7th December 2015 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,386

MONDAY, 7 DECEMBER, 2015

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Nigerian editors ask Senate to suspend debate on anti-social media bill —P40

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N1trn rail contract scam: Reps summon Tukur, Baraje, others

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Ile-Ife in festive mood as new Ooni gets staff of office today

—P35

—P6

PDP leads in Bayelsa, APC jubilates in Kogi • Bayelsa: INEC postpones announcement of remaining results till 10am today •Poor preparation, delay, fear mar Southern Ijaw rescheduled poll —P6,8 •PDP rejects Yahaya Bello as Kogi gov-elect BAYELSA ELECTION RESULTS RELEASED SO FAR

Kokokuma/ Opokuma APC 6,896 PDP 7,619 Yenagoa APC 14,563 PDP 24,258 Sagbama APC 5,382 PDP 28,934 Brass APC 21,755 PDP 6,516 Ekeremor APC 7,918 PDP 14,602

Women celebrating the victory of Kogi governor-elect, Mr Yahaya Bello, in Lokoja, on Sunday. PHOTO: NAN.

Minimum wage

NLC mobilises against salary cut •Says attempt to sack workers will throw Nigeria into chaos

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Taxi driver, Okada rider die queueing for petrol in Ilorin —P38

Monday, 7 December, 2015

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Monday, 7 December, 2015

Olanipekun appeals for adequate funding for Ajayi Crowther varsity By Kehinde Adio

HE pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Chief Wole Olanipekun, has applead to all the Anglican Communion churches in Nigeria to unite and fund the institution. Chief Olanipekun made the appeal on Saturday, at the seventh convocation ceremony of the university, established by Anglican Church Supra-Diocese

West, in collaboration with old boys Association of St. Andrews College, Oyo, in 2005. According to him, if all the Anglican Communion, would take the challenge of funding the institution as part of the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s educational social responsibility to Nigerian tertiary education development process, the development would go a long way not only to upgrade the university to a top class university in research, teaching and community service in Nigeria, the indi-

Babcock varsity gets new VC Naza Okoli - Lagos PROFESSOR Ademola Stephen Tayo has been appointed Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, IlishanRemo, Ogun State. This was contained in a press statement released by the institution at the weekend. Tayo, a professor of Christian Education, replaces Professor J. A. Kayode Makinde, who has completed his tenure as President/Vice Chancellor. Professor Tayo is a former Rector of Adventist University, Cosendai, Cameroon

and immediate-past Dean, College of Postgraduate Studies, Babcock University. He was also the pioneer Director of Academic Planning of Babcock University.

gent but brilliant children will also have access to qualitative and morally sound university education. While he called on the philanthropists, who are members of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria and diaspora to support the development of the university, he also appealed to the Federal Government to include private institutions in its Tertiary Education Trust Fund sharing formular. Speaking in the same vein, the new vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Dapo Asaju, assured the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founding fathers and the entire university community that his administration would build on the good solid foundation his predecessors had laid to move the university forward physically and academically.

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Monday, 7 December, 2015

Minimum wage: NLC mobilises against salary cut •Put affiliates, state councils on alert Soji-Eze Fagbemi - Abuja

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Sunday, warned that any attempt by the governors to renege on the N18,000 national minimum wage or sack workers, will throw the country into industrial disharmony and chaos. To show its determination on this threat, the congress directed its state councils and affiliates to be on alert

and commence mobilisation to respond speedily and promptly to any action of the governors. To forestall this looming crisis, the NLC called on the All Pogressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call their governors to order. A statement issued and signed by the NLC president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, in Abuja, on Sunday, said Nigeria was already a beleaguered country and

•Says sack ‘ll throw Nigeria into chaos

would further be thrown into industrial disharmony and chaos “either now or as we enter the new year.” Comrade Wabba said: “We call on the ruling APC government and the opposition PDP to call their governors to order, as any attempt to renege on the payment of the N18, 000 national minimum wage or engage in mass sack of workers in the states, will throw our already beleaguered country into industrial disharmony

and chaos, either now or as we enter the new year. “All governors, regardless of political coloration, took the oath of office to defend the laws and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Minimum Wage Act of 2010 which legitimises the negotiated N18,000 is part of the laws of the federation; Nigerian workers will defend the rule of law, including the Minimum Wage Law. “By this statement, con-

Ile-Ife in festive mood for Ooni’s coronation today

gress is putting our state councils and industrial union affiliates at a full state of alert and to commence mobilisation to ensure that we can respond speedily and promptly to any action of the governors to carry out their threat.” He warned that the path the governors were headed could only lead to one outcome– a head-on collision with Nigerian workers and the Nigerian people. Wabba explained that the

We’re ready to host local, global dignitaries —Chairman, publicity committee Oluwole Ige - Osogbo VIRTUALLY all parts of Ile-Ife were in festive mood on Sunday, as preparations reached advanced stage for today’s coronation of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. The facelift for the Ile Oodua, where the palace of the monarch is situated, which commenced some few days ago, had almost been concluded as of Saturday when the Nigerian Tribune visited the premises. Nigerian Tribune sighted artisans and other skilled workers carrying out the painting of the edifice, while renovation works

were ongoing at the outer court of the palace. Another building located beside the main palace was being restructured to give it a befitting look ahead today’s coronation, which is expected to attract local and international dignitaries, including captains of industries and envoys from foreign embassies. Similarly, the main road from Lagere junction, leading to the palace at Enuwa was being rehabilitated on Saturday, as some workers of a construction firm were seen filling the potholes on the busy road. The entire town, from Mayfair, Lagere, Enuwa, Ondo Road, Sabo, among

others, were in a festive mood, as sizeable population of people were already jubilating in anticipation of today’s coronation. Some of them, who spoke to Nigerian Tribune, expressed hope that today’s coronation would usher in a new vista of hope and new dawn for Ile-Ife. Speaking about the level of preparedness for the coronation and presentation of staff of office to Oba Ogunwusi during a telephone chat on Sunday, chairman, media and publicity committee for the coronation, Honourable Biyi Odunlade, said “we are absolutely ready to host eminent personalities

from within and outside the country during the coronation ceremony.” According to him, “all necessary arrangements have been put in place for the coronation as you know that the event would attract local and international dignitaries and we cannot afford to leave any stone unturned in ensuring a hitch-free and memorable coronation. “From effective security to logistics, crowd control, reception, among other critical segments, we have made adequate preparations. So, I can tell you categorically that we are absolutely ready for the coronation,” Odunlade asserted. He continued that “right

now, interdenominational service is ongoing as part of the week-long activities for the coronation. After the service, Oba Ogunwusi would inspect the level of work at Kabiyesi Resort, along Ibadan-Ife Expressway. The project, which would be completed soon, would rank among the best resorts in the world. “I can assure our August visitors, from the government circles, traditional institution, captain of industries, envoys from foreign embassies and high profile guests from the international community that we are fully ready to host them in the cradle of Yorubaland.”

PDP kicks as INEC declares APC winner of Kogi poll •Jubilation in Okene as Bello emerges gov-elect •His election cannot stand in court —Legal practitioner Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja with Agency Reports THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), early hours of Sunday, declared Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the governorship election in Kogi State. The Returning Officer, Professor Emmanuel Kucha, who announced the result at about 5.00 a.m, said the party won after the compilation of the supplementary election held on Saturday. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has rejected the result, saying it was a mockery of democracy. However, declaring the results, Kucha said the APC scored a total of 247,752 votes, while the PDP garnered 204,877 votes. Analysis of the results showed that the APC won the supplementary election held on Saturday with 6885 votes, while the PDP scored 5363 votes. The APC had in the main election got 240867 votes to beat the PDP which had 199,

514 votes. Kucha said with the completion of the exercise and having scored the majority of the lawful votes cast, Bello emerged the governorelect in the state. Reacting to the declaration of the result, Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Bode Ogunmola, said the party had rejected the result. He said INEC and the APC should be ready to test their action in the court, as the party would be approaching the Election Petition Tribunal. He said the processes of the election in Kogi State was fraught with illegalities which could not stand the test of time. Ogunmola, however, urged the supporters of the party to remain calm and continue to support the government, adding that the party had confidence in the judiciary to redress the situation in the state. Meanwhile, the people of Okene, Kogi State, on Sunday, took to the streets, celebrating the declaration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the

governor-elect of the state. Bello, who hails from Agassa, Okene Local Government Area of the state, was declared winner of the governorship election, following the outcome of the December 5 supplementary poll in 91 polling units in the state. Bello contested the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Hundreds of people were seen on major streets dancing, jubilating and singing victory songs. Masquerades were also among the jubilant in different attires. Some of those jubilating said they were excited that one of them finally emerged governor of the state. Mr Isa Mohammed, a barber, said he was happy that the power rotation they had long agitated for had come to them. “It is a divine arrangement and an act of God that it happened at this point in time. “We are grateful to God for making this shift of power possible and for consider-

ing the Ebira,” Mohammed said. Mr Ibrahim Jimoh also said that the emergence of Bello had brought liberation to the “marginalised’’ tribes in the state. He, therefore, called on all other tribes to support the governor-elect for the development of the state. However, the Audu/ Faleke Campaign Organisation has described the supplementary election that produced Bello as governorelect as “unnecessary and a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.” The group’s stand was contained in a statement signed and issued by its Director of Media, Mr Duro Meseko, in Lokoja, the state capital, on Sunday. It said that the final results of the election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had vindicated its earlier position that the Audu/Faleke ticket had won the November 21 governorship election and should have been declared as such. In a related development,

a legal practitioner, Mr Greg Anthony, has faulted the declaration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Kogi governorship election. Anthony told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Sunday, that the process through which a party’s standard-bearer should emerge was circumvented. Anthony said that in spite of the constitutional gaps, it was not proper to give the votes belonging to James Falake to a man who did not work for it. He argued that only Falake, who was running mate to the late Abubakar Audu, had claim to the votes. “Some people voted for the APC in the exercise because Falake was in the race together with Audu. “Why is it then a joint ticket? I want to believe the governorship election tribunal should address the anomalies. “This election cannot be upheld by any court of competent jurisdiction or even the tribunal,’’ he said.

latest reaction of the chairman of Governors’ Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari, to the response of the NLC, that the threat by the governors to jettison the N18, 000 national minimum wage, would amount to a declaration of war against the working people of our country, had shown that the governors were still determined to go ahead or sack workers, in the alternative. He said: “For us in the NLC, governors/states are going away with N500 million, N50 million or less; from the monthly federation account sharing not on account of the fall in the price of crude oil alone, but because of the earlier choice(s) the governors made in recklessly mortgaging their states’ revenue through uneconomical borrowing from commercial banks. “In addition, our governors continue to engage in practices that are completely against the norms and standards of governance in civilised societies, especially those whose economies are under stress, such as profligate lifestyles; unnecessarily bloated political aides, awarding contracts that are clearly several notches above prevailing market costs, dedication of hundreds of millions of annual budget to security votes, which are unfortunately more often than not used as slush funds, while expending several millions of naira on their travels and tours that yield literally nothing in return. “This is apart from the mindless pensions running into several millions of naira that many former governors had, at the point of their exit from power dishonestly awarded themselves and which no successor governor has mustered the courage to revoke since this immoral practice began in 2007 or thereabout. “A political elite that cannot fund minimum wages which is clearly not one that can sustain a typical minimum wage earner and his legal dependents, has one of its members going ahead to put N20 billion to construct a supposed cargo airport in a state capital that is less than 200 kilometres from the federal capital and where the most viable transportation system is okada. Yet, this state is not known to manufacture or produce anything currently which needs urgent airlifting. This underscores misplaced priorities of our current government elite in the country.”

Monday, 7 December, 2015

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Monday, 7 December, 2015

Bayelsa poll: PDP wins 4 out of 5 announced LG results

•INEC postpones announcement of remaining results till 10am today •Poor preparation, delay mar Southern Ijaw rescheduled poll From Ebenezer Adurokiya, Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji

ANDIDATE of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State governorship election, Mr Seriake Dickson, was leading after results from five local governments were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday night. The result announced were from Kokokuma, Sagbama, Ekeremor, Yenagoa and Brass local government areas of the state. The election was keenly contested between the PDP candidate and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva. At Kokokuma/Polokuma council, the PDP candidate scored 7,619 as against APC’s 6,896. Dickson also won at Sagbama council, polling 28,934 against APC’s 5,382 votes. He also came tops with 14,602 vote cast as against APC’s 7,918 at Ekeremor council. At Yenagoa Local Government Area, PDP polled 24,258 while APC polled 14,563. In Brass Local Govern-

...No death in Southern Ijaw —Police Ebenezer Adurokiya -Yenagoa THE Nigeria Police have denied widespread report that some people were killed in Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa State. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Hashimu Argungu, posted to Bayelsa for the poll, while briefing the press at the Officers’ Mess in Yenagoa, on Sunday morning, said there was no death in Southern Ijaw as widely reported in the media. He also added that contrary to reports, only miscreants were arrested and six arms made up of five AK-47 and a pistol were recovered from hoodlums at Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. “The report that some were killed cannot be confirmed, as corpses of the purported dead persons cannot be traced and their particulars could not be obtained from any source. “Information at my disposal is that there was no death in Southern Ijaw yesterday (on Saturday),” DIG Argungu noted.

ment, however, the APC candidate polled 21,755 against PDP’s 6,516 votes. There was a mild drama during announcement of results at the Yenagoa Local Government Area collation centre when a PDP agent and member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Agbedi Fred, took to the floor to lodge complaints of irregularities that characterised the exercise in Brass council. According to him, in

Wards 3,4 and 5, and perhaps the entire local government, there was violence. He called for a total cancellation of the exercise in the entire local government area. Similarly, an agent of APC, Dennis Otiotio, also took to the floor to register his misgivings as regards the Saturday election. He said Ward 4 and 5 of Yenagoa Local Government witnessed snatching of electoral materials.

Meanwhile, announcements of results for the remaining three local government areas would commence at 10.00 a.m today, as the returning officer said collation was still ongoing. Meanwhile, poor execution of plans, delay and fear, on Sunday, marred the rescheduled election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed the

exercise for 8.00 a.m., but electoral materials did not leave the commission’s office in Opuama community on time. Opoama is the headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. The exercise was equally delayed by the disagreement between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those of the All Progressives Congress (APC). While the APC wanted the

Abacha’s loot: 11 questions Okonjo-Iweala must answer —SERAP

OCIO-ECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has rejected the accusation of political agenda by the immediate past Coordinating Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, saying “the issue of how over $5 billion recovered Abacha funds were spent under her watch deserves serious attention.” In a statement on Sunday by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said: “By making unfounded allegations against SERAP, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala has provided little more than an unhelpful distraction, which can only serve to undermine genuine efforts to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria, the country that she claims to love so dearly.” “As we continue to study the documents received from the World Bank, we have identified 11 questions that Nigerians would like

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to answer as a matter of priority. “First, the World Bank confirmed that of the 51 projects reviewed, 23 were described as ‘completed,’ 26 at various stages of completion and two described as ‘abandoned.’ Nigerians would like Mrs OkonjoIweala to show us evidence of the 23 projects allegedly completed and whether the 26 projects were actually completed and what became of the two abandoned projects. “Second, Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to explain the letter she wrote to the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria January 9, 2005, that of the 174 health centres built with Abacha funds, 138 were fully functional and that remaining 36 were expected to be commissioned in January 2005. “Third, Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to identify and name the 10 power installations and to provide contact details of the contractors that execut-

ed the projects. “Fourth, Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to explain how much exactly was involved as a part of 2004 annual budget execution in anticipation of the repatriation of the looted funds in 2004, as well as repayment terms of the funds and from which banks. “Fifth, Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to explain how much was left in the account by the time she left office in May. “Sixth, Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to explain the material discrepancy and why the transfer of $5.2 million was not disclosed to the bank. “Seventh, Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to explain exactly the capital expenditure financed by the loot in the 2005 budget. “Eighth, Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to identify the number and location of schools which benefitted from these funds at the time. “Ninth, the World Bank

confirmed that there were problems with collecting project-related information because of underdeveloped reporting and accounting standards and absence of properly set-up databases for sectoral project portfolios; and weak administrative capacity in the ministry of finance. Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to explain why this was the case under her watch. “Tenth, the World Bank confirmed that 13 road projects were completed, including three of the largest road and bridge projects in each geopolitical zone. Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to explain exactly what happened and to identify unconfirmed individual projects, including the largest roads and bridges completed. “Eleventh, the World Bank confirmed that no special arrangements were made for project selection and monitoring. Nigerians would like Mrs Okonjo-Iweala to explain why this was the case under her watch.”

N310m robbery: DSS arrests 2 of its officers

•N66.4m recovered •DSS, Police, Army commence joint investigation Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja THE Department of State Services (DSS), on Sunday, said it had arrested two out of five of its staff, who were involved in the robbery and sharing of N310 million belonging to a Bureau De Change operator in Abuja last month The service, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by Mr Tony Opuiyo, said a sum of N66.4 million and $6,200 have so far been recovered from the bandits led by a serving captain in the Nigerian Army, while efforts were being made to recover the remaining amount. It added that “while three of the DSS staff are now at large, the Military authorities have commenced a detailed investigation of five of its personnel involved in

the crime.” The statement read: “The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the general public that the service has arrested two out of five of its staff involved in the robbery and sharing, on November 20, of the sum of three hundred and ten million naira (N310 million) belonging to a Bureau De Change operator in Abuja. “While three of the DSS staff are now at large, the Military authorities have commenced a detailed investigation of five of its personnel involved in the crime. “Preliminary investigations have revealed that Abdulrasheed Ahmadu MAIGARI, of the DSS, conspired with four other colleagues of his, namely Solomon INUSA, Peter OKOYE, Patrick ISHAYA and George Mwatapwa IBBI, to carry out this

reprehensible act. “The five military personnel were led by one Captain Hussein Ishaku MSHELIA. “Meanwhile, the service has arrested MAIGARI and IBBI; and MSHELIA was equally arrested by the Army authorities. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those still at large. “A total of N66,437,445 and $6,200 had so far been recovered, while efforts are being made to recover the remaining amount. “It is to be noted that security agencies now act in concert, thus the joint investigation undertaken with the Police, Army and the DSS. “This action of the service is in line with the posture of the current administration and DSS management’s focus on professionalism, transparency and accountability.

“Those so far arrested have been suspended pending completion of investigations. “For the avoidance of doubt, the service wants to reiterate its commitment to the basic ideals and principles as established by its forebears and will not spare anyone found to be contravening the rules and regulations or the laws of the land. “We, therefore, encourage members of the public with useful information that could lead to the arrest of those at large to volunteer same to the service or other security agencies. “The DSS also wishes to use this opportunity to assure all law-abiding citizens of their safety and urge them to partner with the service in the smooth discharge of its responsibilities.”

exercise to go on as scheduled in the local government, the PDP asked INEC to shift the exercise. Even the governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson, had to pay a surprise visit to the INEC office in Opuama, trying to convince the officials to reschedule the exercise. When all efforts to make the commission shift ground failed, PDP supporters took to the streets, singing in protest. They were chanting: “We are not safe o! We are not safe o! On realising that the strategy was not working, they turned to the direction of corps members saying: “You are not safe o! You are not safe! Corpers, you are not safe!” While the mild drama lasted, rampaging youths took over all the major streets in the community, but security operatives, at this time, had repositioned, in order to curb any breakdown of law and order. Officials of INEC had to be escorted by at least 10 security personnel comprising soldiers and policemen while leaving for polling units. Operatives of the Department of States Services (DSS) also provided cover in Opuama community as materials were being conveyed to various polling units. Some ad hoc INEC staff abandoned the exercise, alleging that the commission did not make adequate provision for their allowances. As of the time of going to press, INEC officials could not be reached for comments. Don’t interfere, PDP tells Buhari The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari to steer clear of Bayelsa governorship election and allow the will of the people to prevail. A statement by PDP national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, on Sunday, said intelligence information reaching the party showed that the president was neck-deep in the desperation by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to forcefully take over Bayelsa State. The party alleged that the president had directed a covert military and other security operations to assist the APC to rig the election, which the PDP said it had won already. Metuh also alleged that members of illegal military operations allegedly ordered by the president were manhandling members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving as ad hoc electoral officers in the state.

Nigerian Tribune

Monday, 7 December, 2015

Lagosmetro

400,000 cars use one access road daily in Lekki — Residents LanreAdewolewithagency report

en different estates in Lekki with about 1.5 million residents and 400,000 vehicles have just a single access road, residents have claimed. They are now demanding alternative routes before a major commercial edifice being planned for the area can take off. The residents of the 10 estates around Jakande Roundabout in Lekki, said RMB West Port, owners of Circle Mall, about to debut in the area, must provide them alternative routes before it can open its mall for business on December 17. They told NAN that the management of the outfit should have consulted widely before citing the mall around Jakande Roundabout. They reasoned that adding the vehicular and human traffic which the mall would attract to the already chaotic traffic on the Lekki –Epe Expressway would be unimaginable. John Thomas, a resident of Femi Okunnu Estate near the Jakande Roundabout, said

Fake Bureau de Change operator docked Mariam Aremu A 33-year-old woman Motunrayo Thanni has been accused fraudulently converting N200,000 belonging to one Olanma Okolie to her personal use. It was gathered that Motunrayo disguised as a Bureau De Change staff to obtain the money promising to change it to dollar. She, however, pleaded not guilty when she charged before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. The magistrate, Mrs B.O Osusanmi granted her bail of N50,000 and adjourned the matter till February 18 2016.

that there were more than 10 estates in the area with each estate having not less than 150 buildings. “These estates include Femi Okunnu Phases 1 to 4, Victory Park, Friends’ Colony, Mil-

verton, Egerton , Cardogan, Pinnock Arcadia Groove and Northern Foreshore, all with one access road. “The only access road to all these estates is Hon. Yaya Dosunmu Way and more

than 400,000 cars ply the road on daily basis,” he said. Mr. Thomas lamented that two filling stations located on both sides of the link road to the expressway always caused gridlock whenever

there was fuel scarcity. Another resident, Idowu Johnson, who resides at Friends’ Colony, said the main entrance and exit to the mall serves as the same one that leads to their estate.

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

“We are all aware that wherever a mall is located, it usually attracts many customers and this has always resulted in congestion. “We are not against their operation because we will also patronise them, but they should also understand our plights and come up with alternative routes so that we will not suffer,” Idowu said.

Multiple accidents: Driver confesses to falling unconscious AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin

The suspected traffic robbers

Ex-convict, others nabbed for traffic robbery Olalekan Olabulo Four people including an ex-convict have been arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) who responded to distress calls from victims who were being robbed. The suspects were identified as Sodiq Hassan, Lanre Makinde, Ahmed Kazeem and Sunday Oyenitan who were all arrested in Oshodi area of the state. The suspected armed robbers reportedly connived and robbed two people in four separate incidents around Oshodi area. According to the RRS, the suspects specialize in snatching mobile phone and accessories, as well as other valuables from unsuspecting members of the public especially people who are caught in traffic. One of the victims of the robberies, Alagbada Jerry, a software analyst, while narrating his ordeal in the hands of the suspects said, “I was descending Oshodi pedestrian bridge with my earphone on. Suddenly,

Ahmed Kazeem brushed his shoulder against mine. “I noticed the music I was listening had stopped. I used my hand to feel my phone which I. kept in my pocket but it was no longer there. “One of the passers-by who saw him told me Kazeem had stolen my phone; by then he had ran away to the middle of the expressway, looking at me,” the victim further stated “Unfortunately for him he was arrested while trying to escape,” Alagbada said.

Another victim, Oyebamiji Rasheedat, who explained how her Tecno tablet was stolen from her by Sodiq Hassan, said that, she alighted from her husband’s car to open the back door for the passengers they assisted to Oshodi. Unknown to her, Sodiq Hassan and Awuwa had taken her tablet she placed on the front seat of the car, but unfortunately for them, operatives of the RRS spotted them from afar as they were taking the phone.

“It was the RRS men that arrested Sodiq but his colleague, Awuwa escaped with the tablet. We made series of efforts to locate Awuwa. Sodiq but manage to escape. My tablet is still with him,” she said. One of the suspects, Ahmed Kazeem claimed that he was influenced by peer pressure. The RRS commander, Olatunji Disu, confirmed the arrest of the suspects and added would be soon be charged to court.

A 40-year-old driver has admitted before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court that he fell unconscious while driving which resulted to a head on collision with three cars. The driver Saliu Skinny was remanded in prison custody after he pleaded guilty. Saliu, a driver with a petrochemical company in Eleme, Rivers State, was accused of reckless driving without regard to other road users. According to the police, Saliu commited the offence along Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway, in Ojota. The police said the accused was driving an Iveco truck, with Reg. No. KRD 274 XD and was travelling to Lagos from Abuja when the accident occurred. He confessed to have suddenly gone unconscious for some seconds, resulting into an accident involving three vehicles,” the police said.

Factory workers arraigned for disturbing court proceedings AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin Five factory workers were on Friday charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged breach of public peace. The accused, Ezike Daniel (22), Godwin Ubi (22), Olaiya Kadiri (24), Udeme Felix (22) and Nwigwe Odinaka (23) were accused of making noise at 10.30 am at the Ikeja Magistrates’

Court, Lagos while the courts were sitting. According to the police, the accused persons conducted themselves in a riotous manner, capable of breaching the peace and disrupting the court proceedings. The police further said that the men who are employees of Durapak Company located at Awosika Street, Ikeja Industrial Estate, came

to court to support some of their colleagues that were arraigned. They were subsequently arrested after a distress call was sent to the police that a group of people were conducting themselves in a riotous manner during the court proceedings. The offences according to the police contravened Sections 44 (4) and 166 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos

State, 2011. They, however, pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned before the court. The Chief Magistrate, Mr Alexander Komolafe, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum. He then adjourned the case to January 18, for mention.

news Military commences strikes on Sambisa Forest 10

Chris Agbambu - Abuja

HE Nigerian Army has finally commenced strikes deep inside Sambisa forest which is believed to be the stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorists. The Army, in a statement, confirmed this and said that various units have advanced deep into the forest clearing most of the camps, rescuing persons held captive, arresting some terrorists and destroying most of their weapons and equipment. The statement noted that

Monday, 7 December, 2015

the advancing troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, were able to clear and destroy Boko Haram camps at Shuari, Adembe, Yerimari Kura, Yerimari Gana, Gonin Kurmi, Kore, Mainya Kore and Lopere. The statement also noted that the Multi-barrel Rocket Launcher Regiment has destroyed Boko Haram camps at Dure, Dure Kore, Jokwa, as well as several other camps. It hinted that the troops recovered foodstuffs, motorcycles, flags, Improvised

Explosive Making Devices (IED) materials and military uniforms. Among other discoveries were the terrorist tunnels, weapons and equipment. “The soldiers also recovered 2,000 cows rustled from various persons over time and rescued women and children held captive by the Boko Haram. While the animals have been moved to Kanwuri, the rescued persons have been evacuated and are being given all the necessary support and assistance,” the statement noted.

It said “During the encounter with the terrorists at Yerimari Gana, a number of Boko Haram terrorists were killed and some suspected terrorists were arrested who are being interrogated. However, a soldier sustained gun shot wound and fracture on the leg. “Similarly, while advancing to destroy Nefari terrorists’ camp, troops discovered and cleared three IEDs laid along the route. The camp was successfully cleared and troops have continued their advance while a blocking force has

been deployed to prevent infiltration and possible escape by the terrorists. “Unfortunately, during another encounter with the terrorists along the axis of advance, three soldiers made the supreme sacrifice, while an officer and two soldiers were wounded in action. “It is instructive to note that the troops’ morale is

All territories will be recovered from terrorists latest Dec 31 —Lai Mohammed Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the military will ensure that all the territories under Boko Haram are recovered latest by the end of the year. The minister also said that the government would embark on national security campaign to create awareness and make Nigerians take possession of the war against insurgents. Speaking at the Operation ‘Lafiya Dole’ Media Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State, the minister said that Nigerians should not expect final stop to Boko Haram attacks from January 1, 2016, but that all the territories under the control of the insurgents will be liberated. His words: “let’s make it clear what the military can do. It is only to liberate all our territories from the control of Boko Haram. If you think that from January 1 there will be no more bombings, we are mistaking. “As a government, we will

ensure that by the end of this year, no territory of ours is in the hand of Boko Haram.” Also in Bama, while addressing the troops, Lai Mohammed said that the

government would launch a national security campaign across the country so that all Nigerians will be security conscious. Addressing the troops, the minister said “I can as-

sure you that your efforts will not be in vain. This war is not yours alone, it’s our war, you are fighting on our behalf and we will make our contribution to ensure that your efforts are not in vain.”

Borno will shine again —Gov Shetima Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

FOLLOWING the ongoing military onslaught on Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, the state governor, Kashim Shetima, has expressed optimism that the state will soon be free from terrorist attacks. Governor Shetima made this known while receiving the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, in Maiduguri, after visiting the troops in Bama. The governor lamented the loss of lives and property in the state as a result of Boko Haram attacks. According to him “we

have witnessed unimaginable destruction of the 27 local government areas in Borno State. No fewer than 20 local governments were under the control of Boko Haram. “During the occupation by insurgents, some of these local government houses, hospitals, schools, markets, farms, boreholes and many others were destroyed.” Governor Shetima said the state government had expended funds in rebuilding some of the facilities, adding that the insurgents, during subsequent attacks, destroyed the rebuilt structures. “There was a particular month we approved and re-

leased N1 billion for reconstruction work and support for victims in Konduga, Gwoza and Bama, only for all the constructed amenities in the communities to be razed down shortly. “This is just one particular sad month and we have had many of such sad months,” he added. He, therefore, said “The worst is over and we are on the path to regeneration, reconstruction and resettlement of our people. The Borno town, very soon, will start shining again. We will do whatever it takes to work for our people and for us in northern Nigeria, we don’t have any other option than to improve on the quality of governance.”

very high and being conscious of their set objective, they are unrelenting in their determination to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists. “In a related development, troops have also destroyed Boko Haram camps at Bulagaije and Disa, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State and recovered motorcycles, Dane guns and ammunitions.”

Boko Haram: We are on course, Army chief insists Olalekan Olabulo - Lagos

THE Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has insisted that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies are on course to put an end to the activities of Boko Haram members in Nigeria. The army chief, who was represented at the graduation ceremony of the Logistics Management Course 13/15, in Lagos State, at the weekend, by the Chief of Logistics of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adeku Saliu, said this. The Chief of Army Staff also emphasised the importance of logistics to effective warfare and expressed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to proper logistics. Buratai stated that the military and other security

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki (right) and other participants during one of the sessions at the just concluded COP 21 Legislators Summit, in Paris, France, at the weekend.

Nigerian Tribune

forces are on course to combat Book Haram, within the time directed by President Muhammed Buhari. The army boss also stated that much of the resources of the Nigerian Army in recent times are channelled towards the execution of the operations in the North Eastern part of the country. “As you may well know that the Nigerian Army is the lead service in the ongoing war against insurgency in the North Eastern part of our dear nation and much of the Nigerian Army resources are channelled towards the execution of the operation,” the army boss said. He also pointed out that “a robust logistic plan is imperative for good strategy and sound tactics to succeed.”

Saraki lobbies French Parliament on B/Haram, economy, Lake Chad project SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, at the weekend called on the French government to be more decisive in supporting war against terrorism, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency in the North eastern part of Nigeria and neighbouring former French-colonies in West Africa. Saraki, during a twohour bilateral meeting with the president of the French Senate, Senator Gerard Larcher, during the ongoing COP21 Globe Parliamentary meeting in Paris, also urged France to strengthen the existing trade relations with Nigeria while also supporting the ongoing efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhariled administration to rebuild the Nigerian economy and improve on the state of infrastructure. He also canvassed French support for the completion of the Lake Chad Project aimed at battling environmental challenge in the region. While commiserating with the French people on the recent terrorist attack in the country, the Senator Saraki urged French par-

liamentarians to push for more support for the Nigerian government towards resolving the Boko Haram crisis which he said poses grave danger to French strategic interests in West Africa. He noted that France could intervene by sharing vital intelligence with Nigerian Defence authorities and providing manpower as well as material support so that the insurgents will be overwhelmed and defeated in a short time. He also solicited for the help of France in assisting the over two million internally displaced people in the North-East, adding that the country’s leaders are already thinking of how to properly resettle the people and rebuild the area after the end of the ongoing military campaigns. Senator Larcher, while welcoming his Nigerian counterpart, described the visit by Saraki as the first by a Nigerian parliamentary leader in the history of French-Nigeria relationship. He said France cannot but be interested in fostering the commercial/business relationship between France and Nigeria.

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Monday, 7 December, 2015

Globacom focuses on improved customer satisfaction, unveils agreement with Vodafone

aking customer satisfaction as its focal policy, Nigeria’s Next Generation Network, Globacom, has unfolded the details of its new strategic partnership with Vodafone, assuring its subscribers of a new phase of innovation-leadership and unrivalled quality of service. The mutually beneficial and reciprocal agreement between the two leading telecommunications providers was formally unveiled to the public at a high profile ceremony attended by senior officials of British High Commission, top government officials, Globacom’s brand ambassadors, high net worth customers, captains of industry, top officials of the two companies, and other categories of guests at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday night. Under the Partner Market Agreement, which covers Nigeria and Benin Republic, Globacom and Vodafone will work together to significantly enhance the experience of individual and corporate customers in terms of access to more robust bouquet of telecom products and services, as well as improved service quality levels. Speaking just before the symbolic unveiling of the partnership at the ceremony, Group Executive Director, Globacom, Mrs. Bella Disu, said “This partnership is something that we both have been yearning for. Globacom is known to be a leader of innovations and, we really have the hunger to increase our subscriber experience to the highest level possible. Vodafone has the scale; it has the experience and we both have the same customer-obsession to make

that experience even better for our customers. We are very excited.” Welcoming guests to the ceremony, Globacom’s company’s Head, Corporate Sales, Mr. Kamaldeen Shonibare, said the partnership is consistent with Globacom’s commitment to improving access to affordable telecommunications services for all categories of Nigerians. “We care about our customers, and we spare no resources to bring to them world-class telecommunications services. This partnership will give corporate

and individual subscribers on the Globacom network in Nigeria and the Republic of Benin an edge, particularly in voice and data services. The partnership is in line with Globacom’s tradition of partnering with global leaders to avail consumers of the best telecommunications services,” Shonibare said. According to him, Globacom had adopted a number of measures with a view to attaining the fundamental objectives of the partnership, among which are strategically

enhancing customer experience to boost engagement, loyalty and recognition of the brand, internal alignment of the entire organisation, expansion of reach and improvement of costs in order to deliver better value to customers. Shonibare said the partnership will consolidate Globacom’s position as an innovation leader in the African telecom market. In a presentation on how the partnership will add significant value to subscribers, Mr. Femi Oduntan, Senior Manager, Business, International

Oluwatoyin Sanni (right), Group CEO, United Capital Plc, accepting British Award for African Development (BRAAD Award) for Best African Business Leader from Honorable Jeremy Lefroy, Member of Parliament for Stafford and member of the UK Parliament International Development Committee.

gional auditions to the current episode was played on the large LEF screen on stage to entertain the guests at Millipat Hotel on Enugu Road while waiting for the much advertised comedy show to begin. The visibly excited guests were glued to the screen and carried away by the scintillating dance moves of contestants in the reality T.V show which was an interesting prelude to the Glo Laffta Fest comedy show. Some of the guests who watched the dance show said that the Glo Laffta Fest comedy show afforded them the opportunity of watching Dance With Peter. One of them, Nkiru Njoku, a 300 level student of Microbiology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said: “I came here to watch Bovi, Okey Bakassi, Korede Bello, M.I and others perform as had been advertised, but saw another dimension to the show. I watched Dance with Peter. The fusion of dance reality T.V, music and comedy is like a three course meal”, she said. Another guest, Olisa Okeke, an ICT staff of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, asserted that Globacom’s passion for the entertainment industry in Nigeria was unrivalled, and that the company’s commitment to promoting young talents through entertainment was very commendable.

Bosak Microfinance Bank encourages saving culture, rewards customer KehindeAkinseinde-JayeobaLagos

Bosak Microfinance Bank Limited held its 2nd Beta Life Savings Promo on December 3, 2015 at the Primrose Events Place. It was an exciting event geared towards engender-

ing a. The management of Bosak Microfinance Bank has encouraged savings culture among all, especially the economically active poor. At the company’s 2nd Beta Life Savings Promo the MD/CEO, Mr Kola Bello, encouraged attendees

to embrace savings to ensure a fall back plan during rainy days and the making of capital expenses such as school fees. He reiterated that access to individual accounts is hitch-free and convenient compared to the practice of saving with thrift collec-

Nigeria has no foundation in entrepreneurship —Don Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University, Professor AbdulRasheed Naallah, has stated that the country’s foundation as a nation dating back to the colonial era was not laid to train entrepreneurs. Professor Naallah, who stated this in Ibadan on Thursday at the Fidelity Bank’s Regional SME Conference entitled, ‘Positioning SMEs for Growth in the South West Region,’ disclosed further that colonial masters came to the country with the goal of developing us as cooks, clerks, messengers, etc, expressing regret that after inde-

Globacom, said this will include Machine to Machine (M2M) solutions, Application Services, Cloud Services and Mobile Money services, among a host of other products and services. Meanwhile, it was a mixture of dance, music and comedy at the Nsukka edition of Glo Laffta Fest comedy show as the event held on Friday, December 4, featured the Dance with Peter reality T.V show also sponsored by Globacom. As a prelude to the event, a recap of the reality T.V dance show from the re-

pendence, the nation did not change the goal as it began to train people how to be bosses, secretaries, typists among others in the offices. The don, who lamented further that this scenario had affected the nation’s educational curriculum which is tailored towards producing graduates for white collar jobs, said prior to colonial days, the people were specialists in farming, trading, wealth creation, etc. The VC, who said his university had long developed a curriculum that made it mandatory for all students to be trained in entrepreneurship, skills innova-

tion, starting businesses etc, equally urged the educational policy holders and government to come up with curriculum that would train students how to create wealth for them-

selves, start businesses and be self reliant. He also urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to give single digit loan to would be entrepreneurs.

tors. He further encouraged customers to take advantage of the Bank’s Health Insurance Product which gives access to medical care while premium is repaid to Bosak in small weekly repayment sum. Mr Oyewumi Adelakun, the company’s Head- Internal Control, informed attendees of the need to ensure Loan Officers attached to them document all transactions in their respective passbooks. He further drew attention to the Bank’s Toll-free line encouraging all to make

use of it for enquiries/ complaints/customer service. Following a raffle draw in which winners from three categories, those who maintained a minimum deposit of N30,000, N20,000 and N10,000, respectively were chosen. Funke Ekunsanmi won the Star prize of a brand new generator. The second prize of a table refrigerator was won by Oluwaseun Ismail Adesanya while the third prize, a rechargeable fan was won by Oseni Nurudeen Debare. Recharge cards were called out for four fastest fingers to win.

Google unveils mobile devices for fitness regimens By Victor Ogunyinka

Search engine giant, Google, thrilled participants with fitness activities and efficiency of mobile device in fitness regimens at the Bodyline Fitness and Gym, Ikoyi, Lagos State, recently. The crux of the programme entitled, ‘Get Fit With Google’, according to Google Communications

and Public Relations Manager, West Africa, Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, was to call everyone’s attention to the fitness and gym trend globally. “According to statistics, it has been established that most people search for words like gym and fitness just twice in a year; January when they make their New Year’s resolu-

tions, which most people forget about at the end of the month and December when they realised that the year is coming to an end and they are well behind in meeting their set goal. “In Nigeria, statistics revealed that people use the gym more at the beginning of every quarter. The reasons why people don’t really take this serious could

probably be attributed to pursuit of the issues of life. Technology has been designed to make life easier and believing that technology should be a part of everyday life, Google organised ‘Get Fit with Google’ to demonstrate how mobile devices can be incorporated in fitness regimens to improve the efficacy of workout sessions.”

Monday, 7 December, 2015

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Monday, 7 December, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

N1 trillion rail contracts scam: Reps summon Tukur, Baraje others Jacob Segun Olatunji and

HE House of Representatives adhoc committee on Rail Transport Contracts has summoned four former chairmen of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to appear before it on Thursday over an alleged N1trillion rail contracts scam. Those involved are three former chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Dr Haliru Bello, Dr Abubakar Kawu Baraje, now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ambassador Ladan Shuni. The former chairmen of NRC are expected to appear before the House of Representatives investigative panel on Thursday to give account of their stewardship. The chairman of the adhoc committee, Honourable Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, who revealed this to newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, said that the essence of the probe “is not to witch-hunt anybody, but to let Nigerians know how their tax money has been

spent.” According to him, “We will adhere to fair hearing, but anyone found wanting will be exposed. This eighth assembly members are

committed to putting Nigeria first in our legislative duties as well as perform our oversight functions. “Like I said earlier, this rail contract probe is not

primarily designed to rubbish anybody but we must unearth how every kobo was spent and let Nigerians know how it was spent. The first investigative hear-

ing starts on Thursday and we’ve invited all stakeholders to come and tell us all they know on this matter,” he stated. “The Minister of Trans-

port, Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, was also invited to tell us all he knows, though he just assumed office, but you know government is a continuum,” he added.

No opposition to PDP in my constituency —Mark Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

IMMEDIATE past President of the Senate, Sena-

tor David Mark, said on Sunday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the party to beat

in his Benue South Senatorial District, adding that the party was in good stead to win the rerun election or-

dered by the Court of Appeal. Mark, who stated this while receiving the Senate

Book on Ooni of Ife out today A book entitled: “Outstanding traditional rulers and leaders of Yoruba Nation” (Reprinted and enlarged) dedicated to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Alaiyeluwa Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ajaja II etc. will be out today, Monday, December 7, 2015, to coincide with the presentation of instrument and staff of office to the Ooni of Ife. The book is on eminent leaders and traditional rulers of Yoruba Nation. There are other important areas in the book such as: History of Nigeria, The Origin of Yoruba Tribes, Oduduwa The Renowned Ancestor of the Yoruba Race, Kingship Institution, Oduduwa Chil-

dren, Ile-Ife: The Source, and the difference between Mystery, Myth and History.

The book, printed by Lichfield Nigeria Limited shall be of benefit to readers, li-

braries, schools etc. It will serve as a reference book now and in future.

Ogbomoso indigenes urged to be proud of identifying with their town OGBOMOSO indigenes at home and abroad have been urged to identify themselves with pride as Ogbomoso indigenes and to bring their children closer to their hometown for proper development of the town This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a discussion held during a lecture and civic reception programme or-

ganised by the Ogbomoso First Group, in honour of Dr Akin Onigbinde and Mr Timothy Oyetunji Aremu, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs. The programme, which held at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, was attended by well-meaning Nigerians from Ogbomoso community.

The communiqué stressed on the need by Ogbomoso sons and daughters to be part of the new dawn and agenda setting for the development of the town. “Apart from being the third largest city in the South-West, Ogbomoso also determines who wins the governorship race because of the votes that always come from the town as a result of our unity.’’

caucus of the PDP in his Abuja home, said that Benue South Senatorial zone will remain impenetrable for the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC). The former Senate President insisted that the support is based on overwhelming solidarity and support among his people for his candidature, adding that “my people are solidly behind me. I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that there is no opposition to my party, the PDP in my zone.” Senator Mark said the annulment of his March 28, 2015 senatorial election at the Appeal tribunal has strengthened him and his constituent the more. He said “The Appellate tribunal judgement came as a surprise to me. But I am happy there is opportunity for a rerun election.”

Monday, 7 December, 2015

37 politicscommentary By Femi Kehinde

HE stool of the Ooni of Ife as a symbol of the stool of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, has always been full of intrigues, power play, chicanery, subterfuge, whenever the throne becomes vacant or during periods before coronation. Oba Adenekan Olubuse I, from the Ogbooru Ruling house, was the Ooni between 1884 and 1910. He was Ooni Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse’s, grandfather. His reign was peaceful and colourful. He was the first Ooni to travel out of his domain. After his death in 1910, there were many contenders to the throne of Ooni, most especially from the Oshinkola Ruling House. Ooni Adenekan Olubuse I, was succeeded by Prince Adekola from the Oshinkola Ruling House, amidst protests, uproar and disenchantments. Prince Adekola only reigned as Ooni Elect in the Ipebi for two months. He did not come out of the Ipebi (traditional period of seclusion, tutelage and performance of traditional rites). His death caused a major uproar. In parenthesis, Ooni Ogbooru who had reigned as Ooni for 70 years, was deposed and he left for Ife-Odan, where he settled with his family and followers. Six princes of other Ruling Houses were appointed successfully within a year and all died uncrowned. The throne of Ooni was therefore boycotted. They had to result to Ifa Consultation and they were instructed to recall King Ogbooru, the deposed Ooni. All efforts to recall him failed, the old man bluntly refused to return. They approached Moropo, his eldest and beloved daughter, to beg him to come back and she succeeded in gaining her father’s ears, but instead of returning at his old age, he agreed to bless Giesi-Moropo’s son as his successor, if the Chief of Ife would accept him. The chiefs were glad to hear this news and they accepted him. Giesi was blessed by his maternal grandfather and was instructed to remove certain things at certain places in the palace and the gate before his proclamation. After carrying out the instructions, he presented himself and was proclaimed king and successor of his deposed grandfather. He had a successful reign. It is also interesting to note, that if Prince Adekola, son of Akintoye, had successfully succeeded Oba Adenekan Olubuse I and blessed with a long life, there may not be Ooni Adesoji Aderemi, who eventually became Ooni in 1930, after the demise of Ooni Ademiluyi Ajagun. Ademiluyi Ajagun in 1910 had fiercely contested the throne of Ooni with Prince Adekola of the Oshinkola Ruling House. Prior to the demise of Ooni Ademiluyi Ajagun in 1930 and from around 1928, Prince Adesoji Aderemi had been popularly referred to by the people of IleIfe as “Atobatele” and “Ooni lola” (Future King). The reigning Ooni Ademiluyi Ajagun did not particularly like this. He was a very strong and ebullient king. He was very authoritative and assertive and would not have perhaps seen a good successor in Adesoji Aderemi, who incidentally, was his son- Prince Adeyemi’s best friend. There was a significant event in 1928, which gave Aderemi a foretaste of the other side of royalty and a prelude to impending imbroglio, for a successor to the throne, upon Ooni Ademiluyi’s demise. Adesoji Aderemi as Prince was a hugely successful business man and entrepreneur, that he was nicknamed- Atobatele: (already famed as king) by his contemporaries. The crowned prince of Oluwo of Iwo, was paying a visit to the crowned prince of Ife, Prince Adeyemi Ademiluyi, Prince Adesoji Aderemi’s friend. The crowned prince of Iwo wanted to also pay a visit to one of his town folks- Sarau, the leader of the Butchers Association.

Monday, 7 December, 2015

Ooni stool: Intrigues before coronation and installation

Ooni of Ife, Enitan

It is a striking coincidence that the 51st Ooni of Ife, Ooni Enitan Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi is also being formally installed and presented with the Staff of Office on December 7, 2015 at the Enuwa Square and thus begins another epochal journey in the History of Yoruba Nation. Adesoji Aderemi came around in his open-roof car (he had bought his first car in 1920 and by 1930 had used three cars) and saw the visiting entourage packed full in a car in Okerewe Street on the forecourt of Gbadebo Adesola. Prince Adeyemi Ademiluyi who was quite friendly with Aderemi, pleaded with him to help give a ride to the Iwo Crown Prince and his town’s manSarau, especially as the Iwo Crown Prince was plagued with “Sobiya” on his leg. Traditional drummers were also part of the entourage. It is interesting to note that the visiting Prince had on a previous day, visited Prince Aderemi during which Aderemi acknowledged the visitor’s Father- the Oluwo of Iwo as his very good friend, when he was Station Master of the Nigerian Railways Corporation at Ile-Ogbo. Now, it happened that on this princely occasion that the three Princes wore the same traditional “Etu Dandogo” and were really in great grandeur. Prince Aderemi agreed to take the visiting Prince to the Palace where he paid obeisance to Ooni Ademiluyi Ajagun, and they all left for the Igbodo Quarters of crown

Prince Adeyemi, for entertainment and merriment befitting princes. Adeyemi’s car was leading, followed closely by Prince Aderemi’s car, carrying him and the Iwo Crown Prince. Aderemi’s driver at that time was Salami, who was from Ikirun. When the people saw the entourage with the accompanying grandeur, they started the shouts of Kabiyesi! Kabiyesi! Kabiyesi!-hailing the occupants of Aderemi’s, car mistaking them for the Ooni. Reports however reached the Ooni’s Palace, that Prince Aderemi was unknowingly hailed as the Oba and that he responded. Ooni Ademiluyi was greatly angered by this and Prince Aderemi was charged with impersonation and loud flamboyant display of wealth, at the Upper Palace Court. Prince Aderemi was generally portrayed as a threat to the Ife throne. Several people intervened and pleaded with the Ooni not to convict him. Prince Aderemi, sensing this imminent danger, secretly paid a visit to Captain Ross- the then Resident of the Oyo Province in Ibadan, intimating him with the matter. On the judgment day, Prince Aderemi was made to lie in a prostrate position for about

three hours at the Upper Palace Court, but he was not ruffled. He was eventually asked to pay a fine of 25 pounds or face a heavier penalty. He paid the fine, intimidatingly in brand new silver dollar coins. Despite the hiccups, Prince Aderemi ascended the throne in 1930, upon the demise of Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun. It is instructive to note that the sum of 25 pounds which he paid as fine was paid back to him by the Ife Local Council on his ascension to the throne. While there was no love lost between Ademiluyi Ajagun as Ooni and his successor Adesoji Aderemi, there was a natural camaraderie between Adesoji Aderemi as Ooni and his successor- Okunade Sijuwade. As a matter of fact, Okunade was like a son to Adesoji Aderemi. Okunade’s father- Adereti Olubuse, Adesoji Aderemi, Johnson Omisore, Ajayi Ojikutu, Jones Oyeniran (Son of Ogunsua, the former Baale of Modakeke) Rufus Awojodun, Felicia Odutimi ( Mother of Rev’d S.A. Adeyefa, former principal of Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife) were all foundation students of St. Phillips School, Iyekere, Ile-Ife in January, 1900. Ooni Adesoji Aderemi was highly instrumental in Okunade Sijuwade’s relationship with the Obafemi Awolowo family, who also took him like a son. He actually worked with the Awolowo Tribune newspaper for about two years before he travelled to North Hampton Polytechnic in the United Kingdom for further studies. Awolowo and Ooni Adesoji Aderemi had probably seen in Okunade, a future Ooni that will lift to higher heights, Ooni Adesoji Aderemi’s legacies. When Sir Adesoji Aderemi transited to higher glory on 3rd July, 1980, Okunade became the natural choice of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as Asiwaju of Yorubas and also Chief Bola Ige, the incumbent governor of Awolowo’s ruling party in Oyo State- the Unity Party of Nigeria. Chief Obafemi Awolowo upon the demise of Adesoji Aderemi, called Okunade Sijuwade then in London, where he had the headquarters of his business, to intimate him of the demise of the Ooni and later said:- “Prince, ile ya” (home beckons). It is time to return home. There were also candidates from other ruling houses, Lafogido and Giesi but with a cleared road, Okunade was installed and crowned the 50th Ooni of ife on December 6, 1980 in an impressive ceremony attended by the Emir of Kano, Oba of Benin, Amayanbo of Opobo and Olu of Warri, as well as by representative of the Queen of England, among several other dignitaries. Destiny has also cleared the path for the 41-year-old new monarch, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, emerging from a list of more than 20 contenders from his Giesi Ruling House. It is a striking coincidence that the 51st Ooni of Ife, Ooni Enitan Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi is also being formally installed and presented with the Staff of Office on December 7, 2015 at the Enuwa Square and thus begins another epochal journey in the History of Yoruba Nation. The destiny of a nation depends on its leadership; the destiny of a person depends on the parentage and luck, and the destiny of the Yoruba Nation has certainly just begun again. Kehinde, an Ibadan-based legal practitioner, was a former Member, House of Representatives representing Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency of Osun State.

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Monday, 7 December, 2015

Breweries, tobacco, GSM companies should pay more taxes —NMA Sam Nwaoko -Ado Ekiti

HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called on the Federal Government to ensure the implementation of one per cent of taxes being collected on breweries, tobacco and telecommunication companies operating in Nigeria, to fund the health sector in the country. President of the associa-

tion, Dr Kayode Obembe, at a post-National Executive Council meeting press briefing in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, said big companies must pay more taxes to provide facilities in public health institutions. Dr Obembe, who read the communiqué of the meeting, said the NMA decried the dearth of medical personnel in the country, saying the ratio stood at one doctor to 6,000 patients

Dangote free to do business in Okpella —Monarch THE paramount ruler of Okpella in Kogi State, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella Kingdom, Alhaji Yesufu Dirisu, has read the riot act to what he termed inciting activities of agents of a rival cement company in the community, warning that his palace would no longer tolerate any group using pseudo names to dent the integrity of his palace and people. Alhaji Dirisu, who was receiving in audience some concerned stakeholders in his palace at the weekend, spoke against the background of reports said to have been sponsored by the management of the company to the effect that the people of the community were spoiling for a showdown with Dangote Cement over its decision to explore limestone for cement production purposes in the area. Contrary to reports in a section of the media that there was tension in the community over alleged planned attacks by un-

named persons, the entire community was calm with no sign of any unease. According to him, “its all lies. Nobody has said Dangote should not come to Okpella to do business and exploration. Some people, for their selfish interest, have been publishing falsehood, saying Okpella community does not want Dangote. “I am the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella kingdom. I am speaking of behalf of the chiefs, elders and youths of this community. We have no issue with Dangote Cement. “I have said it times without number that we want Dangote to come and do business here in Okpella. When every community, state and even nations are looking for investors, why should we ask Dangote not to come to our community?” Also, one of the youth leaders in the community, John Umoru, said there was no security threat anywhere within the community, adding that youths in the area stood for peace.

Taxi driver, Okada rider die queueing for petrol in Ilorin Biola Azeez -Ilorin A commercial motorcycle operator and a taxi driver have been reported dead while queueing up for petrol at different filling stations in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, at the weekend. This is just as the persistent fuel scarcity in the state capital and environs got worsened at the weekend. It was gathered that the two incidences occurred at different filling stations where the deceased had queued for fuel for several hours. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the unidentified okada rider met his untimely death at Ogidi area of Ilorin, on Saturday, as he was crushed by an on-coming tipper lorry while trying to properly position himself on a queue at the filling station. He was said to have died instantly due to fatal injury

he sustained from the accident. Policemen from Oloje divisional police station, it was gathered, later moved to the scene of the accident to evacuate the corpse. The death of the taxi driver, identified as Daddy Mustapha of Isale Banni area of Ilorin, reportedly occurred in a circumstance described by many as mysterious. It was gathered that the deceased, who was said to have been on the queue for several hours, was found dead shortly after buying fuel and could not drive his vehicle out of the filling station. Anxious motorists who had queued behind him for several hours were said to have approached him only to find out that he was no longer breathing. The deceased, it was gathered, had been buried according to Islamic rites.

instead of one to 600 as recommended by the United Nations (UN). He called on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to accredit more public health facilities for the training of interns. The doctors lauded Pres-

ident Muhammadu Buhari for appointing professionals to the Federal Ministry of Health and called for immediate payment of 10 months arrears of relativity, while implementation of “skipping” of doctors should commence by Jan-

uary. He said the upgrading of some of the state and federal hospitals and their subsequent accreditation by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria would help in promoting residency training for more

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39 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Monday, 7 December, 2015 CHANGE OF NAME

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news

Monday, 7 December, 2015

NGE to Senate: Stop proceedings on anti-social media bill Those opposed to anti-frivolity bill have opportunity to make input —Senate From Ayodele Adesanmi, Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare And Tunde Ogunesan

S Nigerians continue to condemn the draft Bill sponsored by Senator Bala Na’Allah, seeking to prohibit frivolous petitions and other matters connected therewith on the floor of the Senate last Tuesday, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has lent its voice to demand that the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria suspend all proceedings with respect to the proposed bill, unconditionally. NGE describes the accelerated hearing of the bill as curious, adding that its only aim is to outlaw the freedom of expression of all Nigerian citizens and freedom of speech of all media organisations operating in print, electronic and online platforms in the country and beyond. “Appallingly, the Bill has also included as its target very personal and private means of communication such as SMS or text messages and WhatsApp among others. The freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed in sec-

tion 22 and 39(1) of the 1999 Nigerian constitution respectively. Therefore, to enact any kind of law under any guise that will contradict these fundamental provisions is to deliberately seek to undermine the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the body asserted. NGE expressed grave

concerns that a group of persons elected by Nigerians to ensure that their rights, privileges and interests are protected will gleefully misuse the mandate given to them to the detriment of the same people that elected them. “In view of this and the glaring danger posed by the proposed Bill, the

NGE is strongly advising the Senate to drop all proceedings on the proposed Bill and turn its attention instead to critical areas in need of urgent intervention. “While believing that members of the Senate have a right both individually and collectively to express their concerns about

the abuse of the cyberspace by unscrupulous people and organisations, we advise them to consolidate or strengthen the existing laws and enforce implementation,” NGE said. Meanwhile, the Senate in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Senator Aliyu Sabi said members of the public, including those

APC bringing back Buhari’s Decree 4 of 1984 —Ekiti Attorney-General EKITI State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Owoseni Ajayi has expressed concern over the anti-Media Bill proposed by All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator, Bala Ibn Na’allah. Ajayi noted that, “the National Assembly must not allow itself to be used to bring back Decree 4 that was used against the press between 1984 and 1985 that President Muhammadu Buhari was military Head of State and the Sedition Law that the British Colonial Masters used against our fathers, who fought for the independence of Nigeria.” The Attorney-General, who declared that holders of public offices must be answerable to the people at all times, added that; “those of us holding public offices must be mindful of the temptation of seeing

ourselves as being above the people. We are not God that cannot be questioned. In fact, nothing should be private about us that the public must not know.”

In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, Owoseni Ajayi, who said the Ekiti State government was against the Bill in its entirety, noted that; “that bill proposed by Senator Bala

Ibn Na’allah is not different from Buhari’s Protection against False Accusations Decree 4 of 1984, which was considered as the most repressive press law ever enacted in Nigeria.”

Don’t deny Nigerians freedom of expression, GOCOP tells Senate THE Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has called on the Senate not to deny Nigerians of their universally recognised right to freedom of expression. In a statement in Lagos on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Olumide Iyanda, the Guild said the draft Bill to “Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Matters Connected Therewith,” which passed Sec-

ond Reading in the Senate last week, poses a threat to the freedom of expression and obligation of the media as enshrined the Nigerian Constitution. GOCOP said on the proposed Bill: “We wish to call the attention of the Senate to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek,

receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. “Nigeria is also a signatory to other international statutes like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, among others.”

Senate’s attempt to muzzle Nigeria’s social media unnecessary —HRW By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare THE Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international rights group, through its Nigerian Researcher, Mausi Segun at the weekend described as unnecessary the attempts by the Nigerian Senate to gag the social media and criminalise laws that are already in existence in Nigeria. He stated that the proposed bill is vague, problematic and open to diverse interpretations while the sanctions proposed are too heavy for the offense committed. HRW stated that if the bill is passed into law, it will restrict freedom of expression and a free press, which are protected by Section 39 of Nigeria’s constitution. The draft bill, sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, a member of the All People’s Congress party (APC) seeks to criminalise two types of behaviour; it proposes a sentence of up to seven years in prison or a N5 million fine (US$25,000) for “anyone who intentionally propagates false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting the general public against the government through

electronic message.” Also, it seeks to criminalise anyone disseminating via text message, Twitter, WhatsApp, or any other form of social media an “abusive statement” intending to “set the public

against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law.” The penalty for this is up to two years in prison or a N2 million fine (about US$10,000), or

both. “The bill is riddled with problems. The vague term “abusive statement” is not defined and leaves a lot of room for subjective interpretation. Also, the proposed sanctions are ex-

cessively heavy but most troubling of all, the draft bill is simply unnecessary. The offenses it seeks to criminalise already exist under Nigerian laws including those on treason, defamation, and libel,” HRW said.

Fasehun accuses FG of muzzling press, hounding opposition By Kunle Oderemi

THE national chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr Frederick Fasehun, has accused the Federal Government of setting security agencies to muzzle the press and hound opposition politicians. He spoke against the backdrop of the Econom-

ic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) arrest of the chairman of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dopkesi. Fasehun alleged that it was obvious that the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) was goading state apparatuses into cowing the opposition, the press and critics.

“All these smacks are attempts to stifle the opposition and muzzle Press Freedom,” Fasehun said in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday. “Dokpesi’s arrest, on the excuse that he was involved in illicit arms contracts, represents a frontal attack on Press Freedom and Freedom of Speech. It is clear

Use social media to build positive character, integrity, GIS consultant tells youths Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

NIGERIAN youths have been advised to use the various social media platforms positively to build their integrity character and also to enhance self development and their immediate environment. The Managing Consultant of Global Knowledge Consulting Futm, Dr Steve Ogidan stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital during a three-day exit programme organised for

the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) put together by the Federal Ministry of Finance for the graduates. Ogidan noted that it has been a tradition for employer to use social media to determine the integrity and character of prospective job seekers without the job seekers knowledge. He said “social media was supposed to help us to be able to do our work very well but unfortunately our youths have been distract-

ed by it.” There are three things employers look for in a job seeker, character, competence and chemistry. Character has to do with integrity and most of the social media have been used to destroy the integrity of our youths.” He, however, called on the graduate interns who have undergone a 12 months training from various organisations across the state to combine integrity with their training.

that he is being persecuted for the stand his television and radio stations took in the last elections.” Fasehun, who is also the founder the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), similarly cited the current travails of former National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retired), who remained in detention without trial for weeks, during which he remained under house arrest and thereafter custody at the Abuja headquarters of the EFCC. He also accused the government of giving the impression that those in the ruling party were all sanctimonious angels, whereas those who served under opposing parties were evil and corrupt. He said: “The continued sheltering of APC politicians widely seen as corrupt shows that the so-called fight against corruption is merely a witch-hunt aimed at the opposition.”

for or against the antifrivolity bill or parts of the bill will have the opportunity to shape its final outcome as there is an elaborate process which the bill must undergo before it becomes a law. It noted that some of the comments on the bill emanated from misconception and misunderstanding of the objective, which it said is meant to protect all individuals and institutions, including journalists and social media users. “The senate is committed to freedom of speech and a fully inclusive and participatory democracy. The process of passing a bill is comprehensive and provide for inputs to be taken from all and sundry. The fist stage is merely to read the short title of the bill. The second stage is purely to debate the general principles. “The next stage is committal of the Bill to appropriate committee or committees for further detailed legislative action where the details, intendment and clause by clause implications of the Bill is dissected by the committee. This stage also involve public hearing, in which members of the public, civil society, non governmental organisations and all interested parties for or against the bill have the opportunity to shape and influence its content. “The outcome from this committee stage is what will be finalised and then represented to the chamber for clause by clause consideration and approval or disapproval by the Senate. Thereafter, if the bill is approved, then the clean version of the bill is forwarded to the House of Representatives for concurrence or otherwise,” he stated. The Senate added that the differences that may emerge from the House of Representatives version will be resolved through the Conference Committee of the two chambers of the National Assembly. He added that the antifrivolity bill will go through the whole hog and there is no intention to make the process of passing this bill any different. “Accordingly, the Senate wants to reassure the public about this. So, all those who are either for or against this bill or its part and any other one have ample opportunities to reshape it,” he stated. Senator Sabi further explained that the Eighth Senate is conscious of its responsibility to the people and will not do anything that will stifle participation and inclusion.

news

Monday, 7 December, 2015

Orji Kalu backs Buhari on corruption fight

‘Don’t use tyres to roast meat’

Says he should not ignore ongoing Igbo agitation Shola Adekola - Lagos Despite the intrigues and counter intrigues trailing the anti corruption crusade of the present government, former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzo Kalu, on Sunday, declared that President Muhammadu Buhari was on the right track in

his efforts to recover looted funds by the past administration. Kalu, in an interview with journalists in Lagos, insisted that the anti corruption measure was not a drawback as it is being perceived in some quarters. According to the outspoken former governor, given

the malfeasance that took place in the last regime, the president is handling the situation very well. This is just as the former governor described the ongoing agitation for the sovereignty of Biafra by Igbo youths as intriguing, even as he cautioned the Federal Government against disre-

garding the move. Kalu, who said the Igbo youths have the right to demand for their rights as supported by the United Nations Charter for Human Rights, however condemned the strategy of violence by the agitators saying it could not resolve the agitation for self determination.

From left,Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Idowu Olayinka; his wife,Wumi; wife of the Minister of Health, representing her husband, Dr Bukola Adewole; Dr Bisi Fasuyi , her husband and President, Ibadan Business School, Yinka Fasuyi, at a reception hosted by Fasuyi in honour of the Minister of Health and former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Isaac Adewole, in Ibadan, at the weekend.

Afenifere, YCE, YUF, others meet to chart way forward for Yoruba Bola Badmus - Lagos Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, together with other groups, including the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Odua Foundation (OF), Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), among others, would on Tuesday,

meet in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to take farreaching decisions in the best interest of the region. The parley, which is tagged, Yoruba Summit, according to a release issued on Sunday, on behalf of the Planning Committee by Mr Yinka Odumakin,

would be presided over by former governor of the Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo. According to the release, the meeting would be attended by Yoruba leaders from home and the Diaspora and discus would be on the state of the nation,

especially the economy, security in Yoruba land, among others and decisions on them. “This august Assembly of Yoruba organisations and leaders of thought will take far-reaching decisions in the best interest of the region,” the release said.

Prof Akinyemi for Engr (Rev) Etteh’s annual lecture Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, CFR, former Director General, Nigerian Institute of International Relations, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and recently, Vice Chairman of the 2014 National Constitutional Conference, will be the Guest Lecturer at the maiden edition of the Annual Engineer (Rev) Etteh Distinguished Lecture Series, which comes up on Wednesday, December 16, at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, at 11a.m. He will speak on: “National Reconciliation and Integration as Catalyst for Sustainable Development.” The Annual Lecture is in honour of one of Nigeria’s outstanding Engineers, Engineer (Rev) Ette Ikpong Ikpong Etteh, OFR, co-founding Principal, Etteh Aro and Partners, based in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, with branches spread over Nige-

ria, who will be 80 years old on that day. Some of Engineer (Rev) Etteh’s works spanning over five decades of engineering practice, including his first bridge assignment in 1965, will also be on display at the venue. These activities are put together by his professional colleagues under the aegis of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE). They are honouring this icon of the Engineering profession with the Institution’s Annual Distinguished Lecture Series. This maiden edition of the Annual Lecture Series coincides with Engineer (Rev) Etteh’s 80th birthday. Engineer (Rev) Etteh has had a robust professional practice spanning decades of exemplary dedication to the tenets of the profession as well as training and mentoring of many engineers, who, today, can stand to

be counted. It is because of the impact his professional practice has had on the profession that his professional colleagues have deemed it fit to honour him for his achievements by instituting the Annual Award and Lecture Series in his name. Engineer (Rev) Etteh was born on December 16, 1935. He had his elementary education in present day Akwa Ibom State and his secondary education in Cross River State. He studied Civil Engineering at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He obtained his first degree B.Sc. London in 1964, M.Sc (Highways) Surrey, England, in 1969, second M.Sc (Bridges) Surrey, in 1973, then, a Diploma in Theology in 1997 at the Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan. His professional qualifications include MIHE (1967); MICE, C. Eng (1969); MNSE (1971); FNSE (1981);

and foundation fellow, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (1995). He has been honoured with many professional awards which include; Presidential Merit Award in recognition of his unique support for the cause of the engineers and was inaugurated into the Nigerian Hall of Fame in 2013; Merit Award by the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers in 2002; Excellent Award in Engineering by the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Uyo, in 1993; Chairman, Association of Bridge and Structural Engineers, Nigerian Chapter (1989 - 1998). In 2006, the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, honoured him with the National Honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006.

Nigerian Tribune

The business mogul equally commented on the face off between Nigeria’s Labour Congress and state governors over N18, 000 minimum wage, describing the situation as a truism that indicated that all is not well with the state of Nigeria’s financial economy. Still reacting to the ongoing arrest of notable Nigerians by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over alleged diversion of public funds in the last government, Kalu retorted: “Buhari should know who he should call because there was massive looting, I am sure most people didn’t want to listen to some people like us, who were shouting about what happened in the last administration. We said that there was corruption and the corruption that we saw in the last administration was very high. I told airport correspondents in one of my interview sessions when I landed at the Lagos Airport that there was corruption in the last regime.”

THE Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat has cautioned butchers in the FCT against using tyres and tubes to roast meat. The Director, Department of Agriculture in the Secretariat, Alhaji Isa Ovurevu Ademoh, issued this warning at the inauguration ceremony of newly elected executives of the Garki Butchers Association, which took place at the community Hall of the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Area 10, Abuja. According to him, researches have shown that tyres contain highly toxic materials that constitute a great risk to consumers. The Secretariat, he said, has commenced public awareness campaign to sensitise butchers as well as residents to be cautious and avoid buying meat roasted with tyres. Alhaji Ademoh revealed that the Secretariat has been working hard to ensure that meat handling in FCT abattoirs and at point of sale meet the required safety and hygienic standards, stressing that the Secretariat is determined to step up its inspection activities of all abattoirs in the territory.

Self sponsored pilgrims from Edo increasing yearly Mimiko justifies —Edo CPWB chair THE Chairman of Edo State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board, Bishop Peter Imasuen, has said that the number of self sponsored pilgrims from Edo State would continue to increase yearly. He stated this in Galilee at the ongoing pilgrimage exercise in Israel. According to him, “last year, about 88 self sponsored pilgrims participated in the pilgrimage exercise and this year the number of pilgrims increased to 118.” The increase, according to the chairman, who is also the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State, was due to effective sensitisation campaign, centred on adding value to the entire pilgrimage exercise. He affirmed that because pilgrims who had visited Israel from the state returned with testimonies, it made it convincing to get more number of intending pilgrims to key into it. He promised to commence serious sensitisation of Christians from January to July next year so as to give room for interested Christians to plan towards embarking on the spiritual journey. In his words, “we sensitise the people, we tell them the importance of pilgrimage.”

Ondo town’s status change to city

Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has justified the proclamation of Ondo as a city, hinging the development on the monumental infrastructural development of the community, even as he assured of his administration’s partnership with the Osemawe in Council. Governor Mimiko, in his speech, at the 28th Ekimogun Day Celebration and the proclamation of Ondo Town as a City by the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Dr Victor Kiladejo, at the weekend, said Ondo has all it takes to be a City. The epoch making event, which held at the Ondo Township Stadium had in attendance notable dignitaries, including sons and daughters of Ondo, both at home and in the Diaspora. Dr Mimiko, declared that Ondo Town has all the necessary infrastructure to be proclaimed a City and that majority of the developmental projects in Ondo Town, now City, were initiated and executed wholly by the community. He explained that the First Secondary School in this part of Nigeria was established in Ondo town as far back as 1919 through communal effort of the Ondo people.

news

Monday, 7 December, 2015

20 dismissed cabin crew slam N5bn suit against Virgin Atlanic AyomideOwonibiOdekanyin - Lagos

ollowing the sudden lay off of some cabin crew members by the Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited, 20 of the aggrieved crew members have slammed a N5billion suit on the airline at the National Industrial Court, Lagos division. Joined as co-respondent in the suit is the Aviation Logistics and Management Linited In a motion on notice filed by them through their lawyer, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, the claimants are seeking for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the respondents from laying them off or giving effects to the notice of termination of employment served on them pending the hearing and determination of the suit. They are also seeking the suspension of the notice of termination of employment served on them pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. They are equally seeking for an order of the court directing the respondents to pay them the sum of N5billion as damages for the act of discrimination against them. The 20 cabin crew members are: Genevieve Mordi, Umo Akinselure, Lukman Yusuf, Ekaete Victor-Iyamu, Victoria Enyi, George Ezemba, James Ajayi, Rosemary Ogbor, Babajide Akinyele and Remilekun Lashebikan.

Others are: Yewande Salau, David Dagat, Babafemi Oshifeko, Babatunde Olamuye, Juliet Ezumba, Rachel Ideho, Ademola Olowolade, Imelda Blank-

son, Halimat Odeyemi and Tolumilade Sogbesan. They were all laid off on November 30, 2015, following an internal memo issued by the Executive

Vice President, Customer, of the Airline, Jill Brady. In the memo, it was disclosed that the provision of cultural expertise which was the primary purpose

From left, Mr Rainer Schiele; Mrs Njindo Schiele Susah; founder, Help Initiative, Mrs Febisola Okonkwo; Mr Croguennie Alan and Mr Michelland Nicolas, during a concert organised by the Help Initiative, at Allaince Francaise, Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Sunday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

NOUN's configuration 'll not allow for unionism —VC LanreAdewoleandShehu Bello - Lagos The configuration of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), will not allow for any form of unionism either at staff or student level, the institution’s vice chancellor, Professor Vincent Ado Tenede, has disclosed. He was speaking on the controversy trailing the supposed formation and

running of a student union body by a couple of students, who he said, had long been expelled. He had an interactive session with the media last Thursday, at the institution’s head office in Lagos. He noted that the blueprint in the act establishing the university, which agrees with the university’s nature of having staff and students in each state of

federation, rubbishes the idea of floating a union. He also said the university, has no age gap or status in terms of people studying in all its study centres; a further disincentive for unionism. According to him: “the act establishing this university, came up in 1983 and in the blueprint of this university, it was agreed that because of the nature of the school; we are not allowed to float or

Oyo NUJ kicks off week with Jumat service The 2015 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) , Oyo State Council, commenced last Friday, with a Jumat service at Letmauck Barracks Central Mosque, Mokola, Ibadan. After the service, the Imam of the mosque, Shuaibu Muhammed, prayed for journalists, their families, organisations, the state government as well as the nation. He also charged them to carry out their duties without fear or favour. The prayer session was followed by a reception held in honour of the journalists by Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), at the Officers’ Mess in the barracks. While speaking at the event, Mr Gbenga Opadotun, chairman, Oyo NUJ, commended the Oyo NURTW, for conducting a peaceful election. According to Opadotun, who noted that the reign of Oyerinde had been peaceful." "We thank God that the

of employing the claimants was no longer required by the airline on its LagosLondon route. The case is yet to be assigned to any judge.

current administration of Oyo NURTW under the leadership of Oyerinde, who has just been returned for a second term, has written its name in gold. “We pray that the good foundation laid by Oyerinde in the union be sustained,’’ he said. Oyerinde Responding,

commended NUJ members for the good work they have been doing as professionals. He said that the NURTW would remain peaceful, having set the standard for peaceful co-existence of its members. Also, Mr Sulaiman Olanrewaju, the chairman, NUJ Press Week Committee,

urged members to turn out in large numbers for the ongoing 2015 Oyo NUJ Press Week., He said that the theme of the week: “Nigeria beyond oil’’, had been carefully chosen and will be delivered by Professor Adeola Adenikinju and Chief Richard Akinjide.

Egyptian information ministry organises training for African journalists, calls for unity By Rotimi Ige from Cairo The Egyptian Ministry of Information, in partnership with the Union of African Journalists, have rallied media personalities from over 25 countries to participate in a three-week training workshop in Cairo. The training, tagged ‘The 46 training courses for young African journalists’, was organised to expose African journalists to present realities of the true situation of issues regarding Africa in areas such as security, illiteracy, poverty, religion and the impact of the Afri-

can media on the realisation of continental co-operation and development. According to the President of the Union of African Journalists, Mahfouz Al Ansary, the training became necessary because of the over reliance on western media by Africans, stressing that such media only promoted stories that were beneficial to them. He cited various examples whereby issues bordering on security and poverty where distorted by western media and urged that African stories should be told mainly by African

journalists. The General Manager of the Media Training Centre, Mrs Maha Bassim, also encouraged participants to promote African stories and realities on their various mediums by giving adequate coverage and reportage to news from around Africa. The training, which will run for three weeks, would expose participants from 26 countries to topics ranging from corruption in Africa, the purpose of the proposed African Union Standby Force, need for regional cooperation and development.

organise staff and students union; because we have staff and students in all states of the federation. “Though, we started in 2003 due to some technicalities but staff of the open university are not necessary the core staff in this headquarters or in our study centres. We engage staff of other institutions and professionals in various industries, who are qualified enough to write our course materials and also to tutor our students. I want to let you know that they are in our pay role in terms of allowance, they also have our ID cards” he said. He also explained that a union body in the school, will be as having a political party, that will pose danger to the country. “It is not as if we want to deny people their human rights but the nature of the university doesn’t allow it. Let me explain something, In our admission, we admit everybody; We don’t look at age or status. We admit student from age 10 to age infinite, compared to conventional institutions, whereby you have to be 17 and above before you can gain admission. “Currently, our youngest is 15-year-old and the oldest is 103 year-old; a paramount traditional ruler of Emegbon community, Delta State. We also have chancellors, VCs, traditional rulers, managing directors of industries, some government officials, serving and retired military personnel; same with past and current governors and other security operative members as our students.

NGO reiterates commitment to develop younger generation By Oluyomi Fashakin A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Help Initiative, has reiterated its commitment in bringing out potentials in younger generation to make them functional, viable and useful as they integrate into the society. The director, Mrs Febisola Okonkwo, said this during a concert of the organisation on Sunday, at Alliance Française, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State. The organisation, she said, will achieve this through its women empowerment programmes, shelter for orphans/vulnerable children, kids club, capacity building among others. She also noted that the organisation has since its inception, witnessed positive transformation of lives, through rehabilitation and education of the people. The concert saw performances by Tabitha kids, T J, D Boom, D Testifiers and Iceberg. The director, Alliance Francaise, Croguennie Alan Charles and members of his team, Rainer Schiele, Michelland Nicolas and Nyindo Schiele Susan, were on ground to grace the event.

Kwara gov approves N3.2bn for capital projects Biola Azeez - Ilorin

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has approved the release of N3.2 billion for the completion of outstanding capital projects in the education, energy, health, roads, works and justice sectors in the state. A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the governor, Dr Muyideen Akorede, at the weekend, quoted Governor Ahmed as saying that the funds were released after the recent verification of the state’s outstanding capital projects and was based on authenticated and duly certified stage of completion of works on each project. The governor also said that the release of funds would ensure timely completion of work on the various sites without delay, adding that the N3.2 billion was part of the N10 billion facility recently approved by the State House of Assembly for existing and new infrastructural projects in the state. Governor Ahmed expressed confidence that with the release of this fund, all stalled projects in the state will be revived and that other funds will be released to other contractors in the state as they become available.

news

Monday, 7 December, 2015

Uwazuruike renames MASSOB as BIM

As OPC alerts security agencies on Biafra campaign shift to Yorubaland JoeNwachukwu,BiolaAzeez And Tunde Ogunesan

ovement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has been renamed Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) because of violent activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Leader and founder of the organisation, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike announced this on Sunday while addressing newsmen at the Ikemba Ojukwu Memorial Library in Owerri. This was just as Igbo freedom fighter had tendered an apology to the SouthEast and South-South, for the recent demonstration by the IPOB, which Uwazuruike said, brought senseless grief, sorrow and pains to thousands of innocent members of the public. “MASSOB was not in any way involved in that demonstration, but the only difference was that the former

FG approves promotion of 907 FRSC officers PRESIDENT Muhammad Buhari has approved the promotion of 907 Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Officers to various ranks, with about 90 Assistant Corps Commanders promoted to the rank of Deputy Corps Commanders. Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi made this known in a statement issued in Abuja, on Sunday, by the Head, Media Relations and Strategy, Mr Bisi Kazeem. A breakdown of the promotion indicated that 35 Senior Route Commanders were also promoted to the rank of Chief Route Commanders; 24 Route Commanders promoted to the rank of Senior Route Commanders and 758 Deputy Route Commanders promoted to the rank of Route Commanders. While thanking President Buhari for the promotion of the affected officers, Oyeyemi also commended the performance of the newly promoted officers. The Corps Marshal tasked officers of the Corps to put in the best in the course of their duties, especially in the actualisation of the goal to reduce drastically road crashes in Nigeria.

MASSOB Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, who had been expelled was their spokesman, and we sincerely sympathise with the families of those who lost their lives, and who were in one way or the other affected in that exercise. It is our obligation to offer this unreserved apology because we were the first to speak of Biafra in Nigeria in 1999,” Uwazuruike lamented. Uwazuruike, who had earlier addressed a crowd of MASSOB supporters and loyalists, explained that the change in name became necessary, given the strange introduction of violence to the struggle to actualise the sovereign state of Biafra by a faction allegedly sympathetic to Nnamdi Kanu of the Radio Biafra, London. Chief Uwazuruike had appealed to the Federal Government to urgently release Kanu and his colleagues, currently languishing in detention, stressing that he would not be pleased to see Kanu and others undergo the experience that he

(Uwazuruike) went through over the years in the quest for the realisation of the sovereign state of Biafra. “If you block roads, impeded free flow of traffic and force traders to close markets, you are violent and all these are against the nonviolence principles of MASSOB he added,” he said. According to him, Biafra could not be realised through violence, adding that South-East is land locked without neighbouring countries for possible assistance, particularly when it matters most, stressing that anybody preaching violence in the bid to realise Biafra is a day-dreamer. Meanwhile the Pan-Yoruba militant group, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has alerted security agencies in the country of alleged moves by the pro-Biafran agitators to shift their campaign to Yorubaland for ulterior motives. According to a press release from the national coordinating council of the OPC signed by Comrade

Akinpelu Adeshina, copies of which were recently made available to journalists in Ibadan, the pan-Yoruba group stated that it was “compelled to make this call given the precarious and heightened security situation in the country and the world over.” “We see the attempt to bring the World Igbo Day celebration - in whatever guise – which is normally celebrated on September 29 annually to the Yorubaland as a mischievous and diabolically crafted attempt to cause chaos in and destabilise Yorubaland; and this we will repulse and reject with everything at our disposal,” OPC stated. In a related development, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of the President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Muslims in the country to resist the temptation of retaliating the attacks on Muslims and the Central Mosque of Onit-

sha, Anambra State. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, at the weekend, the Secretary-General of the umbrella organisation of all Muslim associations in the country, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, said the NSCIA was fully aware of the development and was working to put the situation under control. "Muslims are warned against the antics of those who seek to whip up religious sentiments to further whip up their clandestine political motives. Vengeance is for Allah and Muslims should exercise maximum restraint in these trying times. "We call on Muslim brothers and sisters not to embark on reprisals attacks on Christians and their places of worship in any part of Nigeria. We are already engaged in discussions with various security and relevant government agencies to forestall further aggravation of the situation, Professor Oloyede said."

Police arrest 3 fake cops, rescue a missing PMF sergeant in Niger Adelowo Oladipo-Minna Police in Niger State have announced the arrest of four fake policemen serving in the command, adding that the arrest of the suspects was made by the Command’s X Squad team, at about 12 noon, on November 12, 2015. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Niger State Police Command, ASP Bala Elkana, stated this in a press release made available to newsmen in Minna, on Sunday. He identified the suspects as two Inspectors of Police, Elias Dogo with AP number 147250 and Ojekunle Taofik with AP number 147273 while the third suspect was Corporal Oki Theophilus, who also hung F/number 424386 on his shoulders. Elkana stated further that the case was already under investigation, saying that as soon as the investigation into the matter was concluded, the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.

Youths set to battle kidnapping, pipeline vandalism in Delta AlphonsusAgborh-Asaba

Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Adeolu Bajomo; Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr Frederick Udoaka; General Manager, Enterprise Marketing, MTN, Ms Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema; Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri and the General Manager, Enterprise Sales, MTN, Mr Ladipo Nylander, at the launch of MTN Prestige Corporate Loyalty Programme, in Lagos, Thursday.

MTN Business unveils prestige corporate loyalty programme By Lanre Akinmoladun MTN Business, the Enterprise Business Unit of MTN Nigeria, has launched its MTN Prestige Corporate Loyalty programme to reward its esteemed customers, who have continuously demonstrated their trust in the services of the company. Welcoming the guests, on Thursday, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Mr Frederick Udoaka, Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, MTN Nigeria, acknowledged the existing

partnership between MTN Business and the Nigerian corporate citizenry. He stated that the partnership had yielded desired results in terms of economic development that is enhanced by world-class ICT services provided by MTN. “Over the years, at MTN Business, we have built a solid track record of enabling some of Nigeria’s biggest corporate organisations to foster international collaboration through geo-expansion, thus eliminating borders and reaching new markets. The fact

that we continually have more and more businesses, big and small, sign up for our solutions testifies to the high level of confidence that these businesses repose in us. “This evening is about saying thank you to our most valued corporate customers. We believe that loyalty goes with reward, and that is what the MTN Prestige Corporate Loyalty program represents,” Udoaka said. On the benefits of the MTN Prestige programme, Ms Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka said, “as members of

MTN Prestige, our top 100 enterprise customers will enjoy a broad range of cost optimisation, lifestyle and business benefits among others. We will continue to keep our customers at the centre of all that we do.” The launch of the corporate element of the MTN Prestige programme represents a higher step in the ladder of MTN’s relationship with its corporate customers, a reflection of the benefits of doing business with MTN, which overtime has resulted in solid growth and sustained successes.

Youths of Ndokwa extraction have declared their determination to protect and secure their various communities in the 36 clans of the ethnic nationality of Delta State from all forms of criminality, especially cultism, kidnapping, robbery, pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering. They made the affirmation while passing a vote of confidence on the state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Honourable Friday Osanebi, for their mentorship of the youth, throughout the state. In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting between the deputy speaker and clan/community youth presidents and chairmen in the three local government areas of Ndokwa and political aides from the area, at the weekend, in Asaba, the youth said they would ensure the area remained peaceful and accommodating host to multinational firms and government installations, particularly the various oil and gas companies and the independent power plant at Okpai.

Monday, 7 December, 2015

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British airstrikes in Syria illegal — Assad

Burkina Faso coup leader charged over Sankara murder

uthorities in Burkina Faso have charged a general who led a failed coup in September with complicity in the 1987 assassination of President Thomas Sankara, senior security sources told Reuters. Sankara’s murder is one of the most high-profile killings in Africa’s post-independence history and the charge against General Gilbert Diendere appears to represent a breakthrough in a case that has haunted the West African country for decades. It follows a pledge by the transitional government to investigate the murder and a decision in May to exhume the remains of a body believed to be Sankara’s, which was buried at a cemetery on the outskirts of the capital

General Gilbert Diendere

Ouagadougou. “General Gilbert Diendere is formally charged in the Thomas Sankara case,” said a senior security source with direct knowledge of the case. Diendere was charged last month with complicity in assassination and attack, the source said. Diendere’s lawyer, Mathieu Some, told Reuters on Sunday his client had been charged over Sankara’s death and he would prepare his legal defence. The charges are yet to be made public. Ten others, less senior than Diendere, have already been charged. The senior security official said most were soldiers in the elite presidential guard of former President Blaise Compaore, who was ousted in October 2014. Diendere was Compaore’s

intelligence chief and righthand man. In September, he led the presidential guard in a short-lived coup in which soldiers took transitional President Michel Kafando and the prime minister hostage. The coup failed and in its aftermath, the presidential guard was disbanded and Diendere sought refuge at the Vatican embassy. He was then arrested and charged with murder and threatening state security. He is still in de-

“Went for an MRI this past week and they (doctors) didn’t find any cancer at all in the brain,” Carter said. Carter revealed in August that he would undergo radiation treatment for several melanoma spots on his brain and liver after he learned a mass removed

Former President Jimmy Carter

Western governments and others in his region who support moderate rebel fighters, and complained that the coalition airstrikes are a violation of his country’s sovereignty. The U.S. and others in the West said Russia’s airstrikes have largely focused on rebels and not Islamic State fighters. Assad said in the interview there has been no moderate opposition during his country’s conflict that began in March 2011, but rather only “extremists.”

German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel urged Saudi Arabia on Sunday to stop supporting religious radicals, amid growing concern among some lawmakers in Berlin about the funding of militant mosques by the world’s biggest oil exporter. The unusual criticism of the Gulf state follows a report by Germany’s foreign intelligence agency which suggested that Saudi foreign policy was becoming more “impulsive”.

The German government rebuked the BND agency for making such suggestions about Saudi Arabia, an important business partner that is involved in international talks to find a political solution to the Syria crisis.. “We need Saudi Arabia to solve the regional conflicts,” Sigmar Gabriel, the head of the Social Democrats (SPD) who share power with conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel, told the mass-circulation newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

Germany warns Saudi Arabia over Islamists funding

Obama addresses Americans after California attack President Barack Obama made a rare primetime address to the nation on Sunday laying out how he will keep Americans safe and defeat the Islamic State group,

US ex-President Jimmy Carter says cancer in brain is gone Former President Jimmy Carter said on Sunday that an MRI scan earlier in the week showed his cancer is gone, NBC News reported. Carter, 91, announced the good news to attendees of a Sunday school class he often teaches at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia.

tention. Sankara took power in a coup in 1983 and pursued a philosophy of Marxism and pan-Africanism that led him to be called “Africa’s Che Guevara”. Many African intellectuals view him as a visionary on a par with Congo’s first prime minister Patrice Lumumba, who was murdered in 1961, or South African anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko, who was killed in 1977.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has criticised Britain’s entrance into the United States-led coalition attacking Islamic State militants in Syria, saying the airstrikes are illegal and will fail. In an interview published in Britain’s Sunday Times, Assad said Islamic State cannot be defeated by airstrikes alone, and that the only strikes that have been effective are those Russia has done since launching its Syrian campaign in September. He has long criticised

from his liver was melanoma. Later in August, Carter began a new drug, known as Keytruda, that had proved promising in other patients. “I’ll be prepared for anything that comes,” he said at the time. Last month, the 39th president said he was feeling well, and tests showed the cancer had not spread any further, the Carter Centre, a nonprofit organization he set up after leaving the presidency, said in a statement. Carter has stayed active during his treatment. He taught his Sunday school class days after announcing his diagnosis and even spent time building houses with Habitat for Humanity, an organisation that he has worked closely with since 1984.

days after 14 people were shot dead in California. Obama declared Saturday that the United States “will not be terrorised,” as IS praised the couple behind the mass shooting in San Bernardino as “soldiers” of its self-proclaimed caliphate. “We are Americans. We will uphold our values a free and open society,” Obama said in his weekly address. Investigators are combing over evidence and looking into the background of Syed Farook, 28, and his 29-yearold Pakistani wife Tashfeen Malik, who opened fire Wednesday at a social services center. The FBI said federal agents raided a property in Riverside, California, but declined to provide details. NBC News reported that the FBI had searched the home of Enrique Marquez, a friend of Farook’s who originally bought the assault rifles used in the shooting but who is not considered a suspect. “I heard the windows crashing, the garage door being torn, doors being broken down... they were forcing their way in,” neighbor Freddy Escamilla told AFP.

In his address from the Oval Office at 8 pm Sunday (0100 GMT Monday), Obama will try to reassure Americans in the wake of the shooting, which the FBI is investigating as a possible act of terrorism. If proven to be terror-related, it would be the deadliest such assault on American soil since the September 11, 2001 attacks. Obama last gave an Oval Office address in August 2010 to mark the end of US combat operations in Iraq. In addition to an update on the probe, Obama will “discuss the broader threat of terrorism, including the nature of the threat, how it has evolved, and how we will defeat it,” the White House said.

President Barack Obama

French voter

France holds first elections since Paris attacks French voters went to the polls on Sunday to elect regional leaders, in what is expected to result in gains by a far right, often Islamaphobic party. The VOA said the election came as France remains under tight security following the November terrorist attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead. It is widely speculated that Marine Le Pen’s far right anti-immigration National Front (FN) party will make political gains against the ruling Socialist party. French President Francois Hollande’s personal approval ratings have soared with his hardline stance since the terrorist attacks, but his party’s ratings remain low.

Tuesday, 24 November, 2015

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Cameron in solidarity with Hollande to strike ISIS in Syria

Russia formally eases ban on nuclear technology exports to Iran

David Cameron (centre) talks with Royal Navy personnel as they stand alongside a Royal Navy Wildcat multi-role helicopter, during his visit to Royal Air Force station RAF Northolt. Inset: Cameron looks at an RAF Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet during his visit to Royal Air Force station RAF Northolt PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES & PA.

ritain has offered the French air force the use of RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus to mount air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria. British Prime Minister David Cameron said the United Kingdom would do “all in our power” to support France in its fight against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). The Telegraph said the offer was announced as the Prime Minister met Francois Hollande, France’s president, to discuss their response to the string of attacks which killed 130 people in gun and bomb attacks on restaurants and a concert hall.

The offer includes the help to refuel French fighters make long-range sorties against the militants. Mr Hollande welcomed the British support and said it was essential to strike Isil in its heartlands in Syria. “France has taken the decision last September. It is up to the United Kingdom how it can commit and operate. We will intensify our strikes, we will choose the targets that yield the best possible damage against the terrorist army,” he said. RAF Akrotiri on southern coast of Cyprus has been the base for eight RAF Tornados striking ISIL in Iraq since September 2014. The sovereign base has also been

home to spy planes carrying out surveillance missions in the area. A dozen French jets are currently flying from Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The country’s nuclear powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, is stationed off the eastern Medi-

terranean with 20 more jets which are expected to joint strikes soon. French and British warplanes have shared RAF Akrotiri before. In 1956 the allies used the base to launch hundreds of strikes and knock out the Egyptian air force during the Suez Crisis. Standing alongside Mr Hollande in the Elysee Pal-

President Vladimir Putin has eased an export ban on nuclear equipment and technology to Iran, a Kremlin decree published on Monday showed, after Tehran struck a deal with world powers on its nuclear programme in July. The decree, issued on the same day as Putin arrived in Iran on an official visit, said Russian firms were now authorised to export hardware and to provide financial and technical advice to help Iran with three specific tasks, Reuters said. They were listed as helping it modify two cascades at its Fordow uranium enrichment plant, supporting Iranian efforts to export enriched uranium in exchange for raw uranium supplies, and helping Iran modernize its Arak heavy water reactor. The decision follows a landmark deal between six world powers and Tehran in July, under which Iran agreed long-term curbs on

Putin Ayatollah

a nuclear program that the West has suspected was aimed at creating a nuclear bomb. The deal will lift international sanctions on Iran in exchange for at least a decade of curbs on the country’s nuclear activity including reducing the number of centrifuges used to enrich uranium, and its enriched uranium stockpile. Putin, who will attend a summit of gas exporting countries on Monday in Tehran, is also expected to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and to discuss the Syria conflict.

Cyber attackers have stolen bank details of one fifth of UK customers —Report Data protection will soon become United Kingdom consumers number one priority as new study reveals that one in five Brits have had personal details stolen used as a result of a cyber-security breach. The Independent said some 21 per cent of

Mugabe will rule until he is 100 from special wheelchair, his wife claims Robert Mugabe will continue as President of Zimbabwe until he is 100, governing from a “special wheelchair,” his wife has said. Grace Mugabe, herself a cabinet minister, said in a speech over the weekend that while the 91-year-old’s mind might be willing, increasingly his body may

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not be. According to reports in the Zimbabwean press, Mr Mugabe has recently had trouble walking, as his advanced years begin to catch up with him. “We are going to create a special wheelchair for President Mugabe until he rules to 100 years, because that is what we want,” Mrs Mugabe said. “That

is the people’s choice. We want a leader that respects us.” The people will get the chance to voice their opinion in 2018 when Zimbabwe next goes to the polls to decide who rules them. The Independent reported that Mr Mugabe, who has suffered a number of embarrassing public stumbles in recent months, has already been declared as the Zanu-PF candidate despite the fact that he will be 94 at the time of the election. Mr Mugabe has been President in Harare since 1980. Mrs Mugabe did not give details about quite how the wheelchair would be special, but vowed to push it herself. If the point was designed as a message to those that have reportedly begun to jockey for position ahead of Mr Mugabe’s inevitable demise, she later directly addressed divisions that have formed within Zanu-PF.

people living in the UK had their bank accounts used to buy goods and services as results of cybersecurity breach, according to new research by business advisory firm Deloitte. The survey of nearly 1,500 UK customers found that over 70 per cent would reconsider using a company if it failed to keep their data safe. However, more than half don’t know the exact details of the information that has been collected and just 23 per cent believe that companies are being transparent about it. “The volume and value of data available online means that consumers are now more exposed than ever before,” said Simon Browick director in the cyber risk services team at Deloitte “Many organisations are struggling to prepare themselves to deal with the wide range of different cyber-attacks. Cyber security has moved beyond simply being

Grace Mugabe

Prince Charles greets Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad at St.James Palace when they met in 2002. PHOTO: GETTY.

Prince Charles says climate change is the root cause of Syrian war Prince Charles has pointed to the world’s failure to tackle climate change as a root cause of the civil war in Syria, terrorism and the consequent refugee crisis engulfing Europe. The heir to the British throne is due to give a keynote speech at the opening of a global climate summit in Paris next week, where 118 leaders will gather to try to nail down a deal to limit rising greenhouse gas emissions, the Independent said. The prince said in an interview with Sky News, aired on Monday and recorded before the November 13, attacks in Paris, that such symptoms were a “classic case of not dealing with the problem.” “Some of us were saying 20 something years ago that if we didn’t tackle these issues, you would see ever greater conflict over scarce resources and ever greater difficulties over drought, and the accumulating effect of climate change which means that people have to move,”

Monday, 7 December, 2015

Monday, 7 December, 2015 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Rivers govt renames stadium, road after Gowon Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt Rivers State government has renamed the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt as Yakubu Gowon Stadium, in honour of the former Head of State who created the state in 1967. In the same vein, the Governor Nyesom Wike administration also renamed the Old Aba Road in the state capital as the Yakubu Gowon Road. This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the special assistant to the governor on electronic media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu. It will be recalled that Governor Wike had, during a meeting with the former Head of State and officials of the Nigeria Prays, declared that the state government would immortalise him for his role in the creation of Rivers State.

An action involving the Dream Team recorded during the ongoing U-23 AFCON in Senegal

Akpoborie carpets Siasia’s U-23 team By Nurudeen Alimi

ORMER Super Eagles of Nigeria and Borrusia Dortmund of Germany player, Jonathan Akpoborie, has berated the Coach Samson Siasia-led U-23 national team, insisting that the team does not deserved to be tagged ‘Dream Team’, saying it has not done enough. According to Akpoborie, the first U-23 team which won gold at the Atlanta 96 Olympics foot-

Akpoborie

ball event were indeed, a Dream Team. “I think that name Dream Team should no longer be applied to U-23 national team. No malicious or ill feelings but I just believe a lot must be done by the

current U-23 national team to earn that name. “I was privileged to be a member of the U-23 team alongside Daniel Amokachi, Kanu Nwankwo, Austin Okocha, Celestine Babayaro,

Emmanuel Amuneke, Uche Okechukwu, Tijani Babangida, Victor Ikpeba, Joseph Dosu, Wilson Oruma and host of others. That was a Dream Team and the team was fantastic”.

Lagos Swan honours Dudu-Orumen, others The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN (Lagos Chapter) has honoured the Rector of Cowbell Football Academy, CFA, Mr Godwin Dudu Orumen for his contribution to the advancement of sport journalism in the society. In a night tagged “Celebration of STARS of SWAN” as part of the association’s 51st anniversary last Thursday in Lagos, Orumen, nicknamed football aficionado, bagged the award in the Media Entrepreneurship category. Fred Edoreh, Chairman of Lagos SWAN in an interview, explained that the award was a celebration of professional colleagues who have made indelible marks in their callings, and

in the process, contributed to the development of sport and society. He emphasised that Orumen was honoured specifically because “he belongs to a group of people who made us to understand that it is important as a journalist to be very expressive. Expressive not only in the report of stories/analysis, but also in terms of capacity to explore the possibilities in the industry.” Edoreh added that the association sees Orumen as a man who functions as a sport marketer, a sport producer and presenter, as a sport lawyer, as a sport analyst, as a media investor and as a media entrepreneur. “Orumen has shown us that there are many possibilities in the industry. Cur-

rently, he is the Rector of the Cowbell Football Academy – a job you think is not a job for a journalist.” He lauded the CFA rector for his commitment and passion as a sport journalist, a sport promoter, a youth developer, and a mentor not only for journalist, but also for youths involved in sport. In his reaction, Orumen thanked the organisers and described the award as a pleasant surprise coming from his colleagues in the industry. Solomon Dalung, the Sport and Youth Development Minister, who was the Special Guest of honour at the occasion also commended Orumen and other awardees for their contribution to sport and youth development in the country.

According to the governor, Gowon, apart from creating the state. Also served as a symbol of national unity. Urging the former Head of State to continue to play the role of the defender of the nation’s indivisibility and unity, Wike had noted that he would not wait for Gowon to die before duly recognising his contributions to the creation of Rivers State.

Ooni to give football top priority THE newly installed Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has pledged his support to the development of football in the ancient city and vowed to establish a modern football academy. Speaking briefly during the coronation friendly match between Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan and Ajiroba Ooni Football Club of Ile-Ife at the Sports Complex of Obafemi Awolowo University, Oba Ogunwusi thanked Otunba Sola Mustapha (President Ajiroba Ooni FC) for organizing the friendly match adding that the city is honored by the presence of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi (Chairman Osun FA), Chief Adegboyega Onigbinde, Ademola Adeshina, who are considered as a football hero’s in the country. Oba Ogunwusi, says football remain the only unifying factor in the country and has vowed to allocate programmes as relate to sports, football especially and promised he is committed to development of football.

Oba Ogunwusi

SIDELINES

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MONDAY, 7 DECember, 2015

HIS writing has been on my mind for a long time – during which I have been engaging myself in the art and act of the astral world in which I have gained insights that delighted and astonished me. But I must let it be known that the astral world is not a place, is not a world your imagination may have fancied it to be. The astral world is a confused and inconsistent jumble of negatively, badly established shapes of bodies, images, creatures, and other beings. Insightfully, it also consists of a body of positive concrete images that are not different from those of our world. Yet generally speaking, it is a place that is far more corrupt than our world. It is indeed a very chaotic world that is primarily more horrible than our world. I bolted from the place when I saw what I saw. But what did I travel there for? My love for our country took me there. I wanted to have a picture – even a narrow glimpse of it – of the tomorrow of our country as we could discern from the course of this president and his presidency that are turning ex-President Goodluck Jonathan suddenly into a saint. Of course, long before President Muhammadu Buhari came into being as our current president, the revelation about him was that he was going to come into our country’s life a second time as an unmilitary president - but not as our messiah. (I’ve said this much about his unmessianic presidency several times here). I wanted a re-confirmation of this revelation – going by current occurrences in the land – through a spiritual art and mental code I never allowed myself to explore and utilise in times past. For my purposes I discerned possible forms of revelations, but because of my astral-travel experience as recalled above, I decided to go biblical. I mean I decided to seek re-confirmation of earlier revelations from the Christian Bible and from a preeminent prophet of our time. When I had my descent I was in deep contemplation with my Bible in front of me in my sanctum sanctorum and temple of contemplation. And my phone rang. Who was

A man accused by his wife of raping her cousin has said that the crime was a mistake. It is interesting to note that he did not say the devil pushed him into it like others normally say. Let’s agree that it was a mistake; but if such mistakes are so easy to commit, why didn’t he jump in front of a moving train?

in&out with Tony Afejuku

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Prophetic offerings for Buhari at the other end but Primate Theophilus Olabayo? He had just had his descent from the mountain of contemplation and revelation. How timely was his call! The Lord is good and great all the time! Hear some of his revelations; hear some of his prophetic offerings: “In the mighty name of the one and only Lord, in the mighty name of Jesus and as revealed to me to say, I speak thus: Nigerians should prepare for worse days than now. We have seen nothing yet. We must pray. Suffering, poverty and famine are on the way. They are here. This regime is not the regime to make Nigerians smile…..” Please just listen. Don’t interrupt me…. Let me deliver the message from On-High as given me to deliver…” He said these three sentences as I attempted to ask him a question. “Nigerians will soon be trekking stretches of miles. And many and many people will abandon their vehicles as petrol problem eases and escalates. And people will withdraw their children and wards from schools… There shall be visible hunger in the land, I mean real hunger; and there shall be sicknesses and diseases resulting from the pains caused by this regime…. I say it loud and clear: Buhari is not the messiah. He is sitting on a keg of gun powder. We have seen nothing yet. “As for Boko Haram, we have not seen Boko Haram yet. The present Boko Haram is

They won’t believe me. They will call me names, all sorts. But we will see. charcoal. The burning coal is coming. Boko Haram won’t go away. Buhari’s December dead-line is a joke and a fluke. Boko Haram will soon re-start and re-kick the kind of terror that will make what we have seen so far a child’s play…. They won’t believe me. They will call me names, all sorts. But we will see. His marabouts cannot save him. He is not the messiah, I say it again. “As the Almighty Father allows me to say it, we shall soon see Yorubas and Igbos and other Southerners fleeing the North on account of religious and non-religious matters and political guises…. Disbelieve me and wait…. Two big people will be assassinated…. All these and other chaos and horrors will usher in the stabiliser. And we must pray against the tug-of-war coming up

in Bayelsa. If care is not taken, Ijaws shall declare their willingness to leave Nigeria as some Igbo people are doing now. But the stabiliser shall come, the stabiliser in the names of Jehu and Cyprus and Gideon to put everything in check. “And I see the nation moving towards a one-party state. This is another grievous mistake which the regime should avoid, but which it won’t.” At this point, I compelled the prophet to pause. I tendered pertinent questions which compelled him to tender devastating revelations. But I am holding them back. The prophetic revelations are real gems, real offerings that President Buhari and his team and Nigerians should not ignore or brush off with a paradox. Before you tempt me to reveal those revelations I don’t wish to reveal let me simply state thus: I am keeping Primate Olabayo’s great gems in reserve until a more auspicious time. For now create and re-create in your minds the subject of change that is not change and of change that is change that will not be elusive to Nigerians. This is not a prophecy of doom. May this writing not cause you a resentment that is motivated by loyalty to the dupes of change, who dupe change that is keen on change, the change that will change significantly everybody’s life for the better and glory of our beloved country currently bleeding.

Siasia rewards Dream Team players with $100 each

Siasia

Nigeria coach Samson Siasia gave $100 to each of his players for qualifying for the semi-final of the U23 AFCON and thereafter vowed they will play to beat hosts Senegal on Wednesday to reach the championship final. Siasia redeemed a pledge to pay his players cash for reaching the last four of the U23 championship, which doubles as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics, after they held Algeria to a scoreless draw on Saturday in Dakar. He then fixed his sights on reaching the U23 AFCON final at the expense of home team Senegal by 4pm

Nigerian time on Wednesday. “I would have preferred Senegal in the final, but I have to do at the semis,” said Siasia. “It will be a great match because they will have the public behind them and we have to play and win.” He said he hopes to inspire his team to progress to the final after he scored against Senegal in the 1992 AFCON in Dakar. “At the Africa Cup of Nations in 1992, I scored here (Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium), and this is why most Nigerians remember me, I will be around my players to repeat it on Wednesday,” he said.

He said he was satisfied his team kept a clean sheet after capitulating in the second half of their two previous group games. “I congratulate my team for not conceding and qualifying for the semifinals,” he remarked. “The most important thing was to qualify and we have achieved it. We wish we could garner the three points but I’m happy with qualifying and getting closer to Rio de Janeiro.”

EPL RESULTS

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0

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