6th November 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,365

FRIDAY, 6 NOVEMBER, 2015

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Buhari, 36 govs for HID's burial

Drive my change agenda, Buhari tells ministers —P6

•Adeboye, Bakare, 60 bishops, 300 priests to officiate —P4

Why we are after ex-NSA Dasuki —DSS —P42

—P6

•Says he must account for $2bn arms transaction •My ordeal when they invaded my house —Ex-NSA

Foreign investors pull out N11.8bn from NSE in 30 days —P11

PDP attacks APC senators for rejecting N5,000 stipend —P42

From left, chairman, Media Sub-committee, Chief Taiwo Alimi; chairman, Programme Committee, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran; chairman, HID Awolowo Burial Central Planning Committee, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa and the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of Tribune titles, Mr Edward Dickson, during the press conference on HID Awolowo's burial ceremony, held at her residence in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, on Thursday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

Reps demand new revenue allocation formula —P4

Friday, 6 November, 2015

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Friday, 6 November, 2015

Buhari, 36 govs to grace HID’s burial Nov 25

•Adeboye, Bakare, 60 bishops, 300 priests to participate •Ogun govt dedicates Nov 23 for celebration Olayinka Olukoya -Abeokuta

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and 36 state governors of the federation are expected to bid the Co-founder/Chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of Tribune titles, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo farewell, as she would be committed to mother earth on November 25. This was disclosed by the secretary to the Ogun State government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, at a press conference organised by the mediasub committee of the HID Awolowo Burial Central Planning Committee, to reel out programmes slated for her burial. The conference was jointly addressed by the chairman of the HID Awolowo Central Planning Committee, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, the chairman, media subcommittee, Chief Taiwo Alimi and the Managing Director of ANN Plc, Mr Edward Dickson. Adeoluwa said the invitation letters had been dispatched to the Presidency and that the state governors had equally been invited through the secretaries to the state governments (SSGs). The SSG noted that the late Yeye Oodua deserved a befitting burial, because of the motherly role she played in the history of the nation. Adeoluwa said further that the state government had dedicated November 23 as a special day of tributes in honour of the departed soul. He said the event would hold at the Sagamu International Stadium, Sagamu, between 12.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m, saying that Fuji icon, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde and other artistes would be on bandstand. Adeoluwa added that people from different zones of the state were expected at the programme, saying “the Ogun State government is involved in everything. We are powering the events; we are fully involved in the programmes. Mama belonged to everybody, not just the Yoruba. The governor is the chief mourner. On Monday, November 23, Ogun State government and people would be celebrating the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty and bid her farewell. “The governor will be hosting his governor-brothers. Letters have been dispatched to 35 state gover-

nors and to Mr President; that they should come and honour Mama. Chairmen and legislative arms of the 20 local government areas have also been invited. It will be an afternoon of tributes from the governors.” He also disclosed that the state executive would deliberate on the proposal by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to immortalise the matriarch and probably approve same on Monday next week. While reeling out the programmes slated for Mama’s glorious exit, Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, said the burial programmes would spanned a period of 11 days. She explained that Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, venue for the funeral service, would only accommodate 690 guests, noting that

different designated centres with large television screens had been provided for other well-wishers to participate in the funeral service. Chairman, central planning committee, said the church would only accommodate eminent personalities and family members, while appealing to other guests to make do with the provision at the Obafemi Awolowo Square and the Apostolic Church all in Ikenne for the burial service. Awolowo Dosumu said about 60 bishops from the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), 300 priests would be part of the funeral service. She also disclosed that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye,

the presiding pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare and other anointed ministers of God, including the Muslim community, would be participating in the burial activities. Chairman also informed newsmen that there would be no vehicular movement into Ikenne township on the day of the burial, adding that enough shuttle buses would be provided to convey people, so as to ease flow of traffic. Awolowo Dosumu said Mama’s final journey would begin on Sunday, November 15, with a lying-in-state at Park Lane, Apapa, which would be followed by a Christian Interdenominational Service at the same venue. While her body departs

for Ibadan on Monday 16th, with another lying-in-state at her husband’s residence in Oke-Bola area of Ibadan. This would be closely followed by a commendation service at Agbeni Methodist Church and another commendation service by the Liyangu ruling house/HID Awolowo Church, Sagamu. Mama’s body would thereafter be taken to Tribune House for a lying-instate and a day of tributes, as the day marks the 66th founder’s day of the Nigerian Tribune by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. On Tuesday, November 17, there would be orations/ tributes by different groups, which include Afenifere, Yoruba Unity Forum, Yoruba Council of Elders, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Oodua Foundation,

Reps demand new revenue allocation formula Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja THE House of Representatives, on Thursday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to submit to the National Assembly proposals for a new revenue allocation formula for further legislative action. The House resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Honourable Rotimi Agunsoye, entitled: “Call for a new revenue formula (RAF) for the federation” at the plenary, on Thursday. According to Honour-

able Agunsoye, “Section 6 (1) (b) of the revenue mobilisation allocation and fiscal commission act, Cap. R7, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 prescribes for a certain committee within the agency to review the revenue allocation formula from time to time, to reflect current realities.” He added that “the effectiveness of the current applicable formula which is over 30 years old, would appear doubtful to reflect the realities facing the financial needs of the three

tiers of government.” To this end, he maintained that “Section 162 (2) of the constitution requires the president, on the recommendation of the revenue mobilisation allocation and fiscal commission to submit a proposal for a new revenue allocation formula to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law.” The House Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, who supported the motion, said new revenue allocation formula was something that should

have been done in the previous assemblies. Another member, Honourable Tahir Monguno, who kicked against the motion, said new revenue allocation formula was not something that could be done by way of motion and maintained that any tier of government “who is not satisfied can seek redress in the court.” The motion was supported by members when it was put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the session.

Glo takes Slide ‘n’ Bounce, Laffta Fest Concerts to Egbeda, Ijebu Ode THE twin premium shows of the Next Generation Network, Globacom, Glo "Slide 'n' Bounce" and "Glo Laffta Fest," will this weekend, storm the Lagos satellite town of Egbeda and Ijebu Ode town in Ogun State. Both shows, which started 11 weeks ago, will hold on Sunday, November 8 at the two locations. While Slide 'n' Bounce holds at the Floral Hall, Egbeda, the comedy show, Glo Laffta Fest, will hold at De Prime Event Centre, Molipa, Ijebu Ode. A statement issued in Lagos, on Thursday, by Globacom disclosed that for the Egbeda concert, music stars, such as Flavour, Burna Boy, Ego and Burna Boy will be on hand to entertain the residents of the city and its environs, with the sensational radio household name, Jimmy D Hypeman, as the anchor man.

Top comedians lined up for the Laffta Fest, according to Globacom includes Seyi Law, Bash, D' Don, Funny Bone, Latin, Pappy Luwe, SIM Card and Omo Baba, while Saheed Osupa and Burna Boy will serenade the audience with some of Nigeria’s biggest music hits. Legendary comedian, Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth, is billed

to host the Ijebu Ode show. Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce had, before coming to Egbeda, been held in Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Ikorodu, Benin, Victoria Island, Ijebu Ode and Surulere, while the comedy show, Laffta Fest had been, held in Benin City, Victoria Island, Abeokuta, Surulere, Port Harcourt, Ikeja, Anyingba town in Kogi State and Ibadan.

Globacom explained that to qualify to party with the stars at the concert in Egbeda, subscribers must have used up to N2,000 in the last one month and send "YES EGBEDA" by SMS to a short code 30118. For Laffta Fest, subscribers are expected to have used N3,000 in the preceding month and send "LOL IJEBU ODE" to a short code 30188.

Niger Air Force bombs Boko Haram base, arrests 20 Niger's Air Force has bombed a Boko Haram base in the country's south-east and arrested more than 20 insurgents, security sources said on Thursday, in its biggest counter-attack in eight months. Members of the group, based mostly in NorthEastern Nigeria, have repeatedly attacked the Lake Chad area, including Niger's southern border re-

gion of Diffa. Government forces tracked the insurgents after a soldier was killed when a military vehicle was blown up by remote control by the group near Lake Chad on Monday, the sources said. “Our Air Forces destroyed this nest, but we do not yet have an official death toll,” a military officer said. The officer said soldiers had arrested the remain-

ing fighters. In October, Niger's parliament approved a threemonth extension of a 15day state of emergency in Diffa, in order to boost security. A long-awaited 8,700 regional task force is set to begin joint raids on Boko Haram's last enclaves when the rainy season ends soon, a top United Nations (UN) official in West Africa said.

United States of America, among others. Later in the day, Pastor Bakare would be ministering at a programme tagged “Praise the Lord.” There will be the presentation of Mama’s biography entitled: “In the radiance of the Sage (The life and times of Mama HID Awolowo” on Wednesday, November 18 and service of songs by the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Remo, Women Group. Thursday, November 19, will feature orations/tributes by universities that conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Mama Awolowo and Service of Songs by the Christian Association of Nigeria. There will be traditional dance tagged “Ode -Iyalu” in the early hours of Friday, November 20, which would be followed by Muslim prayers; tributes by Ikenne Development Association; Liyangu, Awolowo, Ligu-Ogodo-Adebowale families and Sadeke Descendants. Also, the Ife Council of Chiefs and others would also be on ground . Saturday, November 21 would be a day set aside for theatre artistes, which include the Ogunde Yoruba Theatre, with songs and play with the theme “HID Unto Glory” and other theatre groups to be led by Chief Jimoh Aliu and Mr Adebayo Salami. There will also be service of songs by choirs from various churches. The Apostolic Church will be conducting a service of songs on Sunday, November 22, while different women organisations would be celebrating HID on Monday, November 23, with a service of songs by the Methodist Church of Nigeria on the same day. Pastor Adeboye would be conducting a private prayer session for the Awolowo family on Tuesday, November 24 and a christian wakekeep to be conducted by the Anglican Communion. These programmes would be preceded by Woro dance in the morning. In his remarks, the MD/ EIC of ANN plc, Dickson, assured newsmen of comfortable coverage, as he disclosed that the accreditation of newsmen would commence on Wednesday next week. He also said that a functional media centre would be provided to ease the work of the journalists in reporting all the burial activities . Responding, Mrs Oyediran appreciated the journalists for their support since the demise of Mama in terms of adequate news coverage.

Friday, 6 November, 2015

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Friday, 6 November, 2015

Why we are after ex-NSA Dasuki —DSS

•Says he must account for $2bn arms transaction •My ordeal when they invaded my house —Ex-NSA Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja with agency reports

HE Department of State Service (DSS), on Thursday, said it was after the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), as a result of his failure to appear before a committee set up to investigate procurement processes relating to a $2 billion arms transaction during the last administration, under which he was the NSA. The embattled former NSA had earlier accused the SSS of violating the law and harassing him when the case against him was already before a court. Colonel Dasuki, earlier on Thursday, had told PREMIUM TIMES that the DSS was determined to re-arrest him without any court warrant or fresh charges. He said the DSS operatives arrived his Abuja residence early Thursday and told his personal security at the gate that they needed to deliver a letter of invitation to him to report at the DSS office by 11.00 a.m. same day. But the DSS denied blocking his residence, in violation of a subsisting court order granting him a relief to travel oversea for medical services as being alleged in some quarters. In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja last night by one Mr Tony Opuiyo, the DSS said the presence of its operatives at Dasuki’s Abuja residence was due to his refusal to honour an invitation extended to him by a committee undertaking the investigation of an entirely different case. It will be recalled that the Federal Government set up the committee to investigate procurement processes relating to a $2 billion arms transaction by the last administration. The statement stated that it was on this premise that Dasuki was invited by the committee to shed more light on his involvement in the deal. According to the DSS, “it is, therefore, surprising and shocking that Dasuki has refused to honour invitations of the committee but, instead, resorts to grandstanding and subtle blackmail of the Service. “His refusal to appear before the committee has left the Service with no option but to adopt legal means to ensure his attendance.” The statement read: “It may be recalled that Sambo was initially arrested and

charged to court for unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering, for which reason his international passport was seized and on the order of the court, returned to the registrar for custody. “What has, however, brought the seeming standoff between Sambo and the Service, despite the courtordered release of his international passport on November 4, 2015, is his refusal to appear before a committee undertaking the investigation of an entirely different case. “The public may wish to

note that the government set up the committee to investigate procurement processes relating to a $2 billion arms transaction by the last administration, under which Sambo was the NSA. “It was on this premise that he was invited by the committee to shed more light on his involvement in the deal.” The statement added that without doubt, Sambo wass pulling all strings available to him to evade justice and put the Service in bad light. “The simple fact is that the DSS is not persecuting him. Nigerians are, therefore,

enjoined to disregard the impression being created by him. “This Service wishes to reemphasise its commitment to the rule of law and strict adherence to democratic ideals,” it added. The statement added that any person or group, no matter how highly placed, that might wish to test the will of the present democratic dispensation would definitely be checked through the legal provisions of the law.” Earlier, Dasuki, speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, said “I told them (DSS op-

eratives) that if it is just an invite, they can drop it with my domestic staff, but they insisted that I must come out and collect it myself. “I told them that unless they had a warrant allowing them to arrest me, I do not have to collect the letter from them and I am also not going anywhere without my lawyer,” he said. Colonel Dasuki said after making his position clear, the SSS operatives threatened his personal security, saying they “can force themselves into the house.” He said his current travails started on Tuesday,

From left, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr David Lawal, during the presidential retreat for ministers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

after Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court ordered his passport returned to him to enable him go abroad for medical treatment. He said he received “intelligence” that an order was given to the operatives to effect his arrest at the airport. As a result, he failed to leave on Wednesday, as arranged. He also said the SSS invited a former governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna, who stood as his surety in court and intimidated him. “They brought Boni Haruna to my house on Thursday, asking him to invite me to go with them just to clarify something. I told them that since this matter is in court, I am not under obligation to deal with them and advised them to go to court if they have any issue related to the case,” he said. Colonel Dasuki accused the SSS and the government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of abuse of power. “We were also in power and if we had abused it the way they are doing now, they would never have been here,” he said, adding “it is unfortunate.” The former NSA said the way the SSS was handling the matter was exactly how things were poorly handled in the past that then threw up the Boko Haram insurgency. “Instead of following the legal way of doing things, some people decided to take the laws into their hands Continues pg34

Drive my change agenda, Buhari tells ministers Leon Usigbe - Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday declared open a twoday retreat for ministersdesignate, charging them to be agents to drive the change agenda he promised Nigerians during the electioneering campaign. Noting that they were lucky to be chosen among millions of Nigerians, he said they must see themselves at this historic time as “the instruments that will deliver the change we have promised.” While admonishing that the work of restoration and renewal was urgent and immense and reminding them that the expectations of Nigerians were high, Buhari remarked that his administration’s determination to succeed

and change the fortunes of the country must be equal to the challenge. He said: “I have invited you to join me in this urgent mission for our country. I am convinced that in accepting this invitation you are also equally determined to take part in this patriotic undertaking. “This retreat, therefore, marks your first official contact with the machinery of government, of which you will soon be an integral part. It is important that you are fully acquainted with the direction and priorities of this government so that we can all move together as a team. “My election as president of this country was hinged on my promise to tackle corruption, insecurity and revive the economy.” Observing that his administration had already

taken deliberate measures to plug leakages of government revenue and resources as well as taking steps to degrade Boko Haram, Buhari assured that diversification of the economy away from oil would be a major focus of his government. He further said: “We will intervene in mining and agriculture and upgrade the country’s physical and social infrastructure, which will broaden our revenue base and significantly improve the level of employment, especially among the youth. “Our economic focus will be policies that will ensure inclusive growth and we will count our achievements based on the number of Nigerians we move out of poverty.” He explained that the objective of the retreat,

as reflected in its topics, included the need for observing the rule of law to ensure that impunity was removed from government conduct. He further told the ministers-designate: “You are coming on board the ship of governance at an interesting time. So much has been said about the state of our economy. “It is expected that we make the running of government at all levels as lean as possible. Avoid waste and conserve resources. As ministers, you must be the vehicle that will administer the change. “Our main task is to turn our manifesto promises to practice and results. Over the next two days, I expect you to have a better understanding of the context in which we have taken the challenge

of serving our country, as well as the strategies we have adopted to tackle them.” The president advised them to be determined to work as a team, “and to live up to the high standards of probity and integrity which Nigerians expect of us.” The president also directed the incoming ministers to route all their communications to him through his Chief of Staff (CoS). He maintained: “You must keep in touch with your fellow ministers and share information, so that the conduct of government will be more efficient. In addition, all communication and appointments from you to the Presidency should be routed through the Office of the Chief of Staff as is normal in this Presidential System.”

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Lagosmetro Media should expose bad eggs — Obasa Chukwuma Okparaocha The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has pledged to foster a better working relationship with the media, while also calling for more drastic actions to be taken to wield out quacks and fake media practitioners from the practice of journalism in the country. Obasa made this known at a workshop organised by members of the Lagos House of Assembly Correspondents (LAHACA) in Lagos for self-development in the media world. The Speaker said, “It is an obvious fact that every profession has its own share of bad eggs and the journalism profession is not an exception. However, we will not only be doing our profession good but the entire world also

by exposing these bad eggs whose desire is to tarnish the image of the pen-pushing profession and its practitioners.”’ Speaking further, he said, “I assure you that we will not relent in assisting through organisation of training programmes like this. We will continue to seek your cooperation and support all the time. As professionals in this noble field, it is our duty to remain vigilant and expose those who through their greed for money want to tarnish the image of this profession and its practitioners.” Speaking on the theme: ‘Dynamics of digital tools for journalism practice,’ the Speaker challenged journalists to adapt its operations and practices to the guidelines of the modern day information and communications technology (ICT).

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com 0811 695 4647

RRS impounds 73 okada, 11 vehicles

In an effort to promote safer Lagos by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration, the Joint Task Force of Lagos State, comprising of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Lagos State Force on Thursday impounded 73 motorbikes and 11 vehicles, for operating outside their designated route and for plying one way.

The team, which was led by RRS Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, RRS impounded 73 okada and 11 vehicles ACP, Mr Olatunji Disu and Task Force Chairman, Superintendent of Police, Mr Bukola Abe, operated along Oshodi– Apapa Expressway, Mile 2, Oshodi and Ikeja. Amongst the vehicles impounded were

two commercial buses, two pick up vans and seven private vehicles. Disu noted that the exercise was a joint routine operation of the RRS and Special Taskforce, adding that the government would not tolerate recklessness and flouting of road laws. The Commander maintained that laws were made to check

people’s excesses and promote orderliness in the society, adding that, Lagos must be made free from gridlocks. He advised motorists to obey traffic laws and be considerate to other roads users at all times, urging them to make patience their watch word. He said that the owners of the vehicles would be made to face the law.

Lagos Assembly set to hold town hall meetings in 40 constituencies Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos The Lagos State House of Assembly has earmarked Tuesday, November 10 to hold town hall meetings simultaneously in all the 40 constituencies in the state. According to the Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, who moved a motion on the issue, during plenary on Thursday, the town hall meetings was necessary to further educate the constituents about what the legislators have been doing since they resumed office. He stated that it was important for lawmakers to know the needs of their people and educate them about the works of legislators. “It would be good for the lawmakers and the constituents to have a good relationship with the people and educate them better about the job of lawmakers and the differences in the works of the three arms of government,” he said. He added that there was an opportunity for the peo-

ple, who might not have the opportunity of making their presentations during the meetings to submit their memorandum in the Assembly on November 11th and 12th adding that all the reports would be collated and submitted to the authorities for necessary treatments.

Another trailer container falls at Toyota Bus stop, on Thursday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

The Conference of Local Government Executive Secretaries in Lagos State has debunked allegation by the former Minister of Works and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, accusing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of causing under development in the grassroots by deducting 80 per cent from funds accruing to local councils in the state. The Executive Secretaries debunked the allegation at a press conference on Thurs-

day, describing the allegation by Ogunlewe as a “blatant falsehood” which, they said was nothing short of “an act of gross irresponsibility and a clear evidence of desperation.” Chairman of the conference, who is the Executive Secretary of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Honourable Alabi David, who addressed newsmen alongside his colleagues, recalled the role played by Ogunlewe in the past against the people of Lagos, and won-

Ambode not deducting 80% of our fund — LG bosses dered where the former minister “suddenly and mischievously discovered his love for Lagosians so much that he felt it was his responsibility to raise the false alarm.” The Executive Secretaries said in the last five months, they had had the opportunity of working with Governor Ambode, whose deep passion for the autonomy of the local government was immeasurable, adding that the respect which the governor had for the political and administrative personnel was equally

exemplary. The Executive Secretaries, while urging the public to disregard the allegation, said rather than deduct from the funds of local governments, Governor Ambode instead elected to empower the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs in the state. “Governor Ambode’s 23 years in the local government service enabled him to see the strength which lies within while others see only the weakness. Governor Ambode has resolved to promote,

protect and propagate the autonomy of the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, in the conviction, that the old system of looking down on management of councils is unhelpful and unsustainable. “For instance, his insistence that local governments and their management must take charge of the forthcoming construction of two roads per each council is a testimony to this ideology,” he said. While assuring that the

LagosMetro

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Businessman accused of stealing face cream, N1.2m

After the fire incident at Oko Oba Plank Market Ebute-Metta on Tuesday, this is what is left after the destruction. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Hundreds homeless, millions lost to Oko-Oba, Lekki fire Olalekan Olabulo

Hundreds of residents have been rendered homeless as a result of the fire that destroyed over 50 houses in Oko-Oba area of Ebute Metta. The affected residents have been displaced even as properties worth millions of naira was destroyed in the Tuesday night fire, which engulfed Prince Ebeano Supermarket, located along Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1 area of the state. The Lekki supermarket

fire was said to have started from an electric spark from one of the power mains in the supermarket, while the Oko-Oba fire was said to have been caused by the storage of petroleum product in the wooden homes. The director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe confirmed both incidents to Lagos Metro and urged residents of the state to be more conscious of fire prevention and management. No life was lost in the two incidents, but few injuries were recorded at the burnt

Pastor threatens to kill fraud victim Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A Pastor, Emmanuel Okwedimbu, has been accused or obtaining N1.4 million fraudulently from one Amobi Charles. It was gathered that the incident occurred on August 10, at Alhaji Monsuru Street, Ejigbo. The accused also allegedly

threatened to kill the complainant if he let out the deal. The accused pleaded not guilty when he was charged before an Ejigbo Magistrate Court. The Magistrate, Mrs J.O Adeyemi, granted him bail of N500, 000. Adeyemi adjourned the case till November 16, for mention.

Nigerian Tribune

Lekki Supermarket as workers and traders made attempts to put out the fire. Lagos Metro gathered that the Ebeano fire incident started late on Tuesday evening. Efforts to put out the fire reportedly created serious panic among workers and customers at the popular supermarket as they all scampered for safety. It was further gathered that workers and some of the customers at the supermarket made frantic efforts to put out the fire, which grew wildly. A driver around the area,

who simply identified himself as Kenneth stated that the fire was already at the roof top, when firemen arrived the scene. Fadipe, while speaking with Lagos Metro on the Lekki fire incident, stated that two fire trucks from two different fire stations were drafted to the scene. He also insisted that his men responded swiftly to the distress call and advised residents of the state to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;more consciousâ&#x20AC;? of fire prevention and management.

Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 36-year-old businessman Desmond Nnechi, was on Thursday accused of burglary and stealing of face cream valued at N2.7 million and duping another man of the sum of N1.2 million. It was gathered that the suspect, who has a shop at Trade Fair Complex along Badagry Expressway, obtained the sum of N1.2 million, from one Stanley Ugwueze under the pretence of helping him to purchase two shops. He was also accused of breaking into the shop of the complainant, which is located at 9, Bauchi 2 Plaza at Trade

Fair Complex along Badagry Expressway and stealing 25 cartons of beauty magic face cream, which is valued at N2.7 million. He, however, pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court. The presiding Magistrate, S.K Matepo, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum, adding that one of the sureties must be a blood relation, show evidence of tax payment, gainfully employed and their addresses verified. The case was further adjourned till November 26, for mention.

Survival Instinct: A man-made island located along the third Mainland coastal line at EbuteMetta. Surprisingly, people live here to avoid the high cost of house rents in Lagos. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Friday, 6 November, 2015 11 businessnews FG to raise NSE: Foreign investors pull out N11.8bn in 30 days

As market adds N1.8bn on Thursday, Oando leads gainers again Chima Nwokojji And Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeoba-Lagos

S the nation’s economic and financial challenges persist, foreign portfolio investors, the main drivers of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), pulled out a total of N11. 8 billion in just one month. Monthly analysis of transactions at the NSE showed that foreign portfolio investment dipped to N69.33 billion (about35 million dollars) in the period under review compared with N81.13 billion (about 41million dollars) recorded in August. An analysis of foreign portfolio investments (FPI) at the NSE in September indicated a significant decline of 14. 5 per cent, amid moves by some quoted multinationals to delist from the 55-year-old bourse. Mark Bohlund, Africa and Middle East Economist at Bloomberg Intelligence (BI)London said that as long as foreign investors risk losing a substantial amount of committed funds overnight through devaluation, they will be unlikely to commit funds in Nigeria regardless of the prospects of the investment project under consideration. “At present, a sharp rally in the oil price is likely to be the only thing that can remove the need for and fear of a devaluation,” Bohlund told Nigerian Tribune in an e- mailed interview. “With the oil price having dipped below $50 per barrel (Brent) in the third quarter, the pressure on the naira has intensified with the JP Morgan Index exclusion adding to financial outflows,” he added. The NSE data showed that domestic investors’ transactions decreased to N60.59 billion compared with N64.56 billion recorded in August. A further analysis of the September trading also showed that FPI invested N29.26 billion or 22.52 per cent of total transactions while they repatriated about N40.07 billion or 30.84 per cent, from both dividends and capital gains. An insight from the market based transaction in the same period of 2014 showed that FPI transactions decreased by 69.42 per cent whilst domestic transactions fell by 79.53 per cent. Overall, the NSE data indicated that N1.56 trillion was invested in the first nine months in the nation’s bourse.

A further breakdown indicates also that FPI committed N846.92 billion in the Nigerian capital market between January and September compared with N713.51 billion invested by domestic retail investors. Meanwhile, Market capitalisation on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Thursday added N1.779 billion naira to close at 16.490 trillion naira com-

pared to the N16.489 trillion it traded, while Oando Plc led the gainers table once again with a 5.44 per cent gain, closing at N7.36 per share, signifying a rapid pick up from the perpetual loss it recorded in the past weeks. Analyst believed the slight pick up in the bearish trend at the Exchange was due to the release of third quarter financial result of most quoted com-

panies, as these are one of the factors that reflect on daily trading. Guinness Plc followed, adding N6.82 kobo to the N136.42 kobo per share it traded with, while International Breweries Plc appreciated by 4.92 per cent, closing at N16 per share. On the laggard chart, Unilever Plc led 25 other shedding N1.75 kobo from its N33.18 per share it traded with. Dangote Flour

lost 12 kobo, a 5.27 per cent loss, First City Monument Bank Plc closed negative with N2 per share, representing 3.38 per cent loss, while Wema Bank Plc lost N0.03 kobo from the 98 kobo it traded with. 295,225,557 shares worth N5.070 billion exchanged hands in 3,804 deals on Thursday against the N2,055,278,553.25 made in 3,073 deals on Wednesday.

From left: Regional Director, Lagos/ South West, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Bukola Smith; Head, Strategic Planning, NEXIM Bank, Tayo Omidiji; Director, Business Development, FCMB, Adam Nuhu and Deputy Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Evelyn Obidike, at an FCMB/NEPC Initiative Forum held in Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Thursday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Stanbic IBTC stockbrokers named ‘best brokers in Nigeria’ Olatunde Dodondawa-Lagos

FEW months after the Nigerian Stock Exchange adjudged Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited as the best dealing member firm in 2014, the company, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, has clinched another laurel as ‘Best Broker in Nigeria’ in the EMEA Finance - African Banking Awards. The firm, along with other winners in the African Banking Awards 2015, will be presented its prize at this year’s awards ceremo-

ny slated for Sofitel London St. James on Thursday, December 10, 2015. Overall, the Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC belongs, won thirteen awards at the African Banking Awards 2015 in various markets, riding on the back of its pervasive African presence. The Standard Bank Group, which has been in operation for 153 years, has representation in 20 key sub-Saharan countries and other emerging markets. “Standard Bank contin-

ues to demonstrate leadership across all segments of corporate and investment banking in Africa, whether that is advising on complex mergers across national borders, bringing African corporations to international equity capital markets, funding African sovereigns and supranationals through bond or sukuk issuance, or securing financing on difficult, one of a kind landmark projects,” stated Christopher Moore, Publisher & CEO, EMEA Finance. “Congratulations on the

SEC sets up committee to monitor states’ loans Gbola Subair-Abuja

TO ensure that loans raised from the capital market by the various state governments are properly utilised, the Securities and Exchamge Commission (SEC) has set up a committee to monitor their utilisation. Director General of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo disclosed this in Abuja, when the Director General of Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr Abraham Nwankwo, visited him in his office . Gwarzo said the utilisation of funds raised from the market was very important, hence the com-

mission had taken monitoring of the utilisation of issue proceeds to the highest level. “The public seems to think that money is not well utilized but I want to assure you that at SEC, utilisation is very key and our inspection is at a very high level. What we have done is to create a committee rather than allow a particular Division to do that and the membership of the committee is drawn from various departments to leverage on different experiences. “For the states that have come to the market, al-

ready one or two states have been visited and we have already restructured the inspection teams now. Instead of having only one team, we now have three teams and we gave them the mandate that from now till December, all those states have to be inspected. We have the previous inspections reports and anytime you need them, we can share with you so that you too can have the information. Gwarzo restated the commitment of the Commission in implementing the 10 Year Master Plan one of whose key objectives is to revive and transform the Bond Market.

bank’s consistent achievement and leadership in African banking,” Moore added. Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Oladele Sotubo, said the company is delighted to win the award, which confirms the appetite and growing capability of the firm, leveraging on the expertise of the Stanbic IBTC Group, to provide robust services in the capital market. He said the award, in addition to the NSE CEO award and last year’s listing of the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30, the Stanbic IBTC Exchange Traded Fund, are clear indications of the Group’s focus on building a strong and vibrant stock market in Nigeria. “We are delighted to be recognized for our efforts and credible performances in the Nigerian capital market. The award reflects our strong commitment to consistently deliver relevant, innovative and timely solutions to our ever growing local and foreign clientele,” Sotubo said. The award, Sotubo added, reinforces Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited as the largest stockbroking firm in Nigeria in both volume and value of total transactions.

N50bn worth of bonds Nov 11 Chima Nwokojji-Lagos

THE Federal Government, through the Debt Management Office (DMO), said it would raise N50 billion worth of bonds in two categories on November 11. According to the DMO in its ‘Bond Circular’ the two categories of bonds will include a 10-year and fiveyear bonds. The DMO said it would issue N30 billion worth of the five-year bonds and N20 billion in 10-year bonds respectively. It said the two categories of bonds would mature in March 2024 and February 2020, with different coupon rates.The 10-year and five-year bonds would have coupon rates of 14.20 per cent and 15.54 per cent respectively. It said while the bonds would be auctioned on November 11, the settlement date would be November 13, adding that all the bonds had been re-opened. “For Re-openings of previously issued bonds, (where the coupon is already set), successful bidders will pay a price corresponding to the yield-to-maturity bid that clears the volume being auctioned, plus any accrued interest on the instrument,”the debt office stated.

Glo named official telecoms partner of Lagos International Trade Fair

THE Next Generation Network, Globacom has been announced as the official telecommunications partner of the 29th Lagos International Trade Fair 2015. The trade fair which kicks off on Friday 6th November will parade over 1,000 exhibitors who will use the platform to showcase their products and services to individual and corporate visitors from across the globe who are expected to grace the fair. The fair will close on Sunday, 15thNovember, 2015. Globacom, in a statement said that it regards trade fair as a veritable avenue to display its trending products and services at highly competitive prices. The company therefore urged its subscribers to visit its pavilion at the Trade Fair Ground, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos from 9am to 6pm throughout the duration of the Trade Fair to experience its cutting edge services.

businessnews

Friday, 6 November, 2015

DPR seals Total depot, others for hoarding petrol Olatunde Dodondawa-Lagos

HE Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed the depots of Total Nigeria Plc, Dee Jones Limited and Eterna Oil Plc in Ibafon area of Lagos for hoarding over 46 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol. During an impromptu inspection of various depots on Thursday, the agency discovered that Tota l and Eterna Oil were hoarding 13.6 million litres each, while Dee Jones was hoarding about 19.5 million. The agency also debunked the claims by marketers that there is scarcity of petrol and blamed the tight supply situation on depot owners, who hoard products, thus causing panic buying. However, the General Manager of Dee Jones, Mr. Willy Ikeora, denied that the company was hoarding the product in its depot, stressing that they were loading but not as fast as expected by DPR. The regulatory authority

also queried Ascon Oil and ordered the management of the company to appear at the agency’s head office by 3pm on Thursday to explain why the company should not be sanctioned for its slow pace of loading tankers, despite the availability of eight million litres in the depot. Integrated Oil and Gas Limited was also directed to speed up the loading process as the company had up to 10.2 million litres of petrol when the agency’s surveillance monitoring team paid unscheduled visit to the facility. An official of Integrated Oil, who spoke to journalists however stated that

they were loading the product slowly so as not to exhaust the available stock as the company was not given import allocation for the fourth quarter 2015 by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). “In the third quarter 2015, we were given allocation to import 60,000 metric tonnes but we imported 62,000 metric tonnes. It means that our performance was very satisfactory. But can you imagine that despite our performance, a big company like us was not given any allocation in the fourth quarter? “If we don’t import

product, how will we remain in business and pay salaries? Do they want us to load out the remaining product quickly and close down our depot? That is the situation,” said the official. Addressing journalists during the inspection, the Director of DPR, Mr. Mordecai Danteni Baba Ladan, stated that the sealed depots would pay a fine of N2million each, while the others should explain why they were loading at very slow pace. “This exercise was embarked upon because of the impression the general public has about product supply and distribution.

We have been inundated with a lot of enquiries on the right situation and we have been telling the public that the people should not engage in panic buying because records at our disposal indicate that we have enough of this product. “As at yesterday nationwide, we had in stock almost over 300 million litres. In the Lagos storage area, we have over 220 million litres,” Ladan said. “So, today, we have decided to come and see things for ourselves and as you can see, we have visited about four different depots now and these products are really in stock.”

FG charged to resume redevelopment of Lagos-Ibadan expressway Chukwu Okparaocha-Lagos

THE Egba Economic Summit, a socio-economic group in Ogun State has called on the Federal Government to resume the ongoing reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, stopped this year, to prevent it from deteriorating further. The Lagos-Ibadan road is being redeveloped at a cost of N167 billion. The Lagos-Sagamu stretch of the road is being redeveloped by Julius Berger while the Sagamu-Ibadan axis is being handled by RCC. Work on both sections ceased when the President Muhamadu Buhari administration began. The President of the Egba Economic Summit, Mr. Ayobami Biobaku, said in a statement, yesterday, that the Federal Government should recall the contractor handling the Lagos – Sagamu interchange stretch of the road to improve economic activities in the area and to reduce the agony of the people using the road. He added that it was also important for the Ogun State Government to contract a construction company to do palliative rehabilitation of some sections of that road that had deteriorated since the main contractor left the site.

From right, Pattison Boleigha, Chief Conduct & Compliance Officer, Access Bank Plc; Obinna Nwosu, Group Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc; Access Bank Plc; Paula Parkinson, Assistant Legal Attaché, FBI, US Consulate, Lagos and Yinka Jimoh Abdulraheem, Head, Subsidiaries Conduct and Compliance, at the Bank’s Compliance Awareness Week Stakeholders workshop which held at the Bank’s head office in Lagos on Wednesday.

Shareholders ask court to jail FRC CEO Ayomide Owonibi OdekanyinLagos

JUSTICE Okon Abang of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed Nov 20 to hear a suit filed by shareholders in Nigeria, under the aegis of Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria, seeking to commit the Chief Executive Officer of Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, (FRCN), Mr. Jim Obaze, to prison for disobeying a court order.

Joined as co-defendants in the committal proceedings suit are; the Honourable Minister of Trade and investment, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRN), the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Steering Committee on the National Code of Corporate Governance. However, the presiding judge, Justice Abang, has adjourned the hearing of the application till Novem-

ber 20. Justice Abang adjourned the hearing of the application following passionate plea by Obaze’s lawyer, Emmanuel Akpudugu, who urged the court for more time to file his response to the Shareholders’ application. The shareholders want the FRCN boss jail for implementing the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria’s

Bank customers in Lagos continue to register for BVN FIVE days after the expiration of the deadline for the registration of Bank Verification Number (BVN), banks in Lagos are still registering customers and synchronising their accounts. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some bank workers, however, said that the exercise was putting pressure on their routine operations. Some of the banks visited in Lagos Metropolis had a

good number of customers who called to either comply with the exercise or to synchronise their accounts with their BVN numbers. An official of one of the banks visited, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told NAN that customers were still making frantic efforts to comply with the exercise. She said that the bank was complying with the apex bank’s directive on BVN by ensuring that customers who had not reg-

istered were not able to withdraw from their accounts. According to her, the only category of customers exempted from immediate compliance with the exercise are those living abroad. She explained that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had given customers in the Diaspora up to the end of January 2016 to comply or face the necessary sanctions.

Guidelines/Regulations for Inspection and Monitoring of Reporting entities, published as Notice 94 in the official gazette of government dated October 6, 2014 (FRC Regulations) despite being aware of a suit pending before the court challenging the financial regulations which formed the basis on which Stanbic IBTC Bank and its directors were sanctioned. The Shareholders’ suit, which was filed by 10 members led by Chief Timothy Adesiyan, is also challenging the implementation of the FRC Regulations, despite the fact that there is a suit before the court, since February 27, 2015, challenging the such regulations. Other plaintiffs in the suit are; Mr Sulaiman Adenrele, Prince Sunday Ogunnowo, Mr Frederick Oduyemi, Chief Robert Igwe, Mr Bello Owonikoko, Others are Mr Lazarus Onwuka, Mr Tajudeen Adeshina, Mr Peter Okoh, and Mr John Ogundipe.

Nigerian Tribune

Domino Pizza plans to teach customers how to make pizzas THE management of Eat and Go Africa, the operators of Domino Pizza has emphasised the need for customers to be trained on how to prepare the different pizza products . Ufuoma Ogeleka , the marketing coordinator of the company , while speaking with newsmen , stated that Domino Pizaa , apart from selling wholesome and quality pizza products to its customers , also teach them how to make the product . She also stated that as part of the activities of the company to celebrate its numerous customers , the company will from next week give out a pizza package for every pizza that the customers buy . The Domino Pizza chief also stated that the company is being run at a very low profit to maximise the standard of their products,which according to her can compete favourably with similar product in any part of the world. “Our motto is ‘What we do’, we just don’t do pizzas because it is business but we do pizzas because it is our core area of business. We also have a tagline “Hot and fresh” and that makes us outstanding,” Ogeleka stated

Kano farmers get N1bn loan THE Kano State Government has approved one billion Naira as soft loans to rice farmers’ association to boost its production in the state. The Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, said this at a news briefing at the end of the State Executive Council meeting in Kano on Thursday. Garba said that the council also approved N100 million to wheat farmers association to procure improve seeds and equipment to boost their yield. ``This loan will not only boost production but also bring about effective and efficient rice production, thereby increasing the production of rice in the state,’’ he said. He said that the state government had approved over N600 million for the procurement of 40 trucks to Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) in the state. He said the trucks would help in the evacuation of the heaps of refuse in the metropolis. ``The council also approved N74.3 million for the procurement and installation of four raw water pumps with starters at Chalawa Dam,’’ he said.

business

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

DAILY SUMMARY (EQUITIES) FOR THURSDAY, 5 NOVEMBER, 2015

TOP 5 GAINERS

TOP 5 LOSERS

Friday, 6 November, 2015

eyesof islam

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

What the world owes to Islam and its Prophet

HE principles, values and freedoms of which we can be proud today are found in a book compiled some 1,400 years ago. This book was given to us through the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who, through his example and teachings, prepared the world for a spiritual, moral and social revolution, the like of which had never been witnessed before. Through the light of his exemplary practices and words, he readied the world for advancements in all areas of human activity, including faith, science, medicine, culture, architecture, education, economy and civilisation. He came to bring man out of the pits of extreme darkness, ignorance and barbarianism, and to grant life, knowledge and understanding to the world. It was through him that the world learned the way to live, the purpose of life and how to achieve it. Had it not been for his love, sympathy and compassion for the world, we would still be grovelling in the depths of human error and conjecture, taking stones as idols, or the heavenly bodies that were created to serve us, as gods. With his advent and spiritual power, the idols of the ego were also smashed and the Unity of God was firmly established on earth, never again to fade away. Everything that we have in the world, the progress and advancements that we have made is due to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is no baseless exaggeration. After him, Muslims took inspiration from the book that God had revealed to him to make great discoveries and advancements in all areas of human aspiration. Even in this age, the first Muslim Nobel Laureate, Dr Abdus Salam, on being asked what had inspired him for his revolutionary work in Theoretical Physics, replied, “It was the Qur’an.” Thus, Muslims obeyed The Holy Prophet’s commandments to seek knowledge as best they can. The Islamic golden age saw the Muslims make leaps in advancements which brought the world to a new age of discovery and technology which eventually led to the renaissance of the West. Many of the things that we have today bear their roots in early Islamic civilisation. More and more, we hear of human rights, women’s rights, workers’ rights and even animals’ rights. Little do people realise that all the goodly freedoms we enjoy, and the principles which we value today, were laid down firmly by the Holy Prophet 1,400 years ago and impressed upon the Muslims. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that all humans are equal, have equal rights and no one is superior to another regardless of race, gender or position in society. As for workers, he taught that no worker should be given more work than he can bear, and that his wages should be paid before his perspiration dries off, thus putting an end to exploitation of workers 1,400 years ago. It is unfortunate though, that even today in many countries of the world, we hear of child labour, horrific work conditions and exploitation of the needs and desperation of the poor. Such a furore is created about Islam and women’s rights today, but Islam came and freed women in the then prevalent uncivilised Arab society and gave them rights which were to be followed the world over in future centuries. Indeed, we see that the rights of divorce, inheritance and other freedoms were secured for women 1400 years ago, whereas some of these rights and freedoms were only legalised in the west less than a century ago. Women in Islam can marry whoever they choose and have the right of divorce. They are free to go out and seek employment or to stay at home and take care of the household with the only stipulation that they do not neglect the rights and needs of their family. Moreover, while men are obligated in Islam to spend their wealth on the wife and family, any income that women earn is wholly theirs and can be spent however they wish. Were women in Britain in the early 20th century given even half of these freedoms? The Prophet is the man who taught us, “Paradise lies under the feet of the mother” and “the best of you are those who are best in treatment to your wives.” Does all this leave room for any allegation against Islam about

women? Most certainly not. The rights the Prophet Muhammad established did not end with humans alone. He even taught that animals were part of God’s creation and should be taken care of. In an age where we see animal rights groups and organisations to protect animals, Islam had established their rights some 1,400 years ago. The Prophet taught through a parable that a woman who took off her shoe, dipped it into a well and gave the water to quench the thirst of a dog, gained the pleasure of God and earned Paradise through this one simple act of kindness. This is but one example of the Prophet’s teaching towards animals. In Britain, we live in a welfare state. The very concept of a welfare state was put forth by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when he made it a duty of the state to take care of the poor, orphaned, sick and elderly. Indeed, in subsequent years, his caliphs put into practice the welfare state all over the Muslim world. One significant example is that of Hadhrat Umar, his second successor, who upon hearing the cries of children, whose mother could find no food to feed them, took it upon himself to go to the state treasury stockpile and himself carried essential food items to her home. When his servant offered to carry the load, Umar replied, “will you also carry my burdens on the Day of Judgment?” Such was the standard of responsibility that the Holy Prophet instilled in his followers and future leaders of the Muslim world.

Politicians and governments are meant to serve the nation and the citizens, not the other way around.

Hadhrat Umar, being the head of the state, was responsible for the well-being of every citizen and took it upon himself to fulfil their needs. Do any of our politicians today have this sense of responsibility and standard of duty towards their citizens? Politicians and governments are meant to serve the nation and the citizens, not the other way around. High moral qualities such as honesty, charity, gratefulness, forgiveness, cleanliness and love were taught by him. He himself demonstrated all these qualities and more, throughout his life. Indeed, from the very beginning, before his claim to Prophethood, he was given the titles “The Truthful,” “The Trustworthy” by the very same people who would later oppose him tooth and nail. He taught moderation in all things and led a simple life. Despite coming into much wealth, he gave it all away considering everything to be the property of God, and that he was no more than a humble servant of God; sent to serve His creation. He cleansed us of idol worship, arrogance, selfishness, ignorance and pride. He gave us the means to clean and purify our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls so that we may prepare for the next life and the meeting with our Maker. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his majestic spiritual power, brought man from barbarity to humanity. From ordinary human beings, he made them into highly developed moral beings. From that, he taught the way to become spiritual and heavenly beings, worthy of approval by our Creator. It was his deep anguish and distress for humanity that caused him to spend his nights praying and weeping for the world. Such was his compassion for the world that God declared that He had sent Muhammad as a “Mercy for Mankind.” Such was his deep love and heartfelt concern for the world that because of his tears of sorrow for humanity, God gave him that, which He had not given to any other people before; a perfect and complete teaching and way of life. His grief for humanity, and nights spent weeping for mankind shook the heavens and God responded to his prayers by giving him the very means to save humanity. This is why Muslims hold him in such high regard, higher than their parents or any other loved ones. He came as the Saviour of Humanity and as a Mercy for all Mankind. Source: www.huffingtonpost.com - Atif Rashid

15 islamicnews

Friday, 6 November, 2015

‘Religious radicalism an abuse of Islam’

HE religious radicalism practised by the Islamic State militant group is an “abuse of Islam,” a prominent Indonesian Islamic leader, Din Syamsuddin, said, on Wednesday, at a conference in Tokyo, Japan. Speaking at an event hosted by the Sasagawa Peace Foundation, Syamsuddin, a former president of Muhammadiyah, an Islamic social and educational organisation that claims 30 million members, said the teachings and actions of radical religious groups “contradict Islam’s teaching of peace and mercy” and are “a threat to human civilisation.” Indonesia has been dogged by terrorism carried out by religious radicals in recent years. An attack on the holiday destination of Bali in 2005 saw more than 20 people killed, while twin attacks on hotels in Jakarta in 2009 claimed more lives. Both incidents are said to be the work of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian Islamist terrorist group.

The growing influence of IS among young Indonesians is raising fears that more violence may lie ahead. The Nikkei, an Asiafocused English-language publication, quoted Syamsuddin as saying that the appeal of IS among younger people is not due solely to religious factors. “Young people want an alternative to the current system. In their eyes, republi-

canism, monarchy, Emirati failed to bring peace, and they perceive IS to be the alternative,” he said. The Islamic leader also pointed to economic reasons. “IS offers salaries of $250 per month, higher than the minimum wage in Indonesia, so, many people bring their family to IS, not as soldiers but as servants,” Syamsuddin added

Uphold Islamic ethics in business dealings, AMP advises Muslims Muslims have been admonished to embrace Islamic ethics in their business dealings in order to build a fair world and comply with the injunctions of Almighty Allah. The admonition was given, in Lagos, at the general lecture of the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). The lecturer, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Tijani, an accountant, speaking on the topic, “Business Ethics in Islam,” charged Muslims

to take cognisance of Islamic ethics in their transactions. He specifically warned Muslims against engaging in any business that involves riba (usury), alcohol, drugs, sculpture, hoarding and speculation. He also said it was incumbent upon every Muslim to exhibit trust and good faith in business. Tijani stated that Allah enjoins Muslim employers and employees to be just and faithful to the terms of

Muslim youths admonished on acquisition of knowledge Saliu Gbadamosi -Abuja

MUSLIM youths have been admonished to rededicate themselves to the search and acquisition of knowledge and skills capable of making them useful to the society. The Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Dr Ibrahim Makari Zaria, gave the admonition at the eighth annual Qur’anic recitation competition and third speech and prize giving day of Ummi and Sughura Yayale Institute for Qur’anic Memorisation in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State. According to Dr Makari, education is the bedrock of development in any society and as such, Muslim youths should reinvigorate themselves in the quest for knowledge. In an address, the school’s director, Alhaji Azarema Abdulkadir, called for the sustenance of the cordial relationship between parents and staff members in the interest of the institute. In his goodwill message, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who is the proprietor of the school, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, emphasised the need for Muslims to adhere to the

Syamsuddin said one way to prevent religious radicalism is to “give food, education and to create prosperity,” which he said organisations like Muhammadiyah have been trying to do for years. He said “88 percent of Indonesia’s population follows Islam. Taking this into account, we are preventing many Muslims from joining IS.”

teachings of Islam in their day-to-day living. Represented at the event by Malam Ahmed Tata Shira, Yayale Ahmed called

on Muslims to make efforts to not only memorise the Holy Qur’an but also abide by the teachings of the Holy Book.

‘Non-Muslim countries keen to learn about Islamic finance from Malaysia’ Several non-Muslim countries, including New Zealand and African countries, are keen to learn about Islamic finance from Malaysia. International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, said this was one of the achievements of the 11th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF). “Many people are keen to know how we have been successful in developing Islamic finance in this country. “They want to learn from

our experience and this has been the topic of conversation during the 11th WIEF,” he told journalists, on Wednesday, in Kuala Lumpur. He said Malaysia’s Islamic banking products were recognised the world over. “This is because Malaysia has the expertise in the Islamic financial and banking system that can be shared with other countries. “It also opens the door for Malaysia to promote and increase investment and trade with other countries,” he added.

BOMYOF visits orphanage Sunday The Bodija Muslim Youth Forum (BOMYOF) will on Sunday pay a humanitarian visit to the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) orphanage in Ibadan, Oyo State. A statement by BOMYOF’s chairman, Abdur-

rahman Balogun, said the visit is to felicitate with the children in the spirit of new Islamic year. He said the forum, which is the youth wing of Bodija Muslm Community, will play with the children and present them with gifts.

their business agreement by giving one another their rights. He, however, attributed the non-compliance of some Muslims to lack of consciousness of their obligation, while charging them to familiarise themselves with Allah’s injunction. He also recommended the formation of non-interestbased cooperatives by Muslims in order to mobilise necessary capital for their businesses while avoiding usury. The AMP is an association of Muslims in the various professions, established by some Muslim graduates of the Obafemi Awolowo University in 1988.

English court stops construction of mosque A long-running dispute over the location of a new mosque has been settled by the Court of Appeal in favour of Dudley Borough Council. The legal row centred on plans to replace Dudley Central Mosque on Castle Hill with one on land off Hall Street. The Dudley Muslim Association (DMA) bought the land from the council, but the authority wanted to buy it back The DMA accused the council of “caving in” after protests from groups, including the English Defence League. The three appeal judges unanimously ruled in favour of the council. Amjid Khan from the DMA said he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision, which he claimed came from the council “caving in” after protest marches were organised by the English Defence League, and a similar group, Britain First. He said: “We made every effort to work with the council and other leaderships to construct a modern fit-forpurpose mosque and community facility to meet the ever-growing needs of our disadvantaged community. “Faced with vociferous opposition from various

groups, the Dudley leadership at all levels caved in. This leadership can regrettably take pride in preventing an otherwise respectful and co-operative community from fulfilling its ambition to build up-to-date premises in Hall Street.” But leader of the council, Pete Lowe, said the authority had “always acted lawfully and reasonably” in an “open and transparent scrutiny process supported by all political parties.” The legal hearings were about a contractual dispute dating back to 2005, when the council transferred the land at Hall Street to the DMA, with a clause that the land would transfer back to the council if the proposed development was not completed by the end of 2008. Earlier this year, an offer by the DMA to pay £325,000 to settle the dispute and retain the land was rejected by the council. The authority has acknowledged a need for a new mosque to replace the existing building in Castle Hill, which is not fit for purpose, and has said it will work with the DMA to find an alternative site. Mr Khan said the Muslim community “will now need a period of calm reflection and consider its future progress.”

Friday, 6 November, 2015

IFE, indeed, is a stage where everyone must play his part and leave. There is certainly a day to leave the world. Perhaps the summary of what eventually becomes of man was given by King Arthur in his commentaries inside the “KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE”. King Arthur had said in his lamentations over the SWORD EXCALIBUR: “The old order changeth yielding place to new. And God fulfills himself in many ways lest one good custom should corrupt the world…….. If thou never seest my face again, pray for my soul. For many things are wrought in prayers than this world ever dreams of”. In other words, King Arthur was telling his brother Knights to pray for his soul, immediately they discover that he had answered the supreme call. Fellow countrymen and women death indeed is a leveler of events. And so we continue to record the deaths of many of our countrymen and women on a daily basis. Today, the music of Juju mestro, Ebenezer Obey continues to ring loudly in my ears. Ebenezer Obey in his tribute to a departing Oke Amimu of his band had lamented “We carry Oke Aminu to his grave with tears in our eyes….. We left the graveyard after leaving behind Oke Aminu alone in the world”. Ebenezer Obey was correct in his conclusions. When a man dies, and he is buried in his grave, everyone returns home having given him the last respect. The rest of the story is for the deceased and his family. Christians and Muslims believe that when a man dies, life must go on. This is my attitude to death particularly now that I am over seventy and I carry the departure card of life in my hands. Mama H.I.D Awolowo is dead. A great woman has gone to the world beyond. And so too are three people that I now discuss with tributes today. They are Hannatu Chollom, Isaac Ayo Ariyo and Moboyoje Ojo who have now departed this sinful world to answer greater glories with God. HANNATU CHOLLOM On Thursday, October 15, 2015, my eyes picked up a story placed in an advertisement inside the Punch newspaper announcing the death and burial arrangements of Mrs. Hannatu Chollom. Hannatu Chollom was one of the female militants of Plateau State politics of the second republic. She was the women leader of the then NPP in Plateau State under the governorship of colourful Chief Solomon Dashep Lar (now of blessed memory). I knew more about her after the coup of the “Beret Generals” on December 31, 1983 which had brought some of Nigeria’s political practitioners into captivity at the Jos Prison. It was the lot of Mrs. Hannatu Chollom to take good care of we the political detainees of that time. And Hannatu Chollom did the job very well. She prepared delicious meals for the detainees and brought the food to prison. She was later joined by Ambassador (Mrs) Mary Lar, the wife of Chief Solomon Lar who was with us in Jos prison. We all left Jos Prison after our liberation by the IBB coup of 27th August 1985 with lots and lots of prayers for Hannatu Chollom and all those that God had used to save our lives from the tyranny that then held our country captive between December 31, 1983 and 27, August 1985. When you remember the sensational Abase-Obeya case in Plateau State of the Gowonist military years in Plateau State, then you will fully come to terms with the full story of this great Amazon, Mrs. Hannatu Chollum. I can never forget the good Hannatu Chollom did to me and my colleagues when we were in Jos prison, God will take care of her relations. The late Mrs. Grace Hoomkwap and her husband the late Senator Hoomkwap were effective parts of the Hannatu Chollom’s generosity to politicians in prison. May God continue to bless her memory. ISAAC AYO ARIYO My “Egbon” and classmate Mr. Isaac Ayo Ariyo is no more. He died very early in December in London. He was a good man who was never caught in the hate game while he lived. He was my classmate at Ifaki Grammar School, Ifaki Ekiti. Though about six years my senior in age, Bros. Isaac Ariyo meant a lot to me and my other classmates in that school which unfortunately today has ceased to exist. Since the compound of our school at Ifaki-Ekiti has been taken over the Ekiti State University, our school has been consumed by the University Campus. Perhaps one day before we leave this world, we will be given back the Campus of our ‘Ifa Gramms’. Bros. Ariyo was nicknamed by us those days as Bros Ari of K.C. Though an Ekiti man from the old Arigidi (few miles from Ifaki Ekiti) now called Aiyegbaju , Bros. Isaac Ayo Ariyo spoke the fluent Lagosian Yoruba . The K.C. refers to Kings College Lagos. Bros Ari of K.C merely reflected his life as a Lagosian Yoruba (having stayed in Lagos for many years until he left for the United Kingdom), Bros Ari of K.C meant Bros Isaac Ariyo who spent many years in Lagos depicted by the Kings College (K.C). He remained a colourful person until

With

Ebenezer Babatope

0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE)

Deaths too many

in an event he had done much to put together. We later discovered that Mobayoje Ojo had slumped and died in his bedroom all the time we were looking for him. Mobayoje Ojo’s death was a great miss for me and all members of the Otapete Methodist Church, Ilesa. He was a good man thoroughly involved to the Worship of his God. Mobayoje had no time to keep malice when he was alive. He was there to assist everyone that required his help and support. When the news of the death of Mobayoje Ojo was broken to me on Monday, October 5, 2015, tears just started flowing from my eyes. Moba dead? Yes Moba died with all the goodness interned in his bones. His bossom friend, Lase Longe was equally in tears when he gave me the tragic news. Mobayoje was buried on 223rd October 2015. We will continue to remember Mobayoje Ojo in our prayers until we equally answer the call of our God. The three people I have discussed on this page today, mean a lot to me. As I mentioned earlier on in this piece, all mortals must at one time or the other obey the laws of life by bowing down to life’s realities. Death is a price all of us must pay.

•The late Mobayoje Ojo

he died. Exceptionally neat, Bros Isaac Ayo Ariyo was always impeccably dressed. He had taste for good looking women. Despite this, he was a successful married man. He loved his wife and children and they all loved him in return. I was his pet right from our secondary school days. Bros Ari is gone and I cannot see him again. May his soul rest in peace! MOBAYOJE OJO OF ILESA I now talk about my aburo Mobayoje Ojo who died on Saturday October 3, 2015. On October 4, 2015 I was one of the Harvest Chairmen of Methodist Church, Otapete Ilesa. Mobayoje had helped me immensely to put the event together. A week before the harvest ceremony, Mobayoje had visited my Ilesa residence with the yet-to-be installed Baba Ijo (father of the Church) of Otapete Ilesa, Honourable Gbotosho. They had stayed over one hour with me. On the Harvest Day, 4 October, 2015, we just found that Mobayoje was conspicuously missing from the ceremony. I inquired after him on why he had not been seen

Life, indeed, is a stage where everyone must play his part and leave.

TUNDE OSOFISAN AND MIKE ENAHORO As I was about to rest my pen in my tributes to the above fallen heroes, news came to me via our newspapers that the best of the very best of our musical stars of yesteryears have passed on. Both The SUN and PUNCH newspapers reported the deaths of Uncle Tunde Osofisan and Mike Enaharo. Both men were musical stars of Nigeria in the 60s. It was an era when the Highlife music was very popular in the West African Sub-region of Africa. Tunde Osofisan and Mike Enahoro played the highlife music inside the Abalabi Rhythm Dandies then led by the late John Akintola popularly called Roy Chicago. Tunde Osofisan was easily one of the greatest vocalists of his time while Mike Enahoro was the man on the guitar. When Roy Chicago went to prison on account of a manslaughter charge, it was these two men (Osofisan and Mike Enahoro among others) that had held the musical fort for Chicago. They never allowed the Chicago brand of the Highlife music to die. Those were the days of “AISO ABA” and “OLOJOMI KAJO”. “AISO ABA was recorded by the Abalabi Rhythm Dandies to give Roy Chicago courage in facing the challenges of the manslaughter charge. It was a musical sensational release that can never be forgotten in the history of the growth and development of highlife music in Nigeria. When the music of life stopped for Tunde Osofisan and Mike Enahoro, tears started to drop from my eyes. I took my cell phone and contacted Honourable Apostle Dave Salako who easily is one of the few collectors of past highlife records we have in Nigeria. I asked him, “Dave how do we have the highlife musical contributions of Tunde Osofisan and Mike Enahoro? He assured me that he would help me arrange them immediately. He had earlier assisted me in getting a beautiful collection of Roy Chicago’s very early records of the 50s. I am so sad that both men have now gone to the world beyond. Death is surely a price that we mortals must pay in life. As they had said in their record “Olojomikajo’, “As the Creator of the world keeps counting the days of our lives, humanity simply forgot to act for events of tomorrow. Let us all be very careful as one day we will all answer the final call of our Creator”. Now the two men are gone! And we will eventually go too!! Mike Enahoro from the great Enahoro family of Uromi in Ishan, Edo State later moved to the Television to establish himself as one of the best newscasters Nigeria has ever produced. Beautiful Julie Coker was then fully a part of him. Uncle Tunde Osofisan and Mike Enahoro , GOOD-NIGHT and FAREWELL! May the souls of the departed rest in peace! It is well!! •EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) NEXT WEEK AND MAMA H.I.D. AWOLOWO DIED (1) (BOOK YOUR COPY IN ADVANCE)

18 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 6 November, 2015

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Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo.com or by sms to 08055001747 or 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

NMA, criminalise neglect of dying patients

OR some time now, we have lost promising people who were in need of urgent medical help, but because they could not identify themselves or be identified on time, they were neglected by health

Is Nigeria truly a country? THE clamour for secession by some sections of the country is getting more vocal, and this is not good for the unity of the country. It is unfortunate that people from one ethnic group view others with deep distrust and hatred. Sadly, our efforts that are aimed at achieving national integration and unity have not yielded the expected results. For example, our participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme has not disabused our minds of prejudices we had about other ethnic groups other than ours. And we view issues through religious and ethnic prisms. Besides, religion has become a divisive factor when it comes to politics. We fought a tough civil war, which claimed the lives of millions of Nigerians. Ethnic hatred and religious intolerance partly caused the outbreak of that Nigeria-Biafra civil war. However, for how long shall we continue to pretend that the marriage of the Southern and Northern protectorates is working? If anything happens to Nigeria, it won’t be a new thing; Russia was broken into different countries in 1990; Czechoslovakia was also divided into two parts. In Africa, the latest was South Sudan, which split from the main Sudan. However, uniting as a country is our biggest strenght, and we must work against the break-up of Nigeria. •Festus Uche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

workers. First, identifying patients before treating them is very crucial but neglecting a patient who is in a critical condition because he could not identify himself is unholy and inhumane. Let us look at these issues critically as it concerns students of higher institutions, because we have lost some students of late in different institutions across the country because they could not identify themselves on time. Students normally pay medical fees as part of their tuition. Therefore, it is not illogical to say that students pay for drugs and maintenance of the health centre while government pay salaries. While the studentship status of an injured person (at the point of comma) may be in question due to the inability to get his or her identity

card, the probability that the person is a Nigerian is very high. This makes me ask the question; why will a doctor that is being paid by the Nigerian government refuse to treat a Nigerian (or someone living in Nigeria) until he ascer-

tains who the person is? I want a law to be passed by the National Assembly which will make it criminal for medical workers to neglect people who are in need of urgent medical attention. The Nigeria Medical As-

sociation (NMA) should also discuss this issue with its members, as Nigerians are not happy with what is going on. Whoever refuses to treat anybody at the point of death should simply have his license revoked.

I believe this issue must stop; we cannot afford to keep losing people because of irrelevant things like improper identification. •Jamiu Idowu Esho, idowuesojamiu@ gmail.com

Expecting the best from the new ministers IT took President Muhammadu Buhari some months after he was sworn in to come up with ministerial nominees. When the president was asked in an interview what delayed the ministerial nomination, he said he was being careful in selecting those who would work with him. However, when the list was finally released, I realised that it was worth the wait. Although some people have expressed fears about some of the appointees, I must say

the president chose competent hands, technocrats who have excelled and performed very well in their various fields of endeavours earlier. The president has taken his time to pick good hands who, I believe, will help transform the country. Having said this, the concern of some Nigerians is that the majority of these ministers are known faces, meaning they will be coming to the table with nothing new. Some are, therefore, asking if working with

known hands in a new system guarantee any real change. Whatever our doubts are as regard the ministerialnominees, I think some of them have achieved success in their previous offices. Let us look at the former Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola’s performance in the last eight years in the Centre of Excellence, or Dr Kayode Fayemi’s performance while he was governor. General Abdulrahman Dambazzau was also

a former Chief of Army Staff, and he knows the workings of the military, particularly as regard the Boko Haram issue. As a result, we can see that these people have proven themselves capable of doing any work for the country. We should, therefore, expect the best from them. I am also using this opportunity to urge them not to disappoint Nigerians. •Oluwaponmile Orija, brownymails@yahoo.com

Boko Haram: Nigeria needs foreign help now BOKO Haram is still thriving in some parts of the North despite the successes of the Nigerian military. A propaganda video was released recently which showed the terrorists making bombs. This shows they still have the ability to coordinate their evil ways. The Nigerian military still has a lot to do if it is to win this war against the terrorists. I am happy that we now have a good relationship with the United States; the world’s most powerful country should come to our aid as soon as possible. We need sophisticated weapons that will bring the war to an end as soon as possible. A distabilised Nigeria will cause problem for her neighbours, and I think this is the last thing the international community wants. •Bauka Adamu, Nasarawa State.

editorial

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

The travails of basic education

HEN the World Teachers’ Day was marked on October 5 this year, it was emphasised in various commentaries and media reports that in order to achieve quality basic education for sustainable development, teachers and educators must be empowered, adequately recruited, well-trained, professionally qualified, motivated and supported within well-resourced and governed systems. Indeed, it is undeniable that basic education in the country is in a state of gross neglect. While statistics on availability of basic school teachers are baffling, some other perennial problems also cripple that level of education in Nigeria. For instance, while the about 600 teachers reported to have been lost to insurgency in the North-East have not been replaced with qualified hands, provision of basic education in the region has suffered from brain drain, as about 19,000 other teachers were reported to have been displaced as a result of Boko Haram activities. Though it is pathetic that the recorded deaths and displacement were conditioned by a national security problem, the fact that the vacuum created by the loss of that large number of teachers has not been filled till date is an abnormality on the part of the authorities concerned. This would mean that just like every other sphere of life in the region on which insurgency might have taken a toll, basic education is laden with stagnancy. There is ample of evidence that across board, basic education in the country is a negative point of reference when compared with what obtains in other countries where it is given both the priority and attention that it deserves in terms of engagement of qualified teachers, sufficient funding, provision of adequate facilities and infrastructure and assignment of positive and right values to that rung of the education ladder. In public schools today, teachers are victims of demotivation, poor remuneration and stereotypes, whereas some of them are more qualified as professional teachers than their counterparts in private schools who teach within a good working environment with good conditions of service to boot.

In terms of availability of facilities and conducive environment of learning, apart from how saddening it is to see uncomplimentary images of pupils sitting on bare floors, and sometimes on classroom window frames receiving lectures in such situations occasioned by non-availability of classroom furniture, we are pained that even in some states that claim to be spending big chunks of money on basic education as reflected in their budgets every year, scenes of dilapidated classrooms, structurally deficient staff offices and disorganised learning environment pervade public schools. This unfortunate situation points to the fact that basic education in public schools is under-funded. Most of the primary schools controlled and financed by the government are now in shambles. This may not be unconnected with neglect and lack of maintenance. This inability of the government to effectively run primary schools has prompted stakeholders to agitate for the return of schools to their respective initial missionary owners. Unfortunately, a large number of parents now prefer private schools for their children. The public perception is that the quality of education offered is low and that standards have dropped in the nation’s public schools in which basic education is provided. Thus, providing adequate funding of the basic education sector in the country and qualified teaching personnel that would be motivated by training and capacity-building are absolutely worthy of the attention of the federal and state governments. Attention must be focused on these areas if basic education in Nigeria is to rank among the best globally. The basic education system in the nation’s public schools today needs total overhauling and restructuring, being the bedrock of tertiary education. Thus, the need for dedication and commitment towards providing quality basic education cannot be over emphasised. In this century, national development is determined significantly by technical and scientific knowledge that is rooted in effective basic education. Thus, only those countries that want to be left behind would dare neglect basic education.

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opinion

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Economy: Should Nigeria devalue the naira? By Dele Awogbeoba

IGERIA has been in the throes of an economic tsunami of sorts for the past 11 months. The adverse economic headwinds caused by weak demand in major oil importing economies of the world and a burgeoning supply of oil exports occasioned by new oil exporting countries and the shale oil revolution in the US has ensured that Nigeria is in an economically precarious position of having less revenue accruing to the Federal, state and Local governments (due to significantly reduced incomes accruing from the sale of Nigeria’s oil) and our inability to fully replace the USA as the destination of most of our oil exports. Iran’s return to the world economy will exacerbate Nigeria’s revenue challenge because India used Nigeria as a short term replacement to Iran pending the lifting of world sanctions against that country. The present government has not been helped by some of the actions of its predecessor. The wholesale acquisition of debt, the depletion of Nigeria’s savings, the failure to reduce the size of the Federal Government bureaucracy, the yearly increase over the last 4 years of the Federal Government budget and the reckless waivers given to companies engaged in activities that provide no economic benefit to Nigeria has only helped to render Nigeria’s finances increasingly precarious and porous. The sum total of lower oil prices, weak finances, depleted savings and the absence of a strong enough non oil sector has meant that the Naira has increasingly come under adverse pressure. The CBN has opted to reduce the demand for foreign currency by depriving the manufacturing sector of vital access to foreign exchange in order to reduce pressure on the Naira and thereby artificially increase the value of the Naira. That policy has led to JP Morgan removing Nigeria from its traded index and has led many potential investors rethinking or delaying a decision of whether or not to invest in Nigeria. Nigeria (to all intents and purposes) is now in a recession. Its vaunted GDP growth, though estimated to be less than 2.75% next year, will more than likely enter into the negative territory.

Nigeria (like UK in the 1990s) is attempting to buck the market with its present ill-advised Naira policy. As a recap, Britain in 1990 wanted to stay within the ERM and deployed substantial amounts of money to stay within a given foreign exchange value band despite its economy being very weak. Norman Lamont (the then British Chancellor) burnt through billions of dollars trying to maintain an unrealistic exchange rate. Eventually, Britain realised that the actions were futile having recklessly lost billions of dollars trying to buck the market. Nigeria is spending its limited reserves of foreign currency to artificially maintain an unrealistic exchange rate and at the same time it is contracting the domestic economy by depriving manufacturers of vital foreign exchange needed to produce its goods for the market place. Allied with these policies, the CBN has maintained a very high interest rate environment that is inimical to startup business owners or to established businesses looking to invest more in their businesses. When this is considered beside the new consolidated government policy of having all money moved away from various

banks and into one account with the CBN even less money is available for lending to businesses or individuals. It becomes clear that the business and demand environment within Nigeria is being clobbered by external factors (low price of oil and demand for our oil), and government driven fiscal (FG) and monetary (CBN) policies. Nigeria has insufficient foreign exchange to be able to maintain an artificially strong exchange rate with the dollar or indeed the sterling. In the process of trying to maintain an unrealistic exchange rate it will (like Britain in the 1990s) burn through most, if not all of our foreign exchange savings and whilst doing this will significantly contract the domestic economy by pushing Nigeria into a deep recession leading to the contracting of Nigeria’s GDP. Once Nigeria has depleted its savings on this misplaced policy, the Naira will then fall to its natural level in any event. Nigeria has, over the last 16 years, spent its time pursuing forward looking market centered economic policies that has taken its GDP from $35billion in 1999 to $521 billion in 2013. The last thing we want as a country is to start to put forward wellintentioned but economically misplaced policies that will send Nigeria back to where we were in the 1980s when Nigeria’s GDP contracted from a size of $45 billion in 1979 to a GDP size of $35 billion in 1999 (a $10 billion contraction over a 20 year period). Whilst all Nigerian are aware that Buhari’s government has not caused the economic difficulties Nigeria is currently facing, his government (through its acts and omissions) are exacerbating the downturn that Nigeria will inevitable face and are currently facing. Whilst I concede that the proposed $25 billion Infrastructure Fund (that Vice President Osinbajo is proposing) will act to reflate parts of the economy depending on how much is actually spent and where those amounts are spent and the possible multiplier effect of spending those funds in the way envisaged. •Awogbeoba sent this article via dele.awogbeoba@ gmail.com

ABUAD as model for university education in Nigeria By Tajudeen Kareem

If anyone had told Aare Afe Babalola, the Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, ABUAD, 10 years ago that he would veer into education and establish a university that would be described by UNESCO as a world class university, he would not have believed it. He was comfortable, happy, and enjoying the glamour of a successful legal practice. At 86, Aare Babalola is working at the pace of a 30-year old administrator; the chief superintendent of the six-year old varsity that has been rightly tagged as the fastest-growing educational institution in Africa. While many paint rosy pictures of the ‘ideal’ university, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria has not only envisioned the need to make ABUAD the benchmark for quality education in the country, he is laying solid examples for enduring and sustainable academic excellence. At the third convocation ceremony of the university, the founder doled out N250,000 to all graduates of Agricultural Science. Asked why such “a parting gift”, Aare Babalola said: “I don’t want them to roam the streets looking for employment. They have been well groomed and that is a way to encourage them to start their own ventures.” It is instructive that the founder of ABUAD had, beginning last academic session, reduced by half the fees payable by students reading agric-related courses in a bid to encourage young people to embrace agriculture and promote national self-sufficiency in food production. Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher emphasised the doctrine of the university as envisioned by the founder. “At ABUAD, we believe that promoting integrity among the young people is critical to building a better future for Nigeria. We believe that educational corruption is the worst form of corruption because it is a barrier to high quality education and socio-economic development,” he stated. To him, education is “a fundamental human right” that drives personal, social and economic well-being of the nation. “Education is also the key to a better future, where educated citizens have the tools to contribute to society and live in dignity,” he said. Prof. Hagher, former university vice chancellor and respected

educationist opined that “ABUAD brand of tertiary education is the missing link and answer to Nigeria’s developmental challenges. The Founder, Trustees, Council and the entire university is bound by a common institutional culture of excellence. Our journey to fame within a short period of time is as a result of being able to assemble and grow the best professors, lecturers and supporting staff that are not just paid salaries but are partners in the mission to advance the frontiers of academic excellence”. Indeed, many respectable citizens and policy makers have similar views. Professor Peter Okebukola, former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, in a recent book on private university education, said “ABUAD has developed one of the most learner-friendly and high-end research supporting facilities in Nigeria.” The former vice chancellor gave credit to Aare Babalola whom he says “is at the wheel of steering the university to be a model for Africa in terms of quality of facilities, quality of staff, quality of students and quality of curriculum delivery.” Prof. Okebukola gave kudos to Aare Babalola for setting standards that are high “and pitched at a level beyond Harvard.” The founder himself elaborated, stating that “ABUAD’s commitment to standard, ethical behaviour, high quality academic, modern laboratory equipment and skill development is total without comparison.” Professor Attahiru Jega, who bagged an honorary degree of

Doctor of Letters, said he has followed the evolution of the university from inception and is impressed at the development within a short period of time. “I along with most Nigerians are impressed with ABUAD’s remarkable development and profound achievement it has recorded in a short period under the Founder’s able guidance and mentorship,” he added. Honourable Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, former Chairman of ICPC, who received honorary Doctor of Laws award, noted that “ABUAD has grown within a short period of five years to be a trail-blazer in quality education in Africa and the rest of the world”. Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo, who received honorary Doctor of Letters, said “ABUAD is reputed to be one of the best administered universities in Africa, providing benchmark for the assessment of competence, vision and focus in tertiary education.” Laying emphasis on the growth and development of ABUAD, the royal father described the university as one that “has succeeded in designing its academic programmes to suit the demands of contemporary labour markets in a globalising world. Courses and programmes at the university are related and directly relevant to job markets all over the world, making the students globally competitive and professionally equipped to stand tall among their peers from any part of the world”. The Reverend, Fr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, who delivered the convocation lecture and bagged honorary Doctor of Divinity, praised Aare Babalola’s unalloyed commitment to public service through law and education. Taking a tour round the Faculty of Engineering at ABUAD one would be amazed by the structure commissioned two years ago by former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Professor Isaac Asusu, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, noted that the laboratories are well equipped to prepare students for the industries in the outside world. “This is a very significant contribution to the progress of education in the country. It is, therefore, not out of place to say that Aare Babalola has developed a model for quality and functional engineering education and training in Nigeria,” he said. •Kareem sent this article via proedgecomng@ gmail.com

Friday, 6 November, 2015

fridaytreat I hope to someday record a live album —Nayosoul

Nayosoul is one of the budding alternative musicians currently making waves on the Nigerian entertainment scene. Her latest offering, ‘Ayanfe mi’, is currently enjoying steady airplay across the country and is fast becoming an anthem of sorts. ROTIMI IGE caught up with her recently and presents the excerpts of their interaction.

HY Nayosoul? How did you come about the stage name? I actually started music professionally as Nayo. My real name is Odunayo and the word Nayo is from the last four letters of my name. I released my first single under this name but came to find out that there was another artiste already bearing that name and doing a similar style of music. In order to avoid any confusion in the industry, I included my genre of music to the name and became Nayosoul. Why soul music? I actually started as a Jazz artiste but I connected with soul music the most. I don’t know why or how but I remember listening to Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Sade Adu a lot at the beginning of my music career. I remember being so intrigued by Erykah Badu and I also remember seeing Asa perform at a show in Federal Palace many years ago. My playlist was 85 per cent of female soul artistes and slowly I started to make that type of music. Here I am today, still making soul music. I have no regrets whatsoever.

Tell us about early memories of family life... I lived a very sheltered life and I am grateful for that because I really could have made bad choices in life. My exposure to what the world really came at a later stage in my life after my mother had instilled strong values in my life so that whenever I had to make a decision between good and bad, those values set me in the right part. I remember how strict she was with me. A part of me wondered why she was more difficult on me but looking back and knowing what I know now (with all the behavioral traits I displayed), I am so glad she did. I was the most outgoing child of my siblings. I loved playing outside, I didn’t like being indoors, I loved to experiment and I was very naïve. My mother must have seen all that and she protected me as much as she could. A lot of mothers these days are too busy for their children; especially their daughters and these young girls are being exposed everyday to pedophiles, it’s a crazy world we live in.

Seyi Shay unveils corruption of eve Headies Awards set for Dec. 30

Continues on pg24

Nigerian Tribune

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636

fridaytreat

When Abdulrahman Shehu completed internship as a barber a couple of months ago, he had no money to buy a generator to power his barbing shop. Determined to follow through his dream, he opted for riding commercial motor bike (Okada) to raise money to buy one for his trade. A few more months later, he still couldn’t afford a generator but his dream became a reality when he won a generator at the Ilorin leg of the on-going Legend Extra Stout Taste and Tell night that held recently. There were many winners but 26 year-old Abdulrahman appeared to be the happiest because a pressing need had been met. Speaking in an interview with journalists, he said he was deeply touched by the fortune that came his way. “I am very happy today because I have always wanted a generator for my barbing shop. Power is not constant and because of that, if you don’t have a generator, you can’t do the type of business I do. So I decided to lease and ride okada to raise money for the generator but today because of ‘Legend’ I now have a generator for my business”, he enthused. He said he was excited to go back to his shop given

Friday, 6 November, 2015

How Legend changed a barber’s life

the risks he had been exposed to while riding commercial motorcycle. Abdulrahman expressed appreciation to Legend Extra Stout for empowering him via the Taste and Tell campaign. He said the unique consumer reward scheme has saved him from the hazards of okada business. Abdulrahman, alongside Ayo Samuel, was able to taste and correctly identify Legend Extra Stout from three unmarked glasses containing three different stout brands in the Taste and Tell game. Ayo Samuel won a refrigerator for his effort. Apart from tasting the stout to win prizes, the Legend brand had come up with creative ways of engendering true friendship among its consumers. At a question and answer segment, two consumers were picked at random to walk up to the podium each with five friends to answer questions relating to the brand. The winning group

went home with a crate of Legend Extra Stout each while the group leaders, Isa Ishola Tajudeen and Peter Nwachukwu were rewarded with one LED flat screen television each. The market activation offered quality entertainment and relaxation for residents of Ilorin who trooped to Savannah hotel to witness the event. The Harmony Cultural Group displayed the rich cultural heritage of the Emirate with the Baalu dance. According to Music Director of the group, Dosu Babalola, the dance was specially performed to highlight and extoll the qualities that make Legend Extra Stout Nigeria’s fastest selling stout brand. He commended the brand for associating with the culture of the people of the emirate and for bringing the consumer reward scheme to its consumers in

Layg thrills fans with ‘Na You’

Fast rising artiste, Layg is exciting his fans with his new single ‘Na You.’ Born Layi Ajayi, his versatility as a drummer and performing artiste has taken him across the country and beyond. With a style of music that stands him out, Layg has had the passion for music for long. He had been a backup drummer and singer for great artistes both in the secular and gospel music industry in Nigeria and abroad, with the likes of Ayo Bankole Jnr, Eric Arubayi, the West African Idols Season One’s 3rd runner up, Onos, Baba Dee, Gbenga Adenuga, Yetunde Are, Goke Bajowa and Herbert Kunle Ajayi, among others on the list. Music, he said, is everything to him, while his new single ‘Na You’ tells a love tale. “Na You is a love song with a mid tempo that will get you nodding your head and tapping your feet to its rhythm and melody. The song was produced by no other person than Seun Joel, and it has been enjoying massive airplay. “Music is all I know, music is my life. I’ve always loved music, as it is a passion I developed as a child,” he said. A graduate of Civil Engineering from The Polytechnic Ibadan, Layg has performed as a drummer on big stages like Felabration, The Experience MTN Automania in the Republic of Benin, Lagos International Jazz Festival, Paralympics’ Award Night in Aso Rock Villa and Muson Jazz Festival, among others.

Nigerian Tribune

Ilorin. The Baalu dance is a typical dance common among the people of Ilorin. Also, one of Nigeria’s finest music artistes, May D, was on hand to thrill the crowd with a medley of his hit songs. The music act who was accorded a rousing welcome by the charged crowd kept them dancing and singing for a considerable period at the event. May D performed some of his popular tracks including “Ile Ijo”, “Gat me high” and other songs that animated the responsive crowd. Even the Nigerian Breweries Executives at the event could not resist the tunes as they danced and had fun. Similarly, a local-based rap artist, BMD drove the crowd into frenzy with his impressive raps and rhymes. The rap artiste who is popular among the locals gave a good account of himself.

Niger Delta Advancement awards to hold this week

Months after the final list of nominees was released in Port Harcourt, organisers are set to host the 6th Niger Delta Advancement Awards (NDAA) powered by JUVENIS Magazine. According to the organisers, the NDAA 2015 will be a historic night of awards, music, comedy, dance, fashion, spoken words and a whole lot more as celebrities, media executives, captains of industry and government functionaries will converge under one roof to make the event one to remember. This year’s award is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 28, 2015 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

2015 Headies awards to Headies 2015 Rookie Contest Gives Upcoming Talents Shot at Performing Onstage At The Headies hold December 30 Organisers of the Headies awards have announced that the 2015 ceremony will hold on Wednesday December 30 at the Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The annual event, which recognizes outstanding work by Nigerian music talents and rewards them in grand style is expected to attract the crème de la crème of Nigeria’s entertainment industry including superstar musicians, A-list Nollywood artistes, media personalities and many others. Throwing more light on the format of this year’s award nominations, Ayo Animashaun stated, “This year, only music released between July 2014 and June 2015 was eligible for nomination. To view the nominees and to vote for your favourite talents in the respective voting categories, visit our website to increase their chances of going home with the highly coveted 21-karat gold-plated Headies plaque.”

From Monday, November 2 to December 2, 2015, members of the public have been given the chance to nominate talented upcoming talents to perform onstage at Nigeria’s biggest annual music industry award show, The Headies, in a competition tagged ‘Headies 2015 Rookie contest’. The top five acts selected from the public nominations will be announced a week later, and voting will open for three weeks subsequently on www.theheadies.com. Once voting is over, the act with the most votes will be announced as the winner and gets to perform on the awards night. The 2nd and 3rd runner-up acts

will perform at one of The Headies Nominees Concert. Giving an insight into the nature of the contest, Ayo Animashaun stated, “This is another once in a lifetime opportunity for one talented upcoming act to perform on the big stage of ‘The Headies ‘in front of the biggest names in the industry a well as millions of Nigerians watching on TV. If you know a talented upcoming act whom you think deserves this opportunity, nominate them on the website and get voting!” ‘The Headies’ organisers have further revealed in order to be eligible for the contest, the nominated artiste must

be a Nigerian citizen who has never been nominated for or won any award categories at ‘The Headies’ including nominations at this year’s event. He or she must also have at least one officially released single in the Nigerian music market with no album to their name released before February 2015. The shortlist of five rookies with the most nominations will be announced between December 3 and December 10, and voting will commence immediately. The winner of the contest will get to perform at The Headies, while the 1st and 2nd runner-up will perform at the nominees concert.

society

Friday, 6 November, 2015

...celebrating the people

For Booking, contact Alaba Igbaroola alabaadewale01@gmail.com 08155975474

Baba Ijebu @ 80 The car given out to winners by Baba Ijebu

From left, some of the cars winners collecting their car keys from celebrant; Bamisaye Micheal, Tony Igbinoba and Chukwu Victor.

Asiwaju of Lagos, Sir (Dr) Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu being assisted by his wife, Mrs Kofo Adebutu to cut his 80th birthday anniversary cake.

From left, Chief Lafenwa Osiberu, his wife, Chief(Mrs) Lambe Osiberu, representatives of Oba of Lagos, Olori Kudirat Akiola and Olori Olanike Akiolu.

Actors and actresses cuting the cake with celebrant.

From left, Professor Gabriel Ogunmola, his wife Aderonke Ogunmola and Chief Taiwo Alimi.

From left, Princess Temitope Adeyemi, Hon Kamil Adeyemi and Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Govering Council, Federal University DUTSE, Jigawa State, Professor Taoheed Adedoja and Honourable (Otunba) Oladele Bosun George representing Irepo/ Oorelope and Olorunsogo Federal Constituency, Oyo State. Erelu O. Asemota.

Nigerian Tribune

Friday, 6 November, 2015

‘My listeners inspire my music’ songs? Do you write your songs, what inspires your lyrics? I write all my songs. I have collaborated with one or two writers in the past but my songs are majorly created when I am alone driving in traffic or sitting outside my house, stuff like that. I like nature so it is easier for me to write when I am outdoor. My lyrics are inspired by my listeners. I don’t like to write about myself or how I am feeling. I would usually visualize how I would want the listeners to feel and simply write off of that. It is weird, I know, or probably not.

Continues on pg32

Apart from the sheltered life I lived, my parents were strict academicians especially my dad who is professor. It was always books first. I remember my father would ask If I had finished reading my books and because I was in a hurry to go play outside I would say I had finished reading. He would laugh and say ‘Does reading ever end?’ Till this day, I like to read. As much as I make music, I find time to read. If I don’t I feel like the world will leave me behind. I don’t want live in a music/entertainment cocoon. Beyond that I want to be a mogul one day. I want you to be able to ask me anything and I can talk intelligently about it. Being an artiste is not an excuse.

market for you choice of alternative music in Nigeria? There is a market for alternative music in Nigeria especially Jazz and Soul music. Alternative music in Nigeria is niche music and right now the middle and upper class Nigerians are the ones yearning for it and that’s okay. It took me a while to realize that. I was so worried that I wasn’t going to get the types of shows that I wanted. It clicked for me one day that soul music isn’t commercial music so I shouldn’t be disappointed If I don’t perform on the commercial stage. As much as I want to grow my fan base and as much as I want every single Nigerian to love soul music, I realize that we are not all there yet. It may take a while but the market is expanding more and more everyday and people are starting to yearn for conscious music

Seeing that you grew up in an academic setting, how come you chose music? Music chose me. I couldn’t have been doing anything else. Music set me up to be here today. My mother and sisters sang in the choir. My grandmother and aunties sang in the choir. My father can hold a tune (well sort of), at 14 I was in the youth choir taking solos, in the university I was already a performing artist and so on and so forth. I was always going to do music. I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it professionally. I always say that I released my first single in 2011 for my friends who kept pushing me to release music.

Your plans for music domination in the next few years... The big stage... I am not one to cling to fame, although it is a necessary ‘evil’ if you want your music to be heard but I want to perform on the big stage so my team and I have plans to take my music beyond the shores of Nigeria. We are targeting some African countries as well as parts of Europe where we know that soul music thrives. Soon I should be playing in festivals. I love to play live music and I love being on the stage that is one sure way for me to dominate the music business.

Do you think that there is a

Tell us about some of your

You recently dropped a new single. Tell us about it. Yes I did. The title of the song is ‘Ayanfe mi’ and you can find it online especially in my sound cloud account. It is a song I wrote a couple of months ago. I had the tune in my head and some words but I didn’t complete it until I got into the studio. I know many people would find this difficult to believe but the song was written and recorded in four hours. True story! The producer, Bigfootinyourface had to be somewhere, I left and never had time to go back. The sound engineer/Mixologist, Ex-O, had a huge part to play with this song. He completed it and for that I am grateful. People have asked me if I was writing about a special someone and I have always said maybe yes/maybe no. I will say that I do not lack love in my life and I wanted to my listeners to feel the exact same way. While doing my radio tours for the song, I have had people call in and say ‘after listening to this song I just want to be with my wife’ or ‘I can’t wait to find love in my life’. Love is a great feeling and when you find someone who truly loves you, it is a gift that keeps on giving. Critics say Nigerian artistes believe a good beat is all you need for a ‘banging’ track. Is this true? If I am being in honest, then the answer is probably yes. But Nigerians are getting tired of these songs that have a good beat but have no lyrics. Also, many artistes now make this type of music so you may not get your break-in, if you don’t stand out, for a while, if ever. Lastly, this type of music lasts four or five months and every one moves on. It is not evergreen music; it doesn’t leave an impact on the world. It does nothing. Please do not get me wrong, the songs I have a problem with are the songs that have the good beat and no lyrics.

fridaytreat

What other projects are you involved in? Right now, I am focusing on possibly shooting a video for ‘Ayanfe mi’. That is foremost in my mind and hopefully, I can release that in the first quarter of 2016. Live music is hardly the strong point of most Nigerian artistes save a few...Where would you place yourself; a studio musician or a real one? Live music. I love to be on stage. I personally feel like I sound better live. It actually took me a while to get the hang of being a studio artist. I am hoping to record my album live. I am keeping my fingers crossed. How do you prepare for your performances? I psyche myself up a lot! I tell myself, ‘this is the only chance you have. Give the best performance ever’. I try not to take nervous energy on stage because I am the type of artist that beats herself up for a very long time if I mess up on stage so I try to give it my very best. Tell us something few people know about you. I talk a lot but I am also a shy and somewhat antisocial person. It’s a weird combination and the shy part of me always has the upper hand so many people think I am quiet. I am actually a talkative and I am the type of girl to make you cry while laughing. Many people will find this hard to believe. Are you fashionable? If yes, what do you feel comfortable in? I would like to say that I am. My style is probably what you would call the ‘street style’ but I also do not like to box myself-in into a particular style so what I really have are a set of rules my stylist and I abide by: Comfort comes first. I only wear what I am comfortable in so I love loose clothing and comfortable shoes. Then, cover up. I do not like to show too much skin. I find it sexier that way. Also, colors. I love to stand out so I like to wear bright colors. What fashion accessory can’t you do without and how many do you own? My hair is my biggest accessory. I know this probably not the answer that you were expecting but my afro hair completes my outfit. Your most prized bodily asset and why? My eyes. They draw you in and I find them very attractive.

Seyi Shay

unveils

Corruption of Eve

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 twitter: @rotifizzle twitter: @fridaytreat

OP Nigerian songstress Seyi Shay releases glamorous new photos in a photo editorial called “The Corruption of Eve”. This photo editorial is directed by fast rising photographer Remi Adetiba and was shot at the Lekki conservation Centre, Lagos. This photo editorial was recently showcased at the 2015 edition of the Lagos Photo Festival among a select iconic photographs that are of symbolic stature in Nigerian music. The Corruption of Eve reconstructs the story of the fall of man in a more modern light with Seyi Shay staring as the first woman “Eve”. There are four major scenes in this photo editorial; the first depicts Adam and Eve in the innocence of their nakedness. Seyi Shay is dressed in a flowy, ethereal gown, whose nude tone closely matches her skin colour to give a less obvious interpretation of Eve’s nudity. In the second scene we witness the dramatic emergence of the serpent, played by a striking male model in a full snakeskin suit, seducing Eve and tempting her with the forbidden fruit.The Final Scenes depict our Eve fleeing the garden after succumbing to the serpent’s proposal. Her innocence is lost and she can no longer remain in its purity. She is dressed in gorgeous, dramatically movement-friendly garments with leaf prints/appliques signifying her covering her nakedness. The photo editorial ends with Eve, having fully accepted her fall from grace; she is seen in a luxury car (ostensibly in the present day), wearing a sexy snakeprint dress. She and her corrupter are now one. “The Corruption of Eve” features a slide show that tells a strong story with every photo linking to the next like pieces to a puzzle. The photos in themselves feature strong and engaging visuals that depict Seyi Shay as being on top of the pecking order. As this would relate with her in the entertainment industry, following a succession of hits Seyi Shay was recently signed by international music company Island Records and she has announced she will be releasing her debut album “Seyi or Shay” on November 13, 2015. The story of “The Corruption of Eve” is on display at Miliki Lounge in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ndubisi (middle), with Falz (left) and Ebuka.

“From Keke Napep to brand new car; my levels don change” — GUP Winner WITH the Gulder Ultimate Promo, Santa Claus came early this year for Edede Nduduisi, an Owerri-based small pub owner who won a brand new Hyundai Elantra saloon car via a raffle draw in the promo. The 30-year old father of four said he used to take his family around town in his tricycle “Keke NAPEP” but with the arrival of the car, his family will have a new lease of life. “This is my first car. I had a tricycle ‘keke’ before. Now, my levels don change. I thank Nigerian Breweries Plc immensely for the opportunity they have given me and other Nigerians, may God bless them and bless me too. I am thankful to my God because I was just sending codes not knowing I could win. Gulder has changed my levels from ‘keke’ owner to the owner of a brand new car,” he gushed. Speaking further on how he feels on winning a brand new car, Ndubuisi stated that the car will boost his social status and improve the bond within his family. “As December is approaching, I will take my family to the village in the car for Christmas; I will take them to church in it every Sunday. All these have never happened before. I am immensely grateful”. An elated Ndubuisi said his wife played a big role in his emergence as winner of the coveted prize by encouraging him to enter for the promo. “My wife was a strong support for me. She encouraged me to enter for the promo even when my sibling discouraged me. They did not believe in the promo but she did. Even when I was told I have won, they still didn’t believe but my wife encourages me to come down to Lagos to see things for myself; and here I am; owner of a brand new car courtesy of Gulder,” he said. While presenting the brand new Hyundai Elantra to Ndubuisi at the corporate headquarters of Nigerian Breweries Plc in Iganmu-Lagos, the MD/CEO, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde congratulated him and encouraged him to never drink and drive.

“Today, you are our ultimate man and you are in the midst of Gulder ambassadors, celebrities, brand managers and consumers who have come to congratulate you. Thank you for your loyalty to the brand. Enjoy the car but please do not forget that you should never drink and drive”, Mr Vervelde said. The Gulder Ultimate Promo one of Nigeria’s biggest consumer reward programmes involves “The Chase” and “A Raffle Draw”. The chase leg of the promo requires physical and mental fitness. At the chase location, participants are required to interprete coordinates on a map to locate the grand prize – a brand new Hyundai Elantra saloon car. To participate in the Gulder Ultimate Chase, consumers have to report at specific venues with six crown corks marked ‘Ultimate Chase’ and compete with other contestants. While the lucky winner will drive home a brand new car, other winners will go home with 200 mouth-watering prizes. The raffle draw also produces a grand prize winner. Besides the grand prize, other participants will go home with cash prizes and other consumer electronics. The Gulder Ultimate Promo, has since its launch in Enugu on August 24,2015 raised the standard of living of its lucky winners. While many have won cars many more have won cash prizes and other tangible household items. The Gulder Ultimate Chase will hold in Owerri on November 7, 2015 at Dan Anyiam Stadium while the raffle draw will hold on November 8, 2015. The Calabar Ultimate Chase event will hold on November 14, 2015 at the U J Esuene Stadium while Onitsha will host the event on November 21, 2015 at the Godwin Achebe Mini stadium. The raffle draw for Onitsha will hold on November 22, 2015. The promo will end on November 30, 2015.

Freedom Park to host Yaw, Olisa, others for NECLive Series today AHEAD of plans for the 2016 edition of Nigerian Entertainment Conference, organisers have announced the inaugural mini workshop titled NECLive series. NECLive Series will hold conversation with celebrities today at Freedom Park, Broad Street (Gate 4 entrance) Lagos Island. Notable industry personalities expected to take part include Olisa Adibua, Toni Kan, Jahman Anikulapo, Victor Akande and Yaw. There will also be sessions with Yetunde Babaeko, Tunde Laoye, Chris Ihidero, Femi Falodun, Olori Supergal and many more. Shedding light on the need for the intro-

duction of ‘NECLive series’ and its agenda, TheNetNG publisher and NECLive chairman Ayeni Adekunle recently commented, “NECLive Series is a platform for enhancing cooperation and increasing knowledge within the Nigerian creative industry. It was created in response to the recurring problem of limited capacity building in the industry, which was identified at the past three editions of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference. The goal is to bridge identifiable gaps in the creative sector, and in so doing advance the agenda of CORA and NEC to support the industry in Nigeria.”

Friday, 6 November, 2015

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

’Wale Olapade 08161235359 wale11g3@gmail.com Winner, NMMA, Tourism Reporter Of The Year

Ethiopian wins Rising Star Carrier of the Year Award

From left; Mrs Thelma Bello; President/Founder, Nigeria Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, Mr Brian Efa and Head, Even and Media, Bola Oyedele at the event.

Jonel sets to grow tourism, hotel investment by $20bn in five years •Holds conference November 25

Stories By ‘Wale Olapade

HE Managing Partner, Jonel Hospitality Consulting and organiser, Nigeria Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, Mr Brain Efa has assured stakeholders in the tourism and hotel industry of a growth projection of $20 billion in the next five years. Efa who was speaking at the second press conference to usher in the 2015 edition of the Nigeria Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference at Golden Gate Restaurant in Ikoyi, Lagos said every logistics to reposition the sector through the conference has been completed with experts drawn from around the world. According to Efa, “the Tourism and Hotel conference scheduled for November 25 and 26 at the Intercontinental Hotel Lagos is another way to up Nigerian brand through foreign participation and the bottom line is that we want investment to grow up to $20 billion in next five years. “The conference is aimed at promoting the hotel and tourism business and related real estate projects in Nigeria and West African region to catch up with the rave of global investment frontier.” Efa said nearly 500 foreign senior executives will be participating at the conference with top notch speakers set for different sessions. “Already, we have confirmed 10 from South Africa, four from Europe, one from the US and others from the East Africa,” Efa added.

“The conference is a high-powered, three days conference which aimed to bring international hotels and regional industry experts together to discuss and debate the changing landscape and to help identify intelligent and target investment opportunities in Nigeria. “It will also feature interactive and panel sessions where delegates will meet minds and learn latest trends and how the future of tourism and hotel industry are expected to develop in the coming years. “We will be discussing about hotels, resorts with allied focus on real estate projects, including shared ownership and about overall leisure and tourism development projects in Nigeria and West African sub-region.” Efa disclosed that this year’s edition will have the opportunity to present stakeholders’ projects to investors and hotel management company who may be interested in managing or investing in participants’ projects. For the event director Mrs Thelma Bello, the NHTIC is a viable platform to grow the business of tourism and hotel in Nigeria, therefore urging stakeholders to take full advantage of the event to position their businesses and the industry for profitability. Bello, however urged stakeholders to see the NHTIC as a rallying point not only to cross fertilise ideas, but also to set the industry on a pedestal to grow their businesses domestically and internationally.

ETHIOPIAN Airlines, the leading, fast growing and the largest cargo operator in Africa, has won the Rising Star Carrier of the Year Award on Payload Asia Awards 2015 at a gala dinner attended by more than 250 members of the air cargo fraternity from around the globe on October 15, 2015. The event which was held at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Singapore is aimed at celebrating excellence in the Air Cargo Industry and Ethiopian Airlines has won on both industry and Customer Choice Awards where over 76 companies were nominated with over 18,000 online votes cast for 22 awards in the Customer Choice Awards. Speaking while receiving the award, the Managing Director, Ethiopian Cargo Services, Mr Fitsum Abady, “It is a great honour to receive the Rising Star Carrier of the Year Award, this recognition is a testimony of our continuous effort to best meet the high expectation of our customers and I take this opportunity to thank our cargo team for their hard work and our global cargo customers and the executive management for their consistent support. “As one of the four pillars of our vision 2025 strategic road map, we have been investing millions of dollars on our Ethiopian Cargo Services. “We operate the best freighter aircraft in the world, the B777-200 LR freighters; expanding our cargo destinations across the globe; building one of the largest cargo terminals in the world with 1.2 million annual capacity; and automating our entire cargo business process with one of the best Cargo IT systems (SITA Champ Cargo Spot) with the aim of providing one of the most efficient air cargo services within, to and from Africa.” Ethiopian Cargo, the largest cargo operator in Africa, currently uplifts 329,000 tons of cargo annually and flies to 29 freighter destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe using seven dedicated freighters, including five-B777-200-LRF and two-B757F. The sixth B777-200 LR freighter arrived Addis Ababa on the October 22, 2015. Ethiopian Cargo Services is moving to a completely paperless environment and is using latest technologies for data, information and market intelligence with 100 per cent e-AWB (Electronic Air Way Bill) from its hub (Addis Ababa) and recorded 54.7% international e-AWB penetration while industry average is only 31.7% per IATA e-AWB penetration report of August 2015.

Mr Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines (second left) and others at the award ceremony.

Bird-watching Festival: Allure of the Smiling Coast of Africa THE Gambia is offering tourists, especially adventure lovers and naturalists ample opportunity to explore mother nature at her best. This time, the West African country renown for her effort at drawing global traffic to her tourism attraction, is inviting tourists

Tourists on bird-watching Safari

to her International Bird Festival. From October 21 to 26, 2016 Tendaba Camp, located in the Lower River Region of The Gambia will play host to the festival and offering bird watchers the rare opportunity of seeing over 540 species of birds in relatively close

proximity including; sacred ibis, African Finfoot, White Backed Night Heron, Shining blue kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Pel’s Fishing Owl among others. In its first edition, the bird festival will feature a wide variety of birding activities, birding field trips, lectures/ presentations/ workshops, inside and outdoor activities, exhibition and a farewell Gala Dinner. Detailing the itinerary, the organisers noted that beyond the opening ceremony, registration of participants, lectures and presentations on the second day, the third day would be full of bird watching activities. On that day, visitors will experience a spectacular morning across the river Gambia into the creeks of Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve back to Tendaba Camp for lunch, while they also walk around Tendaba

Camp air field in the afternoon. There will also be evening lectures and presentations overnight at Tendaba Camp. On the fourth day, the global bird watchers at the festival will experience an exciting full day birding into Kiang West National Park. The next day will see them driving to the trans Gambia ferry crossing to Kaur wetland on the North Bank to bird watch along the way, while also partaking in the award gala night in the last day. However, speaking on the choice of the venue, the organisers said that Tendaba Camp, which lies between Kiang West National Park and Baobolong Wetland Reserve, was built in the 1970’s and one of the first tourist camps in the country that attracts mostly birdwatchers and naturalists. Also, the area is characterised by a broad tidal river bed, savannah

swamp and mangroves. In terms of facilities, the camp offers single and twin family rooms, two bars, a restaurant, swimming pool, and conference hall with internet facilities. All these combine to make the camp a spot for short excursions and an ideal location for ecotourists interested in wildlife. Bird species include the sacred ibis, African Finfoot, White Backed Night Heron, Shining blue kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Pel’s Fishing Owl amongst others. The festival is organised by The Gambia Tourism Board, in collaboration with Department of Parks and Wildlife Management, Bird Watchers Association and Conservation Organisations with the objective of promoting rural tourism development as well supporting the conservation of birds and their habitats.

Friday, 6 November, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Amaechi

Fashola

Ogbeh

Ministers without portfolios: What are the criteria? By Dare Adekanmbi

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, perhaps, shocked ministers-designate when he dropped a bombshell in New Delhi, India, during a three-day official visit to the Asian country for India-Africa summit. He had told newsmen that not all members of the yet-to-be constituted cabinet would man ministries. The president, banking on Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution, declared that he was only mandated by the constitution to appoint a minister from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He said he was no under compulsion to assign portfolios to all the ministers. For any of the nominees, who might have thought that the statement was made to impress Buhari’s Asian hosts, the reiteration of the matter by Buhari during a meeting with the Senate President, Dr BukolaSaraki, on Tuesday, would have erased any doubt as to whether the policy has come to stay or not, at least for Buhari’s government. The idea was prevalent in the 60’s, particularly in the defunct Western Region government of the Action Group. During that period in history, it used to be the case

that prominent traditional rulers openly engaged in partisan politics and some of them got rewarded when their party won an election and went on for form government. For instance, the late Odemo of Isara Remo, Ogun State and founding father of the defunct Action Group, Oba Samuel Akinsanya, was appointed a minister without portfolio between 1952 and 1955. It was the same for the late Olowo of Owo in Ondo State, Oba Olateru Olagbegi, in the then

Western Region government. Both were also leading members of the Western House of Chiefs in Ibadan and got rewarded for their commitment to their party. A similar scenario played out during the government of the late Chief Bola Ige when the late Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba IyiolaMatanmi, was appointed a commissioner without portfolio. There are many other examples in the First and Second Republic. Outside Nigeria, the practice is also adopt-

Outside Nigeria, the practice is also adopted. For example in Jamaica’s Westminster-type parliamentary democracy, there are ministers, ministers of state and ministers without portfolios. Its ministers of states are assigned one responsibility and are addressed as junior ministers in the Jamaican press.

ed. For example in Jamaica’s Westminstertype parliamentary democracy, there are ministers, ministers of state and ministers without portfolios. Its ministers of states are assigned one responsibility and are addressed as junior ministers in the Jamaican press. The country’s ministers without portfolio each take on one of the subsidiary duties assigned to the office of the prime minister or made to handle one of the tasks in the regular ministries. They are addressed as ‘minister without portfolio’ then followed by the duty assigned to them. Like the ministers of states, they are not seen as members of the cabinet and cannot vote when cabinet decisions so require. The idea of appointing ministers without assigning them to specific ministries is also in operation in the United Kingdom, although one person is so appointed. The position of a minister without portfolio is seen as an unusual cabinet position because the holder of such position does not have any departmental responsibilities. The creation of such title is done to reward the beneficiary for their loyalty to the party or government. It is also done as a sort of political solution to crisis within a party or government. Ultimately, it is a product of a coalicontinues pg28

politics&policy

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Another hurdle for Buhari continued from pg27

tion government and the office may not exist when a single party wins enough seats in the parliament to form government. Unlike in Jamaica, a minister without portfolio in the UK contributes to the decision-making processes and policies of government. It may be argued that the government of President Buhari came to power through the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). It is more or less a coalition government, especially when the contributions of the New PDP elements are factored into the success of the party. However, the reasons advanced by Buhari for the policy is the declining government finances which has necessitated the need to run a lean government. “Yes, there used to be 42 ministers. I think we will be lucky if we can have half of that now because we cannot afford it. Others may not be substantive ministers, but they will sit in the cabinet because that is what the constitution says and we cannot operate outside the constitution. “Where is the money? You must have known that the Federal Government had to help 27 of the 36 states to pay salaries. Nigeria cannot pay salaries. The Federal Government itself had to summon the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to see how to talk of the agreements we signed with foreign countries, counterpart funding and so on. This country was materially vandalised,” Buhari said. The president had been advised by the Ahmed Joda-led Transition Committee in an 800-page report to prune the number of ministries to 19, as part of measures to infuse cost-efficiency into his government. Also recognising the provision of the constitution that each state must have a minister, the committee had recommended 19 full-fledged ministers 17 ministers of state (junior ministers). The committee equally advised the merger of some ministries, as well as agencies with overlapping or redundant functions. Only nine ministries were spared in the merger proposal. They are: industry, trade and investment; education, defence, FCT, finance, labour and productivity, justice, foreign affairs and national planning. According to the committee, the ministries of mines and steel development, petroleum resources and power should become one ministry to be named ministry of energy; environment, land and urban development as well as works and housing should fuse into works, housing and environment. The ministries of aviation and transport are recommended to be merged as ministry of transport and to take care of aviation, rail, water and transport systems. “There is no direct relationship between the number of ministries and efficacy of service delivery. The US with a population of 316 million and with GDP of $17,328 trillion (30 times Nigeria’s GDP) has 15 ministries. India has 24 ministries, while the UK has 17. “The current structure with 28 ministries and 542 agencies (50 of which have no enabling laws) [results in] very high cost of governance. The portfolios of ministries are not responsive to all the major critical national challenges such as family and child affairs; religious affairs; vulnerable and elderly group affairs as well as the Northeastern crisis,” the committee was quoted to have submitted. Not a few commentators have expressed their views on the presidential policy. Sen-

Fayemi

Onu

Kachukwu

Ngige

ate President, Dr Saraki, while speaking with State House correspondents on Tuesday, said there was nothing novel about it

but agreed with Buhari that the economic realities of the country warranted the policy.“Well, I think before we had minis-

What criteria are available for President Buhari to ‘bench’ some minsters and ‘field’ others, in a country where ethnic sentiment is so strong and recognised as federal character in the constitution?

ters of state in the past, I don’t think there is anything new. There were ministers for special duties which really didn’t have portfolios. I think the key issue is being in the cabinet, being part of the government and those that would have the responsibilities of ministering are those that at the end of the day would do that,” he stated. However, the publicity secretary of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisah Metuh, queried why the president predicated the decision on bad economy rather than explaining to Nigerians that it was the style he had chosen to adopt. “It is his style and it is his prerogative. We are not struggling for space with him, and the constitution does not require him to assign portfolios to all 36 ministers.” A Board of Trustees member of the PDP, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said: ““If he decides to do that, we have to accept it as his style but it is not the ideal thing. This is not the first time such will happen in Nigeria. Let us watch and see how it works. It is from watching that we will know whether he is doing it in the interest of Nigeria or not. If it succeeds, we will give him kudos.” But the Akwa Ibom State-born former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, saw nothing wrong with the policy as long as it would help the president to achieve his goal for the country. “He is the President and has a herculean task of saving this country from collapse. I believe the buck stops on his table and not on any minister’s desk.” A former General-Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori also supported the decision. According to him, “In the First Republic, we had ministers without portfolios. They were like ministers of special duties. There are so many jobs to be done, and they can be assigned to do any of them by the President without necessarily having portfolios.Buhari knows what he is doing because the rot in the system is not quantifiable. As it is, we should watch him and see what happens. It will not be fair to condemn the move without seeing if it will work or not.” Observers however note that the policy has naturally raised some questions the answers to which will determine a lot of things about the five-month-old government. First is the question of what criteria are available for President Buhari to ‘bench’ some ministers and ‘field’ others, in a country where ethnic sentiment is so strong and recognised as federal character in the constitution? Already, criticisms have dogged the appointments made so far by the president who has been accused of favouring the North to the detriment of the South. What will be the president’s explanation to agitators from states whose ministers will be ‘benched,’ especially where such agitations have always been accompanied by the argument of the number of votes they delivered for the party and the president and upon which it was possible for the government to come into being? If the strength of APC in each of the states or the number of votes delivered will not be a criterion, will the president consider benching ministers from states which already have appointees in his government? Or is the president going to be substituting the ‘fielded ministers’ when they get tired or sustain ‘political injury’ with those in the ‘reserve bench?’ In the country where the assignment of the status of junior ministers (ministers of state) to some states has generated angry reactions in the past, the new policy is sure to create ripples across the polity.

politics&policy

By Tope Adeleye Elias-Fatile

HE attention of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York, has been invited to the editorial of the Nigerian Tribune of Tuesday 13th October, 2015 titled “UN: Nigeria’s absence at crucial meetings.” The author deliberately refused to refer to Nigeria’s outstanding performance during the high-level segment of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The editorial did not make mention of the superlative level of the participation of Nigeria’s President at the session. It did not inform the public that Nigeria was in high demand by leading countries and international organisations during the Session. It did not state how Mr. President had a daily schedule that was full of engagements and activities in pursuit of, and for the promotion of Nigeria’s national interests. For the avoidance of doubt, President Muhammadu Buhari effectively participated in the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, from Thursday 24th to Tuesday 29th September, 2015. The visit, which was the first to the United Nations headquarters after his inauguration as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in May, 2015, was immensely successful. The content of the attached copy of the press release issued by the Mission on 29th September, 2015, at the completion of Mr President’s visit to New York will further enlighten the public. Consequently, it is our duty to educate the Nigerian Tribune and the general public regarding the inaccuracies and misrepresentations contained in the editorial under reference. The very first misleading information in this editorial is that: “The President was, however, unable to attend a meeting with Pope Francis who was the first Pontiff to address the General Assembly.” It is incorrect to state that Pope Francis was the first Pontiff to address the General Assembly. Pope Francis is the fourth Pope to visit and address the General Assembly since 1945 when the United Nations was founded, although it is the fifth time that a Pope would address the Assembly. Popes had addressed the General Assembly in this order: Pope Paul VI addressed the Assembly on October 4, 1965, thereby being the very first Pope to address the General Assembly; Pope John Paul II addressed the Assembly twice in 1979 and in 1995; Pope Benedict XVI also addressed the Assembly in 2008; and Pope Francis addressed the Assembly on Friday, 25th October, 2015. On Thursday 24th September, 2015, Pope Francis made history as the first Pope to address a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress, which is distinct from the General Assembly of the United Nations. The address to the U.S. Congress was delivered at the Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. and not in New York. These are two different cities located in two different states of the United States of America. It is certain that neither the author nor any member of the Editorial Board had read or seen a copy of Pope Francis’ address to the UN General Assembly on Friday, 25th October, 2015, where he stated clearly that “This is the fifth time that a Pope has visited the United Nations. I follow in the footsteps of my predecessors Paul VI, in 1965, John Paul II, in 1979 and 1995, and my most recent predecessor, now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in 2008….” In addition, the editorial conveys inconsistent information that: “The president was, however, unable to attend a meeting with Pope Francis…With regard to the

Friday, 6 November, 2015

UN: Nigeria’s absence at crucial meetings, a rejoinder

Buhari

Most significantly, the host country (USA) takes charge of the security, movements and transportation of visiting Presidents to New York for the General Assembly from their point of arrival to departure. meeting with the Pontiff, President Buhari was prevented from joining his colleagues at the meeting because he did not pass through the gate reserved for presidents. He arrived late for the event because Nigerian Embassy officials messed up his itinerary.” It is important to highlight the need to always differentiate between a Permanent Mission and an Embassy, as Nigeria and other countries of the world do not have Embassies in New York. What we have is Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York. The author misinforms the public through contradictory statements in the editorial that Mr. President: a. “was unable to attend a meeting with Pope Francis;” b. “was prevented from joining his colleagues at the meeting because he did not pass through the gate reserved for presidents;” In another breath, the author added that Mr. President: c. “arrived late for the event because Ni-

gerian Embassy officials messed up his itinerary.” There is no agreement in these incoherent sentences, none of which is true, because: i) No one can prevent a Sovereign from attending a meeting of an organisation to which his/her country is a Member State. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for the President of any Member State of the United Nations to be “prevented from joining his colleagues” at any UN meeting. ii) Most significantly, the host country (USA) takes charge of the security, movements and transportation of visiting Presidents to New York for the General Assembly from their point of arrival to departure. All the personnel assigned to Nigeria to coordinate Mr. President’s movements, transportation and logistics undertook these responsibilities with the utmost sense of duty. There was no instance of when they led Mr. President into the UN premises through a gate that is not “reserved for presidents.” Meanwhile, the Mission has since conveyed its gratitude to them for the

efficient manner in which they coordinated these arrangements. iii) For this reason, it is completely fallacious to state that officials of the Mission (who are not in-charge of Mr. President’s movements and transportation into the UN premises) “messed up his itinerary” and he “arrived late for the event.” The Mission’s role was to receive him at the point of entry into the relevant building within (not into) the UN premises and conduct him to the venues of the meetings scheduled for the day. We must state emphatically that throughout the period, the Mission seamlessly led Mr. President to the various meeting venues within the UN premises. For clarity, Mr. President arrived at the General Assembly Hall ahead of Pope Francis’ Address and he listened to the address. The exact time for the address was 10.00.a.m., as officially announced in the UN Journal of Friday 25th, September, 2015. A copy is attached with this rejoinder and it can also be obtained by accessing the UN Journal of that date online. Click on www.un.org/en/documents/journal. asp and select the Journal of 25 September, 2015. The Mission hereby reaffirms the fact that Mr President was driven into the UN premises for the Pope’s Address; he arrived at the General Assembly Hall and was seated prior to the commencement of the Address at 10.00.a.m. He listened to the Address from the very beginning when the Pope said his very first words till the very end. The video clip of Pope Francis’ Address can be obtained from the UN Media and it is also available online at http://webtv. un.org/topicsissues/observers/holy-see/ watch/address-by-his-holiness-pope-francisgeneral-assembly-3rd-plenary-meeting70th-session/450924342500. On this video clip, there is the need for a painstaking effort to spot Mr. President and members of his delegation on the Nigerian Desk. It may be necessary to keep the video still at some point to watch him standing up with other world leaders to applaud the Pope. It could be confirmed in the video clip that at the end of the Pope’s Address, the President of the General Assembly requested all delegations to remain seated while they (the President of the Assembly and the Secretary-General) accompany the Pope from the General Assembly Hall. The delegations were expected to remain within the Hall for the commencement of the Summit of the Post-2015 Development Agenda that was scheduled for 11.00.a.m.immediately after the Pope’s Address. The Nigerian Tribune in its Editorial under review further told the public that: “Worse still, he was unable to participate in sideline events scheduled to address issues relating to Boko Haram and the resulting problems of internally displaced persons... On the session titled “Lake Chad Basin at A Crossroads: Addressing Urgent Humanitarian Needs in An Overlooked Crisis,” which was to address Boko Haram and internally displaced persons, embassy officials failed to list it in the President’s itinerary. The latter event was organised on the sideline by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and chaired by Stephen O’Brien, undersecretary general of the UN….” It is erroneous to state that Mr. President did not participate in the event (to which continues pg30

politics&policy

HE Presidency was furious with Olisa Metuh, the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) this week over his claim that President Muhammadu Buhari was “demarketing” Nigeria with his tendency to use his utterances whenever he is in foreign land to run down Nigerians. Often branding them as corrupt and portraying the Nigerian economy as shambolic. Hardly a scenario any serious investors will put his money. The PDP maintains rightfully that such utterances are discouraging the much needed foreign investments from coming into the country. The leading opposition party is even more worried because of the harmful consequences of the unabated negative statements on the economy and the image of the country since they emanate from Buhari, the father of the nation, himself. “It is worrisome that in the last six months, the president, instead of making efforts to harness resources and grow the economy, has rather continued to apply himself, perhaps unwittingly, to demarketing the nation and scaring away investors through negative labeling of Nigerians and unwarranted unhealthy portrayal of the nation’s economy,” Metuh had said in a statement to welcome the president back from a trip to India where he made the latest remarks in question. The presidency seemed rattled by the gravity of the allegation and its effect on the perception of the administration and Femi Adesina, spokesman of the president, wasted no time in firing back at Metuh and his former ruling party for their alleged mismanagement of the economy that he claimed has left the Buhari’s government with too much to do.

Friday, 6 November, 2015

inside

aso rock WITH LEON USIGBE

08078891838 leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk

Buhari’s hurtful truths Adesina and Metuh are increasingly becoming close personal friends, maybe not in the positive sense of wanting to be nice and helpful to each other but are certainly keeping a close tab on themselves wary of what the other will be up to next that may ruffle feathers in their respective camps. In hitting back at Metuh, the presidential spokesman told the PDP National Publicity Secretary and his ilk that their attempts to distract the president from the job he has been elected to do will fail. “President Buhari will remain true to the virtues of honesty, integrity, sincerity, incorruptibility and plainspeaking which endeared him to Nigerians and made them prefer his leadership to that of a lying and deceptive PDP administration. The president will not, in the guise of ‘marketing’ the country, refrain from telling Nigerians and the world, the emerging truths about the abject state in which years of plundering by a PDP leadership has left the Nigerian treasury and economy.” Buhari’s latest corruption outburst has been analyzed by cynics and many agree that the president as truthful as he may

aso rock

want to be on the state of the economy he Buhari also wanted to be truthful about inherited from the PDP, complaining with not giving portfolios to some of the 36 every given opportunity rather than evolv- ministerial nominees confirmed for him 08078891838 ing strategies to turn around the situation, even though his media office WITH LEON by the senate leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk is hardly the right path to tread. had sought to modify this position. This is This has not ebbed the seething anger in ostensibly because of negative public reacthe presidency over the PDP “demarketing” tion generated by his revelation that many allegation whose disgust was accentuated of such ministers would not be substantive by the president himself on Tuesday while ministers but would sit in the Federal Exreceiving Senate President Bukola Saraki. ecutive Council (FEC) meetings. While reWeighing in on the matter himself on that ceiving a list of 18 nominees from Saraki, occasion, Buhari argued that foreign inves- Buhari noted the enthusiasm of some prestors already know about the battered condi- idency staff over the matter and posited tion of the Nigerian economy and therefore that to tell Nigerians that all 36 ministerial what he is doing as president is to tell the nominees would be assigned portfolios was truth and urge them to come to the country speculative. He was very clear on his intenwith their investments. “Any investor who is tion - even though the constitution recominterested in investing in Nigeria will seem mends that all 36 states should produce a to know more about the economy more minister, it does not say there must be 36 than ourselves. So, when I come and tell the ministries. The prevailing economic conditruth about the position of the economy of tions in the country make assigning posithe country, I am going out looking for in- tions to all ministerial nominees an unrevestors. I am confirming to them that we alistic endeavor. Therefore, the Buhari era are truthful, that we need them to come and will see many ministers without specific ofhelp us help ourselves by getting in indus- fices. This is a hurtful truth that those concerned must deal with. tries, manufacturing and services.”

‘Mr President was driven into the UN premises for the Pope’s Address’ continues pg29

he was not invited) because “embassy officials failed to list it in the President’s itinerary.” The Mission meticulously compiled a list of all the events and meetings (27 pages in all) to which the President was invited. It must be stated categorically that Mr. President was not invited to this event. The only Boko Haram-related event that directly concerned the President was held on Saturday, 26th September, 2015. The Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the Republic of Benin and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), co-hosted this event titled “Curbing the threat of Boko Haram and building stability in affected countries: A long-term strategy to build community resilience, particularly of women, adolescent girls and young people.” A copy of the programme of the event is attached with this Rejoinder. The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Professor U.Joy Ogwu, delivered the President’s statement at the event. The editorial neither mentioned the above event nor was there any reference that the issues of terrorism, Boko Haram and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), featured prominently at all meetings and events on the schedule of the President. Please, be informed that each of the following meetings had a component of issues on terrorism, Boko Haram and IDPs in it: i. Bilateral meeting/dialogue with His Majesty, Don Felipe VI, King of the Kingdom of Spain, on Friday 25th September, 2015; ii. Bilateral meeting/dialogue with H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, on Sunday 27th

September, 2015; iii. Bilateral meeting/dialogue with H.E. The Rt. Hon. David Cameron, UK Prime Minister, on Sunday 27th September, 2015; iv. Bilateral meeting/dialogue with H.E. Park Geun-hye, President of South Korea, on Sunday 27th September, 2015; v. Bilateral meeting/dialogue with His Majesty, King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on Monday 28th September, 2015; vi. Bilateral meeting/dialogue with the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Kimoon on Monday 28th September, 2015. Mr. Stephen O’Brien, the Under-SecretaryGeneral for Humanitarian Affairs, was at this meeting. Neither him nor the Secretary-General complained that Mr. President did not attend a meeting organised by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator on Boko Haram; vii. At the General Debate of Monday 28th September, 2015 where Mr. President addressed other world leaders, he spoke on the issues copiously.

viii. Global Leaders’ Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism, organised by the US Government, on Tuesday 29th September, 2015; ix. Meeting with Mr. Christopher Stone, President of Open Society Foundation and Mrs. Julia Stasch, President of MacArthur Foundation, on Tuesday 29th September, 2015. It is beyond dispute that Mr. President utilised all necessary opportunities of interacting effectively with world leaders and at all meetings he had during the period to discuss security and humanitarian issues bedeviling the Lake Chad Basin countries. Against this backdrop, it is unfair to accuse the government of insensitivity to the plight of those affected by Boko Haram insurgency. Unfortunately, the Editorial of the Nigerian Tribune and a few other media organisations that published sensational stories under different headlines on Nigeria’s performance at the 70th UNGA, did not draw attention to the successes of Mr. President’s visit to New York. They did not underline his brilliant participation at the various meetings that

As expected, the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York, efficiently organised all bilateral meetings and facilitated Mr President’s participation.... His participation at these meetings and events was described as exceptional by many African and non-African countries.

he attended by which Nigeria’s visibility has been enhanced globally. What about his numerous bilateral engagements with the leading countries? There was no emphasis on the very high-point of Mr President’s activities in New York, which was the successful delivery of his “messageful” address at the General Debate, at the end of which leaders who gathered to congratulate and appreciate him cut across different continents. As expected, the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York, efficiently organised all bilateral meetings and facilitated Mr President’s participation at all events and meetings during the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly. His participation at these meetings and events was described as exceptional by many African and non-African countries. In spite of this, the author of the Editorial made unguarded remarks about the Mission and its staff, using words such as “the ineptitude and poor attitude of the Nigerian mission staff in New York.” The Editorial should have identified and analysed the likely benefits accruable to Nigeria as a result of Mr. President’s first visit to the United Nations. It would have analyzed the expected outcomes of the various important meetings and events that Mr. President attended for the good ofour country. It would have engaged the public in a robust intellectual discourse by analyzing the content of Mr. President’s statements at the different events, especially the cogent issues raised viz-a-viz contemporary global thoughts and domestic challenges in Nigeria. •Tope Adeleye Elias-Fatile, PhD., FNIP, is the spokesperson, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, New York.

31 hersay

Friday, 6 November, 2015

hers

Editor: Yemisi Aofolaju yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com 08055001741

What is the hardest lesson you learnt in a relationship? Relationship comes with different lessons. Indeed, a Yoruba adage even says that marriage is a school. IDOWU FAJI interviewed a cross section of Nigerians what the harshest lessons in their relationships have been. Their responses:

Adedapo Basheeroh N a relationship I have learnt to respect my spouse, because respect is reciprocal. If you don’t respect each other, soon such a relationship will break up. Akinola Akinola I should take my partner for who he is. And if truly I love him, I shouldn’t compare him with anybody. Racheal Uzoma I learnt to be patient with my partner. If you want your relationship to work out, then you should be patient with each other. Just because I lost my first love as a result of impatience; up till now I am still single and he is married with two kids. So I learnt my lesson, the hard way. Isiaq Saheed If you are in love with someone, you let the person know on time, it is not ideal you hide your feelings. It happened to me when I summoned courage and to speak with the girl I love who told me it was too late that I didn’t tell her on time. It really pained me, now she is married. I have learnt my lesson. Simple Akorede I learnt the bitter lesson that the issue of distance is not good for a relationship, if you are in love, there should be no distance. For example if the guy is in Abuja and the lady in Sokoto, one will find out that such a relationship doesn’t work all the time. The distance between the girl I love worked against me and I lost her to another man.

Bright Chinedu I have learnt to endure in a relationship. In every relationship, endurance is very important if one wants it to work out.

Adeola

Tomisin

Omowumi Wonderful I have learnt not to rush into a relationship, just because one is old enough to get married, even if ones parents have been disturbing one to introduce one’s husband to them and one goes ahead to introduce someone you barely know to them and get married to him. Later, you find out that he is not who you think he is, then you would know you have taken the wrong decision and it is only God who can intervene. Blessing Oyenacho I have learnt to be careful in choosing a partner. One should study him or her well before going into a relationship. Ajisafe Elizabeth I have learnt not to trust too much in a relationship and also understand one’s partner before starting a relationship. Jumoke Abiola I have learnt not to get involved in premarital sex. I have resolved to keep myself till I get married.

Fangbegbe Tomi I learnt that we should be able to sacrifice for each other, no matter how hard the situation is.

HEARTCOPY

SHARE-A-BURDEN

<P3

Abiodun

Gbade Abiodun I have learnt not to trust and not to expect too much in a relationship and also to be caring because it is not easy to find someone you love and who loves you back, this can only happen by the grace of God.

Abiola Samson It hurts especially when a student is dating another student. Sometimes such a relationship doesn’t lasts so, I have learnt not to get involved in student to student relationship. Such lovers just play with

My daughter’s attitude hurts to the bone marrow! 4

Emmanuel

She is carrying my baby, but I don’t love her! 4 <P3

Isiaq

Elizabeth

one’s feelings. After I am through with my studies, I will then think of going into a serious relationship. Mowaninuola Dosumu

THEKITCHEN

Abiola I have learnt to be patient in making decisions. I shouldn’t make decisions that will affect me in future if I want my relationship to work out. Adeola Amushun I have learnt that trust is not easy to Continued on pg32

32 hersay

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Relationships: Yours and theirs WE all want our children to grow up and have great relationships with their significant others. Whether they get married, don’t get married, have a long-term partner or don’t, we want them to find love and happiness with another person. In order for our kids to find that, we must first model a happy, loving relationship for them so they will know what that kind of relationship looks like. We must also teach them the skills it takes to be in a successful relationship with someone else. Love yourself. Let me put it this way ! I like myself. I like my wife, Rose Mary. Rose Mary likes herself. Rose Mary likes me. We both like us. When Rose Mary doesn’t like herself much, it is very hard for me to like her. When I am not happy with myself at the moment, it is nearly impossible for Rose Mary to be happy with me. The goal for every individual is to first be happy with yourself. If you aren’t any good for yourself, you are never going to be any good for anyone else. In order to be happy and secure with another person, you must first learn to be happy and secure with yourself. The old, “you complete me” line has sent the wrong message for too many years. No other person can complete you because you are not incomplete to begin with. When it comes to relationships, I don’t believe that two halves make a whole. Teach your kid that she is whole all by herself and it will serve her well when it comes to being in a relationship. Teach her that she doesn’t need any other person to be happy. Teach her that she must first be happy all by herself. Other people only add to and enhance the happiness you already have. This approach will bring much more satisfaction to all of your relationships. “MARRIAGE.” If you want your kids to have a good marriage, then you need to show them a good marriage. This of course depends on you having a good marriage. If yours is a mess, then you might want to change it, fix it or leave it. Those may seem like drastic steps but I assure you that your kid will emulate the relationship you demonstrate for them. And please, don’t be naïve enough to think you can hide the kind of relationship you really have from your kids. Have you ever walked into your friends’ house and been able to sense that they had just had a fight? The tension was in the air. They were all smiles and laughing, but you knew there was trouble right below the surface. And you couldn’t wait to get out! Some kids grow up for 18 years in that kind of household. They feel the tension, the unhappiness and the resentment that lives right below the surface. Never think you can hide what is really going on from your kids; “kids; they are much smarter than you are ever going to give them credit for and they know what’s really going on.

Parenting The host of Straight Talk!

With Olufunke Adetuberu

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cryonmenow@yahoo.com

Your relationship with your kids

Demonstrate the behaviours in your marriage that you want your kids to emulate in their own. Show affection. I have always hugged my wife and kissed her in front of my boys. We hold hands and laugh together. I don’t throw her down on the couch and make out with her in front of them, so don’t misunderstand me here. I am affectionate with her. Therefore, my boys are affectionate with their wives. Is that how it works? You bet it is. If you openly show a full range of emotions with your spouse in front of your kid, your kid will learn to exhibit the full range of emotions in his own relationships. Let them see you fight Too often, parents try to protect their kids from the fact that they disagree. They go into the bedroom and argue in private. There are certainly times when that is a good idea, as not all topics should be discussed in front of the children. However, I believe you should let your kids see you disagree and argue over many things. Why? Because people in a healthy relationship disagree. Trust me when I tell you that my boys saw their share of fights at my house. I am a woman with a strong personality to live with. I am strong willed opinionated, real , plain. And those are my good qualities. My husband is also a strong-willed, intelligent, opinionated man. Therefore, my husband and I disagree to agree and about many things. Does it mean we don’t care about each other? Of course not. Does it mean we shouldn’t be married? Not at all. What does our disagreeing mean? It means we are individuals who have opinions. It also means we respect each other and our relationship enough to work it out by communicating until we reach a resolution. That lesson should be taught to children. When I hear a couple say they never fight, then I know either they are liars, one is a domineering jerk or they have a very boring relationship because they are very boring people. Arguments are healthy and can teach your child many things. They teach that you can love someone and still disagree with him. Arguments can teach kids that marriage is a relationship that contains all of the

emotions. They should see that you love each other, can be happy together and can be sad and angry .They need to witness all of that. It’s healthy. Disagreements also teach your kid that there is a wrong way to fight and a right way to fight. They will witness plenty of the wrong way at nearly every turn, so it is important for you to exhibit the right way. The wrong way is for a fight to ever become physical. The wrong way is to belittle the other person for disagreeing with you .The right way to fight is to keep it fair. The main ingredient to a fair fight is keeping it about the issue. Disagreements should be about things instead of about people. While I have made my share of mistakes in arguing with my husband , I have always tried to keep it about what he has done that I didn’t like instead of about who he is. That is also the way I have always tried to argue with my boys and my daughter . I attack their behaviour instead of attacking them. I don’t always succeed, but that is my goal. When it works, it’s been a productive disagreement. When it doesn’t, I know I need to apologise and start over. It is important to show your kids how to fight fairly from the time they are very small for many reasons. One is so they will know how to fight fairly. But it is also so they won’t end up in an abusive relationship. To the parents girls If some ‘bozo’ that is a fellow, especially a big, strong, stupid fellow. or a rude, obnoxious, or annoying person: pulls you up in your driveway and toots the horn for your little girl to run out, then she isn’t going out. He can come to the door, greet you, spend a minute being uncomfortable with you and then make a promise to treat her with respect and to return her at the agreedupon time. If he isn’t man enough to do that, then he can’t take her out. Old-fashioned? Maybe. Will your daughter roll her eyes and whine about it? Probably. Should you care? Not one bit. It is evidence of your good parenting that you would require that behaviour of your daughter’s date. It is also evidence of the boy’s good parenting when he does it. So if you are the parent of a boy, teach him to knock on the door and meet a girl’s parents politely before taking her out. Teenage boys want sex. If they say they don’t, they are liars. If they pledge not to have it, they are liars. Do they want to have sex with your little girl? Absolutely. Prepare your daughter. Equip her to handle the situation. Don’t soft-sell it. Get down to the nittygritty and tell her the truth about boys. When she says, “But he’s not like that!” try not to laugh too hard, because she honestly believes that he really isn’t like that. You and I know better. He is exactly like that. Just say that you hope she is right and then go ahead and give her the talk. To be continued

What is the hardest lesson you learnt in a relationship? Continued from pg31

earn in a relationship and you don’t just jump into conclusion. One has to ask and be sure before making a decision. I have learnt not to trust easily. Adeyemi Samuel I have learnt to be contented with whoever I am in a relationship with, I shouldn’t be covetous. Tomisin Eyinade Relationship nowadays is somehow complicating, because there was a lady I was dating then, we attended the same church, then, suddenly she told me she wasn’t interested in the relationship anymore, I guess because of her age, she really broke my heart and now I have learnt my lessons on how to play my game with ladies. Righteous Adedapo I have learnt to say the truth always in a relationship, because trust and truth is the foundation of every relationship. Adekunle Roimat I have learnt not to trust, because the person I loved and trusted with my whole heart later disappointed me not knowing he was married with three kids. Laide Wahab

In every relationship, of cause there will always be tough times and vice versa. I have been dating a girl for the past six years; suddenly she called me that she couldn’t continue with the relationship that she was ready to get married as she could not wait for me. I have really relied on her that she would be my wife because I loved her so much. I have learnt my lesson now, and I hope she finds peace with whoever she wants to get married to.

Laide

Simple

Mowaninuola

Beauty uses for coconut oil Finding a good beauty product is like making a new friend. But finding a product that can help with practically every beauty issue out there is like finding the holy grail. Coconut oil, which is all-natural and available at just about every grocery store, is that holy grail. Here are useful tips of the coconut oil. Oil pulling Swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes a day preferably at the beginning of the day, before you brush your teeth may help to detoxify your body, cure headaches, whiten teeth, and more.

Softening cuticles If you wash your hands often or your cuticles just need a little moisture apply coconut oil to your fingers twice a day. Treating dry ends Apply a pinch of coconut oil to the ends of your hair to help dry damaged tips get a huge dose of moisture. Exfoliating Coconut oil makes a great base for do-it-yourself body scrubs. Mix it with granulated sugar, and apply the concoction for smooth skin.

Soothing sniffles If you have a runny nose or allergies, rub just a bit of coconut oil inside your nostrils for relief. Moisturising lips Spread coconut oil over your lips before bedtime for hydration that tastes amazing throughout the night. Removing makeup If you have trouble getting off that last bit of mascara, use a dab of coconut oil. Just be careful to not get it directly in your eyes. Protecting against razor burn Apply coconut oil before shaving to prevent irritation. It also makes it easier to clean your razor.

Preventing wrinkles Use coconut oil on the area around your eyes to prevent wrinkles and under-eye bags. Treating acne Apply coconut oil to blemishes, and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Then wash it off with warm water and let your skin air dry, do not apply any other product. The anti-bacterial components in the oil will work to combat acne. Boosting hair growth Apply coconut oil to any areas where hair is sparse (especially in your eyebrows) to promote cell growth. Relieving sunburns Apply the oil after you’ve overdone it on the sun exposure to soothe your skin.

Friday, 6 November, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

PHOTOS: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

9 1. Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu with clerics from Sagamu West Archdeaconry and members of St Mathias Anglican Church, Sagamu West. 2. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, with Ikenne Development Association members. 3. Mr Aderemi Adetayo, Alhaji Teju Kareem and Mrs Ayotola Adedeji. 4. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu with chairman, HEBN Publishers Plc, Mr Ayo Ojeniyi. 5. Funke Awolowo cutting her birthday cake and flanked by Mrs Ayotola Adedeji (fourth

right) and other well wishers. 6. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu with members of Farm Settlers Association of Ogun State. 7. Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu with members of Yoruba Youth Council IYC worldwide. 8. From left, Nouye Anozie, Nkechi Anozie and Ughochi Madueke. 9. Venerable G.K.O Omolehinju, Venerable Oladele Enike and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu. 10. Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, with APC Canvassers Movement, South West Chapter.

news

Friday, 6 November, 2015

CJ pardons inmate who stole Amala, 48 others in Oyo By Tunde Ogunesan

turned and found out the Amala is not there again, she with others de-

scended on me and took me to the police station. It was from the police sta-

tion that I was charged to court for almost three months now,” said Moruf,

who also disclosed his boss was not around at the time of the event.

EVENTEEN-year -old Moruf Komla standing trial over theft of Amala a local delicacy, and 48 others before a Magistrates’ Court in Oyo, were on Thursday, pardoned by the Chief Justice of Oyo State, Justice Muntar L. Abimbola, when he paid an official visit to the Medium Security Prison, Abolongo, Oyo town. Justice Abimbola, who said he has zero tolerance for unproven cases against suspects, had in his company other justices from the state High Court, to preside over a special sitting on over 321 inmates in the prison. It was during the over four hours sitting which commenced around 9.30a.m that Moruf’s case came up, and after he was Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, welcoming Mr Pier Mantorani, leader of Third Urban Water Sector Reform Project of the World Bank to his considered for release, the office, in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday. suspect who said he had spent almost three months in detention, revealed how he found himself behind the jugular. Moruf who hails from Coto- EKITI State governor, Mr rian leaders failed in office know their needs. There is no drivers to maintain peaceful nou, said: “I live in a village in Ayodele Fayose, has said the because they get carried leader without the followers. conduct, he noted that the Ogbomosho and I was hungry only way Nigeria can make away with the grandeur of That is why I have always been profession was a noble one Fayose, who was in comon this particular day around progress is for the leaders office and forget the people close to my people. 10am. I asked the daughter of to humble themselves and they lead. “I am not going to be a pany of the Commissioner a neighbour if her mother has come to the level of the led. “The only way we can make governor that is celebrated of Police and the State DiHe made the comment in the nation progress is for abroad but not celebrated at rector, Department of State anything that I can eat. The Security, reiterated the comgirl said they have Amala Ado-Ekiti while having an the leaders to humble them- home,” he said. but her mother was not interface with the leadership selves and come to the level Stressing the importance mitment of the state governaround. When I could of the state chapter of the Ni- of those being led. When of the job of a driver, Fay- ment not to allow any group not hold it again, I went gerian Union of Road Trans- they do that, they will know ose noted that a driver of an of person take the law into inside their room to take port Workers (NURTW). what the people need and be 18-passenger vehicle has the their hands. Fayose implored the In a statement by the gov- able to meet those needs. the Amala to eat even lives and the destinies of the NURTW members to work without any soup because ernor’s Chief Press Secre“A leader cannot be far away passengers in his hands. tary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the from the people and be able to I was really hungry. While appealing to the harmoniously with their colleagues in the Road Trans“When her mother re- governor said many Nigeport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). He urged the drivers and the people of the state to be of the country Wednesday Dasuki was later arraigned were restricted, as visitors Continued from pg6 night, through a Lufthansa in court for illegal posses- were politely turned back on the watch-out for politiand see where we are toflight, but rescheduled the sion of firearms and illegal by the operatives at the cians who may want to foday,” he said. trip when he got intelligence possession of local and for- gate, as they explained that ment trouble in the state. The operatives of the DeThe state Chairman of the reports that DSS operatives eign currencies, while fresh the premises was a security partment of State Service NURTW, Mr Clement Adwere already laying siege for charges were again filled zone for now. (DSS), in the early hours of him at the airport. against by the Federal GovIt was also observed that ekola, in his speech, promThursday, invaded the AsoOur source further dis- ernment and released on two black vans belonging ised the support of the union koro, Abuja residence of the closed that following this bail on self recognition by to the DSS, with few op- to the state government. embattled former NSA to He said his members development, the former the court. eratives, were stationed in the former President GoodNSA decided to postpone When the Nigerian Tri- a distance of 50 metres to would be law-abiding and luck Jonathan and placed the journey till Thursday, in bune visited Dasuki’s resi- the residence of the former called for financial support him under house arrest. order to avoid any embar- dence on Thursday, it was NSA, while some others to the union in the forms of This came less than 48 rassment at the airport, de- observed movements in were hiding within the vi- provision of vehicles and soft hours when the Federal loans. spite the court ruling that he and around the premises cinity as of press time. High Court sitting in Abuja should embark on overseas and presided over by Justrip and to return his intertice Adeniyi Ademola, ornational passport within a dered the release of the stipulated time upon his reinternational passport of ISRAEL Hope Amosun, turn to the country. erately abandoned by his Dasuki in a ruling on Tuesa boy of about a year was However, the source said mother, at Ishaga Governday, in response to a motion found abandoned at a methat Dasuki was shocked ment Health Centre, Owode filed by his legal team to enchanic Workshop on kiloupon his return to his resiYewa, on September 2, able him travel abroad on metre 7, Idiroko Road, Ota, dence, at No 13, John Ak2015, at about 19:3ohrs. medical ground. Ogun State,on August 22, kayah Street, Asokoro, AbuAnyone with useful inforA competent source at the 2015 at about 11:10hrs. ja and met it besieged by mation that could lead to DSS Headquarters in Abuja operatives of the DSS. the whereabouts of their told the Nigerian Tribune in It will be recalled that the mothers or relatives of the confidence that the action DSS had raided the resisubject’s mothers, should became necessary in order dence of the former NSA please, contact the nearest to prevent him from emon July 19, went away with Police Station or the Direcbarking on a planned trip valuables, including exotic tor of Social Welfare Serto the United Kingdom for vehicles, cash in foreign and vices, Ministry of Women AKOREDE Amosun, a medical treatment. local currencies, documents Affairs and Social newborn baby boy of about It was gathered that Daand confiscated his internaDevelopment, Oke-Mofive weeks old, was delibsuki was billed to travel out tional passport. san, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Fayose charges Nigerian leaders on humility

Investiture THE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Ijebu Ode and District Society will be holding the investiture of Prince Adebisi Agbetuyi as the third chairman of the new executive committee, on Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Owojona Hall, Adeola Odutola College (Private) Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, at 11.00a.m. The new district executive committee members are Prince Adebisi Agbetuyi , chairman; Mr Toluwase Ojo, vice chairman; Mr Dele Gbogiaran , secretary; Mr Olufemi Sowunmi , immediate past chairman; Mr Olubunmi Abdulahi ,treasurer; Mr Samson Adenaike , financial secretary; Mrs Morenike Taiwo, social / welfare secretary; Mr Akeem Oseni, assistant secretary; Alhaji Yusuf Abiodun , ex-officio; Mr Samuel Adedeji , ex -officio; Dr Samuel Dada , ex-officio. Special guest of honour at the event is Chief Samuel Olufemi Deru (51st ICAN President) while the chairperson is Mrs J.Oluseyi Williams

DSS after Dasuki over $2bn arms transaction

Abandoned babies

Prince Agbetuyi

2015 Etumora Day starts today OBA Kamoru A.O. Sansi Jandu II, Obelu of Esure, will be leading the good people of Esure, Ijebu-Imushin, in the celebration of the 2015 edition of Etumora Day holding in the town square, on Saturday, November 7, 2015.The annual Etumora Day celebration is the peak of the cultural and social interaction of Esure people across all strata. Chief guest of honour at this year’s Etumora Day is Yeye Yetunde Onanuga, the deputy governor of Ogun State, a title holder of Esure. Activities marking the event will kick off with an Asun Night on Friday, November 6 and will be rounded off with a thanksgiving Mass at The Most Pure of Mary Catholic Church, on Sunday, November 8, at 9.a.m.

Friday, 6 November, 2015

arewa

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

Huge crowd at a scene of bomb explosion in Mubi last year.

Indigenes mark one year of Boko Haram attack in Mubi Isaac Shobayo - Jos

esidents of Mubi, Adamawa State, dislodged by the Boko Haram insurgents and now taking refuge in Jos Plateau, recently marked one year that the town was taken over by the Boko Haram insurgents and the entire residents driven out and forced to become displaced persons in other parts of the country. A statement signed by Pastor Bitrus Ishaku said the past one year had been a nightmare and trauma, adding that many people were still missing, several others killed by the insurgents while several of them were forced to desert their place of birth for fear of further attacks. He called on the Federal Government to release the 14 innocent youths from Muva and Muvur who were recently arrested and detained by the Criminal Investiga-

Boko Haram: When Air Force chief encouraged troops in S/East —Pg.36

tion Department of the Adamawa State Police Command in Yola and appealed to both the Federal and Adamawa State governments to give the adherents of the two major religions equal treatment and opportunities as normalcy was beginning to return to the city Recalling the ugly incident which occured on October 29, 2014, the community noted that several thousands of men, women and youths residing in the town were slaughtered irrespective of their religious beliefs while young women were forcefully raped or taken as wives. “The aftermath of this barbaric act invariably had left serious landmark on the church history in both Mubi North and South Local Government Area of Adamawa State. A total of 147 churches were affected out of which 137 were completely burnt and ten partially burnt as property

Senator Sani donates $3,000 to journalist to fix amputated limb —Pg.36

was vandalised”, it reiterated. The statement, however, noted that after the destruction, new mosques were constructed across Mubi, adding that since the recapturing of Mubi from the insurgents and return of normalcy to the area, there had been no official statement from the federal, state and local governments concerning the reconstruction of the churches. “The Christian community in Mubi, therefore, rises to condemn this action of government in this regard”, it reiterated. The statement explained that there was no official visitation from government at all levels to commiserate with the Christian community not to talk of facilitating the reconstruction process and payment of compensations to christian individuals and churches that suffered one form of loss or the other. The community also disclosed that the christians were discriminated against in the distribution of relief materials in the metropolis. Going back to the problem that was on ground before the crisis, the community alleged that the teaching of Christian Religious Studies was relegated to the background as the Post Primary Schools Management Board last recruitment into the field in 1994, whereas the schools were flooded with their Islamic Religious Studies counterparts. “As we mark this occasion, we want to

use the opportunity to set the records straight as well as call on highly spirited individuals and lovers of God all over the whole world to come to our assistance since the federal, state and local government administrations in Nigeria have decided to be partisan and unconcerned about the plight of the church and her people in Mubi North and South Local Government Areas of Adamawa State,” it concluded.

Crew

Sabiu Mohammed - 08067698878 mohsabiu@yahoo.com Ayodele Adesanmi - Kogi 08033509895 Isaac Shobayo - Jos 08037032359 shobayo.isaac@gmail.com Biola Azeez – Kwara State 08034276889 biolababes@gmail.com Saliu Gbadamosi – Bauchi 08052150868 ayebavi2001@yahoo.com James Bwala – Borno / Yobe 08069596659 jamesbwala97@gmail.com Adamu Amadu - Dutse Kola Oyelere - Kano

36 arewa

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Boko Haram: When Air Force chief encouraged troops in South-East

James Bwala-Maiduguri

he Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, has revealed that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), between July and October 2015, conducted a total of 1448 air sorties in support of the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the North east and also deployed over 300 ground troops from its special forces to fight along with the Army in the field. He added that the Air Force was doing everything possible to see how peace could be restored in the troubled Northeastern region and meet with the December dateline given by President Muhammadu Buhari. The Air Chief, who was in Maiduguri, the hot bed of the Boko Haram insurgency, to promote some officers and men who distinguished themselves in the ongoing operations said he was very happy with the progress so far made in the operations which pointed to the fact that if sustained, they would be able to meet the presidential dateline. He commended the troops particularly the special forces that were helping the ground troops in the discharge of their responsibility of bringing peace to the Northeast region, stating that the authorities were not unmindful of the

sacrifices and contributions made by the troops. According to him, the air component is fully integrated in the counter insurgency operation plans and as such, NAF is using different aircrafts in its arsenal including F-7NI, Alpha Jet, C-130 AC, Augusta 109 LUH, Mi-35, Mi-24, Mi-17, Supa Puma Helicopters, among others, to carry out logistics support, reconnaissance and combat operations. “Whenever the army is going to the battle field, we give them the air support, provide intelligence and clear the ground for them to operate optimally. There are challenges, no doubt, but God willing, we will meet the expectations of the people and the deadline given by the Commander-in-Chief as the government is giving us necessary supports and encouragements”, he stated. Speaking with some soldiers fighting the Boko Haram insurgents in Baga, he observed that they were not very comfortable with the use of artillery in the fight against Boko Haram. According to him, they would have preferred using RPGs because the machine does not only boost their morale, but encourage them to fight. One of the soldiers said, left for him, the artillery should be scrapped as even Boko

Haram members do not fear the sound that it produces, but that they fear RPG. “Last week when they brought RPGs, see how happy our guys were. We charged at the Boko Haram guys and killed over 100, but we lost 4 soldiers. In fact, it is better than before, when artillery would be firing without target. This one, you will see how you are clearing the Boko Haram boys and you are sure you killed them,” the officer, who spoke in pidgin English, told Arewa. Another one said: “Three days ago at Durun Giwa, the insurgents came attacking us with mortar. They fired over hundred and arrested one Fulani man and stripped him naked. They sent him to tell us that we should be gathering all the weapons because they were coming to collect everything.” According to him, they allowed the Fulani man to go back and tell the Boko Haram members that they were gathering the weapons and that they should come and collect them. He said, not long after the Fulani man left, the insurgents began to fire at them, but when they returned fire with the RPGs after about 30 minutes, the whole area was cleared of the insurgents. The soldiers also said they respected the 103 battalion at Konduga and were happy with the decision of the military authority that soldiers would now spend two years at an assignment and be transferred, un-

like before when they wouldn’t even know how long they would stay in a particular place. While in Maiduguri, Air Marshal Abubakar expressed his appreciation to the Centre for Crisis Communication for the important job it was doing in trying to streamline and harmonise crisis information in the country for effectiveness, noting that “information management is critical to success or otherwise of military operations especially the counter insurgency operation embarked upon by the Nigerian Armed Forces.” “If you manage information well, you kill the morale of the enemies,” he opined. He also disclosed that NAF had embarked on a number of quick impact projects in the Northeast aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people. According to him, they provided medical facilities including clinics, medical laboratories, medical wards and drugs, adding that the Airforce had sunk boreholes, provided 50, 000 litres over-head tanks, constructed toilet facilities and shelters for internally displaced persons in the North east. While speaking on the promotion of the officers, Abubakar said the authorities would continue to look into the issues of their welfare particularly their allowances and incentives and urged them to continue to put in their best.

Air Force and Military personnel cheering Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar in Maiduguri.

Senator Sani donates $3,000 to journalist to fix amputated limb Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central at the upper chamber, has donated the sum of 3,000 dollars to a veteran journalist, Abdulkareem Albashir, whose right limb was amputated, to fix the leg with an artificial one. Donating the money to the journalist at his residence at Kinkinau , Unguwar Muazu,Kaduna, the lawmaker remarked that he was touched by the plight of the veteran journalist. According to him, someone informed him about the condition of the former Editor-in-Chief of the now rested The Democrat Newspaper. “When I heard that his limb was amputated and that he could not move around, I asked myself what was wrong with this country. “As a lawmaker representing Kaduna Central and seeing a journalist who is living in my area of jurisdiction, I felt disturbed especially when I thought of his

contribution to the field of journalism and the country. “He was one of the very few journalists who had written their names in gold and we in this part of the divide are proud of his antecedents. Senator Sani lampooned the political class for using and dumping journalists, saying, the non-challant attitudes towards the journalists had to change. “Whenever we want their services, they are our friends and when they are in trouble, we abandon them. This is unfair. ‘If we can recognise the role of those who served this country meritoriously, why can’t we recognise the role played by journalists in nation building. The lawmaker remarked that the money would cover the expenses of getting him an artificial limb. Responding, Mallam Albashir thanked the lawmaker for the kind gesture, saying, “I pray Allah will reward you abundantly and reward you with Al-jannah firdausi.

Air Marshall Abubakar receiving the salute

Traditional ruler calls on new district head to embrace other princes Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna The Chief of Wasagu in Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State, Alhaji Muktar Musa, has advised the new District Head of Ribah, Alhaji Musa Garba, to embrace peace and work with all the princes that contested with him for the progress of the community. The traditional ruler gave the advice after the new District Head, who was selected by the kingmakers of Ribah, got the state government’s approval. In a statement issued to Arewa in Kaduna, the monarch further counselled the new District Head not to see those that contested against him as rivals. He pointed out that all the princes that contested with him for the position were

merely exercising their rights as members of the royal family. According to him, ‘Allah chose Alhaji Musa to be the District Head not because he was the best, but because the Almighty has decreed it to be so. The chief added that Allah had selected Alhaji Musa as District Head since the day he was created. “We merely formalised the process,’’ he said. Twenty three people had earlier indicated interest in the position since the former District Head died. Arewa findings gathered that Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed Bello, Mallam Danladi Maidawa, Bala Bawa as well as Saidu Mohammed Bello were disqualified from contesting. The remaining contestants withdrew for Musa Garba.

news

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Human rights group asks Audu to disqualify self from Kogi guber race By Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare

group under the auspices of Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has advised the former Kogi State governor and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the No-

vember 21 election, Prince Abubakar Audu, to disqualify self from the race. The group gave this advice in a statement signed by the CHRSJ’s Executive Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman, over the allegation of N11 billion fraud levelled against him during his tenure as the state helms-

man from 1999 to 2003 and his (Audu) subsequent prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to the group, Audu’s insistence to contest the November 21st gubernatorial election is against the anti-corruption stance of the present adminis-

NANS endorses Wada for second term Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kogi State, on Thursday unanimously adopted the state governor, Idris Wada, for another term in office. The students said they took the decision after a facility tour of the higher institutions of learning across the state, where it was discovered that the state government had invested heavily in the education sector. The national president of the association, Tijani Usman, who made the disclosure in Lokoja, the state capital, said the government had developed infrastructural facilities in the state owned university, Anyigba. He said Wada’s contribution to the development of education in the state was commendable as the administration had established the College of Medicine for the

university, adding that the construction of the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital was a landmark. He said, “The construction of the hostels accommodation, extension of faculty of Law and other products are legendary and very outstanding. In Kogi State Polytechnic, we noticed remarkable achievement in the area of construction of hostels

Group chides Wada over failure to implement court’s judgment on LGs Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja A non governmental organisation, Movement for Democracy and Good Governance in Kogi State, on Thursday, chided the state governor, Idris Wada, over his failure to implement the Court of Appeal judgment that reinstated the sacked council chairmen in the

Ijaw elders condemn Sylva’s alleged NDDC funding on SGF directive Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare A socio-cultural group under the auspices of the Ijaw Elders for Transparency and Accountability, on Thursday, cried foul over a purported plan by the Federal Government to sponsor the governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) fund. The group alleged in a statement signed by its Chairman, Cameroun Ebiakpor and made available to newsmen, a plot to fund Sylva’s campaign with the NDDC fund. The statement alleged further that a directive to this effect was allegedly given by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal. According to the group, it is wrong for the Federal Government or any of its agencies to fund the campaign of any governorship candidate in the country. “It has come to our notice that the Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has directed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to fund the campaign of the APC candidate, Chief Ti-

and the just concluded Kogi Korean Friendship Centre for Technology Acquisition for young generation.” Usman said the facility tour was an independent one embarked upon by the body, adding that the association had visited other institutions in other parts of the country including Nekede Polytechnic, University of Jos, among others.

mipre Sylva. “The NDDC fund is meant for the development of the region and must be utilised for the purpose. Any attempt to divert the fund will be resisted.”

state. The group said it was wrong for the state government not to allow the council chairmen to resume at their duty posts after securing the judgment. A communique issued after a meeting of the group, held in Lokoja, the state capital, signed by the chairman, Jibril Olu Yusuf and Secretary, Suleman HabuhRajan, said the development was a negation of the principle of separation of power. The group said the decision of the governor to restore the council structures until after the election was a slap on the judiciary and lack of respect for the rule of law.

tration and the group has concluded arrangements to storm the state and mobilise people against Audu. CHRSJ also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for distancing the seat of nation’s power from last Saturday’s grand rally of the APC held at Lokoja International Stadium which witnessed the presence of the few APC bigwigs. It further urged APC faithful to support the anticorruption crusade of President Buhari, disagreeing

Over 200 ex-freedom fighters under the aegis of Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (PCDI) have pledged to work with the state government and the security agencies to arrest the trend of kidnapping and other forms of crime in Bayelsa State. The support was sequel to the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the waterways in the state. The leader of PCDI, Chief Jepthah Kalaiti, who made the pledge during a courtesy call on Governor Seriake Dickson said their decision to partner with government was premised on the outstanding performance and achievements of the incumbent governor, especially in the area of security and his quest to transform the state by attracting investors from all over the globe. Kalaiti said they were

impressed with the performance of Governor Dickson in close to four years in office and therefore seized the occasion to endorse his re-election bid for another term in office. Kalaiti said they have organised themselves into groups in readiness for operation against kidnappers in the state and against

Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for not ‘associating’ with the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Abubakar Audu. The party said the failure of the president to associate with the former governor had further confirmed his stand on corruption in the country. A statement by the publicity secretary of the party in the state, Bode Ogunmola, noted that resolve of the president and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo not to attend the grand rally of the APC in Lokoja was a welcome development. It will be recalled that Buhari and Osinbajo were conspicuously absent at the rally where the flag of the party was presented to Audu and they were never represented by anybody from the presidency. The statement read, “It

mischief makers during the election, adding that they have lived and worked together as a group and know how to work in synergy. In his response, Dickson reiterated his commitment to the peace and development of the state, as no meaningful development could take place in the atmosphere of crisis.

is a wise and commendable decision of the president to run away from getting tainted by the corrupt tendencies of the APC governorship candidate. The body language of the

out in their hundreds said they were impressed with the performance of Governor Dickson in his close to four years in office. According to them, “Governor Dickson remains one of the few governors in the country that never compromise standard nor play politics with development. “On assumption of office close to four years ago, he made its position known of his readiness to transform Yenagoa, the capital city and he has been able to

president is quite obvious. A man like President Buhari who is well known for his integrity, will not stake his name and integrity for a man that is standing trial for corruption.

INEC declares 663,639 voters in Bayelsa Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa SIX hundred and sixtythree thousand, six hundred and thirty nine registered voters are expected to take part in the December 5, 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa State. This indication was given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the publication and presentation of an updated voter register in the state to political parties, in Yenagoa. According to the figures reeled out by the ICT and Voter Registry Departments of INEC, a total of 663,639 voters are eligible to vote in 1,939 voting points after the continuous voter registration exercise held in the state from October 2 to 9 this year. This is an increase of over 53,000 registered voters in 1,804 polling units from the register used during the general election. The breakdown of the eight local government areas are given as follows- Brass 56,634, Ekeremor 83,774, Kolokuma/ Opokuma 39,748, Nembe 66,384, Ogbia 69,253, Sagbama 87,242, Southern Ijaw 120,827 and Yenagoa 139,777.

Yenizue-gene, Biogbolo, Opolo communities say no alternative to Dickson RESIDENTS and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yenizue-gene, Biogbolo and Opolo communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Thursday declared their total support for the reelection bid of Governor Seriake Dickson. Making the declaration during the governor’s ongoing community-to-community campaign visit to the areas, members of the various communities who came

mer governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubarkar Audu, as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election slated for November 21, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is contrary to the anti-corruption stance of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is better for Prince Audu to disqualify himself from the governorship race and allow the APC to field another candidate.”

PDP lauds Buhari over Lokoja APC grand rally

200 ex-militants endorse Dickson, vow to end kidnapping in Bayelsa Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

with the notion that Buhari was waging a vendetta war against Audu. Comrade Sulaiman also stressed that corruption has been the cankerworm eating deep into the fabric of the Nigerian system, adding that the menace has also been the biggest threat to Nigeria’s democracy and development, advocating that the fight against corruption should be the joint responsibility of all and sundry. “The emergency of for-

achieve this by turning the entire state to construction sites.” They posited further that if giving another four years term, the governor would surpass his first term record. “This is our major reason for supporting his second term bid,” they said. Members of the community thanked the governor for the feat recorded in the area of security, as they submitted that people of the area could now sleep with their two eyes closed.

Based on gender distribution, men constitute 54 per cent while women are 46 per cent of the voting population. 250,000 students were registered while businessmen were 120,000. Fishermen and farmers, 80,000; civil servants, 70,000 and housewives, 10,000. For the age bracket, those from 31-50 years are the highest with 46 per cent, 18-30 years, 41 per cent; 51-70 years, 11 per cent and above 70 years, 2 per cent.

2,000 APC youths endorse Dickson THE All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded another defeat on Thursday as over 2,000 youths from Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the home base of its governorship Campaign Director, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, declared their support for the incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Describing the achievements of the governor in the various sectors of the economy as unprecedented, the youth, under the aegis of EKELGA Federated Youths Worldwide, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Orugo Kuro Robert; Youth leader, Living Mitin; Youth leader, Tare Porri and Woman leader, Helen Orus, said this necessitated their action. Governor Dickson, according to the statement, has been able to prove his detractors wrong with his numerous achievements, especially in the areas of security, health, education, infrastructure to mention but few.

news

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Insurgency: COAS calls for return of Customs border posts in N/East Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

S Nigerian troops are gaining grounds in the fight against insurgency, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), LieutenantGeneral Yusuf Buratai, has called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to return Customs border posts in the North-East geopolitical zone of the country. Speaking on Thursday while receiving the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd) and his management team, who were on a familiarisation visit to the Army headquarters in Abuja, the Army boss stated that the call became imperative with a view to supporting the fight against insurgency. General Buratai particularly requested for the return of the border posts at Gamboru Ngala and Banki, noting that the Nigerian military had cleared the towns of insurgent group, Boko Haram.

According to him, the Nigerian troops on the field of battle were doing well in decimating Boko Haram, declaring that in view of this, the military needed the supports of Nigerians, including the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, to successfully tackle insurgency. “The Customs is the gateway to the Nigerian economy and the gateway to Nigeria because their role around the border is very, very crucial. Let me request the return of our Customs border posts around some of these areas which have been captured from insurgents, especially GamboruNgala and Banki. “Though economic activities have not fully returned to those areas, our troops are there and we will appreciate it if the Customs returns to those areas so that you will also support our fight against insurgency. “The fight against insurgency is not strictly for the Nigerian military alone; it is for all Nigerians. The earlier we establish this fact,

Principal abducted in Edo Banji Aluko - Benin City

THE principal of Ivbiaro Secondary School in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State has been kidnapped by suspected armed robbers. The principal, who was identified as Mr Afekhai, was said to have run into armed robbers, who were said to be operating on Auchi-Warrake Road on Wednesday morning.

The armed robbers reportedly abducted him and used his car to block the road. The robbers later escaped into the bush with the principal after sighting an on-coming Army vehicle. It was gathered that the principal’s family has been contacted by the abductors, who were demanding for N3 million ransom. The police were yet to confirm the report as at the time of filing the report.

ICPC mobilises youths against corruption THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed plans to enlist the participation of Nigerian youths to rid the nation of corruption, with a view to give the students, especially in tertiary institutions, a voice in the war against graft. An executive member in ICPC, Professor Olu Aina, who represented the commission’s chairman, Mr Ekpo Nta, disclosed this during a meeting with the Senate of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), held at the commission’s boardroom in Abuja.The NANS was led to the meeting by its leader, Mr Tijani Usman. The conference, Professor Aina disclosed, “is tagged ‘Mobilising Nigerian Youth Against Cor-

ruption (NYAC) is scheduled to hold from 24 to November 25, 2015 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. About 700 participants are expected at tghe event that will also draw 150 students from universities,100 from the polytechnics and 100 from colleges of education while other youths apart from students, will make up the rest of the number.”

the better for all of us. Our troops on the field have been doing well, they require the continued supports of all Nigerians both morally and otherwise,” General Buratai stated. In view of the danger smuggling posed to the country,

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particularly with the proliferation of small arms and ammunition, which were largely smuggled into the country, the Army boss called for enlightenment of people from border communities on the dangers. Speaking earlier, the

Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Ali had stated that smuggling had become a big deal in the country now, saying that, “denying smugglers access is what we all have to continue to do these days.” He declared that smug-

gling of small arms and ammunition had to be prevented in view of the current insurgency in the country, calling for a synergy between the Nigeria Army and the Customs with a view to having a safer country and a viable economy.

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I, formerly Miss Karimu Aderonke Bolanle now MRS. BAMGBOSHE ADERONKE BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Fatokun now MRS. ELIZABETH OLUWATOYIN OYEBOLU. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Adeola Olasumbo Onafusi now MRS. ADEOLA OLASUMBO SIMBIAT ANIFOWOSE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Salawudeen Jemilat Adenike now MRS. SULYMON JEMILAT ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB and general public take note

I, formerly Miss Oyerinde Folasade Omotayo now MRS. ADEFISOYE FOLASADE OMOTAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olanrewaju Sinat Olabimpe now MRS. BABALOLA SINAT OLABIMPE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note

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I, formerly Owolabi Kudirat Omolara now MRS. ADEWALE KUDIRAT OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Blessing Nwabuezeh now MRS. IROSOWE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Esan Abimbola Mary now OGUNLADE ABIMBOLA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Matthew Maria Oyenike now AJAGBE MARY OYENIKE. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Abodunrin Ibraheem Adesheena now MR ABIMBOLA NIYILOLA ADESINA . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Nweke Chika David am the same person as Igwe David Chukwuma. Henceforth, I want to be addressed as NWEKE CHIKA DAVID. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Moses Fatima. That my Eco Bank Account details are Fatima Alhaji while my Diamond Bank Account Name are Moses Fatima. Both Moses Fatima and Fatima Alhaji belong to one and the same person. Henceforth, I want to be known as MOSES FATIMA. Eco Bank Plc and general public take note.

Friday, 6 November, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Okojie Juliana Morah now MRS ODUNLAMI JULIANA MORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Omolola Grace Adeboye now MRS OMOLOLA GRACE OLORODE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Azogor Sunday Ebong now ISANG EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. Oriental Industry Limited and general public take note.

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I, formerly Fidelis Everestus Ogechukwu now URAMA EVERESTUS OGECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mr Adeseko Dare now MR OMOJOLA ADEKOLA ISAAC. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ibrahim Amina Maidoki now ADAMU AMINA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Alebiosu Olubamike Eyitayo F. is the same as ALABI OLUBAMIKE EYITAYO. Henceforth, I wish to be called and addressed as ALEBIOSU OLUBAMIKE EYITAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr Ogunribido Iseoluwa Benjamin now MR OLUWARIBIDO ISEOLUWA BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Dada Samuel Oluwafemi now DADA SAMUEL OLORUNFEMI. All former documents remain valid. GTB, UBA and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Abiodun David Ayemowa is the same as Ayemowa Abiodun. Henceforth, I wish to be called and addressed as ABIODUN DAVID AYEMOWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Etimiba Helen now LUCKY ABADEFADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ruth Inone now RUTH TIMOTHY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Iyoba Odibo now OBUDU AYABOWEI BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Sanusi Buliameen Olaide now ADENIYI BULIAMEEN OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Gladys Orunionyeka now MRS GLADYS OBIAJERI EGBULE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, IJELEBA EBIMOBOWEI EMMANUEL VOTE, am the same as EMMA VOTE and IJELEBA EBIMOBOWEI EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Jummai Abu Amodu Anyanwu now JUMNAI ABU AMODU ANYANWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Jimoh Aino Ohunene now USMAN RUFAI ABIGAIL OHUNENE JIMOH. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

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I, formerly Mr Jason Paker Oghenero now MR EJUMUDO MURPHY MARVELLOUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okoloba Ebikeniye now DIRIBO YOZIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oguleye Tunde Festus now OGUNLEYE TUNDE FESTUS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Itaman Doris now MRS UMEDA DORIS. All former documents remain valid. ECO Bank and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Okpokpoluighe Okiemute Friday now OKPOKPOLUIGHE OKIEMUTE DECENT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, ROMEO SAMUEL IJELEBA, am the same as ROMEO IJELEBA and SAMUEL IJELEBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, Goodboy Smart Tonlagha, am the same as GOODBOY SMART. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Ogbuefi Onyinyechi Grace now ENEKWECHI ONYINYECHI GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I,Obafunsho Abdul-Rauf Akanbi am the same person bearing Obafunsho Abayomi Abdul now wish to be known and addressed as OBAFUNSHO ABDUL-RAUF AKANBI. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank, First Bank and general public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Adeyemi Kikelomo Abosede now MRS AKINLOSOSE KIKELOMO ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid. Ondo State Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akande Abimbola Olukemi now MRS ADENIYI ABIMBOLA OLUKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oladipupo Temilade Victoria Adebayo now MRS ADEBOYE TEMILADE VICTORIA ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ojo Oluwaseyitan Tamilore now MRS ADEOYE O LU WA S E Y I TA N TAMILORE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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I, formerly Ajayi Adejumoke Oyinlola now MRS OLADIPO ADEJUMOKE OYINLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Ayobami Olubunmi Florence am the same person as Ojerinde Florence Olubunmi & Ayobami Florence Olubunmi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as AYOBAMI OLUBUNMI FLORENCE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Babajide Hajrat Kemi now MRS AJIJOLA AJARAT KEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ola-Akinlosotu Oyindamola Frances now MRS. FOLAYAN OYINDAMOLA FRANCES. All former documents remain valid. America Embassy, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo and general public take note.

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I, formerly Miss Oluwafemi Abosede Oluwatoyin now MRS OWODUNNI ABOSEDE OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Adekeye Simeon Olajide am the same person as Adekeye Olajide. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADEKEYE SIMEON OLAJIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Obi Florence Ifeoma now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NLEMADIM FLORENCE IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Owoeye Olubukola Morolayo now MRS FAJUYITAN OLUBUKOLA MOROLAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Idowu Grace now MRS DADA GRACE OLUWASAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ogunjunse Ayorinde Olukunle now EMMANUEL AYORINDE OLUKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olanrewaju Basirat Modupe now MRS BASIRAT MODUPE MUSTAPHA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Salihu Animoku A. now ALABA ILIASU SALIHU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ajani Funmilayo Damilola now MRS OGUNREMI F U N M I L A Y O DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ajayi Aderonke now MRS AJADI ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olajide Mosebolatan Oluwapemi now OLAJIDE BOLADALE OLUWAPEMI . All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Alabi Omotolani Juliannah now MRS ADEREMI OMOTOLANI JULIANNAH. All former documents remain valid. Osun State Universal Basic Educational Board SUBEB and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME I,Ebenezer Christopher am the same person as Mein Christopher Olorunjuwon.Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as EBENEZER CHRISTOPHER.All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Muhzeen Musiliat Adenike now MRS OYEBANJO ELIZABETH ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Chinonye Ndeokwelu now MRS CHINONYE IYKEOKEKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adetinuke Faderera Adeniyi now MRS ADETINUKE FADERERA OGUNDARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Bello Rachel now MRS BURAIMOH RACHEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeyemi Mercy Abimbola now MRS MAKINDE ABIBAT ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aikomo Kehinde Oluwafunke now MRS FAGBOHUNGBE KEHINDE OLUWAFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Justice, Osun State and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adewole Bosede Adebanke now MRS AYODELE BOSEDE ADEBANKE. All former documents remain valid. Osun State University, Osogbo and general public take note.

I, formerly Ogunjunse Oluwakemi Ayobami now EMMANUEL OLUWAKEMI AYOBAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Alawode Motunrayo now MRS OLANIYAN ALAKE MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Atanda Elizabeth Olufunke now MRS OLANREWAJU ELIZABETH OLUFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Isiaka Mufutau Akanji am the same person as Balogun Mufutau Akanji . All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc, All Authorities Concerned and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Alao Adebanke Omotara now MRS DUROSOMO OMOTARA ADEBANKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Jubrin Stella Laruba now EDOKA STELLA LARUBA. All former documents remain valid. Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Asubiaro Moriamo Yusuf now MRS TIOLUWANIMI MARY AKANKE. All former documents remain valid. Ido Local Government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Udoka Ifeoma Okonkwo now MRS UDOKA IFEOMA OKEZIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Muslim Mojeed Olanrewaju now JIMOH MOJEED OLANREWAJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Chizoma Catherine Njoku now MRS CHIZOMA CATHERINE OGBU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Sulaimon Mariam Temidayo now MRS.SERIKI MARIAM TEMMY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Olanrewaju Omowumi Anat now MRS ADEJUMO OMOWUMI ANAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Daramola Christanah Oluwatoyin now MRS OLADIPUPO C H R I S T A N A H OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Adewoyin Kehinde Grace now MRS. OYETUNDE KEHINDE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Alice Oluwaseun Osobukola now MRS ALICE OLUWASEUN OLOFINMOMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Azeez Adisa now AMUDA AZEEZ ADISA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Olatunji Rasaq am the same person as Olatunji Olumbajo. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OLATUNJI RASAQ. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Lawal Jelili Abiola am the same person bearing Lawal Jelili Olasunbo now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL JELILI OLASUNBO ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajediti Idowu Moreti now MRS ADEBAWORE IDOWU MORETI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunseye Adetutu Oluwafemi now MRS ADEJARE ADETUTU OLUWAFEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunbamerun Ruth Aanuoluwapo now MRS SADARE RUTH AANUOLUWAPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Omotoye Julius now ADEYEHUN OMOTOYE JULIUS . All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank Plc, Ore Branch and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Manasseh Stephen am the same person as Paul Stephen Amos. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MANASSEH STEPHEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

41 news

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Fulani group issues final warning to Fani-Kayode over comments

Nothing untoward must happen to him —Afenifere By ‘Laolu Afolabi

Fulani sociocultural association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has sent what it termed “a final warning” to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, over insults on the Fulani race. Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, the national president of the association, issued the warning on Wednesday, after consultation with the leaders of the

South-West chapter of the organisation, in Abuja. The leader of the group said Fani-Kayode had earlier described all the Fulani herdsmen as “tse-tse fly, locust, leeches,” while he also recalled that the ex-minister had called for the ban of herdsmen from Southern Nigeria. Bodejo, however, warned Fani-Kayode that the association would take legal action against him if he did not apologise and retract his offensive statement.

“We want Femi Fani-Kayode to publicly withdraw his hate speech and wrongful criminal allegation against the entire Fulani race,” he said. Speaking further, Bodejo called on President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevailed in the country. According to the association, the Federal Government should employ measures, if some Nigerians make public utterances that

could breach public peace in any manner. “We want the Federal Government to deal with anybody, no matter how highly placed in Nigeria, if they did not guard their utterances,” he said. Reacting to the “final warning,” the national publicity secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, chided the group for what it called unwarranted threat against Fani-Kayode.

He said of late, the former aviation minister had been inundated with several threatening text messages on his phone, adding that the Yoruba race would not take it lightly if anything untoward happened to Fani-Kayode. According to him, the Fulani group should be reminded that Nigeria is currently in a democratic dispensation and not military, adding that the call to the Federal Government to deal with anybody is uncalled for. “We are in civilian democracy, not military. The era of impunity and arrogance of power is over. Calling on the Federal Government or President Buhari to deal with supposed enemy will not hold water,” he said. Odumakin added that it was a welcome development for the group to take legal action against what it perceived as hate speech by the former aviation minister, adding that in democracy, there is freedom of speech and rule of law.

6 states for Lafarge National Literacy competition final From right, Group Business Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, representing the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, Mr Edward Dickson; Sir Orimadegun Agboade and Mrs Jenrola Adenike Okunade, representing the Permanent Secretary, (Mrs) A.O. Makanjuola, during the 110th anniversary of Wesley College, Ibadan, organised by the college’s Old Students Association, on Thursday.

Buhari charged to project Nigeria positively By Wale Akinselure

President Muhammadu Buhari has been charged to desist from making statements that portray the nation as a failed economy, but rather highlight the positive aspects of the country. Managing Director, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Edward Dickson, noted the imperativeness of portraying the country in positive light while speaking at the 110th Founders Day celebration of Wesley College, Ibadan, on Thursday. Speaking on “Spotlight on Nigeria’s Next Generations: Get Involved to Fix it or Fizzle Out,” Dickson posited the need for the nation’s leaders and Nigerians generally, to adopt a positive attitude and outlook towards life rather than bemoaning the past. Dickson, who was represented by Group Business Editor, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, decried that the country would be liberated from excessive reliance on foreign support if Nigerians shunned laziness and imbibed the virtue of hard

work. Addressing largely current students of the college, Dickson charged youths to create their own future by identifying and effectively utilising scarce opportunities. He premised this charge on the fact that many youths continued to remain unem-

ployed because many were straitjacketed and failed to think outside the box. For the anticipated new Nigeria, Dickson further averred the need for youths to take risks and possess insatiable desire to expand their repertoire of knowledge. “Youths must utilise op-

portunities. Opportunities abound in the country, but we don’t see them; and others seize this opportunity. Those who complain of lack of job are straitjacketed. Everyone can achieve and be what they want to be if they create their own luck. Hard work is important to create the kind of future we want.”

Senate committee commends Wada on erosion control Members of the Senate Adhoc Committee on Works have commended the Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, for his efforts in mitigating the impact of erosion and flood in the state. The Senate committee members, who gave the commendation while on a visit to the state for an on-the-spot assessment of some on-going projects and erosion sites, said Governor Wada was laying a solid foundation for an all-round development of the state despite the challenges of funding. The leader of the delegation, Senator Tayo Alashoadura, said the on-going

construction of embankment at the bank of River Niger to forestall flooding at the Kpata-Kabawa section of Lokoja and other erosion control measures in the state are very significant projects for which Governor Wada must be commended. The committee described the embankment and its beautification and tourism components as landmark projects that have the potential to turn around the economy of the state when completed. They urged the state governor to ensure the completion of the project in view of its strategic importance in the lives of the

people. On his part, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, a member of the committee, praised Governor Wada for impacting the lives of the citizens. He enjoined the state government to seek more support and interventions in the area of funding for most of the projects inspected which he described as capital-intensive. In his response, Governor Wada assured that the state government will liaise with the committee to deepen the collaboration and explore other areas of support by the Federal Government to fast track the completion of on-going erosion control projects in the state.

By Laolu Harolds

SIX states will next week, in Lagos, slug it out in the final of the Lafarge National Literacy Competition. This follows a successful completion of the regional contests in the six geo-political zones. The six states, which are their respective zonal champions, are Enugu, Lagos, Kaduna, Kogi, Taraba and Rivers. The competition is part of the building materials company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to promote quality education and academic excellence among Nigerian children. It is powered by employees of Lafarge Africa Plc, under its volunteering programme, in partnership with the Ovie Brume Foundation, a non-governmental organisation focused on youth education and empowerment. The Lafarge National Literacy Competition is organised to promote value and excellence along the entire education value chain, while improving literacy skills across public primary school pupils in the country. It engages pupils in activities that measure and advance their ability to read, write and spell correctly.

Court to rule on application against P&G Dec 10 Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

Justice Aderonke Aderemi of Ibadan High Court 5, sitting at Ring Road, has fixed December 10, 2015 to give ruling in an application filed against Procter and Gamble Nigeria Limited by Adfolam Nigeria Enterprises, asking for the order of the court, striking out the suit of P&G on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the suit. The application of the firm, made through their lawyer, Kayode Ajayi, before the court, relies solely on the ground that the Writ of Summons filed by P&G and dated 8/12/14 was not signed by any legal practitioner known to law. Ajayi further argued that the case of the claimant as presently constituted was not initiated by the due process of the law, urging the court to hold the Writ of Summons as incompetent ab initio. “We submit that since the original Writ of Summons is incompetent, the effect is that there has been no Writ of Summons at all and it is trite that you cannot put something on nothing. The essence of signature in a document is to authenticate it to the effect that it is a mark of the person who prepared it.”

Mouka announces Murphy as CEO Mouka Limited, a leading mattress and bedding product manufacturer in Nigeria, has appointed Raymond Murphy as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective November 2, 2015. Murphy takes over from Femi Fapohunda, who had been the Acting CEO of the company since 2014. “Having established itself as a leading player in the mattress and bedding product manufacturing space in Nigeria, Mouka is now laying the foundation for its next phase of growth,” said Jacob Kholi, Board member of Mouka Limited and Partner at The Abraaj Group, “We are pleased to welcome Raymond Murphy as Chief Executive and are confident that he will lead Mouka through its exciting journey ahead.” Mr Murphy is a seasoned CEO, with over 30 years of experience in developing and growing businesses across growth markets within the consumer goods and healthcare space. Prior to becoming CEO of Mouka, he held several executive and senior management positions at Gillette, PZ Cussons and Twinings Ovaltine, amongst other roles.

news Assets declaration: Saraki's lawyers stage walk-out on tribunal 42

Sunday Ejike -Abuja

AWYERS representing Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, staged a walkout on the Court of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) hearing the 13-count charge bordering on false assets declaration slammed against him by the Federal Government in protest of alleged bias. Saraki's lawyers, Mahmud Magaji, Ahmed Raji and Saka Abimbola Isah, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), who led other junior lawyers, were not comfortable with the ruling of the tribunal chairman, Justice Danlami Umar, who insisted on hearing the matter, even when an appeal is before the Supreme Court against the decision of the Court of Appeal. The tribunal chairman had held that hearing in the criminal charge against the Senate President should go on, as he would not suffer any injustice or harm if the tribunal continued proceedings in the matter. Not satisfied with the ruling, Magaji, a counsel on Saraki's legal team, described the ruling as a display of “judicial rascality” and that he will not “sit here and go on with a proceeding in a case that an appeal is before the apex court.” The angry lawyers withdrew their services in Saraki's prosecution by Federal Government, accusing the tribunal of open bias against the Senate President and displaying judicial rascality in the handling of the matter. Magaji, who first withdrew his services in the trial told the tribunal that going ahead with the prosecution amounted to daring and prejudicing the Supreme Court in the pending appeal case of the Senate President. He told the chairman that as a senior counsel in the bar and a minister in the temple of justice, he would not wish to be part of illegality and affront to the apex court. Ahmed Raji, who followed suit in withdrawing from the suit, told the tribunal chairman of setting a bad precedence by sitting on the same issue with the Supreme Court at the same time. He explained that apart from the law and practice, it was the tradition of respect that when the Supreme Court had been invited into a matter, the lower court would, as a matter of tradition, allow

Friday, 6 November, 2015

the apex court to decide the matter first before taking over. “In my capacity as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, I have not seen where this kind of conduct is exhibited against the apex court of the country,” he said, adding also that the action of the tribunal is an “affront to the constitution and to the Supreme Court and from my own side, I will not wish to be part of this act. “I find it most impossible to sit down here and participate in a proceeding, whose legality is being challenged at the Supreme Court,” Raji added. Earlier in their submission, both Magaji and Raji had asked the tribunal to stay proceeding pending the decision of the Supreme Court of Saraki's appeal, challenging the legality of his trial. They cited several authorities to buttress their arguments on the need for the tribunal to grant adjournment, but in a ruling, Justice Umar dismissed the application for adjournment and agreed with the prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs that the trial must go on, in spite of the appeal at the apex court. The tribunal chairman held that the action of the defence, staging a walkout was a ploy to delay the trial, adding that the arguments canvassed by Saraki’s lawyers had been overtaken by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 provides for speedy trial in criminal case. “It is an obvious fact that where a party wants to delay trial, the party normally rushes to the higher court, as in this case, but the intendment of the ACJA has taken care of such attitude where criminal trials are unjustly delayed. We will not allow that; we are going ahead with the trial,” the judge stated. The tribunal, however, ran into trouble when Saraki's lawyers walked out, with no one showing up to defend him. When Saraki was asked whether he would defend himself in the charge against him as his lawyers had all withrawn their representation, he told the tribunal that he trained in the medical line and not in law and that it would be unfair to ask him to defend himself in a terrain he knew nothing about. He pleaded for one month to enable him persuade his lawyers to come back or look for alternatives, but the tribunal in-

sisted that one month was too long. The tribunal agreed with the prosecution and subsequently adjourned till November 19 for further hearing in the matter. Justice Umar described the withdrawal of service by the defence lawyers as an act of disrespect to the tribunal. But the prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, said the defence lawyers had rights to do what they did, but accused them of attempting to truncate the trial. It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, last Friday, dismissed Saraki's appeal, challenging the legality of his trial at the tribunal on false assets declaration. In a split decision of two justices to one, the Appellate Court held that the charge against the Senate President was in order.. In a dissenting judgment, Justice Joseph Ekanem nullified the charge against Saraki on the ground that there was no evidence before the court that the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Mohammed S. Hassan had the authority of either the AGF or the Solicitor-General of the. Federation to file the charge against Saraki. Justice Ekanem hinged his decision on a letter dated September 11, that Hassan wrote to the tribunal to apply for Saraki's trial. According to him, the tone of the letter, which read in part: “I, hereby, apply for the prosecution of the accused person before this tribunal as per the attached charge,” did not show that Hassan had the authority of the SolicitorGeneral before filing the 13-count charge against the Senate President. The judge said it was plain and clear in this case that the proceeding was initiated by Hassan and that it should, therefore, not be difficult to arrive at a conclusion that Section 24 of the CCB and Tribunal Act 2004 had been breached by the said Hassan. On that ground, Justice Ekanem set aside the charge against Saraki and also discharged him from being prosecuted. But in the concurrent judgment of Justice Moore Adumein and Mohammed Mustapha, they held that Hassan, being an officer in the temple of justice and a member of the Bar, could not have initiated the trial without the authority of the appropriate person. The two justices said the tribunal was right in

assuming jurisdiction in the matter and dismissed Saraki's claim of that his trial was unlawful having not been initiated by the AGF. They also dismissed another claim of Saraki that the tribunal did not form quorum of three membership, noting that although, the constitution was silent on the quorum, but the interpretation Act, a veritable legal tool had smoothly settled the matter with a provision that two members could sit in any tribunal matter. While dismissing Saraki's appeal, the appeallate court, in the lead judgment, ordered that Saraki should go back to the tribunal to face his trial. Counsel for Saraki, Mahmud Magaji, told newsmen that his client would approach the Supreme Court to test the veracity of the judgment. Saraki is facing a 13-count charge over allegation of false assets declaration before the tribunal and in his bid to stop his trial, rushed to the Appeal Court, which ruled that he should go back to the tribunal to face his trial. Meanwhile, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to “ur-

gently investigate the conduct of lawyers to the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, for walking out on the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Thursday, after the tribunal refused their application for stay of proceedings in the asset falsification trial against the Senate President.” The organisation said that “it is the role of Sakari’s lawyers to serve their client’s best interests, but in doing so, they should not act in a manner that would put the administration of justice and the society’s confidence in the judicial system and the fight against corruption at risk.” In a statement signed on Thursday, by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said “walking out on the Code of Conduct Tribunal for simply and correctly applying section 305(e) of the newly enacted Administration of Criminal Justice Act, is disrespectful. It offends the basic rule that lawyers should act with integrity and professionalism, maintaining his or her overarching responsibility to ensure civil conduct. “SERAP believes that a lawyer’s duty to the court is a fundamental obligation that defines a lawyer’s role within the adversarial system. Lawyers should, at all

times, act to promote the rule of law and the public’s confidence in the administration of justice and not to be seen to undermine it or facilitate an infringement of the law. “As we have seen many times, without the rule of law, the rule of the jungle takes hold and the economically and socially vulnerable fall victim to the strong and nobody is safe. The rule of law also creates a disincentive for would-be corrupt officials. “Senior lawyers especially have a responsibility to act as the guardians of the rule of law by contributing to a strong judicial and legal system, which is crucial to a well-functioning democracy and which in turn is necessary to satisfactorily prevent and combat years of official corruption in the country. “If at all Saraki’s lawyers are dissatisfied with the ruling of the tribunal, there are laid down processes they should have followed to demonstrate their role as officers in the temple of justice, rather than granting media interviews and literally abusing the tribunal. We urge the NBA to urgently investigate what exactly happened and to punish any professional misconduct that may have occurred.”

PDP attacks APC senators for rejecting N5,000 stipend Buhari delivering on his promises —APC Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has attacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) senators for rejecting a motion for the payment of N5,000 monthly stipend, which the APC promised Nigerians during the electioneering. The leading opposition party said in a statement issued in Abuja, on Thursday, that the rejection of the motion underscored the monumental hypocrisy of their party in getting to power by means of deceit and false promises to Nigerians. Signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, it said the development was a clear confirmation of the fact that “the APC is a party of hypocrites, who never had the intentions of honouring any of their campaign promises.” The PDP added: “The PDP declares that it is absolutely obvious to all that the APC came to power riding on monumental lies and deceit in making prom-

ises they had no intentions to keep. All they wanted was to get into power and they achieved this with their lying tongues. “Indeed, the unanimity displayed by the APC senators in rejecting the promised N5,000 monthly welfare package, especially coming after their party and the Presidency had made futile efforts to distance themselves from it, further stresses the duplicitous spirit of the APC and its reprehensible insensitivity to the feelings and aspirations of Nigerians, especially unsuspecting youths, women and the indigent, who they shamelessly swindled with false promises. “From the foregoing, therefore, Nigerians should not expect any sincere action from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government on the other promises, including monthly allowance to discharged, but unemployed NYSC members, free meals and scholarship to school children, free houses, bringing the naira to the same value

with the dollar. “Our position remains that the APC has sufficiently confirmed to the world that they have a lot to learn on the leadership values of honesty, integrity, credibility and forthrightness. “Finally, we invite Nigerians to note the powers amply vested on them by the constitution under a democracy as we urge them to stand on such powers and hold the APC and its government accountable for all their campaign promises.” Reacting, the deputy national publicity secretary of APC, Timi Frank, said "Nigerians can testify that the APC administration under President Muhammadu Buhari has started delivering on its promises. "In less than six months, the administration has demonstrated its seriousness in bringing about positive change. "I can tell you clearly that the APC under our president will deliver on all of the promises made during the campaigns."

Friday, 6 November, 2015

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

Tanzania swears in new president

Russia dismisses bomb speculation in Egypt jet crash

Sends missiles to Syria to protect its jets

R Tanzania’s President-elect John Magufuli (left) takes the oath of office during his inauguration ceremony at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Thursday. PHOTO: REUTERS.

Tanzania’s new president, John Magufuli, was sworn in on Thursday, despite continuing disputes over the October 25 election. Magufuli and Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan took the oath of office in front of cheering crowds at Uhuru Stadium in the capital, Dar es Salaam. In a short speech, Magufuli promised to work hard to implement the pledges he made during the campaign, VOA said. The election extended the longtime rule of the CCM party both in the presidency and in parliament. The opposition said the presidential election was rigged and has rejected the results, while the semi-autonomous Zanzibar region annulled its polls because of alleged irregularities. European Union election observers said the polls were well organized but said a lack of transparency undermined the opposition’s trust in the electoral process.

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

ussia has dismissed any theories about what caused the Russian plane to crash in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula as “speculation” after British and United States officials said a bomb may have brought down the plane, Al Jazeera has reported. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said on Thursday that only the official investigation can determine what happened. He said “any other proposed explanations seem like unverified information or some sort of speculation.” Peskov also said Russian planes were continuing to fly to and from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, despite Ireland and Britain suspending flights. His comments came a

day after Philip Hammond, UK foreign secretary, said that there was a “significant

possibility” the crash was caused by a bomb. After a meeting on

Wednesday of the British government’s crisis committee, COBRA, Hammond

China attempts to turn North Korea from ‘liability to asset’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) listens as U.N. Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura during a news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia. PHOTO: AP.

Obama, Netanyahu to meet on Mideast security President Barack Obama of the United States and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are scheduled to meet for discussions on Middle East security. Netanyahu was quoted by VOA to have said during an earlier meeting in the US that: “My friends, for over a year, we’ve been told that no deal is better than a bad deal. Well, this is a bad deal. It’s a very bad deal. We’re better off without it.” The news medium said Netanyahu could not have

been more blunt, as he stood before Congress, delivering a pointed critique of U.S.-led efforts to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. Netanyahu spoke at the invitation of then-Republican House Speaker John Boehner, as the Obama administration worked to hammer out the agreement between the P5+1 and Iran. Several Democratic lawmakers boycotted the speech, calling it an affront and an effort to undermine the American president. President Barack Obama did not meet with Netan-

yahu during that U.S. visit, citing the impending election in Israel. But less than a month after the Iran deal was reached, he offered a counter to Netanyahu’s concerns in an August 5 speech at American University. “A nuclear-armed Iran is far more dangerous to Israel, to America, and to the world than an Iran that benefits from sanctions relief,” Obama said. “I recognize that Prime Minister Netanyahu disagrees, disagrees strongly. I do not doubt his sincerity. But I believe he is wrong.” It is against this backdrop

that Obama and Netanyahu will meet on November 9 for talks in the Oval Office, their 13th meeting, and their first since the Iran nuclear agreement was reached in July. “The president looks forward to discussing with the prime minister regional security issues, including implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to peacefully and verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and countering Tehran’s destabilizing activities in the region, “ White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

otherNEWS

Donald Trump up with first campaign ads Donald Trump

Republican frontrunner in the United States presidential election, Donald Trump, on Thursday unveiled his first campaign ads since announcing his run for president in June. The first two spots, radio ads set to air in the early primary states, tout

said Britain was advising its citizens not to go on vacation to Sharm el-Sheikh, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of Britons a year.

Trump’s business experience, slam politicians as “all talk and no action” and play up Trump’s pledge to build a wall on the U.S.Mexico border. The $300,000 in ad buys will air in the first three primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Caro-

lina, the Trump campaign confirmed Thursday morning to CNN. Trump has yet to air any TV ads though some of his opponents have been up with ads in the early primary states for months. “It’s time for me to start advertising a little bit,”

Trump said in an interview on NBC’s “Today” show. One ad is voiced by a female narrator while the other is voiced by Trump himself. “Donald Trump learned the values of hard work, determination and faith at an early age.

China’s improving ties and increased influence with North Korea could reflect a shift under President Xi Jinping to convert the Kim Jong Un regime from a potentially destabilising liability to a strategic asset to counter U.S. power in Asia. Chinese politics Professor Suh Jin-young at Seoul’s Korea University, analysing issues, sees China under Xi attempting to establish itself as a “great power” equal to the United States. The VOA reported that Beijing’s more assertive foreign policy has led to increased tensions with Washington in the South China Sea, where recently the U.S. Navy challenged Beijing’s extensive jurisdictional claims to artificial islands in one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. The growing competition between Beijing and Washington for power and influence in the region, said Professor Suh, is also at the heart of China’s recent outreach to North Korea. “In the process of dealing with the United States, President Xi started to reassess North Korea’s strategic value. So China is putting more effort into normalising relations with North Korea,” Suh said. The impoverished North is still seen by many in the region as an economic burden that China must support and an unpredictable, unstable neighbor that could ignite a widespread conflict and even a nuclear war.

Maldives parliament impeaches jailed vice president The parliament in the Maldives voted on Thursday to impeach Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, who was arrested last month on suspicion of being involved in an assassination attempt against the country’s president.

The vote was 61 members in favour and none against. It came a day after President Abdulla Yameen declared a 30day state of emergency because of a “threat to national security.” The agencies reported

that Yameen’s wife and two other people were wounded in a September explosion on his speed boat. The president was not hurt in what officials have deemed an attempt to kill him.

On Monday, a remotecontrolled explosive device was found planted on a vehicle parked near the president’s official residence. No one claimed responsibility for placing the device, which was safely defused.

Vice President Ahmed Adeeb North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un and a China’s Communist Party leader by Liu Yunshan. PHOTO: REUTERS.

Friday, 6 November, 2015 44 communitynews Stop selling lands to strangers, NDLEA warns Ekiti community leaders

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned community leaders in Ekiti against selling lands to strangers without proper investigations. The state Commander of the agency, Mr Suleiman Jadi, gave the warning in Ogotun-Ekiti, Ekiti South-West Local Government Area of the state, on Monday. Jadi spoke when he led his officers and men to destroy a vast land used in cultivating cannabis in the town. He said that some of the lands used in planting cannabis were sold to non-indigenes, without making adequate enquiry on what they intended to do with the lands. “We have to abandon our vehicles and trek about 25 kilometres from the town to this farm to arrest those involved in the cannabis. “We discovered that those farmers are not from Ekiti and they were cultivating on the land given to them by the community leaders.

“Fortunately for us, we were able to intercept over 100 harvested cannabis, which have been packaged for transportation out of the farm. “Some of the ones that are being sun dry were gathered and burnt to

prevent the farmers from transporting them.” The NDLEA boss said that in spite of various sensitisation programmes organised for community leaders not to sell or lease their farms to strangers, some had refused to co-

operate with the agency. “I will pay a visit to the Ologotun of Ogotun, Oba Samuel Oyebade, to inform him of our discovery on his land. “We will plead with the Oba to help us find out the owners of the farm-

lands used by the Indian hemp dealers, “he said. Jadi appealed to the state government to help provide four-wheel drive vehicles and funds, to assist the agency to carry out its duties effectively and efficiently.

From left, Director, Lagos State Sports Commission, Nunayon Travih; Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Patricia Jemibewon; Oworonshoki Community representative, Lateef Badmus; Senior Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Gbolohan Sanni and the Channel Development Manager, Key Account, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Yomi Onakoya, during a handover ceremony of COPA Coca-Cola 2015 materials to various communities, at Jakande Housing Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

Monarch tasks Ayade on creation of new clans in C’River anthony ubong-calabar

The Village Head of Opon-Emem in Akam clan of Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, His Highness, Ovar Patrick, has called on the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, to create new clans and villages in the state. Speaking with Community News in Calabar, the monarch said there was urgent need for the revalidation of clans across the state.

He, however, recalled that the last time delineation exercise took place was in 1996, which gave birth to the present edict. The traditional ruler said that the creation and gazetting of new clans and villages was long overdue as a result of the expansion of those communities both in population and development. He noted that to facilitate administration and maintain peace, chiefs had been selected and coronated in those newly cre-

ated villages, which are yet to be given recognition by government. According to him, if these villages are gazetted and award certificates to the respective chiefs, it will give them a sense of belonging in the present administration in the state. The traditional ruler lamented that a situation where chiefs whose villages are not gazetted but performing functions and duties expected of certified chiefs was not only frustrating, but also leads

to disrespect from their subjects. He said that he is not oblivious of the poor financial standing of the state, but stressed that

mediate past Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Atisbo Local Government Area, Dr. Jacob Ogunmola, called on sons and daughters of the area to contribute positively to the development of OkeOgun, especially in the area of education. Ogunmola also charged beneficiaries to make use of the gesture judiciously, adding that the foundation was founded in order to better the lives of their people. Speaking on some of the achievements of the foundation, he said about 2,000 rural dwellers had been empowered, while school working materials had also been distributed to stu-

dents in both primary and secondary schools in the area. Also speaking at the event, the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, commended the efforts of the foundation for putting smile on the faces of the people as he called for more proactive measures to reduce the menace of illiteracy in the state. Ajimobi, who was represented by the former Secretary to the State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli, described the founder of the organisation as a reference point for others in the area. He implored parents to take the training of their wards seriously,

Osun State government has said that it will institutionalise hand washing culture in the state in order to make people free from all forms of diseases. The state governor, Mr.Rauf Aregbesola stated this in Osogbo, during the celebration of 2015 Global Hand Washing Day in the state, recently. Governor Aregbesola, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Titi-Laoye Tomori said, hand washing was key to healthy living hence the need for Nigerians to imbibe the culture.. The governor hinted that hand washing was cost effective attributed the cause of diseases like cholera and dissentary to unhygienic living. On her part, the wife of the governor and Ambassador on Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), Alhaja Serifatu Aregbesola, urged people of the state to cultivate habit of hand washing to guide against communicable diseases. Alhaja Aregbesola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs, ‘Lere Oriolowo, promised to sustain campaign against unwholesome practises that could expose people of the state to health hazard.

Osun monarchs strategise on economy by oluyomi fashakin

Osun State Traditional Rulers’ Council has declared its commitment to revamp the economy of the state under the present administration.

Foundation empowers 500 widows in Oke-Ogun A non-government organisation, Ogunmola Foundation (OF), has presented cash gift to over 500 widows from the 10 local government areas in OkeOgun, Oyo State. The foundation, in its effort to appreciate the academic prowess and encourage more students to excel in their studies also awarded scholarships to three best students each from the 12 secondary schools in Atisbo Local Government Area of the state. Making the presentations on Saturday, at Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ago-Are, founder of the foundation, who is also the im-

“let government start from somewhere first by gazetting the villages and giving the few chiefs certificates of recognition.”

Hand washing, key to healthy living —Osun gov

saying education is the greatest legacy they can bequeath to the generations yet unborn.

This was made known by the Chairman of the Council, the Owa Obokun and Paramount Ruler of Ijesa land, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, after a meeting at the Centre for Black Culture, Osogbo, on Wednesday. “We want to ensure that the government recovers from its current illness and find help financially and socially. “That infrastructure in the state is revamped,

Oluyole residents appeal to Oyo gov over bad road Residents of Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State have appealed to the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to complete the abandoned road project at New Garage, Orita-Challenge, Ibadan. Speaking with Community News, a commuter, who pleaded anonymity, said the non-completion of the road had impacted

negatively on the people. Also, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Orita-Chal(NURTW), lenge Unit, noted that the road had done a lot of havoc on the people living in the area, especially vehicle owners. He said that due to bad shape of the road, most of their vehicles had got damaged.

workers are receiving their salaries as and when due, pensioners live longer than before and that there is peace in Osun State,” he said. He observed that though the problems are not peculiar to the state, the council had set up a committee to come up with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration in tackling current challenges. Expressing regrets over the rumour that doing the round in the state that he was missing, Oba Aromolaran said he only attended the marriage ceremony of one of the sons of the late Ooni of Ife in London in October 10, but had to stay back to deliver the governor’s message to the Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to England. He noted that he also attended one of his sons wedding at the Jogor Events Centre in Ibadan on his return to Nigeria, which saw to his absence from the public view for a while.

news

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Igbinedion: $31m probe political witch-hunting —PDP a parlous state of roads in the state capital, listing some of the roads such as Evbotubu Market road, Ugbiyoko Road, Upper Sakponba Road, St Saviour Road, Boundary Road, Ihama Road, Nekpenekpen Road, Upper Adesuwa Road, Ibiwe Street and Uwa Street. The party said despite the billions of naira expended on the storm water project, flooding was on the increase in the state, adding that Governor Oshiomhole will be leaving behind next year a huge number of abandoned projects and unfulfilled electoral promises. The party alleged that in order to placate the people, the Oshiomhole administration was planning to use the now familiar tactics of deploying caterpillars and mobilising some contractors to site as soon as election was approaching. He says, “It is obvious that the Oshiomhole camp is piling up a strong financial war chest. In the last four months, he has received $75 million and N10 billion as loans and bailout funds to fight a last ditch battle to maintain and re-

Banji Aluko-Benin

oves by the Edo State government to recover the sum of $31milion allegedly fraudulently taken from the state’s coffers by the government of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, smacks of political desperation and persecution, the Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said. The party stated that it was shameful and disgraceful that “it took the Oshiomhole administration seven years to wake up from its slumber to begin what is clearly a case of political witch hunting.” The state publicity secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, who made the remark at a media briefing in Benin, said instead of facing the challenges facing Edo State in form of dilapidated roads, corruption, flood and others, Governor Oshiomhole was plotting how to perpetuate himself in office by installing his lackey as successor. The party drew the attention of the Edo people to what it described as

tain his stranglehold on Edo State. “If within the period of seven years, Oshiomhole

and his administration squandered over a trillion naira to put in place some over-priced and over-

hyped and so-called legacy projects, Edo people will not welcome or tolerate another round of admin-

istrative incubus being arranged to foist an Oshiomhole-tutored surrogate on the people.

IDPs to be employed, access fund through mobile money Collins Nnabuife-Abuja

A group, Association of Mobile Money Operators of Nigeria (AMMON) has said that it was currently working on modalities to empower the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the camps. The group also said that it has already commenced activities which will allow the IDPs to have access to money in their various camps without going to banks. The President of AMMON, Aminu Bizi, said this during an interview in Abuja, after the inauguration of AMMON in Abuja. He said that the aim of instituting AMMON was to bridge the gap of financial inclusion in Nigeria. He further explained that Mobile money helps Nigerians who does not have bank account to get money through the Mobile money agents across the country. “Most Nigerians don’t have bank accounts, those

saturday, 7 November, 2015

that operate with banks are few, 75 per cent of Nigerians do not have bank accounts. Most of the local governments in Nigeria don’t have banks but when there is a mobile money operator, it will be easier to use mobile money to send money to anybody across the country while the agent delivers the money to the recipient,” he explained. He further explained that when a customer receives alert of credit in

Leon Usigbe And Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed as “hollow, fallacious and completely out of point,” argument by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in justifying its claim to victory in last Saturday’s Borno Central senatorial bye-election.

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“So if there is a mobile money agent in the IDPS camps, they can help in the transfer and receiving of cash in the camps in less than one minute without going to banks. Bizi also revealed that Mobile Money operators will also train the IDPs to be agents in their various camps which will help to engage them in business and make many to take care of themselves while on camp.

Borno bye-election: PDP rejects APC’s bandwagon claim

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entertainment

his account, if there is no bank to cash the money, the customer can go to any mobile money agent close by, transfer the money to the agent, while the agent gives him cash. He, therefore, said “we are working to empower people in the IDPs, we are focused on how to reach the IDPs and empower them, we are giving them all the necessary facilities and even the take off capital.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the leading opposition party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, on Thursday, said the bye-election was manipulated and warned against a repeat of such manipulation in the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa states elections. It said by such argument, APC might as well forget about contesting the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State where the ruling PDP won all contested positions in the 2015 general elections. The statement added that in its desperation, APC has failed to realise that the “people are no longer excited about the fake change it offered and that a space of six months is more than enough for the electorate to turn against a political party that has failed in of-

fice.” It added: “The scandalous resort by the APC to use security forces to frighten and intimidate voters and electoral officers to sway votes in its favour, in addition to other ploys made to set the stage for violence in the process, clearly collaborate the fact that it has already lost its support base in the country and particularly in the north. “We are aware that the APC is already stretching its desperation to Kogi as well as Bayelsa state where, in the attempt to create tension, unleashed thugs on the campaign train of Governor Seriake Dickson on Tuesday, an action that is a clear test-run of their machinery of violence ahead of the Bayelsa December 5 election.”

Why executive, legislative arms can’t be independent —Lasun Jacob Segun Olatunji And Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, on Thursday, declared that the only organ of government enjoying relative independence in Nigeria was the judiciary arm of government. Deputy Speaker, who made this remark at the just concluded 15th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference, African region, in Accra, Ghana, explained that the functions of both the executive and legislative arms of government were intertwined. Fielding questions from journalists after the session, Lasun noted that government, particularly the executive, “cannot do anything without coming to the parliament in the manner that will help them to carry out their

policies and programmes.” According to him, the most important bill in the House is the Appropriation Bill, when the executive plans the budget every year; they bring it to the National Assembly because it is only the legislative arm that has the power to appropriate money. If you look at this important area, the executive cannot say they’re independent and the legislature too has to, in the process of approving the budget, sit down and reason with the executive once in a while.” “I tried to understand it in the point of view of the Nigerian experience, that if you look at Nigeria very well, it’s probably the judiciary that is actually very independent. Both the legislature and the executive arms of government in Nigeria are not independent because they have to overlap, and it is simple,” he stated.

Friday, 6 November, 2015

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Pa Ebunoluwa Ajayi buried in style By Tunde Ogunesan

he funeral ceremony of Pa Titus Ebunoluwa Ajayi, Soji Adetunji’s father-in-law, last week at Ijebu Imomo, Ogun State, was a celebration of a fruitful life. The business mogul and activist died on October 9, 2015 and was buried two weeks after amid pomp and pageantry in a fourday programmes which commenced with a wake-keep service at his No 4, Awafala Street, Akoka/Bariga, Lagos residence, on October 20, followed by a requiem mass at St. Dennis Catholic Church, Akoka/Bariga, Lagos State, while the wake-keep at his residential home town in Ijebu Imomo, Ogun State was on Thursday and final burial service on Friday, October 23 at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ijebu Imomo, Ijebu North-East Local Government, Ogun State. The train of the well-attended ceremony then moved to the church field where Odeyemi Olamide of the famous Sunshine band was on the stand to dish out solemn music which successfully untied the joints of the dignitaries and brought back smiles to the faces of the deceased’s children after the dust-to-dust rites. Some of the dignitaries on the occasion include the wife of former governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, wife of former commissioner for Local Government and chieftaincy Affair, Mrs Grace Odetomi, Honourable John Adetunji, Akogun (Barrister) Sharafadeen Ali, Bar-

risters Yinka Okunade, Ayo Faleti and Bayo Akintunde, Alhaji Bashiru Kolawole Kuti (BKK), Mr Abayomi Olaitan (Yomdex), Mr Tokunbo Agunloye, Mr Jide Fabiyi, former accountants-general in Oyo State, Mrs Florence Okeniyi and Alhaji Waheed Olaitan. Others are the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works Oyo State, Mr Oyesola Oyedele; a Permanent Secretary in Lagos State, Mr A.B. Balogun, Mr J.O. Akinwale, Mr F.O. Ifekoya, Mr J.K. Adeyemi, Chief Ajisafe Ibiyemi, Chief Gani Ibrahim, Mr and Mrs Olajire Iyanda of Orland International School, Lagos, Mogaji Kayode Afolabi, retired Bishop of Ijebu diocese, My Lord Bishop Albert Ayinde Fashina, Pastor (Mrs) Lola Segun Idahor, (nee Otedola), Mr Awojole Oladele, and Mr Aigbokhai Samuel, Isaac Obabo, Dr Akinpemi Chigaco, among others.

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From left, Mr Soji Adetunji and his wife, Titi, and wife of former governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala. Former secretary to Oyo State government, Chief Sharafadeen Ali, Mrs Titi Adetunji and Mr Jide Fabiyi. Children and widow of the deceased at the graveside.

Adeniji, 2012 Nigeria’s best principal retires Mr Olufemi Adeniji, who won the award for overall best principal in Nigeria by the

Federal Ministry of Education in 2012, has bowed out of service in a widely attended

ceremony which took place recently at Yewa (Egbado) College, Ilaro. The chairman at the event, Alhaji Kayode Sunmola, who was former chairman, Yewa South Local Government, described Mr Adeniji as a good representative of Yewa community, noting that the outgoing principal was a shining example worthy of emulation for teachers still in service. Sunmola also urged government at all levels to always reward teachers adequately. Also speaking at the event, one-time Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Physical Planning, Mr Taiwo Megbope, stated that Mr Adeniji was a gentleman who always put God first.

Megbope, who is also the president of the old students’ association of Yewa (Egbado) College, pointed out that Adeniji instituted an initiative tagged: “Eradication of Poor Performance in Mathematics” (EPPM), to encourage students to improve their performance by giving gifts to best students in Mathematics per class, as well as the staging of a Mathematics quiz every Thursday of the week at the assembly with material rewards. Megbope also noted Adeniji’s achievements in improving the performance of students in both WAEC and NECO examinations, with many of his students gaining admission into higher institutions directly from their final year.

1. From left, Mrs. Bukola Osinnowo, Mr. Olufemi Adeniji and his wife, Dr. (Mrs) Bola Adeniji; Mr. Bolaji Osinnowo and Rev. Mrs Oladipo during the retirement thanksgiving service at Yewa (Egbado) College Chapel, Ilaro. 2. From left, Chief E. O. Ogundele, President, ANCOPS Ogun State; Mr. Femi Adekunle, General Secretary AIONIAN Group of Schools; Alhaji Kayode Sunmola Adewale addressing the gathering, Mr. Olufemi Adeniji and his wife Dr. (Mrs) Bola Adeniji during the reception at the school hall. 3. Mr. Adeniji and his wife, Dr. (Mrs) Bola Adeniji with students of Yewa (Egbado) College, Ilaro and others.

tribunesport

Friday, 6 November, 2015

Glo Premier League contest excites sponsors

s the 2014/2015 Globacom Premier League is about to be conclude, the tight competition witnessed among clubs in the last weeks of the season points to continuous improvement in the standard of the elite division. Enyimba FC of Aba tops the log with 68 points after 36 matches with two matches to the end of the season, while Warri Wolves trail closely on 62 points and will need to win the next two games which include a clash with Enyimba on the last day, November 15, to stand a chance of winning the league. This year’s league has lived up to expectation in terms of quality of matches, and has continued to rub off on the home-based national team. Enyimba which started the season slowly rose to the occasion weeks after and then sustained their leadership up to this moment says everything about the competitiveness of the league. Defending champions, Pillars FC of Kano also deserve commendation for achieving an appreciable result despite suffering serious setback at the inception of the league when the team was attacked on its way to honouring a match with some players severely injured in the incident.

The Kano-based team showed strength and commitment and hopefully they will improve remarkably next season. Title sponsor of Glo Premier League, Globacom commended the League Management Company for the series of innovation introduced into the league. “The LMC deserves more encouragement from all and sundry and we have no doubt that the board will come up with more innovation in the years ahead. “We also commend the crowd who troop to match venues to cheer the players as we look forward to seeing more spectators thronging the stadiums in the coming season,” it said in a statement.

Sharks rs, supporte t free fans to ge m jerseys fro Eunisell

Sharks Derek Amadi (left), tries to outwit a player of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, during their Globacom Premier League clash. Sharks face Kwara United on Sunday in the Garden City.

Wuraola golf tourney entries impress organisers Over 200 golfers from across the country and some neighbouring West African States have signified interest to participate in the 12th Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Tournament billed for this weekend at the Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State. Organisers have promised that this year’s edition would be the best ever, as the sponsors, Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) have put in place mouth-watering incentives for the golf-

ers and especially for the women with a special prize for the Amiable Woman Of The Tournament. This platform is to further extol the virtue and vision of the deceased for the game of golf,” according to the sponsors, the prize is symbolic of the amiable nature of the departed woman of substance. According to Bayo Aderinto, manager Marketing and Promotions, Smokin Hills Golf Resort in charge of the tournament, “Elizabeth Wuraola memorial

tournament is one of the biggest events in the Nigerian golf calendar. The momentum is high as there have been serious pressure from golf enthusiasts from across the country and even from some West African countries like Ghana wanting to play in the tournament, but the championship is only limited to invited golfers. We are expecting 100 golfers and already over 200 golfers have indicated interest to play at Smokin Hills Golf Course.

“In line with the desire of Chief Michael Ade Ojo (OON) to make this year’s tournament more of women because the person in whose memory the tournament was instituted was a woman, out of the 100 golfers expected to play at the tournament, 20 are women as against five invited last year. Again, out of the total entries those that cannot be accommodated in this tournament will be given preference in other events to be organised by the club.

Olopade elected vice president IWBF Africa By Niyi Alebiosu The president, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, Bukola Olopade has been elected vice-president, International Wheelchair Basketball Africa. Olopade, a former commissioner for youth and sports in Ogun State was returned unopposed when his opponent stepped down claiming the positive contribution of the Nigeria representative to the development of the game in Nigeria was responsible for his decision to step down. The election was held In Algeria on Thursday during the ongoing 12th edition of the Africa Wheelchair Basketball competition. An elated Olopade while speaking with Tribunes-

port from Algeria by phone having expressed his happiness for the victory said he was willing to help contribute to the growth of the game on the continent and beyond. He, however attributed the success of the, federation to the grand patron of the federation Sir Victor Ocei,the

former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly for believing in the ability of the board members and for his sponsorship of the annual championship put together by the federation in the last four years. Olopade while speaking, further expressed opti-

mism that the female national team at the on going Africa Wheelchair basketball competition will pick the 2016 Olympic tickets having won two of their matches and are likely to play in the final of the competition this werkend. “I want to express appre-

ciation to our grand patron and the National Sport Commission (NSC), for this feat which is a glory to Nigeria having been elected vice president, International Wheelchair Basketball Africa and I want to assure that the game will improve beyond the continent,” he said.

Official shirt sponsors of Sharks football club, Eunisell Limited is set to give out jerseys to supporters of the club who come out to cheer the Blue Angels during their Sunday’s home game against Kwara United. The Marketing communications Manager of Eunisell, Mr Kunmi Balogun revealed on Thursday that the company had concluded plans to give out free jerseys to all supporters of the team who show up at the stadium. “We hope that this will encourage fans and supporters of Sharks to come out and cheer the team to victory in their game against Kwara United. The season is almost ending and there is no better way to wrap it up than having a stadium filled with supporters singing in angelic voices to encourage the Blue Angels. That is the sort of participation we want for our league,” Balogun said. Sharks and Kwara United both battling relegation woes will clash at 4pm on Sunday in a must win for Sharks should they want to remain in the NPFL following the deduction of three points from their accrued points this season by the League Management Company (LMC) over their action during the game against Nasarawa United last week.

SWAN @ 50: Ambode confirms Nov. 26 date with Lagos SWAN Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed solidarity with Lagos chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), indicating his pleasure ahead his formal investiture as Grand Patron of the association has been designed to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the body.

Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Fred Edoreh, revealed in a statement that the office of the governor has sent words to confirm the date of the event which shall also feature an honours ceremony for members who have distinguished themselves in the profession and other industries as well in service to sports development, so-

ciety and humanity. “I can tell you that we have got words from the office of our governor on the event. His Excellency has confirmed Thursday, November 26 for the investiture and the honours ceremony for our stars and legends. The occasion will also afford us an opportunity to appreciate the patrons,

friends and supporters of Lagos SWAN - individuals, institutions and corporate organisations - who have aided us these years to grow. It will great for us to celebrate the golden jubilee of our association in such a special way. “It is a red carpet day for sports writing. It is a celebration of excellence and

inspiration, a day for all of us in Lagos SWAN to recommit to the profession in pursuit of excellence while also strengthening our partnership with our government and all stakeholders in sports to achieve the vision of using sports as a platform for youth, social and economic development.”

SIDELINES

no 16,365

Friday, 7 November, 2015

Nigeria slips seven places in FIFA rankings

Chelsea fans amazed me —Mourinho Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho has heaped praises on the Blues’ “amazing” fans who in their numbers at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday declared their unwavering support to the embattled Portuguese gaffer. The Chelsea boss’ future at the club has been questioned in recent weeks following a series of poor results which sees them sit 15th in the Premier League. Mourinho in a postmatch reaction said he has never received greater support than the “amazing” reception given to him by the club fans during Wednesday’s Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge. “The moment I came back to the club and we played at home to Hull City, the way the stadium welcomed me was amazing, but not comparable to today, because today came in a moment when results aren’t good. It came at a moment when you (the media) are asking for the end of me. The fans read papers, watch television, listen to pundits and commentators’ opinions. They read blogs, and it’s quite unbelievable what they tried to say. “They tried to say we want you here, and they probably wanted to say to you guys let him work. It’s a fantastic feeling.”

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has fined Samson Siasia the sum of N500,000 for his media comments, wherein he criticised his employers for abandoning his U-23 team and not paying the three months salary he was being owed. Pray, if the cash-strapped coach had been paid his salary, among others, would he have criticised the NFF?

By Nurudeen Alimi

Ahmed Musa, Nigeria captain

IGERIA’s senior national football team, the Super Eagles are now 59th in the world according to the latest FIFA world rankings released on the official website of the world football governing body on Thursday, making it their poorest drop since April 2014 despite the 3-0 triumph over Cameroon in their last outing in Belgium. The Super Eagles slipped seven places to occupy number 12 position in Africa behind the likes of Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde Island, Senegal, Tunisia, Cameroon, Congo, Guinea, Congo DR and Egypt. In the month under review, Sunday Oliseh’s men bowed 0-2 to DR Congo in an international friendly before defeating age-long rivals, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Brussels. The Elephants (Coted’Ivire) dethroned the Fennecs (Algeria) from the summit of African football despite dropping a place to the 22nd position in the world. Swaziland who will host the Super Eagles in the 2018 Fifa World Cup second round qualifier later this month moved up five places to 130th in the world. Belgium earned top spot in the

UCL: Arsenal can still make last 16 —Cech Beaten five times on a humbling night in Munich on Wednesday, Arsenal goalkeeper, Petr Cech says the London club can still qualify for the Champions League last 16 despite being bottom of group F with two games left to play. The 5-1 defeat by Bayern Munich, coupled with a late winner for Greek side, Olympiakos Piraeus against Dinamo Zagreb means Arsenal must win their last two games and hope for the best. “You (need to) win two games and we need to make sure that the head to head against Olympiakos is in our favour,” former Chelsea keeper Cech told Arsenal’s website (www.arsenal.com). “Then you can go through.” While Cech makes the equation sound relatively simple, Arsenal’s destiny is not in their hands.

The Gunners must beat Zagreb in their next fixture, hope Olympiakos lose to Bayern on the same night and then go to Greece on the final match night and win by two goals, having been beaten 3-2 at home by Olympiakos already. Bayern tops the group with nine points, followed by Olympiakos (9), Dinamo (3) and Arsenal (3). “Everything is possible. We have two games to play, we have to regroup and continue fighting until the last minute,” Cech added. “You need to make sure that you recover and move on to the next one. It was not a day we wanted.” Manager Arsene Wenger has a proud record of guiding his team through the initial group stage of the Champions League, achieving that feat every year since 1999-2000.

Cech

rankings with a 3-1 win over Israel in their final Euro 2016 qualifier last month, overtaking Germany and previous number one Argentina, who are now third. Copa America winners, Chile who have not lost since a friendly defeat to Brazil in March climbed four places into fifth spot. Four teams improved their rankings by over 30 places: Chad (136th, up 39), Cyprus (76th, up 38), Sao Tome e Principe (157th, up 36) and Turkmenistan (121st, up 34).

World Cup qualifier:

CAF moves Falconets’ game to Sunday

The Confederation of African Football has moved, by a day, the second leg match of the African qualifying final match for the FIFA U2-0 Women’s World Cup between Nigeria and South Africa to Sunday. The encounter billed for Tembisa was earlier slated for Saturday, but following the request of the South African Football Association the match has been moved. However, the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa which is on the outskirts of Johannesburg remains the venue of the match, and the kick off time is still 3pm. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s delegation led by the NFF executive committee member, Ibrahim Musa Gusau alongside 18 players and 10 technical/backroom staff was expected to depart the nation’s capital, Abuja to South Africa on Thursday. Nigeria’s U-20 women national team the Falconets take a slim 2-1 first leg advantage to South Africa and would hope to avoid missing out on the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup ticket for the first time. While the Basetsana of South Africa are in search of their first qualification ticket to the international women youth tournament. The winner will qualify for the 2016 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. Telephone: 08165728976; 08073598322. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 6/11/2015.