8th April 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,475

FRIDAY, 8 APRIL, 2016

Buhari receives 2016 budget details •Meets OBJ inside Aso Rock •I never signed budgets without seeing details, says OBJ —P4

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

N150

Nigeria has 12,000mw 3 feared dead as installed capacity but can How CCB uncovered Orubebe's hidden Abuja policeman struggles only transmit 5,000mw with taxi driver in Abuja property —Witness —Osinbajo —P2 —P16 —P7

Fuel queues remain as marketers begin loading •More filling stations have fuel in Lagos, Abuja •Product still sells for between N86 and N250

—P2 How ex-PDP chair, Haliru, son got N300m —Witness —P5

NDLEA discovers drugs inside DJ rack box, boxer shorts —P16

Scene of an accident involving two tankers loaded with fuel, after they collided at Asese, on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, on Thursday.

$40m pipeline contract: Court orders EFCC to release Jonathan's cousin —P7

news

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Fuel queues remain as marketers begin loading •More filling stations have fuel in Lagos, Abuja By Our Reporters with Agency Report

N an attempt to assist the Federal Government to achieve the aim of eradicating fuel scarcity as the deadline for queues to disappear lapsed on Thursday, marketers at various depots in Lagos have begun 24-hour loading. The development notwithstanding, there were noticeable longer queues in Abuja and Lagos, though many petrol stations had the products for dispense. Investigation by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that loading of trucks would continue until the country is wet with petroleum products. At the Apapa depots, on Thursday, more than 1,000 tankers were loading the product. Security officials had a hectic time controlling traffic to ensure that the truck drivers complied with traffic rules, long queues of tankers dotted the service lanes of Apapa Oshodi expressway, from Cele bus stop to Ibafon jetty. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr Ibe Kachickwu, on March 29, had assured Nigerians that the persistent fuel scarcity in the country would end on April 7. A marketer who preferred anonymity said four vessels of 25,000 metric tonnes berth to discharge into various storage facility under the agreement of throughput arrangement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He said the depots that would receive the products are Capital Oil, NIPCO, Mobil, Forte, MRS and Oando. Others include A.A Rank and Total. Transport fares across the Lagos metropolis, on Thursday, however, remained high, in spite of the seeming availability of fuel, as the product was now being dispensed at most filling stations. Long queues for petrol at filling stations in Abuja, on Thursday, gradually disappeared as more stations resumed selling of the product. Nigerian Tribune observed on Thursday that the overly long queues started reducing, unlike before, where the lines were as long as five to 10 kilometres. Some major filling stations, such as Conoil at the popular Jabi garage, Oando

at Mabushi, started selling. Also, the NNPC mega station, located at the central business district, had minimal queue on Thursday. However, it was observed that some filling stations were yet get the product as of the time of writing this report. For instance, none of two Total Filling Station at Wuse Berger opened to custom-

ers, while the Oando station located in the same area had no fuel. Aside Lagos and Abuja, most fuel stations in Delta State refused to open their stations to dispense fuel for motorists. Most of the filling stations in Warri, Sapele, Oghara, Abraka, Agbor, among others, had their stations under

lock and keys. One of the stations at Bazunu junction in Warri sold petrol for N180 per litre, while in Sapele, a litre was sold for N200 and above. In anticipation of adequate fuel supply as promised by Dr Kachikwu, most filling stations within the Port Harcourt metropolis were not selling the product, on

Thursday. The few available ones were, however, selling at the pump price of between N180 and N220 per litre, even as motorists and other end users were patronising the black market in droves. Very early Thursday morning, the NNPC Mega Station at Lagos Bus Stop, in the heart of the Old Port Har-

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the chairman, Vintage Press Limited (Publishers of The Nation Newspaper), Mr Wale Edun, during the first National Forum on the Economy, organised by Vintage Press Limited, at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on Thursday.

court Township, was jampacked, even as eager motorists blocked the four-lane road leading to the Government House. As at 10.00 a.m., there was no sale of PMS at any of the four filling stations located on the Rufus Ada-George Road. The situation was the same when the Nigerian Tribune got to the once everbusy Ikwerre Road but now plied by few motorists, due to the prevailing fuel scarcity. In Kwara, motorists were yet to experience respite in the persistent fuel scarcity situation in the area, on Thursday. Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that few independent marketers’ filling stations in the area, which had hitherto not been dispensing fuel to customers since scarcity persisted, had commenced sale of petrol with expected long queues. Also, it was battle-like at NNPC mega station located on Asa Dam Road, Ilorin, as consumers had taken over the two-lane expressway with their vehicles causing traffic in the area. continues pg5

Nigeria has 12,000mw installed capacity, but can transmit 5,000mw —Osinbajo Bola Badmus - Lagos VICE-PRESIDENT Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday, said the country’s independent power plants (IPP) across the landscape have an installed capacity of over 12,000 megawatts, adding, however, that 5,000 megawatts of the total capacity could be transmitted due to inadequate gas supply to the plants. Osinbajo said this at the National Forum on the Economy, organised by Vintage Press, publishers of The Nation Newspapers, with the theme: “National Economy: The Way Forward,” in Lagos. The event, held at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, was attended by other dignitaries, including the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode; his Imo State counterpart, Chief Rochas Okorocha, among others. Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was represented by the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru, while the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, was represented by the deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo. Osinbajo, while not-

ing that power supply had been one of the challenges facing the administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, said “we have installed capacity of up to 12,000 megawatts. That is to say, we actually have plants that can supply 12,000 megawatts. “The problem is getting gas to those plants. Making sure the plants work to capacity. That is one aspect of the problems. The problem is that there are several gas projects, in other words, it is pipelines taking gas to the plants that have not been completed. “Some of them have been discountinued, some others have been abandoned,” he added. The vice-president, however, promised that the government was resolved to address the problem, by ensuring that gas supply was available to those plants, which, he said, were mainly located in the West, with the gas being in the East. “We have to do that,” he promised, even as he said other challenges facing the government in the power sector included the issue of transmission and the need to find a mutually-agreed market rate for gas/electric-

ity tariff. Osinbajo, who said that as of Thursday, the country could not transmit more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity, pointed out that there was the need to improve on the present arrangement. He hinted that suggestions on conccessioning the present arrangement was being considered by the government. He said in the face of current economic reality, there was need for the country to move beyond relying on just crude oil to source its revenue, even as he promised that the Buhari-led government would deliver on its many promises to Nigerians. The vice-president said that the planned trip of President Buhari to China was aimed at seeking counterpart funding for the Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar rail routes, which, he said, would go a long way in creating jobs and boosting the country’s economy, as most heavy goods, including fuel, would be lifted through rail system. Speaking earlier, Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, said for Nigeria’s economy to im-

prove, its leaders must have the courage to take difficult and tough decisions. According to the governor, the nation’s economy was at a critical threshold and thus would require its leaders to think outside the box and come up with creative innovations that would trigger economic growth nationwide. He lamented the fact that previous governments at the federal level failed to take advantage of the oil boom to grow other sectors of the economy, saying that the fall in price in the international oil market, coupled with many years of corruption, had made the economy vulnerable. Also speaking, Governor Okorocha declared that Nigeria’s economy was not dead, but was only sick, saying it was good that the citizenry were beginning to understand the real problem. Okorocha, who said there was the need to apply wisdom on the part of the leaders to initiate ideas to move the country forward, lauded the steps taken so far by the president in attending the economy through fight against corruption, declaring that it was time we did things differently in the

country in order to get a better result. According to the governor, there was the need to devolve powers from the centre, to enable the states and local governments, as well as communities, to take up some responsibilities as he likened Nigeria to a kwasiokor patient with very big head, small belly and two tiny legs. He said the head represented the Federal Government, the belly, the states and the tiny legs, the local governments, wondering why states must go to Abuja to share allocations and what business the Federal Ministry of Agriculture that had no land to cultivate had with agriculture in the country. “We must devolve power and make the community another tier of government,” he said. In his opening remarks, chairman, Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation Newspaper, Wale Edun, said the forum was put together not just to lament the challenges facing the country, but for government and members of the critical sectors of the economy to dialogue and chart a way out.

Friday, 8 April, 2016

news

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Buhari receives 2016 budget details

•Meets OBJ in Aso Rock •I never signed budget without seeing details —OBJ From Leon Usigbe and Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has received details of the 2016 Appropriation Bill from the National Assembly. The 1,800-page budget was received on his behalf, on Thursday, by the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. It will be recalled that the president had declined to assent to the bill recently, because only its highlights were initially transmitted to him after its passage by the legislature. He had insisted that he needed to thoroughly study it, because aspects of it had been padded. Kyari received it from the president’s Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang and the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Samaila Kawu. Upon taking possession of the document, the Chief of Staff, alongside Enang and Kawu, proceeded to the Office of the President, where they briefly met with him. They were later seen coming out of the office still clutching the document. Enang later told State House correspondents that constitutional procedure would now follow the formal submission of the document. He said: “The budget details has been transmitted to the president today. The constitutional process begins thereafter. “We have transmitted it to the Office of the President and the constitutional process of timing starts.” Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja in a closed-door session. The former Nigerian leader, who was evasive about his mission at the seat of power, however, told State House correspondents that he never signed budget highlights during his time in office as had been claimed by the National Assembly. In an attempt to defend its action in transmitting only highlights of the approved 2016 Appropriation Bill, the House of Representatives had claimed that both Obasanjo and former president, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua signed appropriation bills into law without

receiving budget details. The legislature’s claim followed the refusal of President Buhari to assent to the highlights of the 2016 Appropriation earlier sent to him by the National Assembly. Fielding questions from State House correspondents after the meeting with Buhari, Obasanjo, who was asked whether he had the cause to sign only budget highlights during his time, retorted: “Eh en! I signed budget without details? Anybody who told you that, go and ask him again.” When asked to speak on the 2016 budget, he said: “Before I will be able to tell you something about the budget, I have to read it and know what it contains and

know what to talk about.” Regarding the delay in signing the budget, he said the constitution allowed the executive to continue with the implementation of the budget provided it did not go beyond the previous year’s budget up till the middle of the year. He declined to speak on the ongoing corruption war, saying: “Eh en!” Questioned on the travail of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Obasanjo said: “Eh en! What is wrong with him?” On the purpose of his visit to the Villa, he said: “You know that not too long ago, I was out there. I have come to share some of my experiences with him.”

When asked to speak on the experiences, he said: “Ha! Ha! If I say I shared experiences with my wife, you will ask me wetin I talk with my wife?”

Unsigned budget throws UI into financial crisis

The University of Ibadan is at present wallowing in a political crisis, following the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the 2016 budget, as the institution is now finding it difficult to pay salary. This was contained in a bulletin produced by the Directorate of Public Communication, Office of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, which gave a breakdown of the financial situ-

ation of the institution and urged staff to remain calm. “The university administration enjoins our staff to please remain calm and await the final assent of the 2016 budget by President Buhari, which is believed will address the issue of shortfall on personnel grant,” the bulletin stated. The university has been experiencing hardship since December 2015, due to what it described as inadequate funding of personnel cost by the Federal Government and had been forced to take proactive steps to find a way out of the financial crisis in which it found itself. The university administration, on Monday, March 28, called a stakeholders’

President Muhammadu Buhari welcoming a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

Oil firms not paying accurate dues to NDDC —Semenitari

•Joint National Assembly Committees carpet NDDC for converting dollar funds •SEPLAT threatens to shut down operations in Nigeria Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja ACTING Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said on Thursday, that oil firms operating in the Niger Delta have refused to comply with the law as it affects remittances to the commission. Semenitari, who made the revelation while appearing before the Senate and the House of Representatives Joint Committees on NDDC, said the commission was starved of funds as a result of the failure of the companies to comply with the Act. The NDDC Act mandates the oil firms to pay three per

cent of their annual budget to the commission, which is expected to utilise same to carry out its mandate in the region. The acting Managing Director lamented that the oil companies just paid what whatever they liked to the commission from inception. Semenitari disclosed that the commission never had access to the annual budgets of the firms operating in the areas, but urged the National Assembly to assist the commission to get the fiscal document from the firms, so that the agency would be able to receive the accurate remittances due to it. However, representatives of major oil firms operat-

ing in the areas, like SHELL, AGIP, TOTAL, SEPLAT, among others, informed the Joint Committee that they made their remittances either in Dollar or Naira to the NDDC up till last year. But the Joint Committee condemned the NDDC for converting the dollar remittances from the oil firms into the Naira and wondered what exchange rates they used in doing the conversion. He directed the NDDC management to interact with the joint committees in order to obtain the correct remittances due to it and confront the oil firms with the fact, in order to demand the appropriate payment. Meanwhile, the manage-

ment of the SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc, had threatened to shut down its operations in the region because of so many challenges preventing it from producing in the area for now. The representatives of the company informed the joint committees that they might be forced to close down operations any moment from now, if the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) failed to honour its own side of the obligation to their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The joint committees directed both the SEPLAT and the NPDC to discuss after the session and iron out their differences.

meeting of principal officers of the institution, leaders of unions on campus, members of campus cooperative societies, Deans, Head of Departments and senior professors, to discuss the way forward. At the meeting, certain decisions were taken about salary payments and the payment of deductions on a proportional basis, depending on balance after net pay and bank loans and payment on a flat rate. According to the bulletin, the meeting made some decisions. “The decisions at the meeting brought about a paradigm shift in the form in which salary payments were being handled since December 2015 which is the payment of net pay (in full) and payment of deductions on a pro-rata basis depending on the balance after the payment of net pay and bank loan based deductions. “The meeting, therefore, agreed on payment of a flat rate across board for net pay and all deductions. The flat rate is to be arrived at on the basis of the personnel grant released divided by the gross salary payable (but excluding Pay As You Earn, PAYE)” The decision reached at the meeting was the basis on which the March salary was paid at the rate of 92.58 per cent. This in plain figure means that the institution had a shortfall of 7.42 per cent. For UI personnel in the month of March, the gross is N877, 193, 065.55, the amount received is N782, 346, 495.59, so the institution had a shortfall of N94, 846, 569.96 and it calculated its flat rate as amount received multiplied by 100, divided by gross salary minus PAYE and pension deduction to arrive at 92.58 per cent. At present, all deductions breakdown from December 2015 till March 2016 ends with a shortfall which is presently put at N509, 373, 755.96; N223, 664, 284.94 for December, 82,660,956.64 for January, N168, 145, 758.72 for February and N34, 902, 755.65 for March, while the shortfall for personnel grant and gross breakdown for December 2015 till March 2016 is put at N598, 645, 315.85; N299,230,490.61 for December, N101,571,287.99 for January, N102,996,967.29 for February and N94, 846,569.96 for March.

news

Friday, 8 April, 2016

How ex-PDP chair, Haliru, son got N300m —Witness

TELLA George, a witness in the ongoing trial of Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed, former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, told Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja that there was an inflow N300 million from the Office of National Security Adviser to the account of BAM Projects and Properties Limited, owned by the accused. George, a banker with Sterling Bank, while being led in evidence by counsel for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Jacobs, stated that on March 18, 2015, a sum of N137, 200,000 was transferred to Kumu Golo Limited and another transfer of N178,800,000 was made to North Polo Global Services same day. According to her, the Certified True Copies (CTC) of account open-

ing package, mandate card and statement of account from January 2015 to date of BAM Projects and Property Limited, as well as copies of instruments used for inflow and outflow from the account were all made available to EFCC on request. Under cross examination by the defence counsel, Solomon Umoh, George said although she was obliged to know her customers, especially the account owner, but she did not know anything about the companies who received the money under reference. The former PDP chief was being prosecuted alongside his son, Bello Abba Mohammed, on a four-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering by the EFCC. It will be recalled that the first prosecution witness, Rouqayya Ibrahim, an operative of the commission, had, in his evidence on February 16, stated that a payment of N300 million was made

in two tranches to the accused company’s account of BAM Projects

and Properties Limited from the funds meant for the procurement of arms

through the office of the former National Security Adviser.

The case was adjourned till May 18, for continuation of trial.

Fuel queues remain as marketers begin loading Continued from page 2

It was also gathered that a litre of petrol, which was sold for between N200 and N250 until Wednesday at independent marketers’ filling stations, was obtained at between N210 and 220 on Thursday, while black marketers still retained the price of petrol at N300 per litre. The number of both private and commercial vehicles plying the road reduced, while commuters said they had not experienced reduction in transport fares. Men of state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Thursday, arrested two persons for illegal diversion of a truck load of petrol. Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Ilorin, the state commandant of the corps, Mr Augustine Ibekwe, said

the suspects were nabbed with a truck-load of petrol at Aboto-Oja, on Afon road in Asa Local Government Area. The commandant said the loading documents of the petroleum product stated that the fuel was actually meant for a filling station located at Akerebiata on Sobi road in the Ilorin metropolis. He, thereafter, directed his men and officers in the command to lead the suspects and the truck to the filling station where the product was meant to be discharged. There were long queues of motorists waiting to buy the products in filling stations in Osogbo, Osun State capital and other major cities in the state. Checks by the Nigerian Tribune indicated that independent marketers were still selling a litre of petrol for between N200

and N220 to motorists and commercial motorcyclists. Nigerian Tribune, while monitoring fuel situation in the state, discovered that non-availability of fuel at the NNPC mega station in Osogbo worsened hardship faced by motorists. Most of the filing stations in Ogun State were still under lock and key as of Thursday. Commuters were stranded at various bus stops and roads were extremely free. Some filing stations on Obantoko axis of Abeokuta were seen dispensing fuel to customers, though the queue was endless, as the independent marketers sold the product at official pump price. Queue at Mobil Petrol Station, Gbonagun, Abeokuta, was about 500-metre long.

The scenario at the NNPC mega station and FATGBEMS Petrol Station, on IBB Boulevard way, was chaotic. Fuel was sold between N210 and N250 per litre in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday. It was observed that only a handful of filling stations that had been selling fuel for the approved pump price of N86.50 per litre since the ongoing fuel scarcity started had fuel to sell on Thursday. Motorists in Benin, however, heaved a sigh of relief as the NNPC station located on Sapele Road resumed sale of fuel for the approved price of N86 per litre. There was a long queue of vehicle at the filling station, even as some motorists chose to tip those at the entrance of the station in order to get fuel in record time.

news

Friday, 8 April, 2016

ECOWAS Court to rule on Dasuki’s case April 11

HE Community Court of Justice, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), says it will, on April 11, rule on whether it has the jurisdiction to entertain a case brought before it by the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd). This was contained in a

statement issued by the court in Abuja, on Thursday. The case filed with the suit number ECW/CCJ/ APP/01/16, was brought before the Court on November 5, 2015, against the Federal Government. According to the statement, the court’s decision to rule on the case followed a preliminary objection by the counsel for the defendant,

Mr T. A. Gadzali. In the objection raised, Gadzali urged the court not to hear the substantive suit filed by the applicant, as the subject of the suit was based on contempt of the order of Nigerian courts. He added that the only remedy was for the plaintiff to return to the country’s court to commit the government for contempt.

Counsel for the defendant also argued that a similar case was already pending before a Nigerian court and could not, therefore, be entertained by the ECOWAS Court. In response, counsel for the plaintiff, Mr Robert Emukpoeruo, stated that a suit could not only be filed before the ECOWAS Court, if it were pending before an

international court. Emukpoeruo added that the suit was not founded on contempt, but on the defendant’s abuse of the applicant’s human rights. The applicant, in the suit filed, asked for N500 million as “compensatory damages” against the government of Nigeria. “This is over his continued detention without charge, invasion of his residence and seizure of his property, despite being granted bail

by courts of competent jurisdiction.” The plaintiff, in the suit, also sought a declaration that his continued detention, refusal to allow him travel for medical treatment and seizure of his properties constitute a violation of his human rights. “This is as guaranteed under the country’s constitution and various international instruments to which the country is signatory,” it stated.

NAMA MD, 3 directors remanded in prison over alleged fraud Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos

From left, Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Excise, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mrs Grace Adeyemo; Area Head, Legal and External Affairs, West and Central Africa, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Freddy Messanvi; Managing Director, BATN, Chris McAllister; Comptroller-General (NCS), Colonel Hammed Ibrahim Ali (retd) and the Head of Government Affairs, West Africa, BATN, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, during the Comptroller-General of Customs’ visit to the BATN factory in Ibadan, on Thursday.

A Federal High Court has ordered the remand in prison of the Managing Director of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Ibrahim Abdulsalam, three directors and wife of a director, following their arraignment over alleged stealing and conversion of the agency’s money amounting to N6,850,447,609.90. The directors of the agency docked with Abdulsalam were Adegorite Olumuyiwa, Agbolade Segun, Clara Aliche. Wife of Adegorite, Joy

Nigerians don’t see smuggling as an offence, Customs boss laments Seeks collaboration with governors to enforce anti-smuggling laws By Wale Akinselure COMPTROLLER-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd), has emphasised the need for governors to be more committed to the enforcement of anti-smuggling laws in their various domains, decrying that some Nigerians do not see smuggling as an offence. Ali made these statements in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday, when he led the hierarchy of the NCS to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on a courtesy call, as part of his visit to the Oyo/Osun command of the NCS. He emphasised the need for collaboration of the Customs Service with the state governors through advocacy to residents of community borders on the disadvantages of being allies to cross-border transfer of goods. “We urge state executives to appeal to our people, most especially as regards to enforcement of laws, especially the anti-smuggling aspect of it. Our people, in

most areas, especially the community borders, do not realise that smuggling is an offence. We have a lot of problem fighting it. In some cases, they do not see crossborder transfer of goods as an offence, but it is an offence against the law. “We want to collaborate with border state governors in terms of advocacy to our people, to make sure they understand that this is an offence and it is inimical to the progress of the country, economically and securitywise. This is because under the guise of smuggling, a lot of things, arms and ammunition, illicit drugs, among

others, come into the country.” He specially called on state executives to partner with the Federal Government on the renewed drive of President Muhammadu Buhari to improve the nation’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Ali stated that the Customs Service had continued to create a synergy with its trading partners and excise companies to generate income. He assured that men of the NCS would continue to effectively man the nation’s borders posts. In his remarks, Ajimobi

called for a caution in government’s decision to ban some imports, noting that such development amounted to the depletion of some revenue sources. To encourage industrial and income growth in the nation’s economy, Ajimobi called for some balance in the import-export ratio. On addressing the issue of smugglers, Ajimobi charged NCS to liaise with community groups, so as to get relevant information on smugglers and border posts activities. Furthermore, Ajimobi remarked that requisite support of Nigerians must be

accorded the revenue drive of the current administration. “Customs should be supported by all and sundry. The fear I have is that if we are banning import, we are depleting your revenue sources. So, we must balance between what we ban, if it means phasing it out over time, but we must put in place replacement methodology to allow us and NCS itself to reposition itself. “And I think we need to take a real look and see ways of encouraging industrial growth to allow income growth for NCS,” he said.

Kaduna to have biggest poultry farm in West Africa —el-Rufai Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna KADUNA State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has announced that the biggest poultry /hatchery farm will be established in Kaduna. He made the announcement at the end of the twoday Kaduna Economic Summit on Thursday. The governor remarked that the Olam’s poultry

project would be built in Gwagwada, Chikun Local Government Area of the state, at the cost $150 million. el-Rufai said Dangote Group would also establish $10 million tomato processing company in the state. The governor also gave five reasons he felt investors should do business with the state.

According to him, there were ample opportunities in the state, as the state was the major producer of maize and ginger. Kaduna is a gateway to Northern Nigerian market, with effective land management, raw material availability, among others. The governor, while reading highlights of the summit position, also disclosed

that the state was planning to partner with the Federal Government in solid minerals, because it had a huge deposits of gold. “Kaduna State government is to adopt Federal Government formula for developing the solid minerals sector. Investors are ready to come and they will work with our local miners,” he said.

Ayodele Adegorite who is the Managing Director of Multeng Travels and Tours Limited and two limited liability companies— Randville Investment Limited, Multeng Travels and Tours Limited, alleged to have been used as conduit pipe to defraud the agency, were also arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a 21-count charge prefferred against the accused persons, the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, alleged that all the accused persons and one Nnamdi Udoh, still at large, between January 31, 2013 and September 3, 2015, with intent to defraud and by false pretence conspired together to induce the NAMA to deliver the sum of N2,847,523,975 to Delosa Limited, Air Sea Delivery Limited and Sea Schedules Systems Limited, under the pretence that the said sum represented the cost of clearing consignments belonging to the agency. The accused persons were also alleged to have converted various sums of money amounting to N4,003,532,608.90, belonging to NAMA. When the charge were read to them, all the accused pleaded not guilty. Consequently, the EFCC prosecutor, Oyedepo, prayed the court to remand them in prison custody and also asked the court to adjourn the case for trial. However, Mr Ayo Olumofin, leading six other lawyers representing the accused persons, told the court that they have filed bail application on behalf of them, but Mr Oyedepo told the court that he needed time to react to the bail application. The presiding judge, Babs Kiewumi, who adjourned the matter till April 12 for the hearing of the bail applications, ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody.

news

Friday, 8 April, 2016

How CCB uncovered Orubebe’s hidden Abuja property —Witness Sunday Ejike-Abuja

N official of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Samuel Madojemu, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Thursday, said Orubebe failed to declare his property on Plot 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja, as a minister between 2007 and 2011. In his testimony before the tribunal, Madojemu told the tribunal that Orubebe submitted five asset declaration forms to CCB between 2007 and 2011 within the period he served as minister. The revelation came as the Federal Government opened its case against Orubebe, who is standing trial before the CCT sitting in Abuja in a one-count charge bordering on false asset declaration, which was slammed against him by the Federal Government. When the matter came up on Thursday, the first prosecution witness, Madojemu, said Orubebe submitted the five forms to the Bureau first as Minister of Special Duties under the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, and later as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs up till 2011, under the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration. Madojemu also said the Certificate of Occupancy of the property obtained from the land registry of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) showed that it was issued to Orubebe on April 10, 2011, but he failed to declare it as of the time of leaving office on May 29, 2011. The witness, who was led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation, Mohammed Diri, said Orubebe refused to honour invitation by the Bureau during the investigation of an intelligence report obtained concerning him. “The defendant declared his assets to the bureau by virtue of his position as a public officer and as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “I was instructed to invite him to the bureau for the purpose of obtaining his statement on the allegations and intelligence report that was being handled by the bureau concerning him. “I invited him. He promised to respond by sending his legal team. He also

promised that he might decide to come in person but he did not come. “My Lord, the bureau issued him with Form CCB 1 which is the bureau’s asset declaration form and he made his declaration between 2007 and 2011 – the period under investigation. “The Code of Conduct Bureau issued the defendant the Form CCB 1 five times. For those five times, he made his asset declaration to the bureau. “My Lord, after we received the form, we examined the form as part of our procedures to ascertain if there was over-declaration or under-declaration. “We conducted intelligence assessment on the declaration made by the defendant. We discovered that there were some other plots or properties that were traced to the defendant, Godsday Orubebe. “We conducted record examination by writing a letter to the Federal Capital Territory’s Department of Land Administration. “My Lord, in their response, which was in writing, it was indicated that Plot 2057 Asokoro District for which the Certificate of Occupancy was issued on April 10, 2011, belonged to the defendant. “We, thereafter, compared the information arising from response from the FCT Land Administration

Department with the information on asset declaration forms submitted to the bureau between 2007 and 2011 and discovered that Plot 2057 Asokoro District, belonging to the defendant, was not declared even as at May 29, 2011 when he left office. “Apart from the letter from FCT land administration registry, we also received Certified True Copy of the Certificate of Occupancy in respect of Plot number 2057 issued to the defendant. “We also received the CTC of the Right of Occupancy for that same Plot No 2057 issued to the defendant. “Also received from the FCT land administration registry was a letter of authority, given to one Engineer Rodney by the defendant to collect the Certificate of Occupancy and the Right of Occupancy from the FCT land registry. It was supported by the international passport page of the defendant,” he stated. He, however, told the court that the reason for inviting Orubebe was to ask him why he failed to declare the asset which he acquired about one month to the expiration of his tenure. After this, the chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, adjourned till April 14 for cross examination.

$40m pipeline contract: Court orders EFCC to release Jonathan’s cousin Sunday Ejike-Abuja

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release the cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr Azibaola Robert, from its custody. The EFCC had, on March 23, 2016, arrested Robert over alleged diversion $40 million through One-Plus Holdings, a sister company of Kakatar Construction and Engineering Company Limited, meant for securing oil pipelines. The payment was said to have been made by the detained former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd). Frustrated by his prolonged detention, Robert, through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, approached the court for the enforcement of his fundamental rights. In a motion ex-parte filed on April 5, Uche prayed the court for “an order granting his client an interim bail, pending

his arraignment before a court of law by the respondent (EFCC), or pending the determination of the substantive motion in this suit.” Delivering a ruling on the application on Thursday, the trial judge, Justice Goodluck Olasunbor, held that Robert’s detention by the EFCC for over two weeks was unconstitutional. Justice Olasunbor said the constitution provided that a person who is under arrest or detention shall be brought before a court of law within a reasonable time. She said the detention of the applicant for a duration of 15 days as of Thursday, was far in excess of the constitutionally provided time for detaining a citizen without his arrest or arraignment in a law court. The judge, therefore, granted the applicant’s bail with two sureties, adding that each surety shall be a serving or retired director in any of the Federal Governmen’s ministries or parastatal and must be resident within Abuja.

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Lagos

Car crushes beggars, 2 die, scores injured

Tola Adenubi

T was a bloody Thursday afternoon in Sango, a border town in-between Ogun and Lagos States when a Nissan Xterra jeep with Lagos State registration number AAA434AH skidded over the culvert demarcating the Sango-Ijoko express road at full speed and rammed into a multitude of beggars who daily gather on the culvert, seeking for alms from passersby. Two of the beggars were feared dead while many got injured. According to eyewitness reports, the Nissan was coming from the Lagos-Abeokuta Express Road and made a detour into the Sango-Ijoko Express Road before losing control and ramming into the beggars sitting on the culvert demarcating the express road. About six of the beggars, including little children were rushed to a nearby hospital but it was gathered that two later gave up the ghost. Eye witness report also

has it that the driver of the vehicle, a young man in his 30s, lost control of the

vehicle due to mechanical fault that has to do with the vehicles power steering.

In the words of an onlooker, Pius Omiran, the use of the culvert by the beggars exposes them to any danger that is imminent on the highway. “The culvert is located in a very busy place, the Sango bus stop and any onrushing vehicle that loses control will pre-

THE case against 117 suspects arrested in connection with the March 3, 2016 Mile 12 Market riot could not go on Thursday, due to the failure of the police to transmit their case files to the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The suspects were charged to court for conspiracy, un-

THREE men have been remanded in prison for allegedly hurling stones at some policemen and breaking their windscreen in the process. The accused Alex Olotu, 39; Joseph Owuna, 25; and Azeez Salawu, 28 — are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, breach of peace and assault before an Ikeja High Court. Olotu resides at 52, Abimbola Street, while Owuna lives at 22, Oyewole Road, Papa Ashafa. Salawu resides at 29, Abimbola Street, all in Dopemu in Agege. The Prosecutor, Sergeant Raphael Donny, told the

Scene of the accident.

lawful assembly, disorderly conduct and also disturbing public peace before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court. According to the prosecutors, Barrister Osuyi Goddy, and Inspector Simon Imhonwa, the offence committed is punishable under section 409 and 45 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. All the suspects, however, pleaded not guilty

Fully-loaded oil tankers collide, residents scoop spilled diesel TWO fully-loaded oil tankers on Thursday collided at Asese, a village in Ogun State, causing massive traffic logjam. While one was loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol, the other was conveying black oil, known as diesel. Their destinations were

Fuel scarcity: Tola Adenubi

fer to ram into the culvert instead of ramming into shops that adjoin the express road on both sides. So the beggars are exposed to danger and the earlier the local government authority chases them away from that spot, the better for the community.”

Agege residents shatter police windscreen with stones

Mile 12 riots: Failure to send suspects’ case files to DPP, stalls trial Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin

Nigerian Tribune

unknown. Both reportedly crashed into a Hilux van after colliding. The tanker loaded with black oil spilled most of its content, immediately after the accident. Residents of the village and environs were sighted scooping the spilled diesel.

to the two count charge brought against them. At the resumed hearing of the matter before Magistrate Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi on Thursday, the state Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (ADPP) Mr Jide Martins, told the court that

the police was yet to forward the case file to the DPP and asked for an adjournment to enable time to forward the case file to the DPP. Magistrate Osunsanmi granted the request and adjourned the matter till May 23, 2016 for hearing.

court that the accused with others, who are still at large, committed the offences on March 27 at Abimbola Street, Moricas, Agege. He said the accused allegedly assaulted some policemen including SP Isiyaku Daura, by throwing stones at them and caused them grievous bodily harm. “The police received a distress call that a group of boys were disturbing the peace at Moricas, Agege. Some police officers led by Daura were sent to the scene. The accused threw stones at them. They also destroyed the windscreen of the police patrol van with registration number KRD 564 CE valued at N150, 000.’’ The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mr J.A. Adegun, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 each with one surety each in like sum and adjourned till April 8 for trial.

FOLLOWING the banning of indiscriminate queues at petrol stations by the Lagos State Government (LASG), the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is set to fine impounded vechiles. Speaking after a joint press briefing presided over by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dayo Mobereola at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa; the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Chris Olakpe said, “The fine for wilful obstruction of traffic while trying to buy fuel at any filling station ranges from N10, 000 to N100, 000. The owners of such vehicles will also pay towing fines which also ranges from N10, 000 to N100, 000 as the case may apply,” Olakpe stated. It would be recalled that the Lagos State Government on Wednesday said it would no longer allow indiscriminate parking of vehicles on the road networks across the state on the basis of queuing up for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol. While addressing the joint press briefing at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Mobereola, said as much as the government empathised with the people on the difficulties they have been subjected to as a result of shortage of petroleum products, it would however not watch and allow the situation cripple the flow of traffic in the

UNILAG students shut down campus over poor power, water supply Naza Okoli STUDENTS at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Thursday shut down academic activities on campus to protest the poor state of power and water supply in their hostels. The protest, which officially kicked off on Wednesday, with a ‘warning march,’ reached its peak on Thursday, with the protesters shutting

the main gate, causing gridlock on campus and along University Road and Bariga-Akoka Road. The protesters, who ensured that no classes were held on Thursday, also visited the University Library where they forcefully dismissed students from reading. According to the protesters, the rate of water and power supply had reached an all time low; and with their First Semes-

ter examination scheduled to begin on April 18, it had become urgent that the matter be addressed once and for all. A 300-level female student who did not wish to be named said: “The situation has been bad since the beginning of this semester in January. That’s when they started sharing it: bring it in the morning, and take it in the evening. It’s really worse now.” According to a statement

issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Students Union, Miss Jumai A.F., the decision to embark on the protest was a part of the resolutions reached by the students in a meeting they held on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the spokesman of the University, Mr Toyin Adebule, could not be reached. His deputy, Mrs Nonye Oguama, when contacted, said she was not in town.

Friday, 8 April, 2016

metro

Edited by

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Impounded vehicles to pay N100, 000 — LASTMA state. Mobereola, who addressed journalists along-

side the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde and

heads of all the government agencies involved in traffic management in the

state, said the resolution of the State Government was borne out of the need to

prevent the fuel shortage from degenerating into a state of anarchy.

Our men not responsible for attack on tricycle rider who lost a tooth — Ojodu LCDA Olalekan Olabulo

THE authority of the Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has debunked the allegations that officials of the council attacked a commercial motorcyclist and made him to lose one of his teeth. The Lagos council not only described the tricyclist as an impersonator but also insisted that he was only trying to mudsling the name of the council. A tricyclist, Wasiu Bamidele had in an interview accused ‘council touts’ from Ojodu LCDA of not only attacking him but also crashing his tricycle, which he got on instalment payment. The leader of the council task force, Adeyemi Olutemi, popularly known as Sugar, while speaking with Lagos Metro admitted that the tricycle was involved in an accident but insisted that it was not the fault of the council official. Olutemi stated that Wasiu was only trying to malign the name of the council, after he was sacked from the council task force due to alleged misappropriation of funds. “I have known him for over nine years. In fact he was one of those working under me but he was sacked following repeated misappropriation of council fund and missing motorcycles,” he added. He also added that the task force had taken responsibility for the repair of the motorbike and that owner had collected it adding that Wasiu was only trying to make up for his indebtedness to the owner of the bike. On the claim that officials of the task force attacked Wasiu and removed his teeth, Olutemi said, “I have known him to be a trouble maker and his teeth have been like that for more than six years. Let him bring the rider of the tricycle on

that day and ask him if we touched him. We met at the station. How can we beat him at the station?” Mallam Ahmed Jaji, the Executive Secretary of the

LCDA also expressed his surprise at the claim of attack on Wasiu, when he said, “My attention was called to the report and when I read it, I was em-

barrassed. I don’t have any cause to doubt the veracity of what my men told me and I am telling you categorically that Wasiu was not the one involved in the case.”

He also pointed out that, it is important that we state our own side of the story. “We don’t send our boys out to maltreat the citizenry,” he emphasised.

Motorist queue up to buy fuel as fuel scarcity situation partially improves in Lagos on Thursday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Danfo driver faces manslaughter charge for killing unknown woman Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin A 46-year-old commercial bus driver, Rowland Okwuidegbe, who was alleged to have driven recklessly on a highway and killed a passersby, has been arrested and charged to court. The Prosecutor, Sergeant T. O. Tubi, told an Igbosere Magistrate’s court that Rowland committed the alleged offence on April 4, at 9:30 p.m., at Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island. He said Rowland was the driver in charge of Volkswagen bus with registration Number FKJ 837 XM, who drove dangerously on a highway and without concern for road users. “The defendant’s dangerous driving caused

the death of a woman whose name is yet to be known,” he added. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Nigerian Tribune

Rowland, whose address was not given, was however, granted N500, 000 bail with two sureties. The Magistrate, Mrs O.M. Ajayi,

Scene of a Tanker accident at Asese along Lagos Ibadan Expressway on Thursday.

granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till April 20 for mention.

Badagry residents commend LASG on Lagos-Badagry expressway rehabilitation SOME residents in Badagry on Wednesday commended the Lagos State Government for the ongoing rehabilitation work on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had ordered the state Public Works Corporation to embark on immediate and extensive repair on the road to ease traffic flow. Officials of the corporation, following the directive, have commenced repair work on the road and drainages. Some residents of the ancient town who spoke to NAN commended the effort of the state government. Mr Michael Inubiwon, a businessman, said that the rehabilitation of the road would ensure free flow of traffic. “The deplorable state of the road causes unnecessary traffic jam, but with the repairs of the road, it would ease the pains that commuters usually go through. “It would also boost economic activities in the city because many people would be encouraged to do business here, so this is a welcome development,’’ he said. Mr Isaac Setonji, a commercial driver, said the rehabilitation of the road would make transportation easier and cheaper. “By the time the repair work on the road is completed, it will make transportation easier for all motorists because the road will be smooth. “This will enable us get to our destinations quicker. “It will also help our vehicles to last longer because bad roads usually damage cars, and transport fares will reduce,’’ he said.

businessnews

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Shiroro power to increase generation by 300MW •As Delta govt signs MoU to generate 500MW

HE Shiroro Hydro Power Station (SHPS) will soon double its operating capacity of 300mw through solar plant. Alhaji Dauda Abdulaziz, Chief Operating Officer, Shiroro Hydro Power Station disclosed this on Thursday in Shiroro to a team from Infrastructure Concessions Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). Abdulaziz said that the

new solar plant would be digitally controlled instead of the conventional manual system. “This new solar form of energy generation we are introducing will generate additional 300mw. With this progress, Nigerians will henceforth enjoy more power supply. “It is a project that has prospect of employment for skilled young Nigerians,” he added. Abdulaziz said that consultation on the procure-

ment process for the solar energy project was ongoing with relevant agencies and the host community to reach agreement for commencement of work. He told the team that each hydro power station in Nigeria was mandated to generate 3000mw per annum, adding that Shiroro had been generating 2,360mw. Abdulaziz said that the shortfall was due to the repairs and the upgrade of facilities after the hand-

ing over of the company in Nov. 1, 2013. “The annual energy generation currently is 2,260mw. Installed capacity is 600mw, four units each that generate 150mw. “There are four units meant to generate power, but right now we only use two to generate 300mw because the other two units are under maintenance and are not generating energy for now,” he said. Earlier, Alhaji Aminu Diko, the ICRC Director-

General, had expressed optimism with the upgrade and repairs of infrastructure to enable the station to generate 3000mw. “I am happy with what we are seeing. The new system of bringing in ICT and capital to invest for Nigerians to enjoy maximum power supply is a way forward. “What is now mitigating the generation of sufficient energy generation is the certain repairs and operation that needs to be

Nestle, Oando’s loss dip market capitalisation to N8.73trn Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

EQUITIES trading at the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Thursday, reversed the positive trend achieved in the last two trading sessions to close in red as benchmark indices closed 0.34 per cent lower against the ascent of 0.04 per cent recorded previously. The NSE All-Share Index (ASI) and Market Capitalisation closed at 25,369.52 points and N8.73 trillion respectively compared to the closing figures of 25,455.69 points and N8.756 trillion achieved on Wednesday. The day’s index decline was as a result of losses in the price of blue chip stocks such as Nestle. Nestle led the 16 other losers as it’s share price depreciated by N15 to close at N67. Dangote cement followed with a drop of N2.01 to close at N169.99 per share, while UACN fell by 97 kobo to close at N19.48 per share.

From left: Sales Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, Elias Omerenna; Vice Chairman, Ogbete Main Market Traders Association (OMMTA), Anthony Nwido; Sales and Traffic Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, Theodros Mahetselassie and Solomon Begashaw, General Manager, Ethiopian Airlines, Nigeria, during the airline’s visit to the Eastern Nigeria segment market.

Fuel scarcity, foreign exchange, others affecting capital market —ASHON THE President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) on Thursday said that the lingering power problems, foreign exchange, fuel crisis and others had taken their toll on the capital market. Mr Emeka Madubuike,

ASHON President, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the challenges were eroding investors’ confidence in the nation’s bourse. Madubuike stated that government needed to bring out an economic blueprint

AfDB to inaugurate $200m water supply, sanitation project in Rivers in April THE African Development Bank (AfDB) said on Thursday it would inaugurate the 200-million-U.S.-dollar Rivers State Water Supply and Sanitation Project in April. The Country Director of the bank, Dr Ousmane Dore, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the project was to enhance the living standard of the people in the area. ``We are going to be in Port Harcourt in April to launch the project; we have approved and are almost about to launch, in coming weeks, the Port Harcourt urban water supply and sanitation project and this project is worth 200 million U.S. dollars.

``What the launching is going to do, is to provide some sort of training and to give some indication about the procurement role; this is the initial kickoff of the project.’’ He said that the water sector was a critical infrastructure and that the bank was the major donor of such infrastructure in the country. Dore said that the bank had executed projects in the power, road, water, and agriculture sectors, among others, in rural and urban areas of the country. Speaking on women empowerment, the country director said that an African women empowerment programme on agriculture announced by the president of

the bank in Oct. 2015 at an international conference in Dakar, was aimed at ensuring economic development across the continent.

to address the development, to avoid the collapse of the capital market. The ASHON president said that the Federal Government needed to take a stance on critical issues like foreign exchange, subsidy and privatization, because of their link to national economic development. According to Madubuike, the anti-corruption fight alone will not take the country far, unless there is a clear-cut policy direction.

He said that the challenges were eroding investors’ confidence in the nation’s bourse, because no investor would invest in a country with many economic uncertainties. ``Let there be a policy direction even if it is perceived to be a wrong policy; it’s better than not having a policy direction at all,’’ he said. He also said that government needed to open up the economy for private investment, to enhance economic growth and development.

NPA laments ineffective utilisation of Ikorodu lighter terminal Tola Adenubi-Lagos

THE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has bemoaned the ineffective utilisation of the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal. This is even as the agency called for the establishment of a tripartite committee that will put in place a frame work for the effective utilisation of the Terminal in Lagos. Speaking during a joint inspection of the Terminal with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria

Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hammed Alli (Rtd), the Managing Director of the NPA, Habib Abdullahi suggested that the committee should comprise of the Nigeria Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Ministry of Transport, and is to be mandated to interface with other stakeholders to work out modalities for the optimal utilization of the terminal. Speaking in the same vein,

the Comptroller General of Customs, Col, Hameed Alli emphasised the need for a meeting, preferably a technical committee that will come with proposals or modalities on putting the terminal to optimal use. He said both Nigeria Customs Service and Nigerian Ports Authority are partners in progress and that the two agencies should work together for the mutual benefits of the country.

carried which includes bringing in extensive experts from the USA. In another development, in a bid to boost power generation, the Delta State government, on Thursday [7-4-16] signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alpha Energy and Electric Inc., an American company, for the generation of 500 Megawatts [MWA] of electricity through Public-Private Partnership. Speaking during the signing ceremony in Asaba, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said that the development of the Independent Power Plants (IPP) would help boost the energy capacity of the state to meet the power needs of investors and businesses in the state, disclosing that power was a prerequisite for investments and industries to thrive in the country. The MoU was signed on behalf of the state government by the Secretary to State Government Barr. Ovie Agas witnessed by Governor Okowa along with other members of the State Executive Council. “This MoU we are signing today is for the development, design, financing, construction and maintenance of multiple power production plants in multiple locations in the state,” he said.

LAUTECH holds faculty lecture on fuel taxes THE Faculty of Management Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso will hold the maiden edition of its faculty lecture on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at Tunde Afolabi hall of the institution. The lecture with the theme; Future of Mobility and Implications on Fuel Taxes will focus on the United States experiences and consequences on the developing economy with Nigeria as a case study. The event will play host to scholars from all walks of life with Mr Sulayman Marshal, Partner Deloitte Tax LLP, Houston Texas, USA, as the guest speaker, while Professor Adeniyi Sulaimon Gbadegesin Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH and Professor Jonathan Oyerinde Adewoye, Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences as chief host and chairman respectively.

businessnews

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Banks, well capitalised to absorb rising bad loans •Appoints two supper agents —Bankers’ committee Chima Nwokoji-lagos

HE Bankers’ Committee, an umbrella body comprising the Central Bank of Nigeria, Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance corporation(NDIC) has reassured the banking public that despite the buildup of Non-Performing Loans(NPLs), in Nigeria’s banking industry, the lenders have enough capital to absorb shocks arising from bad loans. Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the 326th meeting of the Bankers’ Committee in Lagos on Thursday, Director of Banking Supervision, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, identified falling oil prices as major cause of rising NPLs in the industry, stressing that the situation is not out of control. According Martins, the committee discussed possible ways of arresting the situation which might involve debt factoring among others. “But the most important thing is that banks are conscious of it. They are preserving capital. They have enough capital as we speak. They are not distributing loans as much as they would have, in anticipation of risks that might crystalize and knowing in their hearts that they need to have enough capital to absorb those risks as they happen,” the director stated. Available records show that banks non-performing debt profile rose to more than N546.02billion as at March 2015, and have been increasing as a result of the slump in the international

oil market. Martins also revealed that the CBN has appointed Interswitch Limited and Innovatives Limited as supper agents, all in a bid to ensure that financial services are extended to every local community in the country. These super agents who are expected to commence operation immediately,

will recruit other agents that will distribute banking services to rural areas at cheaper prices. Mrs. Martins said that the Committee headed by the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, reached a wide range of conclusions on issues that border on how to boost the economy. She also stated that the

THE Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola on Thursday, revealed that owing to incessant strikes in the power sector, Nigeria has lost over N7.7billion in two years. He said between April 28,2014 to March 8,2016, an estimated sum of N7.734billion was lost as a result of industrial actions embarked upon by different labour associations. Fashola stated this at the 3rd Triennial National delegates conference of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied companies, held in Abuja. The Minister who lamented the effect of such industrial actions on the economy said this will not in anyway improve on the welfare of

national youth service corp (NYSC) members and post NYSC graduates are target beneficiaries. Also responding to questions relating to access to foreign exchange by fuel importers, CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications Mr. Isaac Okoroafor said that there have been a lot of improve-

From left: The Managing Consultant, FM&T, Dr Chris Asoluka; The Head, Cultural Affairs, US Embassy, Abuja Robert Kerr; President, Guardian of the Nation International (GOTNI), Mr Linus Okorie congratulates Managing Director/CEO, Heritage Bank and Guest Speaker, Mr Ifie Sekibo as he receives the GOTNI Leader of the Year Award at the 2016 Leadership Clinic, Abuja, recently.

Dangote commences construction of 3m tons cement plant in Cote d’Ivoire LEADING Cement manufacturer, the Dangote Cement Plc is deepening its pan African expansion drive with the commencement of construction of a new 3 million metric ton per annum capacity cement grinding plant in Cote D’ivoire. The new project is coming just as the Company

announced the ground breaking of a new 6 million metric ton per annum Greenfield cement plant in Okpella, Edo state and commencement of works on a 6 million mtpa capacity plant in Itori, Ogun state . Dangote Group Executive Director, Strategy, Projects and Portfolio Manage-

Electricity: Nigeria loses over N7.7bn to strikes in 2 years —Fashola Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

Committee discussed ways to facilitate government’s youths entrepreneurship scheme launched earlier this year with the target to empower about 10, 000 youth entrepreneurs in the areas of agriculture, manufacturing, information communications technology (ICT) and corporate services. According to her, serving

employees agitating for a particular package. While giving an analysis of the various industrial actions held in the power sector from the immediate past administration and the current administration, he said there is a wide gap between the government and labour unions in the country. He,however, stressed the need for such gap to be bridged saying:”This is important because I think that Government employees have clung more to their union affiliations than to their employment institutions. “In this situation they have perhaps failed to see themselves as part of Government, though playing different roles, when in fact they are an integral part of governance. “This in part explains why

there is talk of cooperation or lack of cooperation between Government and Labour (another word for unions) instead of Employer and employee.” he said

ment, Mr. Devakumar Edwin while making the disclosure in Lagos said the Cote Diviore project would cost the company $200m and would be completed in 18 months, The project, which the Director said has aroused a lot of interest from both the government and people of Cote d Ivoire, is sitting on over 60 hectares of land, next to the New Industrial Park in Yongbon, a city just outside of Abidjan, the nation’s capital. The grinding plant, made up of two lines of 1.5 million metric tonnes capacity each, when completed, will more than double the

total capacity of local cement production in the francophone West African nation, as the plant would raise total local cement production capacity of the country by over 100 per cent. The plant when completed will utilize power off the grid and provide direct and indirect jobs for over 3,000 people from within Cote d Ivoire and other west African countries. Mr. Edwin disclosed further that upon completion, Nigerian experts would be deployed to carryout initial training of local manpower and skill transfer.

PETAN leads Nigerian delegation to OTC 2016 Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

THE Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) will be leading Nigerian delegation to the next edition of Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2016 to address current realities and hidden opportunities in Nigerian oil and gas industry. The conference which is scheduled to take place between May 2 and 5, 2016 in Houston, Texas in United States of America (USA). This is contained in the

statement issued and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos by Mr Nik Odinuwe, the Publicity Secretary of the association. Odinuwe said that the 2016 OTC is themed, The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: Current Realities, Hidden Opportunities. He said that PETAN is expected consolidate achievements recorded by the association in driving partnership of indigenous oil and gas companies by international oil and gas companies.

He said that the conference is an annual gathering of people from around the world with interest in oil and gas, comprising policy makers, operators, professionals, manufacturers, business executives, entrepreneurs and visitors. Odinuwe said that Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Minister for State Petroleum Resources would declared the Nigerian pavilion open, while Mr Bayo Ojulari, Managing Director, SNEPCO and Austin Avuru, Managing Director Seplat Petroleum among other would be in attendance.

ments in that regard. However, he added that the issue of fuel importation is the exclusive reserve of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and that the banks do not really have much to say in that regard. On how to address foreign exchange crisis, the committee advised manufacturers to embrace import substitution and adjustment in consumption attitude saying that demand management for foreign exchange is necessary at a time when government’s foreign exchange earnings from oil crashed from $115 to less than $40 per barrel. Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc also a member of the Bankers Committee, specifically said “We all have to make adjustments, you, me, everybody. Our consumption habit has to change because ww have less money to spend. We have to invest in import substitution, and develop things locally. We all have to make sure that we make the best out of scarce foreign exchange that we have, and in the short and medium term make sure that we work on the demand.”

Ishaku calls for daily flight operations in Jalingo Sylvanus Viashima-Jalingo

THE Taraba state governor Darius Ishaku has called on the management of Overland Air Ways to commence daily flight operations at Jalingo Airport to ease the sufferings of the passengers in the state that do travel to Yola Airport in Adamawa state for flights. The governor stated this at the commissioning of Overland state Ticket office in Jalingo Taraba state capital. Governor Ishaku who was represented at the occasion by the Chief of Staff government house administration Hon. Rebo Usman praised the courage of Overland Airways for commencing flight at Jalingo Airport while other Airlines were afraid to commence activities at the Jalingo Airport for fear of loses. “We appreciate your courage as you take the Bool by the Horns, you have demonstrated your love to partner with Taraba state government and we as a responsible government shall continue to creat enabling environment for your success”

Friday, 8 April, 2016 Nigerian Tribune 12 news Senate Order: Ekweremadu challenges competence of suit against Saraki,

seeks reversal of summons Sunday Ejike-Abuja

HE Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has challenged the competence of the suit filed before a federal high court, in Abuja, by five aggrieved Senators to contest the legality of the election of Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki as Senate President and himself as deputy Senate President. Ekweremadu claimed that the five aggrieved

Senators erred in law by filling the suit vide originating summons and added that, since the case of the aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators was predicated on alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Order, they ought to have brought the action to court through writ of summons instead of originating summons. In a motion on notice filed by his counsel, Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), Ekweremadu prayed

the trial Judge, Justice Evoh Stephen Chukwu, to declare the case of the aggrieved Senators as inappropriate for determination vides the originating summons procedure. The deputy Senate President also asked the Judge to order that the case be transferred for hearing under the general cause list and that the parties in the suit be directed to file and exchange pleadings and witness statements

on oath for hearing and determination of the suit. The grounds of Ekweremadu’s motion was that when a case is transferred to another court to be commenced de novo (afresh), it is trite law that the suit be heard anew and that all findings of the previous court cannot be adopted or built upon by the new court. He argued that the suit filed by originating summons of July 27, 2015 was anchored on alleged falsification of

Again, another Nigerian Elmont student FOR the second year in a row, an Elmont Memorial High School student has been accepted to all eight Ivy League schools. Last year, the Long Island high school’s salutatorian, Harold Ekeh, chose to attend Yale University, after having his pick of all eight Ivy League schools. This year, Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna, Elmont’s valedictorian, will face the same decision. “Having two students accepted into all eight Ivy League institutions in backto-back years is humbling, but also speaks to the incredible commitment to children by the families and staff within the

EMHS community,’ said Kevin Dougherty, Elmont Memorial High School principal. Uwamanzu-Nna was also accepted to the four additional schools to which she applied. “My recent accomplishments reflect the hardworking ideals of the town of Elmont, my supportive parents and my dedicated teachers. I am elated, but most importantly, I am thankful,” she said. Ekeh and UwamanzuNna are both Nigerians. Ekeh was born in Nigeria and came to the United States when he was eight. Uwamanzu-Nna is the

daughter of Nigerian immigrants. “Though I was born here in America, I visited Nigeria many times,” UwamanzuNna told CNN affiliate WABC. “I’ve seen that my cousins don’t have the same opportunities that I have. So definitely, whatever I do, I want to make sure that it has an impact on Nigeria,” she added. Uwamanzu-Nna planned to pursue a science-

SATURDAY, 9 APRIL, 2016

Agric machine fabricators ask FG for empowerment By Ruth Olurounbi

FOR Nigeria’s sustainable agriculture to occur, the Federal Government must, as a matter of necessity empower machineries fabricators in the country, the Agricultural Machineries and Equipment Fabricators Association of Nigeria (AMEFAN), has said. The association, on Thursday, during its National General Meeting held in Ibadan, insisted that farm mechanisation remained crucial for improving agricultural production in the country. Kola Adeniji, the association’s president, therefore, charged the Federal Government to empower the fabricators to produce machineries that would accelerate the government’s effort at sustainable agriculture advancement in the country. Adeniji, who said equipment fabrication business alone could provide more than five million direct and indirect jobs in the country, added that members of the association had the technical know-

how, saving the country from heavy reliance on importation of agricultural equipment. While calling for favourable government policies to encourage application of technology in agriculture, Adeniji also called for funds to be made available to the fabricators to work with. Speaking also, the national secretary, Victor Olomo, said subsistence farming remained the bane of agriculture in Nigeria, saying that lack of appropriate tools and machines that could support the production of marketable surpluses, was responsible for this. According to him, mechanisation remained an essential role for sustainable production systems in the country’s agriculture. Speaking earlier, the Provost of Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Dr Babajide Adelekan, said if the association was empowered, it could offer better quality jobs, improve industrial crops production and boost entrepreneurship development in the country.

related major. She was a finalist in the 2016 Intel Science Talent Search for her research on cement that could help prevent underwater oil rigs from rupturing. On Monday, she received an invitation to the White House Science Fair. “There are no secrets to academic success,” she said, adding that her 101.64 weighted GPA was earned through hard work.

the standing order of the Senate. In an 18 paragraph affidavit in support of the motion, Ekweremadu claimed that the allegation of contriving or concocting the Senate Standing Orders 2015 amounted to falsification, forgery or fraud and that by the nature; the suit cannot be decided by originating summons but by the writ of summons, where evidence can be adduced orally. He averred that it was necessary to call oral evidence in order to resolve the material conflicts in the affidavit and counteraffidavit of the parties and that unless oral evidence tested under cross examination was produced, the conflicting affidavit would be incapable of resolution in the suit. “I have vehemently asserted in my counter affidavit to the Originating Summons that the Senate Standing Order 2015 (as amended) is valid and the eighth National Assembly on being convened was entitled to conduct its affairs independent of

the Rules enacted by the seventh National Assembly,” he said in the affidavit. When the matter came up on Thursday, counsel to the Plaintiffs, Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN), who addressed the court through Dele Adesina (SAN), said Ekweremadu took him by surprise with the new motion served on him in the open court. He complained that the action of the deputy Senate President was a ploy to scuttle hearing of the case filed last year and asked the court for an adjournment to enable him react to the motion. Saraki’s counsel, Kayode Eleja (SAN) did not oppose the application for adjournment but claimed that both parties have been serving each other with court process in the open court. Justice Chukwu then adjourned the case till April 27, 2016 and directed that serving of court papers should be through Chambers to Chambers and no longer in the open court.

N150

interview

entertainment

Buhari’s govt’s Achilles heel is ... —Bode Olowoporoku

features

Untold story of Awgu/ Fulani herdsmen clash klieglight

Inside Lagos markets of filth womenaffairs

It takes determination, grace of God to succeed

—Lagunna Iyalode of Ibadanland

Why I stopped doing Lagos shows —Julius Agwu

Book your copy today

I may remarry —Iyabo Ojo

Friday, 8 April, 2016

14 news

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Corrupt leaders are not heaven-conscious —Cleric

As Waziri decries critics of anti-corruption fight Biola Azeez - Ilorin

IGERIAN leaders and other citizens who enrich themselves with resources of the country have been described as people who are not heaven conscious. Delivering his sermon at the commendation service for the late former Inspector-General of Police, Chief Sunday Adewusi, in Ilorin, on Thursday, the minister

in charge of the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Sabo-Oke, Ilorin, Reverend Olawuyi James, said that those who engage in the criminal act, fail to understand that life is ephemeral and that hereafter was more important. Reverend James, who cited the Holy Bible’s parable of the richman and Lazarus in his sermon, said that man at death would bid bye to existence of life, pleasure and pursuit of life without taking along any

material acquired to his next destination. “Some people with the way they amass wealth look as if they want to live heaven on earth whereas they have little time to live on earth and they will not be able to take their wealth to heaven. Heaven is a different place and to get there, you must walk in the way of the Lord,” he said. He advised people to always remember that there is lesson in death and that everything is temporary

in life, saying they should be cautious not to allow things they will not take along in their transition to draw their attention away from God. The cleric, while stating that the deceased made positive impact in the police force, church and the nation at large, urged the people in position of authority to use their position to “bless life and to touch people’s life. He advised those who are frustrated by injustice and

difficulties in the land and engage in ungodly activities to desist and endure in the way of the Lord to gain heaven. In his tribute on behalf of the Kwara State government, delivered at the event, the state deputy governor, Elder Peter Kisira, described Adewusi as a man who worked for the unity and progress of the country. The deputy governor, who described Adewusi as an illustrious Nigerian,

led the three-man panel, granted the convict bail in sum of N2 million, with two sureties in the like sum. Justice Samuel Osuji, who read the lead judg-

ment, held that there was nothing in the record of the court that the convict once jump bail. And there was enough evidence before that the convict has health challenges.

Appeal Court grants Ibinabo bail Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin Lagos RELIEF has come the way of embattled ex-beauty queen, Ibinabo Fiberesima, as the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, granted her bail, pending the determination of her appeal at the Supreme Court over five years imprisonment slammed on her for manslaughter Ibinabo, had been sentenced to five years in prison by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi of the state High Court in 2009 for manslaughter holding that her reckless driving was responsible for an auto crash, which claimed the life of one Dr Giwa Suraj ,on the Lekki-Epe Expressway. While sentencing Fiberesima to five years imprisonment, Justice Oluwayemi overruled the decision of the state Magistrates’ Court which earlier or-

dered her to pay N100,000 for the offence. Fiberesima filed application before the Court of Appeal, praying the court to release her on bail pending when the Supreme Court would hear and determine her appeal against the appellate court’s judgment. In a affidavit of urgency filed in support of her bail application before the Court of Appeal, one Victor Eden said Fiberesima had just undergone a surgery for breast cancer and was still under the watch of her doctors. He said it would best serve the interest of justice to release Fiberesima on bail while the Supreme Court’s decision in her case was being awaited Lagos State government did not oppose the application but urged the court to use its discretion. The state represented by Mrs Rotimi Odutola, held

that what real concerns, the state was the pursuit of the appeal filed by the convict. After listening to the argument of both parties, Justice Sidi Bage, who

Group lauds Lasun on empowerment scheme THE ‘Lasun Support Group has lauded the efforts of the deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Sulaimon Lasun, at alleviating the poor condition of people of his constituency. The group, in a statement signed by the secretary, Mr Azeez Mukaila, said that Lasun’s kind of politics will eradicate poverty in the state. Items distributed on the occasion include, 100 tricycles, 100 sewing machines, 100 grinding machines and N6 million to the beneficiaries to enable them start profitable ventures.

Land dispute: Court orders Pastor Adefarasin, others to maintain status quo Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin Lagos A judge of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere has restated an order restraining a Lagos-based Pastor, Paul Adefarasin and his church, House on the Rock, from taking over a land belonging to a businessman, Gerald Chukwueke. Justice Adebisi Akinlade ordered that parties in the matter should maintain status quo ante bellum as it existed on March 15, 2016, when the defendants were served with the processes in the suit, pending the hearing of the interlocutory application filed by the claimants. Justice Akinlade, had on March 17, 2016, restrained the defendants, their servants, agents or privies from demolishing or removing any structure whatsoever they temporary or permanent on the

claimants premises located at plots 15, 16, 17 and 18 at 188 Ikate, Lekki, Lagos. The court also barred the defendants from commencing any development, construction, building or erecting any structure whether temporary or permanent in any manner whatsoever on the land. At the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday,, counsel to the claimants, Moyo Onigbanjo, told the court that he has served all the defendants with the processes in the matter. “The defendants have filed a counter affidavit to our motion on notice and an application to strike out the name of the first defendant has also been filed, which we have responded to,” he said. On his part, lawyer to the 1st and 2nd defendants, Gabriel Uduafi, agreed with the position of the claimants’ lawyer but said

he will file the statement of defence before the expiration of the 42 days allowed by the law. Before the judge adjourned the matter, Onigbanjo urged the court to renew her earlier order restraining the defendants by directing parties to maintain status quo. The lawyer insisted that it will be in the interest of justice for the court to grant his request so that the subject matter will be preserved. However, Uduafi opposed the application, arguing that his clients had already taken possession of the land with a valid registered title. In a short ruling, Justice Akinlade overruled Uduafi, and ordered parties to maintain status quo pending the hearing of the interlocutory application. The judge then adjourned the suit till June 2.

The group noted that if the gesture given to the four local government areas that constituted Irepodun federal constituency is extended to other constituencies in the state, poverty level would be reduced. Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, who attended the empowerment pro-

gramme, also commended Lasun on the scheme. The deputy speaker had earlier stated that people are the stakeholders invested in politics and it is compulsory for them to reap from their investment, adding that the empowerment scheme is an ongoing project.

noted that he contributed immensely to the socioeconomic growth, development, progress and stability of the state. Others that gave tribute included the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who was represented by the AIG zone eight, Garba Yahaya Ando, the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Mrs Funsho Adewusi among others. Meanwhile, he former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farida Waziri, has described people saying that anticorruption efforts of the current administration is selective as enemies of Nigeria. Speaking with journalists after a commendation service for Chief Adewusi, in Ilorin, on Thursday, Waziri said that war against corruption must be fought by every Nigerian. “I disagree with those saying that the current war against corruption is selective or targeted at some particular politicians.” She, however, described Adewusi as an icon and a great man.

15 news Alamieyeseigha stood, died for true federalism —Dickson Austin Ebipade, Yenagoa

OVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, has said the first civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, would remain in the mind of Ijaw people; even as he noted that he stood, fought and died for true federalism, christened the demand for resource control. He said to immortalise the ‘Governor-General’ of the Ijaw nation, government would hold an annual memorial lecture in honour of Alamieyeseigha. This, Dickson said at a lecture organised in honour of Alamieyeseigha, tagged: “Federalism and the development of the Niger Delta region,” at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa. He noted that beyond his achievements while in office as a governor, Alamieyeseigha protected the dignity and integrity of the Ijaw people, adding that

though, he was no more, his ideals would remain with us and we would stand by his beliefs.” Dickson said the negatively skewed equation in the nation’s body polity could be traced to several problems militating against its accelerated growth and development, stressing that a situation where the centre would post commissioner of police to states, is a direct abuse to federalism. He said the imbalance created in the nation’s body polity is what has continued to make some states poorer, adding that as the centre continues to take decision about oil blocs, it amounts to robbing the owners of their ancestral property. He reiterated that Alamieyeseigha lived, sacrificed and paid the price for true federalism, nothing that it should guide the perception of politicking, which is a position that he shared with the late governor. In his lecture, Professor

Saraki’s CCT trial: Act as impartial leader, group tells Buhari By Moses Alao PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to be conscious of his status as a statesman and accord every member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) equal opportunity, recognition and relevance, as these would go a long way in stabilising the party and allowing the president to focus on fulfilling his electoral promises. In a statement by the APC National Grassroots Forum, signed by its national coordinator and secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Atolagbe Alege and Pius Charles, respectively, the group expressed its concern over the alleged double standard in the ongoing trial of the senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), pleading with President Buhari to “act as an impartial leader and halt any attempt or actions by individuals aimed at using state institutions as a tool for punishing perceived political enemies without respect for the sanctity of those institutions.” The group, noted that Saraki’s trial “is a clear move by some individuals to have him smashed politically, called on the president to register his status “as an impartial leader who has the capacity to carry everybody along without sentiments,” just as it expressed sadness over the

turn of events in the ruling party after its victory at the polls. Noting that Nigerians’ expectations remained high and that APC’s attention should be on fulfilling its electoral promises to the people rather than dissipating energy on irrelevancies and needless supremacy tussle, the group carpeted the CCT for “failing to balance the scale of justice without fear or favour,” calling on stakeholders to bring the situation in APC under control “before it degenerates to a level beyond redemption, as such development would not be in the best interest of the party.”

G. G. Dara, chronicled the defects in the nation’s polity and traced it to the precolonial era, adding that the amalgamation was faulty as it made the southern part of the country to bear the burden of the country. He said that respite came when few Nigerians acquired western education; which he said fast-tracked development on equity, such that in the West, proceeds from agriculture was used to build the Cocoa House, Ibadan and provided free education, while the groundnut pyramid, was used to develop the northern parts of the country. Dara averred that the decision that eroded federalism was enacted by military decree under the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, when it stated that proceeds from crude oil belong to the Federal Government, and successive governments sustained it through the Land Use Act, Inland Waterways Act. He said that all mineral resources belonged to the Federal Government. He said Ijaw people must rise up and pick up the gauntlet for true federalism with recourse to the struggle of past martyrs such as Isaac Boro, Dappa Biriye, the Kaiama Declaration, resource control by former governors of the South-South People’s Assembly. Dara noted that it was this same revolutionary struggle that made the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to produce the first minority president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Earlier, the former Secretry to the State Government (SSG), Dr Steve Azaiki, had commended Alamieyeseigha, particularly, on the struggle that produced the first minority president.

Oyo PPSA wants Fashola to reconstitute SURCON By Gbenga Olumide

THE chairman, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Oyo State branch, Mr Ola Siyanbola, has appealed to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to reconstitute the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON). The NIS boss made the appeal during the inauguration of new executive members of Private Practising Surveyors Association (PPSA), a subsidiary group of NIS, at the Surveyor House, Ikolaba, Ibadan. Siyanbola explained that SURCON is the regulatory body that guides the practice of surveying in Nigeria.

He said the body had been dissolved since October 2014, adding that the it needed to be put in place to move the profession forward. The NIS boss further advised the new executive members of PPSA to understand that leadership in real sense is a call to service. According to him: “Leadership entails total commitment to the services of the association, institution and the humanity at large.” Also speaking, the SurveyorGeneral of Oyo State, Mr Olumide Ogundipe, tasked the state chapter of PPSA to be united and come up with ideas that would help the state government in its policies.

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

news

Friday, 8 April, 2016

3 feared dead as policeman struggles with taxi driver in Abuja Ademola Adegbite-Lafia

HREE persons, on Thursday morning, lost their lives, when a policeman (name withheld) was dragging steering with a taxi driver in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The unfortunate incident, which happened at Arap on Utako-Abuja Road, in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) around 11 a.m, later resulted to protest by both the pedestrians and other taxi drivers during which the road was barricaded for more than 30 minutes. It was after that that policemen regrouped and started firing teargas to demobilise the angry mob. Witnesses told the Nigerian Tribune that the late taxi driver was accosted at Arap Junction by the suspect (policeman) and forcefully gained entrance into the vehicle. Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune further revealed that the suspect, who was said to have taken to his heels, started struggling with the taxi driver to take over the steering in order to park the taxi. However, the driver lost

FCT Area council election: Police restrict movement THE FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement in the FCT between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on April 9. This was contained in a statement issued by the FCT Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Anjuguri Manzah, in Abuja, on Thursday. It said the restriction was to allow for free and fair conduct of the rescheduled FCT Area Council elections. “This is part of the security measures adopted by the Command to ensure safety and security during the elections,” it said. The statement said that the restriction excluded vehicles on essential duty. It assured FCT residents that the command had strategically deployed personnel and logistics to provide adequate security during the polls. The statement further enjoined residents to be vigilant and cooperate with the Police and other security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities. NAN reports that the chairmanship and councillorship elections earlier scheduled for March 19 was rescheduled for April 9.

control and the vehicle somersaulted before hitting two pedestrians. It was gathered further that the driver died immediately, while the remaining victims died few minutes after the incident. All the corpses were said to have been deposited at an

undisclosed hospital within the council area. Conflicting reports, however, had it that only the driver died immediately, while the two others were still receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. When the Nigerian Tribune visited the Out Sta-

tion of the Nigeria Police, B-Division, Utako District, Wuse Zone Six, Abuja, the Officer in Charge (O/C) was said to have gone out for official assignment, but an Inspector by rank, said: “you can only get your information at the scene of the incident. “Because the O/C is not

around now, and we don’t even have any suspect in our custody, so it will be difficult. Even if O/C is around, to tell you anything would be impossible because we don’t have any information for now as regards what happened there this morning,” he added.

Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari (middle), receiving Budget details from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Eta Enang (left) and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Reps), Honourable Suleiman Kawu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

NDLEA discovers drugs inside DJ rack box, boxer shorts Shola Adekola-Lagos

OFFICERS of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have discovered 28 packs of Tramadol, weighing 21.99kgs inside a DJ Rack box and 1.8kgs of cocaine in boxer shorts. The seizure was made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The Tramadol, which was hidden among camera items and was intercepted

during pre-shipment inspection, was destined for Congo Brazzaville in Central Africa. Another suspect was also caught with 1.8kg of cocaine in his boxer shorts on his way from Dubai. Both suspects are being investigated. NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmed Garba gave the names of the suspects as Afube Izuchukwu Henry, 27 year-old automobile parts dealer and Chijioke Chukwuemeka

Raphael, 36 year-old factory worker in Dubai. According to Garba, “Chijioke who deals in automobile parts was arrested for attempting to export 21.99kgs of Tramadol, hidden inside a DJ rack box meant for export to Congo Brazzaville. Another suspect, Chijioke Chukwuemeka Raphael, a Dubai based factory worker was arrested with 1.8kgs of cocaine packed inside socks and concealed in his boxer shorts during the inward

Strike: Please, give us more time, Buhari tells doctors 10,000 primary healthClement Idoko and Leon UsigbeAbuja

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to shelve its threatened strike action and give the Federal Government more time to address the grievances of doctors. Speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), President Buhari gave the doctors an assurance that no agreements duly entered into by the Federal Government would be dishonoured by his administration. According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the

President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in Abuja, the President called for greater understanding and support from doctors and all Nigerians in view of the present short fall in national revenue brought about by the decline of crude oil prices. Decrying the adverse impact of the fall in oil prices on the Federal Government’s spending plans for health and other sectors, President Buhari said that his administration would continue to do its best to address issues that are of concern to doctors and other Nigerians. The President also gave the NMA delegation an insight into his administration’s plan to establish

care centres across the country in the next two years with the objective of providing better healthcare for about 100 million Nigerians. According to the statement, the president also told the delegation led by the NMA President, Dr Kayode Obembe that the National Health Act will soon be gazetted and a steering committee appointed to oversee its implementation. The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, described the plan to establish more healthcare centres as “the single most ambitious health plan for the poor in the history of Nigeria.”

screening of passengers on an Emirate flight from Dubai.” Afube, who hails from Anambra and married with two children, said that he only acted on his elder brother’s instruction saying: “I am an auto parts dealer. My brother who lives in Congo asked me to send a DJ Rack box to him. Unfortunately, when I took the box to the airport, NDLEA discovered tramadol inside it during search and I was arrested in the process.” Chijioke, who said he was offered N450,000 naira to smuggle the drug to Nigeria declared: “I am a factory worker in Dubai for the past six years. I am married with three children but I cannot take good care of my family. I eat from hand to mouth and I am tired of working without seeing the benefits of my labour. I met a man seven months ago in Nigeria who introduced me into drug trafficking. He promised me a better job in Nigeria and offered me N450,000 naira. I accepted the offer because I wanted to come back home and start a better job.” He hails from Enugu State. Speaking on the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd), promised to adopt better strategies to disrupt drug trafficking in the country.

Presidency begins pre-retirement training for employees Leon Usigbe-Abuja

THE Presidency, on Thursday, in Abuja, commenced a vocational and entrepreneurial programme to prepare its staff for retirement. Declaring open the twoday workshop for prospective retirees from the State House, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Jalal Arabi, said that the training was also designed to prepare them mentally and psychologically for retirement. He said “what the state House has set out to do is to commence a process of early pre-retirement training for potential retirees. “This is in the firm belief that adequate planning for retirement will make life after retirement more attractive.’’ According to Arabi, the overall aim of the Presidency was to ensure that all its employees undergo pre-retirement training at least three to four years before retirement. He added that “this approach is based on the realisation that it usually takes about three years to incubate and mature most business ideas.’’ The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 81 prospective retirees are being trained on livestock, fisheries management and personal finance planning at the workshop.

Nigeria to make maiden appearance in Korean tourism dance contest By Yejige Gbenga-Ogundare

FOR the first time since its creation in 2007, Nigeria has been invited to participate in the R16 Global Dance Competition organised by the Korean Tourism Organisation. Originally conceived to create hip-hop awareness among Korean youths in particular and Asian youths generally, in a bid to boost the tourism potentials of the Asian nation, the R16 competition has evolved into one of the biggest dance competition in the Universe, providing a platform where youths the world over converge in a one week long music related activities which culminate in the hip-hop dance contest. Fashioned as a dance Olympics, male and female dancers representing different countries of the world and by implication continents as well, the event provides an exceptional opportunity for these youths to showcase their talents to the world.

Friday, 8 April, 2016

OW time flies. As you read this, my friend and my classmate at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos years ago has retired as Bishop of the Anglican Communion. I am ever emotional whenever I write about my classmates at whatever level. When I write on events surrounding my friends, my memories are always tasked to the fullest. I simply remember those things that held us together those years, either in the secondary school or in the university. They have been very beautiful memories. Sometimes in March 2016 (a few weeks ago), I received the following text message from my friend ‘Ranti Odubogun on my MTN phone:“Ebino, this is Bishop Odubogun Oluranti. I will retire on Sunday March 13, 2016 exactly nine years after you witnessed my enthronement at Ile-Ife on March 13, 2007. I have been trying to call you without success. If you are able to honour us with your presence at the event it will be our delight. Oluranti Ife” Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the retirement service of Bishop Oluranti Odubogun. I, however, knew that I was going to write a special Political Panorama in honour of a Nigerian who was my classmate at Igbobi College, Yaba (H.Sc class) between 1964 and 1965. ‘Ranti a.k.a “Omo Bogun” as we used to call him, was a special friend who himself has been too nice to those of us who were his friends as secondary school classmates. ‘Ranti Odubogun’s father was a senior clergy of the Anglican Communion. No one ever knew that ‘Ranti would one day turn an Anglican Clergy. After some spell as a staff of Cadbury, ‘Ranti went ahead to take to his father’s profession by becoming a Bishop of the Anglican Communion. As ‘Ranti himself remembers, I was there at Ile-Ife nine years ago when he was enthroned a Bishop of the Anglican Communion. I remember that day at Ile-Ife when ‘Ranti delivered a powerful sermon to mark his enthronement as Bishop. I marveled seeing him deliver the great sermon. When ‘Ranti invited me to his retirement ceremony a few weeks ago, I was desirous once again to hear him, deliver another great sermon. Unfortunately, I could not attend the ceremony. It is difficult to remember the names of all my classmates at Igbobi College those days. I had written out their names on two previous occasions on this page. The last time I wrote about my friends on this page was over a year ago when Professor Ogunbona a.k.a “Parabo” turned 70 at Abeokuta. We had assembled from many secondary schools in Nigeria in 1964 to meet at Lagos (Igbobi College Yaba) for our Higher School Certificate classes. It was an assembly of young men who had the ambition to reach the top of their academic career. Some of us have died and some are still alive to give praises to God for his mercies and protection over us. I remember some of our teachers who have answered the supreme call. I remember our Principal, Papa Olatunbosun; the senior tutor, Papa Esubiyi, Mrs. Odunsi (an expatriate wife of the late Engineer Odunsi, then our History teacher, Mr. Ashade (who was my Housemaster at Aggrey House. He joined the Navy as a graduate and died some years later; Mr. Sagay a.k.a. “Omo Asaga,” who was Housemaster of Townsend Hall. I believe there was Mr. Bricknell and several others. Many of the above-named teachers have since died. May their souls rest in peace. Some of my classmates who have also answered the supreme call include Bade Ojora aka “Bade Ojija”, ‘Seye Adeyemi-Wilson aka “WASCE”, Akinwunmi Aina, Fred Uku aka “Fredo”, Bayo Fowode aka “Babs Fodi”, Ogunbunmi aka “Pa Oguns”, Altine Akin Ogunsola, who came from Kiriji Memorial College, Igbajo to join us at Igbobi College, Yaba,. He finished in America and spent many years there before his death about three years ago. There was the late Oladipo aka “Ladi Bobo”. There was no way Bishop Odubogun’s retirement sermon would not have included tributes to many of the above-named gentlemen who had played significant roles in the formative stages of his life. Some of us (like me) have gone into politics. Some have become traditional rulers like Oba Oni, the Olu of Imasai. His name at school was Oniguy, Onigacia, Onigopoly. Some have retired as university intellectuals. Professor “Parabo” Ogunbona (that I have mentioned above). He had come from Eko Boys High School to join us at Igbobi. I remember Banker Fashina aka “Fashy Baby” who has now retired from the bank-

With

Ebenezer Babatope

0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE)

Bishop ‘Ranti Odubogun retires

•Bishop Ranti Odubogun

ing world. I do not know where Bode Akinyemi is now. He was a star footballer of our days at Igbobi. I have not seen him since we left Igbobi College in 1965. I remember Femi Sokenu aka “Soki Lapatine” (the husband of the late Maria Sokenu, who died in a plane crash some years ago), Bertie Madu, Adeyefa, George aka “Ajoxolo”, Jimmy Asaye, Ayoku, the blind graduate, Yemi Akappo, Adewusi, Okeke, Prince Bola Adewale aka “Prince Bolly”, Edun, Olumide Phillips aka “O’philo” Olubodun, Akinsanya, Gbolahan Sadare aka “Bros Shad”, Gbadebo Ibuoye aka “Ezekibus Barrister”, Moses Asiedu, Scientist Ajayi from Ilesa, Femi Elemile, Fatai Masha Adediwura, Akintola Omole, Dada Ogunsanya “Omo Iya Onicigar”, Banker Onyename, Barrister Awolesi aka “Awo Alangore”, Segun Olumofin aka “Waskili Gboran Gboran.” Serva Olusanya (he left us in 1964 to attend a University in Ohio State, America), Luma Laluma, Thorpe, and several others whose names have escaped my memory). I know that many of us (still alive) would have attended the retirement ceremony of Bishop Odubogun. It was a golden opportunity lost to have seen my friends after a long long time of our separation from Igbobi College. I came from Ifaki Grammar School in Ekiti to join my friends at Igbobi College. ‘Segun Asubiojo, who was a year my junior at Ifaki Grammar School, joined me at Igbobi College in 1964, where we became classmates. We have remained friends till this day. Many of us later moved from Igbobi College to the University of Lagos. While I enrolled at UNILAG in

the Faculty of Arts, Bishop Odubogun was in the Social Sciences. I believe Jimmy Ashaye was in the Faculty of Engineering, while Bade Ojora went to the Faculty of Law. I kept an accurate record of my classmates at Igbobi College up till about ten years ago. I can no longer find these records. Now, old age has come and we now seem to forget events very fast. I can, however, state with accuracy today that Bishop Odubogun never played the truancy some of us played at Igbobi College. I remember too well that there was no social joint in Lagos that I did not know in my time at Igbobi. There was a notorious place in Surulere called Ilogbo Street, where anyone who wanted to befriend a beautiful secondary school student could go and seek her companionship. We thank God that our experiences of that time later made us better Nigerian citizens in life. I, however, say that ‘Ranti was never one of us in the wild game. We knew our fellow comrades in the business. Today, Bishop Odubogun has retired from the Anglican Communion. I congatulate him for this feat. I equally congratulate his loyal wife, Shade, for ensuring that ‘Ranti landed successfully as an Anglican Bishop. I congratulate our friends who are still alive for seeing this day. God bless you all! EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) NEXT WEEK ‘TUNJI BRAITHWAITE – A TRIBUTE (BOOK YOUR COPY IN ADVANCE)

18 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 8 April, 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.

Endless fuel scarcity, a dilemma

IGERIA is Africa’s largest oil producer and the continent’s largest economy, but the country has been paralysed by worsening fuel shortages. Now, one is so curious as to why a traditional oil-producing nation like Nigeria cannot operate refineries at optimal levels for domestic consumption. It is quite disheartening that all our refineries are functioning at sub-optimal capacities and the country continues to spend substantial foreign exchange to import fuel. The fact that the bulk of Nigeria’s crude oil is still refined abroad reveals a country that is not serious economically. Since domestic refining cannot meet up with consumption, Nigeria has resorted to importation of refined crude. The four refineries, with a combined capacity in excess of 445,000 barrels per day, could only refine a mere 80,757, metric tonnes of petroleum products. These are 19,967 of Pre-

mium Motor Spirit (PMS), 53,223.4 metric tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and 7,567 MT of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or cooking gas. The remaining 8.1million metric tonnes of petroleum that came into the downstream sector was imported. Not only does Nigeria import refined products, the process of importation is fraught with irregularities, and with high level of corruption. It will be recalled that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), some years ago, indicated interest in constructing three new refineries with a total capacity of one million barrels each in three states of the federation, but this has so far remained a mere dream, even as the multinational oil firms such as Shell Nigeria, Exxon Mobil, Total, Oando, Addax, among others, have continued to shun investment opportunities in constructing their refineries in the country. While Nigeria continues

to show lack of coordination in its oil sector, other members of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) like Saudi-Arabia, Libya, Iran, Kuwait, United Arab Emirate (UAE), Algeria, Qatar and Venezuela are fast expanding their refineries, both home and abroad. Libya and Kuwait, for

instance, own offshore refineries in Europe where crude oil is shipped to, refined and dispensed to consumers in Europe. Our leaders’ lack of vision has made fuel scarcity to become a recurring issue in the country despite the fact that it affects the nation’s economy; unfortunately, government is

yet to find a lasting solution towards curbing it. The recent fuel scarcity has really affected the economy of the country, while wasting Nigerians’ precious time. I, therefore, hope the government of Muhammadu Buhari can find a lasting solution to the problem. The NNPC boss and Min-

ister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, will work harder towards finding a solution to this problem. The minister should work towards getting oil multinationals to construct their refineries in the country. •Temitayo Taylor, Abiola Way, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Developing Nigeria’s agricultural sector AGRICULTURE remains the only way through which we can solve our current economic challenges; first, we can solve our high unemployment rate by creating agricultural ventures. Nigeria has a huge population, but we don’t produce enough to feed our people. As a result, we import most of the food we consume, but if we can create agricultural enterprises, then there is a ready-made market for the produce. Apart from the fact that this will help us save foreign exchange, we can

also become prosperous exporting agricultural produce. Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, USA, among others, are big food-exporting nations. Again, the world population will soon hit nine billion people, and we will have more mouths to feed. If we can develop our agricultural sector today, then we will be a net exporter of food when the world will need more food to eat. I am also envisaging a situation whereby, with the population explosion, food producing countries

would reduce exports so that their citizens can have something to eat. When this time comes, citizens of different countries will only eat what they can produce. We shouldn’t wait till

that time before we take the necessary action. We should start focusing on how to develop our agriculture now. Nelson Ekwale, Benin.

Unbundle power, works and housing ministry now THERE is no doubt that the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, is a very hardworking man. He proved his worth while he held sway as the Lagos State governor, changing the face of Nigeria’s commercial city. The decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Mr Fashola as a minister is definitely the right choice, but making him oversee three important ministries is like putting the soul of the nation in the hand of one man. I am not doubting Fashola’s ability to deliver in this national assignment, but each of these sectors need adequate attention. In the area of power, we all know that the situation is becoming more worrisome, as our generation keeps falling almost on a daily basis. The lack of stable power supply has made us lose investments that would have reduced unemployment in the country. This is a sector that needs all the attention it can get so that the challenges can be overcomed. Works is another important sector in the country; our roads are nothing to write home about. Almost on a daily basis, accidents claim the lives of innocent Nigerians. Just recently, we lost the Minister of State for Labour, Mr James Ocholi; so this is a very critical sector that also

needs proper attention. The housing deficit we are experiencing also stresses the need for an experienced professional to be appointed as the Minister of Housing. President Buhari recently discovered the terrible situation in the housing sector that he instructed governors to embark on building 250,000 units of houses every year. Now, handling a man all the three key sectors is not the best. When Mr Fashola was newly-appointed, I wanted to see the magic he would perform with all the three merged ministries; although it is too early to judge the performance of the former Lagos State governor, the dwindling electricity supply to Nigerians shows he has been overwhelmed by trying to tackle the problem. This is aside the other two critical sectors --- Works and Housing. I hope President Buhari will quickly realise that it will be very difficult for Mr Fashola to achieve anything going by the challenges being faced in the three sectors. I am, therefore, calling on the president to unbundle the three ministries, while competent professionals are appointed to handle Works and Housing, as Mr Fashola is brilliant enough to solve the challenges in the power sector. •David Atolagbe, Surulere, Lagos.

editorial

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

The gender parity bill

N attempt by Mrs Abiodun Olujimi, a serving senator, to rally support for the passage of her gender parity bill on the floor of the upper chamber of the National Assembly was rebuffed by the majority of her colleagues recently. The bill was shot down at first reading. Indeed, it would have been a tall order to think that a bill that seeks to foster gender parity would have a smooth ride in an assembly where policy or decision making is predominantly patriarchal. It will be recalled that there had been two earlier attempts at the National Assembly and one in Oyo State to pass a similar bill. The attempts suffered the same fate as the recent one by Senator Olujimi. The flippant manner in which the bill was thrown out by the Senate smacks of insensitivity to a critical challenge that promises to remain unless all stakeholders resolve to tackle it head on. It is most unfortunate that an institution that has the capacity and of course the responsibility to undertake farreaching and long awaited sociocultural re-engineering failed to latch onto the opportunity presented by the bill to write its name in gold. Sundry reasons were given by some senators for opposing the bill but two seemingly formidable ones stood out. One is that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria already covers all the issues the bill agitates for. The other is that the bill runs counter to the tenets of the senators’ religion. While it may be convenient to perfunctorily assume that all issues the bill seeks to resolve have been attended to in the constitution, our position is that this is not necessarily correct. Assuming but not conceding that the constitution provides for these issues, could it have done so in the specific and explicit terms in which the bill seeks to do it? And is it not better to err on the side of superfluity rather than continue to rely on constitutional provisions that are yet to address the challenges at issue in concrete terms? For instance, Section 29, subsection 4(b) of the Nigerian constitution presumes that every married woman is mature, yet it could not have been the intendment of the drafters of the constitution that a girl-child of 13 automatically becomes mature once she is married off. But civilized Nigerians have had to contend with selfish and mischievous interpretations of nebulous constitutional provisions. This is one of the challenges the aborted bill could have tackled by way of its express and unambiguous provisions. In any case, the fact that the bill keeps coming up for debate after being thrown out suggests that the challenge it is meant to tackle is very much alive and beyond what the extant laws could ameliorate. A lot of women are suffering great deprivation and are daily being oppressed and exploited by their male counterparts

in many parts of Nigeria, in spite of the alleged and much trumpeted constitutional provisions that protect them. This is unacceptable in a 21st century Nigeria. And it is unconscionable for anyone to pretend that all is well, or sabotage the efforts being made to rein in the social malaise that oppression and tacit discrimination against women represents in Nigeria. Again, while some senators claimed that provisions of the proposed bill conflict with some tenets of their religion, no specific religious tenets to which the bill is at variance were mentioned, although it is not difficult to hazard guesses. The point should be made, however, that it is most unlikely that any religion will permit oppression or gender-based discrimination. In most cases, it is mischievous men that hide under the cloak of religion to feed their bloated egos and satisfy their passion for exploitation and oppression of the weak. They marry girlchildren, limit the liberty accorded married women in terms of access to education and economic empowerment, and generally treat women like any other property. This is wrong. To be sure, Olujimi’s bill does not seek to transform women to heads of their families or in any way vitiate their submissiveness to their husbands. All the bill advocates is equal opportunity to both sexes. A woman restricted in terms of the education she receives and economic activities she undertakes should do so by choice and not by imposition. This is one reason she ought to attain the age of consent before being married off. To advocate the status quo, which the Senate has regrettably done, is to legitimize the activities of exploiters and oppressors of women in Nigeria. This should not be allowed. Therefore, Senator Olujimi is enjoined to re-introduce the bill, armed with facts and figures. Happily, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, graciously created a window for its re-introduction. The Senate is further enjoined to take a dispassionate look at the bill and do justice to it, amending those aspects that need amendment, and giving the nation cause for cheer. However, as some of the senators who spoke in support of Olujimi’s bill pointed out, there is a need for enlightenment, particularly on extant constitutional provisions which are not being taken advantage of by women, because some of the issues at stake are beyond constitutional matters. If extant laws are not being taken advantage of by women, neither will they take advantage of the current bill if it becomes law. For instance, there is no law that says a woman cannot secure bail for her relations at a police station, yet many Nigerian women shy away from that exercise. It is our view therefore that continued enlightenment on gender issues is sine qua non to women’s empowerment in the country.

AFRICAN NEWSPAPERS OF NIGERIA PLC Founders: Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR, SAN (1909 - 1987)

Chief (Dr) H.I.D Awolowo CON (1915 - 2015)

Chairman Rev. (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran Co-Chairman Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Edward Dickson Controller (Business Development) Fola Oke Chief Accountant Oluremi Olufisayo, ACA

Ibadan Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08077227269; 08034135733 Lagos Office (Advert Hot Lines): 08055333067; 08033013177 South South Regional Office: No. 50 Ikwerre Rd., Mile 1, Diobu, P/Harcourt, Rivers State

Snr. Manager (Advertisements) Kayode Titiloye Sales Manager Omotayo Lewis, Ph.D Consultant/Director Segun Olatunji, Ph.D

GOT NEWS?

Abuja Office: Suites G2. 05-07, PEB04 Plaza, Plot 2027, Dalaba Street, Beside NAPTIP Headquarters, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja Advert Hot Lines: 08033199716; 08078891797 Kaduna Office: AN 20, Lagos Street, by Keffi Rd., Kaduna. Ikeja Marketing Office. Block C, First Floor, Motorways centre, Opp., 7up Alausa, Ikeja.

Contact: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com or call:08055069471, 08116954630

opinion

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Now is time to re-strategise By Raymond Oise-Oghaede

lot of events are unfolding in the country by every passing day and there is no gainsaying the fact that the ‘Change Agents’ are putting in much effort towards ensuring that the misdeeds of the past are corrected and other necessary things are done to move the country forward. However, it is worrisome that despite all efforts, the situation on ground is a far cry from all expectations. Thus, it will not be out of place to say that the masses are in ‘a state of confusion’ as a result of the fact that, what is happening to them is beyond comprehension. At the early stage of the administration, a lot of positive changes were experienced. Presently, the case has suddenly changed; endless queues have returned to the filling stations; electricity is now meant for the affluent and privileged few; the costs of living have sky rocketed; many organizations are folding up and laying off workers; societal vices are on the rise again and there seems to be no end to the suffering of the masses. Consequently, the people are gradually losing their patience and faith in the system because they now have misgivings about every step taken by the government. Some of us who called for the patience and support of Nigerians to enable the administration make positive impacts have now become subject of mockery in the society. Numerous reasons and excuses have been adduced ranging from the global fall in oil prices, the looted treasury and bastardised economy, activities of some unpatriotic elements in government’s establishments, persisting activities of Boko Haram, corruption in high places, battered image of the country, distractions from opposition and a host of others. In as much as I want to sympathise with the government for all these inherited problems, the fact remains that things are presently not working out as planned and the best way out would be to re-strategise and prioritise objectives. There is need for Mr. President to put measures in place to ensure that majority of the people can afford to fend for themselves. It is only then that you can make them understand and buy the idea of sacrificing their quotas to making the country great again. Any other efforts or project that does not prioritise this key and most important aspect of the relationship will amount to efforts in futility. There is need to tackle the most pressing problems first before thinking of solving other secondary issues. Projects that will have immediate positive impact on the lives of the masses must attract urgent attention and be pursued vigorously. It is very important for our leaders to always have it at the back of their minds that, ‘there is a limit to human endur-

ance, because, nature is bound to react’. The people opted for change because their affairs were not properly handled in the last dispensation, which made life very difficult and unbearable for them. Consequently, they used their voting power effectively to change the government. Thus, it was not as if the people in APC performed any magic or that they were tactically or strategically better than those of the other parties during the elections. The situation in the country then was so hard on the people and the future very discouraging that it became expedient to salvage their existence and future by voting out the then leaders and giving a new set of people the benefit of the doubt. Therefore, if our leaders take the people for granted again, the consequences are very clear and predictable. In as much as I want to agree with the government that there is need for all and sundry to make sacrifices for the country to get to the desired destination, it must not be sacrifices of avoidable deaths through hunger and rising societal vices. In as much as the old saying that, ‘there is no gain without pains’ is still relevant; it does not make sense when the people are made to suffer without justifiable reasons. At least, they should know what they are set to achieve at the end of the sufferings or trying period. It is no longer news telling them that change is slow to come because of the state of hopelessness the last administration plunged the country into. The people knew that something was fundamentally wrong and, that was what informed their resolve to vote in the ‘Government of Change’ to alleviate the situation and not to worsen it The wrangling within the ruling party is one major albatross of this government. The division caused by the composition of the leadership of the National Assembly which still persists is an indication that selfish interest is paramount in the minds and considerations of some

of our leaders. The people who ought to work together to resolving the problems of the country are now divided and fighting for positions as if it is their birthright. By now, one would have expected that the issue is buried and forgotten but, that is not the case. Cross carpeting of some members of the opposition parties to the ruling party is not also helping matters as it has turned out to be negatively affecting the performances of some office holders whose focus have now shifted to how to retain control of the party’s machineries in their respective localities. The situation is compounded by forces outside government whose stock in trade is to cause disaffection amongst the people and capitalise on the crises to build selfish political gains. Time is ticking fast against their antics and they will be demystified and put to shame sooner than expected because, the masses are patiently observing the trends and waiting for the right time to show that power belongs to the people. As a result of the aforementioned, mutual suspicion is now prevalent in every facet of government and it has created an atmosphere or situation that can hardly breed any reasonably good returns. In as much as I am personally convinced that Mr. President means well for the people and he is putting in every available/possible effort to deliver the dividends of democracy, he can only be himself. The people that ought to close ranks and join hands with him to move the country forward are the same elements that have polarized the affairs of government by sowing seeds of discord. They do not give a damn about the hardship the masses are presently experiencing. By their actions and dispositions, it is very clear, that they are only pursuing personal and selfish interests as against the national interest they want the world to believe. Mr. President should note that, if anything goes wrong in the country, the blames will be his. Therefore, he should impress it on his lieutenants to sit up and face the business of governance squarely. No one should allow his/her political ambitions to conflict with the national interests (which is sacrosanct) otherwise, they should throw in the towel and allow those that will serve patriotically to come on board. The people are losing their patience; they need change urgently. •Oise-Oghaede, a public affairs analyst, lives in Surulere, Lagos.

Before Prof Omole bows out as OAU VC By Lekan Fatai

SERVING as Vice Chancellor (VC) of any public university in Nigeria is not only excruciatingly burdensome but a hard row to hoe. Not all professors can stake their lives for the “thankless job”, because they consider the position as carrying the cross for the salvation and comfort of the multitude. And, truth be told, Vice Chancellorship of any Nigerian public university (including privately owned) is a problematic furrow to plough. A Nigerian VC is not only expected to provide academic leadership, he or she is also required to provide municipal services on campus including uninterrupted electricity, pipe-borne water, security among others, which his counterparts in developed countries take for granted. Failure to meet staff and students’ demand could spark crisis and may lead to the termination of appointment of any unfortunate university administrator. Indeed, being a VC is not particularly different from walking on a tight rope. Any slight miscalculation can be catastrophic! This scenario probably captures the experiences of Prof. Bamitale Omole who was inaugurated on June 23, 2011 as the 10th VC of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State. He is preparing for a safe landing as his five- year tenure gloriously comes to an end on June 23, 2016. But before he bows out of office, it is apposite to review some of the promises he made in March 2011 when he was seeking the mandate of the university. However, Omole, a Professor of International Relations/Political Studies, with the benefit of hindsight has not only fulfilled almost all the vows he made, but has also recorded some feats that will preserve his historical immortality in Ife. From academic to infrastructures , from staff and students’ welfare to several other germane issues, Prof. Omole’s achievements are

beyond the realm of imagination, rather on a scale almost beyond belief. For instance, he promised to give the university a massive facelift by developing infrastructures. Consequently, Prof. Omole’s administration embarked on 30 major capital projects despite the dwindling subventions from the federal government. Today, all the major projects have been completed, thus, turning the campus to a modern place of information, reformation, transformation and innovation. Among the striking projects are the construction of an international Olympic size swimming pool, the Moot Court , University Hall, a 12-storey Senate Building (Jubilee House) as well as rehabilitations of several others. As a result of his foresight, resilience and talent management skills, Prof. Omole, early in 2014 , led the “Great Ife” to win an eight million dollar ($ 8million) grant from the world bank to establish an African Centre of Excellence with specific focus on the OAU knowledge park. This grant, obviously has added considerable value to the university. Prof. Omole who believes that the possibilities of situating OAU as a 21st century world class African university , in terms of cutting edge research, paradigmatic shift in the sources of funding, renewal of human resources and capital formation,

deepening of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are limitless, has certainly lived up to expectation. Without doubt, today, it is on record that OAU is a leader in Nigeria in ICTs as the institution boasts of stupendous 730mbps which is regarded as the biggest bandwidth in any Nigerian university. Ife is the only university in the country with telepresence studios with Cloud Computing Environment in the entire Nigerian university system. Consequently, the university which was rated as being 4th among Nigerian universities in 2011 and 78th in Africa, was for four consecutive years (2011-2014) ranked the best and number one university in Nigeria. All these laudable achievements and more are not unconnected with scintillating performances of Prof. Omole who handles everything about the university with exquisite discretion, just as he discharges his duties with courage and astute tenacity. The university community is so much enchanted by his piquant wits, sharp and appetising intelligence with which he has been able to make a mincemeat of the uphill task . While his critics attempt to muddy the waters by sponsoring incessant protest and orchestrating conflicts, Prof. Omole carries on with an astonishingly high level of omniscience that tends to arrogate to him a magic wand to solve all problems, hence leaping from one form of progress to another. Surely, only brave men can be trailblazers. Like President Barrack Obama of America, Prof. Omole is very skillful in verbal artistry with his intellectual engagements being marked by a certain cosmopolitanism and eclecticism. He always conceptualises his thought-process and builds them into achievable templates, cutting the stoic comportment of one at peace with his environment. •Fatai sent this article via fataiiyo@yahoo.com

Nigerian Tribune

Friday, 8 April, 2016

fridaytreat

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636

Ekiti Miss Culture 2016 Fiesta dazzles in N25m competition

Music

Business 101 Bang Radio UK becomes the Beat London 103.6FM

No more

negative rivalry in Fuji music

—Taye Currency

Apetainment Africa signs Mizz Spice in multi-million naira deal •Releases ‘Voltage’ CAPETAINMENT Africa, an international record label, has signed Akpojotor ‘Mizz Spice’ Anita in a multi-million naira deal. Anita, a 21-year-old reggae and dancehall artiste, hails from Delta State, from the family of six where she happens to be the third. Mizz Spice is a graduate of Marketing from Delta State University. She started her career at age six in the church where she was among the children choir and a drama group. She also sang as a social prefect in her secondary school days in Benin City, Edo State. Mizz Spice managed by Shetade Images in Nigeria. She recently released her debut single titled ‘Voltage’. The song is a dancehall rhythm and produced by DJ Coublon . According to Femi Olomoyoyo, the Chief Executive Officer of the label, “It is a privilege working with Mizz Spice. After our team had done rigorous work in searching for her talent, we are very optimistic that she will go far as far as the music industry is concerned. We implore everyone to support her talent. She has great attitude. Anita will not disappoint music fans worldwide,” Femi Olomoyoyo said.

fridaytreat

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

MUSIC BUSINESS 101 Embracing the artiste’/musician’s responsibilities in building a successful and sustainable career in the music business (Excerpts from my presentation at the Rock the Core Music Business Conference and Showcase)

By Toyin Adeniji

FTEN times in the music business, artistes/musicians tend to behave lackadaisically and act with neglect in the handling of their fundamental responsibilities in the pursuit of their musical career due to several factors including but not limited to carelessness, ignorance (lack of knowledge/information) or laziness etc. This is usually so because unlike other career paths that requires formal training before one is qualified to engage in a professional practice of the career, music as a career path is largely unregulated and does not require any certification to engage in its practice. This situation sometimes exposes the careers of professional artistes/ musicians to the danger of having to share the practice of music with some category of people who dabbled into music purely as a means of satisfying their selfish ambitions of becoming rich and famous, and who do not care about responsibilities in any shade, or values and professional conduct in the music business practice. However in the quest to professionalize the career of the artiste/musician in the music business, it is necessary for artistes/ musicians to embrace the responsibilities required of them in order to build a truly successful and sustainable career in the music business. Micheal Korda said “Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility . . . In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have is the ability to take on responsibility.” Winston Churchill also said that “Responsibility is the price of greatness.” One fundamental aspect of embracing the responsibilities of the artiste/musician is in learning and mastering the basics of music business-specific knowledge and capabilities that will ensure the success of the artiste/musician by empowering him/her with the modern tools for making effective decisions about his/her music career. As an artiste/musician, you are responsible significantly for the decisions you make about your music career and the attendant impacts on your career whether positive or negative. The quality of the music business decisions you make today will ultimately create and determine your success or failure in the music industry tomorrow. When it comes to the question of what it takes to succeed in the music business, there is no “one size fits all” formula or a

magic wand or word that can be conjured up to make success happen. However, there are principles that have been tried and tested which when properly applied will greatly increase the chances of success for the artiste/musician in attaining their goals in the music business. In embracing the responsibilities of the artiste/musician in the quest to build a successful and sustainable career in the music business, we need to identify what these responsibilities are, and under what context they exist. So, what are the most important things to know and do in embracing the artistes’/ musicians’ responsibilities towards building a successful and sustainable career in the music business? The artiste/ musician must know and imbibe the mindset that he/she is a business entity providing musical products and services for an identified audience/market. So, as a business entity, the artiste/musician operates within a larger business ecosystem. This business environment in which the artiste/musician exists is divided into two namely: the internal and the external environments. The internal environment consists of all the things that are directly under the control and influence of the artiste/musician without having to depend on any external intervention for their development. On the contrary, the external environment of the artiste/musician consists of all the forces and elements that are directly outside of the control and influence of the artiste but which have the power to impact either positively or negatively on the career of the artiste. Basically, the internal environment consists of the strengths and weaknesses contained within the career of the artiste/musician as a business entity; while the external environment contains the threats and opportunities to the career of the artiste/musician as a business entity. Jim Rohn said “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.” The responsibilities of the artiste/musician begin by learning how to gain mastery over his/her internal environment while developing adaptation and management capabilities towards the forces and influences in the external environment. The foundation of success for any artiste/ musician in the music business is laid whenever that artiste/musician makes the choice to embrace responsibility by

focusing his/her energy and time on the resources and things that they have absolute control and influence over. The turning point for success in the music business occurs at the point when the artiste/musician becomes aware of his/her responsibilities and decides to embrace them. The more important of the two environments of the artiste/musician is the internal environment because the artiste/musician has direct control and influence to determine their outcomes. But ironically, majority of artistes/musicians in the music business tends to focus on the external environment which incidentally they have no control or influence over. A wise man once said, “You cannot choose your own destiny but you can choose your own habits; your habits will determine your destiny”. This is so true about the music business and the success of artistes/musicians within it. The artiste/musician cannot determine the outcome or direction of forces in the external environment but by gaining mastery over their internal environment, they can leverage or align external forces to work to their advantage. So what are the factors that constitute the internal and external environments in the artiste’s/musician’s music business? Generally, all of the factors which are under the direct influence and control of the artiste/musician in the course of carrying out their music business objectives constitutes their internal environment. These factors, depending on the level of control exercised by the artiste/musician in mastering them will ultimately influence the operations and the potential for success or failure of the artiste/musician in the music business. Factors such as talent development, songwriting skills, proficiency and mastery of principal musical instrument, musical performance skills, team building, personal development, artiste career development and management, understanding concepts of music business management etc are all direct responsibilities of the artiste/musician for which he exercise control over and can influence outcomes. The development of the artiste’s talent into a sellable and marketable product or service is directly under the control and influence of the artiste/musician in his/her internal environment (Give yourself time to develop before launching your music career). Talent is about possessing supe-

rior and outstanding capabilities, having a distinct edge over the majority. Talents exist in the minority in any professional field. Historically, the demand for talents always outweighs the supply of talent in every field. The genius of talent is in the mastery of the skills required to accomplish any task with the desired outcome all the time. The greatest investment any talented personality can make and should make is the development and mastery of the processes and tasks for which their talent is focused on. In the external environment lie all the factors and forces which the artiste/musician has no control over but which impacts on their music business. There are principal external environment forces such as political, economic, socio-cultural, legal and technological factors. The artiste/musician is powerless as a business entity to change the economy, re-write socio-cultural norms and practices or influence political decisions; however, the artiste/musician must learn how to adapt and manage the influences of these factors on their music business. For instance, the advent of digitalisation (technological factor) has completely altered the structure of the music industry from its traditional conventions of depending on a major record label to access or gain entry into the music industry and has totally changed the way music is produced, promoted, distributed and consumed today. Digitalisation has reduced the cost of entry and lower entry barriers for independent artistes/ musicians to launch their careers in the music industry without necessarily dependent on a big record label. As a matter of fact, artistes/musicians have now become entrepreneurs and owners of record labels by leveraging on the digitalisation of technologies and the processes of music production, distribution and consumption. Artistes/musicians have no control over the external factors in the business environment, but they can however, adapt and leverage on these factors to achieve their career objectives and goals. Until you master your internal environment you cannot effectively leverage on opportunities in the external environment. Becoming the master of your internal processes and environment will place you at a vantage position for opportunities in the external business environment.

Bang Radio UK now Beat FM London 103.6FM LONDON’S first urban community radio station, BANG Radio, has changed its name to The Beat London 103.6 FM on Easter Monday, 28th March 2016. The Beat London will continue to fly the flag high for British youth culture and music as the award-winning BANG Radio has done for over 10 years. Nurturing DJs and presenters with their ears close to the ground, and championing the best in UK music, The Beat London team will be led by Ivor Etienne, a broadcast executive and presenter with over 30 years experience, working in radio alongside the finest broadcasters and producers, who is recognized for having catapulted Britain’s first ‘Black music radio station,’ Choice FM into the mainstream arena. Ivor Etienne confirms; “we are incredibly proud of what BANG Radio and Life FM (previously known as) has achieved, but we are excited to introduce a new

era for the station; The Beat London 103.6FM – representing and providing a voice for young Black urban London to the world. Music will remain at the core of our programming, and we look forward to becoming recognized as a space for the talents, opinions, views and ideas of the under-25s community. We are very proud to team up with The Beat 99.9FM in Nigeria as they play an important role in closing the gap between the media industries across Africa and the world. We look forward to future collaborations, adding a global element to our work and joining the dots between the UK and Africa!” Chris Ubosi, CEO of THE BEAT 99.9FM Nigeria said, “We are excited to expand The Beat FM’s passion to develop music talents and the energy of young people from Africa to the World, beginning with the UK.

society

Friday, 8 April, 2016

...celebrating the people

Nigerian Tribune

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

74th birthday celebration of Evang (Dr) Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi Organised by Association of Friends Club and First Elders Forum Party of the club, held at Alhaji Sule Onabiyi Banquet Hall, Maryland, Lagos.

From left, the wife of pioneer president, Association of Friends Club, Mrs Kemi Adesina, the celebrant, Evangelist (Dr) Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, Arch Dada Marcus Yaraduâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a and Alhaja Afusat Abiola Osunnusi cutting the 74th birthday cake of Ebenezer Obey.

Cross section of new elders being decorated.

From left, Chief Bankole Alade, the Ebi of Idena, Iperu Remo, Oba Omosanya Akinyemi From left, Life Chairman, Association of Friends, Alhaji Sule Onabiyi, President, Prince Isiaka Adedeji and his wife, Nimota. and his Olori, Bose Akinyemi.

From left, Prof Gaby Yaraduâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a, Prince Abiodun Oyesanya and Pioneer President, Otunba Festus Adeleke Adesina.

Pioneer Vice President, Engineer Akin Abiola and his wife Elizabeth.

Oba Ketu of Ketu, Oba (Dr) Isiaka Akintunde Balogun and his Olori, Evangelist (Dr) Deborah Balogun.

Chief Jide Oshinubi and Mr Bayo Babatunde.

Friday, 8 April, 2016

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

fridaytreat

‘Why I clothed a ‘naked’ lady in Tribune newspapers’

We are entering new markets by

introducing Hip Hop to Fuji —Taye Currency

Ekiti Miss Culture 2016 Fiesta dazzles in N25m competition Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

Rotimi Ige caught up with Fuji crooner, Taye Currency, where the artiste shared his ideology about his upcoming Hip Hop album, and why the Fuji genre will always remain relevant.

E hear that you are planning a Hip Hop album. Tell us about that. It is true that I am planning collaborations with the hip pop artistes. As we all know, the music industry is competitive now and everybody is trying to upgrade their genre. Before you can upgrade your genre, you must get to a certain level in your game or genre before you can think of upgrading. I give thanks to God that that I have gotten to a certain level in Fuji music industry that not many would say they don’t know who Taye Currency is in the music industry. However, as part of plans to give my fans more entertainment and satisfaction, plus knowing that Hip Hop is trending right now, I am trying to fuse Hip Hop to Fuji music, thus giving everybody additional value every time they listen to the brand, Taye Currency. Fuji music is known to be riddled with rivalry between musicians. Why is this so and who would you say is your rival?

Well, many people believe that music has its base in Lagos and I am not one of those who share that train of thought. That is why I decided to stay in Ibadan and I tell you, I still have more shows in Lagos than some artistes based there and I have God and my fans to thank for this. Also, from Ibadan, I get shows outside the country i.e Dubai, Malaysia, London, Dublin and many more. Fuji music is mostly associated with hooliganism and touts save a few musicians like Ayuba who have made the genre appealing to other social classes. What have you done, or are doing to change this perception? I am trying my best to make my music appealing to the other social classes but no matter how hard I try, I still have to appreciate my fans irrespective of their class, which is why I said earlier that the Taye Currency on stage is different from off stage. I don’t discriminate but I try to carry along all classes of fans that I have.

There is no music genre that does not have rivalry. Also, rivalry has been in existence right from the inception of music. We thank God for development and civilization especially in Fuji music because negative rivalry is now a thing of the past. Everybody is out to make good music and make money. That said, I, Taye Currency does not have any rival in the music industry. Recently, I shared a stage with top Fuji musicians and there was no fighting.

Tell us a bit about your songs. How many albums do you have? I make good Fuji music and songs that the coming generation can listen to.

You have been able to stay scandal free for a very long time. How did you achieve this? I am a much disciplined person; the Taye Currency on stage is different from Taye Currency at home. When I am on stage, I give my fans what they want and when I am off the stage, I maintain my dignity and reputation. I do my best to stay away from all sort scandals or anything that can dent my reputation.

Which album (s) would you say has been most challenging? My new album remains the most challenging record.

You are currently based in Ibadan. Why not Lagos like many of your colleagues?

Which album/song would you say is most memorable or dear to your heart? My new record is the dearest to my heart. It is titled Birthday Bash & Message (B.B.M).

Mentors? I have many of them but those whose music got me inspired are King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal and Otunba Wasiu Alabi Pasuma. These are the two Fuji musicians I look forward to. By trying to diversify into Fuji/Hip Hop that some of you are doing nowadays, is this a pointer to the fact that Fuji

music, on its own, has become less acceptable? No! Fuji is still popular and acceptable. It is still recognised everywhere. But collaborating with Hip Hop artistes is one way of penetrating the Hip Hop audience while also upgrading our music delivery. We are not relenting in making Fuji music acceptable. We have many other plans that our fans and men of the press will be witnessing very soon but right now Fuji music is featured on many sold out concerts / events in Nigeria so we are still relevant and acceptable in the Nigerian music industry. How do you relax? I relax using two days in a week, the remaining days are for shows. What should fans expect from you? My fans should expect more good music, creativity and delivery. I also have many other plans which I will not like to disclose right now. But I promise my fans that I will never disappoint them. Tell us something many people don’t know about you... I am free minded person, very disciplined. I love sports like football, tennis and swimming. I do not take anything alcoholic or smoke. I have done these before but now I thank God for more enlightenment. Many people don’t believe this but that is who I am. You ideal kind of woman? All ladies are my fans and I appreciate them all but I like it when a woman is hard working and God fearing. What would you have been if not a musician? Only God knows o! Tell us a bit about your background. I am a native of Ibadan and the name of my family compound is Agbeni Foko. I started my music career early. I started gradually and I thank God for his blessing because he has made me who I am today.

THE ongoing 2016 Miss Culture Festival in Ekiti State has reached a crescendo and the event, designed to harness the potential of the youth in the state and create empowerment and wealth, has sparked unusual interest among the young people in the state. The pogramme had formally kicked-off on March 25, with about 25 young female participants who are trained in the art of tie and dye, bespoke Ankara and batik bag and shoes among others as well as a beauty contest, treasure search and TV reality show. Facilitators of the event and owner of Ebony T. Creation, Mr Isaac Anifowose, said the culture fiesta was designed to reignite the dying Nigerian culture and also help in producing youths that can be staunch propelling forces in modeling in the country and beyond. Anifowose, who said the government of Mr Ayodele Fayose fully endorsed the programme and had been playing pivotal roles in ensuring its success through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, also said corporate citizens like the OKK Global Resources Limited, Living Edge Platinum Limited and Feetal Consulting had enlisted their support for the event. Anifowose Ebony T added that the participants would also trace the historical background of the Ikogosi Warm Spring and visits to natural tourist centres in Ekiti, like the Arinta Waterfall and Agriculture settlements among others. Anifowose, a professional artiste and culture promoter, said N25 million is to be expended on the programme targeted at showcasing Ekiti’s rich cultural heritage and its natural endowments to the outside world. Anifowose described the first edition of Miss Culture as “a celebration of Ekiti”, saying though the state was not responsible for the funding, but said he is partnering with it to bring out the best out of Ekiti youths

by empowering to alleviate poverty and crime rates. He said the winner of the beauty contest and other competitive events will represent the country at the national and continental contests. He said the first position will go home with a brand new car and a sum of N500,000, the runner-up will take a sum of N500,000 and a iPad, while the 3rd position will win N250,000 and a tablet. Anifowose said at the end of the festival, he would also come up with a proposal for the government on how best to develop the culture sector in Ekiti to send a signal that “arts and culture are viable money-spinning ventures that can drive the economy of this country if well harnessed.” He said: “You can see that only women were involved. This is to send a signal that women too have their potentials that can transform. We are determined to make a success out of this. We will ensure that the mission behind it is not defeated, because we can’t fold our arms and allow unemployment to kill our youths. “We want to bring as many youths as possible into the business of arts and cultural promotion. We want them to be independent and be employers of labour rather than to be looking for jobs that are not available. We know what we are experiencing in Nigeria now and the essence of this is to create viable alternatives and a good template for governments to help in the diversification policy of the government at all levels,” he said. The Commissioner for Information, Youth Sports and Culture, Mr Lanre Ogunsuyi, commended Ebony T Creations for the initiative and warned that without such initiatives to diversify the Nigerian economy, the economy could be grounded within the next few years. The Commissioner said though the present economic downturn in the country must have brought about hardship and slowed down the speed of development, saying the situation has helped in bringing out the best initiatives out of those in government and other citizens. “The current economic situation has brought about the best thinking and planning from Nigerians. In Ekiti, we have several untapped solid minerals like Feldspar, gypsum and clay.

AN award winning photographer, Olawoyin Olasukanmi, otherwise known as Smile photography, has said that his sole aim in the business, was to change the perception of Nigerians about the profession. Speaking to Friday Treat on Wednesday after presenting a picture frame tagged ‘Preserving the Future’, in which a model was photographed, clad only in the Tribune titles newspapers, his respect for the Tribune newspapers as the oldest surviving print company in Nigeria had inspired the portrait, adding that the paper, as a shaper of opinions and society had indeed, proved that it was a force to reckon with both in times past and in times to come. “The future is naked and it is what we picture that defines it. The naked model in the picture is the future and being clad in the Tribune papers is to say that the oldest surviving newspaper in Nigeria will protect the future through precise and truthful journalism”, he said. Sukanmi, who stressed that he loved documentary photography, said that his next project was to chronicle the works and achievement of the present administrations across states so that Nigerians can determine and see how their elected officers were delivering the dividends of democracy

Friday, 8 April, 2016

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

We are set to professionalise members’ operations —NANTA president Stories by ’Wale Olapade

he new National President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr Bernard Bankole, has identified professionalism as the mantra of change to position the travel industry in Nigeria. Bankole who disclosed in an interview with

Travelpulse&MICE recently in Lagos, said the association must scale up with the trend of the industry by strategically positioning NANTA as a force to reckon with in the travel industry. “I have seen some couple of imbalances in the industry as well as the association. I remembered or recalled my theme, when I was making my manifesto that professionalism is the

first step to shed prosperity. “The reason we have such an imbalance in the system is because professionalism is lacking in several areas and members are not being seen or treated as professional consultants in the areas or field of engagement.” Bankole frown’s at a situation whereby every Dick Tom, Dick and Harry come goes in the name of travel agent, messes up the business and goes away and the industry suffers. “And I know the new vision of professionalism can be achieved through the NANTA. Now when we set the stake and raise the bar, we will see things being done properly like every association around the country or around the

world. For example, no one asks you who ICAN is or what it stands for, automatically when you hear ICAN, everyone knows who they are and what they stand for, so this has to do with the perception of our industry. “We have to restructure our association and make it a viable and a technology-driven association that can stand its likes in other parts of the world like American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) or Association Southern Africa Travel Agents (ASATA). Once we get the association to this level, then the industry becomes a better place for all of us.

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

Abdullahi Hussain now acting CG National Park Service Mr Abdullahi Hussain, Assistant Conservator General, Finance, is now the acting Conservator General (CG) of the Federation. He took over from Alhaji Tanko Abubakar who retired from service last month after the mandatory two tenures. Hussain, a graduate of accountancy from the famous Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), was born in 1958 and hails from Babanloma, Kwara State. He is married with children and is a member of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) Hussain is the most senior officer in the organisation overseeing all protected conservation areas in Nigeria hence his appointment until a new Conservator General is announced by the

Federal Government. Protected areas under the mandate of NPS are Kainji Lake National Park, Kamuku National Park, Cross River National Park, Ghashaka Gumti National Park, Chad Basin National park, Okomu National Park and Old Oyo National Park.

Abdullahi Hussain

New Emir of Borgu’s coronation holds with Gani Durbar Festival April 27

Bankole-Bernard

The Borgu International Gani Durbar Festival, the biggest and must attend event in northern Nigeria Cultural Tourism Calendar now holds April 27 to 30, 2016. To add royal glamour and touch to the event, the coronation of the new Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Dantoro, Kotoro IV will dove tail into the event. It is recalled that the festival which was billed to be attended by President Muhammadu Buhari as special guest of honor last year December was called on account of the demise of the former Emir of Borgu, Senator (Dr) Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III, the father of the new Emir, Alhaji Muhammad Sani whose coronation is billed as part of this festival. Gani Durbar International festival is in its third edition and notably reverberates across the Borgu sister nations in Nigeria and the West Africa frontiers of Benin, Togo, Mali and Niger Republic.

It is a celebration of the historical and cultural gifts of the Borgu people with a window to creating a tourism economic platform that will empower the rural poor and highlight benefit of Nigeria diverse rich culture as other key cultural groups in Nigeria will also be on showcase. Chairman, Festival Implementation Committee, Mallam Ibrahim Musa Goni Kognan Borgu, disclosed that all necessary arrangements are now in place for the full take off of the famous festival, adding that Niger State government will assist and play crucial roles in the coronation programme while the Borgu Emirate Council would ensure a smooth coordination of the festival.

Sheraton Abuja Hotel celebrates women in style In commemoration of the International Women’s Day and mother’s day in March, Sheraton Abuja Hotel recently, celebrated top notch women in the FCT with an interactive event. Held at the poolside of the hotel amidst cocktails and assorted small chops, the grand event unveiled a series of enlightening activities which include the glamour of red carpet, free SPG enrolments and a chance to drop raffle card information. A health specialist, Mrs Chichi delivered a very educative lecture on the benefits of Coconut water and apple cider vinegar for youthfulness, weight control and a range of other advantages. Renowned makeover specialists Dazieta, Bold and Beautiful salon alongside Excel Salon were on ground to beautify the women with free makeover sessions and quick hair retouches and styling. Sheraton Fitness was activated as the women were introduced to the hotels fitness centre activities while taking group photos with creatively done callout cards.

Members of staff of Sheraton Abuja Hotel and others, during the celebratin of women at the hotel, in Abuja, recently.

The Area Communications Manager, Ms Nanji Tyem, who had assured women of a very interesting treat during the pre-event briefing, led all the women to the Sheraton Club Lounge where they were welcomed by the captivating fragrances which emanated from various fragranced Dach Candles juxtaposed at strategic points at the lounge. The candle maker, Adache, was present to deliver a brief lecture on the health benefits of the various fragrances. Goody bags were handed over to the women which contained items from the various collaborators such as Dach scented candles, branded T-Shirts from Naij.com, Pandora souvenirs, coupons and vouchers. The high point of the event was the ushering of the women to the lobby bar where the new Sheraton global food & beverage program, Sheraton Paired, was activated by pairing premium wines with eclectic small chops. A grand raffle draw was conducted for all the women who had dined in any of the restaurants from the 1st of March until the 31st. Items won ranged from a Pandora Bracelet to Babor spa kits, free night/weekend stays at Starwood hotels in Nigeria – Sheraton Abuja Hotel, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, Portharcourt ,Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Fourpoints by Sheraton, Lagos. To wind up the event, Ms Tyem thanked all the invited women for participating and in her words “I want to specially thank you all for dining with us from the first day of March until today. We sincerely appreciate your presence and participation. You all made this event a huge success”. “Special thanks also go to our partners. While we are happy to organize more of such enriching events at our venues, we equally look forward to doing this again next year”, the Area communications Manager concludes.

Former national president, NANTA, Aminu Agoha (left), presenting award of excellence to the Chairman/CEO, Empire Travels, Alhaji Ahmed Ojuolape, at the recent NANTA AGM in Ibadan.

NANTA honours Empire Travel boss National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), has honoured the Chief Executive Officer of Empire Travel Services Limited, Ahmed Ojuolape, with an award of excellence at the 40th edition of the association’s AGM held in Ibadan recently. Ojuolape who joined other distinguished awardees said, “The award was a surprise to me because I never envisaged or have a premonition that I will be honoured at the 40th Annual General Meeting of NANTA. “It was an exciting moment for me when I was called upon to receive the award and the immediate past chairman of the association announced my name and presented the award of excellence to me.” Ojuolape who has invested over three decades of his productive life into extensive capacity building of work force for the travel industry, said as a professional travel agency with an edge in business travel education and other allied businesses he would continue to add value to the industry through his IATA training. “This award is dear to my heart because I never expected it and it will spur me to put in more effort in what I am doing. “Whatever you are doing, do it, not only right but with great passion because you may not know, someone is somewhere watching and keeping records of you and that is my testimony today.

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

Fayose

Aluko

Fayose vs Aluko: A reporter’s diary

BOLA BADMUS, who was at the meeting held between Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and Dr Temitope Aluko last Sunday in Lagos, brings the graphic details of the encounter between them.

OULD it be true or not? That was the question that I could not really get a ready answer to, when I received information that the former secretary of the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Temitope Aluko, was paying a surprise visit to the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, to allegedly beg and reconcile with him at the Eko Hotel. He had been at loggerheads with the governor over the manner in which the last governorship poll in the state was allegedly rigged in his favour. The information came in very late in the night, and it specifically indicated that the ‘parley’ between the duo was already in progress at the designated venue. The importance of the information could not be over-emphasised. It came at a time that Aluko was at the centre of a major controversy. Besides, it was curious that he could be paying a visit to Fayose, when their relationship had apparently become irredeemable. These issues fired my professional inclination to quickly head for

the venue of the meeting, so I can get firsthand account of the proceedings, mannerism and idiosyncrasies of the dramatis personae. With the benefit of hindsight, I know most Nigerian politicians prefer to hold serious meetings in the wee hours of the night. They are the only ones who can explain why serious issues are best addressed or tackled in the middle of the night. By the time I got to the venue, Fay-

ose and embattled Aluko were still at the close- door parley, ostensibly trying to iron out the problematic issues that had tried to create a wide gap between the erstwhile friends of more than 40 years. This was past 11pm last Sunday. It was not until about some minutes to midnight that the question that had been bothering my mind finally got an answer, as both Governor Fayose and Aluko came out of the hotel room where the crucial parley took place as the governor made to see Aluko off. The duo were accompanied by the immediate past Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Dele Olugbemi, who was said to have facilitated the peace talk. Aluko was immediately engaged by the journalists and television crew that were around. He con-

This is about peace, this is about misunderstanding, this is about talking together. This is about family coming together; this is about well-meaning Nigerians stepping in and that is all we have achieved now.

firmed right there that the peace meeting actually took place based on the invitation he received from some party leaders and that the meeting had indeed achieved a measure of success by leaving the past behind in order to move Ekiti State forward. He was asked to explain his presence at that very hour as the newsmen expressed surprise to see him with Fayose just a few days after he addressed a news conference in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, maintaining some damning allegations that the President Goodluck Jonathan regime and the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rigged the election in Ekiti State in favour of Fayose in the last governorship poll that took place in the state. Aluko said: “Yes, we had a wedding yesterday (Saturday), and the whole family came down and we had all other wellmeaning Nigerians, and they were around. And then in the last one and a half hours, I have met with my brother, Governor Ayodele Fayose, so we are resolving the issue. We have made appreciable progress and we hope and pray to God that there will be peace.” The next question thrown at him was if he agreed that there was no peace initially and what he thought caused it. His response was simply: “No, no , no, there is no way where we have issues like this. There are interferences, there are interventions, there are people, and there were all sorts of insinuations in the past. Now we are working together. Well- meaning Nigerians have intervened. Moreover, the beautiful lady yesterday was like my sister and so the whole family came down and we were all together and you can see, we will make progress in Ekiti.” Aluko dismissed any suggestion that there was some sort of conditions attached to working again with Fayose, adding people could now see that he was right there standing right beside Fayose, who chose to refer to him as his boy. On whether, in specific terms, he had recanted all the allegations against the governor, Aluko affirmed that he had resolved with Fayose. “What I am saying now is that I am here and he is here, we did a wedding yesterday and tonight you see us and you can see that there are wellmeaning Nigerians around and the whole family, we have resolved and we are moving forward,” he said. This was just as he waved aside the suggestion that Governor Ayo Fayose had considered him for positions in his government. According the PDP chieftain, “This is not about positions, this is about peace, this is about misunderstanding, this is about talking together. This is about family coming together, this is about wellmeaning Nigerians stepping in and that is all we have achieved now.” Fayose, who also spoke, said reconciliation was ongoing and that considerable progress had been recorded so far, admitting that Aluko’s attending the parley was to further strengthen the progress he (Aluko) was talking about. “And I am sure if this is not important, he won’t be here. He is here because there must be peace and I want to let you know that a lot of issues, we have discussed and he wants us to see you (newsmen) and give you basic information which is that we are making considerable progress,” the governor said. On whether Fayose had forgiven the foibles of Aluko, the governor said he remained father of the state, noting that Continues on pg 28

politics&policy

Friday, 8 April, 2016

ANY Nigerians were under the impression that President Muhammadu Buhari’s participation in the 4th Nuclear Security Summit which ended in Washington DC a few days ago was to advance Nigeria’s quest to develop nuclear reactors to generate electricity as a way to meet up with the power demands of the country. The Presidency gave hope for this when it announced before the president’s departure for the United States that he would reaffirm Nigeria’s stance that international efforts to ensure greater security of nuclear materials should maintain a balance between nuclear non-proliferation obligations and the indisputable right of Nigeria and other countries to harness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development. The Presidency recalled that at a meeting with him in Abuja earlier last month, President Buhari told the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr Yukiya Amano, that the Federal Government would welcome greater support from the agency for Nigeria’s aspiration to begin the generation of electricity with nuclear energy. Many Nigerians were therefore expectant that the summit was a step nearer the country’s goals of resolving its intractable power situation. Indeed, Nigeria had toyed with the idea of exploring nuclear means to generate electricity for years. As far back as July 2007, former President Umaru Yar’Adua, urged the country to embrace it in order to meet its growing energy needs. The National Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) had developed a nuclear road map for the country which consists of a three-phase technical framework to generate at least 1,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear power by 2017 and to increase this to 4,000 megawatts by 2027. It was approved and adopted by the government. The Yar’Adua administration aligned the road map with the National Power Policy which also took cognizance of other sources of power generation including oil, gas, hydro, wind and solar and consequently ordered the Ministry of Science and Technology to look at the regulatory framework for the implementation of nuclear energy, especially the options of funding. “We need to develop the capacity to utilize nuclear power for power generation. Who knows, nuclear power may be the only source of en-

inside

aso rock WITH LEON USIGBE

Nuclear security summit: Will Buhari deliver thes reactors? ergy in the future, and we must think of the future,” the late president had reasoned. He went further to inaugurate two technical committees to construct the country’s first nuclear power plant. NIgeria has had a research nuclear reactor since 2004. Designed by a Chinese firm, it is based in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, which had sought the support of the IAEA to develop plans for 4,000 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2027. This is after its earlier plan to begin construction in 2011 and start nuclear power production in 2017-2020 failed to materialize. In April 2015, Nigeria began talks with Russia’s stateowned Rosatom to collaborate on the design, construction and operation of four nuclear power plants worth about $20 billion by 2035, the first of which will be in operation by 2025. Two sites, which are planned to host two plants each, were selected by June for the planned construction of the nuclear plants. Even though they have been kept secret, the sites are believed to be in Akwa Ibom and Kogi states. Bloomberg reported that three more nuclear plants are planned to take total capacity to 4,800 megawatts by 2035, with each facility costing $5 billion. From the foregoing, it is obvious that President Buhari already has available to him, a well-structured plan to work with if he opts to continue to press for the nuclear

The dramatic encounter Continued from pg 27

whatever had happened had gone with the past. “Let me tell you, I am the father of the state and so whatever has happened in the past, I am the father and I should be seen as a father. I should see it as one of those things and accommodate everybody. If I leave him to the whole world, who would be there for him? Nobody. I am his father, I am his brother, whatever the past has held for all of us, I am still his father. “You see, whether you are talking of forgiveness, Aluko remains my boy, my son. Like I said, whatever has happened, whatever he has said in the public glare, whatever you have seen, it’s time to move beyond that,” Governor Fayose said. The facilitator of the peace move, Olugbemi, who is the immediate past Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, described Aluko as a good fighter. He said he decided to intervene in the resolution of the crisis in order to move the party in the state forward. The former speaker also said there was no condition attached to the resolution of the crisis, pointing out that it (crisis) was unavoidable, even as he said as it was even normal for husband and wife to quarrel sometimes and also resolve issues. But in a sudden twist, though largely unexpected by the camp of Fayose, Aluko, within 48 hours since the news of the truce broke, came out to deny that he ever sought to reconcile with the governor, describing what took place that fateful Sunday night/early morning Monday was a stage-managed reconciliation parley. Aluko, who addressed a press conference at Oriental Hotels in Alausa, Ikeja, said he was hoodwinked to attend the meeting with Fayose, declaring that accepting the invitation was a “tactical error” on his part. “I wouldn’t have accepted to attend the meeting in the first place if I had known that Ayo Fayose would be in attendance. I only chose to attend in order to honour the party leader’s invitation,” he said. Aluko further described the parley between him and Governor Fayose and the press interview that followed as “an organised propaganda/drama to stain my image and malign my personal integrity.” This was just as he pointed out that the script acted from the parley would be “good script for Nollywood act,” adding “I believe it is about misinformation of the public and not about taking my life.”

08078891838 leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk

Aluko said he was under duress that day but notwithstanding, there was nowhere in the “arranged interview” where he refuted any of the allegations he had made against the state governor concerning how the last governorship was held. “One fact remains clear, there is nowhere that I, Temitope Aluko, refuted anything I have earlier said before Nigerians and the whole world about the manipulations that characterised the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State,” he said. Aluko, while recalling how the meeting between him and the governor, said it was based on a call he received from two senior members of the PDP, asking him to come and meet with them at Eko Hotel for a “peace parley,” adding that he went in company with his wife. “I was shocked to see Governor Fayose walk into the meeting at this point. I won’t want to bore you with the drama and face-off that ensued between me and Governor Fayose inside the meeting. It is worthy of note that it was at this point that my wife barged into the meeting to inform me that she noticed the presence of pressmen downstairs and said “there is a problem,” but it was Fayose that interrupted her and said, “Madam, there is no problem.” “At that point, I became enraged and decided to leave the place but I noticed Governor Fayose rushing after me downstairs in a Gestapo manner. My wife was already fidgeting and almost crying and suddenly, I could not find her around me. I immediately realised that I needed

With what has happened now to Aluko, who actually admitted that he attended the Sunday meeting for peace to reign in Ekiti only for him to make a U-turn, the burden is on him to prove that there is not much more to his latest decision.

aso rock

option to solve the nation’s energy needs. Even though his administration has showed 08078891838passion towards upping WITH LEON yahoo. co.ukof office and has power generation since leonusigbe@ assumption gone ahead to give himself a target of 10,000 megawatts in his remaining three years in office, he is yet to make clear his plans for nuclear energy. The Washington Nuclear Summit did not also give much away as to his thinking in this respect. Maybe, this is because the summit itself, rather than what many Nigerians expected as a platform to articulate the nation’s nuclear energy plan, was more concerned with how to get dangerous nuclear materials out of the reach of international terrorists. Buhari’s statement at the plenary of the summit therefore reflected this objectives as he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the global fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism and other forms of terrorism. Whether the president argued for Nigeria’s “indisputable right” to harness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development was not clear in his statement at the plenary put out by the Presidency. But Nigerians will be hoping that just as he indicated before leaving for the summit, particularly with the structures already in place, the president will forge ahead with Nigeria’s dream to enhance its power generation through safe nuclear resources.

to oblige to his instruction of facing the press because of the safety of my family,” he said. Aluko, therefore, apologised to all Nigerians, maintaining that he wouldn’t have attended the parley if not for the honour he had for the party leaders who invited him. Following the peace parley of last Sunday, Mr. Lere Oyinka, who is Special Assistant to the Governor Fayose on Information and New Media, while expressing his being vindicated by the development, said it was in tandem with his earlier claim that Aluko was an unstable character, ever willing to make a 360 degree turnaround and return to the same Governor Fayose that he claimed rigged election because he lacked integrity. The governor’s media aide, who said he was speaking in his personal capacity and not as spokesperson of the governor, added that; “Being the person that faced Aluko on television interviews where he told all the lies that he told against Governor Fayose and the people of Ekiti State, I am constrained to make my position known on this new development. Today, I have been vindicated because Aluko has done just that and I wonder how he will feel when he comes face to face with the people that he has destroyed. I wonder how he will feel when he comes face to face with those fine military officers that he went to Kaduna to lie against and made them to lose their jobs. “However, I salute my boss, Governor Fayose for once again displaying his statesmanship because only a statesman with a large heart can hold the hands of someone like TKO Aluko after all that he did to pull down his government. I also thank God for vindicating me by finally exposing the hypocrisy of Aluko to the whole world to see,” he said. Also reacting, the spokesperson of Ekiti State chapter of PDP, Mr Jackson Adebayo, maintained that notwithstanding what had happened, Aluko remained suspended from the party. But responding to that statement from Jackson, Aluko likened it to a tale, saying if it was predicted that two horned animal would kill one, that was not suggestive of a snail. All said and done, with what has happened now to Aluko, who actually admitted that he attended the Sunday meeting for peace to reign in Ekiti only for him to make a U-turn, the burden is on him to prove that there is not much more to his latest decision.

politics&policy

Friday,8 April, 2016

Osoba, APC and road to 2019

Osoba

Tinubu

As a former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba, returns to the A Progressives Congress (APC) from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), OLAYINKA OLUKOYA looks at the undercurrents of the move.

HE dynamics of politics ahead of the 2019 general election is gathering momentum, with the return of a former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and his supporters to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) fold. That the former governor returned to the APC did not come as a surprise. What probably astounded many observers was that it took such a fairly longer time for him to go back to the party he co-founded. With the latest development, the race to occupy all elective positions in the elections has commenced in earnest. Osoba had, in the build up to the 2015 general election, dumped the APC, which he ‘co-founded’ with others, for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), over alleged injustice(s) surrounding the conduct of ward congresses for the emergence of the party structure in 2014. Osoba and his supporters could not stand these alleged injustices by the party leadership, believed to be dancing to the tune being dished out by the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. The SDP ‘floated’ by Osoba in the state however did not win any of the elective positions contested for. The election went in favour of the APC. The rest is now history. It will be recalled that the former governor, a core grass-roots politician, defected to the SDP along with two serving senators and seven members of the House of Representatives with a large number of followers who felt cheated over the inability of the national leadership of the party to redress the alleged injustices. Investigations indicated that the journey for him to dump the SDP actually begun not too long after the 2015 general election. It was gathered that some influential politicians had expressed reservations on the circumstances that led to his exit from the APC at the threshold of the polls. So, they embarked on intense moves towards the possibility of resolving the contentious issues that created the acrimony that culminated in his pulling out of the APC. The forces involved in the peace drive would not give up, even when it was becoming apparent that the two camps involved in the battle of wits might not be able to settle their differences as the twilight of preparations for the poll. Further checks revealed that even after the election had been won and lost, the search for reconciliation was stepped up by major stakeholders within and

outside the Ogun State chapter of the APC. This was in spite of claims and counter-claims by various interest groups and caucuses on the level of progress that those interventions were able to achieve. While some claimed that influential caucuses in the APC at the home front were not so favourably disposed to the search for truce, others alleged that only impediments was the issue of harmonisation of the structures. Nonetheless, those behind the peace effort carried with their plan because of what they described as the need to preserve the legacy of progressives. Accordingly, members of the APC top hierarchy, especially from the South-West reportedly held series of consultations and meetings at different times in the zone. One of such meetings, which attracted many political big wigs, and where a major decision was arrived on Osoba’s return to the APC, was deliberately shut out of reportage for tactical reasons. Indeed, while Amosun’s camp revelled in the euphoria of their victory at the last elections, the national leadership of the APC felt obliged not to desert one of the party’s founding fathers in his days of trouble. In no time, speculation became rife that the highest echelon of the APC had been in touch with the Osoba camp with a view to ensuring their return to the party’s fold. After months of meetings, horse trading and deft negotiations, Osoba and his men returned to the ruling APC last Sunday. However, with his return to the party, different political games and permutations have begun to unfold, as it is also clear that political gladiators are poised for serious work. Nigerian Tribune gathered he and his supporters did so on their own terms, with the APC leadership accepting the nine pre-conditions set by Osoba and his men . One claim is that the leadership of the party in the state be ceded to Osoba in line with the party’s constitution. And the APC national leadership is believed to have acceded to that request. The rapprochement between Osoba and the APC leadership has no doubt ruffled feathers amongst some of the leaders of the party in the state who are loyalists of the governor. The former governor underscored the series of highlevel consultations that preceded his defection through part of his remarks at the public presentation a book on the Alake of Egba land. He said: “I appreciate the role of Alake and Awujale. So, I want to thank Kabiyesi for what happened on Sunday; he has always been with me

Amosun

While Amosun’s camp revelled in the euphoria of their victory at the last elections, the national leadership of the APC felt obliged not to desert one of the party’s founding fathers in his days of trouble. and God will always be with you, Kabiyesi. By the grace of God, Egbaland will continue to flourish.” For the APC top shots, the return of Osoba is a turning point in the politics of the zone nay the country. Both APC national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu and the governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola reflected the enamouring mood of the moment within the progressive bloc. Tinubu said: “I am an unapologetic progressive and I will remain one and that is the only principle I abide with. Wherever the progressives are, they must be united with their vision. Nobody is left out, it is all progressives and no one is left out, no matter your insinuation.” Similarly, Aregbesola noted: “A time was when Osoba switched to another party, he was a foundation member of the APC and he was in the APC throughout my election. Yes, he was for a time with the SDP, but with what we have just done today, Akinrogun Osoba, the Aremo himself is back with the progressive leadership of the Yoruba race.” Osoba’s return was said to have dominated discussions at last Monday’s state executive meeting chaired by Governor Amosun. Various strategies were also said to have been mapped out by Amosun’s camp during the state exco meeting as response to the fresh political alignment. Also, there are speculations that the Osoba group would support the Ogun West agenda in the coming elections, with the coming on board of a serving member of the National Assembly representing Lagos West, Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi). Yayi, a strong ally of Tinubu, had, during the last election, showed interest in the governorship seat of the Gateway State. He however had to make a detour when it became certain that the leadership of the APC would not allowed him to contest.

politicscommentary

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Gains from the nuclear summit By Garba Shehu

S we prepare to start a programme for peaceful nuclear technology, Nigeria needs to learn and exchange experience in developing capability and procedures for emergency preparedness. We must not repeat the mistakes others have made. The country is already getting help on the development and promulgation of best practices for developing and implementing a nuclear program. Following talks and agreements at this summit, we are receiving deeper international cooperation. The NSS is a demonstration of the complete transparency and confidence in the world on nuclear technology. The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, NNRA under a notable nuclear scientist, Prof. Lawrence A. Dim, the Director-General led our team to share the progress report of the work we have done so far. The whole world has come together as one to deal with terrorism. In fact, a discussion behind closed doors on nuclear terrorism based on a hypothetical scenario yielded a lot in terms of International understanding and cooperation in nuclear security. Countries with advances in this area are willing to share with all the others. Of particular interest, Israel for instance, said they would share their advanced detection mechanisms for radioactive materials with all their neighbors, whether they have diplomatic relations with them or not. Nigeria took home a portent lesson, which is that planning and strategy alone, cannot combat the scourge; rather it is implementation that makes it work. The NNRA is expected to come up with plans for table-top exercises and drills from time to time to im-

Buhari plement and test these strategies. The regular conduct of exercises and drill will help to mitigate the consequences, loss of life and resources in case of an attack. President Buhari, who has shown a remarkable degree of support and encouragement, has promised to do even more to support both NNRA the national regulatory body and the IAEA to sustain nuclear security The country also joined the others to commit themselves to the reduction of Highly Enriched Uranium, HEU stockpiles in order to make it less attractive for terrorist to use for malicious intent in their countries.

The summit created world-wide awareness on the scourge of terrorism and for better protection and securing nuclear and radiological materials. Aside the these gains, there were bilateral meetings with other world leaders which resulted in the following gains *There is no truth to the widespread speculation that President Obama will visit Nigeria before he ends his term but the Secretary of State John Kerry will be the one to come. Obama has earlier promised our President that he will come to Nigeria after he leaves office. An Obama visit has been the desire of Nigerians and Nigerian Leaders. *The government of United States has made a commitment to spend 600m US$ in Nigeria arising from this visit. *The United Nations made a commitment of 800m US$ towards the rebuilding of the North-East part of Nigeria destroyed by terrorists. *The Government of Demark has expressed interest in investing in agricultural sector in Nigeria. This is also from one of the side meetings of the President during the NSS. *The Japanese Government is very desirous of working with, and in assisting Nigeria. This is being worked by both parties. *The US government through the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and his office have pledged to support Nigeria’s effort to establish nuclear Security Infrastructure in all its ramification. They also pledged assistance in the areas of research and forensics development. The overall achievement of the summit Is that it strengthened the nuclear security architecture at national, regional and global levels. It also broadened the ratification and implementation of international legal instruments regarding nuclear

With a president who takes great interest in these matters, nuclear energy may be the panacea to the unreliability of oil and gas in the provision of electricity in our country.

security. Participating nations agreed to to place all nuclear facilities under the highest security surveillance. They also agreed to increase individual and collective capacity to protect their borders against nuclear smuggling and radiological sources. Nigeria gained international acceptance of its nuclear programmes which are designed for peaceful purposes. But there is still much to be done by our parliament in domesticating international agreements, instruments and conventions signed by our governments. Some of these draft laws have been lingering in the legislature since 1999. “We have signed all the agreements, but Nigeria needs a new, comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks” says Professor Dim. With the progress so far achieved, the minister of Power, Babatunde Raji Fashola is optimistic that the foundation for this country’s first nuclear power plant, using the safest technology to produce 1,000 MW may be laid in four years. With a president who takes great interest in these matters, nuclear energy may be the panacea to the unreliability of oil and gas in the provision of electricity in our country. •Shehu is Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the President.

Mark: Mr stability @ 68 By Paul Mumeh WHICHEVER side of the divide one clings, the story of the former Nigerian President of the Senate, Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark, his military and political career albeit his steady rise to the top cannot be written completely in one book. This is just an attempt, a line in the intermediate chapter of the still unfolding narrative of Mark’s highly eventful sojourn on earth. History is replete with such narratives of great men and women who in spite of their backgrounds made it to the very top of their chosen professions or careers. We are familiar with the cliché “from grass to grace”, of people rising above the circumstances of their births to become great personalities in the society. Senator Mark unarguably belongs to this class. He rose from a non-descript Otukpo rural community in the present day Benue state to the zenith of his profession. As a soldier, he belonged to the elite class and was indeed successful, rising to the rank of a General before he left the crispy “khaki” uniform for the “Agbada”. As a politician, he made his mark to the admiration of both friends and foes. Till date, he remains the only Nigerian living or dead who has contested Senatorial election six times and won in the same corresponding number. It was therefore not surprising though unprecedented when a forthnight ago, the red chamber of the National Assembly came alive as Senator Mark took the oath of office for the sixth time as the man representing Benue South Senatorial zone.

It was an unusual scenario in a senate divided along party lines for all to be really excited and indeed gave him a standing ovation. Mark was Senate President for the sixth and seventh Senate (2007-2011 and 2011 -2015) when he demonstrated considerable maturity in handling his colleagues and national issues. He was dubbed “Mr. Stability” for stabilizing the senate and the National Assembly that was hitherto a theatre of musical chairs. It is instructive to note that the return of Mark for the 6th record time took a long and tortuous path and was often laden with frustrations and intrigues. To begin with, the reasons given for the nullification of the March 28, 2015 Senatorial election was not worth the paper it was written on. Many wondered why the judiciary could not resolve the mere discrepancy in date between the day election was held and the date which appeared on the result sheet. Whereas it could have been an oversight on the part of the electoral officials for no fault of Mark but it cost him an avoidable re-run and the test of the will of the Idoma people. The return of Mark reinforced his mystique often criticised as a mere fluke sustained by his military background and the strong loyalty to the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That election and its outcome said so many things about his integrity and leadership, the unwavering commitment of the Idoma People of Benue state and leaves a lesson for young men like Daniel Onjeh, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate who was goaded to jump a long cue. In the senate today, Mark is the most

Mark ranking member and has garnered a whole lot of experience not Just as a member of the red chamber but as President of the Senate Emeritus. Undoubtedly, the quality of debate will always benefit from the insights and experience of Mark to sustain good governance. No doubts, he represents a reference icon on both local and international issues that may confront the upper legislative chamber nay National Assembly. As Senator Mark turns 68, one is quick

to reflect on his journey so far. Many political pundits have severally described Mark as a pragmatist, a magnet that moves both friends and foes into his enchanting orbit, a man whose flame and fame continues to illuminate. A pan- Nigerian, a true nationalist and political strategist of no mean standing. He has proven to be a man of immense political sagacity. Born on the 8th day of April 1948 in Otukpo, Otukpo Local Government of Benue State of Nigeria, he started his early education at St. Francis Catholic Practising School, Otukpo from 1956-1961. He later proceeded to the prestigious Nigerian Military School (NMS) Zaria from 1962-1966 thereby setting the tone for his ambition for a military career. He graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Regular Course 3 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1970. He proceeded for further professional training in the United Kingdom and India from 1971-1976 and bagged a Bachelors Degree in Telecommunications Engineering. Between 1978 and 1979, he was a student at the Command and Staff College, Jaji and in 1990-1991 he was at the National Defence University in Washington DC and later at Harvard University Boston, USA 1991-1992. He held various Staff, Command and Administrative appointments during his service in the Nigerian Army. Some of these include but not limited to Directing Staff, Command and Staff College, Commander Corps of Signals and Faculty Director, National War College (NWC) now National Defence College (NDC), Abuja. Mumeh is the Media aide to Mark.

Friday, 8 April, 2016

eyesof islam

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

Why you should spend in the way of Allah

PENDING in the way of Allah is a great virtue. It occupies paramount importance in divine religions. All Prophets of Allah emphatically urged their followers to spend in the way of Allah. In this article, we shall take a brief look at some of the blessings of spending in the way of Allah.

True attachment with God The greatest benefit of spending in the way of Allah is that it establishes a strong bond between a person and his Creator. A man’s heart generally lies where his wealth is. If he hides away his wealth in some secret place, he finds himself thinking about that very place all the time. In case of investment in a business or a company, he cannot help being preoccupied with the continued viability of the investment. In short, what is evident from practical experience is that man’s heart is affixed to his wealth. Keeping in view the foregoing explanation, it can be asserted that anyone who spends in the way of Allah would find that he is in an everlasting communion with God since he has entrusted Allah with his wealth. Stronger ties with the society The second benefit which spending in the way of Allah affords the spender is that it helps him establish unfailing ties with his society. A little deliberation here will reveal that this achievement is not of less significance. Rather, it is one of the two pillars upon which the whole structure of religion is based. These two pillars, namely: prayer and spending, are a pre-requisite in order to make a person a true servant of God. The first pillar helps in developing a true relationship with the Almighty. And the second inculcates a deep-rooted connection among members of the society. Hence, both play an unsurpassed role in nurturing and developing the persona conceived by the Qur’an. It is precisely for this reason that Salah (the prayer) and Zakah (alms-tax) find mention in the Qur’an side by side. For example, in

the initial verses of Surah Baqarah, what immediately follows the mention of Salah is spending in the way of Allah. As pointed out earlier, these two pillars, in fact, constitute the foundations upon which the entire structure of man’s relationship with the Creator and His creation is erected. Consequently, one can safely conclude that the fabric of the Shariah too is based upon the prayer and spending. All ancient Semitic religions regard these pillars as the origin of righteous conduct. The best possible way to demonstrate affection towards a neighbour is to sympathise with them and help them out financially whenever they are in trying circumstances. Just as Salah is the only befitting way man can express his love for the Almighty, the only appropriate manner he can exhibit his appreciation for his neighbour is to spend for them whenever they are in need. Both things seem distinct and separate yet if are viewed from a holistic perspective the love of the neighbour would appear to be the direct outcome of the love of God. Anyone who loves God would certainly care for His creation. Man is so created that whenever he loves someone, he instinctively falls in love with everything related to him as well. So, when a person loves Allah, they surely feel affection for His creation and this affection ultimately results in spending to ease the

Anyone who spends in the way of Allah would find that he is in an everlasting communion with God since he has entrusted Allah with his wealth.

sufferings through which the creation of their beloved Allah may be going. The brimming love that man feels for Allah is the natural consequence of his sentiments of gratitude. When he observes carefully around himself the providence and power of Allah, he finds himself engulfed by the bounties of his Gracious Creator. This realisation, on the one hand, gives rise to the sentiments of worship, which naturally prompts him to offer the prayer and, on the other hand, induces him to be as much generous as possible to mankind since he has become cognizant of the fact that everything he possesses has been bestowed upon him generously by Allah alone. It can, therefore, be concluded that the love for humanity is an offshoot of one’s love for God and that both provide a rock-solid base for religion. While the former stands at the core of all human rights, the latter is the stream from which all religious obligations spring forth. Anyone who can willingly spend his wealth for others cannot be assumed to be careless when it comes to discharging other moral obligations. The only person who can be presumed to be the best member of a society is the one who has done away with his undue love of riches, because should this love prevail, it would awfully obstruct the normal flow of righteous conduct. The Holy Qur’an alludes to both situations in the following words: “So, he who gave in the way of Allah and was god-fearing and believed in the good outcome [in the Hereafter], We shall, indeed, take him to [a fate] of delight. And he who was a miser and was indifferent and belied the good outcome [in the Hereafter], We shall, indeed, take him to [a fate] of affliction.”(92:5-10) Spending nurtures wisdom (hikmah) The third benefit of spending is that it is like food and water for all the other religious obligations and creeds. It helps, on the one hand, all those righteous deeds which are

yet feeble and have shallow roots in our soul and, on the other hand, it strengthens all beliefs which have not yet gained sound basis in our heart. This stability and depth of all virtues and beliefs in a person is exactly what the Qur’an describes as hikmah (wisdom). From certain indications of the Qur’an, we may construe that the key to this wisdom is, indeed, spending in the way of Allah. At one place, the Qur’an delineates the benefits of spending in the following words: “Satan threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allah promises you His forgiveness and bounties, and Allah cares for all and He knows all things. He grants wisdom to whom He pleases and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit overflowing.” (2:268-269) Only that spending brings this benefit to the spender which has been carried out in order to please Allah alone and to reinforce what is yet feeble in heart. Therefore, the parable described just before the above quoted verses begins as: “And the likeness of those who spend their substance seeking to please Allah and to strengthen their souls.” (2:265) The part ‘to strengthen their souls’ implies that they spend in the way of Allah contrary to the ill wishes of their heart so that they can overcome all the impediments, which stand in their way to being a godly person. The reward that God promises them in return is that He will of surety bless them with His bounties and bestow upon them the treasure of priceless wisdom. Increase in wealth The fourth benefit of spending in the way of Allah is that it augments the wealth of the spender. The Qur’an says: “The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: It grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases and Allah cares for all and He knows all things.”(2:261) The Qur’an sheds light upon this fact in the following words as well: “Allah blights usury and augments what is spent in His way.”(2:276). This spending, no doubt, will bear fruit in the Hereafter but in this very world, the person who spends in God’s way enjoys a fabulous increase, for the needy people who are helped pray for their benefactor. And, as these people are pitiful, they much deserve that their prayers be granted by the Merciful Master. It is, however, to be noted here that this ‘increase’ in no way means that the spender would find his safe overflowing with wealth or that his bank balance would increase or that the value of his property would augment overnight. Rather, it implies that the optimal benefit one can attain from the use of wealth is afforded to the person who spends in Allah’s way. And, above all else, peace of mind, the spiritual elevation and satisfaction that he derives from this spending are in fact blessings which have eluded many grand emperors of this world. Source: Message of Islam – Amin Ahsan Islahi

islamicnews

Friday, 8 April, 2016

‘Islamic finance can revive Nigeria’s economy’

N the face of the contemporary economic realities, Nigerians have been urged to embrace Islamic mode of finance as a way out of poverty. Dr Aliyu Dahiru Muhammad of the International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance, Bayero University, Kano, gave the advice in Abuja, at the annual Islamic Finance Seminar of the Islamic Crescent Cooperative Society Limited. Speaking on the topic “Nigerian Economic Qualms: Islamic Microfinance via

Cooperatives to the Rescue,” the Islamic finance expert noted that the conventional method of finance had created more problems for the people due to absence of justice, fairness, moderation, mutual cooperation and assistance in its mode of operations. According to him, “elements of injustice in interest-based financial transactions breed economic malpractices that have far-reaching consequences on the society. This ranges from unanticipated rise in price to fall in profitability, increased business

failure, corruption, high cost of governance, decay in infrastructure, social distrust and breakdown of law and order.” Dr Muhammad said ameliorating the problems required revisiting socio-cultural values of the society to provide solution suitable for the belief and culture of the people, a role which, he added, the Islamic finance had come to play. The chairman of Islamic Crescent Cooperatives Limited, Mallam Shefiu Badmus, stated that to ensure social justice, the funda-

mental principle of Islamic finance was that interest charging, gambling, uncertainty and deceit were prohibited and, therefore, must play no part in the financial and economic activities of a Muslim. He emphasised that interest-based financing was targeted at growth of the finance provider unlike the Islamic system which is people-oriented. He added that the institution was working hard to expand its products base to allow more Nigerians to key in.

Quran competition for women planned in Australia THE first edition of “Al-Huda” Qur’an memorisation and interpretation competition for women will be organised in western Australia. According to Qaaf news agency, the event, which is the first Qur’an competition in that part of the country, has been planned by the female Qur’an activists of the region. Encouraging women to memorise the divine verses and dissemination of Qur’an culture among the youth and Muslim and Arab minorities in Australia are the main objectives of the competition. It will be held sometime after this year’s Eid AlFitr. The participants will compete in memorisation of Surah (chapter) Al-Jumu’ah and interpretation of Surahs Al-Jumu’ah and Al-Munafiqun.

Islamic body stresses need to bolster Muslim economy THE Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA) stressed the need to strengthen the economies of Islamic states, at a meeting of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors of the ICCIA, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The session was attended by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General, Iyad Madani; Islamic Chamber of Commerce President Saleh Kamel, besides several representatives from ICCIA and Muslim states. Kamel said there was the need to work together to develop economies of the Islamic states at all levels. He recalled the vital role that King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz played in creating OIC and his call for the establishment of an Islamic market and the Jeddah Islamic Port. While lauding the role of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz also in integrating the Arab economic unity, Kamel referred to the current role being played by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman who, he said, seeks to strengthen the cooperation for the development of individual and common economies.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, receiving a copy of Holy Qur’an from the duo of the chairman and secretary of the Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS), Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni and Alhaji Mursiq Siyanbade, during a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler’s palace, in Ibadan.

I’ll be guided by the Holy Qur’an —Olubadan THE Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has assured the people of Ibadan that he will rule with the fear of Allah, relying on His guidance as contained in the Holy Qur’an and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. The traditional ruler gave the assurance while hosting members of the Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS), led by the chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, in his Popoyemoja palace. In expressing appreciation for the gift of a copy of the Holy Qur’an presented to him by MUSCOYS, the traditional ruler said: “I cherish this unique gift of the word of Allah given to me. I know that I am a king but this book of Allah is greater than me and I assure you that I will govern according to the tenets contained therein.” Oba Adetunji said that the virtues of fairness, justice and equity, which are some of God’s injunctions in the Qur’an, would be hallmarks of his reign.

He urged the Muslim community not to relent in praying for him for a successful and fruitful reign and keep in close contact with him and his council, saying his palace belongs to everyone interested in the peace and development of Ibadan. Earlier, the chairman of the community, Alhaji Sanni, congratulated the monarch on his ascension to the throne of his forefathers. Sanni, who quoted some verses of the Qur’an, said it was Allah’s will that Oba Sa-

liu Adetunji became king at the time he did and there was nothing any mortal could do about it. The Islamic leader, who assured the Olubadan that the Muslim community would work with him in realising the goals he had set for Ibadan, implored the king to rule with the fear of Allah by being fair and just to all. A prayer session was led by Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulganiy for the monarch, his family and entire Ibadan indigenes for a further trans-

formation of the city during Oba Adetunji’s reign, while Alhaji Sanni and Alhaji Mursiq Siyanbade, MUSCOYS’ secretary, presented a copy of the Qur’an to Oba Adetunji. The Iya Adinni of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sekinah Adekola, members of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Organisations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Muslim youth groups and representatives of Muslim communities in Oyo State were among the king’s visitors.

Adesokan delivers lecture in Ibadan IN view of the decadence in the country, a Muslim leader, Alhaji (Omooba) Rasheed Adesokan, will on Sunday deliver a public lecture in Ibadan, Oyo State, to mentor youths on the choice of their role models. A statement by the chairman of Bodija Muslim Youth Forum (BOMYOF), Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the lecture by the Baale of Bodija community will hold at the Bodija Islamic Centre, Housing, by 11.00 a.m. Adesokan, who is the Balo-

gun Mumini of Yorubaland, will be speaking on the topic “Muslim Youth of Today, Choosing Role Models and Modelling their Roles.” The Muslim leader, who is also the Director-General of Centre for Islamic Information and Youth Development, the statement said, is expected to educate the youth on having a role model in contemporary times. The lecture will equally discuss the current challenges being faced by the youth and how

to cope with such challenges. Speaking on the choice of the topic, Balogun said the society had corrupted the youth to the extent that only those with stupendous riches, regardless of the source of their wealth, are role models to today’s young persons. “This is dangerous for a country with over 40 per cent of youth population and for the future of the country, if, indeed, the youth of today are the future of tomorrow,” he said.

‘Saudi women can work in grocery stores’ A Shoura Council member has demanded that Saudi women be allowed to work in baqalas or small groceries while following the Shariah rules, even as another member earlier proposed closure of these shops to boost nationalisation. “Efforts are underway to employ women in all sectors, and a recent decision stipulated that the mobile phone workforce should comprise only Saudi men and women,” Fahad bin Jumaa was quoted by a local newspaper. “There are many small shops that could employ women, especially since there is a barrier between them and the customers,” he said, while calling for the closure of small shops and groceries at 9.00 p.m., just like other markets. He said the retail sector needed more regulations to eliminate cheating and to contribute to employing more Saudis in the light of the current labour malpractices by small shops. The Shoura member said that shops could be closely monitored by introducing an accounts system in all small shops and implementing network for accounting, in addition to depositing the money directly into the establishment’s account. Simultaneously, he said, a legal accountant should be assigned for each shop, even if it has only one employee, like it is in foreign countries, and the payment of zakat should be implemented.

33 hersay

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Olamide Talabi Davies, an award winning producer, author, community leader and activist, made history few weeks ago when she was sworn in as the commissioner for African Commission, by the Mayor of Newark, Ras J. Baraka, at the Newark Hall, New Jersey. The President and founder of Miss Africa Tri-State beauty pageant in this online interview with MONICA TAIWO speaks on why she merited the appointment among other issues. Excerpts

hat were you doing before your appointment on Feb 29, 2016? I was a Special Adviser to the Mayor’s Office of International Relations and Diaspora Affairs for Cultural Exchange before my appointment. I had a regular job as a manager of a major Health Department in the City of Newark. I also organise an annual beauty pageant, Miss Africa Tri State with a goal to empower and mentor young ladies and also to teach them how to give back to their community and be positive role models. In your opinion what made you outstanding to be nominated for your present post? I would say my involvement in the activities and wellbeing of my people; Africans especially did not go unnoticed. I am a community leader; and very active in promoting the African culture. I also support and advocate for things that would benefit Africans in areas of economic advancement, political involvement and social visibility in New Jersey and the United States as a whole. When I deal with people, Africans especially, I don’t discriminate or segregate. I don’t treat individuals, I treat issues. I don’t see one person coming from Congo or the other from Nigeria and feel that I should treat the Nigerian better. I fight for everybody’s right, especially Africans. This has given me open access to many Ambassadors and Consuls General because they trust what I stand for. This I believe and some other reasons best known to the Mayor of Newark facilitated my nomination as a Commissioner. What are your major responsibilities for this position and how do you intend to go about them? My major responsibility is to look out for opportunities that would benefit Africans; what can the government do for them to advance their causes? And what they also can do to help and enhance the government because at the end, it is like a two-way traffic. We have to also support the government with their good plans for the citizens. I hope to encourage more open dialogue between my people and the government in such a way that there would be a mutual understanding of what we want at a particular time and what the government expects from us too, in essence open up a feedback avenue between the government and the people. I would have an open door policy, where people are free to tell me their areas of concern about the administration. I also will create committees to become ears to what needs to be done. What is the Miss America Tri-State Pageant about, when did you start and what was your motivation. How have you been funding the project? I started Miss Africa Tri-State Pageant six years ago. The desire to have a beauty pageant came up from the different things I was doing at that time. I am multi-faced; like I wear so many hats. I was a model in my teenage years when I first got into the country; I am an event promoter, an author, a mentor and also into humanitarian services. I decided to look for a platform that would put all these activities together under one umbrella, and that was what actually led me into starting the pageant. Because of my humanitarian activities, I wanted to have a foundation but there were so many people with nonprofit organisations at that time, so I thought of a way to distinguish myself from just another new foundation. It occurred to me that having a young lady with a beauty crown advocating my women empowerment cause would actually give it an edge. So I used all my experience of event planning, mentoring and

What are the challenges so far and how have you been able to overcome? The major challenge I had was the cultural barriers between some non English speaking countries. You know Africa is big and there are so many countries where English is the third language. So, I hired one of our past Queens who happens to be one of my mentees to become the Pageant Director. She actually has more contact with the girls than I do. This has really helped our organisation move smoothly in our dealings with all of Africa. You are obviously busy, how do you cope with your job schedule and the home front? I will say it is the grace of God that I have been able to keep my busy work schedule and the home front together. I am also blessed with a strong support system. My husband is very helpful and supportive of all that I do even with his equally busy schedule. My other life-link is my mother; fondly called Mama Lammy. She is always a phone call away when I desperately need help, especially with my kids.

‘I hope to encourage open dialouge between my people and the government’ my years as a model to start an annual beauty pageant. Did you make gains from the beauty pageant, how have you been utilising these gains? When I started, there were no gains. As a matter of fact I used my personal money to keep the beauty pageant going, there were lots of challenges but the passion I had for it won’t let me give up on it. About three years into it, we started making profits. Sponsors started believing in what we were doing and coming on board with supports both financially and in kind. The winners use the profit and gains to finance and carry out the charity works they have pledged to do when they contested. Most times they travel to their home countries to support the under privileged and also give back here in the United States. How do you mentor and monitor your winners to make sure that the proceeds of the beauty pageant is utilised for exactly what it is pledged for? The winners have to sign an agreement which basically outlines activities she must carry out before the end of her reign. At the end of every quarter our team meets up with them to have updates on what has been done, what needs to be done, how it should be done, and also the resources needed to get it done. Are your contestants drawn from across the world or African countries alone? Contestants for Miss Africa Tri-State are from African countries alone. But, last year with the support of the New Jersey’s Congressman, Donald Payne Jr. we launched another pageant; “Miss Black Elite USA” this one is for everyone who identifies as black. What are the criteria for participation? For Miss Africa Tri-State contestants have to be aged between 18 and 27; have at least one African parent, and live in the USA.

You are an African, what do you think is responsible for the down-turn of our values and morals? Charity they say begins from the home. If the foundation is destroyed then there is never going to be a strong building/structure. As far as I am concerned, the upliftment of our values and morals lies in the hands of us parents. Take for instance, a typical Nigerian home where parents forbid their children from speaking their indigenous language. They don’t teach them how to eat our local dishes and think it is ok for children to say “hi” to their father’s friends. Such parents have sold out our values and morals. My take is this; let us train our children how we were trained. Let the village and extended family also help train the children, even though we birthed them biologically it is ok for others to also advise and when necessary give them time out for us. Relationships and marriages are becoming really abusive these days, what in your opinion is responsible for this? This is indeed a very sad and heart breaking trend. I am not an expert on this institution, but with what I have seen and heard so far on the news about relationship abuse and death, I will say the number one reason couples get to this point is lack of trust. In my own opinion, most of the abuses are perpetuated when one spouse suspects or catches the other cheating. We have to learn to develop trust for one another in any relationship. For those that wants to eat their cake and still have it; those cheating in marriages, you are endangering not just your life but that of your spouse. Instead of cheating or having children outside of your home, get a proper divorce and let the other person properly move on too. What advice do you have for either men or women in an abusive relationship? I am pro-marriage to the core and I support the beautiful institution. I have been with my husband for 14 years as a companion and eight years as married couple. But, I don’t condole violence in any form, be it emotional, physical, sexual, or psychological. Marriage is meant to be enjoyed so if it becomes a torture, I will say get out of it before I get hurt or my loved ones, most especially the innocent children get hurt too. Marriage is not supposed to be a do-or-die affair. Personally, have you been able to marry the two cultures you found yourself in? I am a proud African; Nigerian, an Abeokuta woman to the core. I am also a proud citizen of the United States of America. I love the richness of my Nigerian cultural heritage and I appreciate the openness and opportunity the US has given me to be myself and also to contribute to the richness of the land regardless of where I came from. So, yes, I have been able to effortlessly marry the two cultures. Who is Olamide Talabi Davies? My name is Hon. Olamide Davies Talabi, I am a proud Nigerian originally from Ogun State. I came to the United States immediately after my secondary school graduation at Nickdel College, Ibadan, Oyo state, I got my Associate in Science in Accounting at Essex County College, and then I transferred to Rutgers University, Newark for my Bachelor of Science in Accounting. I am a producer, author, community leader, and mentor to countless young African women in the USA. I am happily married to my college school love and we are blessed with two kids.

34 hersay

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Life in an only-child marriage

By Olaronke Jaiyeola

arriage… a union instituted by God between a man and a woman, expected to last a lifetime, is not a bed of roses, despite the fact that the Supreme being founded it. According to Wikipedia, marriage is a socially or ritually recognised union or legal contract between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them; between them and their children; and between them and their in-laws, as well as society in general. Such bond, which putatively should last until death, has in practice been increasingly cut short by divorce. This sends to the mind a message that there are upheavals in marriages ups and downs, which if handled well, spice the union and gives room for growth of parties involved. Narrowing things down, by implication, if marriage of two individuals who have siblings and grew with them could require great deal of work, how much more is or will be required of one who ventures into a union with an only child of a family… roller-coaster all the way? It is expedient to say that our childhood influence our adulthood significantly – the way we were raised, by whom and with whom – as these make all the difference especially when it comes to an only child with regards to marriage. Being an only child could be interesting as such a child would be unique by virtue of what providence allots to him/ her. But with this uniqueness comes a lot of important or cogent tendencies, which if it were to be with someone with siblings, will be as demanding and daunting. The first issue an only child has and could be carried into his/her marriage is being more egocentric than most people. He/she shouldn’t have his/her head chopped off for this because when one basically spend one’s entire childhood in a house with only adults, who one couldn’t possibly relate to or be forced

to relate to, one tends to redirect one’s focus inwards, that is, on oneself. Such an individual has no brother or sister to play with, learn from/with, as well as share with. He/she builds an ego – an ego that is often reinforced by parents raising an only child. That is why it is generally believed that an only child is a spoilt brat. Truth is, it’s easy to spoil an only child, as it’s much more affordable – he/she has the luxury of all required in life by virtue of his/her uniqueness; no rival, no competitor. But, it’s not suffice to say that an only child the susceptible class of spoilt children by parents. Not all only children are spoiled by their parents. Nevertheless, growing up without someone of one’s age bracket to share parents’ attention with does affect a child. So, when this is carried into marriage, it comes with enormous challenge on the part of the spouse to strike a balance and know where to draw the line, so issues do not escalate further than should be. If the only child in a marriage is a male, he can be so egocentric that his spouse might be expected to worship the ground he walks on; and if a woman, the spouse might have to be a politician or oil worker to meet all her needs ranging from countless domestic servants to cater of all needs, safe sex, which she would want to be exclusive.

Also worthy of mention is the fact that an only child grew up having a hard time asking for help. They love to be ‘Mr fix it all’ or Mrs ‘Do it all’.

Since their earliest friendships as only children were often with their parents, strong bonds are formed and a healthly level of trust established. They tend to see other relationships they later venture into as not the ideal. They, most times rely so much on their parents for much longer than should be and often not able to psychologically detach themselves from depending on them for everything. This, they can’t help, because if there were other siblings involved, there would be a kind of balance and less overprotection. This closeness might be too close for comfort for the spouse of an only child in marriage. If care isn’t taken, the parent of an only child might dictate the pace in their home – ranging from how often they should ‘meet’, number of children they should have to the kind of job the spouse of their only child should do, where to spend their vacation, etc. Having all these happening in such a marriage, puts a strain on the union, which if not attended to with a timely intervention, might result in divorce. As much as an only child needs his/her parents’ care, love and attention, once married, the parents should entrust those responsibilities to the spouse and give them space to grow their own relationship. A spouse/intending spouse of an only child is expected to cope with ‘time out’ moments. They enjoy privacy, as well as require personal space. An only child is used to being alone and by inference, need more time and space to him/herself than other people do. It should be remembered that as children, they learnt to enjoy their own games and fantasies alone and consequently could feel interrupted by attention of their spouses in marriage. Only children don’t like being interrupted when absorbed in a project e.g. when reading or doing anything of interest to them. As a spouse or even children of an only child, one really needs to master the act of choosing one’s moment to talk with him/her sensitively, as they will really appreciate it. If not, they can easily feel suffocated by relationships and are prone to

withdrawing into their shells. They love to be organised and work with a schedule – take a cue and stick to those schedules to avoid friction. Time to go for check-up in the hospital within the year must be stuck to, so hell would not be let loose. They are not good with what you call pleasant surprises and sudden change in plans. For the singular reason that they have no siblings, they tend to take disagreements very personally. Disagreements, on the other hand are bound to occur. They have no experience of normal daily running of things that it’s possible for one to be furious with someone in the morning and be best of friends again in the afternoon. Growing up, they haven’t had to take turns to use the bathroom or right to choose which television programmes to watch. So, they can be impatient; can even get explosive when things don’t go their own way. An only child also seems to have stronger need for recognition than other first borns, which comes from wanting to please their parents so much. For some, this need will never be satisfactorily met. Thus, they can be so hard on themselves and this can be frustrating for the spouse who wants him/ her to be happy with what they have. Patience and empathy is key here. Only child also shows more strength when it comes to high levels of achievement, because their parents spend more time and money on education since they don’t have to split up their time and money between children. This could further be harnessed in marriage by the spouse, so as to attain higher level in life together. Their drive is crazy. By virtue of where they find themselves, only children are independent and organised, since they didn’t have siblings to co-depend on. Though they mingle with others (friends), they still tend to be independent – they entertain themselves, enjoy time alone. They are always on – time and have strong life skills as they pay attention to details. So long their parents didn’t cuddle or did too much for them while growing up, they learnt about life more quickly and take charge. A strong quality, you’d say! Also worthy of mention is the fact that an only child grew up having a hard time asking for help. They love to be ‘Mr fix it all’ or Mrs ‘Do it all’. With love and patience and being exemplary, they would learn over time that it’s okay to let someone else take care of them or help once in a while. The only child has a need to be adored. Remember they grew up being the centre of attention. They love to be reassured over and over; that was how they grew. They love to be doted on always. As much as they love to be adored, they also make great cuddlers – meaning you can never get cold in bed with an only child as your spouse. You could be sure of waking up to an early morning sex treat because they crave the closeness. Remember they grew up having teddy bears stuffed with them on bed at night. Another beautiful quality a spouse could harness in an only child companion is his/ her creativity. Only children have their imaginative instinct run wild like fire. This is because they spend so much time in their heads/minds thinking, that they sometimes forget to live in the moment. The fact that no parent has time to spend all day with his/her only child, as they too need some time to themselves just like every other person, an only child recoils into world of imagination which matures into creativity with age. Imagine what having a creative lover would be like… a world of fun and achievement. Continues on pg35

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Monica Taiwo monicataiwo@yahoo.com 08055001724 @taiwomonica

heartcopy

Dear Taiwo, wish I could have a say in the situation that is going on in my house, but unfortunately, there is little or nothing I can do. This is because in our society children do not have a say in what their parents do and secondly, if I decide to leave home, I have nowhere to go. In essence I have to accept my mother’s indecent attitude and pretend nothing is happening. I am the third out of her five children and the unfortunate thing is that all of us have different fathers. I and three of my siblings do not know our fathers, only our youngest sister knows her father and even at that he doesn’t live with us and he can only come when my mother wants him to come. She has a good job as a personal assistant to the executive director of the company where she works, so I am always very confused as to why she is living the way she lives. I really cannot count the number of her

I hate my mother! male friends that come around to our house. Sometimes two or more of them have had cause to meet one another in our house. At times she would be inside her bedroom and make us tell lies that she has gone out. I am very disturbed and sad because we have had to move away from two houses because the landlord and other tenants cannot stand her attitude and the rate at which male visitors come over to our house. Fortunately, we are in our own house now and we do not have to look over our

Life in an only-child marriage Continues from pg34

Worthy of mention also the fact that they are hard to hold down. They are attention cravers, who also require their freedom and are quick to get up and leave if it means protecting their ego. They are thus hard to hold down. They are hard to convince to open up to you and trust you. They will often refuse to admit that they love you. They are not used to letting people in; not that they don’t want to, but they often find it difficult doing so. And moreso, because relationships often end up doing more harm than good, getting

their hearts broken once makes opening up again very difficult, if not impossible. As his/her spouse, don’t lose his/her trust, you might not regain it. Since they are used to concentrating their love, they don’t disperse it freely, but direct it specifically, as they may not be overly willing to open up to you, but be rest assured that when they do, they tend not to hold back – they love you fully. And once they have you in their lives, they just don’t want to share you. Obviously, the best relationships ought to strike a healthy balance between the time

Picture: Google

shoulders to see who is coming or who is watching at us. A sad incident happened to my elder sister two weeks ago and I wish I were in the position to do more than I did. My mother is fond of sending her and her immediate younger sister to her male friends to collect money and or other errands. She sent her and unfortunately my mother’s male friend raped my sister. When she came back home she did not have the courage to tell mum but she told us, I forced her to tell her. Unfortunately,

she did not believe my sister, she said she lied as the man she sent her to is too gentlemanly to do a thing like that. I was very angry and sad. Should my mother believe the word of her male friend as against my sister’s words? Instead of doing something to help my sister, she castigated her and accused her of seducing her male friend. Aunty Taiwo, as I am writing you, my sister is very sick and mum wouldn’t even take her to the hospital. As if that was not enough, the stupid man who raped her called her using unprintable names. He was so sure of himself and he even said he knew my mother would not believe my sister’s words against his own. I am sick and tired of the whole situation. I wish I had somewhere else to stay. I must confess that I hate my mother. I wish I knew who my father was so that I can run away and stay with him. Please, what can we do, help my siblings and I. Anonymous

you spend with your better half and how you prefer to devote the rest of your time, being a spouse of an only child comes with a hefty amount of selfishness. They are impassioned lovers. Though not the healthiest quality in them, it is the one thing that will make your relationship last. In-laws of an only child will have to learn to accept them for who they are and try to lovingly win them over so as to change such perception. Parents of an only child who is married should endeavour to give space for the couple to grow their relationships, after all you gave

your consent because you repose a level of trust in his/her spouse in the first instance. Being overprotective of an only child in marriage could spell doom for the marriage, as every move of his/her parents to see to it that he/she is okay and/or well taken care of in marriage could be seen as infringement on the other partner’s rights or interference; though the concerns are well-founded and genuine. Let balance be stricken and with patience and understanding of each other’s needs, taking into cognizance where such is coming from, a formidable marriage would be built.

36 features

Friday,8 April, 2016

First thing the doctor said, was, ‘You’ve got a big arm, so we’ll be able to make you a big penis

Charllote and Mohammed

Man, 44, with bionic penis, finally loses virginity to a sex worker

44-year-old man whose penis was ripped off in a childhood accident has finally been able to have sex for the first time. Mohammed Abad, from Edinburgh, Scotland, had a bionic penis fitted in 2012 and lost his virginity to sex worker Charlotte Rose, 35, after he was given the green light by doctors. The divorcee said a ‘big burden’ had been lifted following their encounter which happened after the pair got to know each other over a few days. Mohammed told New Day: ‘I’ve been waiting for this day since I was 18. But now a big burden is off my back and I’m so happy.’ He first met Charlotte, who specialises in disabled clients, for a dinner date and then got to know each other better over a few days and stayed in a central London hotel. Mohammed was nervous and on the first attempt, his penis malfunctioned with one side of the pump failing to properly inflate. But on the second attempt, the pump was able to perform properly. Mohammed told the newspaper: ‘When Charlotte saw it for the first time, she was silent and I was a bit worried. But then she said: “It’s incredible”.’ After their session together, which lasted for an hour and three quarters, Charlotte said she was ‘impressed’. Now Mohammed’s goal is to become a

year. He said: ‘I’ve waited so long for this that I don’t want to waste any more time. I feel like my life is finally starting and I plan to live it to the fullest.’ Charlotte, got in touch when she heard about Mohammed’s plight and waived her usual £160 fee for the occasion. Charlotte, a single mum to two teenage children, told New Day: ‘I wanted to make sure there was no pressure for Mohammed. Mohammed’s bionic penis on display. There was a lot of fun, smiles and giggles. The room got father. He previously said: ‘Three years ago I never thought this day would come quite heated. ‘In the end, he lasted for an but now I’m ready to have some fun and hour and three quarters. I was impressed.’ sow my wild oats ‘I’ve never felt like a full Charlotte has slept with ‘well over 1,000 man but now I’m ready for my life to start men’ but said she had never come across a and I’ve never felt so confident.’ I want to bionic penis before. In January 1978, Mohammed was get the ‘virgin’ tag off my back as soon as possible but eventually I hope to get mar- pushed into the street during a snowball ried and have two children - a girl and a fight and hit by a car that dragged him 600 boy.’ Mohammed was given the green yards. Mohammed said: ‘My penis was light by doctors to test it out and hopes ripped off and a testicle was also destroyed. to be in a long-term relationship by next ‘I was taken to the hospital and given 12

hours to live.’Doctors were miraculously able to stabilise him, but there was nothing they could do to salvage his detached penis. Mohammed said: ‘They made me a wee tube that was three centimeters long and I was told to carry on with that. There was nothing else they could do at that time. From the age of six to 11, Mohammed was in and out of hospital but his situation made it hard for him to fit in at school after news of his accident spread. Mohammed said: ‘I never used to associate myself with girls because I knew if I took the next step it’s going to come back and slap me in the face. I avoided girls entirely just because I didn’t want to put myself in that situation.’ Mohammed threw himself into his work in a convenience store, but as time passed he longed for a normal life. He said: ‘I think I was about 31 or 32 and went to the doctors again and said ‘I’m desperate I need some kind of help, you need to try and help me. I’m ready to see the world out there’. ‘It wasn’t until I was about 37 that I got a letter out of the blue from a hospital which I had attended saying that they thought they could help me.’ Four years ago, Mohammed had the lifechanging surgery to create his penis, which was constructed using skin from his forearm rolled up like a ‘sausage roll’. Prior to his surgeries, Mohammed had an arranged marriage, but kept his situation a secret from his wife until his wedding night. Mohammed was never able to consummate the marriage and last year the relationship came to an end after three years. Now, Mohammed has a working penis and hopes he will be able to sustain a relationship in the future. Mohammed said: ‘First thing the doctor said, was, ‘You’ve got a big arm, so we’ll be able to make you a big penis’ so from there I just left it to him and I’m quite happy with what I’ve got.’ Mohammed’s ninth and final operation was completed last July and now he has an implant that allows him to have erections at the touch of a button. His new member was made using a graft of his arm, two rubber tubes and a reservoir of resin to pump into the penis – and he has full feeling in his new organ. Mohammed operates his penis by pushing a button on his testicles to inflate and another one to deflate. His testosterone is now operating at a normal level and doctors believe he will be able to have children. Mr Nim Christopher, the consultant neurologist who built Mohammed’s penis, said: ‘The penis itself was actually made from the skin and fat from the forearm rolled up into a roll with a tube in the middle like a sausage roll. ‘It will stay up as long as he wants and then when he’s had enough he switches the off button.’ Courtesy: DailyMail.com

Friday, 8 April, 2016 37 news INEC partisanship reason for renewed electoral violence — Fayose

KITI State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to first purge the electoral commission under him of partisanship and election manipulations, before seeking the establishment of electoral ofences tribunal. The “INEC under the present dispensation is the number one electoral offender,” Fayose said, adding that “electoral reform without INEC neutrality is a mirage.” He said any electoral offences tribunal established under this current dispensation like the Department of States Services, Police, Armed forces, would only be used against opposition parties, even as he noted that other agencies of the Federal Government were used during the Bayelsa and Rivers states elections. Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka quoted the governor as saying that; “Even though establishment of electoral offences tribunal is not entirely a bad idea, INEC as presently constituted does not encourage free, fair and violence-free election, and it should worry Professor.” The governor, who described electoral violence as a product of electoral injustice, said even President Muhammadu Buhari himself admitted his failure for the conduct of any free, fair and credible election since he assumed office. “During the Rivers State rerun that INEC has been unable to conclude, Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) was missing on result sheets of over 230 polling units and up till now, all what INEC has been able to tell Nigerians was that the criminal omission of PDP in the result sheets was due to printers error. Was that not enough to cause violence?”

he said rhetorically. While blaming President Buhari for eroding INEC independence, Governor Fayose said: “The day President Buhari interfered with the internal administration of INEC by appointing Madam Amina Zakari, a National Com-

missioner, as acting chairperson of the commission, a title and position unknown to the constitution, INEC under the Buhari’s APC government, lost its independence and its credibility was eroded. “The reality that INEC itself must therefore face is

From right, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike; deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo and former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Opara, during a retreat for top Rivers government officials, at Onne Multi-Purpose Centre, on Thursday.

Bayelsa guber: Tribunal to hear applications, petition together, adjourns till Monday Sunday Ejike - Abuja THE Bayelsa State election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, said it will hear preliminary applications along with the substantive petition, but will rule on the applications at the conclusion of the hearing. When the matter came up on Thursday, counsel for the

respondents in the petition, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Seriake Dickson and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), informed the tribunal of their various applications seeking to strike out some reliefs of the petitioners and certain paragraphs in their petition. The governorship candi-

date of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Timipre Sylva and the party, in their petition before the tribunal, are challenging the emergence of Seriake Dickson as governor of Bayelsa State at the December 5, 2015 and January 9, 2016 governorship election in the state. The tribunal chairman, Justice Kazeem Alogba,

Accept reality of your political loss, Wike tells Amaechi, APC RIVERS State governor, Nyesom Wike, has advised former governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi, to accept the reality that his political party lost the rerun and allow the state government focus on rebuilding of the state. Governor Wike said the responsibility of reviving the state after the immediate past administration failed to use the N3 trillion that accrued to the state under its watch was enormous. Declaring open a retreat on strengthening capacity, efficiency and service delivery for sustainable development for top government officials, at Onne Multi-Purpose Centre, on Thursday, Governor Wike said the administration had deployed resources and expertise to correct the failures of the Amaechi administration. “I call on the former governor and leader of the APC in the state to accept the reality that the re-run was woefully lost by his party, and that Rivers people have, again, over-

that members of President Buhari’s party, APC have become so emboldened to unleash violence on Nigerians during elections because they know that the president won’t lift a finger provided his party members are the ones perpetrating evil,” Fayose said.

• Says his administration has kick-started revival of the state whelmingly re-affirm their confidence, trust and preference for the PDP. “Therefore, spare us the agony of unnecessary hostility and allow Rivers State to move forward in peace and security. We expect you to use your high office and connections to attract meaning-

ful development projects to the state as I did during my time; not senseless and unpatriotic distractions. Enough is enough. “All of us are aware of the sorry state of things in Rivers State before May 29 2015. Between October 25, 2007 and May 28, 2015 over three

trillion naira accrued from all revenue sources to the state. Yet, they did nothing tangible with that money to develop the state. Instead, they squandered and diverted most of this money into private pockets through bogus and ill-fated projects,” Governor Wike said.

Chris Agbambu – Abuja

Ode, the Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College and the brain behind the innovation, said the device was a product of research by the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers. Before the testing of the device, Ode said the device could be used for demolition of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and unexploded bombs. According to him, the research on the production of this equipment lasted for four

months while all materials used were sourced locally. He said the equipment would be useful in the ongoing clearance operations in the North-East, especially in the removal of planted IEDs and unexploded bombs in the liberated areas. “The production of this device is based solely on researches conducted by Nigerian Army engineers and from scratch to finish the materials were sourced locally in Nigeria.

Insurgency: Army commissions first locally made bomb detonator THE Nigerian Army, on Thursday, commissioned Nigeria’s first locally made explosive detonator known as the Rechargeable Blasting Device, a portable electrical device adaptable to both wet and dry conditions. The commissioning and testing of the device was part of the programme of the 2016 Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference held in Abuja. Major-General Gabriel

while adjourning further hearing of the petition till Monday, held that parties would be given the opportunity to put forward their submissions on the applications, as well as the petition before the tribunal. He said ruling on the applications would be delivered at the conclusion of hearing. Meanwhile, the tribunal, last week, also slated April 11, to deliver ruling on Sylva’s application, seeking an order to allow him inspect election materials used for the governorship election in the state. The tribunal chairman gave the date after taking arguments from parties in the petition challenging the election of Dickson as governor of Bayelsa. The motion on notice filed and argued by Sebastin Hon on behalf of the petitioner, Sylva, is asking the tribunal for “an order directing the chairman of INEC and or the Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner to forthwith produce for inspection and or scanning and also to certify/cause to be certified, the documents named in the Schedule as ‘Exhibit A’ for the purpose of the petitioner/applicant assembling and leading further evidence which would assist them to maintain the election petition.” However, in his opposition to the request, governor Dickson’s counsel urged the tribunal to refuse the application for lacking in merit.

WOCOM holds empowerment seminar today By Rotimi Ige The youth around Ibadan and its environs will be further enlightened about economic freedom and how to cope with the general unemployment trend in the country, the organisers of a knowledge-based empowerment seminar organised by WOCOM youths holding at 10a.m. tomorrow, have said. Tagged “THE FUTURE OF WORK AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM’, the seminar will see notable panelists speak about a range of topics that will give the youth a bigger picture of the economic future. According to the organisers, the motto of the event is that people ‘Come and liberate themselves from financial hardship and make the difference in their generation’. The special guest of honour will be the Honourable Minister of Youths and Sports,Solomon Dalung (FCT) while guest speakers are Professor Olumide Longe, Head of Department, Computer Science Department/ICT Director, Adeleke University, Ede,Osun State; Folajimi Brodie Mends (Banking sector), Adewale Dahunsi (MD Novel power system) and Tolu Popoola (ICT /Business Management consultant in the UK. Asides from learning the basic requirements for an assured future, there would be free lunch for all participants.

Impartation service GOD’S Mercy Revival Ministries will hold its monthly prophetic impartation service tagged: “Manifestation 2016: Time for Appearance of My New Day”, at Mercy Revival Centre, 25/33, Alake Lakonko Street, Off Ikotun Idimu Road, Ile Epo bus-stop, Ikotun, Lagos. The programme will hold on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 9:00a.m. Expected ministers at the event are guest artiste, Sister Lola Olatunde (Kakaki Eledumare); General Overseer, Pastor (Dr) James Akanbi (host), among others.

Pastor (Dr) James Akanbi

news

Friday,81April, April,2016 2016 Friday,

Army/Shiite panel adjourns sitting till April 11 THE Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the December Shiite/Nigerian Army clash in Zaria, has adjourned sitting till Monday, April 11. The Justice Muhammadu Lawal-Garba-led panel adjourned the session on the request of Muhammed Sani-Kato, the counsel representing the Jamaatul Nasrul Islam and other groups at the sitting. The panel had earlier slated the day for members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) to make their presentation, but failed to appear. It will be recalled that counsel to the Ibraheem El-Zakzaky-led movement, Festus Okoye, had announced their withdrawal from the panel. In spite of the absence of the Shiite members, the panel allowed the JNI

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Muraina Fatai Adebayonle am the same person bearing Muraina Fatai Adebayo. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MURAINA FATAI ADEBAYONLE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

through its National Secretary, Dr Khalid Aliyu and the Zaria Branch Chairman, Abdullahi Yahya to make presentation. Yahya in his presentation, advised the Federal Government to take proactive measures to curtail the excesses of the movement for peaceful co-existence among the people, especially in Zaria. He appealed to the state government to ensure that all religious movements operated within the law of the state and the constitution of Nigeria. When the commission resumes on Monday, it is expected to hear the submissions of the Kaduna State government. NAN reported that the Nigerian Army in its presentation, on Wednesday, said its action against the Shiites was within the ambit of the law.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sulaiman Modinat Oluwatoyin now MRS ABOLAJI MODINAT OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Muniru Azeez Olamilekan now ADEWUMI AZEEZ OLAMILEKAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Dorothy Aliu-Bamidele am the same person bearing DOROTHY ALIU and also the same person as DOROTHY BAMIDELE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Idris Oni Salihu now IDRIS SALIU ONIMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bijesutife Mary Oluwatimileyin now OLUWAFEMI MARY OLUWATIMILEHIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ayoola Solomon now ADEKANYE TAYO MICHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Mrs Khadijat Romoke Adebayo am the same person as MRS KHADIJAT ROMOKE ADEBAYO AYANNIYI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oladipupo Olayinka now OLADIPO MATHEW YINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Agbaje Damilola Sekemi now MRS AMPITAN DAMILOLA SEKEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Osadola Ifedapo Oluwakemisola now MRS OGUNKUNLE IFEDAPO OLUWAKEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I wish to affirm that; Christiana Onozare Ahmed and Christiana Onozare Stephen belong to one and same person. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as CHRISTIANA AHMED OLORUNDARE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyetade Funmilade Esther now MRS DADA FUNMILADE ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. Osun State SUBEB, Ekiti State University and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Raji Funmilola Olanike now MRS ADERIBIGBE MARY FUNMILOLA O. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ojo Adeyemi Christianh now MRS OMOTOSO ADEYEMI CHRISTIANH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akande Silifat Oluyemi now MRS OJEWALE SILIFAT OLUYEMI. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board and general public take note.

I, formerly Oluwatayo Emmanuel Obaloluwa now AKINNIYI-TAYO EMMANUEL OBALOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Asawe Funke now JELILI AMINAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Falana Taofeek Babatunde now BABATUNDE TAOFEEK OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Aluko Saidat Folashade now MRS AJAYI SAIDAT FOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. I, Oludumila Olayemi Olabode am the same person bearing Fadumila Olayemi Olabode. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OLUDUMILA OLAYEMI OLABODE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. C.A.C and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oyedeji Kolawole Agboola now OYEDEJI KOLAWOLE HAMMED. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr Johnson Okwuchukwu Obi now MR JUDE OKWUCHUKWU OBI. All former documents remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Ogundare Omotola Damilola now OLUBUNMI OMOTOLA DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Aremu Omotayo Lateefat now MRS AKANGBE LATIFAT OMOTAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Chibueze Micheal Friday now NWANKWO MICHEAL FRIDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Omoniyi Folasade Rashidat now AGBAJE FOLASADE RASHIDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Saheed Ganiyat now FASHOLA SAKIRAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Sofowora Abimbola Mojisola now MRS AKINSANYA ABIMBOLA FOLASADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Famoriyo Omolade Adesola now MRS FOLORUNSHO OMOLADE ADESOLA. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyewale Abidemi Oyefunke now MRS ADEYEYE ABIDEMI OYEFUNKE. All former documents remain valid. Osun State College of Education, Ilesa and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Abe Opeyemi now MRS GENTRY OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Arowolo Adebisi Saidat now MRS ADENIRAN ADEBISI SAIDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Opakunle Saheed Ola am the same person bearing Opakunle Saidi Oladimeji. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OPAKUNLE SAHEED OLA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adegoke Simiat Omowumi now MRS. GBADAMOSI SIMIAT OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Salami Temitope Ibiwunmi now MRS OYEDEJI TEMITOPE IBIWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. I, formerly Miss Raji Bukola Atinuke now MRS AGBOOLA BUKOLA ATINUKE HOSEFAT. All former documents remain valid. Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO), Osogbo and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Adaba Tosin Seun am the same person bearing Olajide Tosin. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADABA TOSIN SEUN. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, Adebambo Victoria Olubusola am the same person bearing Adebayo V.O. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as ADEBAMBO VICTORIA OLUBUSOLA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, WAEC and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluoje Kafayat Ebunoluwa now MRS IBEH EBUNOLUWA KAFAYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Balogun Semiu Ayodeji now AKEJU YINUS GBENGA AYODEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Tunmise Ayisat Akanji now MRS AYISAT YUSUF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olokesusi Arike Comfort now MRS OLA ARIKE COMFORT. All former documents remain valid. Ise/ Orun Local Government and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bangbopa Risikat Bola now OLADEJI RISIKAT BOLA. All former documents remain valid. NSCDC and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Adedeji Elizabeth Mubo now MRS BABAYEMI ELIZABETH MUBO. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Post Primary Schools Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Daniel Dorcas Ozavize now SAMUEL DORCAS OZAVIZE. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public take note.

I, formerly Akinkunmi Babatunde Olubunmi now AKINKUNMI TUNDE EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebayo Oluwabunmi Oluwafunmilayo now MRS OYEDUN OLUWABUNMI OLUWAFUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adealu Oluwabusola M. now MRS ASOGBA OLUWABUSOLA M. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Aderonke Laura Oluremi Jomo-Coco now ADERONKE OMOLARA OLUREMI KUTI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Solomon Damilola now OGUNWOLE KEHINDE DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Paseda Oluwabukunola Oluwayemisi now MRS ADEKOLA O L U WA B U K U N O L A OLUWAYEMISI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Vincent Ofulue Odunayo now MRS OFULUE ODUNAYO OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Adeyemi Lateef now ADEYEMI ADEBAYO LATEEF. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Alabi Victoria Apeke now AWOYEMI VICTORIA APEKE. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Commission and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr Taofeek Saheed now MR TAOFEEK SAHEED DASOLA. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Awhanbe Margaret Wanyina now MRS OLUWALEKE MARGARET WANYINA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Esther Oluwafunmi Osinowo now MRS ESTHER O L U W A F U N M I IHEUKWUMERE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Hassan Ganiyat Amoo now HASSAN GANIYAT OLORUNTOYIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Jacob Florence now IGE FLORENCE FOLORUNSO. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Oziga Ajoke Judith now OZIGA ADENIKE AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adeleye Shakirat Adeyinka now MURITALA SHAKIRAT ADEYINKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

39 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr. Tifase Ayoola Ebenezer now MR. OLURANTI AYOOLA EBENEZER. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Idowu Kemi Alonge now MRS. IDOWU KEMI ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ilicafe Henry now AMAMI HENRY ONOS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Friday, 8 April, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Olayiwola Fasilat Adeoti now MRS. AYOOLA FELICIA ADEOTI. All former documents remain valid. Ede North Local Government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ojobor Dorethy Nkemdilichukwu now GABRIEL PRECIOUS NKEMDILICHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. U.B.A. Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Juliet Tangbasani now MRS. AMERNOUVRE TOSAN JULIET. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

The names ONOVWIEHWO LUCKY ERHIOYOVWE IMOH refer to the same person. ONOVWIEHWO is my grandfather’s name, LUCKY, my English name, ERHIOYOVWE is my native name, IMOH, my father’s name. All documents bearing these names are mine and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Alade Olusola Funmilayo now AKANDE OLUSOLA REBECCA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oni Olufunke Atinuke now BRIGHT OLUFUNKE ATINUKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Olatunde Oladapo Adura am the same person as Olatunde Oladapo Oluwafemi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNDE OLADAPO ADURA. All documents bearing these names are mine and remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Aina Adetoun Omotola now MRS. ADELAJA ADETOUN OMOTOLA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

My name, AKINLOLU YINKA DENNIS, was wrongly written as AKINLOLU PETER DENNIS. My correct name is AKINLOLU YINKA DENNIS. All documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oyekola Oyeronke Risikat now OYEKOLA ADERONKE OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Makanjuola Baliqis Temitope now MRS. RUFAI BALIQIS TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akomolafe Mary Ebun now MRS. OLAJIDE MARY EBUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oladoye Muniru Sunday now LAWAL MUNIRUDEEN SUNDAY. I was born on 8/04/1984 and not 31/01/1984. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Abimbola Hassan Oluwatosin now HASSAN BUSAYO ADESILE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Adekunle Florence Apeke now ADEKUNLE FLORENCE OLAJUMOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Ebisanine Lilian Seyi now MRS. OMETIE LILIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Mrs. Ibojo Grace Adefunke am the same person bearing Mrs. Ibojo Grace. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IBOJO GRACE ADEFUNKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Oluniyi Joel Joseph now MR. JOSEPH OLUNIYI JOEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Odoh Goodluck now PHILIP SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Wahab J. Aliu now WAHAB ALIU OLAWALE. I was born on 04/06/1982 and not 26/04/1984. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, was formerly Raimi (Raeme) Olaore O. now wish to correct my name as OYETUNJI RAIMI OLAORE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Izu Chukwu Ude am the same person as Udeji Izz Livinus. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as IZU CHUKWU UDE. All documents bearing these names are mine and remain valid. Diamond Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Yusuff Modinat Odunayo now MRS. RAJI-LAWAL MODINAT ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ogunyileka Oladimeji Nathan now AJEGBANGBA OLADIMEJI NATHAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ibrahim Gbadmos now BADMUS IBRAHEEM BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ajala-Ogunrinola Olutoke Rachel now OGUNRINOLA OLUTOKE RACHEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Annesan Kennedy Patrick am the same person bearing David Uyi Azekuwria. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as DAVID KENNEDY PATRICK. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Duke Ukpono Henshaw Inyang now DUKE UKPONO HENSHAW. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Alogba-Etuk Theresa Eniola now MISS ETUK THERESA ENIOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Folasade Aminat Adeyemi now FOLASADE AMINAT ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adeola Adisa now OPARINDE ADEOLA MUJIDAT. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., First Bank Plc., Self-Reliance Economic Advancement Programme and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Aloyinlapa Surajudeen Okanlawon now MR ALOYINLAPA S I R A J U D E E N OKANLAWON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Aseye Akindele Moses now ASEYE AKINDELE OJO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Mutalubi Amusa am the same person bearing Sule Mutalubi Saliu. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as MUTALUBI AMUSA. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oladipupo Olalekan now SAMUEL GBENGA MICHEAL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Eze Mary Adaeze am the same person bearing Ezeajah Princess Adaobi. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as EZE MARY ADAEZE. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Najimu Ishola Nurudeen and Alaraje Najimu Ishola now NURUDEEN NAJEEM ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ashaolu Oluwashola Olufunmilola Modupe now MRS IMONAH OLUWASHOLA OLUFUNMILOLA MODUPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME AND CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH I, formerly Mohammed Abdulazeez Bilikisu now MOHAMMED ZUBAIR BILIKISU WURAOLA. That my correct date of birth is 20th July, 1977 not 15th February, 1969. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs Adebayo Adewunmi Olapeju now MRS AWUSINU ADEWUNMI OLAPEJU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Salau Yetunde Memunat am the same person bearing Salau Yetunde Opeyemi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as SALAU YETUNDE MEMUNAT. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, Ijabor Emmanuel Ogbu am the same person bearing Ijabor Emmanuel. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as IJABOR EMMANUEL OGBU. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Kingsley Chukwu now KINGSLEY DANIEL. All former documents remain valid. Unity Bank Plc, UBA Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ifeyinwa Esther Iwegbunam now MRS IFEYINWA ESTHER OKEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Olaide Ramotalai Olaiya now MRS. OLAIDE BISOLA OMIKUNLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olowomeye Esther Afolashade now MRS KUKOYI ESTHER AFOLASHADE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Akinniranye Oluwaseun Mary now MRS BULUGBE MOROUNKEJI OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji and general public take note.

I, formerly Akingunsoye Ojo Marcus now AKINGUNSOYE AKINBAMIJO. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, Federal Polytechnic, Ile Oluji and general public take note.

I, formerly Omale Edicha Abdulrahman now DANJUMA ABDULRAHMAN. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc, Union Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Olutayo Olusola Funmilola now MRS. REBOR OLUSOLA FUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajibade Olabisi Bukola now MRS OGUNLANA OLABISI BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Abubakre Kehinde Lucky now NELSON KEHINDE GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Afolabi Yusuf Olatunji now AFOLABI JOSEPH OLAMITUNJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Adebayo Kayode Alani am the same person bearing Oluwanifemi Alani Adebayo. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAYO KAYODE ALANI. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Yahaya Tesleem Ayinla now OSENI TESLEEM. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Aboderin Michael Damilola now ABOLUWARIN MICHAEL DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebayo Abimbola Iyabo now MRS. LANIRAN ABIMBOLA IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Emotimide Chiazor now CHUKWUMA CHIAZOR IHEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Folarin Grace Bukola now MRS. FASASI GRACE BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ologunde Joseph Olusegun now MARCUS JOSEPH OLUYEMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Popoola Olanireti Omolola now MRS. ALONGE OLANIRETI OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Eferemwa Novely now SIMEON LOVETH TARE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Mabadeje Fiyinfoluwa Olufolajimi now MRS. OLUMIDEOSHO FIYINFOLUWA OLUFOLAJIMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogunseye Olubunmi Adeola and Mrs. Adebayo Olubunmi Adeola now MRS. OMOTOSHO OLUBUNMI ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid. O.A.U., Ile Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly Ismaila Lateef now FATOBA TAJUDEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Omiyale Roseline Anuoluwapo now MRS. SAMUEL ROSELINE ANUOLUWAPO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

My name was erroneously entered as Onojohwo Iriket Sunday instead of Onojohwo Irikefe Sunday. Now, I wish to be known, called and addressed as MR. ONOJOHWO IRIKEFE SUNDAY. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Mrs. Anbali Modinat Asake am the same person bearing Adeyemi Oluwakemi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANBALI MODINAT ASAKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Wema Bank Plc., Stanbic IBTC and general public take note.

I, Ajewole Abiola Oluwafemi am the same person bearing Ajewole Abiola Felix. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AJEWOLE ABIOLA FELIX. All documents bearing these names are mine and remain valid. General public take note.

That my BVN carries ADABOR CHRISTIANA OWHOBEVUGHE, date of birth May 20, 1966. That ADABOR CHRISTIANA OWHOBEVUGHE, and ADABOR CHRISTY are the same person. All former documents remain valid. Keystone Bank Plc., EcoBank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Dorathy Uzoamaka Nebeokike now MADU DORATHY UZOAMAKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyedepo Serifat now MRS. JIMOH SERIFAT ATINUKE. All former documents remain valid. Oyo State Hospitals Management Board and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Iwuanyanwu Herbert now IWUANYANWU HERBERT NWABUEZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adeogun Oluwaranti Deborah now MRS. OYEBAMIJI OLUWARANTI DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Grace Orobogha Epechi now GRACE OROBOGHA ODOZIAKO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Aderonke Adebayo now MRS JEJEOLA FOLASADE ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Ojo Babatunde Oluwasayo now MR OJO OLUWADAYO OLUWASAYO. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Ojo-Taiwo Tolulope Faith now MRS ORIOYE TOLULOPE FAITH. All former documents remain valid. OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Aremu Mary Oluwatoyin am the same person bearing Ebenezer Toyin Mary. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as EBENEZER MARY TOYIN. All documents bearing these names refer to me and remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mr Faleke Oluwadamilola Samuel Olorunleke now MR OLUWALEKE OLUWADAMILOLA SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid. Apex Paints and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Maxwell Amadi Chidinma now MISS ISIOHIA CHIDINMA UCHECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

south-westnews We’re ready for Ife Central bye-election —INEC 40

Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

HE Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Alhaji Nasiru Ayilara, on Thursday, expressed the readiness of the umpire to conduct free and fair byeelection in Ife Central to-

Friday, 8 April, 2016

morrow. He also assured on safety and effective security of all the 817 personnel of the commission who are expected to participate in the exercise. Ayilara disclosed this while addressing journalists at the INEC office in Osogbo as part of the preparations for the byeelection.

The Ife-Central state House of Assembly seat became vacant following the demise of Honourable Oladejo Makinde in December 2016. He said due to the political nature of the local government area, the commission had already fashioned out security measures that would guarantee the safety of both INEC officials and

the electorate According to him, “we have met all the security agencies in the state and they have assured the commission of safety of both electoral officials and the voters.” Ayilara further hinted that the total number of registered voters for the exercise is 95,232, adding that 62,393 voters collect-

ed their Permanent Voter Card (PVC). Ife Central has 168 polling units and 11 registration points according to him, adding that election materials were already available to carry out the exercise. He said there would be restriction of movement between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm.

PDP lauds Osun doctors for suspending strike Oluwole Ige - Osogbo OSUN State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, commended the medical doctors and other health personnel in the state for suspending their seven months old strike, saying the development had stemmed needless loss of lives. The party, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Diran Odeyemi, said despite working under alleged inhuman conditions, the decision to return to work by the doctors underlined their commitment to the general wellbeing of the people. The statement lamented the “needless stress and losses” people of the state were subjected to while the strike lasted, adding that efforts, henceforth, must be geared towards preventing reoccurrence of the industrial disharmony. It urged the state government not to renege on the promises made to the doctors before they suspended the strike to ensure no more damage was done to the state’s public health system. The statement reads in part: “The loss of lives and materials witnessed during the strike cannot be quantified. We know members of the public have been at the receiving end and suffered untold hardships during the period. “That is why we are pleading with Governor Aregbesola to ensure he keeps to promises made to the doctors before they suspended the strike. Osun cannot afford to be losing lives to cheap deaths.” “We also commend some stakeholders for their intervention in the industrial logjam and we urge them not to relent but to continue to work towards pulling Osun out of its present quagmire.”

Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola (centre); flanked to his right by his deputy, Mrs Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and other party leaders, during a campaign rally for the APC candidate, Prince Adetilewa Sijuwade, towards April 9 bye-election for Ife Central State constituency, held at Enuwa Square, Ile-Ife, on Thursday.

Court remands man over killing of friend Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Oke-Eda in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has ordered the remand of a 30-year-old man, Sunkanmi Gabriel, who was accused of killing one Ojo Akintoye at Olo-

kuta prison. The accused, who was alleged to have stabbed the deceased to death with broken bottle over a minor disagreement, was brought before Magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel, facing a one count charge of murder. According to the pros-

ecution, Sunkami committed the offence at about 6:00a.m. at Oloko junction, Akure Magisterial District, on March 4, 2016. According to the prosecution, the offence contravened sections 316 (1) and 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo

Ondo LG election waste of resources —CNPP Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THE Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Ondo State chapter, on Thursday, said there was no need for local government election in the state, saying the election is irrelevant to the people. The group stated this in a statement issued in Akure by its state chairman, Chief Ayo Isijola and General Secretary, Odedeyi Muyiwa. It asked the state government not to conduct the election scheduled to hold

on April 23, describing the exercise as waste of time and resources. The CNPP advised the present administration in the state, led by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, to use the money meant for the conduct of the council poll to pay workers’ salaries and pension arrears. They also faulted the appointment of Dr Olugbenga Ige as the Chairman of Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), saying “as at when he was appointed by

the government in 2010, Dr Olugbenga Ige was a lecturer at the Faculty of Science in the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.” The group, however, vowed not to participate in the election just as it dissociated itself from the activities of Inter Parties Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state. The CNPP said the chairman of IPAC in the state, Fatai Adams, was not qualified to head the group being the Deputy Chairman of PDP in the state.

State of Nigeria 2006. The police prosecutor, Inspector Martins Olowofeso, urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him send the duplicate file to Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. He prayed the court to remand the accused person in Olokuta prison custody pending the issuance of the advice by the DPP. The plea of the accused person who was represented by Barrister Adelanke Akinata was not taken. The magistrate, Mrs Victoria Bob-Manuel, in her ruling, ordered the remand of the accused person in Olokuta prison custody pending the outcome of legal advice from the DPP. She ordered the police to submit the compiled case file and its duplicate to the clerk of the court in order to transfer the original to the office of the Chief Registrar for safe keeping and adjourned the case till May 2, 2016 for the first review.

Nigerian Tribune

BEDEC, communities set to sign MoU over Ondo South blackout THE Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDEC) and communities in the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State and Idanre that have been experiencing power blackout are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding designed to restore power to the areas. The state Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade told newsmen in Akure, on Thursday, that BEDEC, the outfit responsible for power distribution in the state and the affected communities have agreed to sign MoU. He said the MoU would have been signed last week but for some grey areas that needed to be amended. According to him, all the grey areas had been amended by the parties. He reported that BEDEC had hinged its decision to suspend power supply to the communities on the need to recover a huge sum of money being owed by consumers in the communities before they took over operation from PHCN. He said government, however, posited that the innocent consumers who have been diligent in payment should not bear the brunt of the inability of others to pay. He also said that government, being aware of the implications of blackout in the areas, commenced a peace move between the aggrieved parties. The government, represented by the Secretary to the Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola; the Chief of Staff to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Dr Kola Ademujimi and Attorney General, Mr Eyitayo Jegede.

Ekiti Day holds in Lagos Saturday THIS year’s Ekiti Day, organised by a socio-cultural group, Ekiti Parapo, holds in Lagos on Saturday. The event, billed to start by 11:00a.m., will be graced by Ekiti sons and daughters from across the world. The Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, the Grand Patron of the group, is expected to lead other notable Ekiti top government functionaries to the occasion. The special guest of honour is the former military governor of the old Western State, Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo, while the chairman of the occasion is the former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi.

south-westnews Ekitigate: Protect me, my family, Aluko begs Arase 41

Bola Badmus - Lagos

MBATTLED former secretary of the Ekiti State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Temitope Aluko, has called on the Inspector

Friday, 8 April, 2016

General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, to ensure protection of his life and that of his family, saying he no longer felt secured following numerous attacks being directed at him from different quarters based on the position he took on last

governorship poll in the state. Aluko made the call on Thursday at a press conference in Lagos, the second he would address in two days, saying Governor Ayodele Fayose was doing everything possible to un-

dermine his safety. Aluko also charged the Attorney General of the Federation to harness the fallout of the happening during and after the Ekiti 2014 governorship election to guarantee his safety, even as he affirmed that he

From left, Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Dr Nteranya Sanginga; Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the Regional Director (South-West), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Comfort Awe, during the second consultative assembly on Oyo State Agriculture Initiative, held at IITA, Ibadan, on Thursday.

Corpse’s missing parts causes stir in Osun Oluwole Ige - Osogbo FAMILY of a deceased 60-year-old woman in Osun State have raised the alarm over the missing parts of their mother, who died at a clinic and maternity centre, Owode Oluode area, Osogbo, the state capital. Nigerian Tribune authoritatively gathered that the old woman, who was sick, was taken to the hospital on Wednesday night by one of her grandchildren. But, trouble ensued when the nurses on duty, on Thursday morning, were hastening the relatives of the deceased to carry her corpse, prompting the children to inquire the state of their mother before carrying her remains. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the children allegedly found some parts missing. According to source, “the children of the deceased accused one of the nurses over the shocking discovery but she said that it was rat that fed on the missing

parts.” However, when our correspondent visited the hospital premises, one of the children of the deceased identified as Waliyat Raji, said: “The doctor confirmed to us that our mama had died and we were told to come for the corpse the following morning.

“But we were so surprised to discover that the lower lip, nasal cartilages and the side of the eyes had been cut off in the hospital.” As a result of the incident, all the workers in the hospital had been taken to Dugbe Police Station in Osogbo, before the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investi-

gation Department (SCID). Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Osun State Police Command, Mrs Folasade Odoro, were unsuccessful as calls put through to her cell phone were not answered, just as text message forwarded to her was not replied.

had not fled the country as being rumoured. Aluko said he could no longer walk as a free man in Ekiti State, stressing that what happened in Ekiti in 2014 was nothing short of gross abuse of executive power where the power of gun, illegality, harassment, intimidation, among others were used to oust a democratically elected government. “This is a call on the Attorney General of the Federation not to allow all these to be swept under the carpet in view of recent happenings. The far-reaching effect and implications on our electoral process and procedure are obvious,” he said. “While the army council sacked their officers as a result of the investigation, it is unfortunate that the civilian actors/beneficiaries of the Ekitigate are not only walking the street freely, but also threatening my person and family,” he added. Speaking further, Aluko denied the allegation made by a former speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Dele Olugbemi, that he prostrated before Governor Fayose. “I never prostrated anywhere. Olugbemi will do anything for Fayose after all, he is an appointee of Fayose. Please, note that I understand Fayose and I understand the working system. “I can tell you that Olugbemi’s press statement was composed directly by Fayose and delivered to Olugbemi through his media aide,” he said.

NAFDAC seals off 6 shops in Oyo market THE National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Thursday, in Ibadan, sealed off six shops at the Agbeni Market for selling counterfeit drugs, wine and other goods. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the team, led by Mr Paul Ake, Chief Regulatory Officer, NAFDAC Investigation Directorate, sealed off the shops for dealing in counterfeit products. NAN reported that three of the six shops were patent medicine stores dealing in counterfeit and

controlled drugs, two were sealed for selling counterfeit wines while one was sealed for selling unregistered vegetable oil. Among the shops sealed were Aro Boston Medicine Store, Yah Lateef Medicine Store, Oland Ventures, Kenyem Wine Store and Kunle Wine Store. Also in the list of wine seized were fake Red Label and Andre wine. Ake told newsmen that they were in the market to conduct investigation on drugs, food and drinks at Agbeni market. “Some of these shops, which are patent medi-

cine stores, were sealed for dealing in counterfeit , unregistered and controlled drugs, likewise others selling wines and food items,” he said. He said that NAFDAC does not register drugs with obscene pictures as on the drugs found in one of the shops. Ake said that some patent medicine stores were selling infusion and injections which ought to be sold by only registered pharmaceutical stores. “We have sealed their shops, registered them and asked them to report at our office for us to track down

those supplying them the counterfeit products,’’ he said. He, however, advised the public to always be patient in buying goods, warning that they should ensure that they were goods with NAFDAC registration number. “Our investigative activity is continuous and we would continue to put in more efforts in ridding the nation of counterfeit drugs,’’ he said. NAN also reported that some shop owners at the market locked their shops and fled for fear of having their shops sealed.

Nigerian Tribune

Man, 20, defiles 10-year-old girl in Ogun OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta A 20-year-old man, Wahab Abdul-Azim, has been arrested by police operatives attached to Ojodu-Abiodun Division, for having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 10-year-old girl. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the accused person, forcefully had sex with his victim, at an abandoned building within the Sparklight Estate, Isheri-Olofin, in Ifo Local Government Area of the state, last Monday. It was gathered that the victim was sent on an errand before she was lured and defiled by the suspect. The mother of the victim, having got wind of the incident, reported the matter to the police, which led to the eventual arrest of the suspect. Adejobi said the suspect had confessed to the crime, while the state Commissioner of Police, CP Abdulmajid Ali, had directed that the case be transferred to Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence for further investigation.

NGO presents FoI, Whistleblowers Protection Bills to Ogun Assembly for domestication OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta A non-governmental organisation, United Action for Change (UAC), on Thursday, presented the Freedom of Information Bill and the Whistleblowers Protection Bill to the Ogun State House of Assembly for domestication. The convener, Dr Muiz Banire, said the development was part of UAC’s efforts to strengthen the fight against corruption. Banire, a National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who presented the bills to the Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Suraj Ishola, at the Committee Room of the Assembly Complex, said the two bills were expected to be domesticated and enacted by the Assembly as the laws of Ogun State. He argued that the FoI bill was defective and required a legal framework that would make it more effective in fighting corruption, submitting that if the bills were eventually passed into law in the state, it would further strengthened the crusade against the social menace.

communitynews Lawmaker pleads with FG over bridge construction

Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

HE member representing Ankpa/ Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency in Kogi State in the House of Representatives, Hassan Omale, has demanded for the construction of the Ibado bridge in Abejukolo, Omala Local Government Area of the state. He said the bridge for which contract was awarded over 10 years ago had been abandoned. He, therefore, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to set machinery in motion for the construction of the bridge. Speaking during a briefing of officials of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and newsmen on his constituency projects, Omale said the construction of the bridge would aid the economic development of the area.

Friday, 8 April, 2016

According to him, the construction of the bridge was inaugurated by former President Olusegun

Obasanjo but it was abandoned. He further explained that if constructed, the bridge would serve as a

major link between the North and the South, adding that it would also boost the economic wellbeing of the people of the

constituency. The House of Representatives member, however, said he had executed some constituency projects that

Benincrown prince confers titles on wives Banji Aluko-Benin City

Deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo, presenting the certificate of installation to Oba Kofoworola Abodunrin Oyetunji IlufemiloyeOlakanla II, during his coronation as the Aare of Ago-Are, recently.

Traditional ruler pledges support for Kogi gov Yinka Oladoyinbo-Lokoja

THE paramount ruler of Bunuland, Oba J.A. Ikusemoro, has pledged the support of the people of Kogi to the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello.

Speaking while receiving the Principal Private Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr. Abel Obafemi, in his palace at Olle Bunu, Oba Ikusemoro thanked the governor for appointing credible Bunu people into sensitive positions in

his government. The royal father ikusemoro, however, called for improved welfare for traditional rulers in the state. His words: “I want to say emphatically here that the governor has made the right choices and that

Embrace peace, warring Ibrede community told Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba

THE acting Chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Dickson Okonta, has sued for peace, understanding and forgiveness among members of Ibrede community. Okonta, who spoke at Ashaka while addressing representatives of the feuding factions expressed sadness over loss of lives in the ommunity as a result of resumed hostilities between two sections of the town. The chairman said it was painful that after his intervention, the people, who had lived together for many years as one entity, could go to the extent of killing themselves. He appealed to the people to be guided by truth and honesty in order to restore lasting peace. The acting chairman assured the people that the council would continue to engage them until confidence and trust were re-

were aimed at bringing further development to the area and change the lives of the people. He listed the projects to include sinking of borehole for Ankpa prison, youth empowerment and rehabilitation of Ojokwu, to Okaba Road which was earlier destroyed by erosion.

stored and tasked the two factions not to do anything that would jeopardise the peace process. The Chairman of the Local Government Advisory Committee, Chief Emma Onyeukwu, the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) for Aboh and Ashaka among others, spoke strongly against any reprisal by the two factions and the need to put machinery in place for true reconciliation.

On their part, representatives of the warring factions, expressed regret over the killing of their own brothers as they admitted that the two groups were deeply related by marriage. The high point of the meeting was the signing of an undertaking by the two sides not to engage in anything to jeopardise the reconciliation efforts of the local government.

Bunu will support his administration. “Help us relate our message to the governor that we want improved welfare. We want the concerned authorities to pay our entitlements regularly to enable us play our part in ensuring communal peace and development. “I have worked with many governors. I am knowledgeable enough to know that I have to be loyal to the government in power. Governor Yahaya Bello was anointed by God and anyone who contends with him is contending with God. Let the governor know that we are solidly behind him.” The traditional ruler also called on the governor to include roads in Bunu among those stated for rehabilitation and make laws that will protect the roads against abuse by truck drivers. Obafemi told the royal

father that it was because the governor was committed to development that had made him to approve the grading of AyedeBunu-Igori Road, assuring the people of the readiness of the Bello administration to take development to every part of the state. In his comments, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo, lauded the traditional ruler for his peaceful 55-year reign on the throne, which, he said, had brought unprecedented development to Bunuland. Fanwo urged traditional rulers to keep supporting reforms in the civil service sector in order to save funds for rural development. He assured the people of Bunu that the governor would ensure every community in the state benefits from the New Direction initiative of government.

According to Dr. Ejakpovi, “Niger Delta is a blessed region. We have oil and our youths are vibrant but our youths need to equip themselves for challenges of tomorrow by acquiring sound knowledge through education.” “Education equips you for a better future, don’t look at what you stand to gain at present. Look at long term benefits which only education can give,”

he said. While assuring the youths of his continuous contribution to enable them plan for greater future, the Governing Council Chairman thanked them for acknowledging his input in the attainment of a better society. Also speaking, Mr Sunny Tatabuzogwu described the award as an honour well deserved, while counselling the youths to emulate the qualities of

TITLES have been conferred on the three wives of the Benin Crown Prince and Edaiken N’ Uselu, Eheneden Erediauwa. The crown prince conferred the titles on them as part of activities of the ongoing 14-day Iyan-Ehien rites. Iyan-Ehien rites are supervised by the Ogbe group under the leadership of Ihama N’ Ogbe. These are the highest level of chieftaincy rites which serve as gateway for high spiritual attainment. The crown prince conferred the women with the titles at a well-attended ceremony held at his palace in Uselu, headquarters of Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The first wife, Princess Iroghama was named the Obazuaye N’ Erie; the second wife, Princess Iyayiota, was named the Obazuwa N’ Erie; while the third wife, Princess Ikpakpa, was named the Ohe N’ Erie. The titles were announced to the crowd by the Obadagbonyi of Benin, Chief Osagie Utetenegiabe.

‘Use education to engender better future’ Alphonsus Agborh-Asaba

CHAIRMAN, Delta State College of Health Technology, OfuomaUghelli, Dr Nelson Ejakpovi, has challenged youths from the Niger Delta region to consider education as an instrument to engender a better life in future. Dr Ejakpovi made the call when the SouthSouth Youth Assembly

(SSYA) led by its National President, Comrade Oke Oyibo, presented an award, “Icon of Hope And Inspiration To The South-South Youths” to him for his administrative prowess. The event took place at the college premises in the presence of members of the governing council, the provost of the institution, Dr (Mrs) Agnes Olojoba, bursar, Favour Nwaokocha, among others.

Dr Ejakpovi by being focused and industrious. Earlier, Comrade Oyibo in an address, said, “this award is based on your (Dr. Ejakpovi) total commitment to effective and quality service delivery in the healthccare sector, undiluted passion for hardwork, dogged advocacy for peace and equality, youth empowerment strategies, community development and nation building.”

Friday, 8 April, 2016

foreig naffairs with seyi gesinde

08116954632 foreignnewseditor@gmail.com

Panama Papers: Putin rejects corruption allegations

resident Vladmir Putin has denied “any element of corruption” over the Panama Papers leaks, saying his opponents are trying to destabilise Russia. Mr Putin was speaking for the first time since the leak of millions of confidential documents from the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca. The papers revealed a number of offshore companies owned by close associates of Mr Putin. They suggest the companies may have been used for money laundering. Mr Putin, speaking live on television, said Russia’s Western opponents “are worried by the unity and solidarity of the Russian nation... and that is why they are attempting to rock us from within, to make us more obedient”. He said that because they could not find Mr Putin in the Panama papers “they’ve made an information product”. “They’ve found a few of my acquaintances and friends... and scraped up something from there and stuck it to-

gether.” The papers name Mr Putin’s long-time friend and godfather to his daughter, the cellist Sergei Roldugin, as the owner of two offshore

including one in which International Media Overseas received a loan of $6m (£4.2m) in 2007, which was written off three months later for just $1.

Migrants disembark from a Turkish coastguard boat after a failed attempt at crossing to the Greek island of Lesbos, in the Turkish coastal town of Dikili, Turkey. PHOTO: REUTERS

Turkey on edge after migrants’ return When the first boatload of deported migrants arrived Monday at the Turkish port of Dikili, a small group of

Iceland names new PM calls for early election

Iceland’s government has named a new prime minister and called for early elections later in the year, a day after Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson quit, becoming the first politician brought down by the “Panama Papers” leaks. The two coalition partners, the Progressive Party and the Independence Party, agreed after talks on late Wednesday to hand the prime ministerial post to the agriculture minister Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson, 53, of the former. “It is a big burden in this situation. It is not the most happy situation when I am taking the prime minister’s seat but I will try to do my best and I am hoping that the people of Iceland will see that the new government will increase the stability both in politics and in governance,” Johannsson told reporters.

firms, International Media Overseas and Sonnette Overseas. According to the papers, the firms were involved in a number of suspicious deals,

The government said the decision to hold elections in autumn would give it time to follow through on one of the biggest economic policy changes in decades - the ending of capital controls introduced to rescue the economy from the 2008 financial crisis.

Turkish human rights activists turned up to welcome them. Turkey is expecting to receive another shipment of 200 migrants deported from Greece on Friday, as part of the deal reached in March between the European Union and Ankara to alleviate Europe’s migrant crisis. But there is also nervousness among some Turks who question whether their country can and should absorb the refugees who do not return to their nations of origin. The deportees from Paki-

stan and other countries who arrived in Turkey from Greece this week have been whisked away from the docks where they disembarked and taken to a reception and removal centre in Kirklareli, 500 kilometres away. The deal brings a list of incentives for Turkey, including billions of dollars in aid and the possibility of visafree travel to Europe, as well as eventual accession to the EU. But some Turks condemn the deal, saying it does little to widen their long-sought access to Europe.

fragile peace in the city may not hold if the new government is unable to deliver. Martin Kobler also called on Libya’s internationally recognised eastern parliament on Wednesday to hold a long-sought vote on whether to approve the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), telling Reuters in an interview that the chamber risked being sidelined if it failed to do so. Shortly after he spoke the prime minister of Tripo-

li’s self-declared National Salvation government issued a statement calling on his ministers to stay in place. That contradicted a statement backed by some ministers on Tuesday saying the National Salvation government was stepping down. The GNA emerged from a U.N.-mediated deal signed in December and aimed at resolving the political chaos that engulfed Libya after the 2011 overthrow of autocrat Muammar Gaddafi.

UN envoy urges rapid Libya handover as fragile peace holds The United Nations envoy to Libya has urged a rapid, complete handover of power to a unity government that arrived in Tripoli a week ago, warning that a

Martin Kobler, United Nations Special Representative and Head of the U.N. Support Mission in Libya. PHOTO: REUTERS

otherNEWS

Winnie fails to inherit Mandela’s home Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife has lost her legal bid for ownership of the former president’s rural home in South Africa. A High Court dismissed Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s application and ordered her to pay all legal costs. She argued that the house in Qunu village belonged to her under customary law. Mr Mandela, who became South Africa’s first black president in 1994, bequeathed the property to his family when he died in 2013 aged 95. The government opposed Ms Madikizela-Mandela’s bid to inherit the home after she launched court action in 2014. Mr Mandela divorced Ms Madikizela-Mandela in 1996 after a 38-year marriage, and left her out of his will. They were South Africa’s most celebrated political couple until their marriage collapsed unexpectedly, some six years after his release from 27 years in prison for fighting apartheid, which legalised discrimination against black people in the country. Mr Mandela stepped down as president after one term in 1999. South Africans regarded him as the “father of the nation”, and his death, following a series of hospital visits, led to an outpouring of Winnie Mandela. PHOTO: AFP emotions.

Brussels attacks: New video reveals surviving suspect Belgian prosecutors have released new footage of the key surviving Brussels airport attacks suspect, showing the route he took after leaving the area. They have asked members of the public who saw the man to come forward. The man was tracked on CCTV footage until 09:50 local time and was wearing a hat and a light-coloured jacket, officials said. His trail is lost close to the EU institutions in Brussels’ city centre, not far from Maelbeek metro station. They said he had discarded the jacket, and have asked the public to report if it has been found. The March 22 attacks by so-called Islamic State (IS) on Brussels airport and the Maelbeek metro station killed 32 people. Three attackers are believed to have targeted the airport, with two dying in the bomb blasts. Another died in the metro attack. The “man with the hat”, as prosecutors called him, was captured pushing a trolley at Brussels airport next to the two suicide bombers in previously released CCTV footage. The new footage shows the suspect briefly running amongst passengers as they try to escape the scene at the airport, before walking some 10km over a two-hour period. The suspect captioned on camera. PHOTO: Belgian Police.

commentary

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Between Ayo Fayose and Yours Truly (Part 1) By Femi Fani-Kayode

EOPLE often say that my friend and brother, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, and I are giving the Buhari government a run for their money more than any other duo in the country. Though he and I come from very different backgrounds and our approach and styles, when confronting issues, are very different they say that we are both deeply committed to our cause, we are both contentious and that we both have the courage of our convictions. They also say we are both ready to pick up the gauntlet, champion the cause of our party and people and stand our ground when confronted by our adversaries or provoked into any fight. There is no doubt about the fact that both Fayose and I are similar in some ways. We both draw immense strength from our respective Christian testimonies and the power of our faith. We also both have a similar world-view and we both have a fair idea about who the real troublers of our nation, our faith and our people are. We are both what we are because of what we have been subjected to by the system and the powers that be over the years, and because of what we have both suffered and been through in the hands of those we once revered, worked with and trusted. We are also both praying men who have loved ones and family that are strong in the faith and that pray hard and well. I agree with the assessment of those that often compare us, but there is a small caveat: I regard Fayose as being a populist- a rugged, grassroots leader of the suffering masses and a radical politician whilst I see myself more as a man of letters, a historian, a deep-thinker and a politically-active but cloistered intellectual. Permit me to make a rather crude analogy and to indulge in a graphic and disturbing metaphor. In our longdrawn and protracted political battle and struggle for power, he uses a thick and blunt cudgel to fight our enemies and batter them to death whilst I use a thin and sharp rapier with which I slowly carve them up, slice them to pieces and bleed them into eternity. He crushes their bones with rage and brutal efficiency whilst I clinically cut them up with ruthless precision. Both methods are equally effective and both achieve their objectives. Yet whatever our differences may be in terms of style, choice of weapon, method of battle, substance and approach, they say that we have both courageously stood up to the Buhari government and that we have both defiantly spoken our minds about what is going on in our country today. Consequently, they have described us both as ‘’lions and warriors’’. This is very kind of them though. In all fairness, I believe that writers and columnists like Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Professor Femi Aribisala and Mr. Jude Ndukwe; politicians like Governor Seriake Dickson, Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Dr. Sulaiman Olanrewaju Abubakar (the former Minister of National Planning), bloggers like Mr. Deji Adeyanju and Mrs. Aziza Uko, journalists like Mr. Shaka Momodu and Mr. Yemi Adebowale and countless others fall into that “lion” category as well. They have also displayed immense courage. It is not just Ayo Fayose and yours truly. Some of our friends have also pointed out that all that we said about President Buhari and the APC during the presidential campaign last year has proved to be prophetic. All these kind words and this rather generous assessment and categorization of both Fayose and I is very encouraging and I appreciate them. Unlike in other nations where vocal opposition is encouraged and regarded as an essential part of democracy and an effective way of keeping those in power on their toes, when one sticks one’s neck out for their country and people, and is loud in one’s opposition to government in this part of the world it is a thankless, unappreciated, lonely and dangerous road. And sadly, more often than not, one is mocked, shunned, despised, hated, misunderstood, persecuted, maligned, insulted and misrepresented for taking it. This is especially so when one is dealing with a callous and ruthless government, like we have in our country today. We are being led by a group of people who have a hidden agenda, who hate their perceived enemies and detractors, who are inherently incompetent and who are

Fayose

Fani-Kayode

manifestly unjust. We are burdened with a government who cannot abide criticism, who are scared of their own shadow, who have no decency or honour and who have failed in all their ways. We are saddled with a leadership who have offended God and man, who have ruined our nation, who have impoverished our people, who are bereft of ideas and who are hell bent on intimidating the opposition and silencing the voice of truth. I am touched by the words of those that are encouraging those of us that have chosen to take that road of vocal and virile opposition and this is especially so because I have tremendous respect and affection for Ayo Fayose, and I consider him to be one of our brightest rising stars in the South-West. His name is Peter, like the ‘rock’ in the Holy Bible he cannot be shaken. He is a strong man of faith, a trusted and loyal friend and I am proud to be mentioned in the same breath as him. Yet it is not me that says, writes and does these things that people find so amazing and courageous but rather He that is in me. It is a gift from God and that gift is known as the Holy Spirit. He gives us foresight, insight, sensitivity, a word for the season and the ability to endure any form of persecution and hardship and still stand strong. He gives us the ability to cultivate a firm resolve, to think things through clearly, to wait on Him and to have patience. He also gives us immense courage, especially when under fire. As a matter of fact the more the fire burns, the more the courage rages. This is what is generally referred to as “Christian fury” and it is a deep and inexplicable mys-

tery. I am sure that I can speak for Fayose on that too because the same applies to him. It is not he that says and does the things that he says and does, but the Holy Spirit of the Living God that is in him. My brother, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, the Iroko of the Western Region, has the same gift even though he is a little more restrained, tempered and gentle. He is also a devout and practicing Christian and his sense of maturity, wisdom and civility does not make him any less effective. A consummate and experienced politician and leader: he is truly formidable in all his ways. If any discerning politician sits with Mimiko for 10 minutes or more, he will know that the Holy Spirit flows through him like water flows through an estuary or a stream. He is a profoundly good man: a man of power and strength, but he couples it with deep compassion and a sense of equity, decency and fairness that is rarely seen in our shores. Back to Ayo Fayose and yours truly; in all our adventures there is one difference between the Governor of Ekiti State and I which many fail to appreciate. Under our laws, because he is a serving governor, he has immunity from arrest and prosecution, but I do not. He has the people of Ekiti State solidly behind him to applaud and support his every word and move, but I do not. He has the machinery and power of a whole state government and a State House of Assembly to fight for him but I do not. He has the friendship and support of all his fellow PDP governors and the party leadership but I do not. Unlike him, my defence is purely spiritual yet that is more than enough to guarantee my safety and well-being. That is more than enough to comfort me and give me strength and victory. I do not have all the physical and constitutional protection that he has and I don’t need it. I only have God yet He is more than enough for me. I only have my faith yet that faith continues to move mountains for me. I only have the Lord’s sure word and promise, yet that sure word and promise is worth more than a thousand armies and all the gold, silver and power in the world because it never fails. I only have His love, His grace, His blessing and His mercy yet it never falters. I am bold, confident and strong because the Lord is with me. (TO BE CONTINUED). Femi Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Aviation.

His name is Peter, like the ‘rock’ in the Holy Bible he cannot be shaken. He is a strong man of faith, a trusted and loyal friend and I am proud to be mentioned in the same breath as him

Friday, 8 April, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08111845048

features

Ruin as brothers go to war over land

A deserted street at Ogbe-Ijoh.

EBENEZER ADUROKIYA visited Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities currently enmeshed in another round of primordial communal crisis over a piece of land and the location of the headquarters of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

T appears communities in the country and particularly in oil-rich Delta State are yet to learn from the mistakes of history. In spite of several marital ties binding the people together for ages, on March 24, some 20 years after a similar communal crisis occurred, Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities went berserk again, going after each other’s throats. But for the timely intervention of soldiers drafted to the scene, after operatives of the Nigeria Police were allegedly overpowered and fled, the recent crisis, as gathered, would have consumed the twin communities. Not even the fact that the mother of the present pere (king) of Ogbe-Ijoh, HRM Couple Oromoni, the Amakosu Mobene III, hails from Aladja, could see off the crisis. Although neighbours, Aladja and OgbeIjoh belong to two different local government areas with the former located in Udu LGA and the latter, Warri South West. The two communities, particularly OgbeIjoh land, have beneath them huge oil and

gas reserves. The kingdom is also host to multibillion-dollar-oil installations and facilities of multinationals operating in the region. Reports said the Thursday, March 24 crisis left no fewer than five people, including a soldier, sustaining varying degrees of life-threatening injuries, as well as destruction of properties worth a fortune. There were conflicting reports as to how the recent bloodshed started between the two communities who have been neighbours for over 100 years and have deeply engaged in inter-marriage. A version of the reports said trouble started on morning of March 22 when some youths from Ogbe-Ijoh allegedly molested some women from Aladja who were working in their

Our practical exams for WAEC will start soon; yet our school is closed because of the fighting. I want the fight to stop so that we can do our exams.

farms cultivated on a disputed land in Ogbe-Ijoh. Another version said Aladja youths had unreasonably been obsessed with barricading the only access road to Ogbe-Ijoh, which passed through Aladja, and extorted money from residents of Ogbe-Ijoh conveying building materials and other wares to their community. Angered by the alleged inhuman treatment meted out on their women, youths from Aladja of the Urhobo stock, instead of taking the war to Ogbe-Ijoh, decided to barricade the only access road linking the two communities. It was gathered that the angry youths prevented the Ogbe-Ijohs from accessing their community, thereby leading to a free-for-all. The action of the boys, it was gathered, was astonishingly fuelled by the alleged refusal by the police to halt the activities of the rampaging Aladja youths who were allegedly armed with charms and charging towards Ogbe-Ijoh. The Ogbe-Ijoh youths alleged that houses of their kinsmen, who were resident in Aladja for years, had been looted and torched, just as the youths of Aladja made the same allegation against the Ogbe-Ijoh youths. Besides the land in dispute, sources also said the Aladjas who claim they are the landlords accommodating the OgbeIjohs, have not been positively disposed to the Ogbe-Ijoh community assuming the status of a local government headquarters given its attendant social amenities.

Ogbe-Ijoh, which is divided into six villages (or quarters) namely: Arontegha, Perebiri, Ikiandumu, Oturubiri, Lotiobiri and Tambiri, is the headquarters of the Warri South West Local Government Area while Aladja, the acclaimed landlord, has remained an obscure, underdeveloped community often deridingly described as notorious for only African traditional magical powers. Lots of crises were associated with how the headquarters was eventually sited at Ogbe-Ijoh as it was one of the major (if not the main) factor that led to the Warri crises in the late 90s between the Itsekiris and the Ijaws, when the Ijaws went wild after the headquarters was said to have been relocated to Escravos (Ogidigben). Hence, the two communities, which have been living peacefully together before 1996 when late General Sanni Abacha created the local government area, became sworn enemies when the Warri South West LGA was sited in Ogbe-Ijoh. Meanwhile, checks at the two communities last weekend by TribuneFeatures revealed that the two communities, especially Ogbe-Ijoh wore the looks of a ghost town. The streets were virtually deserted following fear of the unknown. Fierce-looking armed soldiers were sighted taking strategic positions to forestall further breakdown of law and order. Strange, suspicious faces moving into Continues pg46

features

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Our youths have a future in agriculture —Dr Oyeleye economy considering the crash in oil prices? Agriculture can be the mainstay of our economy. It gives room for inclusiveness. So many players can be involved in agriculture. Then the volume of what we can produce is also part of it. Nigeria has a very vast area of land mass. We have over 80 million hectares of arable land. That is not a small asset for us. Then we have a huge water body. We have no less than ten river basins that can be utilized. The Ministry of Water Resources is fixing its facilities to make water available to support agriculture in various parts of the country. We have the privilege of farming all through the year. So much can be done here. Many rural areas are being opened up. When you open the rural communities, you give them the opportunity to link up to the market. We have a very big market considering the huge population that Nigeria is. We are also working towards turning around the husbandry system for effectiveness. We have many graduates of agriculture that they can move from the point of knowledge to agriculture. They can make good money and they are doing so. If you consider the amount of money we have been frittering away in terms of importation, you can then imagine how much opportunities will be created for those in the business locally. We can both produce for local production and export. There are countries that their economies depend only on agriculture. It is becoming clearer to our youths that agriculture is the way to go. A number of them are already into it. The Nigerian youths have a future in agriculture.

Dr Olukayode Oyeleye is a veterinarian and media adviser to the Minister of Agriculture. In this interview by KEHINDE OYETIMI, he speaks on the progress made so far in the sector as well as challenges and prospects. Excerpts:

HE Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was established in 1966. What, in your estimation, have been the major achievements of the ministry? At various times, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has been called the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources or the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development which is the latest nomenclature. When it was called the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, it combined the functions of overseeing the cultivation of crops, livestock and management of water resources across the country. Now that the nomenclature reads Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, it is also combining the oversight functions of agricultural products as well as seeing to the development of the rural economy. With all of these, the ministry has fared well. Before the petroleum economy took the stage, agriculture was the major driver of the Nigerian economy. At that time, so much effort and attention was placed on agriculture. It was at that period that we had so many various commodity groups, agricultural commodity boards and other allied associations. Agriculture did a lot at that time. In the last forty years, agriculture suffered a major decline in terms of per capita production, yields per hectare, value chain development and the sector was taken over by speculators and middle men. These were people who added little or no value to the business of that sector. If you remember the rice importation committee which was headed by a minister in the 70s that knew nothing about agriculture, gradually that was the genesis of what we had in that sector until recently when rice importation became a policy by the Federal Government. Research groups under the ministry for a long time were not able to drive what was intended. For a long time too, various kinds of crops and animals found their way into this country. People took stocks from abroad to breed locally. Things were disorganized. Records were not there for record purposes. This and more constituted the situation back then. But with the realization that agriculture needed to be given its place of pride, things started to change about four years ago. Interest of the private sector began to rise. Even youths have started to get into agriculture on commercial basis. Another that the sector in those long years of decline was that financial institutions were not ready to touch anything that had to do with agriculture. There were not ready to lend to agriculture because of the perceived risks in the business. There was also the problem of post-harvest wastage. There was a big gap between production centres and the markets. That was actually the gap that the middlemen took advantage of. Market specu-

Oyeleye lation also became rife within this period. In recent times, changes have started taking place. There is a systematic development of value chains. We are now having clear ideas of what to expect from various commodities. Large scale operators are beginning to take agriculture more seriously. Some of the major investors are beginning to show interest in local production, just as we have in rice. This shows that they are seeing investment-friendly policies from the government. How is the Federal Government helping to make agriculture attractive to the younger generation? Can agriculture also help salvage our nation’s

Presently, Nigeria is regarded as the largest producer of eggs in Africa and the third largest in the production of poultry meat in Africa. There are rooms for expansion and prospects.

There is still the pressing issue of importation of poisonous foods. The argument also is that we are not able to produce enough locally to meet our population challenges. What is the way out of this? The agency of government that has to do with importation is the Customs. However, you can talk about a synergy between the Customs and other agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture. It should happen in a way that would boast the policies of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Customs should step up their surveillance. Presently, Nigeria is regarded as the largest producer of eggs in Africa and the third largest in the production of poultry meat in Africa. There are rooms for expansion and prospects. There is the need to step up production considering urbanization. We can produce enough. We do not need only large scale producers. We also need medium and small scale producers. Standards must be established, kept and adhered to. There are best practices globally that apply to poultry production. The Minister of Agriculture said that Nigeria faces the risk of starvation by 2050. What are you doing to address this? That the Minister said this means that the challenges ahead have been recognised and that efforts are already been made to mitigate those challenges should they arise. Our population is growing with more mouths to feed. Policies are being created to help people put land into proper use. We are enforcing policies that would help delineate land for property and land for agriculture.

‘We blame govt for elongation of crisis’ Continued from pg45

the community through the Warri River (the only available route now) were scrutinised before gaining access. A few people were seen around the Ogbe-Ijoh concrete jetty. Most of them wore long faces. Few women were seen sitting dejectedly by their provision wares beside the jetty. As a matter of fact, schools in the two communities have been shut down in the wake of the communal crisis. A group of boys were seen gathered, obviously reflecting on the situation in hushed tones. No one wants to run afoul of the fiercelooking soldiers as they declined comments. But a bold SSS 3 student of Ogbe-Ijoh Grammar School, who simply identified himself as Richard, said except something urgent was done, final year students might

be unable to write their WAEC exams. “We want to write WAEC, now no way to go to school. Nobody is around: our teachers don’t come to school again, yet our practical exams for WAEC will start soon; yet our school is closed because of the fighting. I want the fight to stop so that we can do our exam,” the young man appealed to the state government. Amid the palpable fear and uncertainty in the air, a speed-boat driver, who gave his name as Akpolekimi Diamond, downplayed the war-like situation in the community. A motorcycle operator, Alex Timibo, who also spoke to Tribune Features, explained that since the clash, he had been unable to transport passengers from OgbeIjoh across to Aladja. He expressed people’s disenchantment to the perennial crisis. Another respondent, who refused to dis-

close his name, called on the state government to construct a separate road linking Ogbe-Ijoh to other parts of Warri and environs. “The problem with these two communities is lack of understanding; yes, there was a crisis within the two communities in the past, land issues all the time, before Okowa and Otuaro came into power. We had appealed to government to settle this oppression by this Aladja people. “We have seen calamity from them, yes and I still wish that the government will make road for us, let them try; we are hungry now, children are not in school; it’s wickedness; very bad. I passed through Aladja because my wife›s shop is there, but now nothing, we are running from our places,” he lamented. Nevertheless, members of the two communities have knocked the present state government for not being proactive

enough in nipping crises in the bud in the state. Although the king of Ogbe-Ijoh otherwise known as Pere, HRM Couple Oromoni, the Amakosu Mobene III, when contacted by Tribune Features, declined making comment on the volatile issue, an Ijaw group, the Concerned Members for Peace in Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, accused the Delta State government of nonchalance and inertia in the management of the lingering crisis between both communities. Head of the group, Friday Deinghan, said: “The crisis was not properly managed by the Delta State government. There was a commission of inquiry in 2009. In March 2015, the state called both communities to implement the report of the inquiry with timeline between March and April 28 of the same year, to create the demarcation. Till date, nothing has been done.”

Friday, 8 April, 2016

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

National karate tourney begins in Asaba THE postponed national men and women open karate championship begins in Asaba, the Delta State from April 11 and will run till April 16. No fewer than 250 athletes are expected to feature in the tourney. President of Karate Federation of Nigeria, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike said the programme will begin with coaches and referees course from April 11 to 13, while the championship runs from April 14 to 16 at the Asaba Township Stadium. Agu-Ejidike, who is also Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports advised states and para-military bodies in the country to make their athletes available for the tournament, which will be used to select the athletes who will represent Nigeria at the forthcoming African Karate Championship. Meanwhile, Secretary General of KFN, Anthony Idaye, has advised states that were yet to pay their annual affiliation fees to do so before the commencement of the championship as it remains the condition for participation. He said that states will cater for the accommodation and transportation of their athletes to and from Asaba, Delta State.

Wenger wants long-term contract for Iwobi A

RSENAL manager, Arsene Wenger has said he hopes to soon tie down Nigeria youngster, Alex Iwobi to a much longer contract because “he’s an Arsenal person” and has made a huge impact in the last two months. Media reports have suggested the 19-year-old Iwobi has extended his contract till 2021 and he is now on a new weekly wage of £30,000. Wenger confirmed a contract extension is very much in the works. “He still has three more years after this season, but we want to keep him at Arsenal for much longer,” Wenger disclosed. “He’s an Arsenal person having been at the club since he was seven and he’s had a major impact in the past two months.” The Nigeria international has scored twice in his last two starts for ‘The Gunners’ in the league and even justified his starting role in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash with FC Barcelona at Nou Camp.

Ideye fires 12th goal in Greece NIGERIA striker, Brown Ideye scored his 12th goal of the season for Greek champions, Olympiacos in a 2-0 win at Iraklis on Wednesday. He netted the second goal in the 44th minute. The former West Brom striker has scored nine goals in the league, two in the cup and one in the UEFA Champions League to put behind him a rather difficult time in the English Premier League. Olympiacos are the Greek champions already as they have recorded an unassailable 79 points from 28 matches with closest rivals, AEK Athens a distant second with 54 points.

Ideye

Ogba rallies Nigerians’ support for NFF board Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

Iwobi (right) challenges Lionel Messi during their Champions League clash with FC Barcelona.

Rio 2016: NFF begins move to pally

foreign clubs to release players THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has begun moves to get top European clubs to release their stars for the Rio Olympics in August. Nigeria Olympic team coach, Sam-

son Siasia said everything is now being done to ensure they secure the services of the country’s best players who are under 23 years of age for the country’s tilt at a second Olympic soccer gold, 20 years after the historic triumph in Atalanta. “We have to get a commitment from the foreign clubs they will release the players about the time the leagues will begin in Europe,” said Siasia as Nigeria moves to avoid a club versus country row leading up the summer games as clubs are not obliged to release players for this tournament. Arsenal rising star, Alex Iwobi trained with the Olympic team last year and he has said he wishes to be part of the Rio Olympics. Siasia has also said he has considered lining up Watford striker, Odion Ighalo as one of the three over-age players allowed for the tournament in Europe. Nigeria has young players scattered across Europe – from England, Germany to Spain and Portugal–and will call a good number of them to try out for squad places to the Olympics.

NIGERIANS have been urged to support the Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board in any of its decision to move Nigerian football forward. Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba, while speaking with sports journalists in Abuja, made the admonition. “Some people have been elected to run football for us. On any decision they take, what we owe them is to support them to get the desired results. If that decision goes against what they want, they take the blame, but if it goes for them, good for them. “If they take the decision to employ a foreign coach and they have the money, they should go ahead. But if they are going for a home-based coach, I would also support them. Anyone that works for them, good for them,” Ogba stated. He emphasised the need for Nigerians to let the Pinnick-led NFF board complete its tenure of office. “Those people calling for Amaju’s resignation, on what premise should he resign, how and why? He was elected for four years and should be allowed to run out his tenure. Pinnick has done his best, he did everything possible to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify. “The Coach listed the name of players to invite and he made sure that all of them come, even though they did not lace their boots to play. He went out of his ways to pay the whole money. Some of them, their return tickets were about $18,000 to come and he did all these. “So how do you blame the managers? I was with Ifeanyi Ubah when they approached him to lend them $50,000 to charter a flight and they got it. It is just because of trust,” Ogba said. He added that, “to the best of my knowledge, the Amaju Pinnick I know has done very well. He has something to offer Nigerian football. He has the connection and has also the money. So we should all support him to move ahead.”

SIDELINES

NO 16,475

N150

FRIDAY, 8 APRIL, 2016

The Federal Government on Thursday banned all top officials like ministers, permanent secretaries, chairmen of committees, as well as chairmen and chief executive officers of its parastatals and agencies from flying first class on official trips. Pray, what happens to government officials using private jets, chartered flights?

Nigeria drops in FIFA rankings

Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme

By Oluwabunmi Ajayi

IGERIA has dropped five spots in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday by the world football governing body. This came barely 10 days after the Super Eagles lost 0-1 to the Pharaohs of Egypt to miss the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) ticket, even with a game left against Tanzania in September. The Eagles had on March 25 in Kaduna settled for a 1-1 draw with the Pharaohs before the defeat at Alexandria on March 29 also in a 2017 AFCON qualifier. The three-time African champions are now ranked 67th in the world and 14th on the continent. Nigeria, it will be recalled, was ranked 11th in Africa and 62nd in the world in the February rankings.

Algeria moved four spots to place 33rd and become the continent’s best, while reigning African champions, Ivory Coast maintain their second spot ahead of Ghana and Senegal. Egypt, following its exploits at the expense of Nigeria last month climbed nine places to place 34th. Cape Verde, Tunisia, DR Congo, Guinea, Congo, Cameroon and Morocco occupy the sixth to 12th positions respectively, while Mali and Nigeria are rated 13th and 14th on the continent. Meanwhile, Argentina has displaced Belgium to become world’s best in the latest rankings as Chile occupies the third spot, while Colombia, Germany, Spain, Brazil and Portugal are placed fourth to eighth in that order. Uruguay and England complete the top 10 ranking in the world.

AWC qualifier Senegal will fall, Ordega, Oparanozie boast SUPER Falcons stars, Francisca Ordega and Desire Oparanozie are confident of victory over Senegal’s Teranga Lioness, as both sides clash today in a 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifier billed for the Stade Demba Diop, Dakar. “The spirit in the camp right now is quite

positive and I am promising Nigerians that we won’t disappoint them,” the Washington Spirit attacker, Ordega said. Oparanozie on her part said the Falcons will try to make Nigerians happy again following the failure of the Super Eagles, to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon.

...Teranga Lioness can’t prove stubborn —Okon Ordega

FORMER Super Falcons coach, Edwin Okon has said the Teranga Lioness of Senegal are no match match for the reigning African champions. Okon said Nigeria will record a resounding victory any day any time against their Senegalese opponents. “Well if you ask for my opinion I will say that the Senegalese are pushovers on the continent, especially compared to the Super Falcons.

“Though a lot has changed on the continent in women football I believe Senegal are no match for Nigeria and are not good enough to stop our qualification for the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon. “With the quality of players named for the encounter, the Senegalese do not stand any chance of survival. “The domestic players would have beaten Senegal silly, not to mention the wholly foreign-

based professional team named for the clash. “We prepared for the AWCON qualifying match as if we were playing tough opponents at a World Cup final. “Falcons will get the job done in both legs of the qualifying match,” the Rivers Angels head coach told supersport.com. The reverse fixture clash is expected to held in a week’s time at the National Stadium, Abuja.

“I am not going to say it is not a good thing that the Super Eagles did not qualify for the AFCON 2007. “However, since that has happened, we (Falcons) will do all we can to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians by qualifying for the women’s tournament,” the En Avant Guingamp forward said. The Florence Omagbemi-piloted side boast of other tested players in Asisat Oshoala, Onome Ebi, Josephine Chukwunonye, Ngozi Okobi and Evelyn Nwabuoku to unleash on the Senegalese ladies. It will be recalled, that the Falcons were denied the Rio 2016 Olympic ticket after losing 1-2 to Equatorial Guinea in a reverse fixture in Bata, after the first leg tie in Abuja, had ended in a 1-1 draw. The 2016 AWC in Cameroun will hold from November 19 to December 3.

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. 8/4/2016.