have high table think Ikenne Youths Circle. I belonged to Iken- school which is now Methodist School. The idea to inc rease the where the governor and other dignitaries will sit, the truth is that sch ool s came. An Sa Ud-deen prima ne Inner Circle. The two societies and other sory School came in to take we dont invite people to come and make donations. car e of the mu slim community and later, Obafe cieties in the town put heads together and went mi Awolowo Prito the late Daddy Kolawole Oronti. Papa Oronti mary School at Yawa, Ikenne. Also secondary school . belonged to Ikenne Social Circle. There and Yo u me nti on ed scholarship scheme. Ho then, we fixed a meeting. The meeting was held w do you go on 2nd of July, 1977. That was the beginning of about the scheme and what are the paramete rs for indig en es to ben efit? the birth of Ikenne Development Association The wh ole ide a sta rted from papa’s free education pro (IDA). I remember Revd Awobajo represented gramme. his society, I represented my society, the late We got to a point the government was no longer pra ctis ing the rea l free edu cat ion . Ikenne indigenes who are Tunde Allen came with me. My wife representblessed brought ed her club, Ikenne Ladies Circle. She was the the idea of giving out scholarships to students. We hav e Alagba Simeon Oyeniyi. He is still secretary then. alive. The late Juwon Adesin a gave sch ola rsh ips to stu den ts. The late Daddy Kolawole We were many. That was what gave birth to Oro nti also gav e sch olarships to students. the late IDA. Thereafter, we started holding series of Kehinde Sofola also gave out sch ola rsh ips . Otunba Adeleke Adesina is meetings. And the idea of having a borehole still giving scholarcame in. The first borehole was constructed ships.Lately, Deaco Tunde Odumosu also gives out. An d when you talk of scholarshipit is not limited and donated to us by Pa (Prince) Onafowoto primary or secondary, it is ext end ed to tert iary institutions. kan.All the club members embraced the assoThere are beneficiaries who ciation in view of its very good programmes. will be given their chequeus durThe main objective include: development, ing the grand finale (today). Personally, I give out sch olarship too .

You kno w I am not asrich as most of them. improvement, social well being of all sons and daughters of ikenne.The unique part of How many people benefi our asssociation is that all the development from your scholarship?

At least, I give to six people tal projects we have been having are mainly annually both at the primary and handled by Ikenne indigenes. The federal, secondary school levels. I have been doing that now for the past 20 yea rs. state and local governments never had hand THE idea came into being as a suggestion by Papa Chief Obain our projects.It has been self help throughfemi Awolowo. He told us that there should be a forum where all Yo ur em erg ence as the IDA presiden out. That is why I said IDA is a unique one. t was through an Ikenne sons and daughters will meet and share opinions. At that ele cti on wh ich wa s against the initial norm In other development societies, they will ask of succes- time, as individuals, we had societies but there was no collective people from other parts to come and help sion plan for IDA presidents. Where did Ikenn e peo- one that we are doing now. Papa Awolowo even said that was ple get it wr on g? but here in Ikenne, it is not so. why all his daughters didn’t marry in Ikenne; because they did It has become history now that I became the first dem not know themselves. He noted then that if we had been coming ocr aticall y elec ted IDA president. I personally Kabiyesi, former Governor Gbenga see that election as un- together for a purpose, we would have known ourselves, then the call ed for .We do con duct election into other pos Daniel started the construction / duts but not that question of going elsewhere would not have arisen. Then, we deof the president. The contest alisation of Sagamu/Ikenne road... ends at the level of the second vice cided as members of Ikenne Social Circle, the oldest in this place. pre sid ent to the first vice president. Once you That is government project. The former become the first Our president was the late Chief Kolawole Oronti. We decided vice , aut om atic ally , you are going to be the next presid Governor Gbenga Daniel started dualisaent. That that we should arrange a date around the christmas time where tion of Sagamu/Ikenne road. He did not had always been the pattern. I had served in various exe cutives all of us will come together as a group. You know during christmas so I kno w wh at I’m saying. I stand to be cha complete it before his term expired. Unforllenged. You can’t season, at that time we were doing fanfare during which we injus t brin g mo ney fro m out side and attempt to upturn tunately, the road has been like that since the sys- vited people from Lagos to come and sing and make people happy. he left. It has never been attended to. And tem. I thank God for what happened. There were so ma That was how we started Ikenne Development Association ny factors. I can assure you that suc the IDA has no resources to handle the h election will never happen in the around 1975. Since then, it has been expanding. system again. I paid the sac road. rifice which was uncalled for .

It was a suggestion by Papa Awolowo

—Prince Emmanuel Adebanjo Osibona

36

news

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Ahmed dissolves Kwara LG councils Biola Azeez - Ilorin

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji (middle), flanked by the new Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief, Kolawole Adegbola and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Jumoke Adegbola, during the installation of Chiefs in Balogun chieftaincy title, at Olubadan’s palace, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

We’ve recruited 200,000 graduates, to pay them N30,000 per month —FG Clement Idoko

T

HE Presidency has disclosed that the Federal Government has employed 200, 000 graduates to work as teachers and agricultural extension workers in the country.

Senior Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Media, Mr Laolu Akande, told newsmen on Friday in Abuja, that those employed would earn N30,000 monthly.

He disclosed that the selection process for the first batch of 200,000 Nigerians to be engaged in the N-Power process has now been completed and that their official engagement is now awaiting the completion of BVN verification so that they would be paid directly.

On how the selection was done, Akande said: “Presidency officials collaborated actively with the Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and other government agencies all through the process. There were no foreign consultants involved, nor is one needed.”

He further explained that to make up the selection of the first 200,000, there were three criteria thus: “40 per cent selected based on the number of applications per state, a special mark-up for the six states of the NorthEast and a discretionary addition for states with low numbers of applicants”.

Disclosing that the new employees would work in their states of residence, the media aide said their local governments would be in charge of their supervision.

According to Akande, “We have selected 200,000 graduates out of 500,000. This is the first batch.

“One hundred and fifty

thousand will work as teachers while 50, 000 will work as extension workers. Their pay which is 30, 000 per month, will go directly into

specialtreat

their account.”

Meanwhile, Akande explained that there are no online applications required for those set of Nigerians for

whom the monthly N5,000 Conditional Cash Transfer of the Buhari Social Investment programmes were designed for.

How to prevent cancer, cleanse liver with turmeric (Ata ile pupa)

By Blessing Gbarada

When it comes to spices and herbs, Nigeria has them at their best.

One of these wonders of nature is turmeric. More commonly known as ata ile pupa among the Yorubas and kurkum among Hausas, this staining, yellow- coloured spice with a pungent flavour is of the ginger family and has medicinal benefits that date as far back as thousands of years. Although it was used as a dye and for cosmetic purposes, its therapeutic benefit was not overlooked.

The medicinal potency of turmeric, according to research, lies in one of its active ingredients known as curcumin, which has long been known have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can relieve the aches and pains in arthritis and promote healing of wounds without leaving a scar.

However, new research has begun to point out to the amazing powers of turmeric in preventing cancer as well as cleansing the liver.

In the study, “Anticancer Potentials of Curcumin: Preclinical and Clinical Studies,” published in the journal, Anticancer Research, it was discovered that “curcumin can suppress tumour initiation, promotion and metastasis”, in other words, it can prevent the formation, replication and spread of cancer cells.

Researchers at Ludwig Maximilians Universitat in Munich, Germany, also carried out a study that showed that curcumin prevents breast and prostate cancers and reduces their metastatic potential.

Not only is turmeric implicated in preventing breast and prostate cancer (the top cancers in women and men respectively), cancer researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas, United States of America, have stated that it is effective against many types of cancer because it suppresses angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels essential to a tumour). According to Professor Bharat Aggarwal, a researcher at the centre, “no cancer has been found, to my knowledge, which is not affected by curcumin.

The reason it is so effective against cancer is that it hits not just a single target or cell signalling pathway but dozens of targets implicated in cancer.”

Medical experts, however, add that “this does not mean that the compound should be seen as a replacement for conventional therapies.

However, it could play a positive role in primary prevention – before a fullblown tumour arises – or help to avert formation of metastases.” They add that “the fact that the substance (turmeric) is well tolerated is very important, because one can safely recommend

it to individuals who have an increased tumour risk.”

Besides its anticancer powers, it is also known to cleanse the liver and help prevent liver damage. The liver is one of the most important organs within the body as it is responsible for cleaning toxins from the blood, converting food to energy and producing bile, a fluid that aids digestion.

The liver can be exposed to damage that arises from exposure to toxins, alcohol, oxidative stress, viral infections such as hepatitis and sometimes, certain medications and drugs.

A research carried out in St. Louis University, United States of America, has shown that turmeric can turn off a protein, leptin, which causes liver damage.

It was also shown to have the capability of detoxifying the liver and especially keeping the liver healthy during chemotherapy treatments.

It has also been used in relieving menstrual pain as it works as an antispasmodic on smooth muscle tissues, thus relieving pain associated with cramping.

Inasmuch as this wonder of nature has remarkable health benefits, medical experts have stated that for those taking blood thinners, those with blood clotting disorders as well as women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, turmeric should not be taken without first consulting with your doctor.

GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has approved the dissolution of the 16 Local Government Councils of the state.

The names of the council areas as contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold, which was made available to journalists in Ilorin on Friday, include Asa, Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Ilorin East, Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Irepodun, Isin, Kaiama, Moro, Offa, Oke-Ero, Oyun and Pategi.

The SSG said that the dissolution of the Local Government Councils, which is contained in the Kwara State Legal Notices No.4-19, was in exercise of the governor’s power conferred on him by section 18(5) (c) of the Kwara State Local Government Law (as amended) cap K33, Laws of Kwara State.

He also said that the dissolution of the councils was with effect from Friday.

“As a result, all the affected public office holders including the chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, secretaries to the local government councils and Supervisors shall immediately vacate their offices and handover to their respective Directors of Personnel Management (DPMs),” the statement said.

Ogun tricyclists set to join NURTW Tricycle riders in Ogun State have expressed desire to join the National Union Of Road transport Workers (NURTW) in view of what they termed unfair treatment.

The group of riders, led by their coordinators, Collins Ezuma and Sunday Olusoji, in a letter written to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Iliyasu, hinged their decision on alleged life threatening problems.

The letter, endorsed by 15 zonal leaders entitled: “Enforcement of Fundamental Rights of Association as enshrined in section 40 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria”, alleged extortion by some illegal associations and lack of proper care.

Other problems outlined by the riders include, extortion of riders by external body that has been using illegal association to extort money from riders and lack of appropriate care for riders whenever there was accident on the roads.

Others complaints contained in the letter included harassment of riders by those who issue illegal tickets for riders, constant punishment of riders for failure to produce tricycle particulars by law enforcement agencies as well as act of slavery and oppression by tricycle owners.

EFCC releases Obanikoro Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday released a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, after he agreed to return N480 million to the coffers of the government.

Obanikoro,who returned to the country on October 16, 2016 from the United States of America (USA), where he has been staying shortly after the ouster of former President Goodluck Jonathan, under who he served as a minister, in th 2015 presidential election.

He turned himself in to the anti-corruption commission in Abuja on Monday, October 17, 2016 and had been with EFCC since.

A source informed Saturday Tribune that as part of condition for his release, the former minister, who was questioned on his involvement in N4.8billion he collected from the arms funds from the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), has submitted his international passport to the commission.

The former NSA is currently facing varying charges preferred against him by EFCC on behalf of the Federal Government both at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Federal high courts on the arms funds scam, popularly referred to as Dasukigate in the media.

Reports had it that Obanikoro confessed to EFCC interrogators that he gave Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, the sum of N2.3 billion in the run up to the 2014 gubernatorial election in the state, which was eventually won by Fayose.

He was also said to have revealed that he gave the People’s

OLAYIWOLA

I, formerly Miss Olayiwola Cecilia Abosede and Miss Olaniyan Abimbola Roseline now MRS OJO ABIMBOLA ROSELINE. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

Democratic Party (PDP) standard-beare in the 2014 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, another N2.4 billion to prosecute the election.

37

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Editor: Wale Emosu tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08111813054

Replay order against Gateway, great injustice —ABS boss

T

he Director of Football, Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, Alloy Chukwuemeka, has described as great injustice the decision of the Organising and Disciplinary (O&D), Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which ordered his team to replay the stalemated last NNL fixture against Gateway United.

He told journalists in Abuja that the verdict was not in line with the provision of the NNL rules.

Chukwuemeka expressed fear that a bad precedent may have been set if the judgement stands, as any visiting club could refuse play on the grounds of flimsy security reason and the match must be re-

played.

He explained that the Gateway officials admitted in writing even at the sitting that there was no incident of harassment before, during and after the botched match, so he wondered where the committee came about intimidation and harassment of the visitors who never complained of any assault.

He also expressed surprise at the decision of the committee which ordered for the change of match officials who never officiated the match nor were found wanting in officiating.

Chukwuemeka said the article 4.2 (1) quoted in the judgment says ‘any club that fails to honour its fixture obligation without any reason acceptable to

the League shall be fined the sum of N1,000,000.00 payable to the League within 14 days in addition to all reasonable expenses incurred by the opponent. If the match is rescheduled the

erring club shall pay all expenses in respect of the match’.

He queried why Gateway United FC was not asked to pay all expenses incurred for the botched match on Sunday to his club.

Kaduna State government has commended the ongoing Etisalat U-15 School Cup which commenced on Tuesday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr Daniel Danauta, while receiving the Etisalat team who paid him a courtesy visit at his office, said the Etisalat School Cup initiative is in line with the youth devel-

Ikuesan promises to uplift basketball in Ondo The newly-appointed chairman of the Ondo State Basketball Association, Segun Ikuesan has promised to return basketball to its glory days in the state.

Ikuesan made the pledge on Thursday in Akure in his acceptance speech after the inauguration of the board of the Ondo State Basketball Association, held at the boardroom of OSSC, Akure.

The board was inaugurated by the chairman of the sports council, Gbenga Jegede.

The inaugurated board

has Ikuesan as chairman, Ayokanmi Edu as vice chairman and Mrs Iyabo Ajanaku as secretary, Ishola Akinseinde, chairman technical committee, Shola Aluko and Fisayo Bello as coach, while Francis Gbiri and Yele Akinbamawo serve as patrons of the association.

Ikuesan, who expressed joy at the appointment, promised to produce more basketball referees in the state as the state only boasts one at present.

He stated that he would bank on the support of the Ondo State Sports Council

(OSSC), individuals and his team to achieve the set targets for the association.

Ikuesan, a sports journalist, also revealed that the association had paid a debt of N250,000 the body owed the national body and the state basketball team had since returned to division one.

He noted that the first responsibility of this team is to compete and qualify for the next national basketball league in the national division one qualifiers slated for November 18 and 26 in Abuja.

Kaduna commends Etisalat U-15 School Cup

opment agenda of the state government, and assured that government was ready to collaborate with any private sector organisation to ensure the development of sports in the country.

“I want to specifically thank Etisalat for being a responsible and responsive corporate organisation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Government Day Secondary School, Gusau, Zamfara State defeated Sultan Bello Secondary School, Sokoto, 3-2 in one of the matches played.

Commenting on the matches, Director, Brand and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye, said: “Many of the football stars that we celebrate today began their career from competitions such as the Etisalat School Cup. This is why we are happy that Etisalat is enabling young footballers to develop their talents.”

2016 Lagos International Trade Fair

Lagos assures businesses as 2016 trade fair kicks off Akin Adewakun and Qudus Kasali - Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, of Lagos State, has expressed his government’s resolve to improve on its business environment with a view to attracting more local and foreign investments into the state.

Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the Lagos State government, Mr Tunji Bello, stated this at the 30th edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair held in Lagos yesterday.

The governor stated that the state would not relent on its efforts at bringing investment into the state, knowing so well that the task of achieving the goal of sustainable trade and industrial development is by no means an easy task.

“The challenge upon us is how to evolve sound policies that will stand the test of time and also generate the much needed road map

From left, Mr Rotimi Ogunleye, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Lagos State; Mr Tunji Bello, Secretary to Lagos State Government, representing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; Dr (Mrs) Nike Akande, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Sola Oyeayo, Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, LCCI and Otunba Solomon Onofowokan, Past President, LCCI, during the opening ceremony of 2016 Lagos International Trade Fair, at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos on Friday.

for our journey to economic prosperity,” he added.

In his good will message, President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr Bassey Edem, said that economic diversification is the process of expanding the range of activities both in the production and distribution of goods and services.

He added that for busi-

nesses to achieve expansion, the challenges that make industrial investment in the country very expensive and unattractive must be eliminated. “These challenges include poor infrastructure, unstable fiscal and monetary policies and taxation multiplicity among others,” he said.

He explained that diversification will stabilize the country’s economy against

the shock that comes with a mono product economy such as the downward trend in crude oil prices, being experienced in the global market.

He, however, stressed the need for government to come up with policies that would enable private sector operators and other citizenry enjoy the dividend of democracy which is the core mandate of any govern-

Japanese, Chinese, other foreign firms on ground About 191 corporate organisations have so far indicated their interest to be part of this year’s trade fair.

The Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, LCCI, Mr

Sola Oyetayo, stated that “while 185 are local exhibitors, six foreign companies from Japan, China, Egypt, Ghana and two other countries would be participating

in the 10-day event.”

He added that except for Lagos State whose pavilion had started operation, other states had not commenced activities.

He described the introduction of Essay Competition for Secondary Schools and the B2B conference as one of the unique features of this year’s International Trade fair.

ment.

Edem, however acknowledged the efforts of Federal Government in rejuvenating the economy through the different policies, programme and activities.

“NACCIMA will continue to advocate for the growth of business and also enhancing conducive environment for business in Nigeria,” he promised.

NACCIMA President said that a trade fair like Lagos International Trade Fair need to be supported by government, “because it creates a platform for investors and other stakeholders to display the opportunities that come with diversification.”

He then called on government’s support to the Chamber towards achieving its desire for a permanent trade fair ground that would host this fair and every other trade promotion activity aimed at expanding Nigeria’s economy.

In her welcome address, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs Nike Akande, noted that the Federal Government had set up a Presidential Council on Ease-of Doing Business under the chairmanship of Vice Presi-

dent, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, which will, no doubt, impact positively on current investment climate conditions in the country.

LCCI assures on security Participants at this year’s Trade Fair have been assured of adequate security as the fair kicked off on Friday.

The Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, LCCI, Mr Sola Oyetayo stated that one of the ways the organisers planned to achieve that is through the provision of constant power supply in the area.

Besides providing a standby generator, the organisers, he said, would also provide CCTV cameras, in the area.

“We will also ensure the pleasure of participants by providing conveniences at every nook and cranny of the venue.

He, however, warned hawkers to steer off the venue, stressing that the organisers would not hesitate to hand over deviant hawkers to law enforcement agents.

38

5 November, 2016

Saturday Tribune With

outofplay

Dipo Ogunsola 081 169 54 641

Hamilton makes friends with Tiger Formula One drivers live life on the edge by racing around tracks at over 200mph but Lewis Hamilton has gone one further by celebrating his recent triumph in an unfamiliar way.

The average man would pop a bottle of champagne or take a holiday but Hamilton decided to play with a tiger.

Hamilton approaches the adorable but powerful tiger (and please don’t try this at home) before the cute creature rises to give the Brit a hug.

The 31-year-old then takes a step back and says ‘woahhh’ as the tiger shows him some love.

You can then hear one of the tiger handlers say ‘don’t worry, relax, it’s all good’ to which Hamilton responds ‘she’s big’.

Hamilton has been enjoying a break in Mexico City following his latest triumph on the track at the weekend.

Federer storms psg’s dressing room

Martial settles down with Melanie

Anthony Martial’s love life has made more headlines than his footballing ability of late but he now appears to be settled down with French reality star Melanie Da Cruz.

After months of controversy surrounding his relationship with the mother of his daughter - Samantha Jacquelinet - Martial attended Monday’s Manchester United gala dinner with his new other half.

The duo looked happy as they made their way onto the red carpet to pose for pictures before joining Martial’s teammates and manager Jose Mourinho at OId Trafford.

Sports Mail recalls that Pundits have suggested Martial’s form has dipped following his messy break up with his former wife as he has failed to replicate last season’s form during the first few months of the current campaign.

Schweinsteiger, Ivanovic attend lunch Manchester United midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger, was brought in from the cold on Monday afternoon as he trained with the first team for the first time in the Jose Mourinho era.

And just hours later, the German World Cup winner was all smiles as he enjoyed a lunch with his tennis star wife, Ana Ivanovic.

The couple were pictured by The Sun armin-arm as they dined in Hale Village, Cheshire.

Schweinsteiger had found himself in exile from the United squad with the club willing to let him leave on a free transfer.

Schweinsteiger (left) and Ivanovic

Roger Federer surprises PSG stars (left to right) Thiago Silva, Marco Verratti, Lucas Moura and Marquinhos

Tennis legend, Roger Federer has often proved he is one of sport’s Mr Nice Guys, and the Swiss superstar reinforced that this week by paying a surprise visit to the players of PSG... moments after they had inflicted a last-gasp defeat upon his team Basel.

Federer was watching from the stands as the French giants faced Basel in a Champions League Group A clash at St Jakob Park.

PSG emerged victorious courtesy of a 90th minute Thomas Meunier goal, breaking the hearts of the Swiss swiss league leaders.

Chelsea stars on team bonding Chelsea’s stars are clearly enjoying themselves.

During the week, the players headed out for a team bonding meal.

Usually at this time of the season the Blues would be knee deep in their Champions League campaign but their 10th place finish last season means they missed

out on European football this time around.

The Blues form in recent weeks suggests the extra time on the training pitch is paying off but it also seems to have its benefits away from Cobham too.

With the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal in European

action midweek, the Chelsea team dined out together. Captain John Terry, Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi, Thibaut Courtois, Nemanja Matic, Cezar Azpilicueta, Nathaniel Chalobah, Ruben LoftusCheek, Dominic Solanke, Ola Aina and Kurt Zouma were all in attendance.

Ola Aina (left), Nathaniel Chalobah and others

39 sport

5 November, 2016

Falconets 40% ready for World Cup —Dedevbo •Names squad today

P

eter Dedevbo, coach of the national U-20 women’s soccer team, the Falconets says the team has only attained only 40 per cent readiness in their preparation for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup scheduled to hold from November 13 to December 3 in Papua New Guinea.

Dedevbo said this on Thursday after the team’s friendly match which they lost 0-1 to the Super Falcons at the National Stadium, Abuja.

He also stated that the World Cup squad will be named today, just as he noted that the friendly against the senior team revealed his

team’s weak areas.

“The game revealed that I still have a lot of work to do in all departments of the team.

“I will say that we have gotten 40 per cent out of 100.

“This is also the first time we are playing a female counterpart in a friendly since we resumed camp,” the Delta State-born coach who also led Nigeria to the 2014 edition of the Women’s U-20 World Cup said.

The coach said that the team’s final list would be out on Saturday (today), even as they would be leaving the country tomorrow.

It will be recalled that Dedevbo had included two members of the Flamingoes

Ezeji deserves to be NPFL ambassador —Amapakabo Enugu Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo believes that Victor Ezeji deserves to be named ambassador for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Ezeji played in the Nigeria topflight for 20 seasons before calling it quits and is now expected to be celebrated in a testimonial - the first-ever by a player who featured in the top division in the country, and Amapakabo who coached him at different times with Sharks (now merged with Dolphins as Rivers United), is calling for the former league top scorer to be recognised.

Amapakabo, who led Rangers to win the NPFL title for the first time in 32 years, is of the opinion that Ezeji is “a legend in his own right” considering his achievement in the league and with the different clubs he featured for.

“Who has won more [honours] than Victor Ezeji?”

“He is a legend in his own right. And I think it is about time the LMC (League Management Company) made him an ambassador of the league as opposed to someone who didn’t play in the league.

“He won virtually everything in the land - highest

squad that participated at the just-ended FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan, captain Rasheedat Ajibade and central defender, Catherine Kenneth into the U-20 World Cup-bound squad.

Meanwhile, coach of the Super Falcons, Florence Omagbemi congratulated her team’s effort in the match.

“I want to congratulate my team’s efforts, even though it was a tune-up match for both teams to get ready for their various tournaments.

”We are still in the process of trying to get a solid team that will represent us in Cameroon, though we are still expecting some of the foreign-based players to resume camp.

“Aside that, we are okay,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Falcons are, however, preparing to defend their title at the African Women Championship, in Cameroon scheduled to hold from November 19 to December 3.

Saturday Tribune

My unbroken 20 year-record, bad for Nigeria athletics —Onyali Olympian, Mary OnyaliOmagbemi, says that no Nigerian has broken her 20 years record in the 200m since 1996 is a sign of athletics underdevelopment in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Onyali-Omagbemi won the women’s 200m at the 1996 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Championships on Aug. 14 in Zurich, returning 20.07 secs.

She won the bronze medal in the 4×100 m relay at the 1992 Olympic Games and in the 200m at the 1996 Olympic Games. She also won the 1994 Commonwealth Games 100m title.

Onyali-Omagbemi made the statement on the sidelines of the Heritage BankLagos State Skoolimpics which began at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Wednesday.

The 20 years record, however, remains unbroken by subsequent sprinters that have represented Nigeria in the Olympics and other competitions.

Onyali-Omagbemi said that the state of athletics in the country should be a cause for concern for stakeholders in the sports industry.

“For the developmental side of me which I think is the best and is 100 per cent true, the record should have been broken.

“A record lasting 20 years and still counting is not in any way a form of development at all; someone should be encouraged to break it.

“The 100m record has been broken but the 200m is a monster. It is such a difficult sprint that requires endurance.

“Sprinters can get away with 100m without enduring but 200m is a different race where endurance is twice that of the 100m race.

“It is more difficult,’’ she said lamenting that the sport was going down.

“No one is happy with the current state of athletics in the country, especially for us in the family of athletics.

It has been headaches day and night.”

Who will you choose? The one that loves you or the one you love?

goalscorer, MVP and more.

He is the one that we see and he is the one that we know.

Baraje confirms Pillars, Katsina Utd talks Veteran coach, Zakary Baraje has revealed he is in talks with Kano Pillars and Katsina United after he quit Plateau United at the end of the past season.

In a brief chat, the coach who led Akwa United win last year’s Federation Cup, said that talks are still going on with Kano Pillars, but they are yet to get to a maturity stage.

“Kano Pillars and I are still at the stage of courtship but nothing tangible has come out of our discussions yet,” he said.

“I have also been having preliminary talks with Katsina United. We are also yet to come to terms and concretize the arrangements, but whichever pulls through any moment from now is where I will be headed.”

Baraje has previously handled Katsina United and was quick to dispel fears on whether he would be able to steer the newly promoted team to safety, stating that they only need to act fast, since they have only just been promoted.

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Conte dismisses Mikel exit rumour

Yaya Toure apologises to Man City •Nothing has changed —Guardiola

Says ‘I’m happy with his workrate’

By Ganiyu Salman

C

helsea manager, Antonio Conte, has revealed that he is pleased with John Obi Mikel despite his current situation at the club and has not decided to let the player go The 29-year-old has not been featured so far this season due to injuries and stern competition for a place in the defensive midfield position.

And the former Italy coach, in his pre-match briefing ahead of Everton’s visit today, cleared the air about speculations on his issue.

“It’s normal in every squad there are players that arrive at the end of their contract and then together with the club take a decision,” Conte told reporters.

“For me the most important thing is that Mikel is working very well now, because in the past he had some injuries. Now he is working very hard and I’m pleased with his workrate.”

Sunday, November 6, 2016 Arsenal vs Tottenham 1:00pm vs Watford 3:15pm Liverpool Hull City vs Southampton 3:15pm Swansea vs Man United 4:00pm vs West Brom 5:30pm Leicester

Conte also said he had not spoken to Mikel about his future at Chelsea amid growing speculation that the Nigeria international is in his final season at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel admitted in September that he was prepared to talk to interested clubs in January if Chelsea do not offer him an extension to his current contract, which expires at the end of June.

A report on Friday in the London Evening Standard claimed that Chelsea are poised to tell Mikel that he would not be offered an extension, but Conte insists he is yet to address the issue with Mikel.

“Have I spoken to him now?

No,” Conte said. “No, but I repeat, now it’s important to be focused on the championship in this period. We are in November. It’s important to be focused on the pitch. Then, we can focus on other situations in time.”

Mikel

Yaya Toure has apologised to Manchester City following comments made about the club and manager Pep Guardiola by his agent Dimitri Seluk, who still won’t say he is sorry.

Toure has found himself outcast from Guardiola’s matchday squads following Seluk’s constant criticisms of the Spaniard, which began when the former Barcelona boss was appointed to his new role at the Etihad.

Speaking on Friday, Guardiola said nothing had changed from when he refused to consider Toure for selection until his agent offered an apology.

After a stand-off which has lasted months, however, the Ivory Coast international appears to be trying to take steps to rectify the situation.

In a statement uploaded to his personal website and Facebook account, he said: ‘I wish to apologise - on behalf of myself and those who represent me - to the management team and all those working at the club for the misunderstandings from the past.

“Those statements do not represent my views on the club or the people who work there. I have nothing but respect for Manchester City and only wish the best for the football club.”

Whether an apology from Toure, rather than Seluk - who still shows no remorse, proves to be enough for Guardiola remains to be seen.

Akpeyi

Eagles call-up, mixed emotions — Akpeyi Late call-up Daniel Akpeyi has predicted a tough World Cup qualifier at home against Algeria, but remains confident the Super Eagles will still carry the day.

Chippa United of South Africa goalkeeper Akpeyi was called up as a replacement for injured Carl Ikeme.

“The game [vs Algeria] will be tough, but we will win,” declared the shot stopper, who featured at the recent Rio Olympics, where Nigeria claimed a bronze medal.

Akpeyi said he received his late call-up with mixed emotions.

“I received my call-up with mixed emo-

tions,” he revealed.

“I am very happy to be part of the team that will prosecute the match against Algeria.

“All we need from Nigerians and the NFF is massive support like we had against Zambia.”

He also wished Ikeme a quick recovery from a hip injury. “ I wish Carl a speedy recovery, but Nigerians can count on me to deliver in Uyo,” he said.

Toure (right) and Guardiola

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: saturdaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: LASISI OLAGUNJU. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 5/11/2016.