7th May 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 1,150

www.tribuneonlineng.com

SATURDAY, 7 MAY, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

N150

Nigerian Tribune

Militants blow up more gas, oil installations

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N40bn fighter jets for Nigeria

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Boko Haram must surrender now —Defence HQ

President Muhammadu Buhari (centre) signing the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday. To his right are, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other top government officials. PHOTO: NAN

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I was embarrassed day I forgot my own lyrics on stage

—Aramide

Woman dragged before Sharia court for having two husbandspg17 APC leaders should join me in PDP —Lamido pg9

This is Nigeria’s toughest moment —Buhari pg7 Signs 2016 budget

Malians, Sudanese flood Lagos There’s cause for worry —Hausa leader We’re ready for hoodlums —Police

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7 May, 2016

I was embarrassed day I forgot my own lyrics on stage —Aramide

Baseline Music First Lady, Aramide is arguably one of the fast rising Afro-Soul/Jazz artistes in Nigeria. Born in Jos, Plateau State, Aramide is admired for her vocal power, distinct genre and passion for the music industry. She won the best female vocal performance award at the 2015 Headies. She has also been nominated for several awards, including AFRIMA and NEA. though she has a first degree in Political Science, Aramide told NEWTON-RAY UKWUOMA in this interview that she discovered music at a tender age and needed to travel to Lagos to hone her craft.

Do you have a second most memorable moment?

Ehh. Oh yes. I would say getting married to my best friend and the growth of my music also strike a chord in that direction. God has been very faithful.

Is Aramide already married?

Yes. I’m married!

Tell us about your marriage. Was it a deliberate decision not to make your marriage open?

Absolutely. And I prefer to keep it that way for now.

In the video of ‘Love Me; featuring Adekunle Gold, you and the YBNL singer interpreted the song very well.Would you say you are in love?

Yes, I’m in love with my husband. The song ‘Love Me’ is a love song. So Adekunle (Gold) and I did our best to interpret what love is and what it can be and how beautiful love is.

The music video was meant to show all of that and we had to make it as real as possible so people would understand and yearn for love as well.

What are your plans for the rest of 2016?

[The year] 2016 has been a very busy year for me. I’ve been working so hard on my music and album which I intend to release this year. Also, I’ll be doing showcases, acoustic events, and lots of events and promotions for my music.

Who is Aramide outside music?

I’m chilled (laughs). I like my privacy and I’m a very reserved and friendly person.

But closest to your brand of music is the soul music. Why did you choose to follow this path in spite of wide acceptance of Afro hip hop?

Yes. Soul music is more like what I do and it comes naturally to me because, like I said earlier, I grew up listening to a lot of it. My dad used to play a lot of jazz and afro beat in the house and I think that’s how it stuck. And I also discovered other genres of music on my own and I fused them all together to create my sound. So, it is more like a fusion of a few popular genres, sometimes.

Alternative sound has been gaining some attention lately. To what do you attribute that?

Would it be your most memorable moment so far?

Not really. My most memorable moment would have to be when Queen Salawa Abeni joined me on stage for a performance. I was shocked and felt honoured at the same time.

How did Baseline Music come across you and when was the deal signed?

I heard about Baseline through a friend and I submitted my music and the label loved it and I got signed.

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Do you have an overriding message for your music career or you sing by inspiration?

About my music, I like to sing about love, betrayal, friendship, trust, and the attendant joys and aches of womanhood.

lift I needed to grow in my career. I felt quite honoured by the awards and nominations.

Which other collaborations should we look forward to?

There are some other collaborations but I prefer not to say.

It’s meant to be a surprise.

ou are admired for the genre of music that you do, but how do you define alternative sound?

Alternative music as it is often called is what isn’t pop, but other genres of music. I grew up listening to soul music and other great music genres. I think that helped to define and form my style of music which is not like others but close. That is why we call it alternative music.

And for how long have you been doing this kind of music?

My music started in the secondary school. Back then I used to write songs. I learnt how to play the guitar and it helped in my songwriting. Music became real for me when I took part in the Star Quest talent competition. It was a very interesting experience for me and I knew I didn’t want it to end there. So after my university education and service, I moved down to Lagos to pursue my music career. I started by performing at open mics every opportunity I got. Then I got my first record deal with Trybe Records and that was when my music became a reality. It wasn’t particularly easy because of that time, the music industry wasn’t ready for the alternative sound. So more often than not I had to prove myself and explain my sound.

Saturday Tribune

If you were not into music, what would you have been?

I would probably teach in schools, I guess, or be a writer. I love to teach.

What is your take on the music industry?

The music industry in Nigeria is a growing industry. And it has come a long way.

The marketing in Nigeria is growing every day. We are becoming more mature and that is a good thing. I remember that there was a time I almost got tired of doing what I am doing now and I remember I came close to giving up, but I didn’t. Somewhere inside I always felt alternative music had a chance and there was a huge market for it in Nigeria.

Have you had any most embarrassing moment in life and career and kindly share it with us?

There was a time I forgot the lyrics of my own song on stage and I can’t explain how that happened. It was so embarrassing.

Who influences your music?

I’m influenced by the music of Erykah Badu, Miriam Makeba, Sade, Angelique Kidjo and others.

What are three things people don’t know about Aramide?

I’m married that is one. Secondly, I have an alter ego and thirdly, I love cooking.

In 2015 you drew so much attention with your music, can you tell us the high points of the past year?

Yes, 2015 was indeed a great year for me. I had a whole lot going on. From song and video releases to doing performances within and outside Lagos and then to getting various award nominations like NEA, AFRIMA and the HEADIES.And then winning an award at the Headies for the best female vocal performance category. My career was very consistent in 2015.

What does the HEADIES award mean to your kind of music?

It means recognition and reward for hardwork. It was the

Are you fashionable or stylish?

That’s a tough one. I think I am growing into my own style.

I have a better understanding of my style. I love prints, patterns and colours. Anything stylish and fashionable that fits well and makes a statement will always make my day.

Best gift you have ever been given?

A trip.

Last country visited?

UAE (United Arab Emirates)

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7 May, 2016

A 29 Super Tucano plane

N40bn fighter jets for Nigeria

Boko Haram should surrender now —Defence Hqts

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HE United States is seeking to approve a sale of as many as 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Nigeria to aid its battle against the extremist Boko Haram, Reuters reported on Friday.

The Super Tucano costs more than $10 million each.

Twelve of the jets will cost Nigeria more than a total of $120 million (about N40 billion).

The price can go much higher depending on the configuration. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT 6 engine.

Garba Shehu, a spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari told the BBC in Abuja that he was aware of the discussions with the US over the Super Tucano planes.

The Tucanos can be used for training, surveillance or attack. They can be armed with two wing-mounted machine guns and can carry up to 1,550 Kg (3,417 pounds) of weapons.

One production line for the Super Tucano is in Florida, where it is built with U.S. firm Sierra Nevada Corp. The aircraft that would be sold to Nigeria come with a “very basic armed configuration,” one U.S. official said.

The sale could offer Nigeria a more maneuverable aircraft that can stay aloft for extended periods to target Boko Haram formations.

Washington also is dedicating more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets to the campaign against the Islamist militants in the region and plans to provide additional training to Nigerian infantry forces, other Nigerian officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the administration’s plans.

The possible sale — which the officials said was favoured within the U.S. administration but is subject to review

by Congress — underscores the deepening U.S. involvement in helping governments in north and west Africa fight extremist groups.

U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Michael Franken, a deputy commander of the Pentagon’s Africa Command, told a Washington forum last week that there now are 6,200 U.S. troops - most of them Special Operations Forces - operat-

ing from 26 locations on the continent.

The widening U.S. military cooperation is a political victory for President Buhari, who took office last year pledging to crack down on the rampant corruption that has undermined the armed forces in Africa’s most populous country.

“The Buhari administration I think has really re-energised the bilateral relationship in a fundamental way,” one U.S. official said.

The previous President Goodluck Jonathan had scorned the United States for blocking arms sales partly because of human rights concerns. It also criticised Washington for failing to speed the sharing of intelligence.

The souring relations hit a low at the end of 2014 when U.S. military training of Nigerian forces was abruptly halted.

That is changing under Buhari, whose crackdown on corruption has led to a raft of charges against top national security officials in the previous government.

“Buhari made it clear from the get-go that his number one priority was reforming the military to defeat Boko Haram ... And he sees us as part of that solution,” a second U.S. official said.

Still, serious human rights abuses committed by security forces, which include police, increased in 2015, according to the U.S. State Department’s annual human rights report.

Many of the funds alleged to have been misused and siphoned off by corrupt Nigerian officials under Jonathan’s government were earmarked for the fight against Boko Haram, which has killed thousands in northeast Nigeria and neighbouring countries in the last seven years. Last year, the group pledged loyalty to Islamic State.

“No wonder they weren’t doing well with respect to Boko Haram. (They) didn’t have the ammunition,” the first official said.

The accused officials include Nigeria’s former chief of defence staff, who last month pleaded not guilty to using money allocated for Nigeria’s air force to buy a mansion and a commercial plot of land and build a shop-

ping mall.

However, a contract for 20 similar aircraft sold to Afghanistan was valued at about $428 million at the time it was announced in 2013.

J. Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council think tank, said any sale of Super Tucano aircraft would demonstrate improving ties, but cautioned that their ability to counter Boko Haram could be limited.

“When you’re fighting a group that’s no longer holding towns and villages, that’s no longer massing forces in a conventional way, the aircraft – attack aircraft – have a much more limited role in that kind of fight,” Pham said.

African armies routed the militant group from much of its self-proclaimed caliphate in northeastern Nigeria last year.

Its fighters have since regrouped and intensified their attacks in the Lake Chad Basin, threatening regional security, despite the creation of a 9,000-strong African multinational force to counter it.

The U.S. military expects to train a second Nigerian infantry battalion once the current group completes its training later this year, the first official said.

The officials did not specify what type of additional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets would be provided to bolster the regional fight against Boko Haram.

They acknowledge that they have a tough task combating the group, which is sending women and children strapped with explosives to blow up civilian targets such as marketplaces.

“Boko Haram has morphed back in to what it had earlier been, not a holder of large amounts of territory, but rather a generator of asymmetric attacks,” the second official said.

The A-29 Super Tucano aircraft Here are some facts about the aircraft: An agile, propeller-driven plane, the Super Tucano is in wide use in Africa, Latin America and elsewhere.

The plane is manufactured

by Embraer S.A., a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate. A

second production line is in Florida, in a partnership between the privately-held, U.S.-based Sierra Nevada Corp. of Sparks, Nev., and Embraer.

More than 200 Super Tucanos are operated by 10 nations, according to Embraer.

The plane is used for training and security, surveillance, reconnaissance and counterinsurgency missions.

The plane can carry a wide array of armaments, including precision-guided munitions, is equipped with advanced avionics, communications and sensors and can operate from remote, unpaved airstrips.

It has a maximum speed of 590 km per hour (367 mph) and a flight ceiling of 35,000 feet (6.6 miles).

Militaries in Afghanistan, Angola, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Indonesia and Mauritania fly the Super Tucano. Guatemala, Senegal, Ghana, Mali and Lebanon have ordered the aircraft, according to Embraer.

The first four of 20 aircraft destined for Afghanistan was delivered in 2016.

Colombia has used the aircraft in its long war against leftist FARC rebels.

A Super Tucano operated by the Indonesian Air Force crashed on the island of Java on February 10, killing two crew members and two civilians. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Boko Haram should surrender now —Defence Hqts Meanwhile, the Nigerian military has asked Boko Haram members to surrender now so as to get humane treatment.

A statement by the military on Friday, which contained the call also alerted Nigerians that terrorists now wear uniform to blend with the locality.

“As a result of ongoing onslaught against the Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa forest, the terrorist group has now devised a means of identifying themselves. In this regard, the Boko Haram now wear uniform to blend among the locality undetected where they sadly carryout their heinous crime.

The recent apprehension of two Boko Haram terrorists in uniform near Dikwa in Borno State, is a pointer towards this direction.

“While the military would sustain the current tempo to further decimate the terrorists, the military is advising the recalcitrant remnant Boko Haram to surrender now and get humane treatment in line with the world best practice.

“The members of the public are hereby urged to be wary of this new development and be always alert. Any suspicious persons or object should be reported promptly to the security agencies,” the statement said.

Saturday Tribune

Grazing bill will generate conflict, SNPA warns Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba THE Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly (SNPA) has said that the grazing bill before the National Assembly portends danger to the nation as it will institute a source of permanent conflict in the land, especially the Nigerian federal structure and the 1999 Constitution which vests power to hold land in the 36 states of the country and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Arising from a three-day conference in Asaba which ended on Friday, the group said the draft was not only anachronistic and antiquated, but also an unfortunate elevation of what ought to be private commercial ventures into a national or government business.

A statement by the leaders from the three southern geopolitical zones, including former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme (represented by former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife); Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark (represented

by Senator Roland Owie) and Senator Femi Okurounmu, who stood in for Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, also deplored the rampaging attacks, raping and killing of innocent Nigerians, especially the more recent killings in Enugu and Benue states and other parts of the country by Fulani herdsmen.

The leaders said: “The president should deal decisively with the issue of Fulani herdsmen in the manner government is dealing with the insurgency problem, that if unchecked, has the capacity to snowball into another Boko Haram.”

“Consequently, he should set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate all Fulani herdsmen attacks from May 2015 till date and all those found to be directly or remotely involved in those attacks should be arrested and brought to book.”

They observed that the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to begin the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference was objectionable as the resolutions, if implemented, may help in resolving many political, socioeconomic and security challenges of the country.

EFCC goes after Femi Fani-Kayode THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday went to take custody of the house of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

The former minister himself announced the presence of EFCC operatives at his house, through the social media.

He wrote: “Today, the EFCC invited me to come to their office on Monday. I have their letter. I agreed to be there. Now they have surrounded my house.”

“The letter of invitation was served this morning and it was dated 6th May. They said I should report on the 9th. Can someone please tell me why?”

But Saturday Tribune gathered that Fani-Kayode has been summoned in connection with the N840 million campaign funds he collected from Senator Nenadi Usman ahead the 2015 elections.

“They are at my gate. They can’t even wait because they want to detain me so badly and keep me away for the weekend. I never refused their invitation. Why all this? I leave them to God.” But the operatives left Fani-Kayode’s house late on Friday.

Glo celebrates women on International Mothers’ Day NATIONAL telecommunications operator, Globacom, has joined in celebrating Nigerian women on the occasion of the International Mothers’ Day. Second Sunday of May every year is observed worldwide as International Mothers’ Day as a day of expressing appreciation to women for their huge contributions to the human race. This year’s edition falls on Sunday, May 8.

The next generation network said in a press statement in Lagos that women were not only role models in the society and agents of peace and stability in homes, but were also active players in nation building.

It added that the contributions of the women folk to the family and the larger society could not be undervalued. “Without the complementary efforts mothers make in the areas of conception and upbringing of children, the human race would, by now, probably have gone into extinction. The sacrifices they make to ensure the well-being of their children, and the moments of selfdenial they go through to ensure that the children become great and make a positive impact on the society is worth celebrating.”

Globacom said the expression, “the hands that rock the cradle rule the world,” aptly describes the role of women in society, and encouraged mothers to continue to espouse the virtues of love, unity, selflessness, tolerance and commitment to the good of others in their daily lives.

“The society needs our women to live long and healthy so that they can continue their God-ordained tasks of moulding the present and future leaders of the nation. We therefore implore our mothers to devote time and resources to regular medical checkups in order to nip in the bud any debilitating illnesses that may slow them down,” the company said.

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UN Secretary General to address Africa’s first ICCA Congress

By Bode Adewumi

From left, Special Adviser to the Minister of Communication, Mr. Abdullahi Binuyo; Vice-President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief Michael Olawale-Cole; President, LCCI, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande; Vice-President/Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, LCCI, Mr. Sola Oyetayo and Investment Expert/ Deputy Head, Unido, Lagos Office, Ms. Safiya Usman, during the unveiling of the 2016 information communication technology and telecommunications expo, held on Thursday in Lagos. Photo:Sylvester Okoruwa.

Donor alleges $3.8m AIDS fund fraud Biola Azeez - Ilorin

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he Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) has suspended disbursement of funds to Nigeria following discovery of large scale fraud to the tune of millions of dollars.

Online newspaper, thecable.ng reported on Friday that the organisation, which is the highest donor to Nigeria in terms of HIV and malaria, said it had disbursed more than $1.4 billion to the country since 2003.

Calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to take action, Global Fund said Nigeria has faced significant challenges around financial management, which has led to a number of investigations and recoveries of grant money in the past years.

Mark Dybul, an executive director at Global Fund, said an audit report exposed “challenges of grants not achieving impact targets, poor quality of health services, treatment disruptions and fraud, corruption and misuse of funds.”

“The audit report on Nigeria covered US$889 million of Global Fund grants, and found systemic weakness in

the controls in various government entities,” he said.

“The investigation report found fraud and collusion in the amount of US$3.8 million,” the report said.

Dybul, according to the report, said the audit reviewed multiple grants between 2013 and 2015, and identified significant problems with internal controls relating to procurement conducted by government agencies like the National

Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA) and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP).

The audit identified $20 million as expenditure for which NACA was unable to provide supporting documentation.

NACA was also accused of non-compliance with procurement policies and inadequate controls over the distribution of health commodities for HIV.

The organisation said it also observed inadequate inventory management which resulted in expired HIV commodities worth $5.4 million in the last two years.

“In addition, the audit identified a lack of documentary evidence related to human resources and payment approval processes, with $7.65 million identified as unsupported expenditures,” he said.

FG ready to partner Ondo on bitumen exploration — Fayemi Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure The Minister of Solid Mineral Resources, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commended the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, for his zeal and commitment towards the exploration and exploitation of bitumen in the state Fayemi, who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital on Friday during a courtesy visit to Governor Mimiko, expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to support and partner the state in the bid towards its bitumen exploration.

Fayemi, who said he was

happy at the determination of the governor towards the realisation of the exploration of the state’s bitumen in the state, said: “I’m glad that the state under your administration has activated your engagement in taking advantage of the endowment on your land.

“I toured the bitumen belt yesterday (Thursday).

I was in Agbabu, Loda, Ilubirin and other communities. It was my first time of being there and I was shocked at the quality of bitumen from the surface.

The quality is very impressive.”

While also commending

the Mimiko-led administration for “its proactive approach in ensuring that the bitumen project is realised in the state,” Fayemi assured of the Federal Government’s cooperation for its actualisation, disclosing that the partnering company’s team, ‘Liquefied Resources’ had visited him in Abuja, submitting that “with the new technology on the ground, bitumen exploration is realisable.”

While acknowledging that 80 per cent of bitumen being used in the country is imported, Fayemi said the Agbabu bitumen will soon put an end to bitumen importation in the country.

Nigeria now ready to invest in research —Minister of Environment

By Tunde Ogunesan THE administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is focused on investing heavily in research institutes across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

This position was made known by the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, while fielding questions from journalists during a two-day visit to the Federal Research institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Jeircho, Ibadan, Oyo State, at the weekend.

Mohammed said the era of Federal Government just awarding contract

for various projects at research institutes is gone.

She said what is paramount to the administration of President Buhari is its sincere determination to ensure that the research faculties in Nigeria not only live to expectation, but also provide jobs for the teeming youths of this country.

Mohammed, who was led into the over fourhours facility visits of various departments and sections of the agency by the Executive Director, FRIN, Dr Adeshola Adepoju, described the agency as an asset and evidence-base in

Nigeria.

She said: “Climate change has eaten up some of our environment and we need research institutions like FRIN to reclaim our environment. We need to know where best to plant trees in correcting this. It makes a difference when science is evidence-based.

“We have to protect the environment, look at how we can empower people in our ministry, turn waste to wealth and finally understand the challenges ahead in achieving this lofty objective.”

She also assured Nigerians that the administra-

tion of President Muhammadu Buhari will end the era of plastic waste on Nigerian roads and open defaecation so as to safeguard the natural environment.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, will address the 23rd International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) Congress to be held in Mauritius from May 8 to 11, 2016.

Themed “International Arbitration and the Rule of Law: Contribution and Conformity,” the Congress will offer discussion of cutting edge issues in international arbitration of relevance to hundreds of seasoned practitioners and young professionals from around the globe. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mohamed ElBaradei will also address the Congress.

The ICCA Congress is the pre-eminent event for international arbitration professionals. It typically draws over 1000 attendees and brings together arbitrators, counsel, corporate counsel and government representatives from around the world, giving delegates access to key decision - makers and thought leaders in the field.

Fuel scarcity: Association reads riot act to petroleum marketers in Nasarawa Godwin Agwam - Lafia The Association of Licence Independent Petroleum Marketers, Nasarawa State chapter, has issued a warning to its members who engage in sharp practices in the face of unavailability of petroleum products across the country.

Acting president of the association, Alhaji Abubakar Sandaji, who issued the warning in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Lafia, said that it would not protect any of its members who breaches the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) regulations in the state.

According to Sandaji, the warning became necessary in view of the current fuel scarcity experienced in the country which may lure some members of the association to engage in unwholesome practices that would be detrimental to the interest of the poor masses.

Olubadan counsels chiefs on promotion

By Tunde Ogunesan

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Ogungunniso I on Friday advised all the seven chiefs promoted to the next ranks in the chieftaincy lines to hold their belief that only God can crown them as king as they move up the ladder.

Oba Adetunji made this known while addressing the seven chiefs from the Balogun/Otun lines who were promoted to their next ranks at his palace in the Popoyemoja area of Ibadan.

He said, “it’s God that crowns the Olubadan. I want you all to believe that one day you will sit on the throne. So, I want you to continue to hold onto your faith and belief; God will answer your prayers.”

Four of the seven chiefs promoted on Friday are high chiefs while three others are senior chiefs.

They are the Otun Balogun High Chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin who was promoted to Balogun of Ibadanland; Osi Balogun High Chief Dr Olufemi Olasunkade Olaifa who is now the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland; Asipa Balogun High Chief Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola as Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, while the Ekerin Balogun High Chief Solomon O. Adabale is now the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland.

Others are Abese Balogun Senior Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe who was promoted to Ekerin Balogun, while Abese Olubadan and Maye Balogun; Senior Chief Hamidu Ajibade and Senior Chief Samuel O. Fadare Falowo were promoted to Ekarun Olubadan and Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland respectively.

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At last, Buhari signs N6.06trn 2016 budget •Says now toughest time in nation’s history Leon Usigbe - Abuja

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FTER months of drama and uncertainty, President Muhammadu Buhari, in a brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, finally signed the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law.

The ceremony took place in his office at about 12.20 p.m.

It was witnessed by VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo as well as the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John OdigieOyegun.

Others present were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives appropriation committees, Danjuma Goje and Abdulmumuni Jibril, Minster of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Minister of State, Budget, Zainab Ahmed; special assistants to the president on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang and Abdulrahman Kawu.

In his address after appending his signature to his administration’s first budget, President Buhari thanked the National Assembly for its cooperation in making it a reality.

He said the budget was intended to signpost a renewal of the government’s commitment to restoring the budget as a serious article of faith with the Nigerian people.

According to him, his administration is committed to ensuring that henceforth the annual appropriation bill is presented to the National Assembly in time for passage before the beginning of the fiscal year.

He said: “Through the 2016 budget, aptly titled ‘Budget of Change,’ the government seeks to fulfill its own side of the social contract.

“The budget I have signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N6.06 trillion. Further details of the approved budget, as well as our Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget, will be provided by the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning.”

Noting that he would speak more on the budget on his first anniversary in office, Buhari added: “In designing the 2016 budget, we made a deliberate choice to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy despite the huge decline in government revenues from crude oil exports.

“This is why we decided to enlarge the budget deficit at this time, to be financed principally through foreign and domestic borrowings.

All borrowings will, however, be applied towards growth-

enhancing capital expenditures,” the presidential said.

He gave the assurance that the signing of the budget would trigger concerted effort to reflate the Nigerian economy, a key element of

Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

budget. He wrote a letter dated January 15, 2016 to inform the National Assembly that he had sent a “corrected version” of the budget to the lawmakers. He said that the National Assembly should only work with the new version.

The National Assembly decided to work with the corrected copy sent by the president. From January 15, the stories ran like diarrhoea.

The Senate and House of Representatives committees hosted budget defence sessions that were replete with denunciations and rejections of the budget copy. The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Health to defend the budget of his ministry, alluded to “rats” that smuggled some unwanted items into the budget. Presidency sources also blamed the inconsistencies, padding and repetitions seen in the budget copy on the “Budget Mafia.”

The lawmakers went to work but it was obvious to them that the budget had to be rewritten. The Budget Office of the National Assembly published a booklet which detailed over N500 billion repetitions and padding noticed in the budget presented by the president. For many ministries, the subheads for recurrent expenditure (salaries and emoluments) were missing, while the capital expenditures

were also muddled up. At the defence sessions, ministers denied the budget document one after the other.

But then the National Assembly fixed February 25 for the passage of the budget with the hope that all the outstanding issues would have been sorted out. The lawmakers missed that date and then fixed March 17 for the passage. They missed that date, too. They eventually passed the budget on March 23. The lawmakers patted themselves on the back after the eventual passage of the budget and practically hurried copies of its highlights to the Presidential Villa for assent. The lawmakers beat the usual bureaucratic process which would have allowed the Clerk of the National Assembly to present the document to the legal department of the National Assembly for final vetting.

But rather than meet an equally eager president, Buhari declined to assent to the budget as paased.

The Presidential Villa announced through unofficial sources that the lawmakers only forwarded highlights of the budget to Buhari and that the president would not assent to a skeletal document.

Sources had said that the lawmakers wanted to beat the deadline for the expiration of the 2015 capital votes on March 31 and had hoped

that the president would assent to the 2016 budget before that date. But Buhari was not that enthusiastic. He insisted on seeing the details of the budget. That took a week and the lawmakers eventually forwarded the documents to the Villa.

On April 7, another drama played out at the Presidential Villa. The president’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, received copies of the budget details with fanfare. On April 8, ministers converged to review the budget, another in the line of many firsts scored by the 2016 budget.

From the second week of April, allegations started rending the air about the alleged padding and removal of key legacy projects of the government. The heat was on the both the executive and the legislature to prove who removed the LagosCalabar rail line project from the budget document. Other key projects, including those in the Ministry of Health, were said to be missing.

But the National Assembly was able to prove that the Lagos-Calabar coastal rail project was not included in the main budget. Even at that, the Senate Committee on Land Transport admitted that the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, submitted a document relating to the project during the budget defence

session. The emotion and heat generated by that project were unimaginable.

It also divided the National Assembly along North/South lines as southern lawmakers accused their northern colleagues of including LagosKano rail project in the budget by fencing off the LagosCalabar coastal rail project.

A meeting held last week at the Presidential Villa between the leadership of the National Assembly and the presidency, however, provided a way forward.

Though the Senate had insisted that having passed the budget, the only option open to the president in line with section 59(4) of the 1999 Constitution was to sign the document first and then present amendments, the National Assembly agreed to “bend over backwards” to accommodate the demands of the executive.

What happened afterwards were meetings at the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotel between appropriation committee members and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning. Some lawmakers described the development as “illegal and wonderful” but it was another first in the trajectory of the Budget of Change.

Subsequently, almost the entire budget that was passed on March 23 was rewritten in line with the demands of the executive.

Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

well belonging to Chevron.

The gas well serves the Abiteye, Alero, Dibi, Otunana and Makaraba flow stations which feed the Chevron Tank Farm in Escravos.

Similar to Wednesday’s attack, Thursday’s incident occurred around 10:30 p.m.

The location where the incident happened is said to be a few kilometres away from a military checkpoint.

The new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which had claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Chevron Valve Platform situated in deep offshore around Abiteye, also in Warri South West, has said it was also behind Thursday’s attack.

NDA spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, in a statement on Friday, warned Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, community

leaders and politicians in the region to steer clear of the group’s activities, vowing to cripple the economy of the country.

“This is a clear warning to all Niger Delta politicians, traditional rulers, community leaders and the likes of Tompolo to mind their businesses and leave the liberation of the Niger Delta people to the Avengers.

“Those who believe taking sides with the Federal Government to fight the Niger Deltans is the best option, Avengers are here on the ground.

“Neither you nor the Federal Government can stop us. If you don’t stay clear and let us carry out our activities, we will bring the fight to your individual doorsteps.

Our major goal is to cripple the Nigerian economy,” the statement read in part.

The militants claimed that the Thursday attack was executed by Team 4 of the group, just as they urged all Niger Deltans to resume war against all oil installations in the region.

“We are using this medium to ask all Niger Deltans to take the war to all oil installations in their various communities because this is your war,” Agbinibo noted.

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS DELTA), N.B. Lamu, confirmed the development, but said that he was yet to get details of the incidents.

He disclosed that a crack team had been dispatched to the high seas.

Chevron’s Public Affairs Manager and that of NNPC, Mr Deji Haastrup and Garba Deen Mohammed, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

which is an immediate injection of N350 billion into the economy by way of capital projects.

The president stated: “To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural

development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200 billion to road construction as against a paltry N18 billion allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget.

“Despite the current dif-

The unique trajectory of Budget of Change THE 2016 budget should be a candidate for the Guinness Book of World Records considering the controversies that were thrown up in the process of its passage. The budget that was submitted to the National Assembly on December 22, 2015 ran into bad weathers from the first day. Contrary to the practice whereby senators and members of the House of Representatives immediately received copies of the budget once it was presented by the president, the legislators went on the Christmas holiday without copies of the budget.

To cap the awkwardness, even the National Assembly had only two copies presented to the secretariats of the appropriation committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Not even the Senate President or the Speaker of the House had an immediate insight into the budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The unusual situation was soon followed by more incongruities. There were reports early January that the budget was going to be retrieved from the legislature because the executive had discovered some errors. Although the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, refuted the insinuation, it eventually crystallized that there was something fishy about the budget.

There were controversies and uproar when the lawmakers resumed on January 12. The Senate raised the alarm to the effect that the budget was missing. At a closed session in the Senate, its president, Bukola Saraki, announced that the budget was missing and that the original copies had been replaced by presidential aides.

Although the lawmakers decided to assist the executive in managing the scandal, the media was awash with news of a missing budget. The House of Representatives denounced the media reports.

The Senate also attempted to salvage the situation by saying that the budget was not missing but was “doctored.”

President Buhari moved swiftly to douse the tension and the negativity about his

ficulties, we will work extra hard to achieve our revenue projections. Our revenue generating agencies are coming under better management and are being reoriented.”

Militants blow up more oil, gas installations IN an apparent continuation of Wednesday’s onslaught on oil facilities across the Niger Delta region, militants, on Thursday night, blew up the recently repaired Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) crude trunkline.

The trunkline is said to supply both the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

Saturday Tribune gathered that an oil flow station feeding the Chevron Tank Farm in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State was also attacked on Thursday night.

The renewed onslaught, also saw a gas line that feeds Lagos and Abuja electricity plants vandalised.

Worst hit, it was gathered on Friday, was Chevron Well D25 in Abiteye, a major gas

8

news

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Hand of Grace Christian Centre celebrates second year anniversary THE Hand of Grace Christian Centre has announced that activities to mark the second anniversary of the founding of the Centre will commence on May 11, 2016, with praise night.

According to a statement from the presiding Bishop of the church, Bishop Mike Afolabi, the event, which runs for four days, has as its theme: “The God that is more than enough”.

The event will kick off with a three-day ministers’ conference at Faithjoe Event Centre in Ibadan with Reverend Simeon Afolabi of Firstlove Assembly, Port-Harcourt as the guest speaker and he will speak on the topic “Excellence in Life and Ministry”. The activities will be rounded off with a thanksgiving service on Sunday, May 15, 2016.

Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole (right), his wife, Chief Abimbola (second left), his daughter, Miss Sadiat Ajetayo Ajewole (middle), with the other children during the graduation ceremony of Miss Sadiat Ajetayo, from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, recently.

Lagos at 50: Ambode’s critics seeking patronage —Lagos Indigenes group Bola Badmus - Lagos

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group, Congress of Lagos Indigenes (CLI), has criticised proponents of indigenous rights agitation against Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, describing the agitation as a selfish agenda being flaunted for mere selfrecognition by those who have chosen to adopt parochial ethnic agitation at the expense of mutual coexistence for a greater Lagos.

The group said this on Thursday in a release issued in Lagos by its president, Mr Olalekan Akinsemoyin.

The group, while noting that self-recognition of indigenous people was a global phenomenon, however, condemned what it described as ‘Trump-nobia’ style of agitation for claiming ownership.

The CLI, while frowning upon utterances made by the national legal adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire, in an interview published by the Saturday Tribune that

Lagos State was heading for the Israel-Palestine scenario, said should ethnic violence erupt in Lagos State, Banire should be held responsible.

“If ethnic violence erupts in Lagos State, Muiz Banire should be held responsible,” the CLI said.

The group described Banire as an ingrate who would do anything to seek recognition in a manner that left no room for others to have a stake in collective matters.

“Banire is a disloyal party

member who, having benefited from the system, chose to become rebellious because he will never be satisfied with any situation or decision that does not favour him directly, no matter how good,” the group said.

The CLI, therefore, warned Dr. Banire and his cohorts to desist from distracting Governor Ambode, saying the governor was responsible to over 25 million people living in Lagos and not a few parochial individuals seeking

S/West PDP leaders zone offices ahead convention AS the May 21st national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) draws near, the zoning committee of some leaders of the party in the South-West zone has released the sharing formula for the offices zoned to the six states that made up the zone.

According to the report of

the committee on zoning, headed by a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, the office of the National Secretary has been zoned to Osun State, National Auditor to Ogun, while the office of the National Publicity Secretary was zoned to Ondo State.

Benue security council directs immediate rescue of kidnapped priest Johnson Babajide - Makurdi WORRIED by the two weeks that the Vicar General of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, Reverend Father John Adeyi has spent with his abductors, Benue State Security Council has directed security agencies to immediately rescue him.

The Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom who spoke to newsmen at the end of the council’s meeting on Friday, said security agencies had tried to secure Father Adeyi’s release.

Ortom said the council expressed concern over frequent cases of abduc-

self-recognition and political interests.

“As far as we know, Governor Ambode is a gentle man and is busy having sleepless nights in the cause of securing a better Lagos for all.

When next Muiz goes on pages of newspapers to insult the governor and throws tantrum over Wole Soyinka’s appointment as Chairman of ‘Lagos at 50’ anniversary plus other related issues, we will surely not spare him for any word.”

tion in recent times and observed that Adeyi’s case had become a challenge because he has not been released.

“We are worried because the abductors have not released him; if a man of God can be kidnapped, it means nobody is safe,” he emphasised.

Fr Adeyi, a Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo was kidnapped penultimate Sunday along Otukpo-Enugu road around 2pm and ever since he is yet to be released.

It will be recalled that the abductors of the priest had earlier opened contact with

his relatives and demanded N10 million ransom which was later reduced to N2 million.

It was gathered that the kidnappers, despite receiving the N2m failed to release the priest as promised while all the contact lines have been switched off since then.

Thus, Idoma sociocultural group, Opiatoha K’Idoma has expressed loss of confidence in the Commissioner of Police, Benue State, Mr Paul Yakadi, over his command’s ability to rescue or give a clue about the whereabouts of Rev Fr. John Adeyi.

The report of the nineman zoning committee also indicates that Ekiti State will produce the office of the National Vice Chairman of the party.

While dividing the offices on the basis of the three sharing blocks in the zone, namely, Lagos and Ogun, Oyo and Osun and Ondo and Ekiti, the committee also alloted the ex-officio offices among the six states.

The alloted National Exofficios are Lagos (male), Ogun, (female); Ondo, (female); Ekiti, (male); Osun, (male); Oyo (male).

Other members of the zoning committee include Senator, C.K. Awoyelu, deputy chairman; Prince (Senator) Buruji Kashamu, chairman, mobilisation and organisation committee South-West; Honourable Ebenezer Alabi, Honourable Segun Odebunmi; former Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Dr Ade Dosumu; Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina, Alhaja Bose Adedibu and Honourable Segun Adekoya, who served as the secretary of the committee.

Bishop Mike Afolabi

Primate Nicholas Okoh heads Conference of Primates Council THE Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev’d Nicholas Okoh has been elected as the new chairman of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON’s) Primates Council.

He was elected at a meeting of GAFCON Primates which was held in Nairobi, Kenya last month. He succeeds The Most Rev Eliud Wabukala, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya.

In a statement signed by the General Secretary Of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Venerable Israel Kelue said Primate Okoh’s election was a testament to his exemplary leadership in ensuring that the “Anglican

Primate Okoh

Church remains faithful to Christ and the Bible in its teachings and practices.”

The leadership of GAFCON, the statement stressed: “In the contest of the present doctrinal and liturgical challenges, the Anglican Communion calls for fervent prayers.”

GOMERM holds impartation service GOD’s Mercy Revival Ministries (GOMERM) will hold its monthly prophetic impartation service tagged, “FROM VICTIM TO VICTOR, TIME FOR ANOINTING TO REIGN AND DOMINATE” at Mercy Revival Centre, 25/33, Alake Lakonko Street, off Ikotun-Idimu Road, Ile Epo Bus Stop, Ikotun, Lagos, tomorrow, May 8, by 9:00 a.m.

The service will be hosted by the General Overseer, Pastor (Dr) James Akanbi and others.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bamigbade Fatimoh Omolola now MRS. JIMOH FATIMOH OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

Pastor (Dr) James Akanbi

9

interview

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

I want APC leaders to join me in PDP —Sule Lamido Former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, in this interview, speaks on the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to bounce back and other issues. ADAMU AMADU brings excerpts.

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HE interim national chairman of the PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sherif, has visited some states, including Jigawa. What did you see about his visit to your state?

It was an official visit to the PDP family in Jigawa State as part of the preparations for the party’s convention. He (Modu Sheriff) came to the state and met with officials and members of the party in the state concerning our preparation. He had come to formally present himself as the [interim] national chairman of the party. He needed to see his people and he people needed to see him. He wanted to make sure that the party was properly reconciled in the state because those who left the party and were brought had initially left in anger.

The PDP is the only party that has the capacity to lead Nigeria because it is owned by Nigerians. Another point is that he [Modu Sheriff] came to encourage those of us that are left in the PDP after the elections of 2015 since the government and the ruling party in Jigawa State have said that there is no PDP anymore in the state. There was a big rally in December 2015 or thereabouts where they received 370,000 members of the PDP family who left. Those that remain in the PDP in Jigawa State are Sule Lamido and a few others so, we need encouragement and support because we have been abandoned.

So, you will not refute the claim of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government that the PDP is dead in the state?

No. You see, we don’t want to join issues with anybody. Let them have the pleasure and indulgence of this hallucination that there is no PDP in Jigawa State. Let them keep celebrating that there is no PDP in the state while we work hard to restore the PDP. We are not disproving anything. We are doing our own thing - rebuilding our party. We will work very hard to restructure the party in order to regain people’s confidence and trust so that we can fight another day.

Your congresses and convention are drawing near but nothing has been seen so far in terms of preparedness to show that the party has really embraced reconciliation. What is really happening?

You see, you amuse me. You don’t know what we are doing, how hard we are working. I mean, we are doing things within the party. We are reaching out. We are talking and trying to reconcile. You don’t need to see it on facebook or on the pages of newspapers before you realise that we are working. What we want you to know is the result, which you will know when the time comes.

Many times, we do a number of things quietly. You know, when you talk about reconciliation, people have been offended and you need to go to them and plead. But the current national mud is not what we expected and nobody knows where we

they saw him. Nothing was cancelled by anybody. That what we asked for and that was what happened.

I have been saying that the APC is a formation of small parties – small party CPC, small party ACN and small party ANPP. And rather than join me, I am joining them? No. Since they said we are a party of devils and that everything evil is PDP, why can’t they, as saints, come and cleanse us? Let them come to the PDP and purify us. are heading to.

The PDP, which was in power for 16 years, was defeated by the PDP, because those who defeated it in the [last general] election were old PDP forces. Without these [old] PDP members, they wouldn’t have won the election, because in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, all these parties combined could not defeat the PDP. It was only when the PDP was divided and some of its members went to the APC that they were able to win the election. So, the victory which the APC is now gloating about was not all theirs; it was PDP’s victory, but the wrong PDP, the PDP of anger.

With the kind of underground work you are doing, do you think you can woo those governors that left the party then back into the fold?

I know you are very clever and you want me to get into it but sorry, wait and see the result. You see, when you are negotiating, you don’t advertise it.

How do you intend to restore the PDP to power in 2019 in Jigawa State?

We will work hard. I don’t want to sit here and begin to engage in speculations. We will work hard. We lost an election, so, we will work very hard.

How did you feel about the police cancelling some of the planned activities of your party’s national chairman during his visit?

What were the activities? The programme was that the national chairman would come to the party’s secretariat to see his party’s members. That was all. It was not a rally, which we were to hold at the Malam Aminu Kano Triangle. We are going to do that one very soon. He came and saw party members and

Was the visit part of a reported campaign against the forthcoming national convention?

No. The visit was part of the build-up to the convention.

And the real rally will soon be done at the Malam Aminu Kano Triangle to show that there really is PDP on the ground and give people confidence that the party is working very hard towards the convention.

You have insisted that the incumbent state governor has your support, that there is a cordial relationship between the two of you, but it is being insinuated that there is a rift between you...

There is no rift but mutual respect between us. He is occupying a position I once occupied. I cannot undermine the position or vilify him. If I do so, I would also be undermining my own history. So, I am always willing and ready to offer my advice to the governor anytime he wants it. We are best of friends. We talk. Politics is beyond Sule Lamido. It is beyond Governor Badaru. The political activists around him are there around me, too and they try to direct where the wind should blow. We are perfect brothers. I am his former governor and he is my governor, so, I wish him the best.

Suppose the APC woos you to join the party...

They are free to dream. I have been saying that the APC is a formation of small parties – small party CPC, small party ACN and small party ANPP. And rather than join me, I am joining them? No. Since they said we are a party of devils and that everything evil is PDP, why can’t they, as saints, come and cleanse us? Let them come to the PDP and purify us.

If you were given the presidential ticket, would you accept it?

Given the ticket by whom?

By the PDP. You see, you are not given a ticket, you earn a ticket. You work to earn it.

Are you working towards earning it?

Every member should work towards the PDP’s success. In the process, we will pick somebody who can bear the flag.

If you are offered the candidacy to be Nigerian president under the PDP in 2019, what will be your response?

If I am offered the ticket by the PDP in 2019, I will thank God Almighty and thank those who consider me fit to be the president of Nigeria. So, I will accept it.

10

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

style

08071080888 anikate92@yahoo.com

with Kate Ani

Fringe frenzy: Fringe is back with a bang!

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f you’ve been to the mall or clothing stores lately, you will notice that fringe has stolen the show. From accessories like bags, shoes and jewellery to wears like blouses, jackets, dress and even pants, fringe seems to be taking over!

Fringe looks particularly modern and can be mixed with your everyday wear for an instant update. Fringes at hem of dresses and skirts are ultra flattering as they create movement and show glimpses of skin.

If fringe-adorned clothing seems too adventurous, why not try fringe accessories, be it a shoe, bag or jewelry. Fringe bags come in a variety of colours and lengths. Fringe shoes also look feminine and chic and they add Instagram glam to your outfit. For a more polished look opt for a pair of fringe wedge.

However, be sure to wear an item of fringe at a time. Keep the rest of your get-up simple so that the fringes take center stage.

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I skip to stay fit —Idris Elba British actor, Idris Elba, is the current man of the moment in Hollywood. The multiple award-wining most sought after actor has also been described as the sexiest man alive, according to Vanity Fair Magazine. But what many fans want to know are his workout secrets and how this talented chocolate man remains so fit.

He bares it all with Peoples health fitness magazine, enjoy!

What’s your favorite way to break a sweat?

Skipping. I like skipping, ten minutes of skipping is a lot of work believe it or not. Your heart rate is going and you break a sweat very quickly.

How about your diet, do you eat any particular way?

I tend to try to have a really good breakfast, oatmeal, eggs, because that’s the first meal of the day and it sets you off. And then I try not to eat too much for lunch, just a nice square meal What is your favorite midnight snack?

I shouldn’t really say this but it’s a snickers bar. It’s the caramel and it’s quick as well and, you can get rid of the wrapper really quickly and no one has to know.

But how do you maintain your weight?

I have a very good and healthy body. When I was younger, I could never put weight on and now that I’m a little older, there’s a natural sort of chubbiness coming. But honestly, if I work out for a week, it drops off in no time.

11 commentary

7 May, 2016

Saturday With

ayinla mukaiba

Our children, the kidnappers, are coming

ayinlamukaiba@yahoo.com

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HANKS to providence, Ogun State-born former minister of state for education, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, was rescued alive during the week after six days in the captivity of her abductors. The horror and grim anxiety of the people while the drama lasted could only be properly reconstructed by her immediate family. The fear that her mindless abductors could have, in the process of a scuffle, snuffed life out of her; anxiety that something could have led to another and the life of the woman brought to an unexpected denouement. Her post-release experiences of sleeping inside the forest, going without food but water for six days, are only palatable to hear because she walked back to life a free woman.

Many theories have been adduced for her safe arrival. The police, expectedly, have been preening their plumage ever since. You can’t really blame the force. Coming after the below-the-belt blow rammed on it by Chief Olu Falae, who truncated their attempt to score a hat-trick, thereby stealing the show of the foremost Yoruba leader’s release via claiming victory for it, (Falae claimed his family paid ransom for his release!) Solomon Arase and his gang needed to flaunt their alleged professionalism, if only for once, for all to see. Especially now that Governor Ibikunle Amosun has bitten the bullet for the police to claim no one paid ransom to the kidnappers. While some attribute Anisulowo’s release to the deployment of technology by the police, it is apparent that some spiritualists who must have been consulted to freeze the peace of the abductors of the former minister, must be atop their spiritual crest now.

Without being told, kingpins of the kidnap must be young boys (and probably girls) whose productive elan has been frozen by the Nigerian society and who found a window to ventilate same via the crime of kidnap. Young, vibrant, sometimes whizkids in their chosen courses of study in school, this is the next wave of danger and calamity that awaits Nigeria and especially, the Nigerian elite, if they don’t avert their minds to the looming danger.

Saturday Tribune

Since about 1982 when the austerity measure policy of the Federal Government was given birth to in Nigeria, this incubus progenitor of a flipside economy called unemployment has wormed itself gradually into the Nigerian social lexicon, as well as the social fabric of labour in the country.

We now have the pestilence of youth whose parents literally bend over backwards to send to school, with scarce resources, sometimes going a-borrowing, who in turn burn the midnight candles relentlessly, and come out tops in school, finding themselves in the social spasm of unemployment. When the Ibrahim Babangida government fumbling in the pitch dark for a way out of the tumbling economy, introduced the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), another variant of Shehu Shagari’s highly excoriated austerity measures, it became another measurement of the inability of government to grapple with the stasis in the economy. Unemployment was becoming a national calamity, little by little. Gradually, it became an incubus or a national infestation that has afflicted virtually every home in the country. Very seldom can you point at a Nigerian family that hasn’t got a casualty of this economic metastasis and frozen mental acuity of government in Nigeria.

Unfortunately, either that Nigerian leaders underrate the severity of the problems at hand or they don’t just care, they have always dragged tokenism to the shrine of the god of unemployment, offerings that are barely enough to vitiate the anger of this consuming deity. Those who get elected into government or find an opportunity to be inside this groove of this modern-day version money-making ritual thank their

gods for its abiding mercy on them and family, liberate as much public patrimony into their personal till and keep on stuffing their rapacious till until it bursts at its seams. The shibboleth is to come to public functions and heap tones of promises of a better society on the audience, hoping it will scintillate or titillate the hapless people into surrender. Their children they send to Harvard, Cambridge and John Hopkins, hoping that this will insulate them and their kin from the tragedy that they are smart enough to perceive is afoot. Some of them even boast that they have liberated enough billions from our joint patrimony, enough to insulate four generations of theirs from poverty and lack.

Just like Bernie Sanders said to Hillary Clinton, I have bad news for this crop of wealth amassers at the expense of the collective tomorrow of our children.

Their children who go to Harvard and other high-flying schools will come back home only to be subjected to the social disequilibrium that their fathers helped create and fester here in Nigeria. Our children who have no jobs will kidnap their been-to children and demand crazy ransom from them. This may sound nihilist and even narcissist, but it is the painful truth.

The rate of kidnapping is on the upswing because government and the elite as a whole have left what is the ideal art of public good and are pursuing dross that does not endure. The collectiveness that we were known for as Africans and interest in the overall goodness of society have paled into nothing in the minds of those we elect to govern us. When you hear the mind-boggling figures of national heist announced in the media, you come to a conclusion that we have been living with psychopaths who have very obtuse sense of shame.

Thank goodness that Senator Anisulowo’s mindless kidnappers have been busted but the truth is, the Superman we are creating of our ingenuous children who, out of school, walk the streets jobless and hopeless will soon come home to roost. The earlier we declared national emergency on unemployment, the better for us all. So that we can avert this looming catastrophe.

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12

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

with aunty yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com

get inspired

How we feel coming back to schcool

Respondents are pupils of Sharon Rose Nursery and Primary School, Saki, Oyo State.

1. Uarieme Grace, Pry 4, Age 9 hE last holiday was very boring because my parents were not paid. So, I enjoy returning to school and I am happy to see my friends and teachers having missed my friends for so long and also I like everything in the school.

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2. Adio John, Pry 4, Age 11 I am happy to resume back to school. The house was so boring; there was no light but I ate too much of food and some drinks and my parents took me to many places. I played a lot with my friend and so I am happy to resume back to school.

3. Okafor Favour, Pry 4, Age 9 Though I didn’t travel for holidays, I was happy spending it at home with my parents. I am happy to be back at school to see my friends.

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4. Aliyu Abdullahi, Pry 3, Age 10 I was so delighted to be back at school. I enjoyed the holiday and my mother cooked my best food and it was delicious.

5. Oladokun Ayodeji, Pry 3, Age 9 I am very happy to come back to school because I saw my teachers and old friends.

6. Zakari Saidu, Pry 3, Age 9

I enjoyed my holiday because my parents travelled to Sudan and bought a lot of gifts for me. The next day was the resumption day and I was happy to be back to school to see my teachers and friends.

7. Hafsat Ibrahim, Pry 3, Age 9 My holiday was not interesting because salaries were not paid, so my mummy did not have money and we did not travel.

But I am happy that I am back to school and I am excited to see my friends.

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8. Ohanta Ebube, Pry 5, Age 10 I enjoyed the holiday because I ate everything I wanted. But I am also happy to be resuming back to school together with my friends and teachers.

9. Soladoye Ife, Pry 5, Age 10 I was happy resuming back to school because I have missed my friends and I am delighted to see them again. During the holiday my parents bought many things for me including pork which I enjoyed.

10. Adedigba Moroluwa, Pry 5, Age 10 I enjoyed my holiday because I travelled to Ibadan and I was taken to many places, including Shoprite. I am happy to be back at school to learn.

3

7

8

5. What starts with the letter “t”, is filled with “t” and ends in “t”?

4. What has hands but cannot clap?

3. I have four legs.

You can ride me.

I have tusks.

I have a long nose.

I am an

2. I eat vegetables.

I can run fast.

I can be a pet.

I have long ears.

I am a

1. I am small.

I can be scary.

I have eight legs.

I spin a web.

I am a

9

Answers 1. Spider 2. Rabbit 3. Elephant 4. A clock.

5. A teapot

5

RIDDLES

4

Tongue Twister

Cartoon

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7 May, 2016

BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

food&drink

Why do cakes look good on the outside yet taste awful? Kehinde Omirinde, the Chief Executive Officer, Cake Klinik,, provides an answer to this and talks with BLESSING EKUM about what a newbie in the cake industry should expect.

Saturday Tribune

‘Why fruit cakes are the best’

What attracted you to catering? was born into a family of caterers, so it’s in the blood.

When I was younger, any time I came across a cake in any party, it enticed me and I made sure I got to know how it was made. So, growing up, it was natural for me to go into the line of cake making. For me, it’s an interesting hobby.

I

Do you have any formal training in cake-making?

Yes, I have trained in several places, but the interesting thing with cake making is that learning never ends. One has to keep being updated to produce unique designs.

What do you think is needed to be a good cake maker?

Creativity and interest. Also, patience is necessary because cake making can be challenging sometimes.

What is the longest period you have spent on a cake?

It depends on the occasion. Wedding cakes can take up to a week while birthday cakes take about a day or two; the first day is used for baking while the second day can be spent on decorating. The longest period I have spent was on decorating a wedding cake which took me about five hours.

Agbalumo Lassi Ingredients •6 pieces of agbalumo fruit (African star apple fruit) •11/2 cup of natural yoghurt •1 teaspoon ginger juice •1 teaspoon cardamom (optional) •10 ice cubes •Sugar to taste Directions •Wash agbalumo fruits and remove the seed. Be careful to retain the reddish and white creamy bits of the fruit.

•Squeeze out a teaspoon of ginger juice from a grated piece of ginger.

•Remove cardamom seeds from pod.

•Put de-seeded agbalumo fruit, ginger juice, yoghurt, cardamom seeds, sugar and ice cubes into a blender and blend until smooth or to preferred level of consistency.

•Serve Optional: Add fresh milk and evaporated milk to make it richer and creamier.

For those who can’t afford a gas oven, can you share a way someone can still bake?

Using a local oven with charcoal can also work.

Do you have a favourite cake?

Rich fruit cake is my favourite. I love it because of the variety of fruits in it and its eventual outlook.

Some cakes have lovely decorations but the inside of the cake doesn’t taste nice. What could have gone wrong?

Cake baking is very different from cake decoration. When it comes to cakes, not all that glitters is gold. A lot of people believe decoration is more important because it’s what is visible but it’s not supposed to be so. The cake baking process is also very important. So, as much time as is spent on decorating should also be spent in cake making.

What are the challenges a new cake maker might face when starting a business?

Getting customers can be a big challenge because there are so many bakers in the business now. However, if one is good at what he/she does, getting customers won’t be much of a challenge; your work will speak for you. A newbie just has to be focused and not discouraged because not all cakes are the same and you might face some challenges in baking and decorating some kinds of cakes.

What do you know about baking today that you wish you had known when you first started baking cakes?

I wish I had learnt sugarcraft in decoration and dessert cake baking earlier.

14

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

15

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

16 healthandfitness

7 May, 2016

Rashes before my menses I always have some rashes with fluid below my abdomen and around my thighs before my period starts but will disappear without treatment. However, this month it was much painful and I had to use septrin tablets to treat it. What could be the cause and what is the permanent solution?

Hadijat (by SMS) You have what is called premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS has a wide variety of

symptoms, including mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue and in some cases like yours, occasional flaring up of acnes and some skin lesions. It’s estimated that as many as three of every four menstruating women have experienced some form of premenstrual syndrome which has been linked to hormonal changes in the body. In order to determine the way forward, you will need to run some salient blood and urine tests to be ordered by your doctor.

My chest is flat I am an eighteen year old girl. My problem is that my flat chest gives me a lot of embarrassment. Kindly let me know what to do to make my breasts bigger.

Chioma (by SMS) The reason for the poor development of breast tissue in some women is not known.

It has been suggested that maybe flat-chested women’s breast tissue is insensitive to normal levels of circulating hormones. The good news though is that during pregnancy the breasts do usually develop more and grow in size, and flat-chested women can breastfeed and produce milk. Although your breasts may be very small before pregnancy, they do grow enormously during pregnancy, and are even larger during breastfeeding. In the meantime, you can wear some padded brassieres to augment your

bust line. Some women have even gone as far as going for cosmetic surgery not mind-

ing the cost and occasional unpleasant long term effects of the procedure.

Dr. Wale Okediran

A woman may experience left-sided abdominal pain for a variety of reas-

ons. If you had given me your age and some medical history, this would have helped me to determine the most likely causes of your problem. Some of the likely causes of your complaint could be from your gastrointestinal or reproductive system. Likely con-

waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

08055069356 (sms only)

No pubic hair at 24 years I am a 24 –year-old male undergraduate. My problem is that at my age, I still don’t have any pubic hair. Although I’m told that pubic hair is not necessary, still I am worried. Kindly assist me.

Greg (by SMS) Pubic hair does have a purpose, providing a cushion against friction that can cause skin abrasion and injury, protection from bacteria and other unwanted pathogens, and is the visible result of long-awaited adolescent hormones. The loss of pubic hair may be a sudden event, or it may occur slowly over time. There are a variety of factors and

My abdominal pains I have severe lower abdominal pain by the left hand side. It is very painful. Kindly tell me what to do.

Grace (by SMS)

Saturday Tribune

ditions include gallstones, an inflamed pancreas, diverticulitis, and irritable bowel syndrome as well as likely problems from your fallopian tubes ovaries and uterus. A comprehensive physical examination by your doctor will help to solve the riddle.

conditions that can lead to pubic hair loss. It could be genetic, that is, it runs in the family or you could lack some hormones that are crucial to hair development. In addition, a traumatic or stressful

event such as childbirth, major surgery or severe infection can cause up to 90 per cent of poor hair growth. A further discussion with a skin specialist (dermatologist) will also be helpful.

My brother’s bow legs MY 5-year-old brother has very pronounced bow legs that make him walk in a very awkward manner.

Kindly let me know what to do about him.

Saheed. (by SMS) Even though infants are born bowlegged because of their folded position in the mother’s womb bowed legs begin to straighten once the child starts to walk and the legs begin to bear weight by around age 3, the child can most often stand with the ankles apart and the knees just touching. If the bowed legs are still present, the

child is called bowlegged.

Bowlegs may be caused by illnesses, such as abnormal bone development, Blount’s disease, Lead or fluoride poisoning as well as rickets, which is caused by a lack of vitamin D. Blood tests may be needed to rule out rickets while X rays may assist in knowing more about the bone development. Special shoes, braces, or casts can be tried if the condition is severe or the child also has another disease.

It is unclear how well these work. At times, surgery is done to correct the deformity in an adolescent with severe bowlegs.

Dr. Abiodun Adeoye adeoyemoshood@yahoo.com

World Hypertension Day 2016

W

ORLD hypertension day for this year comes up on the 17th May with a theme “know your numbers”. The essence of this all-important day activities is to sensitise the public on the danger of hypertension in the entire universe. Can I ask you if you know your blood pressure numbers? If the answer is yes, can you help me ask your neighbour same question? If the response is no please encourage him or her to check the blood pressure numbers today. One may be wondering why all the noise about hypertension all the time. It is because this silent killer is still killing people silently. Let us check together the current facts about this killer disease Increased blood pressure (hypertension) is the leading risk factor for death and for disability globally according to the World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease Study. Increased blood pressure was the cause of an estimated 9.4 million deaths and 162 million years of life lost in 2010 and the cause of 50% of heart disease, stroke and heart failure. It accounts for 13 deaths out of 100 overall death and over 40% of deaths in people with diabetes. Hypertension is a leading risk for fetal and maternal death in pregnancy, dementia, and renal failure.

Approximately four in 10 young adults over age 25 have hypertension and in many countries another one in five has prehypertension. An estimated 9/10 adults living to 80 years of age will develop hypertension. One half of blood pressure related disease occurs in people with higher levels of blood pressure even within the normal range. The major issues here are that hypertension now disproportionately impacts low and middle income countries where treatment is out of pocket and no financial

08056564360, 08072000017 (sms only)

capacity.

From the foregoing the cost of management is enormous and the only succor is prevention.

Our behaviour plays a major role in increasing blood pressure.

Unhealthy diet is estimated to be related to about half of hypertension. About 30% related to increased salt consumption, and about 20% related to low dietary potassium (low fruit and vegetables). Physical inactivity is related to about 20% of hypertension. Obesity is related to about 30% of hypertension. Excess alcohol consumption also causes hypertension and being tobacco free is especially important for people with hypertension.

What are we to do?

First thing is for us to know our blood pressure numbers. Most individuals with hypertension are unaware that their blood pressure is high. A large proportion of those who are aware that their blood pressure is high remain untreated and even when treated, a large proportion still have sub-optimally controlled blood pressure.

Eat unprocessed or minimally processed foods most often, choose low sodium options and do not add salt to food. Be physically active and attain and maintain a healthy body weight. Avoid exceeding maximum daily and weekly recommended alcohol intake. Get their blood

pressure checked regularly and understand what it should be.

Other suggested options are good advocate for healthy public policies.

National Hypertension Organisations Develop strategic plans for prevention and control of hypertension.

Advocate for healthy public policies and especially those that reduce dietary salt/sodium and promote healthy diets and smoking cessation.

Ensure there are hypertension management guidelines adapted to the country’s population.

Develop strong partnerships with the organisations that represent health care providers that diagnose and manage hypertension.

Ensure there is monitoring and evaluation of efforts to prevent and control hypertension.

Health care professionals Measure blood pressure at all relevant clinical encounters.

Assess cardiovascular risk in those diagnosed with hypertension.

Treat those at high cardiovascular risk to controlled blood pressure levels.

Assess hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Advocate for healthy public policy.

Encourage and assist community blood pressure screening programs.

17

7 May, 2016

Divorce

Court & Crime

I caught my wife making love to man she called her brother —Husband He has turned me into punching bag, I can’t take it any more —Wife

Stories by Oyeyemi Okunlade, Taiba Alimi and Sabiu Mohammad with Agency reports

A

40-year-old man, Mr Sunday Oladipupo, has asked an Orile Agege customary court in Lagos to dissolve his marriage to Bukola over alleged adulterous behaviour by his wife.

“I caught my wife in bed with her supposed brother, I want a divorce,” Oladipupo, a driver, told the court on Thursday.

The complainant lives at 7, Nmbosi Avenue, AIT Road, Alakuko, a suburb of Lagos told.

“I caught my wife red-handed with a man she introduced to me as her brother, they

were both naked and in the act. She pushed me to beating her because I always feel jealous anytime I see her with another man.

“Before I kill her and myself, it is better we part ways,” he said.

Oladipupo claimed that Bukola did not respect him and left home at will and returned when she liked.

He said that his wife left home since September 2015 with his children, aged four and nine years.

“She was pregnant when she left my house but the most painful part was that her man friend called me on phone and told me to ask my wife about the paternity of our two

Saturday Tribune

children,” he said.

The complainant told the court that he was tired of the union and wanted a divorce.

However, Bukola denied the allegation but supported the dissolution of the union.

“I am not adulterous and I was not pregnant when I left his house in 2015. “ I left home because he beat me anyhow, I did not have peace of mind with him, I am tired of the marriage, I support the dissolution,” she said.

The court president, Dr Kayode Whenu, told the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the matter till May 10 for further hearing.

Doctor threatens divorce over wife’s addiction to TV soap opera

A pediatrician based in Abuja, Mr Chibuzor Eze has threatened to divorce his wife of so many years for her addiction to popular foreign soap operas, Telemundo and Zeeworld.

“I will divorce my wife if she doesn’t stop with this Zeeworld and Telemundo obsession,” Eze told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Eze, who works with one of the government hospitals in Abuja, said he had informed his wife, Dorothy, a week ago that her obsession with the popular soaps was interfering with her marital life.

“I told her last week that I was fed up with how her obsession with these channels was making her to neglect her duty as a wife and mother.

“Yet she keeps watching these shows when she’s supposed to be partaking in more important things like taking care of the children and cooking reasonable food for us,” Eze said.

The pediatrician said he had to buy food from restaurants four times last week as his wife had either forgotten to prepare food for the family or burnt the food she was preparing because she was watching Zeeworld and Telemundo.

“Tell me, is this not enough to sue for divorce.”As a doctor, I have a very hectic job and should come home to a tasty hot meal.

“I have purchased foods from restaurants four times in the last week, because I came home to an empty pot or burnt food and this is unacceptable.” he said.

According to him, this is after I talked and complained to her about the effect Zeeworld and Telemundo are having on her.

“On Tuesday, she forgot to pick our 10-year-old daughter from school because she was watching her shows.

“If these careless acts continue, I will be forced to leave her, because I won’t appreciate coming home to a burnt down house one day.”

inside

Woman charged to sharia court for getting married to two men She rains terrible curses on me and her stepchildren —Businessman

He starves me, yet forces me to have sex with him —Civil servant I left home because she is always ill —Husband See pages 18 & 23

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7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

courtandcrime

Woman charged to sharia court for getting married to two men I attended my friend’s marriages to both ‘husbands’ —Witness

Stories by Oyeyemi Okunlade, Taiba Alimi and Sabiu Mohammad with Agency reports

A

middle aged woman, Amina Kabir, is currently standing trial before the Jibiya upper sharia court, Katsina, for getting married to two men, contrary to sharia law of the state.

When the case came up, the prosecutor told the court that the embattled woman married her first husband in 1994, while she got married to her second husband five months ago.

He told the court further that her first husband, Kabir Mohammed, lives in Jibiya, while her second husband, Shamsu Saulawa lives in Katsina township.

“My Lord, anytime, she wants to sleep with one of them, she will tell the other that she will be travelling to either Jibiya or Katsina.”

However, the prosecutor told the court that nemesis caught up with the housewife when she quarrelled with one of her friends, Hindatu, over debt.

The friend, in a fit of anger, spilled the beans.

‘Her first husband who witnessed the quarrel thought that Hindatu wanted to paint his wife black and thus he decided to sue her for defaming Amina.

The courtroom which was filled to capacity, heard from Hindatu on interrogation telling the court that her friend was indeed married to two men and she was a witness to both marriage ceremonies.

She told the court that she is willing to present all her witnesses.

The presiding judge, Alhaji Kabir Hamisu Bello, adjourned the case till May 9,2016 for further hearing.

I left home because she is always ill —Husband

He starves me, yet forces me to have sex with him —Wife ‘She dumped me when I had problems’

A 35-year-old civil servant, Yinka Ajao has asked an Inalende customary court, Ibadan, to dissolve her six-year-oldmarriage to Abideen Ajao, whom she accused of being an ingrate.

The marriage is blessed with two children, aged five and two years, who are in the custody of the husband.

“I want to divorce my husband because Abideen is a man who does not appreciate gestures. I lent him N350, 000 to complete our house but he later sold the house. I also gave him another sum of money to complete another house. He doesn’t care for me and the children. Anytime I refuse to give him money, he would start beating me. More so, he forces me to have sex with him without feeding me.”

MR Ademola Odunade, the president of a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan has dissolved the threeyear-old marriage between one Taiwo Akande and his wife, Shukurat, over persistent curses by the latter.

Odunade held that the court could only pacify parties to a dispute but could not enforce settlement.

“Since Akande, who is the head of the home has made up his mind to discontinue the union between him and Shukurat, the marriage has therefore ceased to exist,” the judge said.

He, however, awarded custody of the two and a half -year-old child produced by the union to Shukurat for proper care.

“Akande shall also pay a cash sum of N12,000 for Shukurat’s one-year house rent and another N3,000 to pack her belongings,” Odunade added.

He stated that Akande should pay a monthly feeding allowance of N4,000 for the upkeep of the child and must approach the court anytime he wanted to see his son.

Earlier, Akande, a businessman, had told the court that Shukurat had taken to cursing him and his other children as a hobby.

“People around have been telling me about the fact that Shukurat had been uttering curses against me and my other children from another wife.

“I heard her uttering terrible curses against me very recently in spite of all I have done to make life easy for her.

“I informed her mother of her behaviour, but she told me that she was never a party to Shukurat’s marriage to me in the first place.

Yinka further told the court that she does menial job in a cafeteria in order to make ends meet. She also said that her husband sends her out at midnights and his parents are never interested in mediating in their rifts.

In his response to all the claims his wife, laid before the court, Abideen Ajao, a driver, contradicted his wife’s submissions but maintained that he was ready for divorce if Yinka could not bear with him anymore.

“She left me when I had problems that I had to sell my house. I later struggled to build another one. After Yinka changed from her natural self, she started going from one house to the other, I couldn’t control her any longer. It is not true my family does not try to settle our issues. In fact, my

parents used to support her whenever we have any quarrel.”

President of the court, Olafenwa ruled that Abideen should release from his custody all the clothing and kitchen wares belonging to Yinka and added: “After several opportunities given to Yinka and her husband for a settlement, the court sees that the couple no longer love each other. Therefore the marriage contracted about six years ago has been dissolved.”

Olafenwa further ruled that Abideen should be responsible for the two children’s education, health, morally and financially but that two children of the marriage should be under the custody of the plaintiff, Yinka. Moreover, they were both asked to maintain the peace.

A customary court sitting at Inalende, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the three-year-old marriage between Sikiru Bamidele and his wife, Anifatu, after efforts to reconcile the couple failed.

Sikiru, who filed for divorce accused Anifatu of uncaring attitude towards him and the children.

“She does not care whatever happens to me or the children, that is why I am suing for divorce,” said Sikiru, who also claimed he paid dowry on Anifatu.

In her defence, Anifatu claimed that she was responsible for paying house rents on behalf of the family but at a point, she was hospitalised and before being discharged, Sikiru had packed out of the house.

She also debunked Sikiru’s claims on payment of dowry, stating that for the three years they spent together, no such payment was made.

“I don’t know of any payment of dowry, I only recall that he paid the sum of N3,000 (three thousand naira), to treat one of my brothers he injured.

I wouldn’t know if that was the dowry he talked about.”

Anifatu also insisted she would never allow Sikiru to take custody of her children.

“He can’t have the kids, he won’t care for them,’ she said.

When asked by the court if truly Sikiru packed out of the house, the man replied in the affirmative: “Yes, I had to leave because I am tired of her perpetual illnesses. She is sick almost everyday. I can’t cope with it again.”

President of the court, Mr Rahman Lafenwa ruled: “Having gone through the evidence of both parties on oath, the court sees that there is no more love between them again and their home has broken down irreparably. The marriage is hereby dissolved.”

Saturday Tribune

23

She rains terrible curses on me and her stepchildren —Businessman

‘His first wife is behind my ordeal’ “That statement confirmed the information that has been spreading around that her mother was not in support of our union.

“I thought it wise to allow Shukurat to go now before she becomes a terror to my household.

“My lord, I have done many things to make her happy; I sent her to school as well as established a good business for her.

“In order to forestall any crisis between her and my first wife, I gave her an apartment fully furnished in my compound,” Akande said.

Shukurat, a trader, however, refuted all the allegations levelled against her in addition to opposing the divorce.

“My lord, I just can’t explain what I have done to hurt Akande because everything has been going on well until he moved against me.

“I don’t have any problem with him, but his first wife was always faulting me in all I do.

“My relatives have tried as much as possible to settle the rift between the first wife and me, but she vowed that she would never consider me a wife except I quit the matrimonial home.

“She is the major reason our husband wants me out of his life.

“In case he insists, please give me custody of my child and an alternative apartment pending when I will be comfortable to rent an apartment of my own,” Shukurat pleaded.

I asked my wife to marry another man since 1984 Dad is seeing strange visions —Son A Grade ‘C’ customary court sitting at Agodi Gate Ibadan, Oyo State has dissolved the 41-year-old marriage between Emmanuel Jekayinoluwa and his wife, Deborah, following irreconciliable differences.

Among others, Emmanuel accused Deborah of arranging a marriage for one of his sons, who later sold his plots of land without his consent.

Delivering judgement, president of the court, Chief Amusa Makinde, said he was convinced that the couple could no longer live together as the plaintiff insisted on divorce.

The petitioner, Emmanuel Jekayinoluwa, a retired civil servant and evangelist, stated: “I cautioned Deborah not to get a wife for our 35-year-old son. Our son is not ready to work despite all my investment on him and his academics.

“I also took him for deliverance (spiritual cleansing) and gave him N40,000 for his tuition but I got a call from a tenant that he was not in school, instead he was always seen playing table tennis. I also gave him a plot of land and a computer machine as part of welfare package so that he could be doing something, yet, he refused to work while on my return from Lagos, I discovered that he had sold my property.

“I also discovered that Deborah and her brother conspired to sell seven plots of land belonging to me and at this point, I realized that my wife and her family were only interested in my property. I told my wife to get married to another man since 1984 but she refused. Then I saw revelation she was under curse so I decided to stay away from her.

“The day I made advances at her the Holy Spirit warned me not to sleep with her else I would die prematurely.”

According to him, his wife once poisoned his food but the poison had no effect on him. “I do not want to reconcile with her because she is not submissive,” he remarked.

In her defence, Mrs Deborah Jekayinoluwa told the court that they had been married since 1975 and blessed with four children.

“I did not sell any of his land and the marriage he said I arranged for his son was not conducted by me as we met our in-laws with my husband’s brothers in attendance,” she remarked Meanwhile, David Olanrewaju, the son at the centre of alleged stage-managed wedding was at the court as witness.

The 35-year-old man who is a sales representative said his own side of the story hoping the court would resolve the matter because no family member could successfully intervene.

“We have been living together peacefully until my father changed and started seeing strange visions. He alleged that my mother is a witch and I should stay away from her.

“He sponsored my education up to the university level but it is not true that I once lavished money meant for tuition.

He does not relate with his family members and neighbours as he cooks and washes his clothes by himself and lives in isolation.

“The land in dispute was not sold. The land was shared among us the children while others sold theirs without prob-

lem but he did not allow me access mine because I did not support his prophecy of doom. He sold 17 plots out of 18 plots and I sold the only one which was mine. He then accused me of selling seven plots.

“He refused to support all his children. I wanted to have an introduction and I informed him but he refused to follow me.

He frustrated me until I packed out of the house and locked all the doors to the house.”

Man kills roomate over toothbrush A brawl between two Nigerians living at the Beach Drive Road at Nungua in Accra Ghana over a stolen toothbrush has led to the death of one, according to media reports.

Marvelous Okere, 26, and a trader living together in the same room with other occupants “engaged the deceased” – Sunday Orga – in an open fight over his stolen toothbrush .

Speaking to Ghana’s Star News, the Greater Accra Regional Police spokesperson Afia Tenge, said in the “course of the confrontation” Okere took a bottle, broke it and “stabbed the left rib of the deceased.”

“He bled profusely and when he was rushed to the LEKMA Hospital he passed on,” Tenge stated.

Upon interrogation, the suspect said he stabbed his colleague because he “slapped” him.

Okere is currently in police custody “for investigations to also continue.”

The remains of Orga, 27, have been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue “awaiting autopsy.”

Man, 38, kills wife over alleged infidelity THIRTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Yaw Appiah is in the grips of the Jatsi police command in Ghana for pushing his wife down a pavement block to death.

Ghanaian newspapers reported that the suspect accused the deceased Agnes Serwaa Mansa, 35, of infidelity. Both the suspect and his wife reside at Abijan Nkwanta within the Bosontwe district of the Ashanti region.

According to Kwabena Amoateng who narrated the incident to Nyankonton Mu Nsem, the suspect, arguing with the wife, allegedly pushed the deceased who fell and hit her head on the pavement block and reportedly died on the spot.

He said the suspect had always accused the deceased of cheating on him, but she [the deceased] denied the allegations claiming she never cheated on her husband.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue awaiting autopsy.

19

7 May, 2016

Eko Akete Lagos judiciary bazaar

Saturday Tribune

Maryland’s river of refuse

21

Weekend Lagos Editor

Lanre Adewole

m: 0811 695 4637 e: olanreade@yahoo.com

IGP Arase

Gov Ambode

Oba Akiolu

Foreign invasion:

Sudanese, Malians, others flood Lagos Pay N100 per night to sleep at shopping malls We should be worried —Head of Hausa, Lagos I screen them — Sarkin Shasha We are waiting on Abuja —Immigrations Why we can’t move against them —Police

SHOLA ADEKOLA leads a team comprising BOLA BADMUS, AKIN ADEWAKUN, LEKAN OLABULO, TOLA ADENUBI , NAZA OKOLI and LANRE ADEWOLE to unravel the new foreign security threat to the mega city.

I

KOTUN is one of the best-known markets in Lagos.

Like other markets in the city, it tends to be busier at night than in the day. Night traders take up more than half the road on both sides of the dual carriageway, leaving buses, motorcycles and tricycles to fight with humans over right of way. It’s like a beehive: too many people, all very busy.

Given the spate of killings in different parts of the country by unknown persons, Lagos residents are wor-

ried about what appears to be an influx of strangers, suspected to be foreigners, into the city.

But it is often difficult to tell with any certainty whether these people are Nigerians or not. Some of the people usually thought to be immigrants from Nigeria’s neighbouring countries are young men who sell carrots, cucumber and green pepper – items they often display on wheelbarrows stationed beside the roads. Some are truck pushers and Okada riders.

Also, Shasha, with an estimated 1.2 million people, can be described as a conglomerate town in Lagos. Many communities like Bammeke, Bamisile, Afonka, Ramoni Akingbade, Oguntade, Oremeji, Bayo Oyegbemi, Ajako, Akowonjo, Ore Meta and Salami, among others make up the semi-urban swathe of habitation. But it is no longer a domain of peace.

Continues on pgs20 & 21

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7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

Weekend Lagos

Foreign invasion:

Sudanese, Malians, others flood Lagos

Oba Babatunde Akanbi Ogunronbi, Akinlowo 1 of Shasha Continued from pg19

Fear walks on four legs among the inhabitants, particularly with those who have legitimate claim to residency. Incidentally, their fear is founded on what should be one of the indices of development; increase in population. They are not worried about increase in population. They are worried about those populating them. While they are of humanity specie like them, they are largely illegal immigrants, with doubtful claims, background rooted in war, understanding only the language of battle.

These “fearful” migrants are Sudanese, Chadians, Nigeriens among other foreigners who are daily, crossing the numerous unmanned Nigerian borders, increasing the population of the mega city and accentuating the security fears in the state.

Shasha isn’t an isolated case. These uninvited and possibly unwanted visitors are everywhere, including the heart of the state, always moving in their numbers and taking up menial jobs like Okada riding (for which they are largely untrained), selling vegetables or vending household water.

While they could be mistaken for Nigerians from the northern part of the country, oneon-one interactions always give them away.

They neither speak any of the Nigerian indigenous languages, including all being spoken in the northern part. They are reckless in their conducts, irritating in their non-comprehensible interactions, with a micro-mini temper.

Lagosians are worried that despite their background rooted in sustained internecine wars in their countries, where terrorists are reportedly being engaged as mercenaries to conduct suicide bombings in major African countries, the government seems unperturbed about this foreign invasion. To government, it seems a sign of hospitable and conducive environment.

This possibly explains the decision of the Department of Security Service (DSS) to allow these miscreants to gather nearly every

Alhaji Iliyasu Isa-Kira, Sarkin Hausawa, Shasha area, Lagos State. day under the line of trees, planted right in front of its office on CMD road, Magodo, without a care in the world.

But unlike government and security agencies, the leadership of the Hausa community in the state is worried. This is understandable, considering that an average southerner sees anyone with a semblance of core North features as Hausa and they are always the first to be fingered during crisis involving these make-believe species from beyond our shores.

The head of the Hausa community in Lagos, Alhaji Kabir Sani, like many Lagosians, expressed worries over the influx of these aliens. The Sarkin is bothered that these aliens are often erroneously described as Hausa people.

While attributing this lapse to the failure on the part of security agencies, he said: “Because of the language and cultural similarities, they come in to Nigeria easily. Some even speak Hausa language and some other languages along the border. So naturally it might be difficult to actually differentiate them from other tribes. But then again it is a failure of government agencies like the Immigrations who let them in anyhow. Our porous borders should also be looked into.”

“You cannot also rule out the factor of poverty, because most of them look at Nigeria as the Big Brother. For example, in Lagos most of them are the people you see selling water and working as security guards. Yes, it is something we should be worried about.

There are good people among them, and

there are bad people. Definitely some of them are actually criminals. What we do is that at the level of leadership of Arewa in the South West, we are able to coordinate ourselves properly so that we know our own people. We know the Nigerians among them.”

I screen them on arrival —Sarkin Shasha Iliyasu Isa-Kira, Sarkin Hausawa of Hausa/ Fulanis in Shasha doesn’t share his boss’s views. He conducted entry interviews for the illegal migrants after they are settled in his domain!

Isa-Kira also insisted that Yoruba community, Hausa/Fulani and other tribes coexist peacefully. By virtue of his position as the Sarkin of all Hausa/Fulanis living in Shasha land, Alhaji Iliyasu told Saturday Tribune that he was responsible for overseeing the activities of his people, including citizens from Sudan, Niger, Chad, Mali and other parts of the region.

He insisted that there was no one amongst this group who lives in Shasha that had not passed through him for identification once they come into the country and settle in Lagos.

The Sarkin said before he allows anyone to operate or reside in the area, such a person, on arriving at Shasha, is brought before him for interrogation.

Some of his questions for a new entrant according to him include: his origin, what he does for a living and the name of his district head in his home town or country after which he would carry out his personal investigation

The head of the Hausa community in Lagos, Alhaji Kabir Sani, like many Lagosians, expressed worries over the influx of these aliens. The Sarkin is bothered that these aliens are often erroneously described as Hausa people.

on such person.

He added that anyone whose status and origin could not be ascertained by him is at once handed over to the security operatives.

Checks, however, didn’t show anyone ever being handed over to police. It could also not be ascertained how Isa-Kira conducts his personal investigations in places like Sudan, Chad et al.

Saturday Tribune, however, learnt that all he does is ask anyone around the community who is a suspected national of the country being claimed by the new entrant, if he or she could vouch for the new comer. The usual response can be assumed.

Alhaji Iliyasu, however, insisted that he had detailed data on all the Hausa/Fulani and people from the neighbouring countries living in the environment, a situation which he said makes it difficult for any of them to foment trouble.

According to him, in order to ensure his people live in good relationship with the host community, he appointed district heads around all the communities controlling the affairs of his men, including the Okada riders, fruit sellers and security guards.

When asked to react to the insinuations making the rounds that his subjects are trooping into Shasha to carry out a similar attack on their host community like the Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen, the Sarkin vehemently denied the claim, saying because of the manner he conducts the activities of his people, coupled with their readiness to prevent any action that may threaten the cordial relationship between them and their host community, it has become impossible for any Boko Haram or evil-minded people to penetrate their rank and unleash terror on the community.

The Sarkin may have good intentions but the security challenges pose by these illegal migrants are beyond him and possibly his comprehension. He doesn’t know what they do when out of his sight to earn a living as well as what they do at night and where they sleep.

N100 per night accommodation One of their illegal shelters likely unknown to the Sarkin is Radiant Plaza, along Magodo Road area of Isheri. Weeks back, Saturday Tribune came across a number of okada riders at this yet-to-be occupied plaza around 9pm.

The place is not a designated bus stop but a portion of land where work has just commenced to erect a structure of sort which is between a popular hotel and this big shopping complex.

Saturday Tribune’s curiosity was heightened by the large number of motorcycles with their riders sitting on some of them, while some others were standing or sitting on bare floor and chatting away. This made our correspondent to do a finding, with a woman, who simply called herself Iya Abubakar, and plying her trade around the area, saying that the affected okada riders use the shopping centre as their abode, albeit on per-night basis.

“Those people you see there sleep at the shopping complex you are seeing there,” she said, adding that as soon as it was time for them to sleep, they would start bringing and parking their okada inside the complex.

The woman stated that the situation is such that while some would sleep on their okada,

Eko Akete

others would spread cardboards to sleep on or sleep on bare floor, notwithstanding the weather condition.

She went further to disclose that by the time they wake up early morning, they could take their bath provided there is water, saying that the services were, however, paid for as they were not offered free as each of them part with N100 to the security guard protecting the property.

Those who can’t afford such nightly rent turn to uncompleted buildings, available mosques, any place they deem comfortable like markets, surroundings of shopping malls, open spaces to have their shelter while some even sleep on their okadas, right on the roadside.

If their nightlife is terrifying, their daytime activities are no less comforting. With their major occupation being okada riding, Lagosians are forced to come in everyday contact with them, and having to endure their aggression, while hoping that the government of the day would do something before their worst fear regarding the mission of the aliens, comes upon them (the residents).

‘Boko Haram we know, Fulani herdsmen we know, kidnappers we know, but who are these foreigners’ Saturday Tribune’s findings revealed that these aliens have patrons everywhere who get them in mainly to work for them, i.e okada business. The motorcycles are given to them on different engagement basis. For those who have been around for a while, they are required to bring in daily remittance of fixed amounts and they are always responsible for the facilitation of their kinsmen’s illegal entry, to join the business, encouraged and financed by their patrons. One of such patrons (identity withheld) is a northerner in Shasha area (name withheld). He is said to be a well known patron of these aliens and also well known around the area for his “deals” with them.

There are also two other “wealthy” financiers.

It is generally being feared that the infiltration of the aliens into the state may be part of the unclear plan to unleash havoc on the state.

For Mr Segun Malik, who resides at Bammeke, “Boko Haram we know, Fulani herdsmen we know, kidnappers we know, but who are these foreigners who troop daily into Lagos under the guise of doing okada business or selling fruits?

We are asking our government, how did this people come into Lagos? Why now? For what purpose? Who cleared them and who monitors them? Government needs to assure us that we are not sitting on top of gunpowder in Lagos in view of the history of these people,” Malik declared.

These are some of the questions being asked by many residents. According to Mr Sanmi Ajikeye, also a resident of Egbeda Akowonjo, people of the area have continued to live in fear because of the number of the foreigners. Their fears become heightened on Fridays whenever they converge on any available mosque to observe their Jumat service as they turn out in their large numbers with hundreds of their motorcycles parked carelessly on the roads leading to the mosques without giving consideration to other road users.

Of particular worry to many is the unclear status of these people, especially the Okada riders many of who cannot speak any of the Nigerian languages but are masquerading as Okada riders

21

Lagos judiciary bazaar

Fatai Owoseni, Lagos CP and fruit sellers. Some of them who feign to come from the northern part of the country cannot speak either Hausa, Kanuri or other languages spoken in the North. Many of them who can speak scanty English when asked where they came from, confessed to being from neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad, Mali, Sudan, Cameroon, among others.

Apart from the security risk they pose, the ages of the okada riders also pose threat to lives of those patronizing them. With their ages ranging from 15 to 20 years which render them unqualified to engage in such business as witnessed in the reckless manner they maneuver their okadas on the roads, they also get easily agitated at the slightest provocation.

Many of them from investigations are not law-abiding as they ride carelessly without taking to corrections even from their Nigerian-born counterparts. Some Nigerian-born okada riders who spoke to Saturday Tribune equally expressed their discomfort with the sudden influx of the strange okada riders.

One of the indigenous okada riders who simply gave his name as Segun said since the coming of the strange Okada riders, they have engaged in activities that can create tension between the two groups.

Apart from snatching their customers through the ridiculous fares they charge, they become confrontational with them each time they are corrected.

Again, while indigenous okada riders leave the roads by 8.00pm, many of their alien counterparts still continue with business till unholy hours.

It is the same story of uncertainty in Iju/Ishaga and its environs where the residents have expressed worry over the increasing population of the aliens, including Hausa/Fulani settlers residing along the Iju rail-crossing which they traced to the rampaging menace of Fulani herdsmen in some communities in the southern part of the country.

When Saturday Tribune visited the area on Wednesday, some of the residents expressed worry that the numbers of shanties adjoining the rail line in Iju railway crossing have gradually been

Their fears become heightened on Fridays whenever they converge on any available mosque to observe their Jumat service as they turn out in their large numbers with hundreds of their motorcycles parked carelessly on the roads

on the increase, fuelling speculation that more of the aliens and Hausa/Fulanis have relocated to the area from the North.

Speaking with Saturday Tribune, a resident living on Ojo street in Iju stated that in recent weeks, the population of the people (who are predominantly from the North) living around the railway line at the Iju railway crossing has been on the increase because more shanties have been built as accommodation along the rail line.

“With the rampaging menace of Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country, we are beginning to sleep with one eye open due to the increasing shanties that adjoin the railway line. The shanties along the rail line are home to people from majorly from the Northern part of the country. However, the numbers of shanties have been on the increase as new ones have been built for new occupants who we cannot say categorically where they have migrated from, although many of them are Northerners from either Fulani or the Hausa stock.

“Although few own cattle among them, many of them operate motorcycle as ‘okada’ riders during the day. With their increasing population, we just hope things don’t get out of hand around here.”

These foreigners are law-abiding —Oba of Shasha A tour of the shanties around 8pm of Wednesday night revealed young men in groups discussing while others engaged themselves in snooker games. Most of the young men were seen smoking cigarettes and Indian hemp in secluded spots.

Dozens of motorcycles were equally seen parked in an open space near the rail line, an indication that many of them are okada riders.

At Ikotun, the story is not different as residents there have expressed worries over their safety.

Given the spate of killings in different parts of the country by unknown persons, the residents like majority of others around Lagos are worried about what appears to be an influx of strangers, suspected to be foreigners, into the city.

According to them, it is often difficult to tell with any certainty whether these people are Nigerians or not. Some of the people usually thought to be immigrants from Nigeria’s neighbouring countries are young men who sell carrots, cucumber and green pepper – items they often display on wheelbarrows stationed beside the roads. Some are truck pushers and Okada riders.

Continues on pg22

CONCERNED people have called the attention of Eko Akete to the outward appearance of the Ikeja High Court Sheriff’s office.

When Eko Akete visited the place, it was amazing to see a variety of household appliances littering the premises.

Urine-stained mattresses were piled high on each other, buckets, pots, rusty refrigerators adorned the premises giving the appearance of a typical Apapa Wharf scene where people auction off goods.

Investigations, however, revealed that the goods were seized from people who have defaulted the law in one way or the other.

But some concerned citizens are worried about how the goods are stored in open air, where litigants can see them.

The Sheriff’s office is directly behind a notable judge’s courtroom.

Maryland’s river of refuse ODO Iya Alaro is a river that runs through Maryland and Ojota. The river has been there for as long as people can remember. A drive from Ikorodu Road inwards Ojota however leaves a sour taste in the mouth and smell in the nostrils of the users on a daily basis.

The present heat has dredged up unimaginable smell from Odo Iya Alaro. Enquiries by Eko Akete revealed that Odo Iya Alaro has become a refuse dump for all and sundry.

Checks showed that people deliberately dump their refuse into the river. It was also gathered that some waste disposal trucks also offset the rubbish they collect during the day into the river.

A banker who works at Maryland and plies the route on a daily basis lamented that the smell is most unbearable when there is traffic on the Maryland-Ojota link bridge.

“The givernment should please come to our rescue as the smell is quite unbearable,” he said.

22

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Continued from pg21

“Fifty naira, hundred naira, one-fifty naira,” a young man dressed in a grey, flowing, robe and black trousers said, pointing to the different bunches of vegetable in his wheelbarrow, at Ikotun, on Wednesday afternoon.

Asked what his name was and where he came from, he smiled and said nothing. It was not clear whether he understood the question.

When Saturday Tribune went round many of the communities under Shasha, majority of the residents described the influx of the alien okada riders and fruit vendors as another danger waiting to happen using the example of Fulani herdsmen who now hide under the guise of pasturing of flocks penetrated into southern parts of the country where they now kill, maim and rape indigenes.

But the Oba of Shasha Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Akanbi Ogunronbi, would have none of such security talks. Maybe because of the presence of Air Force Base and functional Afonka Police Station in the heart of the community. In a chat with Saturday Tribune, he assured of safety people in his domain. He blamed government for the palpable fear in the state, adding that the current suspicion was due to the failure on the part of those in leadership positions to carry their subjects along.

Oba Ogunronbi, who said he was fully in control of activities in his kingdom, maintained that the Hausa/Fulani citizens in the area are law abiding and obedient hence; they do not pose any threat to their hosts.

The royal father attributed the peace reigning in Shasha to his ability to treat everyone, including non indigenes as equal.

His words: “All residents in Shasha, no matter their origin are all my children. In Shasha, no Yoruba is allowed to cheat an Ibo man or Hausa/Fulani because I will deal with anyone found doing this. There is no problem between other tribes and the Hausa/ Fulani living here because I preach peaceful co-existence amongst everyone every day.”

Oba Ogunronbi, while saying the fear of impending Hausa/Fulani attack on the community can never arise because of his style of leadership, emphasised the cooperation of the group even as he declared: “Each time I send for one Hausa man, hundreds will answer me because of the love and understanding they have for me which is extended to the larger society. Therefore, there is no basis for anyone to nurse the fear of any imaginary attack from the Hausa/Fulani people in my domain. It is because there is no love that is why everyone is suspicious of each other.”

The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service appears not to share the monarch’s optimism and confidence, by admitting having serious challenges with the influx of foreigners from Sudan, Chad, Niger, Mali and other neighbouring countries into Lagos.

A top official of the command who pleaded anonymity while speaking with the Saturday Tribune hinted of plans to clamp down on these illegal immigrants any moment from now.

The immigration official also revealed that the command had received many petitions

Martin Kure Abeshi, Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service

Fatai Owoseni, Lagos CP from residents of the state on the menace of these foreigners who, according to them, engage in menial jobs such as bakery, labourers at construction sites, Okada riding, shoe cobbling among others .

The immigration source declared: “My brother, we have received so many petitions on those people (the foreigners) and we are making efforts to arrest the situation. We are very determined to put the influx under control. What is delaying us is the mobilisation from the headquarters in Abuja. We have written a letter of support to the headquarters and the Lagos State government is trying to partner with us” Alarmed by the large influx, officers at the borders were said to have been directed to pay more attention to immigrants who come into the country through illegal routes.

While agreeing that a large percentage of the illegal immigrants came into Nigeria through illegal routes with the command being helpless about it, the immigration source further explained: “We are definitely going to do something about it . We are worried about it and people have written petitions to us and they have complained about these people.

The Lagos command is taking the necessary steps.”

The Lagos police command, interestingly, has a different view. Its image-maker Dolapo

Badmus told Saturday Tribune that the police in the state regard troublemakers, whether foreigners or citizens as ‘hoodlums’, adding that the police in the state would always deal decisively with such people .

She also said that the police will only act on those sleeping outside and in uncompleted buildings, when there are complaints from residents of such places. She stated that the police could not just label them as illegal foreigners and criminals just because they sleep outside .

She added that many illegal immigrants have been deported to their country by the police in collaboration with their embassies in Nigeria.

“When we arrested them for any criminal offence and we discovered that their entry into Nigeria was not legal, we charged them to court, if their offence was too serious, but when the offence was not too serious, we worked with their embassies and many of them were deported in the past,” the Lagos police image maker said.

Badmus also said “if they sleep in large number in the open, nobody has reported that to us. If anybody has any reason that their sleeping in the open constitutes a threat, they should get us involved”.

For most of the over 20 million residents of the state, something isn’t just right about the feeling they have of the sudden spike in

If they sleep in large number in the open, nobody has reported that to us. If anybody has any reason that their sleeping in the open constitutes a threat, they should get us involved

the inflow of these foreigners and with the confirmative concern from the Immigration service.

Countless residents fear that insurgency is being systemically planted in the South, with Lagos as the prime target even as the security forces are uprooting it in the North, particularly the North-East which has been greatly devastated.

The Sarkin Hausawa Lagos feels differently.

Sani said a committee had been set up to protect the ‘integrity’ of the Fulani people. “Particularly regarding the Fulanis, we have Miyetti Allah, the association of the Fulani cattle rearers. Because those criminal elements among the herdsmen are giving the Fulani people a bad name, they have already set up serious machinery to make sure that they protect the integrity of their people. Through these efforts they can easily fish out the bad elements among them. My own suggestion is that the police and other security agencies should work closely with the leaders who can help them in fishing out some of these people.”

“In truth, since the upsurge in insurgency in the North, security has always been beefed around Lagos because of its volatile nature.

But it appears that the security agencies are too fixated on the known ways of Boko Haram, not to either notice this simmering lava or deliberately denying the potential of it becoming an uncontrollable eruption,” a resident said.

With the discordant tunes from the security agencies in the state, the residents would do their personal security a lot of good by being vigilant and since the Police PRO has provided a road map to get the force involved, those terrified of the suspected looming tsunami would also do well to re-route their petitions. But is the police averse to being pro-active?

A Reporter’s Diary

A journalist’s day in loveless Lagos

By Naza Okoli THE sun is hot in Lagos. People say it is hot everywhere. But everybody knows it is hottest in Lagos.

It is unnatural – this kind of hotness. It makes the nights unbearable – alone, sad, thinking about work and the future… and love.

It is 8:00 am, and it is hot already. Pastor said it is the coming of the Apocalypse. That’s what people said 100 years ago – and yet, here we are!

It is good not to think too much about one’s schedule for the day. It makes the burden so much difficult. And yet, that is all one can really think about.

There is a press conference to attend at Ikeja at 10:00 am; there is an interview to do at noon, somewhere close to Yaba; there are some stories to follow up in the afternoon (perhaps one could just find a quiet place after the interview and make some calls for the follow-up?); and then there is Editorial Meeting at 5.00 pm.

There is no time for love; Lagos is a loveless place. In the past, 5:00 pm used to be for love – love meetings. She cannot understand. It is not good to treat a lady like that, she would say. Without respect, as if she does not matter.

The next day, no Editorial meeting. So 5:00 pm is for love. A morning text would be perfect. “Let’s

meet at 5 pm, darling. The usual place.” Easy day.

Just follow-ups. Well, there is another task: finding material for a feature story. But that can be handled. There is nothing love cannot do. Then phone rings. “Union members are protesting; are you aware?” the voice asked. Oh, Lagos of protests! Protesting Lagos! One-minute-one-protest!

The day after. A good day. Perhaps, it will be good to surprise her, to begin the day by paying her a visit, before she leaves for work at 7am?

Brilliant! 5:30am: on the road. Things we do for love! 6:30am: Stuck in traffic 7:30am: on the road. 8:30am: still on the road. Oh, loveless Lagos.

24

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Toluwani Olamitoke 08050498504 toluwaniforever@yahoo.com

‘Why my 45-year-old marriage to my Nigerian hubby is working’

Bible when you are confused and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Don’t be in a church causing trouble. If you leave, go to a Bible-believing church and not attend a church because you are allowed to wear trousers.

What are women in leadership positions doing to curb indecent dressing among youths, especially in the church?

Unfortunately, you will even find in the body of Christ women in leadership in fashion spray. The Bible speaks on moderation. People are more concerned about making a fashion statement. If the Holy Spirit is in you, He will caution you.

How do you feel about your retirement from the field of academics you were for decades?

I feel extremely fulfilled and happy. Whenever I meet my former students, many of who are in relevant positions, I feel happy. It’s gratifying to know one has imparted them and I’m happy I had the opportunity of doing so. I believe there are things left to do but not in the same area.

Mrs Janice Olawoye is one woman who has made a success in all spheres of her endeavours. An American married to a Nigerian, the retired professor made her mark as the first female Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan and was Head, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development of the same university.

Olawoye is also a school proprietor, a reverend and co-founder of Faith Bible Ministry, Ibadan. She speaks with TOLUWANI OLAMITOKE on her activities, life in Nigeria and what has made her 45-year-old marriage work.

M

any marriages these days do not last, what do you think is wrong?

Marriage is a commitment, not a contract. The marriage vow says ‘Till death do us part’, not ‘Till I’m no longer interested.’

The husband is the head of the home. You can’t have two captains in a ship, there will be friction. The man is supposed to love his wife, but too many men don’t understand what the love of Christ is. Some men are too demanding. If a man is truly loving, the woman will submit to him. In a situation both the man and woman are demanding for their right, none will give, both will want to take. These days, people see marriage as a convenience and contract. They don’t pray before going into it and are not concerned about the inner quality of the person.

If you are marrying someone because of his or her physical appearance or affluence, they can change. I still think my husband is handsome, while he still calls me ‘beautiful,’ though we are both ageing. We didn’t get married because of money, influence or position.

Why then did you get married to him?

It was about quality. He’s kind, passionate and a kind person. He really loves God. We have been married for 45 years and he has not changed, though we had our ups and downs.

The qualities I fell in love with many years ago are still there.

Can you tell us how you met?

Our meeting and marriage were ordained

by God. We met in the United States. We were both students in the same university where he had his master’s degree and Ph.D programme.

Actually, when he was 15 years old, he had a vision of a White girl in a white dress in a foreign car. The message he received then was that he was going to marry a White person. This was an indication God has a plan and a purpose for us. I was seven or eight years old ¬- a young girl on the farm in the United States then.

What has sustained your marriage for over forty years, in view of the fact that many marriages between Nigerian men and White women do not work?

God has sustained us over the years and helped us to tolerate and grow in love with each other. My respect and love for him have grown over the years and he says the same about me.

But it has also taken a lot of work to build our relationship to where we are now. We are each other’s best friends.

What fears did you nurse when coming to Nigeria?

I was naive and didn’t think much, but I experienced culture shock when I got here.

My husband is a traditional African man and so, runs the system of extension family. The concept of being an iyawo to everyone was difficult to understand.

What were the things you found different?

There was a difference in the way of life and food. We came to Nigeria in 1973 and I realised women didn’t wear trousers. I had to change my dressing and started putting on traditional wears like iro and buba, long skirt and blouse, up and down. But I put on corporate wears to work.

And how did you cope with or adapt to the cultural difference?

If you are interested you will learn. There were four things I told myself I must learn.

One was tying gele (headgear) and wrapper.

It was a question of watching people do it and experimenting.

And now?

People commend me and say I tie gele especially better than many here. Another was learning enough of the Yoruba language to know what was going on and be accepted.

Again, I didn’t want to be cheated by market women because they see me as an oyinbo. And good enough they loved me, taught me Yoruba language and sold items to me at reasonable prices. Since my husband is from Ondo town, I learnt how to pound yam and prepare ila asepo. When we attended parties, it was the wives in the families that did the cooking. So I watched them as they pounded yam, folded leaves for moin moin and the like.

Can you recall the first time you pounded yam?

It turned out fine. There was no lump in it.

Then we didn’t have any of the relatives with us.

What was your husband’s reaction?

He was surprised and didn’t believe me. I

waited for the next opportunity to show him my skill. I peeled, cooked and pounded the yam with him watching me. He felt proud seeing me do it. I did it for quite a number of years.

And what was the fourth thing?

That was to back a baby. I would back him on the bed so that if he fell, it would be on the bed. It was easy and comfortable. Even when we were travelling, I backed our babies while people stared at me at the airports. It was quite easy and comfortable.

What’s the favourite dish in your home?

From my husband’s point of view it’s pounded yam, ila asepo, egusi soup, fresh fish and bush meat. For me, it’s fried rice and moin moin.

Are you a minister of God because your husband is one or you actually received a calling?

When I was to be ordained, I argued that I was not ready. I believe I didn’t need to have the appellation ‘Reverend’ or ‘Pastor.’ But I had already set up the children section of the church. My husband is the general overseer and founder of our church. To be ordained is not a right or a thing you earn but a privilege. At the same time you show your fruit. I know many children of God who are just called ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ and are doing exploits in the kingdom of God. What you are able to do in the body of Christ matters most.

Why, in your view, do we have more women in church than men?

It has always been so. Women know how to travail in prayers, especially for their families and themselves while men feel they are too busy. it’s also easier for women to submit to the dictates of God. May God help our men.

What is your take on the different doctrines practised in churches today?

I will not want to go into whether women should cover their hair, wear trousers, make up or preach. When men set doctrines there will be differences. I think if you are worshipping in a place you shouldn’t open yourself to the spirit of rebellion. If you are not comfortable with the doctrines of your place of worship you can leave. You can always go to the

What sacrifice did you make to get to the top of your career, especially as a woman?

I make it very clear and I always tell younger female colleagues they have responsibilities at home and these, combined with their professional responsibilities. One should not be sacrificed for the other, but they should rather put their priority right. I was 10 years on a post.

I was on my Ph.D programme and had two young children. I put professional duties on hold and didn’t push for promotion until I felt, now I could dedicate more time to my work.

Promotion should be on the basis of merit and not the years you’ve spent on the job. You have to reach a particular stage you feel nobody is doing you a favour.

Can you recall a memorable day on your job?

That was the day my professorship was announced. It was made effectual in 1998 and announced in 2001. It was a very wonderful time. I had that feeling of fulfillment. But I feel ironically that the greatest day in my career was the day I retired. Members of my department and students organised a valedictory lecture on my behalf. I retired on effectiveness on my 65th birthday. It was the greatest day in my career. I felt I had impacted lives of my former students and colleagues and it was also an end of an eventful career in the university.

Any unpleasant one?

There was a period many years ago that I felt I wanted to leave my job simply because I felt there was an opposition. I felt discouraged and frustrated, but I learnt a lesson-even when those moments come, don’t give up.

While contemplating resigning from the university, my husband gave me a wonderful sermon. He asked me, “Did God tell you to leave?” I was arguing with him, but I later answered “No.” He and some others encouraged me. I was grateful afterwards. If I had left at that time, I would have missed out because I later assumed the posts of Head of Department and Dean of Faculty. I retired with no regrets.

Now that you are retired, what do you miss out of service?

I miss interacting with my colleagues and students. I don’t miss the meetings and long hours in class. I like the flexibility I have now.

One thing about being in the academics is that you never truly disengage. I do a lot of academic studies and writing. There’s also plenty to do in the school and church.

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7 May, 2016

ntertainment News

Society Gist

Saturday Tribune with Joan Omionawele and

jistwtjoan@yahoo.com Twitter:@joanbajojo 08059793705 Newton-Ray Ukwuoma 08052271251

Celebrity Interviews

dele n i k A e k n u F

It was a shocker when in the early hours of Monday, July 15, 2013, it was widely reported that actress Funke Akindele and her husband Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede were no longer together, after one year of being a couple.

Reports revealed that the estranged couple’s problems started months after the marriage and got to its peak when Oloyede announced the split via Facebook. He wrote: “It’s with heavy heart that I am announcing the separation of me and my wife, Mrs Olufunke Akindele, we’ve both agreed to go our separate ways ‘cos of irreconcilable differences. We are still best of friends and will forever remain good friends. I am doing just fine, getting along without you, I don’t need you anymore in my life. You are the greatest mistake I have made in recent time,” He told his ex-wife.

The actress, who tried to coverup the issue has been living a very private life. She however moved on with her life and has produced a successful Tv series, Jenifa’s Diaries.’

Chika Ike

s e g a i r r a m y t Celebri

e h t , d o o g The y l g u e h t d bad an

On her part, Nollywood actress, Chika Ike, expained that if a marriage is not working out, one should quit lying and pretending. Speaking on a TV show, Rubbing minds, Chika Ike spoke about her crashed marriage.

“Well, you get to a point in your life where you have to stop lying to yourself, you have to come terms with your person and tell yourself the truth. If it’s something that is working, it’s working and if it’s not, it’s not. I believe in something, I believe happiness is everything to me so I just had to take that decision because it wasn’t working and I just thought I should tell myself the truth,’’ she said.

Celebrity marriages have faced various storms and are still under scrutiny. While no marriage is perfect, Nigerians have high expectations of some celebrity marriages as they are role models in the society.

However, these celebrities see themselves as humans and not infallible demi-gods. JOAN OMIONAWELE chronicles what some of them have said about their marriages

khu a m i A n i y o T Star Yoruba actress, Toyin Aimakhu got married to Adeniyi Johnson in 2013.The actress, however, has since moved out of her home due to allegations of infidelity on the part of her husband who confessed and asked fans to plead with Toyin to return home.

Her second marriage to film producer, Seun Egbegbe, which was contacted few months after her two-year marriage to Johnson ended has also since packed up. Speaking in a recent interview with Fashion Buzz TV, Aimakhu revealed that she did not know if she will get married again as she was still suffering from trauma of her previous bitter experience.

Tiwa Savage

Popular songstress, Tiwa Savage’s marriage may have hit the rocks after her ex- manager and hubby, Tunji Balogun, aka Tee Billz had a meltdown on Twitter, as he revealed that his marriage to the singer was over because, according to him, despite he investing so much in her career, she wasn’t doing her duties as a wife and as she placed her musical career before above their home, among other things.

But Tiwa defended herself in an interview onPulse TV where she revealed that the marriage had been over for some months now. She said: “It’s finally over. It’s been over for a while and I’ve covered up for a while. I think what happened is divine because God made it easy for me to walk away because of what he did on social media where he got so many people angry.

He called so many innocent names, he dragged many people, including his own family into it. So if I was to consider to make it work a lot of people

will warn me that if it happens again I can’t come back crying. So he’s made it easy for me to finally walk away” Affirming that she will not keep their son away from him, she said “I’ll never stop him from seeing Jamil, never! But the only thing I’ll promise myself is to bring up my son to be a good man.’’ ‘‘Till now I don’t wish anything bad on him, even when he was abusing me. First I was and still I’m concerned about him because I’m worried he might see this interview and trigger something else or lead him to do something bad but I don’t wish that for him.” ‘‘The honest truth is that for the past two months, TJ and I have not been together. And it was something that we were trying to work through but for me I knew that this marriage wasn’t going to work. It’s been like that for the past two months, I didn’t know if I should post and keep up appearances or if I should face reality,” Tiwa said.

o Uche Jomb The popular actress who is married to Kenny Rodriguez, maintains that her husband is also her rock. On Twitter, she wrote: “Whenever I look back, I am amazed at the little things that conspired to bring us together. like pieces of a puzzle, fate put everything together at exactly the right moment, in that one moment, it became our moment; cheering each other, through the laughter, pain, the joy, the sadness, you are a constant rock! Happy. I hope and pray to have many more wonderful years together.”

26 entertainment

7 May, 2016

Asa holds Lagos spell bound in first Nigerian live concert Stories By Joan Omionawele and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma International Soul-Jazz singer, Asa held her first ever live concert in Lagos last Sunday in what was described as an unforgettable night for those who attended.

The event which took place at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites was a sold out concert, packed with music buffs, socialites and celebrities.

The event opened with performances by MOBO award-winning singer Rachel Kerr, Project Fame alumnus, Isaac Geralds, Soul Fusion artist Falana, singer and pianist Kaliné, producer and song writer Cobhams Asuquo and alternative soul singer Bez. The evening was sponsored by one of Nigeria’s most loved brands “Hennessy”, who set up bars and a Lounge for VIP guests.

The Hennessy Lounge hosted various personalities such as Omawumi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Bovi, Dr. Sid & Simi Esiri, and more with Hennessy cocktails all night long.

Guests were also thrilled with songs such as “Awe”, “Satan Be Gone”, “Fire On The Mountain”, “Bibanke” and even performed a duet with songwriter/music producer Cobhams Asuquo to Beyonce’s “Halo”.

Asa who performed for two hours, kept all the energy levels in the hall high.

The audience sang and danced as the concert became the number one trending topic in Nigeria.

Saturday Tribune

Omawumi enraged, storms out of interview after being quizzed about smoking

Janet Jackson pregnant with first child

M

ultiple sources have confirmed that International superstar, Janet Jackson, is expecting her first child, just a few weeks to her 50th birthday.

Although the singer has remained quiet on the issue, the Daily Mail gathered that the star - who turns 50 on May 16 - postponed her Unbreakable tour last month to start a family with husband

Popular musician, Omawumi MegbeleYusuf, reportedly stormed off the set of an interview with HFtv after she was asked to address rumours about her smoking and drinking habit.

The songstress who portrayed anger in a video, told the presenter “I will not honour you with a response. I feel like that is a taint to my character. Have you seen me smoking before?” When the presenter said no, Omawumi said “So why would you say that? You see me as an artist, I am contributing what I can. I make music the way that I should and I come here and honour your invitation and then you sit down and talk about my smoking and drinking to people that are listening. And you’re supposed to mean me well when these people are supposed to be the ones that are buying my music. Now, when you say that sort of thing, do you mean me well? You can’t ask me to kill a rumour that you are not sure about... as a rumour, you need to go and dig and get your facts right before you ask somebody something” she said.

Wissam Al Mana.

In the second leg of the tour , she announced to her fans via a video “I thought it was important that you be the first to know. My husband and I are planning our family, so I’m going to have to delay the tour.’

‘Please, if you could try and understand that it’s important that I do this now,’ Jackson asked of her fans.

‘I have to rest up, doctor’s orders. But I have not forgotten about you. I will continue the tour as soon as I possibly can,” she said.

MultiChoice heralds lip sync battle Africa with exclusive launch Latest moment musical reality singing competition, Lip Sync Battle Africa was specially launched with a thrilling performance by journalists and staff of MultiChoice Nigeria.

The event, which was hosted by OC Ukeje and MTV Base vj, Ehiz, took place last week Friday at the MultiChoice Head office in Lagos ahead of its 30 April premiere launch on MTV Base (DStv channel 322).

The show was hosted by the duo of Nollywood actor, OC Ukeje and MTV Base VJ, Ehiz, Speaking at the event, Managing Director, MultiChoice, John Ugbe, said: “At MultiChoice, we strive to add even more value to our customers as well as our partners, particularly the media, which is why this launch is targeted at giving them an avenue to experience firsthand the thrilling experience of the reality show”.

Highlight of the show was the media category where blogger, Tosin Ajibade of Olorisupergal and Entertainment journalist, Hazeez Balogun, went head-to-head. While Tosin dazzled the crowd with Lagbaja’s ‘Koko below’, Hazeez impressed with a surprise rap number by 50 cent titled ‘Patiently waiting.’

Prizes were presented to both contestants for participating.

Lip Sync Battle Africa is hosted by South Africa’s actress and TV presenter, Pearl Thusi and D’Banj. Contestants have the opportunity to mime two songs each and the winner is

presented with the winning championship belt as well as earns the bragging right of being Africa’s first lip sync battle champion.

In the first episode aired on Saturday, 30 April, Derenle and Ebuka went head-to-head to determine the celebrity Lip Sync Battle champion.

There is also an opportunity for viewers to

be part of the fun and excitement. Viewers can be part of the Lip Sync Battle challenge by uploading their personal lip sync of D’banj’s “Emergency”, Davido’s “The Sound” and Yemi Alade’s “Johnny” on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #LSBChallenge and stand a chance of winning 10,000USD.

Media Personality Bunmi Davies is set to unveil his latest comedy project, a sitcom titled “Jeka Play” premiering on Tuesday May 31, 2016.

Named after popular UNILAG restaurant and hangout spot Jeka Play, which he owns, the sitcom is based on the interesting everyday events and happenings at Jeka Play, which is the epicentre of the UNILAG social scene. In Jeka play, he reprises his role as the owner of the real life place as he encounters students, lecturers, cool kids and assorted regular patrons at the venue.

Commenting on the inspiration behind the show, Bunmi Davies remarked, “My experience of running Jekaplay at Unilag has been a very interesting one because by nature of the kind of venue it is and the campus environment around, we get some really interesting characters coming in all the

time and there is never a dull moment with them around. From the genuinely beautiful girls and guys to the “I must belong by force” students, right down to the aristos, not forgetting the student politicians with good, bad and funny motives, and of course a few randy lecturers. It occurred to me that these everyday comedic experiences at Jekaplay should be promoted to a wider audience thus the idea for the sitcom was born”.

The show also features cameo appearances from popular Yoruba movie actor Hafeez Oyetoro aka Saka, Wazobia FM Presenter, Nedu amongst others.

It will be recalled that prior forays into comedy by Bunmi Davies include Stand Up Nigeria, a platform for upcoming stand-up comedians to showcase their talents and gain exposure.

Bunmi Davies to unveil Jeka play

27 entertainment

7 May, 2016

: s e g a i r r a m y Celebrit Mercy Johnson

When Mercy Johnson got married to her beau in 2012, not many knew what was going to become of their marriage, but four years after, Mercy is still basking in the euphoria of the marriage to Prince Odianosen Okojie.

The mother of three took to social media to thank God for her husband, saying: “Lord,wherever my sense of reasoning is, please don’t ever let me have it because love, passion and happiness were nothing but words. these words got value since I met you (Odi). I was made from ur love. I was alive but now I am living. I forget my face in the mirror but I can’t forget yours.

We are not perfect but we are happy and that’s all that matters. I love you sexiest and thank you for taking my senses because I am glad to be madly in love with you.”

e h t , d o o The g e h t d n a d ba ugly

Stephanie Linus Nollywood actress Stephanie Linus and her husband Linus Idahosa who have been married for three years, were blessed with a baby boy in December last year.

Stephanie who never ceases to thank her ever supportive husband had this to say during their third wedding anniversary: “Happy Wedding Anniversary to my amazing husband, you are one in a million. ‘‘I will marry you over and over again. I thank God everyday for this amazing life we share. Always your baby.’’

TuFace Idibia

Omotola Jalade- Ekeinde For Nollywood actress, Omotola, Jalade-Ekeinde marriage is not a bed of roses. In an earlier interview, she had stated that marriage should be based on understanding.

According to her, marriage is really hard and one needs to feel extremely secure. ‘‘You have to be extremely confident and trust each other.

There are so many things to deal with, especially in this environment where some people just thrive on hurting other people. The weird part is that you cannot believe that people are capable of such wickedness.’’ ‘‘You are sane and cannot believe other people are insane.

These are the things that cause break-ups in celebrity marriages. A lot of people are talking and saying nasty things that are not true. It is just as if there is a gang up to break you up once they know you are a celebrity or in a relationship. Most times, they are all lies! Celebrity lifestyle gossip is getting to a point where they are getting close to your kids and family. They try to put your relationship in jeopardy. Then, petty things that wouldn’t cause any problems become issues. I hope there would be legislation that will protect families.”

Omotola, who just celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary, said she was lucky to be married to her husband, Captain Ekeinde. She declared ‘‘Happy anniversary to us. It is a pleasure experiencing life with you. I might just be the luckiest girl in the world.’’

Uche Ogbodo For Nollywood actress, Uche Ogbodo, marriage was full of lies. Speaking in an interview with a newspaper last year, she said “My marriage was full of lies. I cannot tell you in detail what those lies were, if that’s what you’re trying to make me do, it’s a pity it didn’t work out. I didn’t go into the marriage to crash it.’’ ‘‘I wanted a family; I wanted a loving home and a loving husband. That was why I went into it in the first place but as nature would have it, I didn’t get any of those. I still thank God my head is intact.”

Innocent Idibia, aka 2face and his wife Annie Idibia got married in Dubai in 2013. The couple who have been together since Annie was a teenager, have been through different stages of break ups, yet are still stuck together.

2Face recently celebrated his third anniversary to his wife and acknowledged that he was lucky to have her in his life.

He wrote: “My queen. I salute u. You are beautiful baby and I’m so lucky to have you in my life. cheers to us baby and may God give us the strength and wisdom to grow old together.’’

In return, Annie showered encomiums on her husband through Instagram, saying: ‘‘You are truth baby.

You are my rock, my strength, My protector, my defender, and yes, I will never leave you. It still amazes me how my heart skips when you walk in a room or when you smile at me and how I still get goose bumps when you hold me in your arms.

Thanks for all the sleepless nights.

You work so hard to make sure I never lack. Thank you for all the love you teach and for keeping our dreams alive, and for loving this imperfect girl perfectly.’’

Saturday Tribune

Princess (comedian) For popular comedian, Princess, marriage was not a good experience as it lasted for a month before it crashed. In a recent interview, (not with Tribune) she described the

divorce as a sad thing which shouldn’t be celebrated, ‘‘I don’t think you should call him my ex-husband because we were together for less than one month. An ex- husband is somebody you marry and after three years or more, you separate. Anyway, I don’t know where he is. We have moved on,’’ she said.

She blamed the divorce on differences, stating that contrary to popular opinion, they both were in love before the union, ‘‘It was due to irreconcilable differences. I got married to somebody who I was in love with. At that time, he also said he loved me. Unfortunately, the marriage ended too soon.’’

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7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

with Tunde Ayanda ayandaayotunde@yahoo.com 08034649018

Laurel for Mahmood Ahmadu For his total dedication to work and developing technology in Africa, businessman, Mahmood Ahmadu was recently honoured with the Nigerian Economic Development Award in London.

The award was presented by the Israeli Deputy Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Eitan Na’eh during the International Conference of the International Strategic Alliance Committee at the Queen Elisabeth Conference Centre in Westminster, London.

The event attracted high level local and international investors whose focus are largely on Nigeria’s Mining and Agricultural sectors.

A gala night was staged to celebrate outstanding individuals that won the meritorious awards and it was at the gala that Mahmoood Ahmadu used the chance to appreciate the organisers of the award and also highlight all the benefits and the untapped interests in Nigeria’s Mining and agriculture sectors.

Mike Inegbese back on social grill After taking a back seat on the social space for sometime, businessman owner of Ineh Mic Motors, Chief Mike Inegbese is back on the front row.

The powerful dresser who, for unknown reasons, cut down his public appearance has signaled a return to the social life with the recent wedding of his son in Imo State.

The socialite recently led a powerful delegation consisting of his friends and families members to Arondizuogu where his son, Michael married Carrisa, the granddaughter of foremost politician, Chief Kingsley Mbadiwe.

The traditional wedding ceremony was a big affair for the two prominent families who drew their friends from all parts of the country to witness the ceremony.

The second leg of the ceremony, which is the white wedding, is slated for Lagos in coming months and from the preparations on ground, the groom’s father is set

to host a grand ceremony for his son’s big day and also his comeback on the social turf.

Nike Osinowo, Tunde Soleye reconcile?

T

he tale is on the lips of many, spelling how love must have found its way back to the hearts of former beauty queen, Nike Osinowo and her estranged partner, Dr Tunde Soleye.

The duo who went their different ways in 2012 while citing some differences unknown to some of their friends and admirers became the topic of public discourse recently when they were both present at a fundraising event for Endometriosis

where they were both speakers.

The manner by which the duo bonded at the event spurred the tale that a reconciliation is clearly in the offing.

The duo were object of attraction to photographers at events when they were still together. They complemented each other in style, sense and exposure but not long into the affair they both went their different ways while the possibility of their reunion as lovers is now been bandied about.

Igho Sanomi takes celebration to Dubai

Steve Babaeko’s new vocation The CEO of X3M Group, Steve Babaeko seems to have been trying his hands on another career outside his advertising job.

The advertising expert whose company ranks among the best in the industry was spotted at an event in Lagos displaying some arts in disc jockeying where he spun a blend of Nigerian, African and International pop music to the delight of an audience made up of actress, Genevieve Nnaji and ace photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi who both hit the floor to dance to Babaeko’s spin mastery.

The event was the recent hosting of the creative innovator, Steve Babaeko by world’s luxury whiskey, Chivas Regal to its Taste of Luxury event where the company celebrated key personalities from diverse industries who had succeeded in their respective fields and had also given back to the society.

The Chairman of Taleveras Group, Igho Sanomi is celebrating.

The oil baron who is also a geologist and public speaker is taking his close friends on a trip to the United African Emirates to celebrate his 41st birthday.

Those in the know claimed the billionaire’s decision to throw a lavish birthday party was to correct some public misconceptions about him.

The moneybag who has huge investment in oil, telecommunications, maritime, aviation and real estates is a man that has touched the lives of his people in positive ways.

As usual, the news

of his birthday party is everywhere in the social circle with people who understand Igho’s way of celebration jostling to get their names on the guest list.

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outofthisworld

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune With femi osinusi

osfem2@yahoo.com 08055069292

Sacked, angry airport worker uses excavator to destroy N2.3bn aeroplane

A

n airport worker in Moscow, Russia who was sacked by the airport authorities went on the rampage, mounted an excavator in the airport and used it to destroy an aeroplane said to be worth ÂŁ4.5 million (N2.3 billion).

According to the Daily Mail of UK, the worker, upon receiving the news of his sack, got so enraged that he went to the excavator parked at the airport and used it to rip apart the fuselage and the cockpit of the U-Tair Yak-40 jet.

Though the name of the disgruntled airport worker was not revealed, it was gathered that the man was subsequently arrested after the attack.

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7 May, 2016

weekend cartoons

Saturday Tribune

Adeeko Olusegun adeeko.olusegun@yahoo.com 0811 695 4638

Just a Laffing Mata

Ai ds

As they were playing football on the field in school, Segeluulu got injured and the referee ordered for First Aid box. On hearing the word AID, Segeluulu jumped to his feet and ran away, crying that he didn’t want to be infected with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

FUNOLOGY

POLITICO

From the orig inal

In a Biology exam, the first question was: “Draw the female reproductive organ.” As the exam was progressing, Segeluulu saw a girl bending down to look between her legs, so Segeluulu raised his hands and shouted at the top of his voice, “Sir, see this girl. She is copying from the original!”

Family of liars

Segeluulu’s father brought a lie-detecting toy into the house. One day when he arrived, he decided to test his son. “Segeluulu,” the man called and the naughty young boy ran out of the room.

“What did you score in the Biology exam?” he asked. “I scored 100%,” Segeluulu responded, and the toy jumped up and slapped him once.

The angry father then shouted, “Segeluulu, you have started telling lies. When I was your age, I never told a lie.” He had not finished speaking when the toy jumped up and slapped him three times. Then Segeluulu’s mother who was overhearing the conversation came from the bedroom and said, “Segeluulu, why are you making your father angry?” The toy jumped up and slapped the woman seven times.

I made a mistake marrying TJ —Doro Queen

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7 May, 2016

The South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga | 08111813056

Octogenarian Oba James Aladesuru, the Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, headquarters of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, ascended the throne in 1959 when he was still acquiring formal education.

He speaks with SAM NWAOKO on his experiences and the community since then. Excerpts:

Y

You were in school when Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne and seven years after, you became the monarch of your community. Were you thinking about kingship or how did it come to you?

You’re correct. I recall that as students, we were told a lot about the British monarchy and we knew when she became the queen. When I was in school, I never thought about becoming the king. When I set out in search of greener pasture too, being the king never occurred to me. When it was mentioned to me, I dismissed the idea and

What are those things that stand Igede out as a community?

The history of Igede is a mystery. But what we know is that the founder migrated from Ile Ife. When he got to a place we now call Omi Ebo, he consulted the Ifa oracle which told him to continue with his journey. He was told to proceed and that he would locate a hill and that that would be his destination. When he got to Oke Esú, he settled there. At that Oke Esú, the former Post and Telecommunications (P&T) sited a mast there. As the construction of the mast was

t: r us; contac Got news fo bune@yahoo. ttri es hw ne ut so bu @ uthwesttri co.uk or so ail.com gm

Igede has a very strong Baptist presence. How come?

There’s a man in Igede called Jemiriye. He was kidnapped and sold into slavery when he was a young boy. However, he happened to have been sold to some white people who took him away with them overseas. There, he received formal education and was well trained. He was trained in the Church Missionary Society (CMS) tradition. But when he returned, he became a member of the Baptist mission and he was well accepted by the local people because he happened to be one of us who was lost but found. Before he came to Igede, he had been in Lagos and had also worked in other places before he came to Igede to establish the Baptist mission. That was how the Baptist mission became a part of the life of the Igede people.

— Oba Aladesuru

scolded the person. I had even prepared my mind to travel to Ghana.

However, my elder siblings didn’t joke with the idea. They took it seriously and insisted that I come home. They later came to my base in Oyo, after I had learnt photography as a trade in Iseyin. I was based in a small community near Ilora.

CREW sari n Tu de B9u3530 081275 ndare nga - Ogu Yejide G8b1e16706853 0 unesan Tunde O9g54634 08116

No, I had completed my elementary education. I completed my education by December 1954 and

by January 1955, I had left home.

I finished from Baptist Central School which has now become Ekiti Baptist High School.

In Igede-Ekiti, you don’t call incantation ‘ògèdè’, you say ofò

OUR majesty, what remarkable changes would you say have taken place in Igede between 1959 you ascended the throne and now?

The most remarkable one is the current size of the town. Igede is twice the size it was then and now.

There were also numerous thatch and mud houses. So also was the road. I had been on the throne before it was tarred to Ado Ekiti and the road became so very different.

Another remarkable landmark was when Ondo State was created. We trooped to the palace of the Deji of Akure to felicitate with him and discussed the state long before Ekiti was created. The creation of Ekiti meant that Ondo State had grown and we pray that Ekiti would continue to wax strong.

Saturday Tribune

ongoing, we tried to secure a deity we had there by building a concrete wall around it. But the object of worship we tried to secure was eventually stolen by thieves and all we have there today is the cemented site. When the founder of Igede, named Àkè, and his wife Erindò as well as their servants got to that hill, they settled there. When Àkè died, his 16 children, including Elémi, Òsun, Ògbèsè, Òrunrò and the others began a supremacy argument which led to a serious fight over who would take the position of their father. This caused them to scatter. Each of them used all forms of powers in their possession to prosecute the fight. They used all forms of incantations, called ‘Ògèdè’ or ‘Ofò against one another so much that some of them transformed into a pool of water; some simply disappeared. That’s why in Igede-Ekiti, we don’t use the language ‘ogèdè’, we say ‘ofò’ (for incantation) here. It is not in

Osun is one of the children of Àkè that left Igede in anger. She migrated until she married Sango when he was the Alaafin.

our culture to refer to ofò as ògèdè.

The one among the children that turned into a pool of water is the popular Elémi we still find in the town today. In those days, when there were no doctors or hospitals, the Elémi did a lot for the people of Igede. When people took ill and they take from the water for a bath or to drink, the person would get well. When people suffer from Guinea worm, Elémi water treats the ailment like magic. So also is it for people looking for children.

We all hear of Osun. Osun is one of the children of Àkè that left Igede in anger. She migrated until she married Sango when he was the Alaafin. When Sango left the throne, she also decided to return to her home and when she got to where we call Osogbo today. She met two persons there and helped them and that’s how Osun became popular. Despite all their quarrel, the question of who would take the place of their father was still hanging in the air. Their last born, who had gone on a hunting expedition when the elder siblings had their fight, took the position. Then we were not called Igede. But when he got there, what people used to explain what happened among the siblings was “where they engaged in a war of incantations (ogede)” and that is why “Igede” became the name of the community.

Were you in school when you became the king?

And what are those things the community has benefitted from the Baptist missionaries and the mission itself?

There are so many of them. They have tried a lot for us and the chief among them is education. In the old Ondo Province up to Akoko, Kabba, Kwara and so many other towns bring their children to Igede for education. It was so powerful and that is why it was called Baptist Central School.

Those who are older than we were educated here just as some of our peers received education here too. Igede was the centre.

Later, as the school and mission grew stronger, they thought of establishing a secondary school.

They got ready by 1955 and in 1956, the secondary school took off. But I had migrated by then.

It was admitting only boys then.

When I became the Onigede, I thought it wouldn’t be nice for the girls not to have a place to go regarding secondary education.

So, we created the opportunity for the admission of girls in the school. Through our humble intervention, the secondary school became a mixed school.

We thank God and we could see that there have been development. When I became the king, just one indigene of Igede, was a university graduate. He was Obawoya. There could be others who obtained degrees overseas or elsewhere, but Obawoya was the only one around us we knew as a university graduate when I became the Onigede. Today, there are about four secondary schools in Igede today established by either private individuals or missions, apart from government schools.

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7 May, 2016

achievers

With Ronke Sanya (Winner, NMMA Innovative Reporter of the Year 2015) 07036050161 | sanyaaderonke@gmail.com

& Oyeyemi Okunlade | 08056834515 | ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com

Osatohanmwen Osemwengie:

Nigerian-born engineer making drones for US Army

RONKE SANYA about Osatohanmwen Osemwengie, who is contributing his engineering expertise to the US Army by making drones for them.

S

cience is fast becoming an important component in the battle of influences all over the world. This battle, in Nigeria includes fight against corruption and terrorism which the country is faced with. This is the reason why the military, most especially in advanced countries adopt the technology of using an aircraft, called drone, for surveillance. Drone is an aircraft, whose flight is controlled from the ground and usually used by armed forces to take out terrorist camps.

A Nigerian-born engineer, Osatohanmwen Osemwengie is one who is making use of his ingenuity in making a difference in the world. According to venturesAfrica.com, Osemwengie has been an integral member of the American armed forces, building drones for the United States Army.

These drones are used in the US army for surveillance to gather important information, as well as mark out

terrorist camps.

Osemwengie, from Benin city, Edo State, is unarguably a successful academic. He is notaed for having founded a United Statesbased university, Open Robotics University.

The Open Robotics University is renowned to be a tuition free engineering degreegranting university that allows people to further exercise their talents and expand their knowledge into all fields related to engineering.

He has four graduate degrees, a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Cincinnati and is currently working on his fifith and sixth mas-

Saturday Tribune

ter’s degree in software engineering at Regis University and Information Systems at the Keller Graduate School of Management.

Osemwengie’s skill sets him apart and makes him a role model in the field of enginneering. He was selected in 2008 to present at the world robotics championships, having expertly coached robotics and served as software engineering mentor to robotics teams and has been recognised both at home and abroad.

He travelled to the United States in 1982, to pursue a carrer in engineering, which now has made him rise high to the pedestal.

Before relocating to the US, Osemwengie

He is noted for having founded a United States based University, Open Robotics University, which is reknown to be a tuition free engineering degree-granting university. served as an administrator of the College of Education, Benin City where he used to design and implement pre-service teacher education programmes. While in the United States, he served as the Administrator of the Columbus City School System from 1992 to 2011, where he coordinated staff and student recruitment. He also developed programs to increase staff and student retention and taught for five years (1987- 1992) in the aforementioned school district.

Osemwengie can be tagged as a philantrophist. Apart from the tuition-free univeristy, which he founded, according to AfricaSpotlight.com, he is also a facilitator for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundationsponsored Ohio Leadership for Integrating Technology Initiative (OLIT).

The guiding principle of the non-profit organisation is to facilitate the development of future technologies through peer collaboration with the end-product, source-material, and documentation made available to the public free of charge.

Having studied software engineering and management of information system at the graduate levels, Osemwengie expertly trained to facilitate the integration of technology into teaching and learning process workshops and seminars. He coached robotics and served as software engineering mentors to robotics teams, 2008 selectee to present at the world robotics championships.

This sets him apart from most educational administrator contemporaries. His technology related skills include programming in C++, Java, ASP.net, SQL and database design and implementation, API server side programming, and website development.

With the increased rate of kidnappings in Nigeria and with the Chibok girls still missing, one might wonder if drone war approach can be adopted to combat terrorism and services of great minds like Osemwengie needed in this area.

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7 May, 2016

There is no other party in Ondo apart from APC —Kekemeke

The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mr Isaac Kekemeke, in this interview by HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, speaks on the reasons his party refrained from participating in the local government election in the state, the legal implication and the preparedness of his party for the November governorship election in the state. Excerpts:

W

HAT is your assessment of the last local government election in the state, which your party boycotted?

First, I will say that there was no local government election in Ondo State. What took place in the state was selection into the offices of chairmen and councillors. I am telling you this because as a leading opposition party in the state, we didn’t participate. The other significant opposition party in the state, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), led by Chief Olu Falae and Dr Olu Agunloye, didn’t participate.

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) also didn’t participate. There was no participation by any party of note, so, it was selection. The turnout of the election indicated that a few people, less than 50,000, turned out to vote in the election. The reasons we chose not to participate are many and I will tell you a few of them. There was no way we would have participated in an election, about which a matter is in the Supreme Court and when the same election had not been conducted for seven years and four months because the government said that it would not go ahead to organise the election while the case was pending. Then, we wondered the reason for the sudden change of mind and the new rush to conduct the election when the governor and his party have less than eight months to go.

Two, we didn’t know of the existence of a valid voters register. The Court of Appeal did say that in the last governorship election, the voters register was tampered with. We know that there was a voters registration before the 2015 election but after the election of that year, nothing has been done to the voters register and when we made inquiries from INEC and ODIEC, what we had was not a complete voters register. So, we couldn’t participate in an election where we didn’t have an authentic voters register. Three, we refused to participate because ODIEC comprised card-carrying members of the Labour Party turned PDP. The chairman of ODIEC, Professor Ige and all the other members are known people who participated in Labour Party and PDP meetings and were nominated

by PDP. So, why would we want to get into an election where the organisers are members of the party? We didn’t think that was a good thing to do. And again, we know, as a matter of fact and from empirical evidence available to us, that this government of Dr [Olusegun] Mimiko is deficient in character. They don’t do anything fairly.

Specifically, the election was meant to do two things. It was meant to choose men who were to steal money. We understand that about N6.5 billion was expended and this is to put some money in their private pockets for the election in November. We also know that they were meant to launder the plummeting image of the governor. For us, it was an ego trip and why should we allow ourselves to be scammed into massaging somebody’s lost ego? We don’t know him as a fair democrat.

In his LP, he never conducted any primaries and when he got to the PDP, he never did.

The PDP is doing congress across the country but he never participated. He had his own congress and when it was time to pick candidates for his local government election, they didn’t allow for free primaries. So, a man who cannot conduct free internal primary in his party cannot be expected to midwife a credible interparty election. We saw all of these and we knew the results were going to be written, no matter what we did and we felt that why not wait for the Supreme Court and why not use the N6 billion to pay workers’ salaries and

when the Supreme Court finally decides, we can conduct the election? We didn’t see the local government election as a priority, having stayed without it for over seven years.

You talked about the legality of the election. You said the sacked chairmen who went to court to challenge their sack were members of the PDP and seem to have withdrawn and then your party, APC, went to court at the eleventh hour to stop the election...

We didn’t go to court at the eleventh hour.

We went to court in March, more than one and a half clear months before the election.

But the judgement was given two days to the election.

Yes, the judgement was given some two days to the election and I can tell you that we are yet to finish with our legal actions. We still have the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

We are going to challenge all these rulings because we think they are not right and as a lawyer, I will hardly speak about this in the press. We know what to do to seek remedy.

But why go to court since the APC was not going to participate in the election?

What we said was that this election was prejudicial. What we said was that the government

In fact, it was at the governor’s unit that we saw about 20 people who came out. In other places, there were only about four or six people who came out to vote. So, we saw an average of 15 voters and when you multiply that by 3009, we have less than 50,000 people.

should not go ahead to conduct the election because of the fact that the constitution of local government in Ondo State is a matter before the Supreme Court. The Federal High Court judge in Akure didn’t quite agree with us but we will still check that at the higher courts.

Would you have participated in the election if the election was conducted

by INEC and not ODIEC? I know, as a lawyer, that this election cannot be conducted by INEC. It is the constitutional prerogative of ODIEC to conduct the election.

What we are saying is that this ODIEC is compromised. And we eventually congratulated ourselves on not participating in the election because we found that what they did was an indication of what they would do if we had participated.

In all local government elections that have been conducted across the country since the inception of the present democratic dispensation, no state has lost to the opposition. What do you think is responsible for this?

Your question clearly vindicates our nonparticipation. It shows that over a period of time, the SIECs have not freed themselves from the control of state governments. We are yet to have a mature SIEC in this country and we look forward to the time when we will be able to have one that can operate just like INEC with a lot of independence. I think we are getting to the point where most of us will suggest that the SEICs enjoy some autonomous funding if they are really serious about democracy at the local government level.

SIECs must find a way to be transitionally empowered to be able to conduct independent elections. If we cannot do that, we may have to live with this until such a time that one SIEC will be able to conduct free and fair elections.

Some people believe that the election was strategic to the next governorship election. Don’t you see this as a threat to the APC? I have never been bothered by this. What I have always said is that for seven years and four months, they have always selected chairmen and supervisors and nothing is new about this selection called election. The state government controls the local govern-

Saturday Tribune

ment and whether there is election or not, the governor would always put people there. So, what is new in these ones he has put there?

There is no difference. It is the same process, the same people, the same party. For me, it is no difference. What is important is for him to release money for the chairmen to pay their workers and we hope he does that and also allow them to perform their duties. I can tell you that it [the election] was a scam. People have been scammed. He told the new chairmen that they should not appoint supervisors and they are unable to appoint secretaries till around August when the [governorship] election will be around the corner. So, it is a scam.

They have always been there and they are not going to add any value. They are not a threat at all. The important thing is the people and the people have demonstrated that they rejected this government, the PDP and the election and we in the APC are happy about this.

What did you observe about the conduct of the election?

We did not participate because we are interested in this state and we needed to see how the people of the state would look at it. And when we went round the 3009 units across the state as non-participating observers, we found that only a few people came out. In fact, it was at the governor’s unit that we saw about 20 people who came out. In other places, there were only about four or six people who came out to vote. So, we saw an average of 15 voters and when you multiply that by 3009, we have less than 50,000 people. Most residents of the state saw the day as another public holiday to sit at home and rest. You know, I raised the alarm that we were sure that they were going to write figures and we have been proven right.

We thank the people of the state for heeding our plea to stay indoors and so less than 50,000 voted. But by the time the result came out some 24 hours later, 600,000 people had voted and we knew this was the magic they were going to do. As far as we are concerned, the number of people that voted was equal to the number of people that voted in 2012, when 614,000 voted in the governorship election.

So, you can see how fraudulent and shameless they can be to say that the participation in this local government election was exactly the number that participated in the 2012 governorship election. You can see the fraud. So, we are vindicated and we are happy that we did not participate in the election. But we know that when you deceive people, you deceive yourself more, because this was a case of some people dancing naked in the marketplace.

How prepared is your party for the forthcoming governorship election in the state, especially considering the number of aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket?

Is there any other party in this state? There is no any other party in this state because everywhere you go, what you find is the APC. In Akure, Ondo...everywhere, it is APC. For now, it is the only active party in the state, so, what is the cause for fear. We have driven the PDP out of town. Those in the party are the few who are looking for what to eat and how to get payoff. So, we have no cause for fear at all.

How would you treat the number of your aspirants in APC? That we have such number is also a source of joy to me. It shows that our platform is very attractive. People are beginning to think that if you get the ticket of APC, you are governor and whatever is good attracts numbers. We are not bothered at all, we have good people moving round the town mobilising for the party, talking to the people and preaching their dreams and this is good for the party. The only burden is for the leadership to be fair and I am willing, with the support of our national leadership, to ensure fairness. No matter what anybody says, we will run fair and transparent primaries. And I am happy that the leadership is determined to do that. My team is determined to do that, too. So, there is no cause for alarm, we will repeat what was done during the presidential primaries and we will be good.

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crossfire

W

HAT is your assessment of the last local government election in the state, which your party won?

It was one of the best elections to have been conducted in this state. It was devoid of acrimony. It was free and fair and we are very happy that the observers, both local and international, in their reports, said that the election was well conducted. Some of the observers even recommended that INEC should take a cue from the way ODIEC conducted the election. You will recall that by 8.00 a.m. on Election Day, all sensitive materials had got to all the polling units and there were no cases of violence. The election was peaceful in all the parts of the state. Again, the turnout for the election was very impressive. People came out to perform their civic responsibility. As you know, the local government is the arm of government that is closest to the grassroots. The people appreciate the importance of this particular election and that was the reason they turned out en masse to vote for the candidates of their choice. We are particularly impressed with the conducts of other political parties that participated in the election. We are equally impressed that we have a member of another political party that won in the election. The candidate of the [Allied Congress Party of Nigeria] ACPN in Akure North won the seat in the area. That is the beauty of democracy.

But the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has rather described the election as ‘selection.’

In the first place, at the beginning of the exercise, they signified not to contest in the election and they shot themselves in the leg.

The APC chairman knew that because of the crisis in the party, they could not win the election because their house is divided. They are not on the same page with the leadership of the party. He announced that the party would not participate and you will recall that shortly after his announcement, many leaders of the party in the state condemned that action; that he should have allowed the party to participate. But unfortunately, he had made a pronouncement and the party’s structure across the state took that directive by not participating in the election. In democracy, you cannot force any political party to participate and the fact that they did not participate in the election does not invalidate the result. About 18 other political parties participated and there are some other political parties that won in some of the wards in the state. And if they believe that the election was a selection process, why did they head to court to challenge it? Before the election, they instituted about four court cases trying to stop the election but, thank God, we have an independent, unbiased judiciary system in the country which ruled that their request was an abuse of court process.

The APC also frowned on the composition of members of ODIEC, saying all of them were card-carrying members of your party.

If you want to go to equity, you go with clean hands. If they have proof, the onus lies on them to prove that some members of the state electoral commission are cardcarrying members of the PDP. By law, it is the state government that should organise local government election. Should we say because former President [Goodluck] Jonathan appointed [Professor Attahiru] Jega as INEC chairman, other political parties should not have participated in the last general election? Or should we say Jega was now a card-carrying member of the PDP? It is just a figment of their imagination. They are only trying to look for excuses where there are none instead of burying their heads in shame for bringing their party to disrepute by not coming out to participate in a free, fair

7 May, 2016

PDP will win coming Ondo governoship poll —Famoyede

Mr Clement Faboyede is the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State. He speaks with HAKEEM GBADAMOSI on his party’s victory in the last local government election in the state and its preparedness for the November 26 governorship election in the state. Excerpts:

Should we say because former President [Goodluck] Jonathan appointed [Professor Attahiru] Jega as INEC chairman, other political parties should not have participated in the last general election? Or should we say Jega was now a card-carrying member of the PDP? It is just a figment of their imagination.

They are only trying to look for excuses where there are none.

election, because they knew that they could only win in an election where they have the opportunity to manipulate but Ondo State is not suitable for such.

But would your party still have won the election if it was conducted by INEC? INEC had conducted several elections in this state and although some were inconclusive, some others were concluded. But more importantly, if, by law, it is the duty of INEC to conduct local government election, we would not object to that but by law, it is the duty of the state electoral commission to conduct the election. You must also know that it is not only the Ondo State electoral

commission that had conducted election in the last couple of months. Recently, in Abuja, two major parties contested and winners were declared. So, what is important is the credibility and impartiality of the umpire and as far as ODIEC is concerned, they have performed creditably and we commend them because there was no any area where we had crisis or manipulation of votes. Feelers from the field showed that the election was peaceful and overwhelmingly won by the PDP. Do you see the result of the election enhancing the fortune of the party in the November 26 governorship election?

Saturday Tribune

To us, it is a very good development because we have used the election to test the waters and we have been able to assess our strength and weaknesses and it has given us the opportunity to move round the state and appreciate our people better. I think we should be able to build on the success recorded in the election but we will not rest on oars and you can rest assured that the governorship election will be walkover because our party remains the party to beat in Ondo State. You can imagine a situation where two major political parties in the state, the LP and the PDP, fused together. I want you to imagine the level of mobilisation that would follow this. Be assured that the PDP will win the next governorship election in the state.

Are you not bothered by the recent defection of some of your members to the APC in the state?

It is a peculiar situation in politics. Only two weeks ago, the leadership of our party received more than 2,000 people who defected from the APC to the PDP at Ofosu in Idanre local Government Area. Some also defected in Akure Local Government, the same thing in Ondo, where we had over 600 people defect to the PDP. So, we receive people into the party every day but what they do is that when they get a pocket of disgruntled people from the PDP, they make noise about it. There are some people who are referred to as political jobbers who move from one party to another looking for daily meals and we cannot stop them from going, the PDP being a party based on the ideology of ensuring improved governance to better the lot of our people.

In the last seven years, the government of Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been able to transform the state in the areas of health, education, urban renewal, agriculture and empowerment and employment. We have been able to make the state the cynosure of all eyes. More importantly, the peace that we are enjoying in the state cannot be compromised. Many people have come to Ondo State and from their assessments, Ondo, the state capital, remains the cleanest city in Nigeria. We have done a lot and when you talk about infrastructure, you see the Dome that the APC thought would be doomed has become a reality and they have eaten their words. In the last governorship election, they said the Dome could not become a reality but it has. It is a legacy that is worthy of emulation. With the Dome, Ondo State will soon become an events destination. We have done so much in the area of community development, too. As a former commissioner for rural development, I can tell you that we have impacted positively in all our rural communities. We have over 668 people-driven projects in all our local communities. And what we discovered is that even some states that are being run by the APC are also coming to this state to learn best practices. You will recall that of recent, the Kogi State government sent delegations to come and look at the best practices in Ondo State. The governor of that state has taken the right steps because governance is not about opposition but sharing best practices. But the APC in Ondo State are blind to reality. They are blind to development.

They are blind to good things because of their primordial interest in turning the state to their personal estate, which, by the grace of God, will never be.

I also want to put on record that we in the PDP in Ondo State are just being modest because at the appropriate time, we will catalogue some of the atrocities some of these people who call themselves leaders of the APC have committed in this state when they were in government. At the appropriate time, we will let the people of the state know how they collectively stole our common wealth. We will expose them at the appropriate time.

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7 May, 2016

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Adewole, an activist in government clocks 62

By Ayo Akinyemi

T

HERE are some miraculous creations, whose being and existence are shrouded in mystery, and thus continually and perpetually give rise to questions. Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Minister of Health, falls within this bracket.

On Monday, 30 November 2015, Professor Adewole, IFA as fondly called, formally signed off as vice chancellor, University of Ibadan. The day statutorily marked the end of his fiveyear tenure as number one staff of the university. Interestingly, coincidentally, his first day in office as vice chancellor on 1 December 2010, was a Monday, the official last day of his term, 30 November 2015, also fell on a Monday.

Adewole’s stint in the chancellery and his exit from the exalted office have been described variously by many from different perspectives, and plated in variegated coatings. Paint it in the portrait of a tour of duty laced with superlatives, describe it as a five-year journey that ended in a blaze of glory, emblazon it as a flight from a spectacular altitude with a unique landing, you would be apt in every sense.

In summation, it could be safely said that IFA finished strong as vice chancellor of great UI, and in style. And, as designed by Providence, he stepped out of the office to step on a higher rung to occupy a seat in the Federal Executive Council as Minister of Health in President Muhammadu Buhari cabinet. It is an unprecedented transformation - the first time in the history of the country that a university vice chancellor would be so appointed.

The hint of his nomination as minister was first from the rumour realm. The eventual transformation of the speculation into reality, for reasons, caught many napping, raising questions. How did he make the list? Is he, or has he been a card-carrying member of the ruling party? Who is his godfather? Endless questions.

The official last day of IFA in office as helmsman of University of Ibadan, like his first day in office, was a remarkable one, indeed. Professor Adewole for whom friends had, the previous day, Sunday, November 29, organized a thanksgiving church service for a successful tenure as vice chancellor, was on the university campus on the historic day to hand over formally to his successor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka whose appointment was announced on Wednesday, 19 September 2015 by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. Umar Mustapha, after what he described as ‘an exhaustive and rigorous selection process’.

The handing over ceremony which took place at the Senate Chambers was unique, as it was historic. It was the first time in the history of the 67years of the institution that an outgoing vice chancellor would be physically present to hand over to his

successor at such a public setting. Added to this, the new vice chancellor, the 12th on the block, Professor Idowu Olayinka, is the first to be so appointed from the Faculty of Science. The unprecedented and historic event was witnessed by principal officers of the university.

Prior to the first-of-its-kind change of baton ceremony, Professor Adewole had joyfully that morning commissioned the restructured Central Administration Block. The new block has two additional floors mounted on the original storey building that had been the university’s seat of power in its 67years of its existence.

The reconstruction, according to Professor Adewole was compelled by circumstance - the need to provide desirable, befitting, conducive and comfortable office space for the key officers of the university for whom the block had been earmarked since the establishment of the university. He recalled that, at inception, the building was designed to accommodate the vice chancellor, on the first floor, and the Registrar on the ground floor.

The same building, in recent years, as a result of progressive administrative expansion, growth and restructuring, had to be reconfigured with the times to accommodate the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) and the Registrar, with their supporting staff. From all indications, the accommodation and the overstretched facilities were far from being conducive and befitting for the calibre of officers located in the building. A situation whereby a DVC has no convenience or exclusive restroom, in the words of Adewole, “is far from the ideal and I was determined not to leave it the way I met it.”

A man of history, IFA’s tenure as UI VC was laced with landmark administrative restructuring and erection of tangible physical structures that will outlive generations. The restructured Central Administrative Building stands out of the pack.

I had a slip of the tongue during a chat with IFA in the heat of the 2013/2014 convocation ceremony of the university, when I said it was going to be the last he would preside over.

He reminded me he still had one to go. Interestingly, that slip of tongue turned out to be a prophecy.

As fate would have it, the very day the activities of the 2014/2015 convocation commenced was the day IFA appeared before the Senate for screening as minister-designate.

At the grand finale on Tuesday, 17 November 2015, he attended as a guest - having assumed office as Minister of Health.

His Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Ambrose Aiyelari performed the duties of Vice Chancellor in an acting capacity.

In a brief remark at a prayer session held in the VC’s Office on his 61st birthday on Tuesday, 5 May 2015, IFA hinted he

was already looking forward to life outside the chancellery.

“This is the last birthday I’d mark in this office. The next one will be in my office at the College of Medicine. By this time next year, I would have been back in my office at the College to continue with research and teaching.”

That was the way he wanted it, but God had a different agenda for him. Another May 5 has knocked and IFA is celebrating, observing or marking his birthday in 2016, the 62nd in his natal journey, as Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Man proposes, God disposes.

An activist in government. How is he going to reconcile the polarity? was a tasking question with his assignment to the health portfolio. Remember, the young, radical Dr. Isaac Adewole as National President of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) was the mastermind of the 1984/85 nationwide NARD strike that paralysed medical services in the country. The military government of the time sacked the ringleaders, including Dr. Adewole, who was also forced into self-exile. That was three decades ago.

IFA, over the years, has gone through several crucibles of life, well grilled and groomed, enriched in wisdom and experience. Coincidentally or fortuitously, his erstwhile NARD National President, who initiated him into medical politics in the early 80s,, that he also served as Secretary General, Dr. Kayode Obembe, is the current National President of Nigerian Medical Association.

Long before his appointment as Health Minister, IFA had been trumpeting the philosophy of NO TOTAL STRIKE IN THE HEALTH SECTOR. The posture, according to him, sprouted from a wide interactive exposure from a global perspective.

“Before I went to Hungary to attend a meeting some years back, I was a die-hard unionist. I told them at the meeting, in the course of our deliberations, that as of the time we were sitting, our hospitals in Nigeria were on strike. Someone asked: ‘Is your country at war?’ - That, even in war-time situations, hospitals must not close.

“Ever since, when people want to go on strike, I would say, no, you cannot close down the entire hospital. The critical units must not be shut down. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Labour Room, Accident Emergency and Children Emergency Room, must open. The other sectors can close down. That has remained my philosophy till today.”

What is left to say? Age mellows, exposure moderates, experience teaches and tenders. May Almighty God grant our Health Minister the wisdom to make the nation’s health sector better than he met it.

IFA, happy birthday. May you continue to have the grace of the creator to move from glory to glory.

•Akinyemi writes via akinyemiayo@yahoo.com

Quality governance in Nigeria: A lost glory?

By Olusola Ajiboye RECENTLY, I watched a television documentary on the administration of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande as governor of Lagos State, between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983.

The documentary gave a graphic account of the strides and exploits of Governor Jakande in all sectors.

The 60-minute documentary lifted my spirit and stirred sadness in me at the same time. It provoked the nostalgia of a glorious past and emotions of a regretful present time. It exhibited a history of quality leadership as opposed to mediocre leadership in the Nigeria of today.

These juxtaposition and conflicts of thoughts welled from my mind as I followed the narrative in the documentary. You may ask me why?

The documentary on the Jakande administration, like others during that period, was a reflection of how Nigeria was once governed by men who were driven by passion for service and what was good for the citizens. Four years of the Jakande administration was a summary of progress and development in Lagos State. A period that showcased courage, determination, and a spirit that resented failure and said no to impossibility The foundation for a greater Lagos that is the envy of indigenes and residents of the city today was laid by Governor Lateef Jakande. The opening up of the mega city to investments through massive housing construction, reclamation of the waterlogged and marshy Lekki peninsula, abolition of the iniquitous shift system in public schools through the

construction of hundreds of classrooms, dualisation of roads and initiated designs of several others, constructions and expansion of water schemes, construction of hospitals and health centres, establishment of a university, polytechnic and college of education clearly marked out the Jakande administration as a golden era in the annals of Lagos State history - an era that is enduring.

The documentary did compel this writer to keep in mind the exploits of Governor Jakande and other governors like him as references for a nation that has witnessed the best of leadership with hopes that a good morrow can still come despite the intimidating challenges facing her today. I am of the opinion that Nigeria can still survive if those who find themselves in power today care to study the life and times of heroes like Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

Alhaji Jakande is a product of the Awo political philosophy.

Like his colleagues – Bola Ige – Bisi Onabanjo, Ambrose Ali and Adekunle Ajasin who contested and got elected as governors on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), these men represented the noble ideals of the great Obafemi Awolowo. They were the best governors in their time. The policies, programmes and projects which they initiated and executed endured and became the benchmark for development in all sectors.

As you read this write-up, you are likely to again ask why these men regarded and used leadership as a platform for excellence. Lateef Jakande, Bola Ige, Ambrose Ali, Adekunle Ajasin and Bisi Onabanjo did not see political power as a machine for self-aggradizement but a means to register their names on the pages of history which generations can study as

a reference of all that is good and noble.

These elder statesmen were politicians like the politicians of today. They had partisan political interests like the politicians of today. They were nominated by a political party just like the politicians of today. So why did they make a success of their tenure as political office holders? Why did they excel? The answer is in the quality of the systems that produced them and their rigid adherence to the quality of leadership offered by the political school that nurtured them.

In their time, party standard-bearers emerged based on competence and a pedigree of career excellence in private and public sectors. Today, party standard-bearers are elected on three Ms -- Money, Manipulation and Mischief.

None of the three Ms recognises quality and ideas but celebrates thuggery and idiocy. When questionable characters raised by the three Ms find their ways to power, the losers are the citizens.

How do we prevent a situation which continously deprives Nigeria the benefits of good government? How can Nigeria be administered in a manner that her human and material resources are mobilised for optimal benefit?

Quality governance is not unachievable as long as political office holders and elder statesmen with clean records are encouraged to vie for public offices and even drafted to occupy such offices. Until politicians and elder statesmen of integrity become the benchmark of performance in public administration in Nigeria, only then shall we get it right.

May the labour of our heroes past not come to nought.

•Ajiboye is Director, Outstations, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), Osogbo.

37

7 May, 2016

Saturday Tribune

sport Zenith Bank women’s basketball league dunks off today

38

Lagos office of the Basketball Federation, where all the technical issues concerning the grand finale were addressed.

Sponsors of the women’s Basketball league, Zenith Bank Plc has equally assured basketball enthusiasts of quality time at Top 8 in line with the promise made by the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Peter Amangbo, during the unveiling ceremony of the tourney held at the bank’s corporate head office in Lagos.

Meanwhile, captain of the Elephant girls, Chioma Udeaja said her team is well prepared to reclaim their lost title from Dolphins having once ruled the basketball scene for eight years running.

Udeaja stated that the Elephant girls can’t wait for the tournament to dunk off as the battle seems to be a straight fight between her team and the defending champions, Dolphins following the absence of four-time champions, First Deep water queens.

Racing RFC vows to extend unbeaten League run FOLLOWING the oneweek break observed last week in the CMB Building and Investment Company Ltd-sponsored South West Rugby League, the league will resume today with three matches to be decided at the mainbowl of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Royal Stallions of Ilorin will storm Lagos for their first game of the 2016 league season in the division one against Lagos RFC after they walked over Eco II in week two of the league.

In the premier division, which starts by 2pm at the same venue, bottom placed Gosar RFC will hope to compound the misery of 2015 National league champion, Cowrie RFC who are still licking their wounds following their loss to Racing RFC in week two.

In the last match of the

day, second placed Police RFC will face table topping Racing RFC by 4pm.

Speaking ahead of the all-important clash, which will determine who occupies the top spot at the end of week three.

Captain of Racing, David Oyekanmi told NRFF media that the team is psychologically prepared to take the fight to Police and maintain their grip on the 2016 title.

“After we defeated Cowrie RFC in week two, the confidence in the camp is sky high. We have the belief that if we come with our A-game on Saturday, we will definitely defeat Police.”

He assured that the team will not in any way underrate their opponent having learnt from their victory over Cowrie who he alleged underrated them and were made to pay.

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THE earlier postponed third and final phase of the Zenith Bank women’s Basketball league ‘Top 8 2016’ organised by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), will dunk off today at the indoor sports hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

The teams that scaled the hurdles at the first and second phase playoffs held at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Asaba, the Delta State capital will vie for honours at the tournament.

The gladiators are the defending champions, Dolphins of Lagos that have been drawn in group A alongside the IGP Queens, Delta Force and Plateau Rocks, while former champions, First Bank of Lagos will face the Nigeria Customs Ladies, Ahip Queens of Kano and Benue Princess of Makurdi.

Meanwhile, the indoor sports hall has been given a face lift ahead of the prestigious tournament.

The technical meeting was held on Friday at the

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sport

7 May, 2016

Nigeria’s Ambrose Efe (left) battles for the ball possession with an Egyptian player. Nigeria missed the 2017 AFCON ticket after the clash.

One crisis too many:

NFF leadership tussle of legality, controversy

The crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which many thought had been buried, was unearthed on Friday, April 8, 2016 with a ruling from the Federal High Court, Jos. In this piece, Deputy Editor, SALIU GBADAMOSI, traces the crisis, the legal issue involved and its implications for Nigerian football.

N

IGERIANS, and indeed lovers of Nigerian football, are yet to overcome pains of the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Gabon, the second consecutive time the country will be missing out of the African showpiece, having failed to book a place in the 2015 edition, when a Federal High Court, sitting in Jos, decided to re-list the suit brought before it by the Chris Giwa faction of the NFF and in doing this, granted the prayers of the plaintiffs to restore all its previous orders in the case.

Though the suit, FHC/J/ CS/77/2014, is not entirely new, as it was initially filed before the court in September, 2014, the aggrieved Giwa faction had withdrawn it on the intervention of former President Goodluck Jonathan of the face of imminent sanction dangling on the country from the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA).

While deciding to re-list the case, FHC/J/CS/77/2014, Justice Musa Haruna Kurya granted the prayers of the plaintiffs, Yahaya Adama and Senator Obinna Ogba, and restored its previous orders: (1) “An order compelling the Honourable Minister of Sports and all the 36 state FAs including FCT to give recognition to the Board of the NFF which was elected on 26th August, 2014 and restrains them from interfering with the Board’s execution of the functions of its officers; (2) “An order which nullified and set aside the purported Warri election of 30th September, 2014 which produced Amaju Pinnick and his purported Board.”

Counsel interpretations of

Jos court order When report came that the Pinnick-led NFF board has been sacked by the Federal High Court in Plateau State capital, Festus Keyamo, counsel for the board in a statement said that no court sacked the Pinnick board and installed Giwa as NFF President, saying that report was total and complete falsehood as there was no court order removing anybody from office.

“Our attention has been drawn to several media reports to the effect that the Federal High Court sitting in Jos sacked the Board of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) led by Mr Amaju Pinnick and installed Mr Chris Giwa as the new Chairman of the NFF. This is nothing but total and complete falsehood. We are constrained to issue this statement to set the records straight owing to the sensitive nature of football administration in Nigeria.

“For the purpose of clarity, at no time did the Honourable Court order the installation of one Chris Giwa as Chairman of the NFF as neither Chris Giwa nor Amaju Pinnick are parties to the present suit in Jos. It is therefore a distortion of the Order of the Honourable Court to assume that Chris Giwa was ordered to resume as the Chairman of the NFF. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has held times without number that no court of law can issue an Order against a person that is not a party in a suit before a court without joining or hearing from that party. And no court of law can also install a party in an office who is not before the Court praying for such an Order. The said Chris Giwa is not a party before the case at the Federal High Court and the Court never made

an order installing him as NFF President,” the statement stated.

“To set the records straight, sometime in 2014, one Yahaya Adama and Obinna Ogba commenced an action against Alhaji Aminu Maigari and three others challenging the convening of the ordinary general assembly and the subsequent election conducted into the various offices of the NFF on 30th of September, 2014. In the course of the proceedings, the Court made three different Orders as follows: 1. The Court first issued an Order dated 19th day of September, 2014, restraining the Defendants from proceeding with the Congress 2. The Court later issued an Order dated 23rd day of October, 2014 nullifying or setting aside the purported election conducted into the Executive Committee/Board of the NFF 3. Finally, the Court made an Order dated 30th day of October, 2014, setting aside all the previous Orders made above.

“The last Order was made just before the case was withdrawn and struck out on the 30th October, 2014.

“However, in December, 2015, Messrs Yahaya Adama and Obinna Ogba again applied to the Federal High Court for a relisting of the suit and the restoration of “....... all Orders made by this Honourable Court in suit no.

FHC/L/CS/77/2014 before this suit was struck out by this Honourable Court on 30th October, 2014.”

According to Keyamo, it was the exact prayer above that the court granted on Friday, April 8, 2016, noting that the implication of this

was that the court also restored its final order made on October 30, 2014 while striking out the suit.

He added that the court could not have granted the plaintiffs a final order at an interlocutory stage and informed that his clients had lodged an appeal against the ruling of the court and also filed an application for stay of further proceedings pending the determination of the appeal.

On his part, counsel for the Giwaled board, Habila Ardzard, urged the public to disregard Keyamo’s statement, saying it was bereft of truth and lacking in good faith.

“Our attention has been drawn to a press release issued by Festus Keyamo Esq. in which he claimed that the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Jos delivered on the 8th April, 2016 did not remove Amaju Pinnick and restore Ambassador Chris Giwa to office as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The logic of Mr Keyamo was that neither Ambassador Chris Giwa nor Amaju Pinnick were parties to the case.

“Ordinarily we would have paid no attention to that press release same being a wolf cry and a desperation by the Amaju Pinnick led illegal and judicially nullified board of the NFF to hold on to anything to keep is doomed and sinking boat afloat. However, in order to correct the flawed logic of Mr Keyamo which not only stands the Law on its head but is also bemusing, we deemed it necessary to make this statement.

“Firstly, Yahaya Adama and Obinna Ogba who are plaintiffs in the suit at the Federal High Court, Jos are members of the Ambassador Chris Giwa-led Board of the NFF and they instituted the suit

Saturday Tribune

in a representative capacity and that is on behalf of all members of their Board including Ambassador Chris Giwa.

“The benefit they got from the Ruling of 8th April, 2016 inures to all members of their board. How then can Ambassador Chris Giwa be said not to be a party to the case? This assertion to our mind is a mischievous interpretation of the Law if not a shallow appreciation of same.

“Secondly, the orders which the Federal High court sitting in Jos restored by its ruling of 8th April, 2016 were those delivered by the same court on 19th September, 2014 which inter alia compelled the Honourable Minister of Sports and all the 37 State and FCT FAs to give recognition to the Ambassador Chris Giwa-led Board as the duly elected and constituted Board of the NFF and restrained the former from interfering with the latter in the discharge of the functions of its offices.

“The ruling of the Court delivered on the 8th April, 2016 also restored the order made by the Court on 23rd October, 2014 which nullified and set aside the Warri election of 30th September, 2014 which produced the Amaju -Pinnick led purported Board of the NFF. What this means is that as of now in the eye of the law the Amaju Pinnick-led purported Board of the NFF does not exist and the only recognized Board of the NFF is the one led by Ambassador Chris Giwa.

“It therefore smacks of mischief for Mr Keyamo to posit that the said ruling of the Federal High Court in Jos did not remove Amaju Pinnick and install Ambassador Chris Giwa as President of the NFF. Counsel as ministers in the temple of justice owe a duty to interpret the Law correctly to their clients and guide them to respect the rule of law. This way our nation will not slip into the morass of impunity.

“Throughout the period of this very avoidable dispute in the NFF, the Ambassador Chris Giwa-led board had conducted itself with candor and decorum always believing in the sanctity and triumph of the law. If those who were aggrieved with the emergence of the Ambassador Chris Giwa-led Board on 26th August, 2014 had followed the laid down mechanism for the ventilation of grievances from the conduct of NFF Elections encapsulated in the NFF electoral guidelines and electoral code hardly would any dispute have arisen.

“Similarly, if those who were custodians of power in the NFF had obeyed the orders of the Federal High Court sitting in Jos delivered on 19th September, 2014 which restrained the conduct of the Warri election of 30th September, 2014 which produced Amaju Pinnick and his purported Board, the so-called dispute would not have escalated to the point where we are today.

The lesson to be drawn from all these is that we must all endeavor to always follow due process and allow the rule of law to prevail.

Finally, we urge members of the general public to disregard the press release by Mr Keyamo same being bereft of truth and lacking in good faith.”

To be Continued

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Ighalo targets another brace against Liverpool NIGERIA international, Odion Ighalo is again aiming at scoring a brace against Liverpool when he leads Watford attack against the Reds at Anfied.

The former Granada striker, it will be recalled, scored a brace in the 3-0 home win over Liverpool last December and he is targeting a repeat tomorrow.

Ighalo, said he is expecting a very tough game at Anfield on Sunday, but believe Watford can get good result with a better performance than they did in the first round.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Ighalo told the Hornets official website.

“When we played them last time they had a new coach, they weren’t doing well, but now they are a better team.

“The whole team fought from the first minute for each other, we chased down every ball, we didn’t give them time to play.

“We have to fight the same way, probably even more than we did in the last game. It’s possible for us to win there, but we have to be determined and work hard to get the result.”

Ighalo, former Flying Eagles captain, has scored 16 goals this season with 14 of them in the English Premier League, and a brace for him against Liverpool tomorrow, will match Yakubu Ayegbeni’s 16-EPL goal a season with Portsmouth, who remains Nigeria’s all-time scorer in the English Premier League.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle Utd 4:00pm Leicester City vs Everton 6:30pm Tottenham Man City Liverpool

Sunday, May 8

vs Southampton 2:30pm vs Arsenal 5:00pm vs Watford 5:00pm

Giwa arrested

NFF crisis:

Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

T

Ighalo (left) in an aerial contest during a Barclays Premier League game.

Emenike is talking rubbish —Akinwunmi FIRST vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has taken a swipe at ex-international, Emmanuel Emenike after he accused the federation of “insulting” Joseph Yobo by fixing a Super Eagles game on the same day with the testimonial match for the ex-Super Eagles skipper.

The Eagles play a friendly against the Eagles of Mali on May 27 in France, while the Yobo testimonial match holds on the same day at the Adokiye Amesiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Akinwunmi suggested that there wouldn’t have been any conflict if the Yobo testimonial had been in conjunction with the NFF. “These players go on the air and just spit sometimes,” he began, in reference to Emenike’s accusations.

“I think Emenike does not have the facts for sure and he should have asked for the facts before he went on the air.

“Yobo has been a fantastic performer for Nigeria and the way these things work anywhere in the world is that, that testimonial should be done by him alongside the NFF and there wouldn’t have been any conflicts.

“For example, I only got the letter sometime in April and whether it got to the NFF, I’m not sure.”

When asked if the NFF had been insensitive to have fixed a game on the same day as the Yobo testimonial, Akinwunmi suggested it was Emenike who had been insensitive, adding that Yobo should have fixed his testimonial on a different date.

vs Man Utd 1:45pm vs Swansea City 4:00pm vs Chelsea 4:00pm vs Stoke City 4:00pm vs West Bromwich 4:00pm

Ex-FIFA chiefs, Bedoya, Jadue banned for life FORMER football high-ranking officials, Luis Bedoya and Sergio Jadue were banned for life from all footballrelated activities by the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee on Friday.

In December, the US Department of Justice announced Bedoya and Jadue - both ex-CONMEBOL vicepresidents - had waived indictment and pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.

Their guilty pleas related to two schemes in which they asked for and received bribes from sports marketing companies in relation to the awarding of marketing rights for the Copa Libertadores and the Copa America.

The adjudicatory chamber, chaired

by Mr Hans‑Joachim Eckert, accepted the recommendations of the investigatory chamber and have forbidden Jadue, also a former president of the Chilean FA, and Bedoya, a former president of the Colombian FA, from working in the game in any capacity in the future.

A FIFA statement read: “The adjudicatory chamber found Mr Jadue and Mr Bedoya guilty of violating acts 13 (General rules of conduct), 15 (Loyalty), 18 (Duty of disclosure, cooperation and reporting), 19 (Conflicts of interest) and 21 (Bribery and corruption) of the FIFA Code of Ethics. As a consequence, both officials have been banned for life from all football-related activities.”

HE crisis rocking the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) took another dimension on Friday evening as Ambassador Chris Giwa, contending the leadership position with Mr Amaju Pinnick, was whisked away by the police from the secretariat of the federation in Abuja.

The current leadership tussle in the NFF began in 2014, leading to a Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State, giving different orders stopping the NFF congress help in Warri, Delta State and declaring the elections held Warri on September 30, 2014 null and void.

Following the intervention of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, the case in Jos court was withdrew by the Giwa faction, which instituted it, but later approached the court last December to re-list it.

The court had on Friday, April 8, 2016 decided to re-list the case and reinstated its previous orders on the matters.

T r i bunesport gathered that some members of the Giwa faction, including Alhaji Sani Fema, Victor Ramson Baribote, among others, in company with a court bailiff had come on Friday morning to service court orders on NFF officials.

At 4:15 pm, Giwa with members of his group arrived at the NFF secretariat and walked straight into the Glass House.

But a reliable source informed Tribunesport that Giwa never met with any official of the NFF, adding that he only went round the offices at the Glass House with his group and then headed out of the secretariat.

It was gathered that while coming out some minutes later, Giwa was approached by the DPO in charge of Wuse Zone 3 police station, who dressed in plain cloth, CSP Sunday Irek and asked the latter to identify himself.

On introducing himself, the DPO was said to have asked Giwa to follow him to the station for questioning, a directive the latter obeyed, as both were said to have boarded the SUV car brought by Giwa to the station. Giwa was also accompanied to the station by members of his group present at the Glass House.

As of the time of filing this report, Giwa and his group members were still at the police station.

Meanwhile, when asked of his mission at the secretariat, Giwa told sports journalists that he came to revalidate his mandate as NFF president.

He informed that he was going to resume fully at the Glass House on Monday, May 9 to take over the administration of football in the country.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: saturdaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: LASISI OLAGUNJU. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation.7/5/2016.