8th January 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,410

FRIDAY, 8 JANUARY, 2016

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Arms deal: EFCC arrests APC chieftain, Jafaru Isa •Court grants ex-PDP chairman, Haliru Bello, son N300m bail •Release Metuh or charge him to court, kinsmen write EFCC —Pgs 2&4

Arms bunker found in demolished Oshodi market —Lagos govt —P8

Amnesty: FG begins payment of N65,000 monthly stipend to ex-agitators —P13 ALL SET FOR RESCHEDULED SOUTHERN IJAW ELECTION. INEC officials arranging non-sensitive materials for Saturday's supplementary election, at the Bayelsa State INEC headquarters, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Relax restrictions on forex policy, Senate tells CBN

—Pgs10&11 •Says policy doing more harm than good to economy •Unemployment, poverty, inequality too high in Nigeria —IMF •Crude oil price falls below $30 per barrel

LASSA fever: Lagos, Oyo allay fear —P6

Ooni Ogunwusi assumes chairmanship of Osun Council of Obas —P4

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Friday, 8 January, 2016

Arms deal: EFCC arrests APC chieftain, Jafaru Isa •Release Metuh or charge him to court, kinsmen write EFCC Taiwo Adisa, Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe - Abuja

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a political ally of President Muhammadu Buhari and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Brigadier-General Lawal Jafaru Isah.

Isah, a former military administrator of Kaduna State, was said to have been picked up in relation to the commission’s probe into the $2.1 billion arms deal.

Spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, only confirmed the arrest by simply saying “he is with us,” as he refused to give further details.

“It is true that the man is with us. That is the much I can tell you,” he said.

Sources close to the com-

mission, however, said Isah was picked up Wednesday night in Abuja and detained in the commission’s facility.

It was confirmed that the

former military administrator was being questioned over allegations that he collected an unspecified amount of money from

the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd).

Isah was a member of the defunct Congress for

Progressive Change (CPC) founded by President Muhammadu Buhari and is believed to be a political associate of the president.

Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, holding a baby at IDP Camp in Wassa, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday. photo: Sunday Osunrayi

Dogara calls for support for IDPs Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, on Thursday, called for support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and equally pledged the commitment of the House to facilitate an urgent end to the insurgency ravaging the North-East area of the country.

Dogara gave the pledge at the Wassa camp of the IDPs in Abuja, where he donated food items for the camp members.

Food items and clothing materials donated by the speaker included 250 bags of rice, 550 bags of maize, 600 bags of millet, 200 cartons of Indomie noddles, 80 bags of sugar, 250 bags of beans, 100 bags of table salt, 100 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 700 units of Super Print wax and 700 units of brocade material for the campers.

While addressing the IDPs, he said his mission was to personally appraise their living conditions and informed them that a law to create a special agency for IDPs had started in the National Assembly.

Speaking further, he said “all of us in the North East are victims. I lost one of my first cousin, a DPO in one of the local governments in Yobe State. He was killed in active duty. So I am already familiar with level of devastation in the zone and that has more than ever strengthened

my resolve to ensure that we provide succour to the IDPs. “But far better than that, to ensure that we rebuild that zone, you see the entire country is one and if a quarter of the country is affected,

it is like the whole of Nigeria is affected. We cannot afford any zone to drag Nigeria back, that’s why we have to do everything possible to quickly bring the war to an end and get these our broth-

ers and sisters back to their communities,” he said.

Chairman of the Wassa camp, Mallam Hamman Bukar, thanked the Speaker for his gesture and appealed to him to use his office to

rally intervention so as to ease the pains of the IDPs through urgent provision of amenities like potable water, schools, hospitals among others which, he said, were lacking in the camps.

2015 election: INEC to conduct 78 reruns Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, said that it would conduct 78 reruns this year, arising from the 2015 general election.

This was contained in the

daily bulletin of the commission, made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Thursday.

According to the commission, the reruns, which would take place across the country, were based on verdicts issued by the Court of Appeal.

“Most of the court verdicts were given in December 2015, while a few others were ordered in November 2015 and are expected to hold within 90 days or 60 days as ordered by the Appellate Court.

“A breakdown of the elections indicates that the com-

mission will conduct 10 senatorial, 12 state constituency and 37 state assembly reruns,” it stated.

Others, according to the commission, were “17 federal constituency and two governorship reruns, subject to the verdict of the Supreme Court.”

Ooni Ogunwusi assumes chairmanship of Osun Council of Obas Oluwole Ige - Osogbo THE seeming controversy over the chairmanship position of Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers may have been laid to rest, as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday, took full charge of leadership of the council.

It was the first meeting of the council that Oba Ogunwusi would be attending after his coronation and presentation of staff of office.

It will be recalled that the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, had, few days to the coronation of Ooni, during the last meeting of the council in December 2015, declared that he had

been adopted as substantive chairman of the council by the members.

But, the growing tension over the development was doused on Thursday when Oba Aromolaran introduced himself as the deputy chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers.

According to sources inside the main hall of Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), Osogbo, where the meeting was held, “traditional rulers and others at the venue were all apprehensive when the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Aromolaran, was about to commence the meeting when the Ooni had not arrived.

“Owa had already occupied the seat meant for the chairman and this heightened the tension because everyone present knew Ooni Ogunwusi was coming to the meeting.

“When the Ooni arrived, the atmosphere changed.

His aides brought a personal white chair for him.

That really made him special and his comportment was royal and unmatched,” the sources said.

One of the sources further hinted that “when the meeting commenced, the tension was rising and it only went down when the Owa introduced himself as the deputy chairman. The acting chairman, when he was introducing himself,

said he was the deputy chairman. It means he recognised Ooni as the head.”

While speaking to journalists, the Onigbaye of Igbaye, a town in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Joseph Okunola-Oni, said “the meeting went well,” adding that protocol was followed and there was no crisis.

“We at the council recognise the Ooni as the chairman. It has been gazetted and nobody can upturn that,” he said.

The monarch added that “there is no cause for alarm. The king was introduced officially to everyone, especially his office as representative of Oduduwa and we all embraced him.”

Besides being close to Buhari, he is also said to be an ally of the former NSA Dasuki.

Meanwhile, the family of the detained national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, on Thursday, demanded his immediate release by EFCC from detention or charge him to court without further delay.

This was contained in a statement signed by the head of the family, Chief Gilbert Metuh and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

The family expressed concern over the continued incarceration of Metuh since his arrest by the commission on Tuesday, without making the offence for which he was being detained for over 48 hours known to the family and the general public.

“The Metuh family – the Obi-Ezeani-Nnewi – has noted with grave concern the continued incarceration of our Diokpa and spokesperson of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh (Ugochidebelu Nnewi) since his arrest on Tuesday by the EFCC. “The charges for which Chief Metuh is being detained for over 48 hours now have not been formally made known to the family and the general public”, “We have noted some sensational publications in a section of the media claiming that our son collected the sum of N1.4 billion from the arms deal cash and has been collecting N4 million monthly from the Office of the former National Security Adviser.

“We have confronted our son with these allegations and he assured us that they are completely false.

“However, he acknowledged that in the course of his duties as the national publicity secretary of the PDP, the then leader of the party and president of the country directed him to carry out some urgent national assignments relating to his office, which the former president duly funded and which he duly carried out to his satisfaction.

“The family, therefore, views the publications bandying the figure of N1.4 billion and alleged collection of N4 million stipend from the Office of the NSA as deliberate blackmail aimed at inflaming public sentiments against our son,” the statement read.

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Friday, 8 January, 2016

$2.1bn arms deal: Court grants ex-PDP chairman, son bail •Adjourns till February 16 for trial Sunday Ejikei-Abuja

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Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, granted bail to former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Mohammed Bello and his son, Abba, in the sum of N300 million each.

Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, in his ruling on the bail applications by the former PDP chairman and his son, held that they were entitled to bail as the offences for which they were charged did not carry capital punishment.

The court, in its ruling delivered yesterday, admitted the former PDP chairman to bail in the

sum of N300 million and that he should provide two sureties, one of which must be a civil servant of the rank of a director, who must have a landed property in Abuja worth N300 million.

Justice Mohammed also held that for Haliru Mohammed Bello to be released on bail, his sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and the particulars of the sureties shall be verified by the court.

The sureties, the Judge held, must also submit title document of the landed property to the court as well as their recent passport photographs.

Part of the bail conditions for Abba, the court held are two sureties, one

must be a civil servant of not lower than grade level 12, the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and must submit their international passports and recent passport photographs with the court.

Justice Mohammed said the defendants cannot interfere with course of justice since the prosecution said they have concluded investigation into the matter before arraigning the defendants.

While Abba is to be returned to Kuje Prisons until he perfects his bail conditions, Justice Mohammed said the former PDP boss will remain at the Abuja Clinic where he is currently receiving treatment, under the custody of

the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as earlier ordered by the court.

The court then adjourned the matter till February 16, 2016 for trial.

The former PDP chairman was brought to the court on a wheelchair to face the 4-count charge slammed against him and his son, Abba by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello was arraigned alongside his son and their company, BAM Projects & Properties Limited, over their alleged involvement in the $2.1billion arms deal during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The ex-PDP chairman, alongside his son, Abba

was alleged to have aided in the diversion of funds slated for arms procurement by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The duo were being held by the EFCC for collecting N600 million from the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd).

They pleaded not guilty to all the charges slammed against them.

Bello and his son were part of those indicted in the N31 billion funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents, which the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) distributed to some PDP stalwarts for the 2015 election campaign.

Abba is alleged to have received N600 million from NSA office in the name of BAM Properties, but the reason for the transfer of the money to the company was not disclosed.

My wife rock behind my success —Fayose

Former PDP chairman, Dr Mohammed Bello, arriving at the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he was arraigned for alleged fraud, on Thursday.

PHOTO: NAN

Arms displayed by GOC recovered from cow rustlers, not us —Shiites Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna THE Shiite Islamic group has said the it has never been armed and does not operate or support any form of armed struggle.

The sect made this known in a press statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna, on Thursday and signed by its spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa.

The statement noted that the weapons recovered during the press briefing by the General Officer Commanding 1 Mechanised Division of the Army, Major-General Adeniyi Oyebade, were arms and ammunition recovered from armed bandits and cattle rustlers.

“It is confirmed from journalists present at the conference that the GOC did not say that those arms were recovered from the Islamic Movement, but rather from armed bandits and cow rustlers,” the statement stressed.

“We wish to reiterate here that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has never been

armed and is not armed and does not operate or support any form of armed struggle.

“It is rather a movement that believes in extending its message of fairness and justice to all, irrespective of sect or religion in a peaceful manner.

“It will be recalled that the General Officer Commanding 1 Mechanised Division of the Army stated unequivocally in his address announcing the arrest of the revered leader of the movement, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, that the members of the movement were not armed but were carrying sticks, machetes and catapults.

“Of course, none of those

arms being inspected by the GOC could be spotted with members of the movement in any of the videos released by both the army and the Islamic Movement on the attack on the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

“We also categorically refute in strong terms the claims of the GOC that none of our members is currently with the military.

“We have a list of about 700 of our members currently missing, some of which are in detention with the Army at Basawa Barracks, Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria, Jaji Cantonment and 1 Mechanised Division in Kaduna.

“More so, in its desperate attempt to cover up its indefensible crime against humanity, of indiscriminate killing of defenceless and unarmed civilians in Zaria, the GOC in the conference depicted the Islamic Movement in bad light, accusing it of threatening peace and stability in the country.

“We challenge the GOC to come up with a single occasion when the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, under the leadership of Sheikh El-Zakzaky ever threatened the peace and stability of Nigeria or engaged in any form of violence throughout its 38 years of existence,” the statement added.

Focus on issues, Mark tells opponent ahead rerun FORMER Senate President, David Mark, has asked political gladiators in Benue State to focus on issues that affect the people positively rather than dissipating energy on campaign of calumny.

Mark, who is facing a rerun to the Senate from

Benue South, said he would not be distracted by the antics of a few disgruntled elements, whose stock in trace is to spread falsehood.

Speaking through the director-general of his campaign organisation and former Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, Mark asked the

political gladiators in Benue State to focus on issues.

Morro cautioned those attacking the former Senate President to think otherwise, saying “we are concerned with the issues of rerun election for Benue South as ordered by the appeal tribunal.”

EKITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has described his wife, Feyisetan, as a great source of support and God’s grace he enjoys as a politician and leader of the current administration in the state.

In a congratulatory message on Thursday, to mark his wife’s 52nd birthday, Fayose described his wife as the positive force behind his political successes.

According to a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, Fayose said of his wife: “She has distinguished herself as a role model, a person who believes in modesty and totally reserved.

“Her prayer life has made a difference and has impacted positively on me.

Any woman that marries a man like me, who is generally seen to be fearless and courageous and who is vulnerable to attacks by political opponents, cannot afford not to have a woman with her sterling qualities as wife. Only a virtuous, godly and resolute woman like her have what it takes to stand firm in the face of attacks.

“I appreciate her as she adds another year and also appreciate her care for our children.

“I want to assure her that her labour of love will not be in vain. She is a woman to emulate for her modesty and inspiring and fervent prayer life and only her can be an ideal wife for a man like me.”

Jigawa NDLEA arrested 134, seized 382,330kg of narcotics in 2015 Adamu Amadu-Dutse

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had last year (2015) arrested 134 suspects and seized 382.330 kilogrammes of narcotic drug in Jigawa State.

This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen by the agency’s spokesperson in Jigawa, Mr Zubairu Kassim, who said “between January and December last year, we succeeded in arresting 134 and so far, 20 were convicted to various jail terms.”

The statement stated that some of the cases were under investigation while some other cases were still ongoing at the Federal High Court, Dutse.

According to the statement, 91 drug addicts were rehabilitated and counselled by the agency’s Drug Demand Reduction Unit (DDRU) within the period under review.

It also cautioned the public on dangers associated with drug abuse.

Plateau gov promises workers prompt payment of gratuities Isaac Shobayo-Jos

GOVERNOR Simon Lalong of Plateau State has said despite current challenges facing the state, the administration would continue to ensure that, gratuities and workers emoluments receive consummate attention.

The governor, who gave the assurance during the launch of 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Emblem Appeal week in Jos, told the legionnaires in the state that APC government was people oriented government, committed to the welfare of all the citizens of the state.

“We have the highest regard for those whose labour and sweat laid the foundation on which our future is built and we hold in high esteem, the patriotic contribution of our citizens in public service to our state and father land,” he said.

He said the limited response in terms of time and the quantum of resources the administration had been able to commit in meeting the social welfare needs of citizens, was only a reflection of the challenges currently being faced and promised that the challenges would soon be a thing of the past.

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news Lagos allays fear of Lassa fever outbreak 6

Friday, 8 January, 2016

•No such case in Oyo –Govt

By Sade Oguntola and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

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AGOS State Ministry of Health, on Thursday, allayed fears of possible outbreak of Lassa fever in the state as has been reported in some states of the federation.

Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr Jide Idris, who in statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune excluded the state from the six states reportedly affected by the epidemic, advised members of the public to be cautious and adequately educated about the virus to forestall future

outbreak.

He, also, enjoined health workers, paramedics, families and friends to “wear personal protective equipment, observe universal basic precautions, eschew any form of physical handling of patients manifesting symptoms of the disease, isolate the patient and to report quickly to the local government or the ministry of health.”

He also stated that “Lassa fever can be treated. Antiviral drugs have been used successfully to treat Lassa fever. The earlier a person is detected, the better the outcome of treatment.”

•Minister asks Nigerians not to panic, confirms 35 dead

Dr Idris said that “the disease can be contacted by ingestion of foods and drinks contaminated by the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rats; catching and preparing infected rats as food; inhaling tiny particles in the air contaminated with infected rat urine or droppings; and direct contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids, through mucous membranes, like eyes, nose, or mouth.

“Early symptoms of the disease,” he said, “occurs within three weeks of coming in contact with the virus and include fever, headache, chills, diarrhea, nausea,

vomiting, sore throat, backache, and joint pains. Late symptoms include bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose, bleeding from the mouth and rectum, eye swelling, swelling of the genitals and rashes all over the body that often contain blood. It could progress to coma, shock and death.”

Speaking on preventive measures, the commissioner said: “avoid contact between rats and human beings; observe good personal hygiene including hand washing with soap and running water regularly; dispose of your waste properly and clean the environment

United States Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Patrick Doyle (middle), with senior Nigerian Army officers, during the handover ceremony of 24 Mine-Resistant Armour Protected (MRAP) vehicles to the Nigeria’s military authorities, in Lagos, on Thursday.

Why we donated 24 Mine-resistant vehicles to Nigeria’s military —US

By Christian Okeke and Olalekan Olabulo

THE United States Government, on Thursday, said it donated 24 MineResistant Armour-Protected (MRAP) vehicles valued at $11 million to Nigeria’s military authorities as part of continuing support from the United States to the government and the people of Nigeria to defeat Boko Haram.

It said the vehicles provided increased protection from improvised explosive devices, roadside bombs, and small arms fire, while offering more manoeuvrability and better fuel economy than other types of armoured personnel carriers.

US Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Patrick Doyle, in a statement issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, said the US gov-

ernment donated the armoured vehicles through the Excess Defence Articles Programme.

He said the Nigerian military arranged for transportation of the vehicles from the port to Lagos.

According to him, Nigeria is in the process of receiving additional eight MRAPs through the same programme, valued at approximately $7.4 million.

He stated that the Excess Defence Articles Programme was designed to transfer excess military equipment from the United States to foreign governments or international organisations to help with modernisation of partner nation military capabilities.

“Through a similar programme, the U.S. Government donated to the Nigerian Navy the NNS Okpabana in 2014 and NNS Thunder in 2012. The

Nigerian Tribune

two ships have bolstered maritime security in Nigeria,” he said.

Doyle noted that the latest armoured equipment donation represented part of the continuing US commitment to Nigeria and its neighbours to counter Boko Haram’s senseless acts of terror and promote regional security.

He said the United States provides advisors, intelligence, training, logistical support, and equipment to our African partners as they work to defeat Boko Haram.

He said, “We also support those affected by Boko Haram’s violence through ongoing humanitarian aid and victim support services.

“The United States will continue working with our partners in the region to identify new opportunities to restore order in the

Lake Chad Basin region.”

Major General B Ndiomu, who represented the Chief of Defence Staff, during the handing over of the vehicles, commended the US government for its supports to Nigeria.

The army chief expressed his confidence that the armoured vehicles would help protect Nigerian soldiers from attacks from Improvised Explosive Devices of the terror member.

He also added that the armoured vehicles would help the Nigerian military to access some rough terrains in the war front and urged the US to assist Nigeria with the provision of spare parts for the vehicles.

A top military officer, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, under the condition of anonymity, described the new armoured vehicles as “a new inventory in the Nigerian Army.”

so that rats are not attracted; store foods in rat proof containers and cook all foods thoroughly before eating and discourage rodents from entering the house by blocking all possible entry points.

“For food manufacturers and handlers, do not spread food where rats can have access to it; the public should also report any case of above symptoms or persistent high fever not responding to standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever to the nearest health centre; all fluids from an infected person are extremely dangerous.”

Meanwhile, the Oyo State government on Thursday declared that the state is free of Lassa fever, just as it said measures had been put in place to combat any potential eventuality that could come from the disease.

Director, Primary Health Care Services, Dr Taiwo Ladipo, addressing the media in Ibadan, said a child initially suspected to have Lassa fever at the University College Hospital, had since been treated and discharged after further tests could not confirm it.

According to Ladipo, “The result of virology initially stated the child had Lassa fever, however, another sample taken to a reference laboratory in Lagos did not confirm Lassa fever.

“That child had been treated in UCH, interestingly without any antiviral agent.

The child did well and was discharged without any untoward effect of Lassa fever.

“Every health worker in UCH and other health facilities that the child had been taken to were followed up and nobody had any sign of Lassa fever. So, as at now in Oyo State, there is no active case of Lassa fever. That is the situation as we speak.”

He, however, assured that the state was already collaborating with UCH, Bowen Teaching Hospital and other tertiary institutions in its preparation for the disease in case any was to be detected.

Ladipo explained that previous reported cases of Lassa fever in Oyo State did not originate from the state, but were imported cases, assured that the state was not endemic of the disease.

The medical expert, who linked Lassa fever with close proximity with a multi-mammary soft-furred rat, with a hairless tail and poor hygiene, however assured that Oyo State’s inter ministerial emergency response team had come up with a plan of action to ensure the state remains Lassa-fever free.

Meanwhile, Chairman,

Medical Advisory Committee, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr Olufemi Afolabi, confirmed also that no case of Lassa fever had been recorded in the hospital.

Afolabi, who noted that the hospital’s emergency response committee was always apt to respond as it did during the Ebola disease incidence, assured of the hospital’s facilities, drugs and other consumables to treat any Lassa fever case.

“We have built a special ward when Ebola disease came up, it is functional and modernised and we cannot but be ever prepared being a frontline hospital in Nigeria,” he said.

Afolabi, however, stressed the need for personal and environmental hygiene in warding off the disease.

The medical expert urged individuals to imbibe the culture of maintaining a clean environment, adding that Oyo State government should also rid the streets of wastes as part of efforts to warding off many diseases.

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has asked Nigerians not to panic as a result of the reported cases of Lassa fever.

Adewole said government has put up adequate measures for its containment.

Nigeria is currently experiencing an outbreak of Lassa fever, which has affected seven states of the federation.

These are Bauchi, Kano, Taraba, Oyo, Nasarawa, Niger and Rivers.

As of January 5, 2016, a total of 76 suspected cases have been reported.

Thirty-five persons have died from the reported cases in the last six weeks in the seven states.

In response to the current Lassa fever outbreak, the Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to coordinate the response and provide support to the affected states to fight and prevent the spread of the outbreak, as well as establishing case management centres in tertiary institutions in the states.

Government has also trained and sensitised clinicians, lab scientist and other health workers on viral hemorrhagic fevers and emergency medicine, as well provided specific drugs and injection for its treatment to the states’ Ministries of Health and in addition case management drugs, personal protective equipment and information, education and communication materials have been supplied to the affected states.

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Friday, 8 January, 2016

Lagosmetro Arms bunker found in demolished Oshodi market — Govt …Denies forceful ejection of traders Bola Badmus

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HE Lagos State government, on Thursday denied forcefully ejecting traders at Owonifari in Oshodi to relocate to the ultra-modern Isopakodowo Market, revealing that it discovered arms in a bunker at the now demolished market.

The Lagos State government has explained that the decision was based on mutual agreement reached between it and the leadership of the market and was in the overall interest of public good, safety and security.

Addressing newsmen at Alausa, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said plans to relocate the traders at the market had been on for the past 10 years, leading to series of talks between the government and the leadership of the market in the last three years.

Ayorinde, who spoke at a joint press conference with his colleagues from the ministries of Local Government and Community Affairs, Honourable Muslim Folami; Physical Planning and Urban Development, Honourable Wasiu Abiola Anifowose and Ministry of Environment, Babatunde Adejare, maintained that the government never applied force to relocate the traders as been said in some quarters but sought their understanding.

He added that the relocation of the traders would have taken place long before now as the leadership of the market refused all entreaties but the final agreement was reached on December 21, 2015 during the visit of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to the market.

He said the two parties had earlier on December 16, 2015 met at a meeting of the state executive council presided over by Governor Ambode.

Ayorinde said it was at the

meeting that the leadership of the market told the government that they could not pay more than N5, 000 rent per month, in a place like Oshodi, a demand, which he said the governor consented to.

He said it was following the agreement that a quit notice was served the trad-

ers through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

“You will see from the reports that quite a good chunk of the traders acknowledged that they had been properly served and that they were ready to move, which was why a good number of them, if not all, parked their things

just before the end of last year.

“Along the line, we got intelligence report that during the holidays there were a number of criminal activities going on in the market and that the place was harbouring criminals and a number of untoward activities, which of course necessitated the

need to move immediately to safeguard lives, to safeguard properties and to ensure that there was no breach of peace which was what led to the demolition,” Ayorinde said.

Speaking on the arms recovered, the Commissioner for Local Government, Honourable Folami, wondered what a bunker with stockpile

of arms was doing at the now demolished Owonifari Market, adding that there were a lot of criminal acts that took place there that could not be imagined.

The commissioner, however, said that the government is resolved to developing Oshodi into world class bus terminus.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde (second right), addressing the Press on the relocation of Owonifari Market, Oshodi by the State Government, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday. With him are from right, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Wasiu Anifowoshe; Commissioner for Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare and the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Alhaji Muslim Folami.

Govt notice too short — Traders Chukwuma Okparaocha Some traders of the Owonifari Market in Oshodi, whose shops and stalls were demolished, midweek, have lamented that the notice given them by the Lagos State government was too short for them to make any meaningful move to save their wares.

Those who spoke to Lagos Metro argued they didn’t get wind of what was happening until they came back from the Christmas and New Year holiday, which many of them had spent in their various villages.

“As I am talking to you, I know of no fewer than three people who are still in their villages. Many had scheduled their return to the end

of the week. All these people lost their wares to the exercise. A notice of two weeks from now could have prevented this,” a trader who identified himself simply as Obiorah said.

Others indicated that they were given notice as short as four days to quit the market, a situation they said made it impossible for some of them to get their goods out in time.

Another trader, who gave his name as Mike Ibe, said he lost numerous electronic gadgets worth millions of naira to the demolition.

Another trader, an elderly woman, who made her identity known simply as Mrs Owa, also bemoaned the fact that not even the slightest hope of any possible compensation by the

government had been given to them.

“This is totally unfair.

We all got our shops at the market without having any knowledge that we were moving into a ‘troubled’ spot. Why are we always treated like a group of nobody by the governments we voted into power? It has happened before, and it will happen again,” she remarked.

Similarly, another victim, Steve Odinaka, while recounting his ordeal said those who carried out the exercise came with Black Maria vehicles.

“They began the demolition immediately without giving us the privilege of salvaging anything. The demolition exercise lasted for just a few hours but the effects,

for some people, may last a life time,” he said.

He also corroborated the accusation in certain quarters that the security officers brought to oversee the exercise were so brutal that they forcefully seized phones, cameras and various recording gadgets of traders, passersby, and even journalists who tried to record or take pictures of the whole exercise as it unfolded.

But the state government, in a swift reaction, insisted that the traders were given adequate notice about the demolition.

It said the relocation of the traders to the newly built Isopakodowo Market in Bolade-Oshodi was in the overall interest of public good, safety and security; especially as the demolished

market was within “the notorious loop of Oshodi.”

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akinwumi Ambode, Mr Habib Aruna, on Thursday quoted the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, as saying that the government complied with the law and engaged with the leadership of the market severally before demolishing the market.

Ayorinde said it was important for people to note that the issue of the market had been on for nothing less than 10 years, adding that government had been engaging the leadership of the market to make them realise that it could no longer continue in the manner in which the market was being

9

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Mushin robbers’ arms keeper arrested Olalekan Olabulo

A 29-year-old baker, Waheed Oseni and two other persons, suspected to be keeping arms and ammunition for criminals in Mushin area of Lagos State, have been arrested by the police.

An AK 47 riffle and a Pump Action riffle were recovered from the arrested suspects while efforts were reportedly on to arrest the leaders of the gang.

Also arrested by the police are Azeez Badamosi and Salami Raufu, who were both residents of Folarin Street, Mushin.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Anti Robbery Section of the Criminal Investigative Department of the Lagos State Police Command.

A source at SCID told Lagos Metro that the arrested suspects in their confessional statements identified Akeem Ni Case, Iseti and Ogunbunmi as the owners of the recovered arms.

Lagos Metro gathered that the officer in charge of the section, Adebola Ojugbele, a chief superintendent of police received a hint that some hoodlums were trying to strike in the area.

Ojugbele reportedly drafted the raider team to the area, leading to the arrest of Gbadamosi, who confessed to the crime and facilitated the arrest of two other members of the gang.

The baker, while speaking

with Lagos Metro confessed to have been keeping the gun for some hoodlums in Mushin for more than three years.

“I used to keep the gun for them and gave it to them anytime they wanted to use it and they usually returned it to me when they were through with it.” Oseni said.

On what the gun was being used for, the baker explained that “they told me that they used it to fight, whenever there is a clash in Mushin.”

He added that, “there was no way I could have refused to keep the guns for them, even when I knew the content of the bag. They are my area brothers. They don’t pay me for the job.”

When contacted, the image maker in charge of the state police command, Joe Offor, said that he was outside Lagos State and that he has not been briefed about the arrest.

A 28-year-old woman, Ifeoma Anyadiegwu, has been arrested by the police for allegedly pouring hot water on a 9-year-old girl.

Ifeoma a trader, who lives at 20, Idowu Street, Kola Alagbado, accused the young girl who was staying with her of stealing a piece of meat and thereby threatened to deal with her and thereby poured hot water on her.

Lagos Metro gathered that, if not for the timely intervention of neighbours, who rushed the girl to the hospital, she would have suffered more burns all over her

Govt sacks NURTW BRT buses Bola Badmus Lagos State government, on Thursday, terminated its franchise agreement with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Cooperative run by National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos Council.

The Service Legal Agree-

4,630 okada impounded, 3,393 convicted last year —Taskforce boss Bola Badmus Chairman, Lagos State Taskforce, Olubokola Abe, said on Thursday that a total of 4,630 commercial motorcycles popularly called ‘okada’ were impounded by the agency in 2015, while 5,382 suspects were arrested.

Abe disclosed this while briefing journalists on the

Housewife bathes 9-year-old with hot water for stealing meat Shehu Olayinka

Lagos officials burning items at the demolished Oshodi market. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

body.

Ifeoma, who was, on Thursday, arraigned before an Ogba Magistrate Court, is facing a one-count charge of causing grievous harm.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Benedict Eigbokhon the offence contravened Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ifeoma, who pleaded not guilty, was granted bail of N200, 000 by the presiding Magistrate, Tajudeen Elias.

“The surety must be a blood relation of the victim,” he said, before adjourning the matter till January 27 for mention.

activities of the Taskforce last year in his office at Alausa, Ikeja.

He also disclosed that out of the 5,382 suspects, 115 were screened out while 3,393 were convicted with 839 awaiting trial.

According to him, a total of 542 suspects were discharged.

Abe said the agency focused mostly on Oshodi last year because the government did not want Oshodi to go back to its old self, even as he described Oshodi as work-in-progress.

“We raided Oshodi regularly for miscreants and hoodlums and we removed 2,000 miscreants to discourage the boys and prevent them from using Oshodi as a place of abode.

“The agency participated actively in the continuation of restoration of sanity in Oshodi by continuously dislodging street traders, demolition of shanties and illegal structures, removal and prohibition of illegal bus-stop, motor parks and abuse of open spaces,” Abe said.

•As members appeal to Ambode ment required a one-month notice prior to its termination, but the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the custodian of the agreement, gave a three-month notice which officials of the authority failed to honour.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Dayo Mobereola, who was the Managing Director of LAMATA when the agreement was contracted in 2007, said that government’s decision to revoke the franchise was communicated to the operator on Wednesday.

According to him, the decision of the government was premised on the inability of the operator to offer good public transport services to BRT commuters, adding that the incessant complaints by members of the public had been focused on poor services provided by the operator and the deployment of vehicles not safe for use, among others.

Mobereola added that the state government also frowned on the non-operation of stipulated frequency schedules and operation of buses at below 50 per cent fleet capacity contrary to the agreement.

He said the state government had, therefore, decided to sanitise bus operations along Mile 12 to CMS corridor.

“Government’s decision, which was communicated to the operator on Wednesday, was premised on the inability of the operator to

offer good public transport services to commuters on the all- important BRT corridor.

“This has led to incessant complaints by members of the public over poor services by the operator and the deployment of vehicles not safe for use by the commuting public,” he said.

“The failure of first BRT Cooperative to comply with the terms of the franchise agreement has led to the passengers’ experience of poor services typified by extensive waiting time and having to endure use of dilapidated and unsafe buses,” Mobereola emphasised.

Meanwhile, the NURTW, Lagos State council has appealed to Lagos State government not to terminate its agreement with the union on BRT operation on Mile 12 to CMS corridor.

In a letter by the union to the state governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode on Thursday, the union beseeched the governor to prevail on the LAMATA not to go ahead with the plan to terminate the existing agreement between the state and the union.

The union, in a letter signed by Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, the state chairman, states, “We have been operating the corridor for the past eight years without any problem. In fact we have received series of commendations from eminent personalities and organisations both from within and outside the country. The project is a shining example of

Public Private Partnership Programme (PPP).”

The union added, “We strongly believe that terminating our agreement with LAMATA on the corridor now will have serious economic implications for the state as over 1,000 workers of the organisation will be thrown into the already saturated labour market. Also, consider the effects of that decision on the dependants of these workers.

“Again, to boost our operations on that corridor, our union in 2014 got a N1.6 billion loan facility from Ecobank. The facility from the bank was granted because of the subsisting agreement between LAMATA and NURTW. The money was used to procure 100 buses to boost our operation on that corridor.

“Our agreement with the bank was that the loan would be repaid in full with interest by 2017. If the operation is now unilaterally terminated, it will be impossible for us to meet the loan repayment schedule as indicated in the loan agreement.”

The union said that based on its agreement with LAMATA on the BRT operation, it was supposed to operate the corridor till 2019, adding, “but we are surprised by the sudden change in the contract with LAMATA.” The union expressed its willingness to work with other operators on that corridor for the benefit of the teeming commuter population in the state.

10

businessnews

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Senate urges CBN to relax forex policy •Says policy doing more harm to the economy Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

S

enate President, Bukola Saraki has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to relax its strict foreign exchange restriction policy, adding that the policy was doing more harm to the economy than good.

Saraki, who mentioned this to the CBN at a meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, said that small businesses were being made to suffer the consequences of the restriction.

A statement from Saraki’s media office indicated that the Senate President asked the CBN to introduce a more flexible foreign exchange regime and reduce the present restrictions on the autonomous market which he said does not allow business men to bring in foreign exchange or utilise what they have in their accounts.

The statement also indicated that Saraki had canvassed the same position at an earlier meeting with the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele .

He was quoted as saying that the bank needed to consider the effects of the present forex regime on small businesses which are dying following evaporating crude oil revenue.

Saraki was quoted at the meeting with Lagarde and the CBN as saying: “The IMF should support our CBN to bring in low interest loans to SMEs. We need to encourage entrepreneurs and make most of our new graduates job creators, rather than job seekers.

This is an area where we need the financial support and technical assistance of the IMF.” The statement further read; “As legislators, we play an important role in making our people understand IMF’s advice, policy trade-offs, consultations and other engagements, so that ownership, transparency and accountability are brought to bear on economic policy choices.

“The Nigerian legislature strongly believes that having a collaborative working relationship with the executive branch of government brings development closer to the people.

“Since the advent of the new administration, we have worked closely to stabilise the economy and steady the fiscal environ-

ment. This, we have indeed demonstrated by the speedy passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Frame Work (MTEF) and recently in the postponement of our recess in order to receive President Muhammadu Buhari to present the 2016 Appropriation Bill.

“The purpose of our Legislative Agenda is to enable us focus our lawmaking in areas that will help create jobs, expand our infrastructure base and make our economy work for the benefit and happiness of the majority of our people.

“Pivotal to the attain-

ment of this overarching objective is the state of the Nigerian business environment. In collaboration with major stakeholders, the 8th Senate is presently signing a memorandum of understanding on Enhancing Nigerian Advocacy for Better Business Environ-

ment Project, a National Assembly business and investment roundtable initiative, with developmental organisations.

He was also quoted as telling the CBN at a meeting that the bank should not devalue the naira for the mere sake of devaluation.

From left, member, Bameke/Bamishile Community Market Women Association, Funmilayo Saliu; Chairman, Bameke/Bamishile Community Landlord’s Association, Sulaimon Oyebamire; Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Emeka Mba and Human Resources Manager, Water Health Nigeria, Mary Tombri Sowemimo, at the commissioning of the Coca-Cola sponsored Alimosho Water Health Centre at Bameke/Bamishile Community, Shasha, Lagos, recently.

Unemployment, poverty, inequality too high in Nigeria —IMF Gbola Subair - Abuja In addition to the challenge of the Boko Haram insurgency, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that poverty, inequality and unemployment rates remained too high in Nigeria.

Ms Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the Fund, made this conclusion as her parting words as she ended her four-day working visit to the country.

A press statement issued on Thursday by the IMF stated that apart from the challenges highlighted above, Nigeria also has to deal with the difficulties presented by falling oil prices, reduced emerging market demand, and tightening global financial conditions.

Contrary to insinuation that the Nigerian economy is not diversified, Ms Lagarde said “Nigeria is the largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest population, and its important role at the regional level has become increasingly recognised.

“The economy is well diversified, no longer dominated by agriculture and oil, with services accounting for almost half of GDP, including a significant

home-grown film industry and innovative start-ups from fashion to software development.

“Nigeria has also experienced a decade of strong growth, averaging 6.8 per cent a year. In 2015, however, growth is expected to slow to about 3 1/4 percent, with a slight recovery in 2016,” she remarked.

In her concluding remarks, she said: “In my meetings with the authorities, we discussed how to maintain economic progress while making the transition towards more inclusive and sustainable growth. Poverty, inequality, and unemployment levels remain too high, in addition to the challenge of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“Nigeria also has to deal with the difficulties presented by falling oil prices, reduced emerging market demand, and tightening global financial conditions.

This has led to sharply lower export earnings and government revenues. The non-oil sector has also been affected and financing for investment is hard to come by.

“Against this background, we discussed a range of policy recommendations related to improving the competitiveness of the Nigerian

economy. This includes focusing on the critical area of infrastructure, where power, transportation, and housing are especially key.

“It also includes identifying ways to broaden the revenue base, particularly to create additional fiscal space to offset the impact of lower oil prices; and the need for careful decisions on borrowing, public spending, and managing the cost of fuel subsidies, with a view to safeguarding priority social sectors and the most vulnerable groups. This will require

a package of measures involving business-friendly monetary policy, flexible exchange rate policy, and disciplined fiscal policy, and the implementation of structural reforms.

“I compliment the authorities on their efforts to address corruption, particularly the decision to publish monthly data on the finances and operations of the National Petroleum Corporation. Transparency and the rule of law will be crucial in reducing constraints to the country’s growth,” she said.

Nigerian Tribune

Vitafoam recommends 25k dividend per share KehindeAkinseinde-JayeobaLagos Vitafoam has recommended a dividend of 25 kobo per share for the financial year ended September 30, 2015.

In a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the Board of Directors of the company conveyed its decision, subject to shareholders’ approval and withholding tax, to disburse N245.7 million representing 25 kobo per share.

This decision was made upon the approval of the group audited financial statements for the 2015 year ended September 30.

The Board at its meeting also decided that the Annual General Meeting should be on Wednesday, March 2 at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel.

In the notice signed by the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, ‘Lekan Sanmi, it was noted that if the 25 kobo per share dividend was approved by shareholders at AGM, payments would be made on March 14 to members whose names appeared on the Register of Member and Transfer Book of the company by February 12.

The Board, however, announced the closure of the register from Monday, February 15 to Friday, February 19.

On the floor of the Nigerian Bourse on Thursday, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc traded at 2.96 per cent loss shedding 16 kobo from N5.25 kobo per share it traded.

The quoted company traded 769,666 shares worth N3.8 million in 35 deals.

JMOAN/MOAN launches clearance certificate THE President of the Joint Mobile Agency of Nigeria and Mobile Advert Association of Nigeria (JMOAN/ MOAN), Chief Mike Osiemen Eboziegbe has urged stakeholders, agencies and members of the association to fully comply with government extant laws relating to the collection of the mobile adverts and other related taxes/levies in all the councils in the federation.

Eboziegbe made this remark during the just concluded national conference of the association held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The association also used the occasion to launch its vehilcles clearance certificate for 2016, which is available in banks and all designated local governments for motorists.

Speaking earlier, the ALGON president, Mr Sam Ele, enjoined both associations to fully comply with extant law as it relates to the operation and coordination of their business activities in 2016 and beyond.

He also said that double taxation must be avoided in the collection of the revenue generation for the government, saying that

NULGE and ALGON must work together as a team, for the growth and development of the association in order to move it to the next level.

The association rewarded some staff who performed excellently during the year, among who were Mr Andrew Oare; Otunba Mike Eboziegbe, Chief Obeto, Chief Nicholas and Honourable Bunmi Ekungba.

Some dignitaries present at the occasion were Chief Ojomo; Mr Victor Aikhumenlo, Mr Owolabi Temitope, Mrs Tina Samuel, Chief Aladesiun and others.

businessnews Crude oil price falls below $30 per barrel 11

OlatundeDodondawawith Agency Reports

C

rude oil price has continued to move south as global economic downturn worsens.

The basket price of crude from Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) took a deep dive on Thursday as the commodity fell below $30 per barrel for the first time in over a decade.

According to OPEC secretariat calculations released on Thursday, “the price of OPEC basket of 13 crudes stood at $29.71 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $31.21 the previous day.”

The story plays out in like manner for Brent crude and US oil, as they both fell below $33 per barrel, the lowest in over seven years. Brent crude fell 4.7 per cent to the lowest in 11

Friday, 8 January, 2016

years, while US West Texas Intermediate was down by 3.9 per cent to $32.40 per barrel, its lowest since the 2008 global economic crisis.

The global oversupply has continued to pull oil prices

to new lows, leading to approximately 70 per cent reduction in value than when the downturn began in June 2014.

John Kilduff, founding partner at Again Capital, told CNBC recently that

oil prices could go as low as $18 per barrel, following the Saudi-Iran tensions which fuelled soaring prices on Monday.

“I think you’re going to get as low as $18 and maybe get as high as $48. It’s going to

get really ugly. The Iranians doubled down again, if that’s even possible, by saying that they could put 500,000 more barrels on the market within weeks after the sanctions get lifted,” he said.

Osinbajo, Belgore to grace Crowd at the MTN office in Maitama due to the sim card registration in Abuja on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN. premiere of Airtel Touching Visafone acquisition: MTN promises world class CDMA services Lives Season 2 companies.

Plan for the benefit of Ni- sized companies and corBy Bode Adewumi

By Bode Adewumi The wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice S.M.A. Belgore, among other high profile invitees, have confirmed they would attend the premiere of Airtel Touching Lives Season 2, billed to hold next Thursday, January 14, 2016, at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Also expected at the event are the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara; Minister of Works, Power & Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola; Minister of Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu and Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, among top government functionaries.

Airtel Touching Lives is an inspiring corporate social responsibility initiative that seeks to offer practical relief, succour, hope, opportunities and credible platforms to liberate and empower the underprivileged, disadvantaged and hard to reach persons in the society.

The activities of Airtel Touching Lives are recorded and produced for national television with a view to promoting the spirit of giving, self-sacrifice and love among Nigerians.

The management of MTN Nigeria has formally announced the completion of the acquisition of Visafone, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) telecoms operator. This followed months of speculations and negotiations on the part of the two

According to MTN Executive, Mrs Amina Oyagbola, the acquisition, which seeks to leverage resources for service enhancement is also reflective of MTN’s concerted efforts to deepen the growth and roll out of broadband services across the country in support of the National Broadband

gerians.

Visafone is one of the leading CDMA/ICT companies in Nigeria offering a number of services including voice, high speed data (3G), internet and other Value Added Services (VAS). Visafone also provides business solutions to small and medium

LCM donates N1 million each to 4 orphanages, hospice Joint Venture dredging giant, the Lagos Channel Management (LCM) donated N5 million in celebration of the Yuletide, to the needy members of the society.

The 2015 beneficiaries of the LCM annual N5 million Christmas package for the needy were the Vigilant Heart Charitable Society; Divine Heritage Children’s Centre; Heart of Gold Home, Citadel of Grace Mission and Young Disciple International.

The LCM Managing Director, Danny Fuchs in the past six years, has annually donated N5 million to orphanages and hospices in Lagos, Kano and Ibadan, as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“We wish we can do more than these,” Fuchs, who was represented by his Head of Human Resources, Prince Falade Oyekan, stated.

Fuchs said the dredging company noted the need to touch the lives of the vulnerable members in the society,

knowing full well that there was no way government alone could do everything, hence, LCM’s genuine and deep involvement in a project which this year hits over N30 million.

The project annually involves scanning and scouting for state governments’ registered orphanages and hospices, in a bid to ensure that only authentic homes emerge as beneficiaries.

“We’re poised to touch many lives. We started with those who have holes in the heart and other health challenges. The boy with the hole in the heart is now hale and hearty. He is doing very well and we are thankful to God. “From there, we went into motherless babies’ homes.

The management believes in helping the less privileged. So, every December, we try to get across to them.

We always look for registered and confirmed homes to partner with.

“This year, we saw 28 but noted that some were not

properly registered. Our checklist is thorough. We believe that a day will come, when we shall be able to do more than this,” he said.

In a response, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ebun Oluwatoyin Idowu, of the Foursquare Church, appreciated the company for the gesture.

porate organisations in Nigeria.

Oyagbola said: “We are committed to exploring avenues for meeting our customers’ increasing data needs in line with our vision ‘to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers.

“As we work to maximise our data capabilities towards achieving broadband of international quality, our objective is to ensure that Nigerians experience a boost in the quality of broadband internet services translating to the much needed enhanced data speeds and value to enhance personal and business productivity.”

Nigerian Tribune

NSE: 0.31% uplift as market records 6 gainers, 30 losers KehindeAkinseinde-JayeobaLagos The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) took a break from the northward march it embarked on since the beginning of the year trade as the equities market closed on a positive note on Thursday, with All Share Index, a main pointer, appreciating by 0.31 per cent to close at 27,266.18 basis points, compared with the 3.28 per cent depreciation recorded on Wednesday.

Market turnover closed negative as volume declined by 17.92 per cent against 3.45 per cent increase recorded in the preceeding day. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc, were the most active to boost market turnover with 72,712,260 volume of shares.

Market breath closed negative as only six quoted companies appreciated their share prices compared to 30 that lost values in share prices.

E-tranzact International Plc made the lead of the gainers table having appreciated by 4.93 per cent, by adding 15 kobo to close at N3.19 kobo per share price. Okomu Oil Palm Plc increased its share price by N1.52 kobo to close at N33 as against the N31.48 kobo it traded on Thursday.

Dangote Cement’s share price moved to N159.98 kobo after gaining N6.55 kobo, representing 4.27 per cent increase in value.

Fidson Healthcare Plc continued Wednesday trend as its share price further appreciated by 11 kobo or 4.25 per cent to close at N2.70 kobo.

Emirates launches global sales to new destinations bRinging in new adventures for the new year, Emirates, is launching its much-awaited global sale to inspire and encourage travellers from Nigeria.

“We know that many people have begun thinking about their travel plans and aspirations for 2016, and we are pleased to add a little more inspiration and incentive to help turn those plans and dreams into reality,” said Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

“Our global destination network across six conti-

nents offers something for every traveller, and we are now combining that wide range of travel choices with special rates to offer wouldbe travellers with an even more appealing value proposition.

“Aside from choice, connectivity and value, the Emirates experience also means customers can look forward to industry-leading comforts on board our modern jets, and award-winning service from our friendly cabin crew.”

Emirates flies to over 140 cities in 80 countries. Adventurous globetrotters can

explore the airline’s newest destinations launched in 2015: Bali, Multan, Orlando, Mashhad and Bologna. Emirates will commence flights to Panama City on February 1, 2016, opening the airline’s first gateway destination in Central America. The airline will also expand its services in mainland China with flights to Yinchuan and Zhengzhou from May 3, 2016.

Emirates offers excellent on board service from an international cabin crew who come from 130 nationalities and speak over 60 languages.

12

news

Friday, 8 January, 2016

FG to invest in science, technology innovation —Buhari Leon Usigbe - Abuja

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has stressed his administration’s commitment to invest appropriately in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in order to guarantee Nigeria’s competitiveness both continentally and globally.

He said this during a meeting of National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday that Nigeria must accord high priority to Science and Technology if it must take its rightful place among the leading economies in the modern world.

The president noted that Nigeria’s vision of becoming one of the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020 was only attainable when Science, Technology and Innovation were fully integrated into the national socio-economic development process.

He said with inauguration of the board of NRIC, the process would now be fast tracked.

While assuring the council

of the commitment of his administration, he said: “Our goal to secure our nation, grow our economy, create jobs and fight crime can best be achieved if we embrace science and technology.

“It is my fervent hope that our research and innovation output should be measured by number of Intellectual Property such as patents granted and not only by the number of articles published in scholarly journals.

“By this action, Nigeria will

become a Centre of discoveries, inventions and innovation in all fields of science and technology. Before long we should be in a position to produce Nobel Laureates in the sciences.

“The NRIC is geared towards coordinating and streamlining the nation’s research and development activities as well as fostering innovation.

“It is designed to accelerate the growth of innovation-based entrepreneur-

ship in the country and to create conditions for the commercialisation of current and further research findings in our universities and research institutes.”

The president charged the council to reposition STI as a national priority to guarantee sustainability, high standard of living and quality of life for Nigerians as well as fast-track industrial and economic development.

In this regard he said, the Council would meet quar-

Court remands Osun bus driver for killing terly to consider and take vital decisions on STI related issues.

The president said that it was noteworthy that the government structure of the NRIC provides for the establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) consisting of technocrats from the various relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to ensure full implementation of resolutions of the NRIC.

Why I dumped Wike for Peterside —Former aide DapoFalade-PortHarcourt

Former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah, has said he dumped his former boss for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reciprocate a good gesture extended to him by prominent leaders of the party in the state.

He made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, to formally announce his defection into the Rivers State main opposition party.

Breaking his silence since his controversial and surprising exit from the Governor Wike-led administration, Inko-Tariah expressed his support for the APC governorship candidate in the 2015 general election, Honourable Dakuku Peterside.

He said it was natural to reciprocate gestures and commended the immediate past governor of the state and Minister of Transport, Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, for coming to his aide when he took ill.

The former aide of Wike noted that while he had been critical of Amaechi, it was noteworthy that the former governor was the one who was with him during his moment of need.

From right, President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, during the inauguration of the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC), at the State House, Abuja.

Ogun may consider shift system in public schools To penalise parents over pupils/students absenteeism OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

THE Ogun State government said it might consider the introduction of shift system in its public primary and secondary schools in the state.

This was disclosed by the state commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Mujota, in an interview with a private radio station, Rockcity FM, monitored by the Nigerian Tribune.

She said the development became necessary so as to address the challenge of classroom congestion in public schools in the state, due to free education policy, which was one of the cardinal programmes of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration.

The commissioner said stakeholders in the education industry would be consulted before implementing the proposed system.

She admitted that the standard classroom situation in the country is ratio 1: 40, saying the idea of shift system would be extensively discussed at the ministry

meeting.

She said, “It depends on which of the public schools, we have both primary and secondary schools. For the secondary school, I know that one is being addressed by the virtue of the model

schools we are putting up.

“We are also looking at the structural integrity of some of the existing schools that we do have to be sure that there is value in renovating and upgrading such schools.

“You will agree with me

that for a school that has been standing for 50 and 60 years, the structural integrity may not be there for you to build on such infrastructure and that will be looked at, on a case by case basis and based on availability of fund.”

‘Commonwealth lauds Jonathan’s ‘able leadership’ Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former president of Nigeria, on Thursday, paid a courtesy call on Kamalesh Sharma, the Commonwealth secretary-general, at Marlborough House, London, headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Welcoming Jonathan to Marlborough House for the first time, Sharma thanked him for his “able leadership” of the recent Commonwealth Election Observer Group (COG) to Tanzania, and subsequently, for his services to the Commonwealth as his Special Representative, following the annulment of the elections in Zanzibar.

He also paid tribute to the “personal leadership” of the former president in

the peaceful transition to a new government in Nigeria after the last election. The former president briefed the secretary-general on the activities of the Observer Group in Tanzania, and lauded the Commonwealth Secretariat for supporting him with a team that displayed a high level of team spirit and professionalism.

Jonathan further welcomed the opportunity to be of service to the Commonwealth as the leader of the COG, describing it as “a great honour, both for him, and for Nigeria.”

He expressed concerns about the persisting uncertainty in Zanzibar following the cancellation of the October 25 general elections. But

Nigerian Tribune

he expressed hope that the leaders of the country would put the national interest and the people of Zanzibar first, as they seek a sustainable and peaceful solution to the impasse in the ongoing national dialogue.

Jonathan assured Sharma that he would continue to take an interest in developments in Zanzibar as his Special Representative.

He commended the Commonwealth for its efforts in promoting peaceful and credible elections globally, especially in Africa. He pledged to work with the organisation in the promotion of democracy and good governance, and in countering violent extremism on the continent.

Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

A Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Osogbo, on Thursday, remanded a 37-year-old bus driver, Abiodun Sesan John, in Ilesa Prisons in Osun, for allegedly killing a passenger and attempting to bury him in the bush.

The court held that the accused should be kept behind bars, considering the magnitude of the offence committed.

Sesan, whose address was unknown, was facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder and theft.

But his plea was not taken in court.

However, the prosecutor, Inspector James Idoko, informed the court that the accused conspired with his conductor now at large, to kill a passenger, identified as Yemi Kehinde, along IleIfe-Ibadan Expressway.

According to the prosecutor, “the accused attacked the deceased in a bid to cart away his planks. The accused was apprehended while trying to bury the deceased. It took the intervention of motorists and pedestrians to apprehend the accused before the arrival of the police.”

Idoko further contended that the offences contravened Sections 319(1), 324, 383 (1) and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2003.

The Magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko, adjourned the case to February 16 for mention.

Insecurity, result of poor funding of security agencies —Ex-Plateau gov Isaac Shobayo - Jos

Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence, Senator Jonah David Jang, has attributed the security challenges facing the country to poor funding of the security sector and low morale on the part of the military.

The former governor of Plateau State said insecurity has further compounded the economy of northern Nigeria and commended President Muhammad Buhari for given a directive to employ 10, 000 police officers nationwide, with a view to improve on the nation’s security.

Jang, who is the Senator representing Plateau North and immediate past governor of Plateau State, stated this during a visit to Plateau State Police Command, Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Plateau State.

news Amnesty: FG begins payment of N65,000 monthly stipend of ex-agitators 13

Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

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HE Federal Government, on Thursday, announced the commencement of the payment of three-month arrears owed about 2,000 Niger

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Delta ex-agitators in Rivers State.

Chief of Staff to the Office of the Special Adviser to the President and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Colonel Dedis Abel (retd), made this known at the launch of

the direct payment, held in Port Harcourt.

According to him, government would henceforth make direct payment of the N65,000 monthly stipend paid to the former agitators, rather than making such payment through

their leaders.

“The Amnesty Office took the decision to pay the exagitators directly following reports of complicity and short-changing of some of them by the leaders.

“Reports revealed that some of the ex-ag-

Niger Delta ex-militants being screened for their monthly stipends by officials of Presidential Amnesty Programme, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN.

Respect outcome of screening committee on Obalufe’s stool —Contestant Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

AGAINST the backdrop of the conclusion of screening exercise for the vacant position of Obalufe’s stool in Ile-Ife, one of the contestants, Mr Elu Abayomi, has called on appropriate authorities to respect the outcome of the committee’s report, in which he emerged the winner of the exercise.

In a press statement signed by Abayomi, a copy of which was obtained by the Nigerian Tribune in Osogbo, on Thursday, he said there was no justifiable reason for delaying his declaration as the winner of the screening exercise.

According to the statement, during the screening exercise held at Ife Recreation Club, Lagere, he emerged the overall winner with 115 points with the runner up having 98 points through a contest that had nine aspirants available for screening.

It reads in part, “It amazes one to wait endlessly expecting official announcement from the appropriate quarters affirming the outcome of the selection committee.

This is not without a reason as sequence of events reveals that some aspirants not even from the first three had engaged in a conspiracy

theory to thwart the outcome of the painstaking exercise which was fairly and peacefully conducted.

“While it will not be necessary to join issue with anybody, it is important the record is set straight.

Historically, Obalufe is seen as next in command to the Ooni. There is historical guide as to how the stool should be filled whenever there is the need, such as now. However, the contemporary youths might not be aware of this process, therefore, it is expedient that such is brought to the public domain to avoid distortion of history.

“Obalufe kingdom is made up of four ruling houses from the onset and they are Ajugbusi, Adogbodo, Aga all males while Jaojo was a female. From this arrangement, gender indiscrimination is evident. Based on the existing arrangement, there is no controversy over the next house to fill the vacancy owing to the fact that the immediate past occupant was from Adogbodo and the next is Aga. “This Aga also consist of five compounds; Laakaye, Oganrun, Akinbusola, Tolase and Gbenla. When it

was the turn of Aga ruling house then, Laakaye produced the Obalufe and now any of the four compounds could produce the Obalufe because there is no successive arrangement as per sequence of production among the five compounds.

“That Jaojo, one of the ruling houses, is a female progenitor, this implies the arrangement al binitio has no special consideration for patriarchal system.

“That two previous Obalufes before the immediate past were from female lineage and contributed immensely to Ile Ife.”

DPR, NSCDC seal off 5 petrol stations in Ogun Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

THE Department of Petroleum Resources and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Thursday, sealed off five petrol stations in Abeokuta, over allegation of hoarding and selling of fuel above the official pump price.

The affected filling stations were Armor, RABENG, Saqad, Arolat and MUYAD stations, at Adigbe and Olomore areas of Abeokuta

Officials of the DPR from the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Inspection Department, Mosinmi unit and officers of the civil defence corps discovered that some of the stations had fuel in their tanks but were not dispensing while others sold the product above the pump price.

The DPR and the NSCDC team were led by Mr M. Umaru and the Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Kareem Olanrewaju.

Effort to get the reaction

of the DPR to the exercise was unsuccessful, but one of the officials said the exercise was a usual routine.

The NSCDC PRO, who spoke with newsmen, said the exercise was as a result of the outcry by members of the public.

Olanrewaju said the Ogun State Command of the NSCDC since the begining of the new year, received calls from some members of the public that majority of the stations were selling the product between N110 and N120 per litre.

itators were paid as low as N20,000 out of the N65,000 which does not conform with the mandate of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

“Henceforth, payment of the monthly stipend would be made directly to each beneficiary with focus to eliminate cases of fraud and short-changing by their leaders.

“Similarly, this exercise will enable us to collect biometrics of beneficiaries and to create Bank Verification Numbers to enable government to make future payments through their individual bank accounts,” he said.

Colonel Abel said the week-long direct payment was to off-set the October, November and December arrears owed more than 2,000 former agitators, drawn from several camps across the state and its environs.

The Chief of Staff said that

Nigerian Tribune

out of the 30,000 beneficiaries under the Amnesty Programme, only 13,000 had received either formal education or vocational training before the present team came onboard.

“However, the number of those trained increased by 5,000 since BrigadierGeneral Paul Boroh was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to head the Presidential Amnesty Programme five months ago.

“The 5,000 newly-trained beneficiaries were sent to both local and foreign institutions and vocational centres to acquire knowledge and skills that would allow them become self-reliant,” he said.

Abel said the remaining 12,000 ex-agitators yet to participate in the process would be trained in the coming months and commended Heritage Bank for its partnership and support for the programme.

Magu, EFCC chairman visits Aso Rock Leon Usigbe - Abuja

ACTING Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, to see President Muhammadu Buhari.

He came into the premises at about 3:15p.m. in the company of his police orderly.

Magu, who clutched an office file with EFCC logo

in his right hand, spent less than 10 minutes in the president’s office.

It was not clear whether he was able to see the president who was inaugurating the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) at about the same time.

On returning from the president’s office, State House correspondents sought to interview him but he declined, saying: “Not now, not now.”

Lagos allays fear of Lassa fever outbreak Continued from pg6

Adewole, therefore, appealed to members of the public to be calm and watch out for the following symptoms: weakness, headaches, slight fever, sore throat, back pain, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, cough, stomach pain, rashes, tremors and restlessness.

Once such symptoms are noticed, affected individuals should report immediately to the nearest health facility, the minister said.

Professor Adewole urged the public to prevent the spread of Lassa fever by taking the following precautions: avoid spreading of foods along the road, keep food in tightly sealed

containers, cover all food and water properly, set few traps in and around the house to reduce rat population and isolate infected patients from contact with unprotected persons until the disease has run its course.

Others are, wearing of protective clothing such as masks, gloves, gowns and goggles when caring for patients and to avoid contact with Lassa fever patient’s secretions.

Adewole assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is making efforts to halt further spread of the epidemic, a statement

by Boade Akinola, the Director of Press of the Federal Ministry of Health, said.

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eyesof islam

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

The kindness

of ProphetMuhammad T

HE Prophet Muhammad taught love, kindness and compassion to his people, and was seen to be the most loving, kind and compassionate of all of them. The Qur’an mentions his kind and gentle behaviour in these words: “O Messenger of Allah! It is a great Mercy of God that you are gentle and kind towards them; for, had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would all have broken away from you” (Qur’an 3:159).

There are many instances that show his kindness and gentleness, especially to the weak and the poor. Anas, who was his helper, said: “I served Allah’s Messenger for 10 years and he never said to me, ‘Shame’ or ‘Why did you do such-and-such a thing?’ or ‘Why did you not do such-and-such a thing?’” (Bukhari, 2038).

Once he said to his wife: “O ‘A’ishah! Never turn away any needy man from your door empty-handed. O ‘A’ishah! Love the poor; bring them near to you and God will bring you near to Him on the Day of Resurrection.”

He also went much further on to say: “Seek me among your weak ones, for you are given provision, or you are given help only by reason of the presence of your weak ones.” (Rahman, Encyclopedia of Seerah, VOL. VIII, p. 151) God Almighty is Kind, and the Prophet imitated Allah’s example in its perfection by showing kindness to his servants and all creatures without any regard for their beliefs, colour or nationality.

The Prophet said: “God is kind and likes kindness in all things” (Bukhari, 6601).

His heart ached within him at the corrupt state of his fellow Meccans and their

rejection of One God. The Holy Qur’an testifies to it in these words: “O Muhammad, you will, perhaps, consume yourself with grief because the people do not believe” (Qur’an 26:3). In Surah Kahf, we read: “Well, O Muhammad, it may be that you will kill yourself for their sake out of sorrow if they do not believe in this Message.”

(Qur’an 18:6). And Surah Fatir says: “So let not your life be consumed in grief for their sake.” (Qur’an 35:8).

He took a great interest in the welfare of all people and had great compassion for people in trouble. The Prophet Muhammad imitated the attributes of God par excellence and translated them into practice in the highest form possible for man. Kindness is an attribute of Allah, which has no limits. It is extensive and encompasses all things and all beings without discrimination. Likewise was the kindness of the Prophet. He extended it to all beings, both animate and inanimate and benefited all without measure. The Qura’nic words for the Prophet’s kindness, ra’ufun rahirn (Qur’an 9:128) are very intensive and comprehensive in meaning and convey the true nature and extent of the Prophet’s kindness to people. The Prophet said: “One of the finest acts of kindness is for a man to treat his fathers’ friends in a kindly way after he has departed” (Abu dawud, 5123).

The issue of treating friends well was also extended to include relations: “He who wishes to have his provision enlarged and his term of life prolonged should treat his relatives well” (Bukhari, 5985). He emphasised on this matter because he

deeply held the view that “only kindness prolongs life, and a person is deprived of provisions for the faults he commits” (Ibn Majah). Bahz b. Hakim, on his father’s authority, said that his grandfather told him that he had asked Allah’s Messenger to whom he should show kindness and that the Prophet had replied: “Your mother.” He asked who came next and he replied: “Your mother.” He asked who came next and he replied for the third time: “Your mother.” He again asked who came next and he replied: “Your father, then your relatives in order of relationship” (Abu dawud, 5120). He dwelled on the issue of treating orphans humanely as he stated that “The best house among the Muslims is one which contains an orphan who is well treated, and the worst house among the Muslims is one which contains an orphan who is badly treated” (Ibn Majah, 3679). This means that the Prophet cautioned his followers against general maltreatment of anyone regardless of his status. By extending good treatment from friends to relatives and now to neighbours, Prophet Muhammad was intent on making all humans interdependent as he emphasised in the following words: “All creatures are Allah’s dependants, and those dearest to God are the ones who treat His dependants kindly” (Rahman, VOL VIII, p. 154). He emphasised the kind treatment of women again and again in his speeches: Treat women kindly, since they are your helpers; . . . you have your rights upon your wives and they have their rights upon you.

Your right is that they shall not allow anyone you dislike to enter your bed or your home, and their right is that you should treat them

well (from the Farewell Sermon of the Prophet).

Once, a number of women complained to the Prophet’s wives about their ill-treatment by their husbands. On hearing of this, the Prophet said: “Such persons among you are not good persons.” (Abu Dawud 1834). This condemnation by the Prophet himself was an indication that no one will be accepted before God who, while on earth, decided to be unkind to women.

He was always counselling people to be goodhearted regardless of their sex, age or gender. Once, Asma bint Abu Bakr’s mother, who was still an unbeliever, came to see her in Madinah. She told this to the Prophet and said: “My mother has come to see me and she is expecting something from me. May I oblige her?” The Prophet said: “Yes, be kind to your mother” (Muslim, 2195). This attitude of the Prophet was equally extended to Zainab asSaqafia, the wife of Abdullah ibn Mas’ud and an Ansari woman. She went to see the Prophet and to inquire whether it would be a charity if they spent something on their husbands and on the orphans under their care. The Prophet said: “They will get a twofold reward, one for kindness towards their relatives and the other for charity” (Bukhari, 1466).

There are many Ahadith concerning his kindness to animals, birds and insects: “God prescribed kindness towards everything; so when you slaughter any animal, slaughter it well; when you sacrifice, make your sacrifice good. And let everyone sharpen his weapon and make it easy for his sacrificed animal” (Muslim, 5055).

Differences between Sunni and Shiite Muslims TENSIONS between Saudi Arabia and Iran that date back decades have heated up this week after the Saudis executed a prominent Shiite opposition cleric, Sheikh Nimr alNimr.

Much of the regional rivalry is about who wields the most political muscle in the Middle East, but it has its roots in a rift between the Sunni and Shia disciplines of Islam that opened 1,400 years ago.

Saudi Arabia is the most powerful purveyor of Sunni Islam, far and away the larger sect. Iran is the heart of Shia Islam.

The schism between the sects is traced to 632 A.D., when Prophet Muhammad died and a debate

emerged about who should be his successor.

Both sides agreed that Allah is the one true God and that Muhammad was His Messenger, but one group (which eventually became the Shiites) felt Muhammad’s successor should be someone in his bloodline, while the other (which became the Sunnis) felt a pious individual who would follow the Prophet’s customs was acceptable.

What do Sunnis and Shiites have in common?

Both Sunnis and Shiites read the Qur’an, the sayings of the Prophet.

Both believe Prophet Muhammad was the Messenger of Allah. And both follow the five tenets of Islam: They

fast during Ramadan, pledge to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, practise ritual prayer (which includes five prayers each day), give charity to the poor, and pledge themselves to their faith.

Their prayer rituals are nearly identical, with slight variations: For example, Shiites will stand with their hands at their sides, Sunnis will put their hands on their stomachs.

They also both believe in Islamic law but have different applications for it.

What are the differences between Sunnis and Shiites?

Sunnis also have a less elaborate religious hierarchy than Shiites have, and the two sects’ interpretation of Islam’s schools of law is different.

Shiites give human beings the exalted status that is given only to prophets in the Quran, often venerating clerics as saints, whereas Sunnis do not.

The great majority — upwards of 85 to 90 percent — of the world’s more than 1.6 billion Muslims are Sunnis. Shia constitutes about 10 to 15 percent of all Muslims, and globally their population is estimated at less than 200 million.

Whereas Sunnis dominate the Muslim world, from West Africa to Indonesia, the Shiites are centrally located, with a vast majority in Iran, predominance in Iraq and sizable populations in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

Source: NBC News - Elizabeth Chuck

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islamicnews

Friday, 8 January, 2016

MURIC launches online petition on presidential pardon for convicted soldiers

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organisation, led by their President, Mr Dauda Dikko (third right), with the Divisional Police Officer, Apata, Ibadan, Mr Abiola Akano (third left); ASP Mike Eneja (middle) and DSP Kayode Adigun (second left) during the presentation of a traffic stand to the Nigeria Police Force, Apata Division by the Apata district of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organisation, recently. Second left is the organisation’s district president, Mr Hadi Taofeek. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

Scholar urges clerics to promote inter-religious harmony

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HE Co-Chairman (Muslim) of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, Lagos State chapter, Dr Saheed Timehin, has urged religious leaders to promote love and unity among the various religious groups in the country.

Timehin, an Islamic scholar, stated this in Ibadan, Oyo State, in a lecture entitled “From Convergence to Divergence: Muslims and the Search for Identity,” which he delivered at the bi-monthly lecture of Bodija Estates and Environs Muslim Community (BEEMC).

He said love and peaceful coexistence among human beings had been ordained by God and that is what a cleric must preach.

“Love, patience, endurance and righteousness are the various virtues to be embraced in a society, irrespective of religious affiliations.

“The Holy Prophet Muhammad taught us to love, help and be good to our neighbours, regardless of their beliefs.

“He taught us to love our neighbours, assist them in times of need, share with them our wealth, condole with them in their moments of grief and celebrate their successes and achievements,” he said.

The scholar condemned what he called artificial separation by some Muslim clerics who, he said, benefit from fuelling the embers of disunity.

“In the days of the prophet, Muslims all over the world bowed to only one God – Allah (SWT) - but today, many have started feeding their followers with half-truths and turned themselves (preachers) to demigods.

“There was a time some Christians visited the Prophet and asked to be shown a place where they could worship. The Prophet offered his mosque to them to worship.

This is an exemplary show of love and leadership. Such a display is very rare these days,” he said.

Commenting on President Muhammadu Buhari’s rationalisation that the Federal Government might have

‘War against corruption, the only hope for Nigerians’ PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been asked to sustain the current anticorruption war in the country so as to give hope to the populace after years of decay occasioned by underdevelopment and crime that had threatened the future of the country in general.

The Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, gave the charge in Ibadan, Oyo State, at the third zakat distribution ceremony of the foundation.

Tracing the prevalence of corruption in the country to moral decadence among the people, Shuaib stated that it was time for Nigerians to imbibe the teachings of the

Holy Qur’an in all aspects of life for the nation to move forward. He stated that the operations of the Foundation, which was established to deepen the welfare of people and benefit the humanity in general, had been extended to many states in the country with the ultimate goal of reaching all the poor.

Speaking on the topic, “Zakat: A Rewarding Venture,” the guest lecturer and Chief Imam, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Dr Taofeeq Abdul Hamid, described Islam as an integration of spiritual and mundane aspects of life and zakat, a veritable tool for eradicating poverty in the society.

Explaining the failure of man-made economic

MSSN charges leaders on good governance THE Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has enjoined leaders at all levels to rule with the fear of God to remove the rot in the society.

The chairman of MSSN in Oyo State, Mallam Shakirullah Adedoja, made the plea at the 2015 transitional conference of the organisation, held in Ibadan recently.

According to Adedoja, leaders are mirrors whose actions reflect on the behaviour of the common citizens who regard the leaders as their role models.

He, therefore, called for

to ban the use of the hijab should the insurgents in the North East continue to use it to disguise female suicide bombers, Timehin said “the Hijab is the identity of Muslim women and cannot be banned.

“If t is being misused, the best option is to reduce its size. I don’t support an outright ban because it can create another problem entirely,” the scholar said.

fairness and justice in the selection of leaders at all levels in the society.

In a lecture entitled, “Recipe for Good Leadership,” Dr Abass Alade of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, explained that leaders without requisite qualities would perform below par and ultimately impede the growth of their environment.

While presenting the report of the Shura (selection) committee to members, the national ex-officio of MSSN, Alhaji Ibrahim Giwa, also asked leaders to see their positions

as a test and as such, be responsible in the discharge of their duties.

Dr Alade urged the new leaders of the MSSN to put service before anything else in order to take the organisation to new heights.

Mallam Shakirullah Adedoja, Abdul Wasii Opeloyeru, Sulaimon Adesina and Hajiya Haleemah Afolabi were re-appointed Chairman, Vice Chairman, Financial Secretary and Coordinator, respectively, alongside others to pilot the affairs of the organisation for the next three years.

systems which, he said, eliminated morality and godliness, Dr Abdul Hamid called on Nigerians to embrace zakat for Allah to expand their wealth, cleanse their hearts of natural weaknesses and earn the pleasure of the Creator.

The chairman on the occasion, the Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdur Raheem Adebayo Shittu, represented by the deputy speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Barrister Musa Abdul Wasii, said the prevalence of social unrest in Nigeria was due to high level of poverty which, according to him, could be effectively checkmated by the institution of zakat.

He noted that the socioeconomic and spiritual implications of zakat were enormous for a developing nation like Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Daud Noibi, praised the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation for its efforts at alleviating the sufferings of the underprivileged in the country and urged other Islamic bodies and philanthropic groups to key into such laudable initiatives.

Gifs and cash donations totalling N1,684,935 were distributed to beneficiaries at the ceremony.

THE Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has launched an online campaign seeking presidential pardon for the 66 soldiers who bagged 10 years jail each after their death sentences were commuted.

Twelve of the soldiers were accused of making an attempt on the life of their commander, while the 54 others were those who asked to be properly armed before advancing on Boko Haram.

However, MURIC, through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, reminded Nigerians that soldiers fled from Boko Haram insurgents due to lack of adequate weaponry.

It noted that it was after Muhammadu Buhari became president that he took steps to provide the necessary equipment for the soldiers, thereby paving the way for them to liberate territories hitherto occupied by the terrorists.

The online petition, which was launched on Tuesday, reads in part: “The ongoing probe into allegations of diversion of huge funds meant for the purchase of arms for the Nigerian military has opened the eyes of Nigerians.

“They have seen how many corrupt politicians pocketed the funds, thereby causing the death of thousands of civilians and soldiers, the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls and the destruction of the homes and properties of thousands who have now been turned into internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their own country.”

“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), now convinced that there was actually an acute shortage of weaponry among soldiers fighting the insurgents and that some callous and greedy politicians were responsible for the shortage, concluded that meting out any punishment to the convicted soldiers is a miscarriage of justice.

“Based on this conclusion, MURIC hereby appeals to the good people of Nigeria to sign a petition requesting President Muhammadu Buhari as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces to compassionately exercise the prerogative of mercy by granting presidential pardon to the aforementioned soldiers.

“We appeal to all men of conscience to raise their voices in support of these young and gallant soldiers who are being punished for exposing corruption and for being whistleblowers against those who pocket blood money.”

The petition, whose target is 5,000 signatures had only garnered 106 signatures as of yesterday (Thursday).

NACOMYO seeks Nigerians’ support for anti-corruption campaign NIGERIANS have been called upon to support the anticorruption crusade of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and partner the government in exposing and bringing offenders to book.

The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Oyo State chapter, made the call in a communique at the end of its 1437 leadership training course, held in Ibadan.

In the communique, signed by the state coordinator, Alhaji Dawood Afolabi and secretary, Mallam Tajudeen Akintayo, NACOMYO urged youths in the country to embrace the change campaign being promoted by the Federal Government and shun social vices.

While noting the “prompt” response of the Federal Government to the recent Shi’ite challenge in Zaria, Kaduna State and the pro-Biafra agitations in the South-East and South-South, NACOMYO appealed to all religious and ethnic groups in the country to respect constituted authorities and do nothing to undermine them.

Rededicate yourselves to God, humanity; Olagoke tells political, religious leaders THE founder and spiritual head of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabit Olagoke, has urged the political class and religious leaders to rededicate themselves to God and humanity in the interest of the nation.

In a message, Professor Olagoke said that, indeed, all Nigerians must uphold discipline, love and patriotism to strengthen democracy and move the country forward.

According to him, rebranding for proper socialisation, correct cultural and ethical values and orientation for promotion of integrity and discipline for all must be put in place to allow for divine intervention in revamping the economy and promoting a healthy and stable polity.

The religious leader said leaders and, indeed, all and sundry should be guided on some happenings and “avoidable events for excellent promotion of peace, good neighbourliness and good governance.”

He also appealed to them to use religion as an instrument of love, unity, tolerance, harmony and patriotism, saying “no true religion allows violence and shedding of the blood of the innocent.

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Friday, 8 January, 2016

T

HERE is no one in Nigeria today that does not know about the resurgence of Biafra in our national life. Biafra existed in the 60s as a response to redress the political injustices that then enveloped Nigeria. The Biafran secessionist war was a war Nigeria fought to advance the unity of the Nigerian people. The war ended about forty-six years ago. Our God is wonderful that forty-six years after the war ended on the shores of Nigeria, the manifestations have continued to dawn on us all today in Nigeria. The late Colonel Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was known then as the warlord who led the Biafran secessionists war in Nigeria at that time.

Ojukwu kept on saying throughout the war that he would be vindicated by history. It is indeed great that Odumegwu Ojukwu was vindicated by history by the time he died a few years ago. The world today now knows more clearly the pains in the heart of Odumegwu Ojukwu that translated into the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War. All of us in Nigeria now know that there is a movement called Indigenous People of Biafra led by a young man called Nnamdi Kanu. The IPOB had grown from the Uwazuruike-led Biafra movement. I have remained a keen follower of the events surrounding the Biafra movement and I have been moved several times to fears on the stories connected with this Biafra affair.

I was a Biafran supporter when the war came on many years ago. Biafra at that time was not strictly an Igbo affair as some philistines in Nigeria have labeled it. Many Southern Nigerians at that time were supporters of the Biafran cause. The reasons were obvious. By the time Biafra came in 1967 (after the January 15, 1966 coup), Nigeria had become a land governed by some Northern feudalists who then believed that Nigeria can only be governed by the feudal North. It was their belief that Nigeria then remained an extension of the fiefdoms ruled by feudal lords who believed that Nigeria must be governed in perpetuity by the North. The Biafran war changed many of those beliefs. Today, Nigeria has been successfully governed by people from the South and Nigeria now has faith in the eventual victory of democratic forces in the country’s struggles for socio political; survival.

What the current Biafran crisis has taught us now is that the struggle still continues. It is, however, a struggle we must win in this country.

On 15 January 1966, some Majors executed a coup in Nigeria that terminated the life of Nigeria’s first republic.

The coup was led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu.

Though styled the coup of the five Majors, other officers whose names were mentioned as being involved in the coup included Major ‘Wale Ademoyega, Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna (a famous Sportsman), Major Anuforo, Major D. Okafor, Major Onwuatuegwu (who was later murdered on the road to Abakaliki, Lieutenant Fola Oyewole and others. Before anyone could say Jack Robinson, the January 15 1966 coup had sent some of Nigeria’s political leaders into the world beyond. The in balance in the killings that had attended the coup dented the motives of the young officers about the coup. The events of the time eventually culminated in many killings of the Igbo and some other Southern Nigerians then living in the Northern States after the coup. By 1967 July, Nigeria had been engulfed in the Nigeria – Biafra war.

Santyana says that those who do not learn from history are doomed to relive it. And so we have in Nigeira today a recourse to the soul of Biafra. We must as a nation watch with keen interest this sudden development.

On the day of the January 1966 coup, I had arrived in Ibadan the capital city of the then Western Nigeria. I proceeded straight to the residence of my friend and classmate, Altine Akin Ogunsola at Oke Ado, Ibadan. Altine was my classmate at Igbobi College, Yaba where we had studied for our Higher School Certificate course. Altine briefed me on what had just happened in Nigeria. I had inquired about our friend and Igbobi College classmate, ‘Segun Olumofin who is the son of Chief D. Olumofin, the then Western Nigeria Minister of Education. Today, Altine Akin Ogunsola (who stayed for many years in America) is no more.

Events later moved in Nigeria with perplexing rapidity to the declaration of Republic of Biafra in 1967 by Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu (as he then was).

I remember that I was coming from a visit to the General Hospital, Osogbo very early in July 1967 when I was stopped by my friends Gboyega Adepitan, the late Dayo and Debo Adejumo to brief me on the declaration of the Independent Republic of Biafra by Ojukwu. I was then an undergraduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

From that moment on, I became a supporter and enthusiast of the Biafran story. Till today, I can recite from memory the then famous theatres of the war - Oboloeke, Nsukka Sector, Ehamufu, Eha Alumona, and several oth-

With

Ebenezer Babatope

0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE)

I was a Biafran supporter - 1

Nnamdi Kanu

There are therefore many ways of looking at the recent Biafran upsurge in Nigeria’s affairs. We as a people must watch it. The blood of the innocent Nigerians wasted by that war are simply now calling for vengeance ers.

My father’s radio was arranged by me to pick the war stories from Radio Biafra then managed and operated by the famous newscaster, Okokon Ndem. This is “Radio Biafra”, Okokon Ndem would announce. I knew the names of the famous officers on both sides of the war at that time and I knew about the unfortunate military casualties of the war – Black Scorpion B.A.M Adekunle, Alani Akinrinade, the late Colonel Shande (who was killed by a bullet fired by a Biafran Sniper) Colonel Ogunkanmi (who was eventually maimed during the war, Olusegun Obasanjo (who eventually accepted the Biafran Surrender), Ayo Ariyo (now late) Air Force Commander (Shitu) Alao, Major Remawa, Major Barley, and Major Tony ‘Biodun Ilori,

all from the Nigerian side, Alexander Madiebo, Colonel Achzie aka Black Hannibal, Colonel Njoku, Colonel Iheanacho from the Biafran side.

The Biafran Civil War consumed many innocent souls.

The casualties were indeed many.

I cannot forget the many University of Nigeria, Nsukka undergraduates who were murdered in the civil war by fanatical idealism and blind loyalty to liberating Nigeria from the clutches of Northern Nigeria feudalists. It is history today, but these innocent lives that were roasted on Nigeria’s altar of chauvinistic politics have refused to remain quiet in their graves.

There are therefore many ways of looking at the recent Biafran upsurge in Nigeria’s affairs. We as a people must watch it. The blood of the innocent Nigerians wasted by that war are simply now calling for vengeance.

The new Biafran revolutionaries must not hold President Muhammadu Buhari as villain of the Nigeria-Biafra struggle. The rest of the country must also not take the young Biafrans as people to be executed for their daredevilry in revisiting Biafra. It is a situation in which we are all guilty.

We shall examine this factor in our next week’s presentation.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria! It must for ever be “NIGERIA FIRST”!!

EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) NEXT WEEK I WAS A BIAFRAN SUPPORTER - 2 (BOOK YOUR COPY IN ADVANCE)

18 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 8 January, 2016

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letters@tribune.com.ng or by sms to 08078891826.

It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

Stop attaching politics to war on corruption

W

ITHOUT mincing words, corruption is one of the key issues confronting Nigeria. The issue of corruption in this country is no longer strange to everyone at home and abroad.

Without doubts, through the years I have observed many things about Nigeria. I strongly believe that things were not like this some years back. Then, the fear of God was the order of the day, just as people were well-disciplined.

To attain greater heights in those days, competence, discipline, honesty and intelligence were required.

History has it that Nigeria was a peaceful nation many years back due to high level of patriotism by the citizens. But today, the reverse is the case as corruption on the sociopolitical terrain has done

incalculable damage to the nation.

I strongly believe that both the private and government sectors are in the forefront when corruption is mentioned. To gain admission into tertiary institutions, get lucrative jobs, get promotion in your work place and acquire land, require bribery. So, everything in Nigeria demands for bribery. This is terrible. Millions of qualified graduates are jobless, thousands of qualified students are denied admission while corruption is the order of the day.

I am happy that President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of discipline, and he has started well by tackling corruption. I hope he would be able to instill discipline in Nigerians.

It is when we are disciplined that we would stop offering and accepting bribes, or even stealing

public funds.

Nothing can be achieved easily; we need to strengthen our judicial system. The judicial system should stop plea bargaining; it is even making more people to be corrupt, as it is not acting as a deterrent.

People who mismanage public funds should

be sent to jail for 20 years without an option of fine.

We should not continue to support corruption.

Many Nigerians would not mind stealing billions of naira, only to be convicted and asked to pay N3million.

Finally, Nigerians should stop reading political

meanings to corruption trials. When someone is being prosecuted for corruption, we should stop saying he is facing charges because he is not a member of the president’s party.

We should stop being sympathetic to those who have stolen our commonwealth.

In other climes, corruption against one’s country is like treason, and it comes with the death penalty or long years of jail term. We shouldn’t continue to attach politics to the war against corruption in the country.

•Adeyemi Daniel, yemidaniel@yahoo. co.uk

Emergencies: Drivers, respect fire trucks, ambulances IT was on a Monday morning, when I heard sirens and at the same time, saw a fire truck flashing its lights along Iyana Dopemu area of Lagos.

The driver of the fire truck was blowing his siren, doing everything he could to get out of the heavy gridlock in this area, but the traffic was so terrible, and he got stuck. With the attitude exhibited by this driver, one would discover he was heading for a

rescue mission.

Those who had called the fire service would be expecting it to arrive early in order to salvage the situation, but here was the truck stuck in a terrible traffic.

While calling on the Lagos State government to do everything in its power to solve the state’s traffic situation, it is also important that the people should learn to give way when emergency vehicles on emergency mission like

fire trucks or hospital ambulances are blaring their sirens, as getting to its destination on time might save a life, or property.

As a result of this, I want to suggest that drivers are particularly trained on the need to respect sirens; when police officers or soldiers are moving in convoys, drivers, both commercial and private, quickly give way so as not

to offend them, but when it comes to fire trucks and ambulances, people don’t usually give way.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should start campaigning on the need for drivers to also accord the same respect they accord soldiers’ and policemen’s convoy to fire trucks and ambulances.

•Solomon Odeniyi

Killer cop: Kudos to Lagos Commissioner of Police I was so happy when the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr Fatai Owoseni said the policeman who killed three people before turning the gun on himself would be prosecuted and dismissed posthumously.

I had earlier thought about how the victims would get justice after the policeman had killed himself, but with his dismissal, his family will not get any benefits due to him upon his retirement from the force.

It is so unfortunate that a policeman could get so

drunk on duty to the extent that he lost all sanity, thereby killing three innocent men.

It is, therefore, important that policemen are warned not to take alcohol while on duty, particularly those handling weapons.

The watchword should now be: “Don’t drink and carry weapons,’ just as drivers are warned not to drink while driving. If this is implemented, it will go a long way to save innocent lives.

•Silas Uche, Jibowu, Lagos.

No to fuel subsidy removal THE government has tactically removed fuel subsidy, going by the budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly recently.

However, this is coming at a time when our refineries are yet to start working at full capacities.

Nigerians may not feel the impact of the removal now because the price of crude oil is so low in the international market.

It is even being speculated that it might fall below $20 per barrel this year.

However, in the event that something tragic happens, and oil shoots to $100, this will mean we will need to adjust the pump price to reflect the new price, and we may find ourselves buying at over N200 per litre. So we should let the refineries work before removing the subsidy.

•David Alaga, Lokoja, Kogi State.

19

editorial

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Dealing with traffic rules violation in Lagos

R

ECENTLY, the Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode, while moving around the state, came across some traffic offenders and subsequently ordered that they be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law. That was not the first time that one chief executive officer or the other of the state had made traffic rule violators in the state scapegoats. For instance, during Babatunde Fashola’s tenure as the Lagos State governor, while he arrested two military officers who drove on the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane at the Outer Marina in Central Lagos, he also arrested an employee of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Israel Onyemaechi, for driving against traffic.

Although, both Fashola and Ambode could not have ignored violations of traffic rules which they witnessed at different times during their respective tenures, it is worth mentioning that just as Fashola’ s zero tolerance for lawlessness by road users in the state was a demonstration of leadership by example as evident in his apprehension of road traffic violators irrespective of their statuses and positions on several occasions, it is equally noteworthy that Governor Ambode’s personal confrontation with traffic rule violators is a good oversight function of fighting indiscipline among motorists and ensuring adherence to traffic rules and regulations in the State. But, where was the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on all the occasions of traffic rule violations in which it had to be one governor or the other who had to arrest violators, levy road traffic allegations against them and ensure they were sanctioned ?

Among other objectives of LASTMA, the agency is expected to ensure the following: supervise effective traffic control to ensure free flow of traffic; monitor routine mobile patrol for the enforcement of road traffic rules and regulations; and coordinate records of traffic offenders to the extent that fines, towing and custody fees are paid appropriately in the agency’s jurisdiction. What then could be responsible for the perceived failure of the agency in rising to the occasions that chief executives were reported to have handled? Is it that the agency does not have sufficient manpower and personnel required for adequate deployment across the state? Why is it that given the record of complaints against the activities of the agency, civilians and commercial drivers are those who are ever accusing the LASTMA of unfair treatment? In the light of these breath-taking interrogations, the need for an assessment of the availability and deployment of human

resources coupled with an internal advocacy for fairness and civility becomes very exigent.

Again, it is not impossible that the harassment and assault which some LASTMA officials had suffered most often at the hands of security agents, military officers in particular, have made the agency to develop cold feet in discharging its duties without minding whose ox is gored.

Though, it is sad that there have been reported cases of military officers and security operatives who have been audaciously breaking traffic rules in the state and have been unrepentant of their misdemeanour, the solution to that should not be cowardice; rather, the agency’s mandate should be reviewed such that it would be more empowered as a fearless apparatus to apprehend offenders irrespective of status and affiliations.

It is unfortunate that given the instances of lawlessness on our roads of which security operatives have been persistent culprits, those who ought to stand in defence of democratic values, sanity and orderliness in the society are the ones violating them. Although, the highest level of the military command had expressed at various times its commitment to supporting democracy and subjecting officers to the laws of the country, there should be continual reporting of military officers and other security agents who break traffic rules so that such bad eggs and undisciplined officers could be sanctioned appropriately.

The military authorities themselves have reportedly made public the huge sums of money they had to pay in recent times as fines for disregard for civility.

Thus, demands for punishment should continue to be made against security officers and others who break traffic rules. The Lagos State government should ensure that LASTMA officials are no longer subjected to physical abuse by traffic offenders so as to ensure that the officials do their work effectively without being afraid of a certain kind of offenders whom the agency seems not to have the audacity to arrest.

While we urge the LASTMA to be committed to its cause by being incorruptible, civil and fair in discharging its duties, we posit that given more empowerment that would make the agency to be more effective, Lagos, through the mechanism of LASTMA, in collaboration with other agencies of the government like the police, can become a model of disciplined, civilised and human-friendly road traffic management system for other cosmopolitan cities across the country.

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20

opinion

Friday, 8 January, 2016

And MTN apologised ...

By Rita Okonoboh

I

T was a cold Tuesday, on the December 1, 2015. The time read 8:10 a.m. and the sun was preparing to turn on in full blast. To an outsider, it seemed like a Very Important Personality (VIP) was in the neighbourhood because the crowd that was gathered within the MTN registration centre was threatening to spill onto the main road. What prevented that was the fact that some people decided to come back a little later when the crowd had diminished considerably.

Many were using harsh words threatening to destroy their SIM cards and a few others were narrating in various languages how they didn’t deserve to be treated as such. Funny enough, no one actually broke his/her SIM card. People and shakara sha.

Two hours later, it seemed like the crowd had tripled, even as many had left the centre, smiling with satisfaction that they had been duly registered. Many lines had been blocked after due warning by MTN and customers besieged the centre in a bid to find out why. While some acknowledged that they had received previous warnings which they had ignored, some noted that they had registered recently and yet, their lines were still blocked. One old woman who seemed quite educated was screaming her lungs out.

“Imagine the nonsense! I don’t know why they treat us like this in this country. How can they just block my line like that. At my age…”

Few minutes later, after she was attended to, she was beaming with smiles. She waved to a neighbour and screamed, “Won ti be wa, won de ti da wa loun o (they have apologised and have answered us). Mo tun mu omi tutu ninu ile (I even drank cold water inside).”

The crowd simply cheered her till she left the premises.

One commando-styled man walked through the crowd

like his father owned the company, shouting himself hoarse, and it seemed like he was ready for the mother of all wars. A senior official, who seemed to be begging all sorts of people for the umpteenth time, accompanied him through the crowds and in a few minutes, all returned to normal.

In the real sense of reality, while an outsider might assume that the crowd was more than the company could handle, it would take being in the actual premises to note that there were rented chairs and a canopy for customers to sit, yet many preferred to crowd the doors, in spite of being told for the countless time that the numbers on talling handed out would be followed. From the security guards handing out numbers to customers, to the official

whose vocal cords had gone croaky from shouting out the numbers and the lady who was doing her best to keep the crowd at bay – I guess her towering figure made her formidable enough because surprisingly, not even the hefty men dared misbehave when they got to where she was – the MTN staff were actually providing impressive customer care. With time, when the crowd was addressed, it was found out that almost half of those who were part of the crowd were there to purchase data bundles, replace lost SIM cards and some came as companions or aides.

While one will not excuse the fact that there were errors in the previous SIM registration, especially some which had been done recently and the limited number of registration centres earmarked for the exercise, in spite of its challenges with the NCC and its refusal to follow in the line of corporate giants, many of whom are known to fall under the perception of taking customers for granted – see the BVN drama – MTN won many hearts back, not just with the on-the-spot apology which contributed to people waiting patiently, but with the humane apology, which ran on the pages of newspapers, personally rendered by senior executives of the company.

One of the apologies read thus: “My name is Frederick Udoaka, Chief Entreprise Solution Officer, MTN Nigeria. I sincerely apologise to you for any inconvenience you may have experienced in the course of updating your details and thank you for your patience and understanding…”

Now, that’s not something we see everyday, especially when it comes to significant businesses and I must sincerely congratulate MTN for taking the initiative. After all, whether big companies like it or not, customers are always right and are, interestingly, everywhere you go.

Okonoboh is on the staff of Nigerian Tribune

The end of fuel subsidy

By Moses Ochonu

The problem has been and remains that strictly paying this

manageable differential is easier said than done as there seems to be great volatility in the costs associated with the import of fuel as well as an irreconcilable discrepancy between the differential claimed by the government and the one claimed by the oil importers and marketers. It is a case of dueling numbers, and it is an expensive, government budget buster since the government always acquiesces to the numbers presented by the oil importers to ensure that the supply of fuel is not interrupted.

With the price of crude at almost a ten year low, this differential has become negligible — N6.50 per liter, according to the NNPC, which is a far cry from subsidy amounts/rates the importers claim and collect. Buhari’s earlier position in an interview during the campaigns was that the government should accurately calculate the difference between the pump price and the total cost of bringing fuel from foreign suppliers to petrol stations plus a small, fair margin or commission for importers and marketers, pay that difference, and nothing more. If the NNPC does the importation the additional margin/commission is eliminated, further reducing the differential.

But Buhari advanced this approach only as a stopgap, temporary solution. For the long term, Buhari acknowledged that the solution was to get our refineries working again or incentivise the establishment of private refineries as a way of weaning us off dependence on imported fuel.

I loved Buhari’s position. Unfortunately, Buhari has re-

ALTHOUGH this may be an auspicious moment to courageously confront the unsustainable subsidy payment regime and the fiscal and political problems it provokes, there are conflicting signals and advancing contradictory policy frames in government’s latest subsidy withdrawal pronouncement.

The issue is not as convoluted as the government makes it out to be, and I suspect that Mr. Kachikwu’s annoying sophistry, which comes wrapped in esoteric petroleum industry jargon, is a product of the issue’s political sensitivity rather than its inherent complication. The government, in a nutshell, is trying to do two things rhetorically; it is trying to eat its proverbial cake and have it too.

First, the government is trying to announce the end of subsidy without calling it subsidy removal, which is understood

by Nigerians as, and has in fact often meant, an increase in the price of petrol. Second, they are trying, I suspect, to exorcise the political ghost of the APC/Buhari camp’s strident criticism of subsidy removal during the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan. These priorities make for a delicate and sometimes comical rhetorical and political dance that is creating confusion and uncertainty in the polity regarding the government’s policy on petroleum subsidy and its implications for the supply, availability, and pricing of petrol.

Personally, I like President Buhari’s earlier position better than the one to which he has apparently been converted by his minister of state for petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu. Buhari had echoed my own skepticism about the existence of genuine subsidy on petroleum products, a position I articulated in 2011 in a newspaper Op-ed during the debate over the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

Subsidy as we know it is overblown and largely fraudulent.

It seems to me then that if true subsidy does not exist or only exists minimally in the form of the differential between the pump price of petrol and the total cost of importing and transporting the said petrol to stations, then the thing to do is simply to pay this difference and nothing more as a way to maintain the set price of N87 per litre. If this can be done to keep the cost of subsidy to government minimal, then subsidy is worth maintaining because of the aggregate economic impact of affordable petrol.

alised that that position is unrealistic at this time, given the apparent inability of the new NNPC management to get the refineries working at full capacity. He has also realised that, given the unfortunate but, for now, inescapable dependence on fuel importation and the power of blackmail that it gives the importers (they can refuse to import and cause politically unpopular and economically crippling scarcity), he has to decapitate the fuel importation cartel sooner than planned, hence the decision to deregulate the market, essentially allowing market forces (the cost of crude, freight charges, landing, and transportation costs) to dictate the pump price.

The big unknown is how the importation cartel will react and whether the NNPC’s cost calculation accurately reflects what the importers and marketers believe to be their actual costs. These actors may claim legitimately or otherwise that the new price of N85 (or even the old one of N87) does not adequately cover their costs or the profit margin that makes the business worth their while.

Deregulation/subsidy withdrawal is a courageous move and was forced upon Buhari by the skyrocketing and increasingly unsustainable subsidy payments, payments that are based on inflated claims that hardly reflect the true costs associated with the importation and transportation of fuel. Given the financial strain Nigeria is under, the low price of crude, and the inability of government to accurately ascertain true subsidy amounts, this is an auspicious moment to deregulate the sector. Politically, it is the best time too, because, thanks to cheap crude, it will result in no unpopular fuel price increase.

Nonetheless this major policy shift raises several questions that Mr. Kachikwu has not addressed: If this is true deregulation, or surrendering the price of fuel to market forces or market dynamics, why is the government reducing the price of fuel to, or more appropriately, fixing it at N85. How does a policy of deregulation coexist with a policy of price fixing?

What if the fuel importers (and marketers) resent and protest this contradictory policy of deregulation and price fixing and refuse to go along with it? Deregulation is something the importers and marketers should welcome, but price fixing is something they will resent for the obvious reason that the fixed price lacks the flexibility to respond to fluctuations in the price of crude and in the costs associated with fuel importation.

•Ochonu can be reached at meochonu@gmail.com

21

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

fridaytreat Nigerian artistes’ insecurities A ‘heady’ start to 2016

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636

Folake Umosen returns with Na wonder o you dey do

Music Business 101 Tips for music business success

22

fridaytreat

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

MUSIC BUSINESS 101

Davido Vs Baby Mama Drama; Olamide Vs Don Jazzy:

Music business lessons from the theater of the absurd

By Toyin Adeniji

T

HE artiste is a business entity providing music business products and services for an identified audience/ market. In view of this definition of the artiste as a business entity, it is therefore expedient for artistes to learn how to conduct their affairs in a business-like manner.

Just like every other conventional business, every truly professional artiste/musician in the music business must learn and exhibit the culture and principles of corporate/organisational management. It is very clear and evident that majority of Nigerian artistes’ understanding of the music business is only skin-deep. Their understanding and mentality of being “corporate” is pedestrian and myopic, limited only to the vain externalities of corporate fashion/image while they monumentally lack the real internal values/ substance of what it means to be “business” and professional. Most Nigerian artistes/musicians have turned the word “brand” into a cliché without understanding that the “artiste as a brand” means the “artiste as a business”. It is vital for artistes/ musicians to understand that you can only externalize the values that you have first internalized; being a professional artiste/ musician is inside-out. You have to firstly internalize the values, principles and ethics of corporate business before living it can become an everyday reality.

For instance, one of the fundamental characteristics of being professional in the music business is the separation of personality from business. To professionalize in the music business is to know and define the difference between the “artiste as a business” from the “artiste as a personality”. This is one of the reasons why music business experts advocate the need for artistes/musicians to have separate communication chan-

FOLAKE Umosen, a gospel artiste with high pedigree is set to take music industry by storm, just as she did when she released her ever green chart buster album titled King’s Praise in 2004. The album God used to bring her to the limelight with the hit track Kosobabire.

For 2016, she has churned out a single titled Na wonder o you dey do for her fans and gospel music lovers across the globe.

According to her, “I’m not just a singer but also a minister of the gospel, who has been a blessing to mankind in homes, churches, our nation Nigeria and beyond its shores”, she informed.

Continued, “You see, God gave man commandment that ‘let everything that has breath praise him’ it is not talking to the Christians alone, it is talking to all the people. According to Psalm 148, all other things are commanded to praise the almighty God” She further revealed that “Our desire is taking the praise of Jesus to the uttermost part of the earth and as we do I believe God will manifest his glory in the midst of the people to save, heal and deliver.

It is mandatory that every gospel singer knows whether he is called to sing. You see, God has a place for everybody. You would not say you want to sing because everybody else is singing. The music ministry is a calling, once you are sure, and then you go ahead and do what God has called you to do.

There could be challenges, but because God has called you, He will bring his word to pass. So, don’t let anything stop you.

nels or platforms for business and private conversations. It is highly inappropriate to use the same communication channel/platform used for the “artiste as a business” to discuss or share private/personal issues or irrelevant gossips. It is unprofessional and unethical for your music business platform as an artiste to be used for laundering private/personal issues and communications.

The artiste as a business entity is bigger than the artiste as a personality. The artiste as a business must be methodical, organised and strategic about every decision he/she makes about his/her business, music, issues etc because every action or communication about the artiste as a business must work consistently to serve the greater goal of advancing the artiste’s brand as a business. It means that decisions and communications about the artiste as an individual/personality must be dealt with and addressed with consideration for how it will impact on the image and perception of the artiste as a business. As a business entity, the artiste’s personality must work in tandem to build the brand image and overall objectives of the artiste as a business entity.

The series of events that occurred in the last couple of weeks involving some big name artistes in the Nigerian music industry clearly showed that these artistes surely lack a well defined agenda or strategy for their music business and its management. It is obvious that some of these artistes don’t yet understand what it means to be an artiste – “a business entity providing music products and services for an identified market”. The recklessness with which these artistes personalise issues with total disregard for their concerns as business entities and for the interest of their business reeks of immaturity and ignorance. It is rather disappointing of such artistes with “global” exposure such as Davido, Don Jazzy and Olamide

among others to allow their personal egos to get the better of themselves as business entities and misuse and abuse communication channels across both traditional and new media. It was shameful to see an MTV “MAMA” award-winning artiste like Davido spilling personal details of the conflict with his “baby mama” to a global audience via his Twitter, Instagram etc accounts. My questions to Davido and his management team (if there is one) are – what are the strategic rationales behind those communications? How has all the dirty revelations helped the public’s perception of Davido’s image as a responsible music brand? How has those revelations positively advanced Davido’s status and perception as an international music brand? Was Davido aware that his tweets and posts were being read by a global audience? Why insult the intelligence of music loving fans with the dirty details of his private life? If there was a need to release press statements to clear the air about issues, would it not had been ideal and better to employ professionals to craft his press release/communication which he can then share via his social media channels than to share private information ignorantly without the benefit of strategic reasoning?

Conflict also known as “beef” between artistes/musicians is an integral part of the music industry/business. Beefs are also a strategic means of generating cheap publicity and sometimes sales for those artistes that are strategic about the way they manage the beef.

It can be dangerous and counter-productive for an artiste to ignorantly engage in a beef without a plan or strategy. Also important is the way the beef is managed without insulting the intelligence and sensibilities of fans and the public at large. Beefs must be creatively managed to project the values, ideas, image and perceptions that will promote the artiste positively; it is dangerous for an artiste en-

Folake Umosen returns with Na wonder o you dey do

God is interested in us going towards what he planned for us. My challenges in life could not stop me because I was determined to do what God had called me to do; irrespective of other people’s opinion”

On the music industry, she said, “The music industry is growing every day, but as a musician singing for God, you must have a mindset that you would make it to the top. You must work hard and work with God because He is

gaged in a beef to be negatively perceived by the public. Such artiste may end up losing more than just the beef to losing his/her music career. It is difficult to see any strategic rationale behind Don Jazzy and Olamide’s show of shame on live TV at the Headies award other than a misguided display of over-bloated egos.

Every brand communication is always backed by a strategic objective aimed at achieving specific goals for the brand. There are grave consequences and penalties for communicating or sending out wrong perceptions about a brand or business. Consequences can include the loss of businesses, loss of public’s trust, endorsement, sponsorship, ratings, followership etc, among others. Successful brands or businesses don’t wash their dirty linens in public, if they have to wash it at all, they employ Public Relations (PR) professionals who are trained in the art of managing and cleverly manipulating public perceptions about businesses and public personalities.

When successful big brands align or associate with personalities/celebrities in the entertainment industries via endorsement and sponsorships, the marriage between those brands signifies similarities in the corporate values and brand identities of the companies and the personalities endorsed.

When an endorsed artiste or musician goes rogue, the public’s perception of such artiste’s values and actions are consciously or unconsciously connected with the image of their sponsors, and the consequences of their misconduct or misbehaviour also rubs off directly or indirectly on the endorsing/ sponsoring brand/company. This explains why brands globally never hesitate to remove their endorsements/sponsorships or disassociate from such erring acts in order to save their brand equity and image from being corrupted.

To be Continued. the only one that can take you to the top.

You cannot do it all on your own because you do not know the way to the top. Jesus said in the book of John that “without me ye can do nothing” but, your absolute trust in the Lord Almighty. When you put your trust in God you cannot be ashamed.

Check what God has in stock for you per time; make sure you are in with him.

Just stay focused, stay humble, stay patient because Rome was not built in a day, a lot of us are always in a hurry but God has timing for people and when you are due, you will not be denied. God can test our humility, our patience and other things and make sure we are ripe to handle the work he is putting in our hands before he can hand them over to us. We must also be ready to chase away charlatans who are bastardizing the industry” She informed that, “This new year 2016 will usher in new project for my music organization, as we are set to take my music to every corner of tertiary institutions in the country apart from our regular tour globally. The gospel of God is moving. This year we are going into campuses to evangelize to the youth and students. This is the time to come closer to God and we would be communicating to the youth and students through our music”.

Folake Umosen is an indigene of Ondo State but Lagos born and bred, married to Sylvester Umosen of Akwa-Ibom state.

Blessed with the talent of singing and apart from this; she has the call of God upon her life to minister to God and his people.

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society

Friday, 8 January, 2016

...celebrating the people

Nigerian Tribune

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

...And Madam Caroline turned 70

From left, Efe Doyle, Patricia Osobade, Paula Osobase, the celebrant, Madam Caroline Osobase, Stellamaris Nwaehike, Rosemary Teriba and Gloria Eyieyien cutting the cake.

Iyalode of Akure land, Chief (Mrs) Omotunde Maradesa, Chief (Mrs) Tina Osobase, Mrs Caroline Iseduwa Osobase (celebrant).

Dr Ayo Teriba and his wife, Mrs Yinka Teriba.

Tosin and Bunmi Teriba.

From left, Mrs Rosemary Teriba, Paula Osobase, MD/CEO, Caiste Ventures Limited, Mr Olukayode Teriba, Engineer ( Mrs ) Christy Adelowo and Professor Olufemi Oladipo Adelowo.

From Left, Mr Dauda Momodu, Patricia Osobase, Mr Odion Momodu and his wife, Ramotu Momodu.

From left, Mr Biodun Adeleye, Mr Adewale Oladapo, Chief Dele Falolu, Barrister Tunde Adeyanju and Mr Lekan Bada.

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25

Friday, 8 January, 2016

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

fridaytreat

By Rotimi Ige

A

S many across the world counted down to the last minutes of 2015, they had various wishes and expectations about the incoming year 2016 with high hopes. And so, when the year 2016 was finally ushered in at exactly midnight across the world, it was met with shouts of glee and of course, fireworks. At the Landmark events centre, Oniru, venue of the much hyped Headies awards, not many anticipated the ‘fireworks’ that would explode among entertainment colleagues.

Before dawn of the first day of the year, however, various shots had been fired among contesting artistes at the Headies awards, ultimately degenerating into a face-off that divided Lagos into ‘Mainland’ and ‘Island’ (as claimed

by Olamide), and then the rest of Nigeria and indeed Africa into ‘Team YBNL’ and ‘Team Mavins’. And though the disagreement between YBNL boss, Olamide and Mavin supremo, Don Jazzy, was most publicised, other shots were fired between ‘Jagaban’ crooner, YCEE and fellow rapper, ‘Vector’ and then Cynthia Morgan and Davido.

For Olamide, the award given to Mavins signee, Reekado Banks, in the Next Rated category, which came with a brand new Hyundai SUV was deservedly Lil Kesh’s. According to Olamide, who grabbed the opportunity to speak his mind (mixed with expletives), Lil Kesh, who is signed to YBNL, had more hit songs in 2015 than the eventual winner. An obviously angry Olamide had cursed, dropped the microphone on the floor, smashed a cup containing unknown substances, threw his hat away, thrust a f**k you sign with both hands at the cameras, allegedly destroyed the backstage room furniture, allegedly punched a fan, just to prove his point. And most of the former was done on live TV with millions of shocked fans watching.

Moments later, Don Jazzy, apparently enraged by Olamide’s actions in reaction to a member of his camp winning a coveted award, reacted by directly calling ‘Egbon’ Olamide to come and collect the SUV. From then onwards and throughout the next 24 hours, the Nigerian entertainment landscape exploded with claims and counter claims by loyalists to both entertainers. Also, while Olamide took to Twitter to tongue lash Don Jazzy, and divided Lagos State into ‘Mainland’ and ‘Island’ when he warned Don Jazzy never to set foot on mainland or face serious repercussions, some other artistes,

For most fans that spoke to Friday Treat, they posit that Nigerian artistes must realise that they (fans) were mostly responsible for their (artistes) successes and for that reason, must put them (fans) first when doing anything publicly instead of misbehaving and apologising later after much damage had been done.

somewhat ‘encouraged’ by the whole situation, brought their reservations about one another to the fore thus confirming the general opinion that the whole industry was a façade.

Ycee took on Vector by dissing his ‘Headies’ performance, while Cynthia Morgan released a ‘snapchat’ diss video at Davido, who was absent at the awards. Davido, however, replied her with prayers, probably because of his ongoing issue with his estranged lover, Sophia Momodu.

From all these happenings, it could be fairly deduced that all is not well in the entertainment industry and the recent events only show that there isn’t any real love between its practitioners.

Friday Treat carried out an opinion poll last weekend, asking entertainers and members of the general public reasons for the incessant verbal attacks by artistes on one another and the most consistent reply was that most artistes in the Nigerian entertainment scene were generally insecure.

According to a social critic, Folawe Coker, most Nigerian artistes live in constant fear of failure. “The competition in the Nigerian entertainment scene is not a healthy one. In the past, especially in the movie, music and sports world, diabolical means were even employed. These days, however, it is plain jealousy among our entertainers. When an artiste is lucky to have a generally accepted song, it is expected that his next song should be better. If he is consistent for a while and becomes the toast of the town, then his problem begins. He/ she would want to be headlining the best shows, getting endorsements etc and therefore becomes a threat to himself and to his/ her colleagues in the industry. This is why most of our musicians would rather do popular music than specialised ones because it is no longer for the passion but a means of survival”, he said.

Others opined that most Nigerian artistes are generally unprepared for the responsibility of material success. A popular comedian, who pleaded anonymity, stressed that Olamide’s out-

Nigerian artistes’ insecurities

A ‘heady’

6 1 0 2 o t t r a t s

burst at the ‘Headies’ was a pointer to this.

“When I saw what happened at the ‘Headies’, I was shocked. To me, an award is just a symbol of recognition to whatever someone has done or achieved over a period under review. More so, the award in question was one of the few where fans were encouraged to vote and so the results couldn’t have been influenced. I know that the Mavins crew are very strong on social media and they even distributed recharge cards to fans but I am not sure that the ‘streets’ which Olamide represents, voted well for Lil Kesh. I felt that Olamide, being a mentor to so many youths, should have explored other means of communication with the organisers instead of the aggravated outbursts on live TV. When you are privileged to be as successful as Olamide, you, in most situations, have to be alive to responsibilities that are attached to such status and lose ‘yourself’ or natural behaviour.

It was a disgrace to see him curse, smash his cup, the mic, make obscene finger gestures, all on live TV while millions of youths watched.

Don Jazzy too may have been wrong to call out Olamide, but at the end of the day, it was good that both parties tried to make up, even if I personally think we haven’t seen the end of the quarrel,” he said.

Other respondents, while sizing up Reekado Banks and Lil Kesh individually, however, had different views.

Many argued that apart from the voting platforms where Mavins had considerable leverage, Reekardo Banks had a better general image than Lil Kesh, especially as regards endorsements and lyrics in their songs.

A music fan, Stella Odion, an undergraduate at the University of Lagos, stressed that the lyrical content of Lil Kesh’s songs were mostly vulgar and not fit for public consumption. “For

a 20-year-old, his songs are uncomfortably vulgar and only not fit for children or youths.

Though the beats are catchy and I love Olamide, his songs are not ones I can sing publicly”, she said.

Another music lover, Abdul Kehinde from Ilorin, said that any sensible awards organiser or corporate organisation would rather award a Globacom endorsed Reekado Banks in order to solicit sponsorship when need arises.

Toni Kan, a celebrated entertainment columnist and critic, in his reaction, had written, “...For one who doesn’t speak Yoruba, Lil Kesh still manages to get his dirt on my tongue but he has a flow and swagger that is almost as good and potent as Olamide’s. Both artistes are good and deserved to win unfortunately there was only one plaque and the artistes with the meanest social media machine won. That said, we will come back to this in a few years’ time and I can wager a bet; Reekado Banks will have a longer career than Lil Kesh and the reason is simple. Think Lil Kesh and Reekado Banks and you should remember Obesere and Pasuma. Pasuma is Oganla, Obesere is, well, Obesere, a washed up has-been whose yuck mouth took him as far as it once took Luke Campbell of 2 Live Crew”. There are limits to the freak show...”

Though Olamide and Don Jazzy have tendered apologies on social media about their conduct during the ‘Headies’, efforts to reach both parties to get them to speak their side of the debacle proved abortive at press time. Don Jazzy had even stayed off social media until Tuesday when he posted his apology. However, Friday Treat would definitely keep readers posted on new developments.

For other artistes and entertainers airing their ‘beef’ on social media, fans have expressed disgust and disappointment at various times also. It is safe to say that many Nigerians artistes misuse their ‘lucky’ status whereby they suddenly find themselves controlling a vast amount of wealth. For most fans that spoke to Friday Treat, they posit that Nigerian artistes must realise that they (fans) were mostly responsible for their (artistes) successes and for that reason, must put them (fans) first when doing anything publicly instead of misbehaving and apologising later after much damage had been done.

Yemi Alade’s ‘Mama Africa’ album set for March

YEMI Alade has has further confirmed the release of her sophomore album “Mama Africa”.

The singer has been on the rise, breaking new grounds with music, performances, branding and fanbase. She is set to add more to her catalogue, as she has announced that her sophomore studio album will drop in March, 2016. In 2015, the singer released a message on Instagram unveiling plans for the album.

“My darling tangerines, my sophomore studio album will hit stores physically and digitally come March of 2016.”

“It is titled “Mama Africa”, and it focuses on the joys and pains, the highs and lows, the strengths and weaknesses of an African woman.

In short, it is the diary of an African Woman.” Yemi Alade further said.

A creative artwork has been released by the singer’s manager, Taiye Aliyu, who shared the image on Instagram.

Two singles off “Mama Africa” has already been released. With ‘Na gode’ featuring Selebobo, and ‘Do as I do’ featuring DJ Arafat, achieving air rotation across the continent.

“Mama Africa” comes hotly after success of Yemi Alade’s debut album “King of Queens”, which was released in October 2014. The single contained hit songs including ‘Johnny’, ‘Taking over me’, ‘Tangerine’, and many others.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens becomes 4th highest grossing movie worldwide

“STAR Wars: The Force Awakens” has continued its climb to the top after crossing the $1.5 Billion mark in just 19 Days.

The movie has gone grossed $1.54 billion to beat Furious 7’s $1.515 billion and “The Avengers’ $1.519 billion to take the number four global spot.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” recently grossed an estimated $286.8 million globally in its second weekend to become the fastest film to cross the $1 billion box office global mark with $1.090 billion, in its 12th day of release.

“The Force Awakens” earlier earned an estimated $545 million domestically in 10 days, and $546 million internationally in 12 days.

The movie recently became the highest domestic third weekend ever with $88.3 million.

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Friday, 8 January, 2016

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

Ooni of Ife declares Ife tourism zone

Attends Modakeke Day celebration, offers job to 20, 000 widows

Stories By ’Wale Olapade

A

new dawn in the history of Ile Ife occasioned by the recent appointment of 40 years old Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, as the Ooni of Ife, has continued to resonate with the Ooni set to declare Ife as a tourism zone in furtherance of his promise to foster peace and unity and bring economic prosperity to his people by opening up Ife to the world through tourism.

The Ooni who is a business czar and owner of Inagbe Resort, one of the few privately run resorts located across Lagos waters, has from the first day of assumption of office not hidden his resolve to elevate the historical and abundant cultural wealth of his people and town by opening it to the world through massive investment in tourism related projects, which are aimed at transforming Ife from a mere tourism attraction to a mega tourism destination.

However, the newly appointed chief tourism adviser and consultant, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, who is the Founder of La Campagne and Motherland Beckons, disclosed that Oba Ojaja 11 is set to declare Ife a tourism zone on February 26 and to kick start the development of the zone into a tourism destination of world class standard has concluded plans to build a N7.6 billion Ife Grand Resort.

Also in line with his resolve to foster peace and unity amongst his people, a major ingredient for sustainable tourism development, and put to rest the ghost of the over 200 years old conflict between

Ife – Modakeke, the Ooni over the week brushed aside all protocols and barriers to attend the Modakeke Day celebration even as he announced the em-

The Publisher atq.com and organiser of the Akwaaba Africa Travel Market, Mr Ikechi Uko has been awarded with the African Tourism Man of the Year by The African Sun Times, Africa’s number one and largest newspaper in

Winner, NMMA, Tourism Reporter Of The Year, 2014

ployment of 20, 000 widows from the over 40, 000 widows recorded in the last Ife - Modakeke crisis to work in the tourism zone project with a promise to absolve the remaining 20, 000 widows alongside the teeming population of unemployed as the project gathers traction.

The Ooni’s attendance at the Modakeke Day celebration has been hailed by many people as a deft move by the Kabiyesi to finally bury the Ife – Modakeke intermittent conflict that has lingered for over 200 years as this has never been done by any Ooni in the past 200 years, as attending Akoraiye Day Modakeke, is a way of not only healing the wounds of the past, but also clearing the negative past and replacing it with a prosperous future through tourism.

As part of the grand design to secure life and property in Ife, the Kabiyesi has approved the construction of a watch tower with standby rapid response squad that is fully equipped and which response time to any distress call should not be more than 10 minutes and this time frame hopefully would be cut to five minutes in the days ahead.

Speaking on these new initiatives by the Ooni, Akinboboye, who has also announced the Kabiyesi as the grand patron of Motherland Beckons, said it is a grand design by the Ooni to redesign the tourism map and agenda of Ife by drawing the attention of Africans, the Diaspora and the entire globe to it in a way that has never been done in the history of the former Ife Kingdom, which is not only regarded as the Source of Yoruba but the cradle of South west civilisation.

According to him, ‘‘the glory of Ife is finally coming to light. Ife is now the new destination in Africa as the sleeping giant of tourism in Africa wakes up to a new reality,’’ insisting that henceforth the whole world would come to Ife on religious, cultural, economic, educational, and archaeological tourism among others, as the new Ooni constructs a new agenda for the kingdom of Ile Ife. Akinboboye revealed that the declaration ceremony and the kick off for motherland beckons has been fixed for February 27 with the president of Black Lawyers in England and Wales, Peter Herbert, billed to deliver the key note address while the chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) America, among a host of other dignitaries are expected at the event.

DSF 2016 set to make Dubai family destination, beckons Nigerians, others The World’s longest-running festival, Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) moves into a new level at its 21st edition, with event already running from 1 January to end on 1 February 2016.

The 32-day citywide celebration to feature internationally renowned events, global celebrities and special family-oriented activities with millions of Dirham in prizes from raffle promotions await residents and visitors.

DSF enters an exciting new era after two decades of success with its 21st edition set to offer extraordinary experiences to residents and visitors from around the world that will highlight the festival as the world’s most unique shopping experience.

DSF 2016 will run under the tagline “Unwrap the Exceptional” with visitors being offered the opportunity to rediscover their sense of wonder, happiness and excitement from a line-up of over 150 events and activities that will be unfurled during the 32-day celebration.

From internationally renowned events to celebrity icons, family-friendly activities to pulsating live entertainment and mind blowing raffle promotions offering millions of dirhams in prizes, this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival has been taken to a new level of splendour by the organisers, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency

Ikechi Uko wins African Tourism Man of the Year

Ikechi Uko

’Wale Olapade 08161235359 wale11g3@gmail.com

America.

The award came on the heel of Ikechi’s ardent practical tourism promotion and development campaign in Nigeria and Africa through different pet projects showcasing the beauty and richness of Africa to the world.

Speaking with Travelpulse&MICE, Uko expressed gratitude to the organisers of the award. According to him, this award has shown that all my efforts in past years have yielded result and also it is a driving force for me to do more.

“I have accepted to take up the award because it is an honour for hard work and dedication to mak-

ing Africa a preferred destination.

“I will be joining the former president of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who was also honoured with The International Person of the Year among others for the ceremony.

Uko who is championing different travel expos in Nigeria, Africa and the US (Akwaaba African Travel Market, Accra Weizo, Abuja Bantaba now Atlanta Bantaba), said he will use the award platform to also reach the world through a presentation.

“I billed for a presentation on the 21 wonders of Africa and Team Africa initiative to tell the Africa story the African way to the world.

of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

DSF 2016 will elevate the festival’s three main pillars of Shopping, Winnings and Entertainment through a range of events and activities for the whole family with its all embracing slogan “One World, One Family, One Festival,’ bringing together people from different nationalities in a reflection of the cosmopolitan character of Dubai.

H.E. Helal Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing (DTCM) said: “Dubai Shopping Festival is a highlight in the emirate’s year-round calendar of diverse and attractive events and a key driver of tourism growth. Returning for its 21st year in 2016, the Festival is intrinsic to attracting tourists from close-proximity markets including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, other GCC neighbours and India in addition to visitors from further afield, especially those from China, Africa and Russia.

H. E. Laila Mohammad Suhail, CEO of DFRE, said: “Dubai Shopping Festival 2016 will refresh the experience for visitors by showcasing it as an extraordinary shopping journey rather than a mere sales season. Hence, our line-up of events, activities and promotions are built around the festival’s 2016 tagline ‘Unwrap The Exceptional’, which defines everything at the festival as a gift that is waiting to be uncovered and cherished.

“The tagline also reaffirms the fact that Dubai is at its best at this time of the year with an inspirational celebration that rewards by delivering exceptional experiences.

“As part of the shopping experience, the 21st edition of DSF will provide some of the world’s best entertainment including music superstars, and global fashion brand events. Of course the traditional attractions will continue to pull visitors such as fireworks shows and the DSF Mega Raffles.

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Friday, 8 January, 2016 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

I support Buhari’s war against corruption, but... —Arogbofa, Afenifere secretary Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa is the secretary of the pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere. He speaks with HAKEEM GBADAMOSI on public expectations from the government this year, 2014 national conference report, among other issues. Excerpts:

at the firsts he scored in Ibadan: television station, Liberty Stadium, Cocoa House, and many more. Our rulers and leaders have not been committed and sincere. It is not a new story. In some instances, it is either that our leaders do the wrong thing and the followers have no choice because when they see their leaders doing the wrong things, they are handicapped. The lawmakers are not better and in some instances, they are worst, especially the last Senate.

N view of the socio-economic challenges Nigerian went through in 2015, what are your expectations this year.

We expect things to be better if we’ll manage. We expect changes if we are sincere; we expect better things if are fair to all concerned. But if we decide not to see us as citizens under the same government where some will be favoured and others will be alienated, then I don’t see changes we are hoping to have. Talking of changes, which can be tied down to budget and estimates, I’ve always believed that budgets in this country are rituals; they are like a ceremony that we have not been serious and sincere with it. We end up by making little or no progress in the socio- economic development of the country. We budget for good education; we end up with poor education.

We budget for good agricultural expansion; we end up with importation of rice and other food items. We budget to make our roads better, but we end up with the most terrible roads. We budget to have jobs for the unemployed graduates and other unemployed people; we end up with more criminals, armed robbers, kidnappers which are the result of unemployment syndrome. So, unless there’s sincerity and government goodwill, this year may be worse. There’s need for Mr President and his governors to be sincere in the implementation of policies.

What do you think that tends to encourage primitive accumulation of wealth and corruption generally among public officials, as evident in revelations in the last 16 years of civil rule in the country?

Let me start from the point that corruption is being fought by the present government. I agree entirely that corruption should be fought, and any government that sets its hands on fighting corruption receives my 100 per cent support. But, it must be holistically fought. I, again, emphasise on this that it must be holistically fought. There shouldn’t be sacred cows; no, because the moment it appears there are sacred cows, while some are being left off the hooks, some are being hunted about, then we are going to have problems. I think I agree entirely with the philosophy of the present government in fighting corruption because corruption has almost destroyed the fabric of this society, beginning from the home. That was why in the lecture I delivered recently at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State on Papa Ajasin, whose mantra is fight against corruption, I did say that unless we did something like the man did, we are in for a big trouble. So, we have to fight corruption holistically; then we can look inward on why there’s corruption.

Corruption is a world phenomenon; it only varies from one country to another.

In Nigeria, I can identify things that cause corruption. One of them is unemployment.

When people are not employed, when they are jobless, the temptation is there for corruption to thrive. And those who want employment bribe people and the fact that we are not sure of tomorrow, which was a syndrome of the Babangida regime, gave room for corruption. During the era,, he (Babangida) was so knee-deep in sanitising the system but incidentally destroyed it, especially the civil service which is the centre for development for any government. Those who were alleged to be corrupt were all sacked.

The Yoruba man usually says that when an abiku dies, the parents contrive to bury it.

So, the civil servant and the society decided to steal government money and the whole thing permeated into the society. The best houses in Abuja today are said to be owned by civil servants. And where do they get the money? They stole it. If you want to go into politics, corruption is there, I cannot contest

I

Are you saying that most of those challenges are avoidable if successive federal administrations in the country had been faithful to Nigerians in terms of selfless service to the nation?

This is exactly the picture I’ve been trying to paint, that we are not sincere with our budgets. We deceived people with our budgets; our budgets are issues; carbon copies, although we called them names to deceive the people. So, it has been a repeat performance of woes; of people not doing the right thing, Let’s look at 1999, when Olusegun Obasanjo came in as president, he talked well of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). But, we discovered that he instituted and used it at perceived enemies, so the EFCC did not make any mark. Look at the power sector too, where he budgeted a lot of money and brought in late Chief Bola Ige, who said he would perform miracles within a short time; he was killed; we recollect the way he died. Same thing in

Arogbofa

We budget for good education; we end up with poor education. We budget for good agricultural expansion; we end up with the importation of rice and other food items. We budget to make our roads better, but we end up with most terrible roads. agricultural sector, and I want to remind us that this was where the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo made his marks when he was the Premier of the then Western region, scoring many firsts, not only in Nigeria but

in the whole of Africa. He turned around the agricultural fortune of the Western Region, especially through cocoa, and that was what he used to make Ikeja area one of the most industrial hubs in the whole of Africa. Look

continues pg28

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politics&policy

Friday, 8 January, 2016

‘The problem with Nigerian leaders’ one or two mineral resources. But what the government should do is to give every state money, it could be in form of a loan, it could be machine, to go and start processing the materials under the watchful eye of the Federal Government. And whatever they are able to get, a part of it should be sent to the Federal Government. We also talked about agriculture; look at the problem we are facing about cattle rustling and kidnapping, we provided solutions to all these things.

The answer to the problem regarding cattle rearing is to have ranches, the environment where the cattle rearers will live and settle.

They will have schools, welfare service, hospitals and lot of other things. The answers are already there, honestly. Let President Buhari be courageous enough to pick up the report and read it. Let him realise that Nigerians came up with the report.

continued from pg27

a local government election now because I don’t have the money; I don’t have the millions to spend as bribes for the people.

So, that is another area where corruption thrives. There are so many other phases and cases of corruption in the country. The only difference is that elsewhere, they’ve been able to put a check and occasionally when their leaders are found to be corrupt , they have the courage to resign. But here, we glorify corruption and glorify people who are corrupt. We call them big people because they are able to acquire titles with their stolen money.

So, how do we curb the culture of corruption and indeed impunity that seems to have become the norm rather than exception in the country?

We must start from the home; yes from the home with the family setting the right agenda. If my family sets the right agenda and yours also sets the agenda and we meet in the public, we will surely do the right thing.

But if from the home, we do the wrong thing and we meet outside, the result will definitely be a wrong thing. We have to start form home, and I also preach something I called moral re-armament in the country. It’s like a school of thought, where people are taught how to behave and do the right thing. They are taught patriotism; they are taught how not to be corrupt, the right values about life, and a host of other things similar to that. This is to bring them into focus. This will complement the political fight against corruption. The political fight against corruption is what the present government is trying to do when they go after corrupt people and bring them before the court.

They should go on with the fight but like I said earlier, it should be holistic and nobody should be spared because the moment you spare somebody, or give somebody the impression that you spared some people, then the war against corruption won’t succeed.

Aren’t you optimistic that the country might soon overcome some of those core challenges that seem to have held it down, given the kind of political leadership, the federal administration has promised to promote institutionalise?

Yes, I’ve always made clear that Nigerians are very wise. We respect our leaders because once they tell us not to do certain things, we won’t do them. But the moment the leader starts doing it, I am very sure we are going to beat him hands down and we will be better. So we need leaders who are focused who follow what they say, who are seen to be doing what they say. All we need are leaders who love this country; leaders who feel for the people; leaders who themselves have seen some worst times, and who can adapt. Leaders like Awolowo, Ajasin , Sarduana, all these are great leaders and those are the kind of leaders we need in this country. Once we have good leaders, it doesn’t follow that good followers should follow. But once the good leaders are firm, they will be able to bring a lot of people into their camp. In this regard, I want to call on the followership to follow the government.

The present government is prepared and seen to be doing the right thing. Let’s adjust so that the country can be better. In civilised countries, once the government is good, nobody bothers who is there: whether Labour, Accord, PDP or APC. No, they don’t have time for all those things. Once there’s good

Arogbofa governance, let’s give our support to work with the government.

Don’t you see the Buhari administration taking the country to the dream land, in view of its war against corruption and promise to end an era of impunity?

I don’t want to answer that question but whether Buhari is taking us to the Promised Land or anywhere. But rather, what I want to say is that if we are able to tackle corruption and the leadership is toeing the line; obviously, followers will also toll the line and things will be better. But if you are saying one thing and doing another thing, we are likely to have a lot of problems. Buhari is lucky because he has been voted in owing to the changes he promised. I will plead that he lives up to the promises of having changes for this country, and he should do it holistically; without sparing anybody. The concern of some people nowadays is that more and more corrupt people are joining his government. We only pray that they don’t compromise him or tarnish his image. That’s our prayer because when bad apples mixed with good ones, the result will be that the bad apples will spoil the good ones. So, he needs to be very careful so that the changes he promised, he carries them out.

You were a delegate to the 2014

National Conference and one of the reasons your organisation, Afenifere, gave for backing the re-election bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan was his promise to implement the Confab report if reelected. What do you think might happen if the report is discarded?

Something keeps telling me that they can’t just throw away the report. I was a member of the Confab and it was a privilege. This was the first of its type. We had as many as 10 conferences before but the 2014 confab was made up of all classes of people, both the high and the low, as well as traditional rulers from all parts of nooks and crannies of the country. We sat for about six months and the decisions we took were by consensus, not by voting. We have nearly the answers to all the problems in this country and we cannot afford to have this swept under the carpet. So, I will urge President Buhari to be courageous enough to pick up the report. He may not make use of everything, Nigerians made these decisions, not PDP, not APGA or APC but all Nigerians met and came out with those resolutions. Let him be courageous enough and pick it and make use of those things that are good for this country. We are talking of the economy; we proffer solution on how the economy could grow. Take for instance, we did say there’s no state in the country where we don’t have

We glorify corruption and people who are corrupt.

We call them big people because they are able to acquire titles with their stolen money.

You are the secretary of Afenifere, and your group supported the second term bid of former President Jonathan. Was there any time you regretted backing his re- election bid?

Let me tell you a bit about the background of our support for Jonathan. Even as far back as when our leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was alive, he had talked of marginalisation and also about restructuring the country. When he was the leader of the opposition, he discovered that so many things were wrong, that there was marginalisation and discover all sorts of corruption; that there was nepotism, so the issues have always been there. There were so many conferences held to make sure that we have a better structure rather than thestructure being imposed on us.

Most of these efforts failed. Before Jonathan’s effort, Obasanjo had his own conference, but his had an agenda, which was termed the Third term and that was why it failed. Jonathan at first did not want to have the national conference but, we in Afenifere mounted pressure on him, I was on the cover of newspaper on a daily basis.

All the time, I delivered lectures about this and the same thing with other leaders and when he decided to have the conference, should we not support such a person? And with the type of honesty, candour, beautiful atmosphere and the spread in terms of representation that took place in the confab, we couldn’t but support such a person.

Implementation is another thing. We were thinking we would be given the opportunity to implement. I’m told some people complained that Jonathan should have done something before leaving office. It was not as simple as that because ideally, what we recommended could be grouped into three: administrative, judiciary aspect and the legislative aspect. Could all these be done between the period of four or five months?

These are the problems. So, we have a good reason for supporting anybody who was prepared to restructure the country. We had our own good reasons for supporting Jonathan Where do you hope to see Nigeria in the next 10 years?

I pray it is there. I love this country and I don’t want this country to disintegrate.

Honestly, I have a lot of friends across this country but, a lot will depend on this government we have and the leadership. Buhari has been living within his promise to bring changes and I pray he succeeds and I pray Nigerians will support him in his effort at bringing the desired changes. This changes have to be carried out holistically.

29

politics&policy

Dickson

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Sylva

The moment of decision in Bayelsa Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

T

HE supplementary governorship election coming up in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and the 101 polling units in five local government areas of Bayelsa State tomorrow amidst raging a cloud of suspense.

The general political atmosphere in the state has remained tense weeks after the inconclusive poll on December 5 and 6.

Most residents of the oil-bearing state have described tomorrow’s poll as momentous because of the overall implication of the outcome of the poll. The governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which dominates the South-South geopolitical zone, has ruled the state since Nigeria retuned to civil rule in 1999.

Security operatives have been on red alert in most strategic parts of the state capital and elsewhere regarded as flashpoints. The leading political parties: the PDP and the All Progressives congress (APC) made brisk moves in the last few days to enlist the support of supporters of smaller parties for their candidates: Governor Serieka Dickson (PDP) and Tiepreye Sylva (APC). The candidates have engaged in a war of words over alleged plans to deny voters of their will to elect their leader through rigging. The accusations and counter-allegations have led to the anxiety and anger among the populace.

Each of the two candidates believes he will carry the day in spite of the disparity in the number of voters between them.

For instance, the Director General of the Bayelsa Restoration Campaign Organisation (BYRCO), Honourable Fred Agbedi said the governor was sure of victory because the achievements of his administration tagged the Restoration Government.

Chief Agbedi said in the past three years, Dickson built state four secretariats, outside the existing two built since the creation of the state in 1996. He said the project has solved the problem of office space for civil servants to carry out their duties.

He listed other achievements of the gover-

nor that would give him victory at the poll to include rural electrification, dualisation of Isaac Boro Expressway, hospital road, secretariat road among several others.

The campaign boss averred that the governor made frantic effort to link the three senatorial districts by roads, as a road now connects Nembe communities that would terminate in Brass Island, the Oporoma, Ayama, Southern Ijaw road has reached an advance stage., just as the constructed road as also gotten to the river bank, as government has concluded plans to construct a link bridge to the communities in Ekeremor. Agbedi alluded that the Ebeni Bridge has been completed owing to its importance geared to link the hinterland communities in Ekeremor local government area. He, however, noted that prior to the Dickson administration, the three senatorial district of the state could not be connected by road. On security, he posited that the governor signed the state anti-cult bill into law that brought cult-related activities to its lowest ebb until the recent rise in brigandage. The Dickson campaign boss posited that the governor also re-invigorated institutions in the state, among which are the state traditional ruler’s council, police officers mess, government house clinic, Gloryland cultural centre among several others. Health, according to him, was also given a boost, as the Restoration government built a world diagnostic centre, equipped with doctor’s residents’ quarters

in Yenagoa, while eight referral hospitals are near completion in the seven councils’ areas of the state. He noted that within the period Ijaw son and daughters that died were honoured and given heroic burial.

They included King Robert Ebizimor (Ijaw music icon), General Andrew Azazi, Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro and others. Agbedi said that the education sector was left out, as the current state administration paid its counterpart funding to benefit from UBEC Educational Trust Fund, while within the period under review, over 400 primary and post-primary schools were built and revamped, with the provision of desk/chairs, instructional materials and free schools uniforms, and an annual payment of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) fees and the award of both domestic and foreign scholarship to deserving Bayelsans to study and return to contribute to the development of the state.

Agbedi averred that what should interest the voters are the governor’s prudency and tact managerial skills that excluded the state from those owing workers salaries, his undying passion for development above personal interest, openness in declaring the state’s monthly income and expenditure account to the public.

On his part, the Sylva/Igiri Campaign Media Director General, Honourable Nathan Egba said his principal remained the favoured candidate in tomorrow’s poll. He said Sylva was forced out of of-

The candidates have engaged in a war of words over alleged plans to deny voters of their will to elect their leader through rigging. The allegations and counterallegations have led to the anxiety and anger among the populace.

fice, even when he had won the PDP primaries to fly the party’s flag in the 2012 election in the state. Egba averred that the people were yearning for change because of the prevalent acute hunger, poverty and under-development in the state. He posited that under Sylva, the Diette Koki Memorial Hospital, a prototype of the Baylor Regional Medical Centre in Plano Texas, was built in the state; the 350-bed Melford Okilo Memorial Hospital was 80 per cent completed, with all equipment available, but that it has since been abandoned. In the area of education, he said Sylva brought the Law School to Bayelsa; College of Education was also his achievement, just as scholarship scheme was initiated, while students’ of the state origin enjoyed bursary allowances unlike the Dickson’s government with all its prudent posture that publicly declared that it could pay bursary to students. Egba averred that almost all courses in the state owned Niger Delta University was accredited during the Sylva administration; while the transport sector got a boost with the provision of government branded taxis and public school buses to convey pupils to schools in the state. He posited that there were quick win jobs, youths and women groups were empowered to stimulate the state economy, housing estates were constructed for civil servants, including the construction of a new commissioner’s and assembly quarters in the state.

The Sylva/Igiri DG added that the Sylva government constructed more than 52 internal roads, the Unity Bridge, and the road to Brass Island was awarded. He said since then, no government had built any internal road. He stated that under Sylva as governor, water reticulation works thereby all public taps flowed freely in the state.

The supplementary election is coming against the backdrop of the results from other council areas in which Dickson led with 35,000 votes. The re-run poll in Southern Ijaw Council Area was necessitated by violence that disrupted polling in the area during the previous exercise.

30

politics&policy

Friday, 8 January, 2016

T

HE Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms Christine Lagarde, came calling last Tuesday for a meeting with Preaident Muhammadu Buhari in his office at the Presidential Villa. At a time the president was hoping to borrow about N2trillion to fund the 2016 budget, the appearance of the IMF chief in Nigeria immediately raised suspicions of the possibility of another round of the infamous IMF conditionalities being rammed on the country’s throat once again. How can Nigerians forget the era of IMF-inspired Structural Adjustment Programme SAP) when they were required to tighten their belts until harsh economic realities made their waists to thin out under the belts?

Buhari has indicated that he will borrow the money from local and international sources and IMF is a lending institution.

Therefore, common sense dictates that she had come to prepare ground for the Fund’s intervention with all the concomitant tough conditions its debtor countries are expected to fulfill. A member of the State House Press Corps took her on on the adverse effects of such conditions on the poor during her briefing after the meeting with the president. She started answering the question by accusing the reporter of having outdated idea about the IMF and thereafter launched into a lecture on what the Fund is about under her leadership.

Hear her: “If I may say, I think that you have slightly outdated idea of the IMF. Certainly, the last four and a half years, since I have been managing Director of this institution, this is not the recipe we adopted and this is certainly not the feedback I have

inside

aso rock WitH LeON USiGBe

08078891838 leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk

Buhari, Ms. Lagarde and IMF conditionalities s received from the countries that we have worked with. I just want to point out that we are majorly involved in three kinds of activities. The first one which is the most traditional one is under which we give policy advice to our members. We have currently 188 countries that are under this institution and it is our duty and accountability to them to review their economy every year to give them report about their economy. We don’t push them, we don’t do things necessarily to please them. We say things as we see them.

“The second activity which is the fastest growing one in the institution is technical assistance and capacity building, and there is plenty of that available to all the countries of the world. It gives us pride to see that about 150 countries have had the benefit of technical assistance and capacity building.

We have discussed that with the (Nigeria’s) Minister of Finance together with their team and we would be happy to provide more technical assistance and capacity build-

aso rock

ing. You need a strong tax department, you her team of economists would be in the need a strong debt management, you need a country next week to assess the 2016 bud08078891838 WitH LeON get to be sure strong custom authority in order to achieve thatyahoo. financing is in place, the leonusigbe@ co.uk a strong economy for the country. debt is sustainable, the borrowing costs are “The third activity is the lending that we sensible and what strategies are in place to provide because nobody else is ready to address challenges going forward. I am not provide lending for the country, when the sure how this will reassure Nigerians fearbalance is in a very bad situation and when ful of the consequences of an IMF interventhere are no finances available. At that point tion in the nation’s economic problem judgin time, in order to pull the country out of ing by the experience of SAP. However, it the very difficult situation it is in, we come in is worthy to note that Buhari, even though and we lend. But we do that because it is the is also preaching belt-tightening this year, entire international community’s monies. is determined to source local solutions to It is not my money. It is the international the disheartening economic realities of the community’s money and we do so with the present day. He has informed Lagarde of his right guarantees, stepping into interna- intention to tackle the economic problems tional community bonds, which is that the by looking inwards, enforcing regulations to economy is going to be improved, that fis- stop financial leakages and adopting global cal discipline is going to be brought in, that best practices in generating more revenue corruption is going to be punished. We don’t to mitigate the effect of dwindling oil prices do as much now as we did four years ago be- on the Nigerian economy. Does this therecause the situation has improved.” fore mean that in looking to borrow money Lagarde may not have come to Abuja to abroad he would ignore the IMF? Only time negotiate a loan deal but she did say that will tell.

With Ambode, Lagos is in good hands

By Lateef Raji IN recent times, there have been lots of hues and cries about the course Lagos is charting under the seven-month leadership of Mr Akinwumi Ambode as the governor of the state. While some analysts and commentators have been quite understanding and considerate, others have passed damning verdicts on the administration and even in the extreme, demand his resignation.

Indeed, many have gone short of arguing that the governor doesn’t possess what is requires to steer the ship of the Centre of Excellence to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people.

Much of these criticisms has been premised on recent breaches in the security and traffic controls across in the state.

Another thread that became noticeable in the whole of the anti-Ambode tirade is to compare him with his predecessor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. My evaluation of these scenarios is that most commentators have been rather harsh and unfair instead of sharing an understanding of the perception of the new Lagos helmsman on governance.

The fact that the former governor, Mr Fashola adopted stern postures and measures in his approach does not mean that is what must obtain forever, and that subsequent administrations must toe the same path.

Fashola surely had his reasons for adopting stern measures as a shock therapy to stem the rate of recklessness and lawless in the public space.

Fine, his approach yielded impressive outcomes. However, tough measures are only used on the short term to drive a consciousness that would make the people embrace

a culture of order and decency. It has to be phased out overtime.

Ambode for one made it clear from the outset that he was going to run an all-inclusive government that departs from his predecessor in terms of style. His idea of an all-inclusive government is one in which “no one or segment of the society, irrespective of colors, race, faith, status; ability or disability is left behind.”

No two individuals are the same. Ambode is entitled to his own style of government.

He should, therefore, not allow himself to be coerced by any person or group into replicating someone else’s style. The most important thing is to get the job done, and as the governor has demonstrated in a clear understanding, the pact he has with Lagosians who are always eager to appraise and appreciate good performance. He should be focused on the job and not allow himself to be distracted.

A fact he must hold sacrosanct is that human beings are always very difficult to satisfy. As benevolent as the Almighty God is, He still cannot please everyone. Therefore, Ambode should be focused on fulfilling his electoral promises to Lagosians. He should follow his convictions and be his own man.

At the end of the day, the buck stops on his table. Governance is about continually devising and adopting strategies to advance the course of humanity and meet the challenges of a dynamic and constantly evolving society.

Ambode surely has all it takes to move Lagos to greater heights. I have no doubt in my mind that he does. His over 27 years experience in the Lagos State public service will definitely serve him in good stead with extra mileage to steer the ship of state to the right channel. Without any doubt, Ambode

Ambode has had a vastly memorable career as a public sector accountant and administrator in Lagos State.

Perhaps, more importantly, Ambode was involved at, possibly, the two most critical periods in the history of the state within the current democratic dispensation. The first was the era of spiteful financial offensive on Lagos, and the other was the period of the dramatic fiscal reengineering that gave rise to the ambitious accomplishments being witnessed in Lagos today. Recent revelation by the governor that the state is now able to save 3 billion naira monthly expenditure, as a result of the various fiscal re-engineering measures, he has put in place in the past five months, is indicative of his vast experience as a financial expert.

Only last month, the governor flagged off the construction of 114 inner roads, two in each of 20 Local Government Areas and the 37 LCDA’s made possible with the inter-

vention of the state government in funding, implementation and supervision. Aside from the direct benefit of the critical link roads to the people, the project will go a long way to enhance local capacity, which translates into a more rapid development at the grassroots.

Now that he would have the privilege of working with a budget that fits into his own vision for Lagos by 2016, Lagosians would, no doubt, experience breathtaking infrastructure development.

Eventually, those who are already crucifying Ambode based on early developments would be disappointed. His experience is almost similar to that of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Upon return to civil rule in May 1999, the Tinubu administration was equally roundly criticized as being ‘slow’ in attending to critical issues in the State. The security situation in Lagos at that time was complicated by the nefarious activities of men of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress, OPC, armed robbers and contest of strength among the various transport unions. However, by the time the Tinubu administration left office in 2007, it has become a pathfinder in the evolution of contemporary Lagos.

The Tinubu administration put the state on the trail of economic independence as it shoved up the monthly revenue base of the state from a meager N600 million to over N10 billion.

In the same vein, the Ambode administration is fine tuning new plans to birth a new Lagos. As the governor embarks on the huge task of consolidating on the gains of his predecessors in Lagos, my advice is for him to chew deeply the words of a celebrated American author and writer, Patricia Lynn Reilly: “Hold on to your vision: don’t let others preach it out of you.” God •Raji, a public affair’s commentator, writes from Lagos.

31

Friday, 8 January, 2016

hers

Editor: Yemisi Aofolaju yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com 08055001741

perfect, never too late, never too early, just right. Soonest, it will happen Insha Allah.

Taizir Ajala, a serial entrepreneur, human resource manager and strategic planner is the Chief Executive Officer of Gordon Barrett. She is also an alumnus of the prestigious IVLP in the United States of America and other renowned institutes. In this interview with YEMISI AOFOLAJU, the Nigerian representative in the Global Change Makers Group and currently a director at Petro Carbon Energy and Agroatlantique spoke on how her upbringing affected her decisions.

Excerpts:

How can women get themselves financially independent?

I think our culture, to some extent, has pulled wool over in terms of financial independence for women. But in truth, if you look far back into most Nigerians, you will find out it is the women that actually keep several jobs/businesses. With the right infrastructure and conducive environment from the government to skill up women owned businesses in Nigeria, we would surpass the GDP figure of women-owned businesses in America. Few years ago, the figure was 1.3 trillion dollars gotten from women owned businesses in America, that was more than the GDP in Germany. Nigerian women are serious entrepreneurs, most of us run more than one enterprise. I think if we have more women in leadership positions a mix of old, young and middle aged, we would be able to see a quick change in terms of growth for women and this will affect our children, our families.

W

HO is Taizir Ajala?

I am the Chief Executive Officer of Gordon Barrett.

The company focuses on human resource development strategies in the areas of effective recruitment. It is in partnership with a German company called HR Diagnostics. It comprises leaders in Europe, who use technology and psychology to discover talents and competence in people. We also offer consultancy and advisory services along with HR. We do auditing and social development in partnership with the US Government in areas of youth capacity building and entrepreneurship for young Nigerians. This is a way of making them more creative and innovative to be in better positions for job opportunities or to start up enterprises of their own.

What informed your choice of career?

I started my career in HR and I think I’m an inborn change agent, I think it’s a gift from Allah that I have the ability to identify people’s potentialities and articulate same, but not only that, I support people in actualising their potentialities and I think that this is the only thing that I can thrive in. It involves making the human interactions HR space supporting businesses to ensure the competence of the human capital in line with their growth, in the present and in the future.

For how long have you been doing this?

We have been in existence since 2008.

What has been the response?

Selling intellectual property in Nigeria is still very new, but we have new significant programmes, especially from referrals.

We try to ensure that companies that we design intervention for in terms of change human capital management strategies see a quick return on their investments. This has kept us in the business so far. We are very keen on evaluating our services.

How have the youths empowered been faring?

We keep a tab on them through success stories and we have had significant progress. Some use their immediate environments as spring boards, they have started micro businesses and they have, in turn, become employers of labour. We have also helped some of the youths that we’ve worked with by partnering with them on some programmes and that give them more exposure and experience which makes their CV more attractive to employers.

How do you equip and monitor them?

The way we equip or support them is in partnership with the US Consulate in Lagos and Abuja. We support them with practical tools and knowledge to effectively unlock their potential as well as achieve their goals. We create an enabling environment for them to see their potential and turn into actionable plans. We keep a data base on them, hence, we have an email for success stories where we get feedback. And in subsequent programmes, we always bring back the success stories of previous programmes.

I’m an

asset to any

man —Taizir

We also do this in partnership with the Lagos State government. The office of the special duty in Lagos State helps us to track the success of our programmes as well.

How will you describe your growing up years?

I will describe my formative years as very intriguing and interesting. My mother is not a Nigerian. She is from Egypt, while my father is from Osun State. I would say I had a kind of introverted upbringing, but with

very firm and outstanding values. These are the things that have made me who I am today, in terms of my commitment to excellence and the willingness to give back to the community where I generate revenue from.

Are you married?

Not yet. What a question!

Why? In business and in life, there is always time for everything and that timing is always

What were your dreams when you were growing up?

To be honest, I always tell people that it’s okay not to have a dream when you are growing up. I was a loner while growing up.

I was more of an introvert. I had a strong relationship with God from a very early age and all I wanted really was to be happy. I didn’t see myself as anything or anybody.

I was just content and I think that the level of contentment that allowed God to prevail is what has kept me in an integrity-driven space as an entrepreneur today. I can honestly say that while growing up, I just wanted to be happy. I didn’t see myself as a business owner, I didn’t see myself in any fancy job, all I knew was that I just wanted to be happy.

You have never worked for anybody?

I have worked for many companies. I have also managed CNN operations in Nigeria, that was my last employment. I have worked for aviation and in private capacity as consultant to companies and governments.

Maybe that informed your decision not to get married?

Absolutely not, marriage is a sacred institution from where I come from and in terms of my tradition and upbringing, I would not get married for the sake of getting married. Where we came from, marriage is not something you get out of, so you must be sure and make absolute decision of who it is that you want to spend the rest of the life with and for me, this is very critical.

Continues on pg32

32 hersay TELEVISION, cell phones, video games and the Internet. Amazing tools. Great sources of learning, communication and fun. Like all good things, they can become problems when abused. And believe me, our time-saving, educational technological advances are being abused by our kids.

The facts about television viewing Children spend more time watching television than any other activity besides sleeping.

Kids under the age of six spend on average at least two hours a day watching television.

Older kids spend up to four hours watching TV. Kids who spend four hours a day watching television are much more likely to be overweight than kids who watch less than two hours.

54 percent of kids have a television in their bedroom. Experts say that it interferes with sleep and causes a host of other issues, including a tendency to be overweight.

44 percent of kids say they watch something different when they’re alone than when with their parents.

62 percent of children who participated in a survey about television watching said that watching sex on TV influenced them to have sex when they were too young.

According to statistics there is a link between television watching and teen pregnancy. Their findings say that teen girls who watch more than three hours of television per day are twice as likely to get pregnant. But it

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Parenting

The host of Straight Talk!

With Olufunke Adetuberu cryonmenow@yahoo.com 08023242389

Technology isn’t the sex on television that is the issue. It is the accepted innuendo of sex.

There are many issues that should cause concern regarding too much television.

Health issues because kids who watch too much TV get fat. Sex issues because it has been proven that kids who watch too much casual sex on television end up having sex earlier than they might have otherwise.

Another problem with too much television watching, even when you watch together as a family, is that it doesn’t engage the mind, promote conversation or communication, or require any action

There is also a correlation between watching violence on television and becoming desensitised to crime, violence and death. While I am not sure if watching crime on television will make you a criminal, I do believe that watching stupidity on television will make you stupid.

I have another concern that isn’t addressed by any of the studies I have found regarding television viewing. “I believe that watching too much television has made us a nation of spectators instead of a nation of doers.

We all love to watch other people do things instead of doing things ourselves. It’s easier to watch overweight people on television lose weight through diet and exercise than it is to put down the bag of chips and junk. This may not be applicable to Nigeria kids but in some homes it happened that kids are to get off their fat butt and do a little exercise themselves. It’s even easier to watch television nannies work on the behaviour of misbehaving kids than it is to work on our own mis-

behaving kids. We have become a sedentary, voyeuristic society that would rather watch the lives of other people than have actual lives of our own.

Another problem with too much television watching, even when you watch together as a family, is that it doesn’t engage the mind, promote conversation or communication, or require any action. We have allowed television to become “family time” and we think that it brings us together in some way. Sorry, but watching television together doesn’t count as family time. Your time together as a family should involve more than plopping your butt down and watching a TV screen.

You should be doing something together.

I know you may be saying, “But my kids don’t want to do something with me.” That is probably right. They don’t. And the reason they don’t is because you didn’t form the habit of doing things together when they were young.

Turning things around once they are older is going to be hard. But it can be done. Get some games, go bowling, play cards or dominoes, or do some other activity that you can do together that requires communication and action.

It isn’t just all of the hours of television per day that is having such a negative impact on our kids. It is the fact that television watching has taken the place of time spent together communicating as a family. It has taken the place of family dinners, games and parental guidance. to be continued

Before you have more children, think of this!

ANYONE who has grown up in a large family knows only too well the tears, rows and constant battles for their parents’ attention.

And now scientists believe the size of a family really can affect the behaviour and achievements of children.

A new study has found that for every additional child born, the others are more likely to suffer poor cognitive abilities and behavioural problems afterwards.

Boys were more likely to misbehave while girls saw their performance in maths and reading skills dip.

Using data from 1986 to 2012 taken by the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) and by the Children and Young Adult Survey, three economists analysed how older siblings performed before and after a younger sibling was born.

They looked at the number and timing of births into a family and matched these to various mental and behavioural traits.

Levels of parental engagement were also crucial - with factors like how often families eat meals together, one-on-one time with each child, affection and the safety of the home also affecting how a child performed.

As families got bigger, the time spent with each child reduced, which has been linked to worse outcomes for children, they found.

“Our fixed effect estimates indicate that the arrival of a younger sibling reduces measures of parental investment as well as cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes of older children by approximately one-tenth of a standard deviation,” the research paper said.

The study was conducted by economists Chinhui Juhn, Yona Rubinstein, and C. Andrew Zuppann, who questioned whether the ‘quantity’ of children would effect the ‘qual-

‘I’m an asset to any man’ Continues from pg31

My prospective husband would have the wisdom from God to see that he need not be intimidated by my achievements. Yes, my business is not a determinant of my present single status. It doesn’t affect my business. I was brought up in the traditional way and these traditions are very dear to my heart.

You think men are afraid of approaching you?

Yes, I have been told this sometime. I would say I consider myself as an asset to any man, not a liabil-

ity.

What is your take on young girls who see nothing wrong in selling their bodies for survival, even undergraduates are not exempted?

This is very sad and it’s a topic that I honestly don’t like to discuss, but I will take a chance here. Our environment is very dicey and poverty is eating deep into every facet. I am not a judge of character, I will not judge any young girl. As a young woman, one thing you must never compromise in you, is being special; there is something in you that is special, there is something in you that can

ity’ of their upbringing.

It discovered that parental investment in older kids fell by three percentile points after a young child is born, while cognitive scores fell by 2.8 percentile points and behavioural problems increased.

“We have documented a significant tradeoff between quantity and quality of children for NLSY mothers and their children.

‘On average, children in larger families

make you successful as opposed to selling your body. Everybody is specially blessed with God given potential and that potential is an asset.

Once you reduce yourself to selling your body, you have indirectly told God to hands off your matter and discarded your full potential as a blessed person. I would say that as a woman, opportunities will come, but as young women in primitive years, you will have to find a mentor; one that can hold your hand because there will be though times. I agree, for this reason, I think there should be older women holding younger women’s hands so they don’t fall

have lowered parental investment and worse cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes.”

Other factors found to influence the outcomes was the mother’s intelligence and economic well-being.

Mothers were asked to take the Armed Force Qualification Test (AFQT), used by the military to assess skills including reading and reasoning.

Those who scored badly saw a larger drop in cognitive scores when they had their second child.

The study follows another by German researchers which found the first-born in a family tends to be the smartest – and each successive sibling is slightly less bright.

The Leipzig University researchers were unsure why big brothers and sisters seemed to be the most blessed - but suggested it could be because they benefit from their parents’ undivided attention – at least until a little brother or sister comes along.

It is also possible that the eldest child’s brainpower gets a boost from teaching his or her siblings about the ways of the world, they said.

Other factors that were found to affect children’s performances were the amount of meals shared as a family and how much time was spent with each child.

Dailymail.co.uk

into the trap that will stunt their growth.

What informs your dress sense?

I’m a very simple person. I wear what I feel like wearing, I design some of my wears myself because I feel very comfortable dressing the simple way, I love African wears even when I am outside Africa.

Your favourite colour?

My favourite colours are light blue and brown.

Why? They are very cool.

33

Friday, 8 January, 2016

With Yemisi Aofolaju yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com 08055001741

thekitchen How safe is your

By Yemisi Aofolaju

I

T is a welcome idea to have a kitchen, but an added advantage is to plan and organise it well, taking into cognizance the issue of safety of the members of the household.

Getting organised early this year will save us a lot of domestic accidents and block leakages in terms of unnecessary spending which we cannot afford at this austere time.

As fire disasters have terribly dealt with businesses and homes with the very dry climate occasioned by harmattan, don’t forget the saying as harmattan fire spreads in a twinkle of an eye, we must be extra careful the way we organise our kitchen especially with electrical appliances that make our job easy while also preventing our children from falling victims of preventable disaster.

Below are some of the safety measures that we should see as our catechism.

These tips can be pasted on the door of our kitchen or wall where it will be seen by every household member. Seeing is believing and this will remain permanent in our consciousness.

Make sure all wires, cords and plugs on

power

house?

your appliances are not frayed and that the plugs have 3-prong grounded connections. This would include coffee makers,

Boost your immunity with chicken soup

CHICKEN soup has been found overtime to be the ultimate comfort food, and studies have shown that it can help fight colds. In one study, hot chicken soup was more effective than hot or cold water at making noses run, which helps the body get rid of the viruses and bacteria that make us sick. The soup also helps you stay hydrated and raises the temperature of the airways, both of which are important for loosening secretions.

Try this recipe as the cold, dry but dusty season persists.

What you need: • 1 (3 pound) whole chicken • 4 carrots, halved • 4 stalks celery, halved • 1 large onion, halved

• water to cover • salt and pepper to taste • 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules (optional) Directions 1.

Put the chicken, carrots, celery and onion in a large soup pot and cover with cold water. Heat and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken meat falls off of the bones (skim off foam every so often).

2.

Take everything out of the pot.

Strain the broth. Pick the meat off of the bones and chop the carrots, celery and onion. Season the broth with salt, pepper and chicken bouillon to taste, if desired.

Return the chicken, carrots, celery and onion to the pot, stir together, and serve.

toasters, blenders, microwaves, mixers, etc.

Don’t use extension cords. You can obtain a junction box that has built-in GFI (ground fault interrupters). This will allow you extra plug in space and the GFI will kick in if there is a power shortage. Helps avoid water/electrical shock accidents.

Get rid of any appliance that is broken or damaged. New ones are very inexpensive these days. If a new one would bust your budget, try garage and tag sales (just make sure you’re not buying somebody else’s broken appliance).

Put a childproof lock not only on the cabinets with your medicines and cleaning supplies, but also your oven.

Don’t leave the kitchen with pots and pans cooking on the stove. Make sure to turn off burners as soon as you take the pot off.

Avoid wearing inappropriate clothing while cooking. That means loose sleeves and sweaters.

Keep dish towels, pot holders and oven mitts away from the stove.

Keep matches and lighters in high places where curious little hands can’t reach them.

If using candles in the kitchen, don’t leave the room (or home) while they’re burning. Make sure they are in a safe place and are in flame proof containers.

Check furniture, curtains, dish towels, etc. to be sure they are not blocking heaters or vents.

Keep a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, but not near the stove or the heater.

In case of a grease fire, salt and/or baking soda will help if you do not have a fire extinguisher.

Keep emergency numbers handy Scalding is one of the most common injuries in the kitchen. Make sure to turn pot handles away from the front of the stove and away from little curious hands.

Additional report: Google to be continued

Kitchen Hack

The Ginger secret FOR you to always have fresh ginger so as to save time, peel large pieces of ginger on hand for sauce, soup, salad or dessert

breaking them into knobs, then put them in a zip-top bag in freezer. When needed, quickly grab a peeled knob and grate it while frozen with a grater straight into the dish.

34

news

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Wives of 260 officers killed by Boko Haram receive foodstuffs from POWA Kola Oyelere-Kano

I

N a bid to alleviate the current predicament of 260 wives of police officials who lost their husbands to the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents, the Kano State chapter of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) has given the widows bags of food stuff, rice, detergents, sugar and brocades valued over N2 million to assist them.

Speaking on Thursday during on the occasion , the chairperson of POWA in the Kano, Hajiya Saliha Muhammad Katsina, said the association decided to extend the kind gesture to the widows as succour.

Hajiya Katsina, who wept while sympathising with the widows, charged them to be strong and pledged the association’s continued

support to their welfare, just as she promised to commence a training programme that would make them self-reliant towards tackling future challenges She also restated her commitment to pursuing the widows’ benefits, saying it was pathetic and saddening that many of the widows have not recieved the entitlement of their husbands for over seven years. “ When I met some of them, they told me that they took up the issue for seven years without receiving their benefits. I have discussed the issue with the Commissioner of Police and he has promised to act towards the release of the fund.”

“Plans are underway by the association to engage the widows in small-scale businesses and skills ac-

MDAs owing us N120m, Abuja newspaper distributors cry out Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

DISTRIBUTORS of newspapers and magazines to Ministries,Departments and Agencies MDAs and other parastatals in Abuja, have sent a ‘Save our Soul’ call to the President Muhammadu Buhari, over a sum of N120 million allegedly owed them by the government offices.

The distributors under the aegis of Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association (ANDA) said the prolonged indebtedness to them had crippled their business.

In a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, on Wednesday, and jointly signed by ANDA president, Joshua Orogun and the GeneralSecretary, J.S Abuh, they alleged that the issue had also led to losses of job, as the distributors could not pay publishers as at when due.

Orogun in the statement said: “some of my mem-

bers are being owed up to 12 months, those are verified claims. This issue is affecting our business so much as we cannot pay the publishers as at when due, which is adversely affecting them too.”

“I am using this opportunity to appeal to our dear president to save our business so that we are not sent into the already saturated labour market. Because of these indebtedness, some of our members have left business and are just wandering about now, others are just struggling to survive as they cannot meet any responsibility in their homes anymore.

“The president should come to our aid to ensure that we are paid promptly as we will be left with no option than to embark on strike action if the situation persists,” he said A federal agency, which was visited to verify the claim, blamed the delay in payment on the Treasury Single Account TSA policy, adding that this would be sorted once this is settled.

quisition programmes to enable them to cater for their orphans,” adding that the training would soon commence.

“As you can see, what we have given them now would not be enough for them in their lifetime. But we have shown them that we love and care for them.

We have at least shown that we are aware of their

FORMER governor of Niger State, Mr Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure, said that the people will be relieved of hardship in the nearest future if they are ready to vote back the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

Kure made the declara-

tion on Thursday in Kontagora while leading the state chapter of the PDP, during the flag-off of the campaign, saying that it was unfortunate for the party to derail after 16 years of its administration.

He apologised to the people for PDP’s wrongdoings, noting that it had learnt its lessons as a political party that wanted to rule for 60 years.

of your condition and only Him can take care of you the most.”

The programme was heralded with tears and wailing as most of the widows wept profusely.

One of the widows, Hadiza Sani Tata, said she had been catering for the needs of nine children, after her husband was shot dead by the insurgents in June

2012.

While narrating her ordeal, Tata said one of her children had taken to drugs as a result of the death of her husband, adding that efforts were being made to rehabilitate him.

She expressed delight at the gesture, noting that the food items would help her to save some money for other purposes.

Ondo 2016: PDP will suffer setback before election —Oke the state.

He said all arrangements had been concluded.by notable politicians in the state to join APC ahead of the next governorship election in the state.

The former PDP national legal adviser, who defected to the APC few days after the March, 28, 2015 presidential election, said PDP was dead in the state, saying many members of the PDP had signified their intention to join the wind of change blowing across the country.

“The wind of change is blowing across the coun-

Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

THE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ondo State 2012 governorship election, Chief Olusola Oke has said the camp of the PDP will be depleted before the end of March 2016.

Oke, who stated this in Akure, the Ondo State capital, asserted that many chieftains of the PDP and special aides to the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, were set to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in

try, and it is blowing in Ondo State now, recently a Senator and bigwig has come to join the APC, many other leaders of the PDP in the state have indicated interest to be part of the change. So they are ready to join us,” he said.

On the forthcoming election in the state, Oke said the APC would certainly take over the state, noting that the people of the state were preparing to accept the APC government in order to join the ‘change train’ .

“When a wind of change is blowing, nobody stands

SATURDAY, 9 JANUARY, 2016

against it. If there is any part of Nigeria where change is needed, it is Ondo State. I believe very strongly that people are waking up to claim their right. The APC is the party of the people, it is not owned by any individual. It is not a party any individual will impose a candidate.

“I can assure you that we in the APC are more than prepared to bring about change in Ondo State. The people desire change because by now everybody is tired of directionless leadership, visionless leadership in Ondo State.”

N150

interview

interview

Why I’ve refrained from speaking on Buhari’s govt —Labaran Maku

newsfeature

Nigerian prisons and the curse of congestion

interview

Niger PDP kicks off LG campaign in Kontagora Adelowo Oladipo-Minna

condition. We would soon embark on giving them training on skills acquisition and provide smallscale business to help them cater for their wards,” she said She also urged them to take care of themselves and their wards in accordance with their respective religious injunctions, noting that, “God is aware

entertainment

Though soldiers killed my 4 undergraduate children, God’ll avenge their death —ABU lecturer

What I usually tell my stubborn male admirers —Ireti Osayemi

Book your copy today

How LASUTH prepared for 3 years for its first kidney transplant —Consultant Nephrologist

35

Friday, 8 January, 2016

arewa

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

Jerry cans’ buyers scrambling to purchase fuel.

Jos jerry can boys want fuel scarcity to continue Isaac Shobayo - Jos

S

INCE the scarcity of fuel started in November 2015, the black marketers, otherwise referred to as ‘jerry can boys,’ that is those who sell fuel in jerry cans have been having a swell time. Shortly before Christmas, four litres of fuel were sold between the range of N1, 200 and N1,600 as against the normal price of N500 before the scarcity.

The few filling stations which had fuel then, sold at N150 per litre, thus compounding the situation. Arewa findings revealed that there were some unscrupulous and shylock marketers who often dispensed fuel for the black marketers in the night and only to close their filling stations to motorists during the day.

It was gathered that at a point when the scarcity became severe, these black marketers, who had formed themselves into cartel, often travelled as far as Abuja and other neighbouring states of Nasarawa and Bauchi to buy fuel in drums to sell in Jos. One of the black marketers, who volunteered information to Arewa on condition of anonymity, declared thus:” Some of the filling stations in Jos sold the product for us at night, though at an exorbitant price of N110 per litre. But at a point, they ran out of fuel and we had to travel to Abuja to buy with the assistance of our contact in such places .

“It was a good business as we made money; it was not our wish to make people suf-

fer, but since those who were supposed to do their work refused to do the right thing, we capitalised on the situation to make money for ourselves. The money we made can be reinvested into another business. It was like the business should not end” A source close to those behind the illicit

business revealed that close to two-month scarcity of the commodity had make many of them semi millionaires and quite a number of them had started diversifying into other businesses most especially commercial tricycle operation.

Arewa further findings revealed that

through out of the period of the scarcity, quite a lot of people, especially young ones who are of school age and traders, abandoned their businesses to take part in the illicit business.

But with normal supply of fuel gradually returning to the state, especially the state capital, the black marketers with their jerry cans and drums along the major roads within the state capital are idling away without patronage while few others have started looking elsewhere for survival.

Meanwhile, most of the filling stations in Jos and its environs have adjusted their pumps to reflect N86 per litre approved by the Federal Government while independent and major oil marketers have also complied with the directive.

Crew Sabiu Mohammed - Kaduna 08067698878 mohsabiu@yahoo.com Isaac Shobayo - Jos 08037032359 shobayo.isaac@gmail.com

A young man with jerry cans filled with petroleum

Group wants FG to expedite action on compensation for IDPs —Pg.36

Forum trains 1,000 Southern Kaduna youths on different skills —Pg.36

Biola Azeez – Kwara State 08034276889 biolababes@gmail.com James Bwala – Borno / Yobe 08069596659 jamesbwala97@gmail.com Adamu Amadu - Dutse Kola Oyelere - Kano

36 arewa

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Group wants FG to expedite action on compensation for IDPs

Isaac Shobayo - Jos

A

PPARENTLY disturbed by the pathetic situation the Internally Displaced Persons are grappling with, the National President (Youth Wing) of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Daniel Kadzai, has called on the Federal Government to expedite action on compensation to victims of terrorism.

Addressing newsmen in Jos , Kadzai commended the government, especially the military, for their efforts to end insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country and frowned at the spate of extra judicial killings in Nigeria.

“I strongly also call on government at all levels to intensify the war against corruption and live to their responsibilities

of ensuring social justice, rule of law and accountability.

“Youth wing of CAN observed with great concern the interference of some political office holders in purely religious matters in secular Nigerian where there are clear lines of responsibilities and limitations for each arm of government. .

“We observed as a blatant disregard to the faith of Nigerians the purported plans by some persons to replace the Christians Religious Knowledge in schools with what is termed “ religious and National values

without proper consultation with Christian leaders in Nigeria”, he said.

He added that developing a school curriculum, especially sensitive matters like religion in the country, should be handled by professional educational curriculum experts in furtherance of good morals to children and youths and urged the government and politicians to desist from making decisions and unguarded utterances capable of polarising Nigeria along religious line.

Kadzai also pleaded with religious leaders to desist from ill omens and false prophesies, adding that such had misled quite a lot of people and caused unnecessary tension in the country.

“I encouraged Nigerians to have faith that Nigeria will live up to its prophetic destiny as a united, prosperous great nation. Youth CAN is also appealing to youths in the country to shun violence and other vices capable of derailing them from attaining and maximising their full potentials and capabilities as the future leaders of the country.”

Baby of the Year: NAWOJ tasks mothers on immunisation Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna THE Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has called on women to always avail their children of immunisation against the six killer diseases.

The Zonal Secretary of Zone ‘A’, Hajiya Daharatu Ahmed Aliyu, gave the charge when she led other members of the association in Kaduna to present gifts to the first baby of the year delivered at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Badarawa, in Kaduna North Local Government Area of the state.

Hajiya Daharatu, who made the presentations on behalf of the National President and Zonal Vice President of the association, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole and Zainab Shuaibu Rabo Ringim respectively, said the call had become necessary because children were gifts from God and deserved all the care and support.

While congratulating the 19-year old mother of the first baby of the year, Hauwa’u Mohammed Musa, she emphasised the need to always thank God, adding that it was not easy to carry pregnancy for nine months, not to talk of the pains and labour of delivery.

She used the opportunity to call on other well meaning individuals and organisations in the society to always find a way of giving a helping hand to the less privileged and vulnerable in the society.

“I wish to congratulate you on a successful delivery on behalf of my national officers whom I am representing here today and I pray that the child will grow to become a helper of humanity.

“I wish to use this opportunity to call on women to always avail their children of regular immunisation against any child killer disease and for other pregnant women to equally and regularly attend anti-natal to know the well being of their unborn babies.”

In her response, the mother of the baby girl, who was delivered by 2:30am 1st January, 2016, who could not hide her joy, thanked the women journalists and equally prayed God to continue to bless them.

The matron of the PHC, Hajiya Binta Lere, thanked the women journalists for their magnanimity and prayed for God’s continuous blessings.

Children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on queues to receive food.

Forum trains 1,000 Southern Kaduna youths on different skills Muhammad Sabiu - Gusau THE Southern Kaduna Development Forum (SOKADEF) said it had concluded arrangement to train over 1,000 youths in the first quarter of 2016 as part of its empowerment programmes.

SOKADEF’s National Coordinator, Dr Rikichi Kajang, who stated this in Kaduna, said the gesture would reduce the unemployment rate in the zone and the prevailing concept of marginalisation. .

He also said the empowerment programmes would prevent politicians from using the youths to achieve their self interest.

He stressed that there had been a false mentality among some segments of Kaduna population that they were being marginalised or relegated to the background

in the new administration, saying that such postulated and prevailing mentality was always the handiwork of politicians who had lost elections.

“We look forward to scaling up our existing empowerment programmes involving over 1000 youths in the first quarter of 2016 and we shall be working with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the government.

In 2015, we witnessed so many agitations on demand for good governance and effective service delivery in various local governments in Kaduna State and in many states in Nigeria.

“With this in mind, SOKADEF will continue to work with citizens, CSOs and governments to bridge development gaps and to solve critical governance problems that affect the everyday lives of millions of

people in Kaduna state and in Nigeria as a whole.

Moreover, with youth empowerment, the make-believe mentality of marginalisation of some segments of Kaduna population, which is the handiwork of politicians who have lost elections, will automatically stop.

He noted that the group was in full support of the good policies of the government which were being pursued at the federal level as well as in Kaduna State by President Mohammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai, respectively.

He called on the youths to inculcate the spirit of hardwork and sincerity of purpose, as well as to remain law abiding and to shun all forms of political violence/ crimes, stressing that there was no excuse whatsoever for indulging in them.

37

news

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Ajimobi launches 2016 Armed Forces emblem

By Olawale Olaniyan

O Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Osun State, Colonel Alimi Samotu, decorating Governor Rauf Aregbesola with the Armed Forces Remembrance emblem, during the launch of 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, at the Government House, Osogbo, on Thursday. With them is the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti.

yo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Thursday, launched the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem with an assurance that the state will continue to support the activities of the Nigerian Legion.

The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations (AFRDC) is an annual event nationwide on January 15.

In accordance with the Federal Government arrangement, a week preceding the celebration day known as Appeal Week, is set aside for raising funds for the welfare of the disabled and aged exservicemen, widows and children of the slain soldiers

who fought during the First and Second World wars, towards international Peace Keeping Mission.

The programme which was organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Allevation, was graced by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General LC Ilo, Commander, Nigeria Air Force Detachment, Ibadan, Air CDRE E.O Akinbayo, representative of the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, ACP Chimeze and the host, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs,Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Allevation, Mrs R.F. Sali, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Speaking at the event, the

We must devise means to reward war veterans at all times —Aregbesola Oluwole Ige- Osogbo

Enugu State governor, Honourable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left), being decorated by the state council chairman of Nigeria Legion, Mr George Amalu, on the occasion of the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Emblems Appeal Week, at the Okpara Square, Enugu, on Thursday.

Bauchi State governor, Muhammed Abubakar (left), congratulating the oldest member of the Nigerian Legion, Bauchi State, Corporal Gumi Muhammadu, at the launch of Nigerian Army Remembrance Day Emblem Week, in Bauchi, on Thursday. PHOTO: NAN

Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Command, Pastor Michael Olagunju, leading the Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo, on a parade, during the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, on Thursday. Behind the deputy governor is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs R.F. Sali. PHOTO: OLAWALE OLANIYAN

Osun Stae governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday, said the Nigerian society must devise means to reward and support war veterans that have kept the nation together always and not annually.

He stated this while launching the emblem to commemorate year 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, saying that veterans should not be made to regret serving their fatherland.

Aregbesola, who noted that the least that Nigerians and government could do is to keep the memory of these soldiers alive by supporting those that are active and taking adequate care of the families of the departed.

The governor said the emblem being launched was a reminder of their service and sacrifice, hence, an obligation on Nigerians to support them.

According to Aregbesola, “they must be well supported, they took up soldering as a divine call, or else they could have taken to other more lucrative and less tasking vocations. They should not be made to regret serving their fatherland in its defence.

“Our own society must devise means to specially reward and support our veterans. Their plight should not be an annual event, during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration only.

“In other lands, stores give them special discounts; those returning to school have their tuition fees slashed while veterans are given free passes to gated events. In several instances,

they enjoy free medical care and other social services,” he remarked.

While lamenting the engagement of veterans for sentry duties, noting that it amounts to under-utilisation of resources, Aregbesola maintained that there were diverse ways veterans could be engaged productively and maximally, as most of them have acquired advanced skills in many vocations that could be deployed into nation building and development.

He averred that “those of them with combat experience can be re-programmed and put in a special police units needed to engage armed bandits and other violent criminals in our urban centres. They will be glad to resume their defence duties in civilian capacities.”

state deputy governor, who represented the state governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo disclosed that in Nigeria, the event was scheduled to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War in which many soldiers lost their lives while defending their fatherland.

“These great men laid down their lives to foster the unity and peace of our dear nation which we are all enjoying today. In these contemporary times, when global peace and security have been under constant threat, and more importantly the state of insecurity and all forms of insurgency in our country today, many Peace Keeping Operations are ongoing which involve combined military forces of the world.

“Nigeria being a prominent member of the global body has found herself being involved in many of these Peace Keeping Missions within and beyond the borders of Africa. It is pertinent to state that many of our soldiers have lost their lives in these exercises, hence, leaving a lot of responsibilties for their unprepared families.

Also, in his address, Chairman, Nigerian Legion Oyo State Command, Pastor Michael Olagunju (JP) said the celebration should not be seen as a fun fare, but should be seen as a sober reflection period for Nigerians and non-Nigerians.

He appealed to the good people of Oyo State and the general public, to please, come to the aid of the organisation in cash and kind, by donating generously to enable them to fulfill the mapped out plans for the families of the fallen heroes.

Enugu gov extols Buhari, armed forces and commitment with the Jude Ossai -Enugu

Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the country’s armed forces for their gallantry and success in securing the country.

In an address on the occasion of the 2016 launching of the Armed Forces Remembrance and Emblem Appeal Week in Enugu, Governor Ugwuanyi assured them of his administration’s solidarity, goodwill and sincere gratitude, urging them not to relent.

He called on all Nigerians to pray for the Nigerian Army for the sustenance of their success in fighting insurgency in the country.

The governor called on all Nigerians to keep faith

Nigerian Fallen heroes and heroines who voluntarily laid down their lives in the service of their father land by donating either in cash or kind for the upkeep of these veterans’ dependants and the ex-servicemen who are lucky to be alive but are in needs.

Governor Ugwuaniyi also commended the Enugu State branch of the Nigerian Legion for her initiative and giant strides to rehabilitate their fallen colleagues.

“It is a time to remind ourselves of the plight of the ex-servicemen, as well as the survival of the dependants of these fallen heroes and show them our appreciation for the sacrifice they made to preserve our lives and the nation,” he said.

38 news

Friday, 8 January, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Omotade Kofoworola Aje now OLUWADEMILADEO GO OMOTADE KOFOWOROLA AYANFEOLU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

NYSC vows to prosecute erring organisations, corps members Seeks completion of Imo permanent orientation camp Adetola Bademosi-buja

T

HE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has vowed to prosecute any institution or prospective corps member that engage in processes aimed at manipulating the scheme’s mobilisation process.

These include irregularities such as registration by proxy, falsification of medical and marriage documents, provision of false information by prospective corps members to manipulate their postings as well as sharp practices by some corps producing institutions.

The Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, made the vow at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilisation workshop in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Olawumi said the scheme’s experience from its e-mobilisation process revealed different category of irregularities, warning that such unwholesome practices would no longer be condoned.

The DG also stressed that the trend, where parents request for concessional postings for their children on health or marital grounds when information regarding such were not provided during the online registration would no longer be tolerated.

He said the theme of the workshop, “The role of Stakeholders in Sustaining the Gains of the NYSC Computerised Mobilisation Process,” was chosen in view of the scheme’s determination to sustain the gains of its e-mobilisation process, which had recorded modest achievements.

However, he stated that the management was as well, open to constructive criticisms that would assist in fine-tuning its operations.

The DG also sought for speedy completion of the Imo State NYSC permanent orientation camp by the state government.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Razaq, Omolara Aina now MRS AJIJOLA, OMOLARA SEKINAT. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ojuade Oluwakemi Dorcas now AREMU OLUWAKEMI DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Fashola Adeola Monilola now OKUNLOLA ADEOLA MONILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ogundele Muyideen Adewale now FATAI MUYIDEEN ADEWALE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Ukrakpor Anthony am the same person bearing Ukrakpor Anthony Omamoke. Now, I want to be known and addressed as UKRAKPOR ANTHONY OMAMOKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olanrewaju Bolaji Ronke now MRS K AYO D E - A D E D E J I BOLAJI RONKE. All former documents remain valid.

UCH and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

RECONCILIATION OF NAME I, Afure Erhomarhua am the same person as Karieren Kelly Mujakperuo now to be known as AFURE ERHOMARHUA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Steve Ayanfe Aje now STEVE AYANFEOLU OLUWALAGBARAMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olowoyo Yemi now OLOWOYO OLAYEMI VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ajao Abosede Esther now AKANDE ABOSEDE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olumayowa Olawale Aje now O LU WA M AYO WA OLAWALE OMOTOYOSI AYANFEOLU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Mudasiru Rasidat Sade now MRS GANIYU RASIDAT SADE. All former documents remain valid.

FBN, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Tsalhatu Muhammed Muktar am the same person bearing Muhammed Tsalhatu. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as TSALHATU MUHAMMED MAIKUDI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. FBN and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Sade Oke now AFOLAKE SEKINAT OLAJIDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mrs Onifade Mary Olukemi now MRS OYEBAMIJI MARY OLUKEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olabimtan Victoria Busayo now MRS ADEGBOYEGA VICTORIA BUSAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olaitan Khafayat Mopelola now MRS ADEBAYO KHAFAYAT MOPELOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Makinde Jimoh Ogunsola am the same person bearing Makinde Jimoh Sola. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MAKINDE JIMOH OGUNSOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

Union Bank of Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Oladele Tolulope Aderemi now OLADELE TOLUWALOPE ADEREMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fasasi Maryam Dasola now MRS MORO OF- A K I N WA N DE MARYAM DASOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ijenuwa Joy now KENNETH IGHOYOVWI JOY. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Sholabomi Taiwo Folorunso now MRS LASISI SHOLABOMI TAIWO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Friday Gertrude now EBI ELEMI. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Baya James Samuel now BAYA JAO SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adigun Adekunle Babatunde now AYIDEDA LATEEF BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Funmilayo Adetoun Tairu now FUNMILAYO ADETOUN SOYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adesina Maryam Bukola now OLATUNJI MARYAM BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Adefunke Olubunmi Aje now DR. (MRS) ADEFUNKE OLUBUNMI AYANFEOLU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oluwagbenga Oluwasinaayomi Aje now OLUWAGBENGA O L U WA S I N A A Y O M I AYANFEOLU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

39 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Apeji Deborah Abosede now MRS. SODIYA DEBORAH ABOSEDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Julian Nwamaka Ani now MRS. JULIAN NWAMAKA ONOH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Wisdom Amose Tagi now WISTOM AMOS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Janet Iyabo Olawumi Ogunyiluka now JANET IYABO OLAWUMI OLATUNJI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, 8 January, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omotosho Margret Oluwaseyi now MRS. ADESINA MARGRET OLUWASEYI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Ojolowo Olanike Omowumi now ATUKALE OLANIKE OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinleye Oluwatoyin Ayobami now MRS. WILLIAMS OLUWATOYIN AYANLOWO. All former documents remain valid. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, NANNM, National Open University and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajayi Temitayo Oluwakemi now MRS. OMOLAJA TEMITAYO OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abdulahi Afusat Omoladun now SALAUDEEN AFUSAT OMOLADUN. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State SUBEB, NUT and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ogunlabi Ayuba Bisade now DAUDA AYUBA BISADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Babayomi Wale Saibu now ADEREMI SAIBU BABAWALE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Daramola Lekan Ebenezer now DARAMOLA KUNLE EBENEZER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Paul Effiong Etim now MR. SUNDAY DAVID EFFIONG. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odetayo Oderonke Adeola now MRS. OGUNYEBI ODERONKE ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid.

OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Funmilayo Awoyemi now MRS. FUNMI OYEBOLA ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Faniran Abosede Olajumoke now MRS. BAMIDURO ABOSEDE OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid.

Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo and General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Comfort Abimbola Pitter now MRS. COMFORT ABIMBOLA OGUNLEYE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Odejobi Ruth Omolade now MRS. BAMIGBALA RUTH OMOLADE. All former documents remain valid.

Ejigbo Local Government, Osun State and general public take note.

I, formerly Idowu Ola Emmanuel now OYELADE MATHEW OLADITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Muhammed Tijani now MUHAMMED OTARU. All former documents remain valid. Authority concern and general public take note.

I, formerly Salihu Ibrahim now SANI RASHIDI. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc., Access Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mando Caleb Ayuba now DANIEL CALEB All former documents remain valid. GTBank, First Bank Plc., and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abu Edo Raymond now VICTOR UZOAMAKA ABU EDOH RAYMOND ANYANWU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ganiyu Basirat now MRS. AFOLABI BASIRAT. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abdulramon Odumola Rasidat now MRS. AKINLABI RASHIDAT. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank and General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Blessing Raphael now BLESSING SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Mudasiru Fasilat Folashade now MRS. FOLASHADE SHITTU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss John Loveth now MRS. OLUSEGUN OMOH LOVETH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olujobi Omowunmi Abisoye now MRS. APPOLINAIRE DEBORAH OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Quadri Olufunmilayo now MRS. QUADRI OPEOLUWA OLUFUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Rashida Abubakar Aliyu now RASHIDA ALIYU ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, First Bank Plc., UBA Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeyemo Ruth Abidemi now MRS. OLORUNDARE RUTH ABIDEMI. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State Government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr. Samson Oyegbola Adebayo now MR. SAMSON OYEGBOLA OYEKANMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Ogunbiyi Elizabeth Oluwaseun now MISS ADEMOLA ELIZABETH OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid.

Ogun SUBEB INLGEA, Ijebu Igbo, Skye Bank Plc., Molusi Micro Finance Bank, Ijebu-Igbo and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Jubril Tairu Musa and my date of birth was mistakely written as 2/10/1974 now JUBRIN TAIRU MUSA and my correct date of birth is 10/6/1977. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Sulaimon Muideen now OLADOKUN ISHOLA MUIDEEN. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and general public take note.

I, Fatai Iyabo am the same person bearing Hammed Iyabo Fatimot.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as FATAI IYABO FATIMOT. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adenike Adeola Aladegbami now MRS. ADENIKE ADEOLA AKANDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinyeni Adepemi Tanwa now MRS. AJAYI ADEPEMI TANWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oladoyin Oluwabunmi Adeola now MRS. OLABODE OLUWABUNMI DORCAS. All former documents remain valid. OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeyinminu Olatubosun Deborah now MRS. ADEWOYE OLATUBOSUN DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. Ondo West LG., Ondo State and general public take note.

I, formerly Ajasa Taiwo now MUDASHIRU FATAI TAIWO. All former documents remain valid.

EcoBank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adaraniwon Oluwadamilola Mary now MRS. OBAGBEMIRO OLUWADAMILOLA MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ejogu Esther Akuchi now MRS. FALADE ESTHER AKUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aborode Halimat Folashade now MRS. WOJUADE ABORODE HALIMAT FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid. OYSHMB, N&MCN and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Idowu Oluwadamilola Oyekemi now MRS. EYITAYO O L U WA D A M I L O L A OYEKEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adekunle Monsurat Ejide now MRS ADEKUNLE ESTHER EJIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fausat Samba now MRS ADENIKE FAUSAT HAASTRUP. All former documents remain valid.

EcoBank Nig. Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ezekiel Olubunmi Iyabode now MRS FARAYOLA OLUBUNMI IYABODE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr Bisiriyu Abdulkareem Babatunde now MR BISIRIYU BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Isah Salamat Ize now MRS SAMOTU SALAMAT IZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ohamuo Oechukwu now OHAMUO VINCENT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Evelyn Chinonso now MRS EVELYN CHINONSO OKOTIE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Elesho Remilekun Janet now MRS. ADEYEMI REMILEKUN JANET. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Azunobi Ndidi Mary Agatha now MRS. ASALA NDIDI MARY AGATHA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odeku Olubola Toyosi now MRS ADEKUNLE OLUBOLA TOYOSI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Omodele Francis Tokunbo now OMODELE FRANCIS BAMIDELE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Agada Charity Omanyo now MRS SOKOYA CHARITY OMANYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Onyenze Josephine Oluchi now MRS NNAJI JOSEPHINE OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fasoro Grace Titilayo now MRS AKINTOLA GRACE TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akintunde Oluwabusayo Rita now MRS AJAYI OLUWABUSAYO RITA. All former documents remain valid. EACOED Staff Cooperative, Oyo and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olaide Ganiyu now YUSUF AFEEZ. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adisa Modupe Modinat now AKANBI MARY BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ayebo Modupe Julianah now OJETAYO MODUPE JULIANAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Omotiloye Gabriel am the same person as Omotiloye Taiwo Gabriel.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OMOTILOYE GABRIEL. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Premium Pension Limited and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Comfort Yagoma Okpanachi now MRS COMFORT YAGOMA MIACHI. All former documents remain valid. Universal Basic Education Commission Board, Local Education Authority, AMAC and general public take note.

I, formerly Abdulrauf Nurudeen Alowonle now ABDULLAHI ALOWONLE BALOGUN. All former documents remain valid.First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Rauf Muinat Oluwatoyin now MRS OGINNI OLUWATOYIN ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Owolabi Abiodun Mutiat now MRS OLAPADE MUTIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ate Martha now MRS NNANAH MARTHA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Simeon Oluwadamilare now AFOLAYAN SIMEON OLUWADAMILARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oloketuyi Bisola now OLAWOYIN OLABISI FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyewole Rukayat Oluwakemi now MRS ELEGBEDE RUKAYAT OLUWAKEMI. All former documents remain valid. The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro and general public take note.

I, formerly Oyediran Tawa Anike now OYEDIRAN DAMILOLA ANIKE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Ajakaiye Peter Adelakun now AJAKAIYE PEDRO ADELAKUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Salau Adeola Shakirata now MRS SULAIMON ADEOLA SHAKIRATA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Oluyemisi Ajoke Akinpelu now MRS SEUN-KASSIM OLUYEMISI AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr Oluwaseun Adegoke Fajinmi now MR OLUWASEUN ADEGOKE OLUJINMI. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank, Fidelity Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Faniran Wunmi Olubunmi now MRS OLUKAYODE WUNMI OLUBUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Yusuff Omobolanle Risqot now MRS FOLARANMI OMOBOLANLE YUSUFF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mrs Nwaoha Abimbola now MISS BALOGUN ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Fadele Toyin Felicia now MRS ADEOSUN FADELE TOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Asinde Taiwo Abdul Afeez now ADEBAYO TAIWO ABDUL AFEEZ. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Ajibola Oluranti Tokunbo now MR AKANDE AJIBOLA OLURANTI TOKUNBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

40 CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Okoye Olaide Josephine now OJO OLAIDE JOSEPHINE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Busola Oluwabunmi Ogundimu now MRS BUSOLA OLUWABUNMI AKERELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Olusori Oluwakemi Esther now IBIYEMI OLUWAKEMI ESTHER. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oke Taibat Monisola now OKE REBECCA MONISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Muritala Oyelakin am the same person bearing Muritala Oyelakin and Ambali Ewuola. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MURITALA OYELAKIN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Amuzat Ramoni Olatunde now RAMONI OLATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olumide Adeyemi now OVIKUTE KEHINDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Muyiwa A. Babalola now AFOLABI OLADIPUPO MUYIWA. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Tijani Fatimoh Adenike now MRS DAHUNSI FATIMOH ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Doki Ebiororo am the same person bearing Doki Esau. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as DOKI EBIORORO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ale Olubunmi Tosin now MRS KARIMU OLUBUNMI TOSIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adetula Oluwatoyin Fehintola now MRS ONIGBANJO OLUWATOYIN FEHINTOLA. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State University and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Miss Bunmi Kayode am the same person bearing Mrs Adepoju Sekinat Adewumi. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MRS ADEPOJU SEKINAT ADEWUMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Fidelity Bank, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olorode Foluke Esther now MRS ALAWODE FOLUKE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. ISON Communication Company subsidiary of Airtel and general public take note.

Friday, 8 January, 2016 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Enikanoselu Zeblon Ayodele am the same person bearing Enikanoselu Zeblon Olorunsola. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ENIKANOSELU ZEBLON AYODELE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA, First Bank, Heritage Bank, Skye Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Laoye Oyeyinka Olusola now MRS OYEYINKA OLUSOLA AKINRINMADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ojakomo Lucky Frank now MOYEBI LUCKY OJAKOMO. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oyewole Rebecca now ADEYEYE REBECCA ATUNNI. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank, First Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omolanwa Ayoyimika now MRS AYOYIMIKA AJAYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Amadou Waggeh am the same person as Amadou Waggeh and Amadou Waggeh Camara.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as AMADOU WAGGEH. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Owonle Olaide Elizabeth now MRS OWOLABI OLAIDE ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Ayogu Anigbogu now EMMANUEL CHUKWUJEKWU UGWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly David Blessing Omolola now GBENGA BLESSING OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Johnson Ojo Amune now MICHAEL AMUNE AFEKHAI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Bello Olanrewaju Yahya now IMAM OLANREWAJU YAHYA. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Sodipo Titilayomi Faith now MRS OSAMEYAN TITILAYOMI OLURANTIMI FAITH. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

I, formerly Usman Muinat Oyindamola now MRS GANIYU MUINAT OYINDAMOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Dr. Ashiru Minimus Masud am the same person bearing Dr. Ashiru Doki Minimus Masud. Now wish to be known and addressed as DR. ASHIRU DOKI MINIMUS MASUD. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Mary Abimbola Ogunleye now MISS MARY ABIMBOLA BADMUS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Raji Yusuff Ademola now AKANGBE YUSUFF ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oyesola Tina Martha now AKINBO TINA MARTHA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Aliyu Ademola A. now USMAN ALIU ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Amusa Abass Adebayo now ADEGOKE ABASS ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Odeyemi Deborah Oluwaseun now MRS ATIBA DEBORAH OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oke Toyyibat Nike now MRS OGUNBONA TOYYIBAT NIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adeyeye Sule Adelayo now ADEYEYE SULE SIMEON ADELAYO. All former documents remain valid.

The Local Government Service Commission, Oyo State, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, UBA, Heritage Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Kolade Deborah Omotola now MRS AKINOLA DEBORAH OMOTOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Favour Olawale now MRS OGUNSEYE HANNAH OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid.

Union Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Jimoh Faoziyat Bukola now MRS OBAYOPO FAOZIYAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Mr Williams Olasusi am the same person bearing Ola Williams.

Now I wish to be known and addressed as OLA WILLIAMS. All documents bearing these names remain valid. UBA and general public take note.

I, Jimoh Aliu am the same person as Usman Ojo. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as JIMOH ALIU. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Aderibigbe Ajarat Ibiwumi now MRS LUKMAN AJARA IBIWUMI. All former documents remain valid.First Bank of Nigeria Plc, GTB and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Simon Temitope Janet now MRS OMOLAJA JANET TEMITOPE ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oladipo Tundun Bolatito now MRS OSUOLALE TUNDUN BOLATITO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adio Bukola Evlin now MRS ADEBOWALE BUKOLA EVLIN. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State SUBEB and general public take note.

I, formerly Orimolade Dele Roland now ORIMOLADE AYODELE SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Navy and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Popoola Fatima Mubowale now MRS FATIMA MUBOWALE POPOOLA-SHODOLAMU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olodun Rachael Aduke now OLODUN RACHAEL OMORIYEBA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Hafsat Ismaila now HAMSATU MAINASHI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, UBA Plc, Law Enforcement Agencies and general public take note.

I, formerly Igwama Hephzi Alaye now IGWAMAERE HEPHZIBAH KUSE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Olopele Omiyenaki Godwin am the same person bearing Olopele Omiyenaki. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OLOPELE OMIYENAKI GODWIN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. First Bank and general public take note.

I, formerly Odijeh Chijioke Joshua now NWACHUKWU CHIJIOKE JOSHUA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Salau Jamiu Dayo now SALAUDEEN JAMIU AYANDAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Karimu Ayo Benjamin, wish to be known and addressed as KAREEM BENJAMIN AYODEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adesioye Olajumoke Oluwatosin now MRS KAYODE OLAJUMOKE OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fajobi Florence Olunike now MRS ADEKEYE FLORENCE OLUNIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluwatominiyi Olufunke Deborah now MRS KEHINDE OLUFUNKE DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Jamiu Subair Akanbi now JIMOH SUBAIR ABOGUNLOKO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olili-Uhrorho Onokurhefe which was later corrected as Miss Odavwarehor Ohwako Onokurhefe now known as MRS OMOTEGBONA PETER ONOKURHEFE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Abutu Bernard Idoko now ABUTU MOSES ANTHONY. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Mofoluwake Abolarin now MRS MOFOLUWAKE ALUKO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Dada Oluwakemi Ruth now MRS FAGBENRO OLUWAKEMI RUTH. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Customs Service and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abubakir Lukuman Owolabi now ABUBAKARE KEWUYEMI AYINDE. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeniji Adiat Okikiola now MRS ODUMADE ADIAT OKIKIOLA. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adesunbola Christiana Adeyinka now MRS ADESUNBOLA CHRISTIANA FADIPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Yaria Sarah Eseoghene now MRS ABRAHAM SARAH ESEOGHENE. All former documents remain valid.

MDCN, NPMCN, UCH, Ibadan and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Asiru Serifat Olajire now MRS ADENIRAN SERIFAT OLAJIRE. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State LGSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Olukayode Ewaola Bolajoko now MS ADEYEMI EWAOLA BOLAJOKO. All former documents remain valid.

Oyo State Pension Board and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ovobolijere Owumi Reuben now AKPORONOR OVOBOLIJERE REUBEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olowoyeye Bukola Esther now MRS AMUMEJI BUKOLA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Belo Fausat Abimbola now BELO FAWZIYAH ABIMBOLA. All former documents remain valid.

Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Ekiti State University and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ayanlowo Olubunmi Regina now MRS ENIOLA OLUBUNMI REGINA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Savior Newstyle now NEWSTYLE PREYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Omoleye Taiwo Israel now OMOLEYE TAIWO OLUMIDE. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Adeyemo Ezekiel Folorunso am the same person as Adeyemo Ezekiel Funso. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Union Bank Plc, UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Ayoade Fadsat Bayonle am the same person as Ayoade Faosat Bayonle and Ayoade Felicia Bayonle. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ariemugbovwe Timothy Progress now PROGRESS TIMOTHY OVERERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, JOSEPH EMUAKPEJE ANIGHORO am the same person bearing JOSEPH ANIGHORO. Documents with both names refer to me and are valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Agbabiaka O l u w a r e m i l e k u n O. now AJIBOYE OLUWAREMILEKUN O. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Odewusi Oluseyi Omodunni am the same person bearing Afolabi Abiodun.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ODEWUSI OLUSEYI OMODUNNI. All documents bearing these names are mine and remain valid.

Stanbic Bank, First Bank and general public take note.

I, David Osarumen Iyengunmwena am the same person as David Osarumen Iyen. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as DAVID OSARUMEN IYENGUNMWENA All documents bearing the two names refer to me.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

41 news

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Kogi West elders constitute committee to select candidate for dep gov’s seat YinkaOladoyinbo-Lokoja

T

he Kogi West Elders Forum, on Thursday, said it would constitute a committee to select a credible candidate that will fill the vacant post of deputy governor in the incoming administration in the state.

The decision followed the refusal of the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), James Faleke, to work with the govenor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and recognise him so.

The elders, at a stakeholders meeting, held at Obajana, noted that there was the need to present a new candidate to the incoming governor as a replacement for Faleke since it was obvious he was not ready to accept the post.

The Kogi West Elders’ Forum, in a communique issued at the end of the meeting which was jointly signed

by Chief Asaje Richard and Migbole Samuel, said the committee would be an interim one that would consider those suitable for the post.

The forum said it was ready to continue with the persua-

sion of Faleke to accept the circumstances surrounding Bello’s emergence as an act of God and accept the party’s decision on the issue.

The elders explained that all the seven local government areas in the Western senatorial district ,had agreed to work with Bello for unity and peace of the state.

“That the West and Central senatorial districts remain together as a united body to ensure that God’s divine power shift remains unchanged.

That Faleke will still be persuaded to appreciate God’s doing and resolve with the governor-elect and respect party’s decision”, the communique added.

The forum ,while expressing its support with the decision of APC national leadership over the Kogi governorship debacle, noted that the state had witnessed many impasse in its 24 years of existence.

It urged the people of the three senatorial districts in the state to unite with the incoming administration to en-

sure the development of the state in general.

In the same vein, the youth of the Kogi West senatorial district, after a meeting in Kabba, threw their weight behind the governor-elect and resolved to put all personal and sectional interests aside in the interest of the general interest of the state.

From left, chairman on the occasion, Professor Ladipo Akinkugbe; chairman, B. O. Osuntokun Trust, Professor Olabopo Osuntokun and the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge, at 18th annual Benjamin Olukayode Osuntokun lecture, in Ibadan, on Thursday. PHOTO: Nan

Amaechi spent N82m to host Soyinka —Rivers govt

•Go to court or...—Amaechi DapoFalade-PortHarcourt Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr AustinTam George, has disclosed that former Governor Rotimi spent a sum of N82 million to host Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, to a dinner.

The commissioner, said this in a statement issued by the Government House Press, on Tuesday, expressing shock that the former governor could expend such a huge sum on a three-hour dinner at a period he could not pay salaries of the state civil servants.

However, the former governor debunked the allegation, as he challenged his successor to go to court, warning him to stop his “silly distractions.”

The Minister of Transportation, in a statement by his media office, in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, also advised Wike and his administration to desist from peddling lies, making false allegations and criminalising legitimate government transactions in a desperate bid to discredit his person and reputation.

However, the information commissioner insisted that the figures were contained in the hand over note prepared by the former Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Information and Communication, during the Amaechi-ledadministration.

“A government that did not pay salaries, closed the courts, but the administra-

tion had the courage to expend N82 million to fund a dinner.

“These are facts on ground.

The Amaechi-led administration expended the money under the heading of borrowed funds.

“There is a massive propaganda machine out there misinforming the people about the policy direction of Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration.

“They have to respect the will of the people. Instead, they go about spreading falsehood against the people of the state”, he asserted.

He said the latest allegation was aimed at distracting the people from Wike’s alleged massive electoral fraud during the last elections, his gross incompetence and woeful performance at the helm of affairs in the state.

“Wike must stop these silly distractions. Rivers people are not interested in his lies and witch-hunt. Rather, Rivers people want to know what will happen to their children that he stopped and cancelled the funding of their scholarships abroad.

Rivers people want to know why the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), an agency setup by law is no longer functioning under Wike?

Meanwhile, Professor Wole Soyinka, has responded to claims by the Rivers State government that its former governor, Rotimi Amaechi, spent N82 million to organise a dinner in his honour.

In a statement, Wednes-

•Corruption is fighting back —Soyinka

day, Professor Soyinka said the “unprecedented call” for his probe was a form of corruption fighting back.

“This morning, I saw only the headlines in one or two print media regarding the 80th birthday dinner to which I was hosted by the former governor of Rivers State, Honorable Rotimi Amaechi, now Minister of Aviation,” said Professor Soyinka.

“I ignored them. It was not, and remains not my business to probe into the catering and logistical implications of the hundreds of institutions and governments all over the world to whom I acknowledge an immense debt of unsolicited recognition over the years.

“Since then, however, I have learnt of some unsavory statements by the

insecure incumbent of the Rivers State government Lodge. These included a loose invitation to anticrime agencies to investigate the potential crime of being honoured through any occasion.”

Austin Tam-George, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information, had said the government would begin a probe to the spent funds and would demand a refund if it found Professor Soyinka received part of the funds.

“If he agrees that he received such funds, then, he will be compelled to refund same to the coffers of Rivers State,” Professor TamGeorge said during a radio programme on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

“At present, we have presented these details to the

police for investigation and prosecution. We shall also take up this matter as a financial crime against the people of Rivers State.”

Professor Soyinka said the Rivers government’s claims was warning he recounted in his recent publication, The Republic of Liars.

“I do however fully support the Wikeleaks call for multidirectional probes. I recommend further that he involve the services of Interpol to guarantee its extension to all international organisations and governments to whom I owe uncountable events of recognition – including birthday luncheons, dinners, cultural receptions and events of real, fictitious, or simply opportunistic flavoring – to which I have submitted myself.”

Saraki’s aide, 5,000 others join APC in C/River Anthony Ubong - Calabar The mass exodus from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Cross River State, has continued as Victor Abang, the Special Assistant to the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, led over 5,000 supporters to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Abang, who registered on Thursday, as a member of APC in his ward, Kakwagom Bawop ward, Boki Local Government Area in the Central Senatorial Dis-

trict of the state, also took along 15 members of the ward executive, including the chairman and secretary as well as two officials of the chapter executive to APC. This, however, coming barely three weeks after top politicians, including the former senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and a former governor of the state, Chief Clement Ebri, defected to APC. The event, which took place at Kakwagom Market, was attended by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and other prominent poli-

ticians in Boki Local Government Area and Calabar, the state capital.

He was welcomed by the chapter chairman of APC, Clement Osowan, ward chairman, Andy Bisong and other dignitaries. They assured him of fair play and justice at all times.

Advancing reasons for defecting PDP for APC, the senate president’s aide, said following developments in the PDP in the state, where there is lack of internal democracy and imposition of candidates, he had to obey the will of his supporters.

Nigerian Tribune

Rivers: Police recovered N137m, 5,078 firearms from suspected criminals in 2015 UduakabasiPatrick-Port Harcourt

Rivers State Police Command has said it recovered about N137 million and 5,078 firearms from suspected criminals among other achievements in 2015.

The command disclosed this on Thursday, during a press briefing, at the state police headquarters, Port Harcourt.

Speaking on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo, was the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Ahmad Muhammad, said without the cooperation of the people of the state, the achievements could not have been possible.

He also said the command also recovered a total of 11, 917 assorted ammunition, 9945 cartridges, 10 improvised explosive device,101 stolen vehicles and arrested about 187 robbery suspects during the period under review The police boss urged that people of the state to give similar cooperation in crime fighting in 2016 ,as the command would diligently discharge its duties.

Police kill 2 suspected robbers in Delta EbenezerAdurokiya-Warri MEN of the Nigeria Police in Delta State have said two armed robbery suspects have met their untimely death during a gun duel at Agbarho, near Warri.

The two suspects were among a gang of three, who were dispossessing people of their belongings with a motorcycle around Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) secretariat, Agbarho, on December 31, 2015.

With the aid of some vigilance men from Agbarho, police patrol men from Agbarho division, swooped on the hoodlums who allegedly, in-turn, opened fire on the policemen to escape arrest.

The ensuing gun duel led to fatal injuries sustained by the two suspects, identified as Ochuko Obalande and another simply identified as Oghenerho.

They were rushed to the General Hospital, Agbarho, where they eventually gave up the ghost.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the incidents in a statement, said efforts were on ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

42

Friday, 8 January, 2016

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Iran accuses Saudi Arabia of Yemen embassy air strike •Says Saudi will collapse if it keeps sectarian policies

I

ran has accused the Saudi-led coaliton of an air strike on its embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, amid rising tensions between Tehran and Riyadh.

Iran’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that Saudi jets “deliberately” struck its embassy in an air raid that injured staff.

“This deliberate action by Saudi Arabia is a violation of all international conventions that protect diplomatic missions,” foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari was quoted as saying by state television.

However, there were no visible signs of damage on the building, according to an Associated Press reporter, who visited the site.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen will inves-

tigate Iran’s accusation, coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri said, according to a Reuters news agency report.

Asseri said coalition jets carried out heavy strikes in Sanaa on Wednesday night targeting missile launchers used by Houthi fighters against Saudi Arabia.

He added that Houthis had used civilian facilities, including abandoned embassies.

Asseri said the coalition had requested all countries to supply it with coordinates of the location of their diplo-

matic missions and that accusations made on the basis of information provided by the Houthis “have no credibility.”

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia severed relations with Iran after an attack on its embassy in Tehran following the kingdom’s execution of Shia religious leader Nimr al-Nimr, who was put to death along with 46 other mostly Sunni convicts on terrorism charges.

Meanwhile, the deputy head of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) told Saudi Arabia on Thursday it would “collapse” in coming years if it kept pursuing what he called its sectarian policies in the region.

Armed man shot dead in Paris one year after Charlie Hebdo massacre French officers shot and killed a knife-wielding man wearing a fake explosives

vest outside a police station in northern Paris on Thursday, French officials said.

Truck bombing kills 50 at Libya police training centre, mayor says

A general view shows the damage at the scene of an explosion at the Police Training Centre in the town of Zliten, Libya, on Thursday.

PHOTO: REUTERS.

A truck bomb ripped through a police training centre on Thursday in a western Libyan town, killing at least 50 people, the town’s mayor said.

The vehicle plowed into the facility in Zliten, where about 400 people most of them policemen had gathered for a morning assembly, and exploded, according to Zliten Mayor Moftah Ahmadi.

As of midday on Thursday, authorities had managed to identify about 30 of the dead. Most of them were police officers or trainees, CNN said.

It was not immediately known who was behind the attack.

Located along the Mediterranean Sea, Zliten sits about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Misrata and 105 miles east of the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

The oil-rich nation of Libya was long ruled by tue authoritarian Moammar Gadhafi, who overthrew

Tensions between the two regional heavyweights, which support opposite sides in the war in Yemen, have risen in recent days.

King Idris I in a 1969 military coup. Demonstrations against Gadhafi in 2011, as part of the broader populist Arab Spring move-

ment, led to a civil war that climaxed with Gaddafi’s October 2011 killing by rebel forces in his hometown of Sirte.

Gaddafi’s death was followed by elections and a new government, but not stability and peace.

Instead, Libya has been mired in insecurity as the central government in Tripoli struggled to establish itself amid persistent rancor and questions about its ability to govern.

otherNEWS

The incident occured a year to the day since an attack on the French satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, launched a bloody year in the French capital, The Associated Press said.

France has been under a state of emergency since a series of attacks claimed by the Islamic State group killed 130 people in Paris on Nov. 13, and tensions increased

A bomb expert investigates the dead man’s body. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES.

this week as the anniversary of the January attacks approached.

Soldiers were posted in front of schools and security forces were even more present than usual amid a series of tributes to the dead.

Officials said the man shot to death Thursday wore a fake explosive vest and threatened officers at the entrance of a police station minutes after French president Francois Hollande, speaking in a different location, paid respects to officers fallen in the line of duty. Pierre-Henry Brandet, the Interior Ministry spokesman, said the man at the police station is believed to have cried out “Allahu akbar,” Arabic for “God is great.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin

N/Korea H-bomb test: Gross violation of international law if confirmed — Russia

A reported successful test of a hydrogen bomb by North Korea would amount to a gross violation of international law if confirmed, Reuters quoted Russia’s Foreign Ministry as saying.

“Such actions are fraught with further aggravation of the situation on the Korean peninsula, which is anyway marked by very high potential of military and political confrontation,” said the ministry’s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova.

North Korea said it had successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen nuclear device on Wednesday, claiming a significant advance in its strike capability and setting off alarm bells among its neighbours.

South Africa’s temperature hits record high as drought persists • Settles trade dispute with US South Africa’s financial hub Johannesburg hit a record temperature of 37 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the South African Weather Service said, as a drought persisted in Africa’s largest producer of maize.

The previous record of 36.5 degrees Celsius was recorded in November 2015, the weath-

er service said.

Temperatures in the capital Pretoria equalled a record high of 41 degrees Celsius with the latest rolling heat wave to scorch South Africa expected to last until Friday.

“The temperature in Johannesburg reached 37 degrees and is expected to rise further

today,” South African Weather Service forecaster Madimetja Thema told Reuters.

Meanwhile, South Africa has resolved a dispute with the United States over farm exports, allowing agricultural goods to be exported to the world’s top economy without penalties, the trade minister

said on Thursday.

Reuters reported that United States President Barack Obama said on November 5 that he would revoke the dutyfree status of South African agricultural produce unless Pretoria took action by the end of last year to loosen restrictions South Africa’s President on U.S. farm exports.

Jacob Zuma

ISIS executes journalist who wrote about life in Syrian city

Ruqia Hassan, 30, a citizen journalist, was executed by the Islamic State group for writing about daily life in Raqqa, IS’s Syrian stronghold and frequent target of coalition airstrikes. PHOTO: FACEBOOK.

The Islamic State group has carried out an execution believed to be the first involving a female citizen journalist for reporting inside its territory, Syrian activists reported.

Ruqia Hassan, 30, wrote about daily life in Raqqa, IS’s Syrian

stronghold and frequent target of coalition airstrikes. Her frequent Facebook posts appeared under the pen name Nissan Ibrahim.

The exact date of Hassan’s execution is unknown, but her presence on social media stopped

abruptly in July 2015, VOA said.

News of her death was confirmed this week by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), a group exposing human rights abuses from within Syria.

RBSS founder Abu Mo-

hammed tweeted Hassan’s last known message: “I’m in Raqqa and I received death threats, and when #ISIS [arrests] me and kills me it’s ok because they will cut my head and I have dignity its better than I live in humiliation with #ISIS.”

43

communitynews

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Elegosi invites indigenes for community development Biola Azeez-Ilorin

T

he Elegosi of Egosi-Ile in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Daniel Adefila Dada Adetunluese I, has called on wealthy indigenes of the community and the elite to come home to support the ongoing development efforts in the community.

Speaking with the Community News in his palace in Egosi Ile, Oba Dada said government was currently burdened by economic challenges, a situation which, he said, had made communal self-help projects a necessity.

Teenager electrocuted over attempt to steal cable in Unguwar Rimi Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

Sympathisers, on Wednesday, thronged Accra Crescent at Unguwar Rimi community in Kaduna metropolis to catch a glimpse of the body of an unidentified teenager who was electrocuted while trying to steal electricity cable.

An eyewitness told Community News that the corpse of the teenager was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday.

The unidentified teenager might have come from a neighbouring community and was electrocuted when he was trying to steal a 150 meters long cable, sources claimed.

When contacted, a community leader in the area, Alhaji Muhammad Gidado, contended that the area had witnessed persistent theft of cables and asa result, the community had been without light for months.

He appealed to parents to monitor their wards and ensure that they do not move with bad people.

Also speaking on the incident, the Head of Public Affairs unit, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Alhaji Abdulaziz Abdullahi, lamented the vandalism of the company’s equipment in recent times.

He said that the activities of vandals had become worrisome to the company, adding that machinery is being put in place to address the situation.

Abdullahi also charged communities to jealously guard the facilities of Discos in their areas, pointing out that the fight against theft must be a collective one.

The traditional ruler, who said the development projects embarked upon by the community include the extension of the N2.5 million electrification project to the various villages in the area, added that the construction of five access/ link roads in the community was also being undertaken.

Oba Dada said the had Elegosi-in-council hired bulldozers and graders for the job.

The traditional ruler, who lamented environmental degradation in the community, said erosion had had disastrous effects in the area.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to make the federal health centre in the community functional by equipping it and employing staff, saying that when the structure becomes operational, it would make quality healthcare accessible to the people of the community.

He said members of the community had taken it upon themselves to constantly clear the bush around the premises of the health centre and employed security personnel in order to prevent vandalism of the already installed equipment.

Oba Dada, who expressed gratitude to some associations in the community for their developmental efforts, said such groups as Egosi Women of Substance, built a public

toilet, while the Jewel Club donated cash for the development of the community.

He also commended the Governor Abdulfatah

Ahmed-led administration for the provision of electricity transformer in the area and called for the installation of the trans-

former to energise electricity.

The royal father also praised the governor for sustaining peace, harmo-

Traders clearing the debris of their burnt shops after the fire incident in Yola Market, recently. PHOTO: NAN

Ijaws demand increase in derivation fund Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri

The people of Ijaw have called on the Federal Government to increase the 13 per cent oil derivation fund to 25 per cent to enable the state governments in the Niger Delta and developmental agencies to fulfill their promises and mandate to the people.

The Ijaws made the call at the weekend during their thanksgiving service tagged: “Ijaw Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving to God” in Warri, Delta State.

They maintained that the 13 per cent derivation fund has not brought the needed development to the Niger Delta.

The guest preacher,

Bishop Raphael Amaruntowa, in his sermon, said the Federal Government should do more for the Niger Delta, particularly Ijaws whose land produce more than 60 per cent of the crude oil that sustains the nation’s economy.

He said the Federal Government should stop com-

Igboora communities reunite for development

By Tunde Ogunesan

The five communities in Igboora, headquarters of Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State have agreed to work together in unity and reignite the development of the town.

The five communities namely: Igboora, Igbole, Iberekodo, Sagan-un and Idofin had long battled with disunity among themselves.

The communities, Community News gathered, pledged their unalloyed commitment to unite in developing Igboora and their various communities at a meeting held at the Igboora Town hall recently.

The unhealthy rivalry had led to the break-up of several associations and unions, whose objectives were to foster unity, protect members and engineer the development of

ny and tranquility in the state, promising the community’s support for government in its drive to increase the state’s revenue.

the town.

The unity of the town, according to sources, was solidified by a socio-political association based in Ibadan, the Igboora Foundation.

Speaking at the town hall meeting, the royal fathers from the five communities pledged to give the necessary support for the development of the town.

The Baba-Aso of Igbole, Oba Sanjo Ojo, called on all sons and daughters of the community to channel their energy towards the development of the town. Also, his Iberekodo counterpart, the Olu-Aso of Iberekodo, Oba Adedamola Badmus, called on the people to always make the best use of whatever privilege is bestowed on them by God, to help the people.

He said that it was only a united Igboora that could stand and be known all

over the world. The traditional ruler pledged to always contribute his quota to the development of his community and Igboora at large.

In addition, the Onisagan-un of Sangan-un, Oba Fasasi Jinadu, urged the people to exhibit love in all their doings, adding that unity and love were important ingredients necessary to move a community forward.

Similarly, Chief Folorunso Adeegbe, a community leader, said that the Igboora Progressives Union was in the good old days used in mobilising development for the town before it collapsed.

Adeegbe, who is also a political leader, urged the people to embrace unity of purpose by ensuring that they contribute immensely to the development of the town.

Earlier, Chief Adewole

Ojo, a community leader, had tasked the people to realise that nothing meaningful could be achieved where there was no unity.

Justice John Ige (retd), a former Acting Chief Judge of Oyo State, called for the resuscitation of the town’s annual community meeting.

He said all that the community needed was peace, unity and progress, adding that the town had experienced some level of development it did not deserve.

The meeting was attended by a former Head of Service in Oyo State, Mr Gboyega Olaoye; a former Permanent Secretary in Oyo State, Mr Kunle Aderogba and Prince Oyebanji Ajibade.

Also in attendance were, Alhaji Olayide Abass, Honourable Jimoh Akintunde, Mr Wale Adeoye and a host of others.

plaining that the Ijaw area is a terrain that is very difficult to develop.

He wondered why the same Federal Government that engages companies to drill oil in commercial quantity in the area would be complaining of the terrain when it comes to development.

He said if the Federal Government cannot develop Ijaw land, oil should be left for the Ijaws to manage.

Bishop Amaruntowa observed that the resources in Ijaw land had not brought expected benefits to the people but other ethnic groups in other parts of the country.

“Anyone that robs Ijaws of their resources will pay back 10 times. No nation builds the people; it is the people that build the nation.

“Isaac Adaka Boro was an Ijaw leader who was betrayed even by his own people. We realised rather too late that he was fighting to liberate the Ijaws and the Niger Delta people.

“But God is still doing good things in our lives; God is also turning things around and He will make our enemies be at peace with us,” he noted.

The Ijaw Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving was attended by Reverend (Dr) I.C. Tolar, Delta State deputy governor, Kingsley Otuaro; Reverend (Dr) Godwin Soroaye and an array of royal fathers.

44

Friday, 8 January, 2016

features

Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featurestribune@yahoo.com 080111845048 Two dredging companies (Glossands and Eva & King), working dangerously close to each other on the high sea.

Drums of war:

As dredgers battle for territory in Ikorodu

As crisis brims at Ikorodu, host community to two rivalling dredging companies, Glossands and Eva & Kings, VICTOR OGUNYINKA, brings to the fore the controversies surrounding the current dissension.

J

ust as there is a thin line between love and hate, so is there between peace and war.

The present bad blood between the elders of Ibeshe land, Ikorodu and their guest, Glossands Dredging Company best complement this saying and if no timely intervention from constituted authority is explored, the last might not have been heard on the crisis.

Some 20 years ago, as confirmed by both parties, Glossands Limited got a licence to dredge in Isashi-Ibeshe Community in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State and ever since, the community and their guest lived harmoniously in line with a community development agreement signed between members of the Olubeshe-in-Council, representing Isashi and Ibeshe communities and representatives of Glossands Limited on April 14, 2014.

Under section 3 of the agreement, it was agreed that “Glossands and the Community leaders are not business partners and the relationship between the parties is limited to the duration of the mining/dredging operations of Glossands at Isashi as per Quary leases QLS 3689, 3690, 2066 and 4591.”

Also in section 4 of the agreement, part of the Corporate Social Responsibility, as specifically requested by the host community, is “making a payment of the sum of N150, 000 per week to the Olubeshe-in-Council.”

The community was also obligated to ensure that “Glossands reserves the right to move its crews, personnel, equipment and stock to and from Glossands operational area without any hindrance or molestation, to ensure that Glossands and its personnel are not molested, harmed or suffer extortion of any pecuniary considerations and the host community shall recognise and respect the integrity of Glossands Limited duly licensed areas and shall not carry out or encourage actions that will hinder Glossands operations in the work area or encroach into the area of operations of Glossands.”

The agreement was signed by six representatives of the Olubeshe-in-Council and four representatives of Glossands.

The elders of the community had on April 22, 2014, sent a letter of appreciation and recommendation to Glossands Limited, thanking them for fulfilling “your promise as agreed by Olubeshe-in-Council and your esteemed organ-

isation.”

Events soon nosedived for both parties when Glossands alerted the community of another dredging company, Eva and Kings, encroaching on their cadastral units on September 15, 2014.

The community, in response to the letter, dissociated itself from the ‘intruders’, stressing that the company (Eva and Kings), “has nothing to do with Isashi Community or Olubeshe-in-Council. We are happy that your company has involved the Federal Government authority concerned and we also learnt that the concerned officials have visited the site… The Kabiyesi and Olubeshe-in-Council will still continue to give you their support fully. Permission to dredge lies with the Federal Government and the State Ministry of Waterfront,” the letter noted.

In the same vein, another letter signed by Engineer R. T. Bolaji of the Federal Mines Office, Lagos State was sent to Eva and Kings on September 16, 2014, informing them that their “dredging machine was wrongly placed in the coordinates belonging to Glossands and this contravenes sections 137, 138 (1)(a) and (b) of Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.”

The ministry ordered Eva and Kings to “stop pumping immediately and move their dredger away from that position within 72 hours of receiving this letter, so as to avoid harsh punishment.”

In an interraction with Nigerian Tribune, Engineer Bolaji, whose signature was appended on the letter, submitted that he wasn’t in the right position to comment on the matter since he was no longer in service but confirmed that he signed the letter.

It should be noted that by the time Glossands wrote the community the second time, on November 18, 2014, calling their attention to the illegal dredger in their cadastral units, the community expressed its disappointment as to why the company would doubt the integrity of the monarch and his chiefs. It, however, informed Glossands that “they are not beggars and we have many options left for us to take.”

The community further mentioned that they “doubt if they (Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and the National Inland Waterways Authority) would allow a company to

carry out dredging operation without the required papers.”

With the complexity of event in the site of exploration, there are several questions begging for answers from the warring parties.

Has the advent of Eva and Kings soured the relationship between Glossands and their host? Is Glossands against another organisation dredging in Ikorodu? Is Glossands really not doing enough for their host community? What are the other options the community is looking to take as said? If the ministry ordered Eva and Kings to quit working on Glossands cadastral units, why are they still there? Why would the ministry mistakenly give a licensed unit to someone else?

The government should be in custody of business in the waterways and if so, why should the ministry ask dredging companies to get consent to work in their (government) territory? What are the limitations of the community? Does the community have the legal power to appropriate and reprobate on the waterways? Is there a limitation to the number of dredging companies that can work in a particular place?

How close are they supposed to work? Does the ministry of mining and steel have a working relationship with their tenants?

We give N600,000 to the community monthly —Glossands While giving their angle of the story to Nigerian Tribune, Glossands explained that for about 20 years that they have been working in the community, the relationship has been very cordial with their host, though there were ups and downs and “In our own little way, we have been doing some financial contributions. Apart from that, we donated a borehole and transformer in Isashi. But of late, they came back to say they needed financial contributions in lieu of amenities and we agreed on N600, 000 monthly,” Samuel Adekoya, spokesperson for Glossands said.

He continued: “Last year, we noticed a dredger on our licensed area. Previously in 2012, the same company in question had dredged illegally from our licensed area, and the Continues

pg 45

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features

Friday, 8 January, 2016

We only want peace —Community Continued from pg 44

ministry came for investigation and issued them a stop work order, which they never complied with and that led to the arrest of their officials. We made representations to the Olubeshe-in-Council, saying that in line with the agreement signed, Eva and Kings is not meant to encroach on our area and they totally denied any knowledge of the company in question twice, that was last year.

“But earlier this year, we noticed that the community started giving support to the other company and that was when the relationship became sour. It got worse in October when the community wrote to us, demanding us to move our dredger from our licensed area, which is totally against the law and our agreement.

“We are 100 per cent sure we are occupying our space on water and what the community wants is for us to move our dredger from our licensed area. To my knowledge, the licensed area of Eva and Kings is about two kilometres from the shore.

“I must say that it is actually a few elements in the community that are inciting this anomaly and not the entire community ,because we know we have the backing of a large number of the community.

“The interference actually came from the community, maybe they had been misinformed because on September 28, the community wrote a letter to us to move away.

They stated that Eva and Kings has gotten a license within our own licensed area and understanding the whole process in the law, I knew that it wasn’t possible. So, we made a representation to the Ministry of Mines and Steel in Abuja and the said grant to them was rightfully cancelled and we made this known to the community.”

We are not greedy —Eva & Kings The managing director of Eva and Kings, Ukah Onyewuchi, explained that the mining cadastre Glossands is operating upon doesn’t belong to them, stating that they had acquired more than what they should without the consent of the community.

A Glossands’ bulldozer grading a road in Ibeshe

Ibeshe elders

“I’m not greedy, let other companies come in. Do you know that the community can ground operation in that area? The Niger Delta boys have done that several times, I am from there also.”

While reacting to the withdrawal and cancellation of their license, Onyewuchi said: “Yes they did, but the government that gives licence found out that the licence was forged and they have the exclusive right to revoke the power. How can someone with licence engage in illegal mining, is that possible?”

Onyewuchi added that he was so particular about the community because they are the landowner of the area in contest. “I cry to them when I am being oppressed, I lean on them because I don’t want to take laws into my hands like others do.”

He, however, refused to answer questions on how much he pays to the community on

The three parties have revealed that they are open to sharing boundaries with each other provided it is within their legal limits a monthly basis as a way of giving back.

The community’s position The Personal Assistant to the Olubeshe, Chief Olusola Osinbanjo, while reiterating the position of the council, explained that

they were totally against the monopoly of dredging business in their community, “Glossands has failed to give our youths gainful employment since 1992 that they have been dredging in our community.

“The N600,000, which Glossands pays is shared among more than 40 chiefs, including the king. Glossands alone cannot satisfy the community and bring the development we clamour for.

“Eva and Kings must work as they have been accepted by the entire community and have genuine papers from required authorities. Also, the community gave Eva and Kings the consent to work there within the area in question.

“We want peace in our community, so, Glossands should move their dredger to their own waterfront or we kick against dredging in our community in all totality,” he declared.

It is however noteworthy that the three parties have revealed that they are open to sharing boundaries with each other provided it is within their legal limits.

Dredgers should carry out topography study —Expert While speaking with a certified engineer on what is needed to dredge in a community, Adeniran Adeala explained that it is important for the intending company to carry out a survey on topography of the area to ascertain that it would serve the intended purpose.

“After carrying out a recognizance survey on the leveling, topography of the area among other things, you need the people’s consent, convincing them as to what they stand to gain if they allow you work there.

“It is then expedient to have a legal agreement document in case either party isn’t fulfilling their own part of the bargain in anyway,” he explained.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of the Director General of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mallam Mohammad Amate, proved abortive as his secretary said on two occasions that he was not available as of the time of writing this report.

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Friday, 8 January, 2016

occasions

featuresdesk@yahoo.com 0807 462 6431

Joy as Lydia weds Daniel

By Seyi Sokoya

T

he joy of the families of Ogunkanmi and Olugbenga, friends and well wishers knew no bound on the success of the solemnization of the Holy matrimony of their children, Lydia and Daniel recently.

The couple eventually became one after they were declared husband and wife at the Church of God Nigeria headquarters, Beyerunka gospel hall, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The General Overseer of the church, Pastor Samuel Ejidiran (JP), however, seized the opportunity to advise every couple present at the occasion to love and serve one another so as to enhance a peaceful marriage.

He also urged the newly wedded couple to make God and unconditional love the foundation of their home.

The bride’s parents, Elder and Deaconess, Emmanuel Ogunkanmi, while wishing the couple a blissful marriage, prayed for the success of the new beginning of their only daughter.

2

1

3

The couple thanked God for the establishment of the union as they appreciated their parents and everyone that contributed to the success of the ceremony.

The wedding ceremony had earlier witnessed a colorful traditional wedding in the early hours of the day, which was to the delight of the couple and their parents.

1. The couple, Mr Daniel Olugbenga and his wife Lydia cutting their wedding cake at the reception held at Bishop Oyebode Memorial Anglican Church event hall, Yidi Oremeji, Ibadan.

2. From left, bride’s father, Deacon Emmanuel Ogunkanmi; groom’s mother, Mrs Oluyemisi Sobiyi; the couple, Daniel and Lydia; the ringbearer and little bride (front); groom’s father, Pa Olugbenga Okueyungbo and bride’s mother, Deaconess Yoade Ogunkanmi.

3. Ministers of God led by the General Overseer, Pastor Samuel Ejidiran (JP) (fourth left), surrounded by the couple at the Church of God Nigeria, headquarters, Beyerunka gospel hall, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Olu of Ilaro installs new chiefs 1.

Olu of Ilaro, Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle presents certificate of chieftaincy to Aare-Aguro of Ilaro, Dr (Chief) Adesola Kusimo and his wife, Dr Patricia Kusimo during the installation as AareAguro of Ilaro.

1

2.

From right, Dr (Mrs) Ayo Fatusi, Dr (Mrs) Patricia Kusimo, Chief (Dr) Adesola Kusimo and Mr Julius Kusimo.

3

3.

Olu of Ilaro, Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle (middle) with the new chiefs.

2 The Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, recently installed seven new chiefs, in a ceremony attended by dignitaries

4.

From right, new Aare-Aguro, Chief (Dr) Adesola Kusimo, Ekerin of Ilaro, Chief Adeboye Sannu, new Ekefa of Ilaro, Chief Adenitumo Odunewu, new Sawo of Ilaro, Chief Babatunde Ajuwon and new Balogun Ilu-Ata of Ilaro, Chief Ganiyu Aderonmu performing the traditional dancing.

4 from all walks of life.

The event featured traditional rites such as prayers and dancing, as well as presentation of certificates to the newly

installed chiefs.

One of the chiefs, Chief (Dr) Adesola Kusimo, who was installed as the fifth Aare-Aguro of Ilaro, took up the position

after it had been vacant for 41 years.

Chief Kusimo, who is the chief executive officer/ chairman, Yewa Global USA – a

humanitarian organisation is also the founder and senior pastor of Christ Life Fellowship and Rabbani International Ministries, Charleston.

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tribunesport

Friday, 8 January, 2016

Suarez faces ban for abusive comments

FC Barcelona striker, Luis Suarez faces a ban of up to three Copa del Rey matches after being cited in the referee’s report for calling Espanyol players “a waste of space” at the end of a heated Catalan derby.

Barca won the first leg of the Copa de Rey last-16 tie between the sides 4-1 on Wednesday as Espanyol had two players sentoff and were lucky to escape further punishment as goalkeeper Pau Lopez’s violent stamp on

Lionel Messi went unseen.

However, it is Suarez, who was also booked for a clash with Lopez, who is expected to receive a one to three-game Cup ban for sparking a brawl in the tunnel after the game that security personnel had to break up.

“While all the Espanyol players climbed the stairs in the tunnel towards the dressing rooms, he (Suarez) waited for them and confronted them saying on various occasions: “Here I am wait-

ing for you, come here; you are a waste of space,” referee Juan Martinez Munuera wrote in his report.

“That provoked a clash between players from both clubs forcing security personnel present and the managerial staff from both teams to intervene.”

Espanyol’s physical approach had frustrated Barca in an equally fiery clash between the two in La Liga on Saturday which finished 0-0.

And Barcelona boss, Luis Enrique praised the referee’s more strict approach to Espanyol’s roughhouse tactics in midweek, comparing the visitors’ style to American football.

Suarez’s controversial career has seen him receive four long bans; three for biting opponents and once for allegedly racially abusing French defender, Patrice Evra during his time at Liverpool.

Suarez

Ozil voted best German player abroad

W-Cup qualifier:

Flamingoes will score 10 goals for Buhari —Coach N IGERIA’S U-17 women team, the Flamingoes will be extra motivated if cheered by president Muhammadu Buhari against their Namibian counterparts tomorrow in Abuja, the team’s assistant coach, Ann Chiejine has told Goal.

The Baby Gladiators on Thursday arrived in the country for the match billed for the National Stadium, Abuja.

The 26-man delegation led by Mr Timotheus Tjongarero which arrived in Lagos before connecting a flight to Abuja, are lodged at the Chida Hotel.

President Buhari it will be recalled was spotted on March 27, 2011 at the stadium to cheer the Super Eagles to victory against Ethiopia in an international friendly.

The Flamingoes will host the south Africans in the

second round, first leg of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier.

And the former Super Falcons star insists the Flamingoes will not only go for victory, but aim for a goal feast against the Namibians.

“We (Flamingoes) will feel on top of the world having President (Muhammadu) Buhari on Saturday,” Chiejine told Goal.

“Instead of talking about five to six goals, we will score up to 10 goals against Namibia. We will be so happy to have him (Buhari).

His coming will be boost the morale of the girls. We are prepared. We thank God for the time we have had, it’s about a month and some days now.

“We thank God for the girls for how they are coping with what we are teaching them in training in the physical, technical and tactical aspects of it,” she added.

“I believe that come Saturday with everything we taught them, we are going to carry the day.

“Well, we want to win and bring back the glory days of winning matches having many goals at the back of

The Flamingoes celebrating during one of their recent matches. the net. As many as possible we could get.

“The way they (players) have been showing in training, we know they are really trying to see how they can meet up with all we have been teaching them. I be-

lieve on Saturday, they will be able to do more than they’ve been doing.”

The newly appointed Abia Angels coach also urged Nigerians to turn out in their numbers to cheer the girls to victory.

Lagos saga: Murdered tennis player,

Beauty Mcleod, goes home today THE remains of Beauty McLeod, mother of Nigerian tennis junior champion, Angel, will be laid to rest today in Anambra State.

The 37-year-old, who was also an active tennis player, was killed last October in Lagos, during an altercation with a mobile policeman attached to the Victoria Island, Lagos hotel in which she had lodged.

A member of the prestigious Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Beauty relocated to Nigeria from.

The United Arab Emirates

(UAE) in 2014 and was preparing for the Governor’s Cup among other domestic tournaments before the tragic incident. Her last major tournament was in May last year when she featured in the CBN Open in Lagos.

The Nigeria Tennis Federation president in a tribute by its president, Engineer Sani Ndanusa, eulogised the deceased for the great role she played in her daughter’s blossoming career who has been tipped by experts as a potential global

star in tennis.

“It’s very clear to all that she (Beauty) wants her daughter to succeed as a tennis player. She laid a very good foundation by making sure that she provides everything Angel needs both in material and human support.

“Beauty has been a reference point of how a parentchild synergy helps bring the best out of kid(s) talent in sports. She sponsors her daughter to tournaments within and outside the country,” Ndanusa stated.

MESUT Ozil has been named the best “German abroad” by magazine Kicker after his stunning campaign for Arsenal, while Bayern Munich dominated the rest of the awards.

The 27-year-old has racked up an incredible 16 assists already this season in the Premier League, with his efforts recognised in the publication’s biannual German football rankings.

It ranks each player by position in the Bundesliga and also includes German footballers who are playing in foreign countries, dividing them into four categories: world-class, international class, players of note and players in focus.

Ozil was the only German export to be put in the international class bracket, beating the likes of Toni Kroos, Shkodran Mustafi, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira.

“The midfield star just missed out on the world class category due to his weak start to the season,” explained the magazine.

On Ozil’s categorisation, Germany legend Lothar Matthaus added: “[He’s] too inconsistent. I expect even more from him. Now and then, he hides and you can’t see him just like in the 4-0 defeat at Southampton.”

Meanwhile, Bayern cleaned up in the Bundesliga rankings, with seven players being named the best in their position: Manuel Neuer, Phillip Lahm, Jerome Boateng, Xabi Alonso, Douglas Costa, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski.

Ozil

SIDELINES

FRIDAY, 8 JANUARY, 2016

NO 16,410

It would be madness for Messi to miss Ballon d’Or

N150

One Ibekwe, a father of two now in police custody, sold his five-month-old baby, Chidera, for N.5m with the consent of his wife, to raise money for his business. A father or fiend?. But, after he must have sold all his children, who does Ibekwe expect to take over his business in old age?

—Henry

F

ORMER Arsenal star, Thierry Henry believes it would be “madness” for anyone but Lionel Messi to win this year’s Ballon d’Or. FIFA’s world player of the year for 2015 will be announced in Zurich on Monday, with Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo all in the running for the prize.

The Argentine is the heavy favourite and Henry has backed him to claim the award for the first time since 2012, but he is disappointed Luis Suarez did not make the three-man shortlist.

“All we can do is enjoy what [Messi] does because what he is doing is not normal,” Henry told Barca’s official website.

“We used to say that a player who got 23 to 25 goals in a season was an incredible striker, but

Tonny Vilhena (far right) kicked Miquel Nelom in the groin during the drama in Portugal.

Messi does that in three months.

“We had incredible players in that [Barca] team [that Henry played in] and whenever you did not know what to do, you always looked for Messi.

“I think it would be madness if he does not win the Ballon d’Or. He deserves it because the team won another treble. But what I do not understand is why Suarez isn’t there.”

Henry says the current Barcelona team is capable of being crowned European champions in back-to-back years for the first time in the Champions League era.

“In a single game, Bayern [Munich] can win it and you have to be careful with PSG too,” he said.

“You never know what might happen, but I think Barca can win it again.”

Feyenoord players trade punches at training FEYENOORD players, Miquel Nelom and Tonny Vilhena had to be separated on Thursday as they resorted to exchange blows during the Dutch club’s training camp in Albufeira, Portugal.

The manager of the club, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and other players were unable to avoid the furious bust escalating

Nigeria maintains spot in FIFA rankings

By Nurudeen Alimi

Messi

NIGERIA has maintained the position it occupied in the last FIFA ranking.

According to the latest rankings released on Thursday by the world soccer governing body, the Super Eagles remain unmoved on the log by maintaining its 66th position in the world and also retained the number 14 spot in Africa.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast retain their number one spot as the best in Africa and 19th in the world followed by Algeria which

is ranked 28th, Ghana (33th), Cape Verde Island (39th), Tunisia (40th), Senegal (45th), Congo (48th), Guinea (49th), Cameroon (57th) and Egypt (58th).

Nigeria is behind the likes of Congo DR (60th), Uganda (62nd) and Mali (63rd).

Meanwhile, Belgium retains its world’s number one spot, while Argentina and Spain also held onto their respective second and third positions.

Germany, Chile and Brazil occupy the fourth, fifth and sixth spots in the rankings.

FIFA.com reports that 15

games from December 2015 and one “A” match from 2016 were evaluated for the latest rankings.

Ahmed Musa, Eagles captain

as the club trained at the Alfamar Beach & Sport Resort.

Nelom, a 25-year-old left back, joined the Rotterdam-based club from Dutch rivals, Excelsior in 2011 and has played more than 100 times for Feyenoord.

It has been reported in Holland that the bust-up broke out after midfielder Vilhena, reacted angrily to a tackle by Nelom as the Feyenoord players continued their preparations ahead of the return of the Eredivisie season later this month.

Team-mates Rick Karsdorp, Kenneth Vermeer and Sven van Beek along with former Arsenal and Barcelona defender, Van Bronckhorst made spirited efforts to hold back the ‘two boxers’ but they failed as the duo landed kicks on each other.

Feyenoord, currently occupies third on the log behind Ajax and PSV at the top of Dutch top flight.

The team’s first game this year holds on January 17 against PSV at the Stadion Feijenoord.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 8/1/2016.