9th January 2016 by Nigerian Tribune

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

NO 1,133

www.tribuneonlineng.com

SATURDAY, 9 JANUARY, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

EFCC moves against former Customs boss Raids his Abuja home

N150

pg4

$2.1bn arms probe

Ladoja took N100m from Anenih —Accord Party ‘It was money for Jonathan’s presidential campaigns’

pg3

e l a m admirers

stubborn

—Ireti Osayemi

pgs 2 & 30

What I tell my

Violence again as INEC holds Bayelsa bye-election today ‘Why Alamieyeseigha hasn’t been buried’

pgs 3 & 5

Soldiers killed my 4 undergraduate children but God will avenge their death —ABU lecturer pgs 38 & 39

Glo Aw -CA ard F s From left, Acting FIFA President and President of CAF, Alhaji Issa Hayatou; winner of the African Player of the Year award, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; Globacom’s Executive Director, Legal, Mrs Gladys Talabi, and the Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, at the 2015 Glo-CAF Awards Gala in Abuja, on Thursday night.

South West doctors to storm Osun over mass sack threat

pg4

entertainment

What I tell my

stubborn

e l a m admirers

—Ireti Osayemi

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Ireti Osayemi is one of Nollywood’s crowdpulling figures. The Yoruba actress who recently attended the Best of Yoruba Nollywood Awards speaks to JOAN OMIONAWELE on her life as an actress and her personal life.

ou were recently at the Best of Nollywood Awards, what was the experience like? It was a wonderful and amazing experience, we haven’t seen the end of it because I’m sure it will get better every year. What is the secret of your beauty? This is basically just me, there is nothing more to me. After two kids, you have been able to keep your size intact, what’s your daily routine like? Are you sure I have remained the same person?(laughs) Of late, I have been trying to work on my weight seriously, because I am in the business of showbiz and one can’t just fix a particular time for whatever you want to do. You have to be dynamic to be able to play a role. There are some stages in your career that you have to go with the trend. What size are you currently working towards? I was a size 14 before and I am now a size 12. How has life been as an actress? It has been amazing. I always tell people that this is the only profession which affords you the chance to try your hands on other professions. Many of your colleagues are going into music, are you thinking of toeing that line too? (Laughs) No, but maybe now that you have said it, I will try to think about it. You have been able to stay off scandals, what strategies do you use to steer clear? I really don’t know how to put it, but I try my best to stay out of trouble. There are certain things that you would do and within yourself, you know you are not doing the right thing and at times you might think you are doing the right thing and your fans and the public may see it in another light and….boom, it becomes a scandal. Sometimes, some stories which Continues on pg30

news

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Ladoja received N100m from Anenih —Accord Party Leon Usigbe - Abuja

CCORD Party, led by Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has confirmed that the former governor of Oyo State received the sum of N100million from former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier traced the sum of N260million to Chief Anenih and the amount is believed to be part of the $2.1billion arms procurement fund allegedly diverted in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd). The confirmation of the receipt of the money by Ladoja

was contained in a one-page letter to the chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, by the National Secretary of Accord Party, Nureni Adisa. Anenih had earlier said that the money was given to Accord as one of the political parties which did not sponsor a candidate in the 2015 presidential election, to enable it to mobilise support for former President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid. In the letter titled: “Release of One Hundred Million by Chief Tony Anenih” and dated 8th January, 2016, Adisa stated: “Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper report that the sum of One Hundred Million Naira was released to the Accord leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja by Chief Tony Anenih, the (former) Chair-

man BoT of the PDP. “We confirm that the sum of One Hundred Million Naira was given to the Party through our leader after series of meetings between the leadership of Accord and Chief Tony Anenih in preparation for the 2015 general election. “The following issues were discussed at the meetings: The need to support the Presidential candidate of the PDP since Accord had no Presidential candidate.

The need to ensure that peace was maintained to enhance peaceful movement during periods of campaign, elections and after the elections. The need for the PDP to support Accord campaign effort. “Accordingly, the PDP (former) BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih released the sum of One Hundred Million Naira for these purposes through our leader, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. “The money released was

The Federal Government on Friday confirmed the death of 40 people out of 86 reported cases of Lassa fever outbreak in 10 states. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, as saying this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever. Adewole advised communities to improve on their hygiene, including food hygiene and food protection practices. He also urged the public to avoid contact with rodents and rats as well as food contaminated with rat’s secretions and excretions. “Avoid drying food in the open and along roadsides,

it is also important to cover all foods to prevent rodents contamination,” he said. The minister said affected states have been advised to intensify awareness creation on the signs and symptoms of the disease. According to him, the affected states are Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo. “The public is hereby assured that government and its partners and other stakeholders are working tirelessly to address the outbreak and bring it to timely end,” said the minister. He said the ministry had ordered for the immediate release of adequate quantities of “ribavirin”, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever, to the affected states for prompt treatment of cases.

CHIEF Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President, has described the continued detention of the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, as ‘unhealthy’ for the country’s democracy. This is contained in a

Adewole added that the ministry deployed rapid response teams to all affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases as well as tracing of contacts. He said also clinicians and relevant health care workers had been sensitised and mobilised in areas of patient management and care in the affected states. Besides, he advised family members and health care workers to always be careful and avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons infected by the disease. He also directed health facilities in the country to emphasise routine infection prevention and control measures and ensure that all Lassa fever patients are treated free. Adewole said Nigeria has

the capability to diagnose Lassa fever, adding that “all the cases reported so far were confirmed by our laboratories”. “The ministry would not impose travel restrictions as a form of control measure ‘from and to’ the areas currently affected by the outbreak,” Adewole said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the first case of the current outbreak was reported from Bauchi in November 2015.

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the outcome of today’s supplementary election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has already been written in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and therefore, the exercise would be a mere formality. The acting national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, who made the allegation in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with the APC, the police and the military to perpetrate the act. But it has warned of serious consequences should the people be prevented from freely exercising their franchise. The party boss said avail-

able intelligence report suggested that the election would amount to nothing since the outcome was already in possession of the APC. According to him, “Southern Ijaw is the home local government of former governor of the state, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha and a known Ijaw leader. The state is politically divided into Nembe, Ogbia and Southern Ijaw, that is the home LGA of ijaws where the governor, Siarake Dickson is from. “This is the strongest home base of the PDP. PDP has been winning elections in this core Ijaw LGA because it is the ancestral home of all Ijaws where the former governor and Ijaw leader DSP Alamieyeseigha and Dickson hail from. “Intelligence report at our disposal shows that the election is just a mere formality as results have been

written with INEC standing as the main culprit. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Defence and Police have directed INEC to write the results in favour of APC. There is the use of police and military personnel to intimidate voters and also scare them away as results are already written as directed.” Secondus further alleged that winning the Bayelsa governorship election at all cost was part of APC’s plot to have a foothold in the South-South. He added: “All ministers and government officials from the zone have been directed to ensure that Bayelsa is delivered to APC at all cost.” The party chairman therefore called on the international community to be aware of the plot by the ruling party to seize Bayelsa State, warning that the

action was capable of hurting the country’s nascent democracy. He said that Nigerians and the global community should hold the APC responsible should any thing happen to democracy in the country because of the APC’s quest to turn Nigeria into a one party state. Secondus recalled that similar attitude led to the collapse of the Second Republic. Today’s election follows INEC’s declaration of the last election in state as inconclusive because of irregularities observed in Southern Ijaw council and a few other scattered polling units in the state. The governorship candidate of the PDP and incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson is leading his APC counterpart, Timpre Sylva with about 30,000 votes out of the total declared so far.

statement signed by Mr Uche Anichukwu, the Special Adviser (Media) to the Deputy Senate President on Friday in Abuja. Ekweremadu decried what he termed the “trampling of the opposition and total disregard for the rule of law in the guise of anticorruption war.” He reaffirmed the PDP’s support for a genuine antigraft crusade. He, however, decried a situation where such crusade became a calculated attempt to decimate and silence the opposition, while members of the ruling party with serious corruption allegations went about their businesses. The deputy senate presi-

dent expressed fear that Nigeria was fast descending into ‘authoritarianism’. “The continued detention of the PDP mouthpiece was an attempt to gag the opposition and, therefore, unhealthy for democracy. “An anti-graft trap that catches only members of the opposition and those with axe to grind with the government of the day is compromised,” he said. He called on the citizenry to denounce and resist the prevailing situation where people were held in custody against the directives of the courts and laws of the land. Ekweremadu pointed out that there would be no justice without the rule of law.

‘Why Alamieyeseigha hasn’t been buried’ Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa THE volatile political situation in Beyelsa State is responsible for the delay in burying former governor of the state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, it has been

Bayelsa poll result already written —PDP From Leon Usigbe And Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae; N100 million to the leader of Accord Party, Senator Ladoja and N63 million to a group headed by northern statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai. Both Yakassai and Falae have since confirmed that they received the money. Saturday Tribune learnt on Friday that Senator Ladoja was in Canada and so could not be reached for his reaction.

Continued detention of Metuh, unhealthy for democracy —Ekweremadu

Lassa fever has killed 40 in 10 states —FG Leon Usigbe - Abuja

accordingly used for the purposes as stated above.” Anenih had previously explained in a letter to the EFCC that N260million traced to his account was a part refund of the money former President Jonathan instructed him to release to some political groups for mobilisation and post-election peace advocacy. He had claimed that he was not a direct beneficiary of the money out of which N100 million was given to the leader of

learnt. Since the former governor, who hailed from Amassoma in Ogboin North Local Government Area and ruled the oil-rich state between 1999 and 2005 died on 10 October, 2015 at the age of 63, the Nigerian public has waited with a bathed breath as regards when exactly he would be buried. The retired air force chief was reported to have died of cardiac arrest at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. However, in a later interview, a Bayelsa State official revealed that the former governor “died of complications arising from high blood pressure and diabetes which affected his kidney.” In the meantime, the Ebedauowei of the Ogboin clan, HRM, Jones Ere, posited that Alamieyeseigha would have been buried but for the political situation in the state. The supplementary governorship election in Southern Ijaw council and the 101 polling units in five council areas of the state where the election was cancelled is being held today. Also, Chief Abel Ebifemowei, a younger brother of Chief Alamieyeseigha, said all rites would be accorded the “hero” traditionally, in line with the custom and

law of Ijaw land to demonstrate the love of the Ijaw people and the state for his strides in Izon nation. Governor Seriake Dickson had earlier said a glamorous burial of the self-styled leader of the Ijaw nation would be held after the completion of the governorship election. The governor promised to give the late Alamieyeseigha a state burial. According to him, traditionally, it is improper to bury a hero in an atmosphere devoid of peace and tranquility, hence the decision to fix a later date for the event. Dickson has since set up a committee to begin preparations for the burial rites of a one-time occupier of his office. The Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the committee was constituted at an enlarged emergency State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa. The committee has the deputy governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) as chairman; the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, vice chairman and the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmund AlisonOguru, secretary.

news

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Adeboye holds special Holy Ghost Service in Ibadan THE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A Adeboye, will be in Ibadan on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, for a special Holy Ghost Service. The service with the theme ‘Divine Visitation’, will be held at the old sports complex, behind Faculties of Education and Arts, University of Ibadan and it will start at 4pm.

EFCC operatives laying siege to the residence of the former Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Abdullahi Dikko, in Abuja, on Friday. PHOTO: NAN.

EFCC moves against ex-Customs boss Raids his Abuja house

PERATIVES of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday raided the residence of a former Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Abdullahi Dikko, in Abuja. The anti-graft personnel were said to have arrived at the house located at 6, Ahmed Musa Crescent, Jabi, at about 7 a.m. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) which reported the raid said that Dikko was not at home when the officers arrived and that their mission was not disclosed to any member of the family who were in the house. When NAN arrived at the residence, armed officials of EFCC were seen around the house. One of the four armed policemen, who accompanied the operatives on the operation, told NAN on condition of anonymity that their presence around the house was to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order. Mr Mohammed Usman, a relative of the former Customs boss, said that the EFCC operatives arrived at the residence at about 7 a.m. According to him, the information he gathered showed that the operatives numbering about seven were in the house to carry out a search for documents. “A team of about seven operatives of the EFCC in company with some armed policemen arrived at the residence at about 7am and have been in the house for the past five hours. “From the information available to me, no search warrant was presented before the commencement of the search. “As I speak to you, they are currently in my uncle’s bedroom carrying out the search in his absence,” he said. Usman faulted the search on the ground that the operation was being carried out in the absence of the former comptroller-general.

“The only people in the house at the commencement of this search and even till now are his chil-

dren who are below the ages of 18,” he said. When contacted, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC

spokesman said that he had not been informed of the search on the former comptroller -general’s residence.

South West doctors to storm Osun over mass sack threat Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

THE Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Osun State chapter on Friday said all doctors in the six South West states would mobilise and storm the state next week to picket Osun State government hospitals over threats by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to sack all striking medical doctors in the state by Monday. It is recalled that Aregbesola had on Thursday at the 75th birthday anniversary of a founding father of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, held in Osogbo instructed the Osun State Head of Service (HoS), Mr Sunday Owoeye to sack the striking doctors by Monday, saying the ultimatum issued to them to resume duty had lapsed. Reacting to the development in a telephone chat with Saturday Tribune on Friday, the Osun State chairman of the NMA, Dr Suraj Ogunyemi said: “Aregbesola has the mindset of bringing doctors from Cuba to Osun State. Doctors from all the South West states will storm Osun to picket government hospitals and health centres. We are not in a dictatorship regime. Before the end of work today, we are sending a letter to the governor, warning him to be cautious of his utterances”. He added: “Aregbesola’s threat to sack the doctors who are demanding for their legitimate right is a joke carried too far. It is not acceptable in any democratic setting. “The governor should call the striking doctors back to the negotiation table. If he carries out the threat to sack the doctors on Monday, all other doctors in the private

and public sectors would join the strike,” he declared. Also, the Osun State Association of Medical Doctors and Dental Officers (OSAMDO), on Friday said it was not moved by Aregbesola’s threat to sack all the striking doctors in the state on Monday next week. The unions contended that the threat to sack the doctors would not offer any solution to the current industrial action embarked on by the striking doctors, but would rather exacerbate the issue. Speaking on the development, the chairman of OSAMDO, Dr Isiaka Adekunle said members of his association were waiting for their sack letters, saying that

“we have already discussed this issue at the NMA level”. According to him, “it is not new. A governor had once sacked all doctors in Osun and he also reabsorbed us at the end of the crisis. We are not moved by Aregbesola’s threat. We only told him to enter into an agreement on when he would pay the balance of our half salaries. He has been paying us half salaries since July 2015. “The governor even stopped the payment of the unacceptable half salaries in October, 2015. We are not bothered at all over his threat to sack us on Monday. We have files for sack letters and recall letters with us. It is not new or strange to us,” Adekunle remarked.

DPR seals off 5 petrol stations in Warri The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Warri Zonal Office on Friday sealed off five petrol stations in Warri and environs for various offences. The stations were sealed off for hoarding and overpricing of petroleum products. The affected stations, Jaak Nig Ltd, Fomas Marine &Engineering Service Ltd and Conoil were punished for hoarding fuel. Also, Asolyn Petrol Station and St Luke Petroleum Ltd were shut for overpricing. Addressing newsmen, Mr Goddy Agusa, Head, Public Affairs Division of DPR, Warri Zonal Office said it would be a continuous exercise. “The exercise would be continuous until the people learn to comply with government’s directive on the sales of fuel,” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that

the Federal Government had ordered independent petroleum marketers to dispense fuel at N86.50 per litre. However, many marketers had failed to heed the order. Agusa said the offenders would pay a fine to the Federal Government before they would be reopened for operations. “Overpricing, hoarding and under dispensing attract N100,000, while double offence attracts N200,000. “Normally, we are supposed to reopen them after two months, but with the situation around now, we will reopen them as soon as they remit their fines,” he said. However, Frank Chris Petrol Station in Otokutu, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State earlier shut was reopened after paying the necessary fines. Some of the motorists expressed joy at the exercise and urged the agency to keep it up.

El-Zakzaky’s followers demand his release or else... By Wale Akinselure HUNDREDS of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, South West zone, on Friday, joined calls by some Nigerians for the release of their leader Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. Speaking on behalf of the group at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Ibadan, chairman, Islamic Movement in Nigeria, South West zone, Mr Muftahy Zakariyah, warned that about 20 million supporters of El-Zakzaky may lose their patience at his continued detention by the Nigerian government. Demanding a formal apology from the Nigerian Army, Zakariyah wondered why the Nigerian Army would reply the purported obstruction of the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff with killing hundreds of persons, including El-Zakzaky’s family members and demolition of the home of their leader. Aside the unconditional release of El-Zakzaky, the group, in what was termed “unjust genocide”, demanded compensation for those that had been reportedly killed. Zakariyah added that the Nigerian Army, rather than being the jury and executioner, should show evidence and follow up the case in court. The group expressed reservations on the commission of Enquiry set up by the Kaduna State government to look into the issue, noting that the committee did not fairly capture all parties in the incident. “Let them show us bullets on the car of the Chief of Army Staff, let them show us evidence that stones were hurled at the Army. Show us facts that we drink human blood. President Buhari should be a servant, not master of the people. Our graduates have been killed. We are told that El-Zakzaky and wife are alive but we have not been allowed to see them. We were not caught with weapons.” “El-Zakzaky has proved to be a friend indeed to the country but was rewarded with the killing of his family members. Our members have been killed overtime since 38 years that this movement has existed. Six children and many of his followers were killed for obstructing traffic! El-Zakzaky boasts of about 20 million followers and we have continued to ask them to remain calm and not act. However, if care is not taken, they may lose their patience if this detention of their leader continues.” “When has the Nigerian Army become the prosecutor, the jury, the judge and the executioner? For obstructing the traffic, three of his children are killed! His home bulldozed and bombed! His wife has bullets in her body. El-Zakzaky has five bullets in his body. His deputy is killed, why are we so silent? Has this man not made enough sacrifice for this country?” “We demand that Malam Zakzaky be released unconditionally. We demand payment for all the movement’s property that has been destroyed. We demand compensation for all that have been killed. We demand formal apology from the Nigerian army.” Also, London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has said it is applying pressure on various international organisations to help secure the release of El-Zakzaky. IHRC is writing to the European Union, the United Nations and the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group seeking action over the treatment of Sheikh Zakzaky but also to raise with the bodies the abuses that have been perpetrated by the Nigerian military in the course of its recent assault on the Islamic Movement, the NGO said in a press release quoted by Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

news

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

We’ll reposition NDDC —Acting MD Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

From left, President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari; Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase and the Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Jalal Arabi, just before President Buhari departed for a one-day official visit to Republic of Benin from the Presidential Villa, on Friday.

Violence heralds Bayelsa rerun •Police restrict human, vehicular movement •INEC urges parties to play by the rule Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

LASHES of violence on Friday resumed ahead of today’s governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa and in 101 cancelled polling units across five councils’ area of the state. Top contender for the rerun election was the candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson and the former Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressive Congress

(APC). At the early hours of Friday, report had it that an explosive was detonated at the governor’s lodge in Ekeremor LGA inflicting severe injuries on one Alari, an indigene of the community. The police command, it was learnt, has commenced investigation into the explosion with a view to apprehend perpetrators. The hostility continues with the mayhem unleashed on the former Speaker of the state’s assembly, Rt. Honourable Boyelayefa Debekeme, and two others in Ekeremor council area

ahead of the rerun. The victims, according to reports, had machete wounds and have been taken to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital where they were receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. Also, another explosion occurred at about 0405hrs, yesterday suspected to be dynamite in the compound of the Speaker of the Bayelsa Assembly, Rt. Hon Kombowei Benson, at Korokorosei Community. The impact resulted in damage to the doors, windows and glasses in his residence. Nobody was injured

Corpse of inmate causes apprehension in Borno IDP camp James Bwala - Maiduguri THERE was apprehension at the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camp popularly known as the Ali Monguno Teachers’ village in Borno State following the discovery of a lifeless body of an inmate on Thursday. The high fenced camp, located along Pompomari bye-pass near the headquarters of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, hosts about 13,000 displaced persons from Ngala and Kukawa local government areas. Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of Ngala and Kukawa alongside policemen under their formations live at the camp as part of security measures long adopted by Government. The police said they it had recovered the body of the victim and his identity would be made public after his family was contacted. The male victim’s body was not found beheaded contrary to earlier media reports, but the victim was found with bruises on his head. Preliminary investigation pointed to group fighting among IDPs,

One person has been arrested in connection with the incident. The Executive Chairman of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, Engineer Garba Satomi said the police had arrested an IDP inmate in connection with the attack, saying that more suspects were being trailed. Satomi also said investiga-

tion had so far pointed at a disagreement between a group of youths who later conspired to attack the victim. Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has since ordered immediate investigations by the police and demanded arrest of any person connected to the incident.

and no life was lost. The scene was visited and a team of Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit (EOD) conducted post-blast investigations. Efforts have been intensified to arrest the culprits. Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, DSP Asinim Butswat said the command was doing everything possible to ensure that the rerun election does not end in a stalemate again. In a statement, DSP Butswat said security had been beefed up with increased foot, vehicular, and waterways patrols, as well as intensive aerial surveillance in all nooks and crannies of the state. When Saturday Tribune visited the State office of INEC, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baritor Kpagih said all needed materials had been moved to the affected areas for the supplementary election, even as he noted that the exercise would go well if the political parties and their supporters played by the rule.

Nigeria needs N3.9 trillion for power production —DPR director THE Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr Mordecai Ladan, said on Friday that Nigeria would need about two billion dollars (N3.9 trillion) annually to drive its power production. Ladan stated this in a statement issued by the Communication Officer, Nigeria-South African Chamber of Commerce, Mr Gbenga Akinyode, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. The director, who was represented by his Senior

Technical Assistant, Mr Abel Nsa, sent the message to a breakfast meeting organised by the chamber. He said that the investment revolved around provision of gas pipelines and processing plants for the nation’s gas reserves to boost economic growth. Ladan said that Nigeria was enriched with the largest gas reserves in Africa with an estimate of 188 trillion Cubic Ft. of natural gas. He said that despite the huge resources and government policies, the nation was still struggling to

ensure domestic availability of gas, especially for the power sector. The director cited some of the challenges bedeviling gas production such as poor infrastructure, vandalism, poor pricing and weak policy implementation. “Nigeria with the huge natural gas potential endowment ranks eighth in the world and first in Africa in gas reserves. “Nigeria’s gas reserves endowment may be up to 600 trillion cubic Ft. and the country is often described as a gas province,” Ladan said.

ACTING Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has pledged to reposition the interventionist agency for better service delivery to the people of the Niger Delta region. She made the commitment in her maiden address to the management and staff of the commission at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, on Friday. Seminitari, who was appointed last December to replace Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, however urged the staff of the commission to brace up for hard work. “We will ensure that we put the people of the region first. For that reason, we must make sure that contractors are not allowed to get away with shoddy jobs as we must insist on getting value for money spent on projects and programmes. “Ensuring that contractors deliver quality jobs rests with the staff. If we do our jobs well, contractors cannot get away with poor quality jobs. “Everyone should play his or her part. We will henceforth inspect projects before we pay contractors and only jobs verified and certified to be good will be paid for”, she said. Semenitari advised NDDC staff to dust up their service rules as she intended to work according to the dictates of the rules and guidelines of public service. She reminded them that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had set the ground rules that must be adhered to for the much-desired change in the country. “Those doing a good job will be rewarded and celebrated. But those who don’t do their jobs well should be ready to face the consequences.”

Osun NUJ Correspondents’ chapel elects new exco Oluwole Ige - Osogbo THE correspondent of Daily Trust newspaper in Osun State, Mr Hameed Oyegbade, on Friday emerged as the new chairman of Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to pilot the affairs of the professional body for the next three years. Oyegbade emerged after defeating Mr Wasiu Ajadosu of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) by 19 to 11 votes. Others who emerged unopposed are Deacon Richard Akintade as Vice Chairman (Nigerian Pilot), Mrs Florence Babasola, Treasurer (Alaroye Newspaper); Mr Yinka Salaam, Assistant Secretary (Voice of Nigeria) and Mrs Yetunde Oladejo, Financial Secretary (The Union). The position of the Secretary and the Auditor are yet to be filled. The Osun State secretary of the NUJ, Mr Bamigbola Gbolagunte told the union officials to uphold the ethics of journalism profession in the discharge of their duties. The newly elected chairman of the chapel, Oyegbade called on all members of the chapel for support.

Anambra Central Senatorial re-run: Ekwunife defects to APC THE erstwhile senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Uche Ekwunife announced on Friday that she had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Ekwunife, who was inaugurated as senator in June, 2015, had her election nullified by Appeal Court in Enugu on December 6, 2015, on grounds of irregularities. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in the zone within 90 days. Ekwunife, who has begun preparation for the repeat poll confirmed her defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to newsmen in Awka. ” It’s better now for me to join the APC. “Let the heat be there; I am already on campaigns for my return to the senate, to complete my contract with the people of Anambra Central District,” she said. Ekwunife said that her goodies for her people under the APC would soon be made public.

news

9 January, 2016

FG to introduce death insurance for soldiers fighting insurgency

Scene of an accident involving a truck which fell and spilled its goods on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at Otedola area, on Friday in Lagos. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA

Fayose asks EFCC to take Metuh to court if...

Sam Nwaoko- Ado Ekiti

OVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to charge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh to court if the commission was sure of evidence of fraud against him. Governor Fayose said in a statement on Friday that “the EFCC appears to be op-

erating a system in which an accused person is first arrested, detained endlessly, while the anti-corruption agency goes about looking for evidence.” Governor Fayose, who maintained his support for “a genuine fight against corruption,” challenged EFCC to also act on petitions submitted to it against All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and President Buhari’s election sponsors. In the statement signed by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olay-

inka, Fayose cautioned that, “nothing untoward must happen to Metuh,” adding that “the APC’s desperation to decimate and silence the opposition has dragged the Buhari-led government in the mud of lawlessness.” The governor said: “In saner climes, you don’t arrest people for alleged fraud and start to look for evidence to prosecute them. Rather, before you arrest anyone for fraud, anti-corruption agencies must have established a prima facie case and arresting the suspect will only be to enable for his or her ar-

N82m dinner, a moral question for Soyinka —Rivers govt Dapo Falade- Port harcout RIVERS State government has taken up Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on his reaction to the controversial N82 million allegedly spent by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State to host a three-hour dinner in his honour. The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, had, on Tuesday alleged that the former governor spent the amount to host Soyinka to a dinner. While the literary giant was reported to have said he did not know the cost of the dinner party, the state government said his reaction was disappointing and depressing. The information commissioner, in a statement made available to Saturday Tribune, on Friday, said Soyinka had a moral burden on him to condemn such a spending in a state where 90 per cent of the people live in insufferable poverty. “But now that official documents show the cost of his three-hour dinner, where is his moral outrage? Why does his statement not include a condemnation of such unconscionable misuse of public funds in his name?

Saturday Tribune

“In a country full of villainy, Soyinka is often held up as a moral titan. The Nobel Laureate cements this perception by conducting himself in the manner of someone who suffers from a god complex; someone who does no wrong. “But Soyinka’s unbridled support for Rotimi Amaechi invites close moral scrutiny. Rivers State is reeling from the catastrophic legacy of the Amaechi years. “Despite receiving over N3trn in revenue in eight years, Amaechi left the most abandoned projects in the history of Rivers State, since 1967. “Thousands of workers

went without their salaries for four months. Aged pensioners faced starvation without their pensions for eight months and the salaries of thousands of teachers were not paid for nearly 12 months. “Everywhere you looked in Amaechi’s Rivers State, there was this stark, almost synonymic connection between poor governance, corruption and fiction. “A physical tour of the Greater Port Harcourt City in Rivers State on which Amaechi had spent over N100bn, revealed only a putrid landscape of corruption, broken dreams and wasted resources,” he said.

raignment in court. “However, what we are witnessing in Nigeria today is a situation whereby the EFCC will arrest PDP leaders, humiliate them by subjecting them to media trial, detain them for weeks in the process of trying to force them to make statements during which the commission will be looking for evidence. “For instance, in the case of Metuh, we are being told that the EFCC is insisting that he must write statements and one begins to wonder if it has now become mandatory for an accused to write statements in law enforcement agent’s custody. “Shouldn’t the EFCC have simply charged Metuh to court based on its own evidence? Or is Metuh’s statement the evidence the EFCC requires to prosecute him? “The international community, especially the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and others are put on notice on this condemnable act of arresting and detaining opposition leaders by agents of the Buhari-led government before fishing for evidence.” While challenging President Buhari to extend his anti-corruption crusade to those who sponsored his election, Fayose said “any anti-corruption effort that targets only members of the opposition and those with axe to grind with the government of the day can never succeed.

Naira appreciates against dollar at parallel market THE naira on Friday hedged up slightly against the dollar at the parallel market amid calls for the apex bank to relax its strict foreign exchange policy. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the naira appreciated by 0.4 per cent on Friday afternoon as it exchanged for N277 against the dollar from N278 it traded for previously. However, the naira closed at N197 to the dollar at the official interbank window. Traders at the parallel

market expressed concern that in spite of the resumption of forex auction to Bureaux de Change (BDCs) operators, the scarcity of the greenback was still exerting pressures on the Naira. Industry watchers had speculated that remitted funds during the Yuletide were capable of giving the naira a better outing at the market. The CBN had on Wednesday sold about 15.5 million dollars to about 1,650 BDCs, with the demand of

the greenback doubling. Meanwhile, the Senate had on Thursday urged the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, to relax the strict forex policy, arguing that the policy “was doing more harm than good”. This was also re-echoed by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms Christine Lagarde, when she advised the apex bank to operate a flexible forex policy.

THE Minister of Defence, Brigadier-General Mansur DanAli (retd), on Friday said that the Federal Government would introduce insurance package for soldiers fighting insurgency in the North-East. Dan-Ali made the disclosure while briefing newsmen shortly after a special Juma’at prayer to mark the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja. He said that already there were numerous packages enjoyed by the military as a way of motivating them to ensure the success of the ongoing counter insurgency operation. “Normally we have packages for the families of the fallen heroes but recently we are introducing the death insurance which has not been done before. “It is an additional package by President Muhammadu Buhari to motivate our gallant armed forces and to take care of the families of the fallen heroes,” he said. Earlier, the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki had said that the prayer was part of the recognition of the sacrifice made by men and women who laid down their lives to defend the country. “We must continue to do this, not only to motivate their families that are left behind, but to also encourage our men that are presently fighting insurgency, “ Saraki said.

Crisis hits Yobe APC over suspension of members James Bwala-Damaturu A fresh crisis is rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yobe State following the suspension of ten party members for alleged misconduct and anti-party activities during the 2015 general election in the state. A former zonal vice chairman, Zone B, Alhaji Muhammadu Guza and chairman, Fakarau ward, Alhaji Sule Hussaini Baba Mai Gora told newsmen on Friday that the allegations levelled against them were baseless, adding that some members of the party who want to control the government in the state were behind the allegation. A letter addressed to them, which was signed by the state secretary of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Bakare indicated that they were suspended from the party for the period of 18 months effective from 22 December, 2015. Speaking to newsmen on his suspension, Alhaji Baba Mai Gora said the crisis in Yobe APC can lead to the party losing election come 2019 if the APC national headquarters and Governor Ibrahim Gaidam did not wake up to rescue the party from some bad elements with bad intentions.

Lagos vows to take security to grassroots Bola Badmus- Lagos THE Lagos State government has vowed to improve on the dominance of the security space and move a step further by taking security to the grassroots. This was just as it counselled parents and guardians to be extra vigilant on the movement of their children and wards especially at nights. The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, disclosed this while briefing the Government House correspondents after the monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Owoseni said in a bid to improve on the successes recorded during the 2015 Yuletide, government had resolved to take security to the grassroots to protect the residents, and reduce fear as well as threat of insecurity drastically.

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

newsmaker

Lagarde: Ironlady bearing bitter prescriptions By Blessing Ekum

T’S become customary for every year to be birthed with prophecies. Whether by genuine divine inspiration or from logical extrapolations based on observations, the fact remains that predictions are rolled out and are most times tenaciously held unto and believed to shape the new year. So when the economic predictions for 2015 came from respectable organisations about fast growth in the country’s economy, it was with glad heart the news was received. The United States of America’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, Mr Arun Kumar, had said that judging from Nigeria’s growth rate which averaged seven per cent over a 10-year period, the country was one of the fastest growing economies in the world and projected that it would continue to grow as the year went on. Nigeria was also declared the third fastest growing economy in the world, after China and Qatar. However, just like many other prophecies and predictions that came with 2015, especially those for the political terrain, the prophecy burst like a soap bubble. By the last quarter of 2015, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its World Economic Outlook (WEO) entitled Adjusting to Lower Commodity Prices stated a four per cent growth rate (three per cent decline) for Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also reported that consumer prices went up by 9.4 per cent in November 2015. In fact, it was predicted in some quarters that the country might experience spiralling inflation in the new year if forex wasn’t properly managed. The economic distress was largely attributed to the drop in global crude oil prices that obviously affected the country owing to our mono-commodity economy with strong reliance on crude oil. With low oil prices, the ailing naira in the foreign exchange market, scandalous corruption and theft exposé, increased United States of America’s interest rates, tightened global financial conditions, Boko Haram insurgency and other security concerns, among other internal issues, the prospects of the economy for the coming year looked indeed bleak. So when 2016 began with the announcement of the IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde’s visit to the country with the aim of fostering a strong relationship with Nigeria and other African member countries as well as to discuss Nigeria’s economic matters with President Buhari, it offered a glimmer of hope that somehow a “saviour” would be arriving who would be magnanimous with aid, whether in form of loan or otherwise, to salvage the economy from the heavy burden it bore in the past year. After

all, prior to her trip to the country, she had said, “I look forward to productive meetings with President Buhari and his colleagues as they address important economic challenges, most importantly the impact of low oil prices.” To the average Nigerian of whom it has become a sort of culture and sense of entitlement to depend on outsiders (the West in particular) for solutions to problems caused by her citizens — whether by omission or commission — that statement was interpreted to mean the IMF boss would be providing a solution (most preferably immediately) to accumulated economic woes. When she landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday, exuding the aura expected of the number one person in charge of global monetary systems and full of smiles, the average Nigerian exhaled relief that a smiling face usually brought good news. However, after her meeting with the president and the National Assembly, she told Nigerians the bitter truth we have always known but have failed to do something about. And to crown it all, she concluded by stating that in spite of all our seemingly intractable economic problems, Nigeria does not need an IMF loan. In other words, we are on our own and should solve our problems ourselves! In her speech to the National Assembly, she began by identifying the global economic transitions that are affecting the country and the region; proceeded to highlighting the importance of managing the near-term vulnerabilities facing Nigeria’s economy and then shared her thoughts on what might help to achieve more inclusive and sustainable growth. Although she reiterated the call for economic diversification, global realities, and especially the peculiarities of Nigeria in these times, had her asking for more. “The new reality of low oil prices and low oil revenues means that the fiscal challenge facing government is no longer about

vice delivery across the federal and sub-national governments. Transfers and tax expenditures should also be addressed. For example, continuing the move already begun by the government in the 2016 budget to eliminate resources allocated to fuel subsidies would allow more targeted spending, including on innovative social programs for the most needy.” And then she took a position on the controversial fuel subsidy removal proposal that has in how recent times been shrouded in t o debates, accusations and suspid i v i d e cion. According to her, “Indeed, the proceeds fuel subsidies are hard to defend. of Nigeria’s oil Not only do they harm the planet, wealth, but what needs but they rarely help the poor. IMF to be done so that Ni- research shows that more than 40 geria can deliver to per cent of fuel price subsidies in its people the pub- developing countries accrue to the lic services they richest 20 per cent of households, deserve—be it in while only 7 per cent of the benefits education, health go to the poorest 20 per cent. or infrastructure. “Moreover, the experience here This means that in Nigeria of administering fuel hard decisions will subsidies suggests that it is time need to be taken for a change—think of the regular on revenue, ex- accusations of corruption, and penditure, debt, think of the many Nigerians who and investment spend hours in queues trying to get going forward,” gas so that they can go about their she said. everyday business.” S h e f u r t h e r She then suggested key policy e x p l a i n e d priorities to include investment how this can in quality infrastructure, making be achieved: the banks work and improving “ O n c a p i t a l governance. Looking into our e x p e n d i t u r e , economic future, she stated that the focus must “Nigerians, are well known for be on high-impact their resilience and strong belief and high value-ad- in their ability to improve their ded projects. This is nation and lead others by example. why the government I firmly believe that Nigeria will is focusing on power, in- rise to the challenge and make tegrated transport (roads, the decisions that will propel the rail, air, and ports), and country to greater prosperity.” housing. These can help The IMF amazon strongly beconnect centres of activ- lieves that Nigeria has all it takes to ity across the country and make it in the new year. And if her drive growth prospects. recommendations are anything to “On recurrent expendit- go by, it is strongly believed that ure, efforts should be made her prediction would hold more to streamline the cost of water than those made by evangovernment and improve gelical merchants, sycophants and efficiency of public ser- frenemies of our good country.

entertainment

feature

interview

feature

What I usually tell my stubborn male admirers —Ireti Osayemi

We’ve lost everything to demolition, Oshodi trader lament

Why I’ve refrained from speaking on Buhari’s govt —Labaran Maku

Nigerian prisons and the curse of congestion

Pp2&30 P41

Pp28,39

Pp22&27

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

08050498504 toluwaniforever@yahoo.com

‘We met on the staircase, 6 months later, we were married’ Mrs Modupe Onadeko is a retired Professor of Reproductive and Family Health, University College Hospital (UCH) and currently the National President of Inter-Africa Committee, Nigeria Chapter (IAC-Nigeria), an international body campaigning against Harmful Traditional Practices, (HTP), including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). She speaks with AYODEJI AYODELE on her childhood days, her reasons for going into medicine and her marriage.

What spurred your interest in Medicine? rom my childhood, when I was just about five or six0 years old, I told my dad, the late Professor Sanya Onabamiro that I wanted to be a doctor and he encouraged me. My daddy used to take us to Ijebu, Ago-Iwoye, during the long holidays. My elder sister, Justice Dolapo Akinsanya, and I used to spend not less than two weeks with my paternal grandmother who was a farmer and we would go to the farm with her. On getting there, I noticed that people had guinea worms and my father was doing a research on that particular disease at that time. In fact, he was the one who discovered the cyclone that habours the guinea worm larva. He did a lot to control the spread of guinea worm because we were able to get rid of the cyclone and prevent people from going to the stream to fetch water by providing potable water through wells and pipe borne water. I gained admission into the medical school in Ibadan in 1965 and graduated in 1970. Because of my interest in preventable diseases, I did my Masters programme in Public Health in Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. I worked with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine in the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan for almost 40 years before I retired. Now, I am involved in the campaign against female genital mutilation through the print and broadcast media and I am the current President of Inter-African Committee. It is an international organisation, campaigning against harmful traditional practices, including female genital mutilation.

Can you recall an unpleasant experience you had as a medical student? It was during my House job. I was assigned to a lady who had liver complications. It affected her whole system. I got so emotionally involved with this lady. She didn’t have much, so I bought her the necessary things she needed in preparing her for the surgery and she became quite attached to me. Unfortunately, she had serious post operative complications and she died. It was devastating and when the case was reviewed, we found there was nothing we should have done that we left undone. It took me weeks before I got over it.

Why do you think people carry out female genital mutilation? They believe that if the sensitive part of the female genital organ is not cut off, she will be promiscuous and during child birth, if the head of the child touches the mother’s clitoris, the baby will die. This belief is common in Yoruba land. In some other ethnic groups, they believe that if this is not done, the gods will be offended and this might lead to famine, premature death and poverty. We tell them there is no truth in it. Can you highlight the dangers associated with this practice? The dangers are numerous. We have the immediate problems. You know they perform this thing without precautions. In the process of pressing the girl down to do it, there is excess pain. The shock from the pain can cause the girl to die suddenly. Others are excessive bleeding, HIV/AIDS infection, hepatitis B virus through blood contamination which can result in cancer of the liver. There are also latter complications such as difficulty in urination and kidney problem. When the girl is menstruating, it affects the flow of blood because during the process of cutting the female genitalia, part of the vagina is also cut as well and suture, thereby leaving a small hole for menstruation and urination. Thus, the blood cannot come out readily and therefore damage the whole reproductive system and in later life, she would be unable to have children. That is what is called primary infertility. Again, they tend to go through obstructed labour during delivery and these cause Vesicle Vagina Fistula and Recto Vagina Fistula. I am glad that before President Goodluck Jonathan left office, he signed the bill banning female genital mutilation but it is yet to be domesticated in Oyo State. We are appealing to the legislature in Oyo State to pass the bill. What memories of childhood do you cherish? Life was beautiful then. I pray Nigeria will go back to those beautiful days. There were no fears of kidnappers and armed robbers. We could drive from Lagos to Ibadan and other places at midnight without any form of danger on the road. Things were cheap. Then, there were expressions of love within the family and among neighbours. I remember my dad used to take us on pic-

nics. We would carry our mats, coolers of drinks, food and we had a wonderful time, but nowadays, families don’t seem to have time for each other. My dad also exposed us to rural life. We were brought up to be humble and God-fearing. Can you let us into your background? I was born in Lagos on July 27, 1944 to the family of the late Professor Sanya Dojo Onabamiro and the late Mrs Mabel Folabi Onabamiro (nee Oshinyemi). I attended Abadina Primary School, Ibadan and proceeded to Saint Annes’ Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan in 1957. I had my A’Levels and as a medical student I won the Sir Kofo Abayomi prize. Our parents helped us to appreciate the British culture. They would read to us bedtime stories and we enjoyed it when we were young. They took us to cinemas and we used to have get-togethers, especially at Christmas and New Year. I have five siblings, some of blessed memories. Who is your husband? He is Professor Babatunde Owolabi Onadeko (OFR). He is a prominent chest physician and an internationally reputable pulmonologist. He specialises in lung diseases. We have been married for 47 years and blessed with two boys and two girls and seven grandchildren. Why marry a medical practitioner like you? It was providence. We met at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. I was a medical student of the University of Ibadan and I was in my fourth year, my clinical posting year. I was just coming down the staircase and was on the second floor when I saw this lanky man going on the third floor. It was his gaze and personality that attracted me. I looked back and said to myself, “who is this man that is dressed

in a smart suit, tie and pocket hanky to match.” As I turned round, our eyes met. When I got back to my hostel, I got a phone call. Lo and behold, it was from one Tunde Onadeko. I asked, “Who is speaking?” He mentioned his name and introduced himself as the gentleman I came across on the corridor. I said, “And so what?” and banged the phone. He kept calling and said he wanted to find out how I was doing and if there was any way he could assist me in my studies which he actually did. He would send to me any textbook or journal he felt could be of help to me in my studies. And gradually, our love blossomed. Amazingly, we met in June, got engaged in November and by December of that year, we were married. Of course, like all lovers do, we had our ups and downs but God, through His mercy and grace, helped us to weather all the storms of marriage. What thrills you about him? He is a complete family man. He loves his family and he is diligent. He is loving and caring. Above all, he is a very good cook. He would be 80 years old next year by the grace of God. Can you tell us your most valuable asset? That is the saving knowledge of Christ and my family. What outfit can you never be caught wearing? Anything that will expose my body or is too short to wear. What are your hobbies? I love swimming, cooking, baking and dancing. How do you unwind? By listening to gospel music.

9 January, 2016

food&drink

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

The secret to mouth-watering oha soup is… Dr. Oluwayemisi Alaba is a lecturer in the Department of Statistics, University of Ibadan. She speaks with OYEYEMI OKUNLADE on how to get the best out of the native Igbo soup known as Oha.

ere you selective of food as a child? My mum did not tolerate that. She believed that whatever she gave you must be eaten. But I did not like eba.

Did you have a favourite food back then? Every child I have known loves plantain and I was no exception. Can you recall your first cooking blunder? It was when I had to prepare amala. I was about eight years old. I had brought water to a boil and while trying to lift the pot, I discovered it was very hot and I had used just a piece of cloth to hold it. The entire water spilled and I was there crying. I didn’t even receive sympathy from those around because they felt I should have known better than using a small piece of cloth to lift a hot pot. Would you describe yourself as adventurous in the kitchen? I definitely would and I love giving my family special treats because when you go to most Yoruba homes, the best they can offer you is ewedu, efo. Though I’m a native of Fiditi by birth and Tede by marriage, both in Oyo State, I have come to enjoy the Igbo soup, Oha. I serve it with amala. Though my children generally don’t like swallow, when they tasted this food, they enjoyed it and wanted more. How often do you eat it? It’s quite expensive, so often times, it’s prepared when I

want to give myself a nice treat. Is there a way you prepare it differently? No, it is the same way it’s generally prepared. However, I use achi in place of cocoyam as thickener. How is this prepared? You will need oha leaves, uziza (hot leaves), stockfish, ground crayfish, beef, snails, ponmo, dried pepper, palm

oil, achi (to thicken the soup), salt, seasoning cubes. Shred leaves. Wash and cook meat. Set meat aside and using meat stock, add stockfish, ground crayfish, dried pepper, salt, snails, seasoning cubes. Add shredded uziza first before oha leaves. Achi is then poured in to thicken the soup. Cook for a while. Serve. One important thing in preparing this soup is that you don’t shred oha leaves with knives. They should be torn to bits with the fingers else they make the soup bitter.

NBC Limited thrills participants at LTV Family Funfair, Calabar Carnival For families and holiday lovers, the excitement of the festive season was taken a notch higher by manufacturing giant and bottlers of Coca-Cola products, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, as they rolled out a series of fun activities to celebrate the Yuletide. Two major activities the NBC participated in were the Lagos Television Family Funfair and Calabar Carnival in Cross River State. In a recent company statement, Acting Head, Public Affairs and Communication, NBC Limited, Mrs Sade Morgan, said, “Lagos Television Family Funfair and Calabar Carnival were month-long programmes in December 2015 that have consistently delivered unprecedented fun and excitement during year end celebrations. NBC

is delighted to be a part of these world renowned holiday locations and great festive events to refresh visitors, spectators and participants this Yuletide.” The company provided non-stop refreshment with its well-loved range of Coca-Cola products to family members, friends and other holiday lovers who visited these holiday spots. It distributed free samples of the new 5Alive Pulpy orange fruit drink to 5,000 visitors at the Lagos Television Funfair Ground and for the Calabar Carnival, it made available cold drinks refreshment and sampling along carnival routes to participants, while also providing opportunities for fun seekers to win exciting gifts at the Coca-Cola Christmas Village set up at the Carnival.

9 January, 2016

conversewithyemisi

Saturday Tribune

08055001741 (sms only) yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com

My husband takes me for granted Dear Yemisi, am a 40-year-old woman. I got married over 12 years ago. I am a civil servant while my husband is a technician, specifically an auto mechanic. Our marriage is blessed with four children (two girls and two boys). I have never for once since the day I got married been on my husband’s neck asking him to give me anything since I am gainfully employed. But it appears he is taking me for a ride. About 18 months ago, his sibling who is based abroad sent him a car for the family. With the coming of this car, the family can boast of three solid vehicles at its disposal. Having waited for more than a year for me to be given one, my husband has denied me the usage of any of these cars. When it appeared I was no longer feeling at ease with his silence over his decision to part with one of the said cars, I sought audience with him last December to please give me one. His response to my request was that I should give him two days to ponder on my request. After the expiration of the two days I asked him and he said he was yet to come up with what to do. In an attempt not to make any serious issue out of the prevailing situation, I met with his bosom childhood friend who is more of his sibling, about the request I made. Unknown to me, I never got any inkling that my husband had already intimated his friend who in turn advised him to make up his mind on what to do because if the issue were to be his, he would not have consented to giving the car to his wife but put it up for sale. I was highly embarrassed with what his friend said. He said ‘do you want me to tell you the truth’ I said yes and he added ‘your husband who is my confidant told me that

he would rather sell one of the cars than give it to you because he would not want a situation where you would now put every expenditure on him when it comes to the maintenance of the car.’ Continuing, he said ‘we are of the opinion that you women are always looking for ways of draining our purses’. He even added that my husband wants to sell two out of the three so that when the family is left with one, I would not continue to pester him. Since I learnt of this, I have not been my real self. I begin to wonder why my husband would be so mean to this extent. Here is a man that I have put everything I had to make him a better family man only for him to reward me with his callous ways. Dear Yemisi, I want you and your readers to help me solve this riddle: Are women actually drainpipes? I am asking this because I have never done anything to have warranted this attitude of his. As I am writing you this letter, I have not got the courage to ask him if what his friend actually told me was the truth and he has carried along as if nothing happened. I have resolved not to even mention it again. What can I do? Is this not a threat to my marriage as I am beginning to question the union. Kindly ask your readers to advise me on why I should not pay this man back in his coin. Omolewa, Lagos. Dear readers, Omolewa is seriously disturbed by the attitude of her better half and wants to be counselled on what to do before she takes laws into her hands. Kindly send your intervention to 08055001741 or mail yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com. With your name and number.

For Him Richard, 56, needs a single/widow/divorcee aged between 35 and 55 for a relationship. Call 09091087486. Kunle, 50, graduate, civil servant, widower with a child, needs a wife. Call 08062729247. Joshua, 28, geologist, from Akwa Ibom, based in Akure, Ondo State, needs a female friend. Call 0703077191. Mustapha, 31, from Ibadan, needs a Muslim lady from Oyo State, aged between 20 and 30 for marriage. Call 08160405819. Lanre, 36, businessman from Oyo State, needs a responsible, self-employed, single lady for marriage. Call 08055307949. Tokunbo, 35, Christian, Lagos-based, businessman, single parent, needs a lady aged between 27 and 35 for an affair. Call 08173521356.

Adebayo, 45, from Lagos, medical practitioner, needs an employed woman aged between 35 and 50 from any tribe for marriage. Call 08107918797. Oluwadare, single, gentle, nice, needs a caring, working class /business lady for a relationship. Call 08060308241.

For Her

Wunmi, 28, from Ilorin, needs a slim, God-fearing man, Christian, aged between 32 and 45 for marriage. Call 09037034658. Lolade, 54, self-employed, chief executive director, needs a loving, responsible and rich man for a relationship. He must be 50 or above and ready to support my business. Call or text 08084576526. Juliet, from Edo State, needs a serious, mature, caring, God-fearing man who is ready to settle down for marriage. He should be aged 32 to 40. Call 07056688376.

My boyfriend’s sisters, parents don’t like me Dear Yemisi, I am a girl aged 20. I observed that my boyfriend’s sisters and parents don’t like me and I am sure of this fact. Please, advise me on what to do. Should I continue with this relationship or quit? Anonymous, 0803****9**. Dear Anonymous, What is the proof that you are not loved by your boyfriend’s sisters and parents? You should have evidence to back your claim up as you have not given me any to suggest your claim. What on earth could you have done to have triggered such hatred? Have you been staying with them? I want to believe that it is only if you had stayed with them for a while and they have seen in you some traits of a not too good choice for their son. I hope you are not being on the edge or you are suspecting them of any hidden agenda. If you are contemplating quitting the relationship, wouldn’t you have preempted those who you have alleged that they don’t like you with your action? On what basis are you going to call it quits? Have you expressed how you feel about your boyfriend’s parents and sisters to him? You are only imagining that you are not wanted.

Is it that you have been cheating on your boyfriend and you were caught in the act? Dear sister, you better cast your mind back to see where you went wrong and make amends. I am not counselling you just because of this particular guy but for subsequent affair you are going to have. It is too early in the day to begin to make enemies of a family that you have not been formally brought into. You did not avail me the details of your relationship, so as to know whether you started dating each other on a wrong premise. With or without this, it is better you imbibe the spirit of endurance and tolerance once you make up your mind to get a date. My dear, if you are not feeling comfortable with those you have discovered to be against you in this relationship of yours, it is better you call it a day. Love is not something that you can force on an unwilling heart or people. There is a saying in Yoruba, though I don’t know your tribe. It says’ “Oju to ba ma bani kale, ki taro se ipin,”. which can be translated to mean “the morning shows the day.” Getting committed to any relationship demands learning to accommodate all shades of opinion.

9 January, 2016

intimacy

Saturday Tribune

With Bosede Ola-Samuel 08112658560 bosedeola_samuel@yahoo.com

STRICTLY FOR ADULTS

any women wonder why their husbands are still not satisfied despite all the sacrifices they make to make themselves available whenever they ask for it, and many men likewise are bothered why their wives still make excuses whenever they make sexual advances towards them despite their effort to satisfy them the last time they had it. The truth is, sex is more than ‘rising and sinking’ or ‘entering in and pouring out.’ I mean what gives a couple maximum pleasure and best satisfaction is more than entering into and coming out of the female vagina. For a couple to enjoy maximum sexual pleasure there are ways to go about it. This knowledge is what is lacking in many marriages and it is causing a lot of pains, heartaches, and great disappointment for couples. This is mostly the cause of infidelity among married people. Like a man responded to one of my past write-ups in this column, a lot of men in the middle age bracket are fast losing their wives to other men who have learnt and internalised the skills needed to give a woman sexual pleasure. Of course, this is also the reason why some men engage in extramarital affairs. Why the knowledge of sexual skill is lacking among couples is due to the fact that these skills are not inborn, but have to be acquired. They are not things that an individual is born with, but they have to be acquired through the process of learning, and from the experience gathered by couples in the very act of sexual intercourse. Of course, it is not easy to acquire these skills, just like learning other trades or studying to be an expert in any field of human endeavour is not easy. It requires commitment, patience, understanding, time, money and energy. This is why a lot of people find it difficult to acquire these skills. To some men, it is simply unnecessary and unimaginable to start learning the skills needed for maximum sexual pleasure. They simply believe they are naturally endowed at giving pleasure to women since they derive pleasure from the act. Thus, they don’t even get started at all, not to talk of improving on the skill. Whatever they have been able to pick up through sexual experience, or hearsay from friends and in public gatherings, are the bedrock of their sex life. No wonder they keep wondering why there are so many problems bedeviling them as married people. Without sexual satisfaction, the marriage will suffer more from other challenges of life the couple will face. Another thing we have to face in this part of the world is the fact that parents, religious organisations, to mention a few, do not have any formal method of educating their young ones about the act of sex. Like it has been rightly pointed out by many respondents of this column and at other fora of marital interaction, no father or mother ever sat down their offspring to teach them the skills for sexual satisfaction. Rather, they just believe that when they get to the bridge, they will get to cross it somehow. They expected them to learn the act of sex when they get married, after all, their own parents didn’t teach them whatever they now know. And the truth is, not many of our parents actually know what to teach us. To many of them, sex is as much a riddle to them as it is to us. They have as many unanswered questions as we have about it, and just as they are still able to get along somehow, they believe we also will get along in spite of whatever dissatisfaction we face. When I got married, my husband and I did not know any skill at all. All that we knew was just to lie on top of each other, and then do whatever ought to be done. To me in particular, sex was something every married couple must engage in whether they want it or not. The truth is, I wasn’t even told that I was meant to enjoy it anyway. So, I just made myself available for it, as much as possible, in order to fulfill my marital responsibility. And when I can, I just put up excuses to evade it. But we then discovered that there is more to this thing called sex than we knew. We discovered it was an act that must be learnt and mastered, if sex is to be what the Creator intended. Skills must be acquired for sex to give satisfaction. Of course, children were coming through whatever we were having as sex, and the joy of having those children filled in the gap for sexual

Understanding the place of sex in marriage pleasure. But, it could only last for awhile, after which, we became dissatisfied. At this junction, I must say that there is more to having sex with your spouse than having children. To the glory of God, I had my last baby almost 15 years ago, and today, my two children are out of our home, most of the time in school, and the two of us are home alone. So, if sex is just for procreation, I wonder what the two of us will be doing now. And if sex is still to me that ‘thing that must be endured’ I will by now be facing a lot of frustration. Skill s for sexual pleasure or satisfaction includes some of the following: 1. Understanding the most important sex organs of a man and a woman. For a woman, it is the mind, while

Without sexual satisfaction, the marriage will suffer more from other challenges of life the couple will face.

for the man it is the penis. These two must be worked upon and maintained if they will produce maximum satisfaction for the couple. 2. Every man must know what gives his woman maximum sexual pleasure. It is not just enough to rise and sink inside her; you must know the way to strike for the best effect. This comes from reading generally about the female’s sexual body composition and personally studying how your wife responds to each of the several things you do to her during sex. This must not be left to the men alone, women also must do the same. Body exploration for male and female must be learnt if the necessary satisfaction will be derived. 3. Get to try out different sex positions with your spouse to find out which one(s) will give sexual satisfaction to both of you. 4. Add romance to your day-to-day activity. Many men only remember they have a wife when they want sex. Romance must be part and parcel of your marriage. Do things you used to do before you got married: say nice things to each other, tickle each other, play with each other, go for a walk together from time to time, send love messages to each other, buy gifts for each other (not necessarily expensive things), etc. These are some of the things to acquire if sexual pleasure will be within your reach as married couple. In response to my readers’ request, I have packaged some of my previous articles into a book with the title: ENJOYING GREAT SEXLIFE. You can call me on 08112658560 for the book.

Saturday Tribune

9 January, 2016

With Aunty Yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com Compiled By Omotayo Fabusua And Dasola Smith

Would you like to have a food timetable at home?

Praise Olufemi, 10 yrs old, JSS 2 Yes, I would like to have a food timetable at home because it will help to maintain a balanced diet. And if permitted, I would remove beans and add plantain and egg.

Akinmusere Oluwaritan, 10yrs old, JSS 1 If I could be having a food timetable this year, I would not include macaroni but spaghetti because macaroni looks irritating. Although they are both carbohydrate, I feel more satisfied when I eat spaghetti.

Lasisi Feranmi, 11yrs old, JSS 3 I would like to have a food timetable because it would aid my eating a balanced diet. For example, if I take pap and moinmoin in the morning, amala with ewedu and fish in the afternoon and rice and beans at night, then I would have eaten a balanced diet in a day. When I eat these types of food daily, I would grow strong and my weight would also be in check.

Tiwaloluwa Ogunade, 8 yrs old, Pry 4 No, because I feel it is not necessary.

Dov Benet, 8yrs old, grade 3 I don’t want a food timetable because there are some foods I would like to eat but which my mum would not allow me to have. My mum always wants me to eat beans, which I do not like. I like noodles and eggs, pizza and Sawama. I enjoy eating rice, especially when it is prepared in a special way. These are the foods I would include in my food timetable this year if my mum insists on having one.

Adenuga Oluwatuntise , 10yrs old, JSS 1 I would not like to have a food timetable early in the year, reason being that I don’t want my mum to impose on me some food like amala. I don’t like taking amala but my mum forces me to take it because it was in my last year’s daily food timetable. Whenever I take amala, I feel nauseated because it doesn’t taste good to me. This year 2016, I would like to replace amala with pounded yam; the colour is white, it tastes nice and I’m always satisfied whenever I take it.

Idowu Beloved, 10 yrs old, JSS 2 Yes, I would love to have a food timetable at home because it would contain nutritious foods that would make my body look fresh. I would remove beans and add yam and egg.

Favour Oloma, 3yrs old, Nursery 1 I had a food timetable last year and I would want to maintain it. But I would like to remove food like porridge from the timeMarvelous Gbadamosi, table. I don’t like how porridge looks. This year I 10 yrs old, JSS 1 Yes, the beautiful thing would prefer yam and egg. about having a food timetable is that I would not start thinking of what to eat. I would like to add cereal to it and remove beans.

Kemi Gbadsmosi, 12 yrs old, JSS 2 I would like to have a food timetable at home because we would know what we are eating and at what time. This year, I will add yam pottage and vegetable and remove yam and egg.

Spot The Differences

Oluwajomiloju Momoh, 12 yrs old, JSS 2 No. I feel there are some delicacies out there that I don’t know yet which, when I get to know,will tamper with the timetable.

Get Inspired

—

Ayomide Olusegun, 8 yrs old, Pry 4 No, because sometimes my parents might not be able to afford the food listed on the timetable at the time I ought to have it. I would like to add noodles and egg and remove beans and plantain if permitted.

Edema Levi, 11yrs old, JSS1 Yes, I believe by having a food timetable, I would be able to eat the right food at the right time. I will remove eba and add starch with owo soup. Banga soup and spaghetti will be part of my favourite.

ke The children of Israel

A boy listened closely as his father read the Bible and said: ‘May I ask a question?’ ‘Sure. Go ahead. Ask your question,’ replied his father. ‘Well, the Bible says that the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, the children of Israel built the temple, the children of Israel did this and the children of Israel did that. Didn’t the grown-ups ever do anything?’

9 January, 2016

health&fitness By Blessing Ekum

Saturday Tribune Blessing Ekum

ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

‘Dr Google’ vs hospitals, who wins?

“Once I start feeling ill, the very first thing I do is to think back on what I may or may not have done to trigger the ill feeling. If I can’t trace it, I go first to the internet and Google the symptom I’m feeling. Of course, Google would generate thousands of responses. I usually go through the lists of diseases and study which one has symptoms similar to what I’m feeling. Depending on what disease Google suggests I have and how I feel, I then check for treatment and follow it. I haven’t had an emergency health situation or a very serious illness, but with the minor ones I have had such as headaches, stomach discomfort, menstrual pain, vomiting and other such ailments, Google has always been right for me. However, I won’t deny the fact that most of the time my first reaction upon reading some of these diagnoses is anxiety and fear because some of the diseases listed are names I have never heard before and some of them end up leading to death.” The above narration was shared with Saturday Tribune by 25-year-old Joy Samuel, a corps member. Interestingly, this experience is not unique to her and can easily be recounted among the younger and some of the older generation in today’s world. With technological explosion and easy access to the internet, information dissemination can rightly be said to be at its highest point in history. Today, with just a click, one has access to information that could easily shame the best physical libraries in the world. While this may seem exciting and an opportunity for one to grow in knowledge, in medical circles, it is increasingly becoming a source of concern. It is not uncommon in today’s world for individuals with ailments from the simple to the more complicated to consult the internet, especially the popular search engine ‘Google’, for diagnosis and sometimes treatment options for illnesses they perceive they may be suffering from. Given that access to the internet requires little or no financial implications, it is usually the go-to at the first sign of an illness and upon self-diagnosis, the user may decide to or not to visit the hospital. In fact, with handheld devices, all it takes is installing one of the very many available software applications that contain a list of diseases and conditions, symptom checkers, treatment options and possible steps for a cure. The way this works, the application requests users to list their symptoms and then, using methods such as multiple-choice checklists and free text entry, it collects the data and processes it. It then returns a list of potential illnesses that might cause the listed symptoms and suggests whether the patient should seek care immediately, visit a doctor or use self-care methods. Moreover, thousands of health sites litter the cyberspace and sometimes, some of these web pages contain lists of medications for certain illnesses and users self-medicate based on that information. What makes it worse in this

part of the world is the fact that one can have access to almost any over-thecounter medication without acquiring a doctor’s prescription. Though the idea of using the internet as an information resource may seem harmless and even a welcome technological breakthrough in the medical world, the fact remains that self-diagnosis from the internet can present grave consequences. According to Dr Clement Afo, a Lagos-based medical practitioner, “there is actually nothing wrong in gathering information about an ailment. The problem lies in trusting solely on the internet’s diagnosis. Whatever information one reads about an ailment on the internet is usually not detailed whether it is written by a doctor or not. There would always be some information that a live doctor would give you that the internet cannot provide, for instance, contraindications may not be given, the internet also doesn’t have the health history of the sick person so diagnosis and prescription may not be accurate for that particular person’s ailment. Though there are some sites that carry accurate information, much of what you read on some health websites is garbage. The worse part of it is self medicating based on drug prescription gotten off the internet. In my experience, I’ve discovered that some people that do that end up coming back to the hospital in worse forms.” Dr Paul Otu also adds that “Dr Google is a wonderful idea in medical practice all over the world but the drawback is

The worse part of it is self medicating based on drug prescription gotten off the internet. In my experience, I’ve discovered that some people that do that end up coming back to the hospital in worse forms.

that people are not aware that it has its limitations. There are actually some minor medical challenges that usually don’t require seeing a doctor. But for moderate to major illnesses, patients are advised to see a physician. But self medication is not encouraged. One of the major issues currently topping global worry is drug-resistant strains of organisms which has arisen out of antibiotic abuse. This is one of the consequences of self/Google therapy.” What then makes individuals choose Dr Google to their physician? “The cost and protocol involved in seeing a doctor is discouraging, so if the internet can provide information that can work, why won’t I go with it?” Where medical practitioners find it more distressing is when patients come to them armed with self-diagnosis and argue with them. “I’ve lost count of patients that come arguing with me about what they suffer based on diagnosis gotten from the internet, especially for malaria and typhoid fever and then cold and pneumonia. These patients argue with you and insist that they are right and should be prescribed medications based on their own internet-generated diagnosis. What I do is to not press the argument but prescribe what I know is right for them,” Dr Afo added. The psychological agony faced is another reason experts say Dr Google should not be trusted above a licensed practitioner. Mrs Tomisin Adeniji, a self-diagnosing businesswoman said, “The funny and sad thing is that when Google brings out the list of diseases, most people including myself, would rather believe we are suffering from the more complicated disease. An experience I had of late was when I was having some stomach discomfort. I went on Google and the likely causes listed included indigestion, constipation, food poisoning, ulcer, gallstones and appendicitis. I was already imagining all sorts of things. I had to call my doctor and after he saw me and asked some questions, he told me the stomach discomfort was most likely anxiety-induced. I was actually preparing for a major presentation at work and was stressed about it. But Google had given me so many other options that I had a hard time of believing the doctor’s diagnosis of ordinary anxiety.” Dr Irene Bassey, a medical practitioner with Orbitals Clinic, Ibadan, said “Some of the suggested diagnoses from the internet can be very alarming. Based on the symptoms you entered they are possible, but most are very unlikely to apply to you. That’s why it’s important that if at all you want to read from the internet, you must speak to your doctor before reaching any conclusions.”

16 healthandfitness

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Dr. Wale Okediran

I have very small breasts I am 16 years old. I have very small undeveloped breasts. I don’t feel like a woman. I wonder how I will breastfeed my kids in future. I envy other girls. Although I have started my menses, I still wonder if something is wrong with me? Can my breasts still grow? What can I do? Temisan (by SMS)

I recently commenced the use of shaving powder but I am concerned about its safety and effectiveness. Kindly help enlighten me. Thanks. Abu (by SMS)

Breasts like many body organs come in different sizes and shapes from one individual to the other, therefore, you don’t need to envy any other girl with bigger breasts. Even

Although many shaving powders are safe and effective, some people are still allergic to the powder. It will therefore be very important for you to first use a small amount of the powder on

waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

08055069356 (sms only)

Is shaving powder safe and effective?

though your breasts may appear very small now, they will be adequate to breastfeed your babies

Is pregnancy safe after an operation? MY wife recently had an operation for appendicitis. We are thinking of having another baby. Is this safe? Ambrose (by E Mail) Most surgical scars are usually strong enough to withstand the rigours of pregnancy and labour once the wounds are well healed. Your wife can therefore go ahead with the pregnancy without any cause for worry.

when the time comes because of the hormone of pregnancy which will make the breasts bigger.

a small portion of your skin before commencing full use of the remaining.

Should I cut my tonsils? I am a 40-year-old civil servant. I always have terrible attacks of sore throat. One of my friends advised that I cut my tonsil in order to get relief from the sore throat. Kindly advise me. Modupe (by SMS)

involved in the cutting of the tonsils are quacks

Sleep loss and heart disease Sleep deprivation increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Studies have found a link between shortened sleep and increased coronary artery calcification (calcium deposits), which is a good predictor of subsequent coronary artery disease (disease of the arteries that supply

who may endanger the lives of their clients.

Unless directed by a doctor, it is unnecessary and sometimes dangerous outright for anyone to cut his/her tonsils. Apart from the fact that cutting the tonsil usually plays no role in the treatment of sore throat, some of those

HIS is wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year. Despite all the predictions concerning this year, 2016 is a year where our possessions shall not be limited! As we go in the new year with new zeal for work let’s plan how to have adequate rest. Rest is the divine blessing which God bestowed upon His creation, particularly man. With permission from other readers from other faith to list few references in the bible that emphasize the importance of rest (Lev.25:2-4; Exo. 20:8-11; Ecc. 2:24). God almighty Himself rested on the seventh day after six days of creations. Kindly plan for work-free sabbatical leave and please do not monetise your annual leave. Leave appears to be a well-planned rest within the year but daily rest is of uttermost importance especially as it concerns your heart health. Adequate night sleeps make your heart healthy. Sleep duration has decreased 1.5 to 2 hours per night per person in the last 50 years. But several recent studies show links between shortened sleep duration, defined as less than six hours of sleep, and increased risk of heart disease. A review by European Heart Journal of 15 medical studies involving almost 475,000 people found that short sleepers had a 48% increased risk of developing or dying from coronary heart disease (CHD) in a seven to 25-year follow-up period and a 15% greater risk of developing or dying from stroke during this same time. Interestingly, long sleepers -- those who averaged nine or more hours a night -- also showed a 38% increased risk of developing or dying from CHD and a 65% increased risk of stroke. What this is telling us is that sleep deprivation and prolong sleep is not good for the heart. Adequate sleep is six hours a day!

This way, you will know if your skin is allergic or not to the powder.

Dr. Abiodun Adeoye adeoyemoshood@yahoo.com

08056564360, 08072000017 (sms only)

Benefits of adequate rest

the heart muscle. Blood pressure is expected to drop at night but in sleep deprivation this dip doesn’t take place thereby it heightens the risk for early morning stroke and heart attack. Lying in bed for hour is not synonymous with good sleep; try and zero your mind to have adequate sleep. How does good sleep help your heart? • Good quality sleep decreases the work of your heart, as blood pressure and heart rate go down at night.

• People who are sleep-deprived show less variability in their heart rate, meaning that instead of fluctuating normally, the heart rate usually stays elevated. That is not a good sign; only looks like heightened stress. • Lack of sleep can increase insulin resistance, a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease. • Adequate sleep can decrease CRP, or C-reactive protein, which is released with stress and inflammation. If your CRP is high, it’s a risk factor for cardiovascular and heart disease. • Shortened sleep also interferes with appetite regulation. So you may end up eating more or eating foods that are less healthy for your heart. Overeating leads to obesity and abnormal fat/cholesterol in the blood. This is risk for stroke and heart attack. • Adequate sleep improves memory as we get refreshed each day rather than crowed night. • Most importantly with adequate rest you live long to enjoy the fruit of your labour. God desires that a man should enjoy the labour of his hand. Our benevolent God sees it as evil when man labours and dies from lack of rest and someone else enjoys the fruit of his labour. I pray you will not labour in vain. As you say amen find a day in the week that you will rest, have adequate sleep and do not monetise your annual leave. Work target? Yes! Remember it is while we are there that they call for work; once one drops dead, that work continues! Once again, happy new year.

9 January, 2016

mediascope

Saturday Tribune WITH AKIN ADEWAKUN

akadewakun@yahoo.co.uk 08054683584

‘It’s suicidial to take the media for granted’ Sam-Loco Smith, a PhD holder in Mass Communication, is a Public and Media Relations with profound knowledge and years of shrewd and practical experience in using Public Relations and Media Relations for the collective good of the society and to solve organisational challenges. He recently handled the media aspect of the 70th birthday ceremony of Bishop Mike Okonkwo. He speaks with YEMISI AOFOLAJU on Public Relations practice in Nigeria.

T what point did you develop a strong relationship with the media? It all started many years back when I had my IT at the old Newswatch magazine under late Dele Giwa and then, Ray Ekpu. At that point, I got to know that the media was extremely influential. Aside from the traditional function of informing, educating and entertaining the society, the media is presumed to affect human perceptions and behaviours distinctively. The media also acts like the oil to the society, it functions as glue and at the same time the media can act like dynamite. As dynamite, it can be very constructive and as a tsunami, it can rip the society apart. It is this merit of the media that significantly contributed to the success story of the 2015 general election. To validate what I have said, the study on the reportage of the 2015 general election by International Press Council and NPC reveals that over 35,612 related news reports were monitored from national and regional newspapers in six months. On Ebola, about 10 and 15,000 newspaper reports were monitored. So you can see that without the media, the success recorded before, during and after the 2015 general election wouldn’t have been that impactful. Same applies to the Ebola case. It could, therefore, be said that the mass media is a key factor and partner in national development of any society. It could also be suicidal to ignore the influence of the media or take the media for granted. Personally, I consider the mass media, good public relations, and effective media relations like an air, oxygen, water and probably salt because they are like the pillar or fulcrum, every society revolves around. Can this be said to have informed your passion for public/media relations? Public Relations is a purposeful driven and strategic profession that can make the difference between life and death for an organisation, between profitability and loss or between success and failure or between positive and negative perception for either a corporate organisation or for an individual. In fact the difference between any successful or failed marriage is what could be termed good Public Relations. Public Relations can also be a conduit, managing communication, conducting research, defining and analysing problems and finding solutions and creating meaning, fostering communication among many groups in the society. PR is a strategic conversation and also an empirical discipline with wide-ranging field often misconceived. As water is important to every human being for survival, Public Relations in the same vein, is important to every corporate organisation, be it profitable or non-profitable. It could be a costly mistake with unimaginable consequences when PR advice or contributions are ignored or not involved in the corporate organisation policy, formulation, implementation, execution and evaluation. The truth is that we are where we are today because of the non involvement of PR, both at public and private levels, at policy formulation stages. So, the missing rib is PR. Unfortunately, government and most organisations in the private sector only turn to PR and the mass media at very critical moments. There is a whole lot PR can do for the improvement of the society and for corporate organisations’ reputational management. If public relations is that important and crucial as you have enumerated, why is it not being applied in

our polity vis-a-vis the state of the nation? There is a monumental degree of ignorance or misconception about what PR is all about. As a result, PR is not given its rightful place in the scheme of things or involved in policy formulation, execution/implementation and evaluation. So, the result is what you are seeing. Government at all levels needs PR for proper communication, information, assimilation and appreciation of the efforts of governments. Let me also say here that the PR profession is one of the few professions that offer short or long term prescription to the issues confronting other professions or disciplines. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari must have a well articulated public relations and media relations policy that would strategically power and communicate the merits and the purposes of every action or reaction of the government. Same thing applies to the ministers. This is very important because information is power, and a negative publicity could eventually give a picture of a negative perception of the government. So everything must be done to ensure that a bumper to bumper informative and educative strategic approach is put in place to carry the citizens along. How were you able to achieve the unprecedented media exposure of Bishop Mike Okonkwo at 70? I conceptualised the media exposure of Bishop Mike Okonkwo at 70 two years ago. I simply waited for a go-ahead which came last year when I was listed as member of the publicity committee. The media exposure actually was from July to August and we collapsed it into the first week of September,

The truth is that we are where we are today because of the non involvement of PR, both at public and private levels, at policy formulation stages. So, the missing rib is PR.

particularly September 6 which was the day he turned 70. On that day, we had seven newspaper magazine covers on the Bishop. This is aside from other special interviews that were published in August and September. In all, we had over 120 news stories on Bishop Okonkwo at 70. To achieve the feat, I simply applied the principles that govern the theories/models of Public Relations, advertising, publicity and integrated marketing communication (IMC). Secondly, we did a bit of juggling of PR diagnostic environmental scanning prescription strategies. With the combination of all these, we were able to give the 70th birthday of Bishop Okonkwo a good media exposure and visibility. Basically, what we did was to be passionate, committed and devoted to a cause. This is because we don’t have too many men of God that understand and appreciate the media like Dr Okonkwo. You are sounding academic? For you to achieve such degree of media exposure, you have to be well informed about the workings of the media and that of the media operators. In addition, you must have good human relations with operators of the media. It is not all about big budget, but a simple approach and God’s favour can do a lot. Secondly, a good understanding of the theories/models and principles of Public Relations, advertising, publicity and integrated marketing communication will also help you to perform better. How many activities of government agencies and departments do you read about in the newspapers? When you don’t communicate, you don’t inform and when you don’t inform, nobody understands what you are doing. As a result, a wrong perception is created in the minds of the general public and it takes many more years to erase a negative perception once it is formed. What must be done to mount an effective PR campaign? A campaign could either be in long or short term. To have an effective PR campaign, the goals, purposes/mission, objectives, strategies/policies, procedures/programme/budget and rules must be clearly stated, communicated, informed and understood for it to be effective. Secondly, you must also understand the purpose of PR, the tools of PR, the components of PR.

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

crimeandcourt

My wife has failed to give me happiness, man tells court I don’t want to leave my husband —Wife Stories by Ayomide Owonibi, Rukayat Olufemi and Oladipupo Opeyemi with Agency Reports

businessman, Mr Emmanuel Godwin, has prayed a Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, in Nasarawa State, to dissolve his marriage to his wife, Sarah over her disrespectful-

ness. Godwin told the court that his marriage with Sarah, contracted in 2014, has not produced any child. He also told the court that he tried his best to make his wife happy and make the marriage work, but his wife has not changed. “The reason for seeking divorce is to have peace of mind and also have happy times, but my wife does not give me that. “My wife and I always have misunderstanding and she never respects me as her husband, so why should I keep living with someone like that? “I am just tired of the union and I pray the court to grant my wish of divorce,’’ he added. The respondent, Sarah, denied the allegations and said that she was not ready to divorce her husband because she still loves him. “I was surprised when I got the court summon because he never told me anything that has to do with divorce. “I pray the court to give us more time to try and reconcile, I don’t want to lose my husband,” Sarah said. The judge, Mr Albert Maga, directed Sarah to visit her parents-in-law, along with her parents, for possible reconciliation. Maga adjourned the case till January 13, for the report of settlement or judgement.

My wife is troublesome, fetish,man tells court He has never slept with me overnight —Wife A dealer in auto spare part, Rasheed Adekola has asked a Grade C Customary Court, sitting at Agodi Gate Ibadan, Oyo State to dissolve his four-year-old marriage to his wife Tawa, for allegedly being troublesome and fetish. Adekola claimed he had previously been married but that his former wife bore him no children, adding that Tawa has made him a father of one. “I courted her for a long time before I put her in the family way. She had been married before and had two children from her first marriage. Immediately she got pregnant, I rented a room for her at the Olodo area of Ibadan,” he said. He added that upon getting accommodation for Tawa, a lot of problems set in. “She was always hostile anytime I visited her and I reported this to her mum about three occasions but there have been no changes,” he told the court. Adekola also said Tawa always picked quarrel with her neighbours and was fond of tearing their clothes to shreds. The height of the assault, according to Adekola’s claim in court was when he went to the hospital to seek remedy to a bleeding ailment.

“For five days, she didn’t see me and I told her all I went through on account of bleeding. Rather than pity me, she told me I had seen nothing yet and tore my clothes into pieces. She later came to beg me in company with her friends, just because she needed me to sign a loan form of which I am her guarantor,” he said. Adekola also stated that he stumbled on a black soap and calabash inside Tawa’s room suggesting that she was indulging in fetish ways. However, the defendant, Tawa, objected to the divorce because she was tired of changing husbands. Tawa, who sells body creams at the Ogunpa market in Ibadan, told the court that she wondered why her husband would make such accusations against her. “I do whatever he commands, I don’t fight anybody. Rather, it is he who fights with me any time I ask him to take me to his family members. Moreover, as a husband, he has never slept with me overnight. However, I beg everybody seated here in court to help me beg him for forgiveness,’’ said Tawa. At this point, president of the court, Alhaji Amusa Makinde urged both parties to maintain calm in the interest of their child while adjourning the case till January 13.

I wasn’t gang raped; I agreed to have sex with them, 16-yr-old tells police A 16-year-old Junior High School student shocked parents and police officers at Akyem Tafo District Police Command in Ghana when she openly admitted that she consciously allowed two Senior High School students to have sexual intercourse with her in a room. According to Ghana’s Daily Heritage newspaper, she also denied the parents’ allegation of being gang raped by the students. Three second cycle students of the Institute of Professional Studies at Akyem Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region were arrested by the Kukurantumi Police for allegedly gang-raping the 16- year-old Junior High School student. The suspects were arrested late last year, but were later granted police enquiry bail after the shocking revelation by the victim. The Daily Heritage gathered that the parents of the victim reported to the police that the three suspects had gangraped the victim after holding her hostage for days. Police investigations led to the arrest of the suspects who were trapped by the victim to spend the night with her again. The suspects were kept in police custody for further investigations for prosecution to begin; however, during interrogation by the Criminal Investigations Department in the presence of the family of the victims, the victim explained that, one of the suspects was her boyfriend so after evening studies, she decided to pass the

‘She threatened to hide cocaine in my house’ A middle-aged trader, Musiliu Alonge has pleaded with a Grade C customary court in Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State to end his four-year- old marriage to his wife, Justina, over what Musiliu described as persistent quarrel and threats to life. Alonge said he had a traditional wedding with Justina, who was not in court and that the union has produced a child. Moreover, he informed the court that Justina had had three children from a previous marriage. ‘‘We always have issues over money. Whenever we have enough foodstuffs, I give her and our one and a half yearold kid the sum of N500 but she always insisted on N1, 000 despite knowing how hard my financial condition is. ‘‘She warns me that if I try anything funny with her, she would break bottles on my head, hide cocaine in my house and call the police to arrest me. I reported her to her family members who advised that I should leave home whenever she started her troubles, but she would block my way and prevent me from going out,’’ he told the court Alonge also told the court that on two occasions, he collected loans from a co-operative society on the defendant’s behalf, but that Justina was unwilling to refund the money to the society. ‘‘My lord, I don’t want to go on with this marriage,’’ Musiliu pleaded with the court President of the court, Mr Amusa Makinde adjourned the case for two weeks, in the hope that Justina will make an appearance during the next sitting.

Saturday Tribune

Nigerian arrested for stabbing landlord to death in Ghana

‘Please, help me force him to collect the dowry he paid over me’ A 29-year-old woman has asked an Igando customary court in Lagos State to dissolve her union of four months over allegations of constant battery. Perpetual Ezenwa asked the court to end her relationship to Charles Ezenwa, claiming that the man started beating her less than four days after paying her dowry. Perpetual said she married Charles after dating him for less than two months and now seeks divorce over what the she tagged domestic violence. “We got married after courting for less than two months. Before I married him, I had started noticing his behaviour but when I told my father he said I should not leave him that he would change after our marriage. “I believed he said that because they are from the same village in Imo State and being the first daughter of my parents, they wanted me to marry on time. But he kept becoming worse and I’ve decided to leave after four months of our marriage. Four days after the payment of my dowry and our traditional marriage, he started beating me on flimsy excuses. He beats me with turning sticks. One of those days he beat me severely all because I received a text message from

a friend and the message only reads, “good day madam, how is your weekend?” “This was what Charles saw that day and he nearly killed me. Come to think of it, this same man that has been beating me is having an affair with the fiancée of one of our neighbours. He was caught one day, and I got to know about it. I told my father all that happened but he would only tell me to endure it. “When I couldn’t bear it again, I moved to my parents’ house and I have asked Charles to come and get his dowry back according to our tradition so that I can marry another man, but he has refused to collect it saying he would allow me to suffer because he knew I can’t marry another man unless he collects the dowry and that I would grow old in my father’s house,” she told the court. She pleaded with the court to force him to collect back his dowry. Charles was, however, not in court to say his side of the story, so the court’s president, Adegboyega Omilola, who sat over the case sent a court order to him and the case was adjourned till February 8.

A 27-year-old Nigerian has been arrested by the Kotobabi Police in Ghana for stabbing his landlord to death for trying to stop him from using their bath house, Ghana’s Daily Guide has reported. The deceased, identified as Paul Goka, 23, landlord of a compound house occupied by over 10 tenants at Alajo, according to information, confronted the suspect, John Collins Alabi, 27, for openly having his bath in a demolished bathroom after all tenants were warned to use the public shower. This led to a disagreement between the landlord and his tenant, which led to John stabbing him in the stomach. Paul Goka was pronounced dead on arrival at the 37 Military Hospital where he was referred to seek proper medical attention. The body has since been transferred to the Police Hospital morgue for autopsy. Confirming the arrest to Daily Guide, ACP Nuhu Jango, the Nima Divisional Police Commander said the incident occurred at Alajo, an Accra suburb, on January 2, 2016 but the suspect was finally arrested around Nima Roundabout on January 5, 2016. Around 7:30pm on January 2, 2016, John Collins Alabi first reported to the Kotobabi Police that his landlord, Paul Goka (now deceased), had inflicted knife wounds on his right fourth finger. He was subsequently given a medical form to go to the hospital for treatment. Around 9:30pm same day, one Vincent Dzramado also stormed the station to report that John Collins Alabi had stabbed his brother, Paul Goka, in the stomach with a knife. He said Goka was rushed to the Maamobi Polyclinic for

medical attention and was referred to the 37 Military Hospital for proper medical attention but died on arrival. When police visited the house of John Collins, he was not in the house. Around 10am on January 5, 2016, police arrested John Collins around the Nima Roundabout. While in custody, it came to light through investigations that the deceased was stabbed during an argument over a demolished bathroom. Information gathered indicated that suspect John Collins, who is one of the tenants living in a wooden structure apartment belonging to the deceased, was seen that Saturday evening bathing in a demolished bathroom inside the house by the landlord and this resulted in a heated argument. The house used to have a bathhouse but the brother of the landlord, identified only as Ezekiel, demolished it because some of the tenants were defecating in it. The landlord, after the bathroom was pulled down, then told all tenants to use the public bathhouse. The suspect, who claimed he had no money to use the public bathroom, went to have his shower where the old bathroom was located. The landlord saw him and confronted him but it turned into a heated argument. Collins, who claimed he had lived in the house for the past one year, upon hearing the news that his landlord had died, left the house to another location. Upon his arrest, he admitted the offence and will be sent to court for prosecution.

night in his room which he shares with his friends. The victim admitted consciously having sexual intercourse twice with the boyfriend and once with his boyfriend’s friend in the absence of the boyfriend since she fell in love with him (friend to her boyfriend). The victim, however, denied having sexual intercourse with the third suspect during police interrogation. The Akyem Tafo District Police Commander, DSP Agyenim Boateng, told The Daily Heritage that, the victim even though admitted having sexual intercourse with the two suspects, was not forced, hence, rendering the “ingredient of rape negligible to substantiate because it clearly appears to be a sexual intercourse which was consented to by the parties involved, therefore, it would be unreasonable to continuously detain the suspects.” The police, thus, granted the suspects police enquiry bail with surety, while the docket is being prepared to the Attorney General’s office for advice.

Teachers arrested for defiling pupils Two Junior High School (JHS) teachers at Kasoa in the Central Region of Ghana have been arrested by the police for separately defiling two of their pupils. The Daily Guide of Ghana reported that the suspects are 27-year-old Information Technology (IT) teacher, Abdul Wahab-Bin Abubakar, of the Lord’s Shine International School at Kasoa who reportedly defiled a 14-year-old pupil of the said school and a 22-year-old Religious and Moral Education (RME) teacher, Michael Adjei, of Ideal Academy Preparatory School, at Ngleshie Amanfrom Top Town, who reportedly defiled a 15-year-old pupil of the school. Briefing the media about the arrests, the Kasoa DOVVSU Commander, DSP Florence Annaman, said suspect Adjei impregnated his 15-year-old victim after he allegedly had forced sex with her at his residence on a Sunday night during light-out in the area. She said the victim had earlier turned down the teacher’s love proposal. DSP Annaman narrated that after the girl had got pregnant and realised that her mother had detected it, she (victim) became afraid and ran away from the house, She said a report was lodged to the police about the sudden disappearance of the girl and a day later, she (victim) was seen by a certain man who knew the family and brought (victim) home and upon interrogation the victim confessed that she had gone to do an abortion. She said the mother of the victim took her to a health facility the next day after realising that all was not well with her daughter. The police officer indicated that at the hospital, it was revealed that all the foetus did not come out after the abortion hence her sickness. DSP Annaman stated that the victim was queried and in the process she confessed that she had been defiled by her teacher, Michael Adjei. According to her, the suspects were arrested after the reports and that they are being processed for court, giving the assurance that the law shall take its course.

9 January, 2016

voxpop

Saturday Tribune With Kate Ani

08071080888

anikate92@yahoo.com

What can make you

dump him/her? Unconditional love is a virtue in relationships but when the chips are down, tolerance has its limitation. KATE ANI samples opinions and discovers likely reason(s) partners call it quits with their lovers.

I knew this guy that was too handsome, too neat, he dressed too well, and his lips were too pink, he drove a very hot car, he was too sexy, too exposed. He reminded me of Lucifer and I thought to myself ‘get behind me, I need something real!

Tobiloba Ayeni can’t stand a lady that talks too much. I once left a lady because of that trait. Whenever I took her out and bumped into a friend, I would say a silent prayer for her to just say ‘hi’ and keep quiet. She would keep rattling and interfering.

Sumbo Oyewo My relationship red flag is when he gets angry at every slightest provocation. It is natural to get angry at a point in time but if he always gets angry and fumes at an honest mistake, be very careful. A guy that flares up easily at any instance has 100 percent chances of hitting his woman. Once I notice that in a guy, I would immediately put an end to it. Daniel Adelowo I can’t stand a woman with a smelly armpit and smelly private parts. I am a very neat man and I take notice of women’s personal hygiene before cementing the relationship. Funmilola Ogunwemimo I can’t stand a guy that smokes. I can’t even touch him with a ten foot pole, not to talk of dating him. Also, I can’t stand a guy that regularly complains of being broke. I am not materialistic but at least, he has to take care of some of my basic needs, it’s not everything that I would ask my parents.

Gbenga Babs I can’t stand a girl whose phone is always ringing. It gives me the impression that she is a runs girl, unless she is a business woman. Micheal Akaoru I can’t stand a lady that doesn’t know how to cook. I am a foodie, if she can’t cook, she

can’t stand a chance of being my girl! Ezekiel Bassey If I really love her, there is no behaviour that can make me call it quits. There is no perfect human being, we are all managing ourselves. If I start to tell you behavioral traits that I detest, I am sure my woman

would also list lots of annoying behavioral traits about me. Sunday Duku I detest lousiness; I like a lady that is reserved. If she is a talkative and friends with everyone, it puts me off. Anjela K I don’t like guys that are too smooth. When I mean too smooth, I mean too neat, too handsome, too clever, too sexy, dresses too well, too romantic and too understanding. I knew this guy that was too handsome, too neat, he dressed too well, and his lips were too pink, he drove a very hot car, he was too sexy, too exposed. He reminded me of Lucifer and I thought to myself, ‘get behind me, I need something real!

Sumbo

Gbenga

Funmi

David Ogbu I can’t stand a lady with messed up teeth! She must have a good dentition and with fresh breath. Isioma Onoh I can’t stand a guy that is obsessed with sex and lacks self control.

Sunday

Olamide

Isioma

Olamide Oshinyimika I don’t seem to like guys that have this mentality that without them, there is no life. I mean guys that are too full of themselves and who think they have the final say in a relationship. I also hate guys who are not faithful, considerate, caring and above all, who are not good looking.

9 January, 2016

From left, head trainer, Disoe Global Nigeria Limited, Mr Anthony Omeike; Mr Opeyemi Adesokan; Mr Adebayo Olaifa; Honourable Jacob Akinola and Honourable Silas Atilola, during a training organised by the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (smedan) in Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency, Eruwa, Oyo State, recently.

Ace broadcaster, Mr Smollette Shittu-Alamu cutting his 65th birthday cake, assisted by his wife, Adeola at a ceremony held in Osogbo, Osun State.

Saturday Tribune With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

Engineer and Mrs. Stephen Adeniyi, MD/CEO, Abbyeh Nigeria Limited, third and fourth from left respectively, chief host, with the president of the Family Club of Ogbomoso, Mr. Sunday Adegbite (centre), Chief Sunday Adegbite (second left) and other members of the club at the new year celebration, held at Papa Olukoko, Ogbomoso, recently.

National president of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Alhaji Kamalddin Akintunde and his wife, Khadijah, during their Nikkah ceremony, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently.

nigeria’s most informative newspaper

10 JANUARY, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

n200

life&living

We carry oga’s concubines, suffer traffic palava

The CEO, Pavilion, Mr Victor Oni, supported by his wife, Abimbola, recently organised a birthday bash for their son, David, flanked by his sister, Oluwadamilola, at a ceremony held in Osogbo, Osun State.

Strange things Lagos cab drivers do to survive newsfeature

Mum had 4 sets of twins, now he has triplets after 3 kids Venerable M.K. Dairo and Captain Mother Senior Prophetess A. O. Dairo, minister in charge and founder/prophetess, Holy Church of Christ Worldwide, at the 30th Founder’s Day anniversary of Holy Church of Christ C&S, Ayo Orisun, New Garage, Ibadan.

Director of Information and Public Relations, Oyo State Housing Corporation, Pastor Moses Olugbade Olopade (third left), congratulating his son, Sunday Oluwaseyi Olopade who recently graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. With them, from left are Pastor and Mrs Joshua Iyanda, Elder David Kunle Olopade and Mrs K.A. Adetoyinbo.

glamour

My ideal man must be

thepolity

Governor tall, dark, Amosun: intelligent Security should and eloquent not be left in — Allwell Ademola, the hands of FG Justice Ademola’s alone granddaughter Plus news, sports, fashion... and more! Book your copy

For bookings, contact ’Laolu Afolabi on 08054681741 or Tommy Adegbite on 08116954631

9 January, 2016

HE Greek god called Janus, after which our month of beginning, January is named, was apparently on the rampage in Oyo State between the last days of December and the first few days of January. The god Saturn, you will recall, had bestowed on Janus that gift of double face to reflect on the past of the previous year and at the same time, stand at the threshold of a new year. Janus’ January depicts a period of deep reflection when people look back at the year behind, bemoaning its unfulfilled promises and looking forward to a new one. The English poet, John Keats’ elastic reading of the double face of Janus seems apropos here when he said, by living your life and at the same time mindful of the uncertainties of life, you are Janus of some sorts. Sorry, I digressed into ancient mythology. Oyo State had quaked between late December and early January over a needless tiff between the state government and the Olubadan in Council. The subject of the disagreement was the promotion of nine chiefs to the line of the ancient monarchy, two of whom were identified sworn political enemies of the governor, Abiola Ajimobi, to wit Rashidi Ladoja and Lekan Balogun. By demanding from them certificates of clearance by security agencies and of health fitness, the state government was perceived to be playing Janus by overtly seeking process and order while covertly, it was standing in judgement against its helmsman’s political foes. But even if Janus was the preference of the state government, by implication, what it demanded from the chiefs seems in the interest of the Ibadan monarchy and by extension, the people. The Olubadan stool has been under periodic criticisms by those who perceive it as being too simplistic and devoid of the rigors that go with traditional chieftaincy. It follows a predictable route of promotion at the passing of each of the chiefs, so that there is no contest on who is who on the chain of hierarchy. The advantages of the monarchical and kingship system in Ibadanland are many, one of which is that the bitter quarrel, graft and bribes,

Saturday Tribune

Saturday With

ayinla mukaiba ayinlamukaiba@yahoo.com

Olubadan: Janus goes on the rampage in Oyo killings that most times go with traditional chieftaincy in other parts of the country are alien to the Ibadan system. It is also democratic because virtually all families in the ancient town can ascend the royal office. The system also gives untrammeled power to the Olubadan who can sanction the chiefs at will. However, its major shortcoming is that it throws up senescent monarchs. In those days when all that was needed was the wisdom of old age, when there was so much veneration of grizzled hair, Ibadan stood tall among its neighbours as always producing Olubadans who were revered for their well-advanced ages which signified wisdom. It is a truism that except Oba Yesufu Kobiowu, who was less than 60 years of age at his ascension and who, paradoxically reigned for only six months in 1964, virtually all Olubadans are usually octogenarians. Today, that same strong point is a major weakness. Very seldom does Ibadan produce an Olubadan who hasn’t aged greatly. Like in all human beings, at that point, the man becomes feeble, prone to diverse ailments and is waiting for his creator to ring the bell of passage. You can imagine how blessed Ibadan would have been if the late Chief Omowale Kuye, ex-Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and graduate, London School of Economics, had become the Olubadan immediately he retired. He died on the queue to become the Olubadan. This writer was a guest of Mogaji Dosu Bankole, a walking encyclopedia of Ibadanland, a few weeks ago and he dwelled on the person of the current Olubadan. “Oga was my boss in the then Western Region. He was a strict disciplinarian, a diligent man whose subordinates held with awe and respect. He was a manager of men and resources,” he said. No doubt, Ibadan would have benefitted more if the current Olubadan, who had been on the royal queue since 1972, had ascended the throne at a less-older age.

This perhaps was one of the reasons why Governor Ajimobi flung the spatula to straighten the mix. Indeed, the interrogation of the Olubadan monarchy didn’t start with the Ajimobi government. Prior to the ascendancy of the 39th Olubadan, Oba Yinusa Oladoja Ogundipe, Arapasowu 1, this same question came to the fore. The then government sought medical fitness for Ogundipe. At the end of the day, Ibadan queued behind Arapasowu, maintaining that denying him the stool would pollute the rivers of peace it had nurtured for over a century. The quake that followed Ajimobi’s demand for security clearance and health certificate from the chiefs was so immense; from Facebook, to Oranyan, Labo and the crannies of the ancient city. If you take a critical look at it, you will discover that it was a ventilation of the bottled emotions of post-election acrimonies. One thing it however proves is that you can only underrate Ibadan people and their unity of purpose to your detriment. Ibadan would need to convoke a sub-national conference to decide on whether it should continue to be at the crossroads of modernity and ancient tradition that poet Gabriel Okara painted in his ‘Piano and Drums’. It certainly cannot eat its cake and have it simultaneously. It cannot hold on to its peaceful monarchical transition and at the same time covet the trendy, modern Obas in its surrounding, like the current 40-year old Ooni of Ife. There is much more development that the latter can bring to his domain than the former. This perhaps was Ajimobi’s beef and sermon. Unfortunately, they were mired in politics and bile.

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: saturdaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com or call:07030004233

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

newsfeature

godi-gate in Ibadan is a very popular location that is always filled with the hustle and bustle of large scale commercial activities, including a high level of human and vehicular movement as the area is the home of the largest automobile spare parts market in Oyo State. It is, however, home to many registered government institutions like the seat of power; the government house, the post office, the state secretariat of the National Youth Service Corps scheme, the immigration office and the secretariat of one of the largest local governments in Oyo State, the Ibadan North Local Government secretariat and a primary health care centre. These are not the only government establishments around this area though. A walk through the main entrance of the spare part markets reveals a barricade manned by uniformed officers; this barricade is the entrance to what is seen as a fiveblock compound with buildings painted in cream and green colour. The main block which looks like an office is a storey building, spotting a green gate which, unlike in other establishments, is always under lock and key. The compound is so quiet and few people are seen around and there is nothing around that reflects the activities that go on behind the doors or any sign to inform people that such an organisation exists around the area except a small green signpost that is placed on one side of the main road and is more often than not overlooked by many since it is in front of some shops where colourful display of wares makes it almost invisible. The compound itself is neat with an overstated simplicity, though the condition inside may be a different

I will say that indeed there is congestion in our prisons. But not only in Agodi prisons, there is congestion in all prisons across Nigeria.

The culture of congestion and Nigerian prisons The Nigeria Prisons Service and its facilities across the country, over time, have found it difficult to fulfill their civic responsibilities due to an over bloated population that stretches its resources and funding beyond capabilities. YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE reports. experience. The silence, once one veers off the commercial bustle, is a sharp contrast to what obtains few feet away; it is so different that it makes this compound look like an alien in the midst of humans. Welcome to the Agodi prisons, a facility that houses 936 inmates at present, a figure that is about 600 higher than what it was originally built to accommodate and adequately cater for. Like all other prison facilities around the country, the Agodi prisons is grossly overpopulated and out of the 936 inmates that are at present being remanded, few have been convicted with the greater percentage of the inmates falling under the awaiting trial category with no hope of getting out anytime soon as their trials have not even commenced or have stalled before the various courts. Out of the 936 inmates in Agodi prisons, awaiting trial males are 824, awaiting trial females are eight, convicted male inmates are 95, convicted female inmates are two and those sentenced to life imprisonment are seven. The confirmation that overpopulation is a major challenge that prison authorities have been living with for a long time was given by a Deputy Comptroller in the Nigeria Prison Service. DCP Olufemi Ogunyadi, the comptroller in charge of Agodi Prisons confirmed that there is the issue of overpopu-

lation in prisons across Nigeria, adding that as some inmates are released, more are brought in for remand, taking over the space of those released. “I will say that indeed there is congestion in our prisons. But not only in Agodi prisons, there is congestion in all prisons across Nigeria. Sometime early in November, 2015, the Chief Judge of Oyo State came to set some inmates free, at that time; we had 1045 inmates while our capacity is 390. “The Chief Judge comes monthly to set some inmates free as part of the decongestion exercise but as some are set free, more are remanded by the courts. We have 940 now and though the decongestion efforts of the Chief Judge is beneficial, what I believe would bring results is for our courts to grant bails in bailable offences because it is the awaiting trial inmates that congest the prisons. “Granting bails to people that commit bailable offences will be a more effective process in decongesting the prisons,” DCP Ogunyadi said. Prisons all over the world are set up by law to provide restraint and custody of individuals accused or convicted for crimes by the state. And in Nigeria, the prison system is based on the same set of principles; it follows the British system of punishment and deterrence where inmates are kept to correct

them for eventual release and to help integrate them back into the society. The Nigeria Prison Service is empowered by CAP 366, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, which charges it to take into lawful custody people ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction to be remanded and to produce such in court at all indicated periods, to identify the causes of anti-social or deviant behaviours then set in motion mechanisms for their treatment; train inmates for eventual reintegration into society as law abiding citizens on discharge; administer prisons farms and industries for this purpose and generate revenue for the government. But in this, the prison has failed. Unlike the prisons in developed countries, the Nigeria Prison Service is an agency where the average offender becomes a monster in a facility not fit for human habitation. The condition of the Nigerian prison has made it fail in its statutory duties of reforming those who pass through its gates and to protect the society from convicted felons. It has also failed in keeping in safe custody; persons legally sentenced to jail or reform them to become law-abiding citizens. In fact, over time, it has been established by rights activists that the prison is a great violator of the fundamental human rights of citizens in its care. There is a general belief that rather than reform inmates, the prison breeds them into monsters and hardened criminals who have no regard for human life or the rule of law by making them go through horrifying and degrading experiences while many suffer punishments that greatly exceed the crimes they committed. Most prison inmates in Nigeria are said to undergo physical, psychological and emotional trauma due to the squalid physical and uncaring environment of the prison facilities. In fact, a recent report by Amnesty International indicates that more than three of every five prison inmates in Nigeria have not been convicted of any offence and are just wasting away as awaiting trial inmates. The percentage of people awaiting trials in Nigerian Prisons exceeds greatly the number of people already convicted and facilities that are already deficient are overstretched even beyond breaking point.

Saturday Tribune

Prisons overcrowding is at present, the major challenge facing the Nigeria Prison Service, and it has been established that many of the inmates congesting the prison are awaiting trial for offences with provision for bail (bailable offences). It is the belief in some quarters that prison congestion is a problem in Nigeria because there is a reckless disregard for the provisions of the law especially Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution that states that “a person shall be tried within two months from the date of his detention,”, the indiscretion of judges and magistrates handling some of the offences and the common trend of giving stringent bail conditions among members of the bench. In the Agodi prisons, the authorities are faced with the tedious assignment of making life easy for so many inmates with majority going through diverse health issues. The prison is characterised by diverse inmates standing trial for similar offences and most often, once the suspects are arraigned, they are dumped in the prison and forgotten there. An example of such in the Agodi prisons is a group of 14 bankers that are standing trial in a matter instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of being culpable in an N8 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) scam. They were originally 20 picked from various banks across Nigeria but five were granted bail while the rest were denied bail for various reasons ranging for inadequate documentation before the court to restraint in order to stop them from tampering with investigations. At present, they have spent eight months behind bars without trial and 11 out of the 14 are already facing various health challenges and are already a liability to the prison authorities as they take them in and out of clinics almost on a daily basis. A visit by Saturday Tribune to the Agodi Prisons afforded it the opportunity to talk to some of the inmates, especially the bankers whose health condition is presently giving the authorities sleepless nights. In their explanations, they claimed that they believe they deserve bail since four of them had been granted bail and are back to their duty posts. In his explanation, one of the suspects, Tope Akintade stated that before the matter started in October 2014, most of them had left the banks where they were working while those that were still in the employ of the banks had been transferred from the branch and departments. According to him, the EFCC had invited them to its office for questioning and had given them administrative bail, asking them to report monthly, adding that none of them had jumped bail until they were handpicked by operatives of the EFCC and arraigned on June 2, 2015 before being remanded in prison. Those that spoke with Saturday Tribune stated that all they need is to be granted bail so that they can have a chance to get medical treatment and have time to live their lives while trial is on or in the alternative, a speedy trial so that they won’t die before their case will be settled in court. The matter of some of the awaiting trial inmates at the Agodi prisons, including those of the bankers, especially the sick ones, had earlier been taken on by a nongovernmental organisation that offers pro bono services in prison in a bid to help them get bail and medical treatment. A coalition of human rights lawyers, the Forum for Equity and Justice (FEJ), had raised the alarm over what it described as the worsening health condition of majority of the suspects remanded at the Agodi Prisons in Ibadan, Oyo State, asking that those that need medical attention be granted bail pending their trial since the offence is a bailable one. FEJ had in an open letter titled, ‘Suspects deserve bail pending trial’, signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Akpoki, stated that most of the suspects are praying for a speedy trial to save them from possible untimely deaths and urged the Presidency, the national Assembly and the judiciary to show concern over the predicament of the suspects as only five out of 20 had been granted bail and some of the affected inmates have life threatening ailments like high blood pressure while one is suffering from a hole in his heart. Away from the Agodi prisons, there was another case in Lagos a while back. Hamani Tidjani was an alleged notorious armed robber but he had been in detention for 10 years and had partial stroke. He deserved medical attention but the prison was not well equipped or funded enough for him to get the required treatment; what he got couldn’t sustain his life, so he died in Kirikiri prisons of stroke. It had been said that any inmate that develops a medical emergency in many of Nigeria’s prisons has little chances of surviving as some prison facilities, especially in Kirikiri shuts down after 9 pm and no one can open the door even in emergencies because the keys may be with someone outside the premises of the prison at that particular period.

Speaking on the issue, a lawyer, Honourable Femi Kehinde stated that it is important that the government takes the issue of prison decongestion seriously because most inmates that are awaiting trial are suffering from some health conditions, adding that most of them started getting sick when they got into prison. He added that the resources of the prison have been stretched thin and prison authorities find it difficult to adequately care for its huge population. “The prison is given 200 naira daily for each inmate, this sum covers feeding, health and even transportation to courts. How can this be managed for the multitude? That is why most inmates are not enjoying good health, there is a need for drastic action because these people may start dying off one after the other and of what importance is a dead suspect in a criminal matter?” Speaking on the need to follow the rule of law in the war against corruption, a lawyer, Olatunde Abegunde of Pinnacle Chambers said, “It is true that our administration of justice system has its own problems. A situation where criminal matters drag on in our courts for eight to ten years is not good for the war against corruption. Tardiness in investigative process which results in weak evidence that cannot sustain a conviction is another problem. “However, no matter how imperfect our system is, no matter how heinous the crimes committed, no matter how disgusted we are as citizens of this great country about those who have plundered our treasury and betrayed our trust, rule of law must be strictly observed in trying them. No argument would jell for denying them the right to be granted bail while they are being tried. Granting bail to an accused person is in consonance with the Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In COMPTROLLER OF NIGERIAN PRIONS V DR. FEMI ADEKANYE & 26 ORS (1999)10 NWLR (PT.623), the Court of Appeal per Oguntade JCA (as he then was) had this to say “…it needs to be borne in mind that even when efforts are made to curb crimes in society only civilised method should be employed…A law that does not discriminate in the award of punishment between the guilty and the innocent is a modern-day anachronism. No nation should tolerate it…” “The danger inherent in demonising the grant of bail by our courts is far-reaching in a nation where people are framed up for an offence they may not be guilty of at the end of the trial which can last for several years.” Since the major challenge of the prison service in Nigeria is overpopulation, then, there is a need for stakeholders to speak louder and audibly on the issue of decongestion of the prisons and reformation of the entire system and not just make political statements to suit occasions. A lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Professor Nnamdi Aduba, once said that Nigerian prisons are characterised by overcrowding, poor staff morale, inadequate funding, need for new rights for prisoners, right to food, clean environment and human dignity and need for other alternatives to imprisonment, adding that it was beyond doubt that when more than 60 per cent of the total prison admissions were awaiting trial, it is an indication that the administration of criminal justice must be faulty and imprisonment has been overused as a means of punishment, calling for alternatives to imprisonment. To move beyond this issue in order to make the reformation, rehabilitation and restoration agenda of the prison effective, there is a need to champion prisoners’ rights in its totality; right to decent food, a hygienic and healthy environment with good toilet facilities, access to medical facilities, a conducive sleep environment. According to Aduba, crowding of inmates like sardines and animals meant for slaughter is a disgrace to humanity as incarceration should not be a route to the death chamber and prisoners should have a right not to be assaulted by either fellow inmates or prison officers. “The point must be made that time has come when our government should be made to realise that confinement in prison is in itself a punishment, inflicting further punishment by way of inhuman conditions in penal institutions is cruel, especially when it is realised that keeping these inmates are expensive in terms of cost. The side effects are devastating, so a conscious effort should be made to enact acceptable alternatives like suspended, and partly, suspended sentences, community service orders, and the generous use of a parole system, especially for non-violent offenders,” he said. Other analysts agree that to decongest the prisons, there is a dire need to speed up criminal justice and review the rules as congestion lies on the large number of inmates awaiting trial. Also, bail should not be withheld in bailable offences in order to allow the efforts of the prison authorities yield better fruit through catering for an adequate number of inmates.

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

views.com FG’s N5,000 for youths and matters arising they can be placed on salary. For government to just be giving out N5000.00 monthly will be a waste of fund. Nigerians being what we are, half of any fund allocated to each local government may not get to the hands of the unemployed; some people must have been waiting for this money to fill up their pockets.

By Dele Faseru

NE of the Federal Government’s policies is to be paying N5,000 to youths every month. I have no doubt these unemployed youths include graduates who might have served their country under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, but who are unemployed. But in the course of service these are the same youths that enjoyed a substantial amount monthly, now, how would they be happy taking N5,000 monthly? Nigeria is a blessed country; we have more than enough if our leaders are not wasteful and corrupt. Corruption is not limited to a political party or parties. It is a question of anybody having an opportunity to hold an appointment. It even extends to our clergymen and/or head of our mosques. As I said earlier, Nigeria has enough money to go round if our resources are well managed to create employment opportunities for our youths. Now that it is crazy to depend on oil only, we have to diversify into other sectors like solid minerals, particularly agriculture, which we depended upon before oil. During [the Shehu] Shagari administration, the Green Revolution was introduced to address the problem of unemployment, food insecurity and create wealth for these youths. But it was not well managed; politicians thought that the money — loaned out by banks — was cheap money and the banks failed to recover it. The Shagari government went as far as supplying engines to mill rice, but some communities

were ignorant and introduced politics into it, saying “it was Shagari’s engine” and failed to make use of them. What the Federal Government needs to do now is to get experts to carry out a sort of survey all over Nigeria in order to know what each community can produce. Large area of land could be acquired in each local government and with all the unemployed bought together for some weeks training on the job. After the training,

Revenue mobilisation and physical commission It is this commission that fixes salaries. This commission should be directed to cut the salaries and allowances of our politicians. In the second year of their tenures, the salaries should be reduced by 40 percent. There are allowances that must be scrapped. These include wardrobe allowances and some others that have no bearing. If all these monies are put together, small scale industries could be established by government. Alternatively, government could give loans to individuals to build small scale industries that can engage our unemployed youths. Our state governors too must think of the thousands of youths who, after graduating from universities, have nothing to do. They should cut their security votes to a reasonable level, so that such surplus could be invested in agriculture. Some, if not all our governors, are reckless. They are interested in buying Prado jeeps for their aides. If one runs into the convoy of the Head of State of Israel, one would not know the difference between the Head of State and his aides; the convoy is not as endless as that of his Nigerian counterpart. High Chief Dele Faseru is the Saba of Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State.

AAUA brand in the eyes of Okebukola, Adesina Debo Ikuesewo - Akinbami “I have found that Adekunle Ajasin University is a stable, upwardly mobile university with tremendous potentials to be one of the best in the world.” The quoted above belongs to Peter Okebukola, the eminent Professor of Science Education and celebrated egghead who typified a builder and a stabiliser of enduring structures as the scribe of the National Universities Commission (NUC). He added this: “I have come across the products of Adekunle Ajasin University around the world; they are very sober, well-behaved, disciplined and well-schooled in their disciplines of training.” Okebukola’s words aptly describe the story and the current status of Adekunle Ajasin University. In her 16 steady years of existence, and in the face of dire challenges, the types that tie her kind to the trudging, Adekunle Ajasin university, Nigeria’s reigning best state university defied a lean beginning and put on a huge weight as a consequential institution and it is fast burgeoning as Africa’s centre of academic excellence. The young Nigerian university, all along, has been busy building a rich history, writing distinct story, of creativity, of devotion to distinction and of abiding resolve to affect humanity differently. Unsung, it has been making modest contributions to knowledge and building minds in a manner unusual around here, telling her story by its practice and products. In practice, Adekunle Ajasin University does the charge of an ivory tower with utmost sobriety and finesse, first by attracting the best minds to itself through inflexible commitment to merit-driven admission, then, by carefully moulding the young minds as champions in various spheres, instilling progressive intellectualism and relevant entrepreneurial skills, absorbing her best

to birth a bold brand, prioritising quality irrespective, and giving vent to excellence and sustaining academic integrity as a matter of culture. As credence, the NUC named it Nigeria’s best state university in 2005. The United States Transparent International Standards (USTIS), in its 2014 Survey’s report identified it as Nigeria’s Best State University 2013. In her short existence, Adekunle Ajasin University has traversed the academic world in the superlatives producing worthy continental medallists, an Olympic athlete, best candidates nationally in the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria examinations in 2009 and 2010, overall best student at the year’s Bar Examination among other golden feats. The university’s landmarks sure draw intellectual and entrepreneurial giants to it. These milestones must have spurred Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of African Development Bank, foremost reformer and 21st century farm manager, to stoutly identify with this university. He (Adesina) saw the successes of the university as a direct product of her sterling leadership. He believed that the university has been largely lucky with the crop of personalities that have steered its affairs. He saw the enormous abilities that her staff carry. He saw the communal cooperation and commitment to excellence. He saw the zeal and zest for the best in her students. These two distinguished Nigerians are convinced that AAUA is on a sustainable path. And as thoroughbred intellectuals who are qualified to smell standards from a distance, they didn’t fail to do so. These legendary Africans measured Adekunle Ajasin University and scored it high. They praised the green, clean and serene environment that makes teaching and learning a pleasure; the natural and architectural aesthetics that make the campus imposing, the decent and disciplined student population, the qualified and committed workforce. All these

traits tell the tale of an excellence-driven university in peculiar ways. Similar to the stance of these illustrious scholars was the impressions of the Visitor to the university and governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, CON. For him, Adekunle Ajasin University represents the face of excellent academic standard that his government preaches. According to him, the university has all it takes – proprietor’s (Ondo State Government’s) support, dynamic leadership, personnel, policies, students and resources – to surpass its present position as the nation’s Best State University and become Nigeria’s best. Governor Mimiko charged the university on the way forward: “Adekunle Ajasin University has the potential for global relevance. I, therefore, challenge this university not only to move from being the best state university to best university in Nigeria, but to also embark on ground-breaking researches, climb the global webometric ranking and produce Nobel Laureates. “If it was possible for this university to emerge as best state university twice in 14 years, produce best students nationally in the Nigerian Institute of Bankers Examination in 2009 and 2010 respectively, produce the best law student at the Nigerian Law School Final Bar Examination in 2014, win Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games and represent Nigeria in the 2012 Olympic Games, then ruling the world in research and winning the Nobel Prize are attainable.” Governor Mimiko’s assurances and charge to the University and the portrayal given of the university by the two distinguished academics will serve as a roadmap, a target and a motivation for the university to be where it should be in the years ahead. Ikuesewo-Akinbami writes from Akungba Akoko.

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

style

Throw some stylish shade with the trending

#QuaySunglasses

Saturday Tribune

With Kate Ani 08071080888 anikate92@yahoo.com

Style fix: Easy ways to remove armpit\deodorant stains

Tinuola Ayanniyi tayanniyi@yahoo.com 08055069379

Do-It-Yourself:

Button-ring

Materials Button, ring base, nippers, strong hold glue.

Use your nippers to remove the shank from the back of the button.

Add the ring base to the back of the button.

he youngest of the Kardashian clan, Kylie Jenner, started this stylish statement eyewear trend and it has since grown to become a must-have acces-

sory. This chic embellished sunglass has also found its way to the Nigerian fashion scene as the likes of Nollywood actress, Ebube Nwagbo, on-air Personality, Toke Makinwa, talk show host, Michelle Dede and socialite, Jummai Shabba have been spotted rocking and flaunting them all over Instagram. The most exciting thing about this sunglass is that whether your face is round, oval, heartshaped, or square, there’s a pair of shades suitable for everyone. This women’s quirky over-sized eyewear is best worn with casuals or when going to the beach. However, be careful around water as these sunglasses are not waterproof. Also, don’t wear them on top of your head as it weakens the joints and disfigures.

When your crisp white shirt or dress starts yellowing around the collar or under the arms — don’t fret. Removing those unsightly stains is easier than you think with the help of natural ingredients that will leave the clothing looking fresh. What you’ll need: • 1 cup vinegar • 1/2 cup baking soda • 1 tablespoon salt • 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide Directions: • To attack the discoloration, soak the shirt in a bowl filled with the vinegar and add two cups of warm water. Soak for at least 20 minutes. • Mix the baking soda, salt, and hydrogen peroxide together until it forms a paste. Remove the shirt from the vinegar water and gently squeeze until the shirt is damp. Lay flat on a towel-covered surface and coat the stains with the mixture. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural whitening agent, while baking soda and salt would work together to lift the stain. • Let sit for at least 20 minutes and voilà! Now you can raise your arms proudly without worrying about flashing nasty stains.

Apply a healthy amount of glue to the back of the button and allow time to dry.

9 January, 2016

outofthisworld

Saturday Tribune With femi osinusi

osfem2@yahoo.com 08055069292

The unusual

president

NITED States president, Barack Obama, is, without doubt, the most powerful person on earth based on his position. He wields enomours power not only as the United States president, but also what many have described as being the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;policeman of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. But beyond all the power of the president lies the other funny, witty relaxed and sometimes emotional side of him. He does not mind sometimes to have moments with the children of his staff who he always invites to his Oval Office just to have fun. Below are some very relaxed moments of the president.

The president on the floor in his office playing with the child of one of his staff.

Obama playing basketball with his staff at the White House basketball court.

Still in love!

The president is human after all, in tears at an event.

Time to go a-fishing.

He had to climb over 1,048 wooden steps to relax at the 1,200-foot mountain.

28 interview

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Why I have refrained from speaking on the Buhari administration —Labaran Maku Former Minister of Information and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the last governorship election in Nasarawa State, Labaran‎ Maku, in this interview, speaks of his battle to have his alleged stolen mandate restored and other national issues. CHRISTIAN OKEKE brings excerpts.

OU have stood your ground against the outcome of the last governorship election in your state, Nasarawa, in which you were a candidate. What is your grouse against that election and how is your legal journey to have the outcome upturned? I want to sincerely thank the media for standing with us in upturning the robbery of the seat of the governor of Nasarawa State. The robbery was committed on the 12th of April, 2015. It was after the election of the 11th, when the results were coming in on the 12th that some people sat down and insisted that they would not see me rule Nasarawa State and they went ahead and wrote a different result and announced to the public. Like I have always said, the result of the election in Nasarawa has never been announced. What was announced was a fake result that was composed and written by a gang of people who parade themselves as democrats. I have promised to pursue the case of this stolen mandate from station to station until they dropped our mandate. I am a democrat; I believe in the due process. I believe that as a leader, I cannot pursue my interest outside the law. No matter how bad the judicial process might be, I have no way of fighting for anything outside the judicial process, outside the due process. Our democracy must be such that nobody, no Nigerian, should be prevented from assuming any leadership position in this country when the people have given him or her confidence. What happened in Nasarawa State between April 11 and April 13 was worse than June 12. I have been fighting for civil rights since my university days. When I was in the university, I was one of the student leaders in this country that stuck out their necks and took risks under the military regime to fight for this democracy. We put our lives on the line to fight for this democracy. We were one of those that were being haunted by the military juntas during that time. So, it is sad for me to say that having fought for this democracy at the risk of my life, having escaped jail by a whisker, having lost my job in Champion newspaper as political editor because of my stance on June 12 and my writings at that time, that in my little Nasarawa State, I will now suffer at the hands of a clique that vowed that in this state, some people will rule, some people will not rule, purely on ethno-religious reasons. I am a patriot. I believe in the unity of Nigeria. I believe that this country is the greatest gift that God has given Africa. I believe that since ancient Egypt, black Africans don’t have yet another political entity like Nigeria that can project the interest of Africa all over the world. Anybody that studies my life from my university days through journalism and my writings, right down to where I have been in different political positions in this country knows that I am a stickler for national unity. I come from a mixed family. My family head is a Muslim. We are mixed. We have no problem with each other. Every campaign I go, he is the one that sits by me. And I know that in Nasarawa State, the masses rejected religious division because contrary to the expectations of this clique, I won election in most unlikely places where they instigated ethnic problems. I do not believe in Nigeria divided along religious and ethnic lines but there are forces which are still taking Nigeria back. That is why we continue going forward and moving backwards. We can’t run a country like that. This is a huge

will just sit down and suppress due process and the rights of the people. This is exactly the situation. So, I have headed to the Supreme Court. Our notices of appeal have been filed by my lawyers and I am praying that in the coming weeks that, after the Supreme Court of Nigeria must have received all the records of the proceedings from the Appeal Court in Makurdi, we will be able to go through this process and that finally, our mandate will be recovered so that we can sit down with our people and plan the future of our state.

heterogeneous country. We must be moving forward. That is what we want. So, in this dispensation, what I am asking for is justice in Nasarawa State. What is the situation regarding your electoral petition? At what stage are you now? I am still struggling. I have now headed to the Supreme Court which is the last court of jurisdiction. I have gone there with my case, with my appeal, praying and hoping that this time around, justice will be done. The Supreme Court is the last hope of the common man. It is the only place now where the hope of voters in Nasarawa State rests. What prayers are you saying before the Supreme Court? We are asking for justice. APGA is asking for justice in Nasarawa State. I am asking for justice. The voters in Nasarawa State are asking for justice. The women and youths of Nasarawa State are asking for justice. The elders, the people are asking for justice because what happened there is unacceptable in any country. It is unacceptable in every civilised society. It is unacceptable in any part of the world. Our country cannot be different. We must run a society that brings people together, not where a few people

I don’t want to comment on that now. I have left the PDP. The party is now an opposition party. Since I can’t speak on a ruling party, there is no reason I should on a party that has lost power. In the end, you still need opposition for democracy to survive.

The courts have thrown away your case on two occasions, what are you going to present differently before the Supreme Court? We are bewildered. I have been very careful about outlandish condemnations since this process is still on but what I will say is that we are not happy with what has happened so far and our lack of happiness is not with our legal team, it is with the judicial process itself. It is with the courts, the tribunal and the appeal court because our brief at the tribunal was given out to very senior people, including judges, in addition to my legal team, and I know the comments they made and even on the subsequent judgements. So, something is funny. Something is wrong somewhere, certainly not with my legal team but something is definitely wrong somewhere, but the process is still on. We saw in the past where people lost at lower tribunals and got it at the apex court, so, I am worried about the process, at least concerning this case because it is one case that has exceptional history and everybody knows what has happened. Your state is on the verge of getting an airport, what is your thought on this project? We heard that Governor Almakura announced an airport project of about N17 billion, which is to be constructed in his village, Kwandere, in Lafia Local Government Area. Nobody is saying that Nasarawa does not deserve an airport, but under the present economic circumstances, you ask yourself, as a matter of priority, what should come first? What we are hearing today is that, maybe, because Almakura now finds it difficult to travel round Nasarawa State, he feels that if he has an airport in his village, any time he is coming or going out, he doesn’t need to follow any part of Nasarawa State again. We don’t want to use N17 billion to do an airport at this time because there are higher needs on the ground that have not been met. Go to Makurdi airport, how many commercial flights are operating there now? Benue is a more established state with better infrastructure than Nasarawa but if you go there today, make an inquiry even here with the Nigerian aviation management agencies, you will find that Makurdi airport is virtually not commercially viable. Hardly does any commercial flight go to Makurdi. Even Jos is limping; if you have one or two flights in a week, you are lucky. Same thing with Bauchi. Even established cities with functional economic activities that can make people move, and with elites that have some capacity to travel by air, their airports are not viable at the moment. I believe this is just an opportunity to loot the state. This airport project is a huge crime against our people. Everybody has cried out against it. Why will you at this time when people can barely survive use N17 billion to build an airport in your village when all parts of the state Continues pg39

9 January, 2016

ntertainment

Saturday Tribune with Joan Omionawele and

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

I missed class attendance at My fans complain when I act ‘good mother’ roles —Patience Ozokwor

p31

Why I have been off the entertainment scene —Daddy Showkey p32

Unilag for music —Koker

>>pg33

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

‘I try my best to keep my kids off social media’ Continues from pg2

booked’? Yes, this room is totally booked, I tell them I am a married woman who is blessed with kids… Or would they want to buy a bus filled with passengers? I’m married, have kids and I have no reason to look out. But there are some men who don’t mind. Yes, some men will tell you they are married as well, so what is the big deal, if one wants to stay out of scandals, they look away, but if you want to throw caution to the wind, it is okay. But I try my best to be good. You are a versatile actress, how many languages do you speak? I speak Yoruba, English, a bit of Igbo, and I speak Liberian English fluently. If you were to work with an international artiste, who would you pick? I would love to work with Denzel Washington and a whole lot of them, then I also have so many actresses I would love to work with…

I will not dispute the fact that I don’t have admirers, it is just normal for a woman to have admirers, but I try to tell my admirers that the room is booked.

Why Denzel Washington….. He is hotter than fire….

are rather untrue but when they become stories are blown out of proportion, so it is not as if I have any trick or routine, but I have just been living my life.

Which Nigerian actor have you enjoyed working with most? I have worked with a lot of them and they are all amazing. I have to be diplomatic here.

AS a popular actress, you are not that active on the social media why is this so? I have got my hands full at home. My two kids are enough to get me preoccupied. They need my attention , so where will I get the time for social media? I love to go online, though to follow the trend and read about issues. Most of your colleagues flaunt their kids on the social media, why don’t you try this? I do my best possible to keep them off social media and the hullabaloo of the industry. My son doesn’t really like it, my daughter doesn’t mind you putting her on the social media. If my children were to be here with me, you may find my daughter sitting beside me but you would not find my son because he doesn’t like the social media or the publicity it brings and I respect that once they get old enough, they can choose whatever they prefer to do. You are a beautiful actress, how do you handle your admirers? I will not dispute the fact that I have admirers, it is just normal for a woman to have admirers, but I try to tell my admirers that the room is booked and they should try the next one. How do you mean ‘the

room is

What are you up to at the moment? I have some movies I am featuring in now, we have Oju Apa and a lot of other movies. Do you reject roles? Yes, I do , especially when they clash with a job I am already working on and sometimes on monetary terms. I try not to turn scripts down if they aren’t what I want, I tell the producer to balance the script. I don’t believe that there is a bad script, you take some things out, and add some things to make it good. With a million dollar, will you act nude? No, I won’t. I’m an African woman. How does your husband react when you act romantic roles? Sometimes, he would say, “why did you kiss like that? That was so fake, if you are being professional, if you have chosen this career, do it and do it right’’. So he supports you being an actress? Yes, he does.

32 entertainment

Nollywood will overtake Bollywood in earnings by 2030 —UN chief

Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry, will grow in leaps and bounds in the coming years, says a United Nations official recently. Carlos Lopez, the executive secretary of the UN’s Economic Commission for Africa, when asked in an interview with Mail & Guardian Africa’s Editor Charles where Nollywood was headed by 2030, said that he was optimistic that the industry wiould grow in earnings and overtake the world’s biggest movie industry Bollywood in 2030. Speaking on how big the industry will be in 2030, he said: “Creative industries are already huge in Africa and I bet, it could match agriculture in value. However this is due to low agricultural productivity, the lowest in the world and the fact that creative industries are being propelled by new communication technologies. Africans and their diaspora demonstrate daily the richness and universal appeal of their forms of artistic and cultural expression. If we update national accounts through rebasing, like Nigeria and many others did, we will continue to be surprised about the exponential value growth. Nollywood will expand to become more African and less Nigerian, overtaking Indians Bollywood in earnings, when demand for entertainment content will explode thanks to internet and television universal coverage in less than a decade”.

ICM to prioritise entertainment, others in 2016

9 January, 2016

My fans complain when I act ‘good mother’ roles —Nollywood actress, Patience Ozokwor Stories by Joan Omionawele and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

eteran actress, Patience Ozokwor popularly known as Mama G, has said that typecasting as a bad women has become a signature of her career. Mama G told Yes Magazine in a recent interview that her fans complain when she takes on roles that portray her as a good woman or mother, stating that producers and fans have made a stoic character out of her over the years. She explained that she had initial reservations concerning her typecast, but became comfortable when fans began to ap-

preciate her ingenuity in her roles. “Just like some people are known for stunts, romance, bad boys and girls, gigolo and so on, I have that (bad roles) as my strong point,” she said. “It was when I was coming up

that I thought I might get hurt or be hated for playing those roles but I never knew it was going to even make me popular and loved. The roles I play most times are very vibrant and make people want to watch all my movies. Even if I

Saturday Tribune play the role of a good woman now my fans will start complaining, you understand? And if your fans start complaining that they don’t want you in a particular role, it makes the producers want to give me those bad woman roles the more,” she said. She also noted that she does not make demands for the bad roles she acts but she works based on the script she is given to interpret. “I don’t ask for it, they just give it to me and if the script I get has something new and my fans are anxious of what the role is going to be like, I can make it different from what I used to do. It is not easy to play bad roles at all times. Ask any actor around they will tell you it’s not easy to cry and shout on set at the same time when it isn’t your normal self. It is not an easy task at all,” she added

Why I have been off entertainment scene —Daddy Showkey Veteran Nigerian Galala singer, John Asiemo, popularly known as Daddy Showkey, has revealed the reason for his absence from the music scene since the late 1990s. The Ajegunje-bred singer told Hiptv in an interview that he abandoned music because of the incessant threats to his life. The Ghetto lord recalled how he had repeatedly escaped assassination and co-ordinated autocrashes due to his strides in the music industry. Daddy Showkey, however,

Ikeja City Mall (ICM), landlord of Shoprite and retail shops in Alausa, Lagos has revealed its commitment to give priority to entertainment and two other goals in 2016. Mr Eniola Ositelu, the marketing manager, ICM made the disclosure to Saturday Tribune during the recently concluded Christmas Week at the mall, stating the company’s drive to invest in three main goals, namely entertainment, leisure and shopping. Eniola said the company will be re-strategising some of its old initiatives on entertainment and leisure in order to meet the needs of families and women in the new year. “Our plan will be to make Ikeja City Mall the choice destination for entertainment, leisure and shopping. These goals have always been our priorities, but we will be fine-tuning them in 2016. All activities, especially during the festive periods, will revolve around The seventh edition of these three elements and in TECNO Own the Stage, turn on families and mothers, which was hosted by Vimwho have been component bai Mutinhiri and Uti parts of our success. And we Nwachukwu had all the will continue to reward loyal excitement and fanfare customers,” he said. associated with a ChristIkeja City Mall during the mas edition. Yuletide celebration, played However, for conteshost to a number of prime tants Nandy, Yubu, Raentertainers during its Christmar254 and Mary it was an mas Week party. A list artistes episode of mixed feelings, such as Phyno, Wande Coal, as they all got evicted! Olamide, among others headBut the judges left no lined the ICM Christmas Week stone unturned as Bien, party sponsored by MTV Base. Yemi Alade and M.I. atOther programmes that attempted to serenade the tracted massive turn out durlive audience and viewers ing the Christmas season inwith their rendition of cluded the Christmas Carol led ‘Silent Night’, as Sikin’s by MTN Project Fame season performance of ‘Santa 4 finalist, Isaac Geralds, and Baby’, a song originally Nickelodeon sponsored Ninja sung by Eartha Kitt back Turtles performance for kids in 1953 was also renat the mall. dered. The song eventuEniola says, “we will conally impressed M.I. who tinue to do this and more in described the Kenyan’s the new year.” performance as “smoul-

assured that his tribulation days were over as he plans to return to mainstream music again. “I left the music industry,” Daddy Showkey recalled, “after I had a terrible accident and injured my spinal cord. I then went abroad to work on it. After I returned, I had to go back again for further treatment. As soon as I fully recovered and ready to hit the music scene again, assassins were after me. “They came to my house to kill me but couldn’t find me at home and ended up killing another person

instead. “As if that wasn’t enough, they still trailed me to a filling station and shot me. So you see, it has been from one battle to another, but I’m fully back to take over the centre stage,” he reassured. Part of his motivation for returning to music, Daddy Showkey added, was his recent endorsement deal with paid channel provider, Gotv as its brand ambassador. The endorsement deal was signed at the MultiChoice head office in Lagos early in December last year.

Contestants battle for $25,000 star prize on Tecno Own the Stage Episode 7

dering hot and beautiful.” Sikin’s brilliant rendition was followed by another fabulous performance by Pascal, who sang ‘Mistletoe’. At the end of the performance, Bien described Pascal’s rendition of Justin Bieber’s 2011 hit as the Kenyan’s “first true perfor-

mance” of the contest. One of the contestants, Tosin, who performed ‘Drummer Boy’ for the first time in a long while, received plaudits from Yemi Alade who had over the past couple of episodes been unimpressed with the Nigerian.

But for other contestants, Mary and Yubu, it wasn’t much of a great night. The judges were left unimpressed by Mary’s rendition of ‘Silent Night’ and Yubu, for the first time since the commencement of the karaoke contest, failed to hit the bull’s eye with the judges.

Zooccu’s rendition of the classic White Christmas was nothing like the best she could give, but she still impressed the judges with the efforts. Shaapera stole the night with her rendition of ‘We Three Kings of Orient are’, a song written as far back ago as 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins. The last contestant to take to the stage was Nandy, who nervously performed Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas’. And just like her fellow Tanzanian, Zooccu, it was also Nandy’s first time of performing a Christmas song. Even though it was the season to be merry and jolly, somebody had to go home. Thus, Nandy, Yubu, Ramar254 and Mary were all shortlisted for eviction by the judges. The tension came to a climax when Bien announced that all four of them had been evicted from the show.

33 entertainment

Iclass missed attendance at Unilag for music

Olayiwola Kokumo, aka Koker, is a new artiste signed on to Chocolate City Record label. In this interview with Newton-Ray Ukwuoma, he talks about his deal with the record label, his childhood years, among other issues. Excerpts.

ell us the story about your journey into the music industry? One day during the long break after secondary school I just told my mum that I wanted to do music. And to my surprisingly, she said ‘Okay’. There was a studio around our house called Punchline Music. She said,’Let’s go there and see how you can even learn the basics production’. incidentally, later that day news came that my name was on the admission list for University of Lagos. Music was put on temporary hold. You know how parents are! My mother said, ‘You have to go to school. Don’t worry, you will come back to do your music’. But somehow the fire of music had been ignited in me. I graduated from the University of Lagos, Department of Creative Arts. My course gave me the opportunity to do music. There was a time we did the song “Unilag Boy”, that was when the Federal Government wanted to change the University of Lagos into Moshood Abiola University of Lagos (MAULAG). That song was very big on campus at the time. It had the highest download on Hulk share, a large viewing on Youtube. I did the song with Jigsaw and Kikstar. It was big.

I think everybody has what in local parlance is called selling point. From my looks, dressing, my sound, I’m trying to carve a separate identity for myself. I’m constantly working on a unique brand for myself.

And I’ve been trying to build my name since then. I stabbed classes for music. When did Chocolate City come in? While on campus, I recorded a song with Pryce. I did the hook for Eleto. I was always coming to Chocolate City to record. Pryce and I shot a video for the song. The song did well in the market. Gradually, I became part of the family. I started working with everybody, coming to the office often. It still wasn’t office. So I decided to use the contact I had to push myself. There’s this unreleased song titled Vanity. I sent it to one of the graphic guys in Chocolate City for him to do an artwork for me. I wanted to push the song. The next day I got a call from him. He had been playing the song all night. I didn’t know he played it for the promotion guy and the C.E.O., who played it to everybody. So I started getting phone calls from Chocolate City. Months passed before M. I. called me to do the hook for Rich. I did the chorus for Rich on M.I’s album. When everyone in the office heard the song, the interest grew. After they listened to about 40 of my songs, the entire crew was impressed. They said they wanted to work with me and the rest is history. Would you say you have finally arrived? Not at all! Arrived? Where? Which airport? I have not arrived. I’m just starting. In fact, this is the beginning of work for me. Most upcoming artistes believe when you have a

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

label you are sorted, but it’s just the beginning of work.This is another phase entirely. Arrived? No. How do you intend to make yourself different from your colleagues? I think everybody has what in local parlance is called selling point. From my looks, dressing, my sound, I’m trying to carve a separate identity for myself. I’m constantly working on a unique brand for myself. It’s a gradual process. Over -time, it will grow. So how do you feel when people compare you to Brymo? The perception on the street is that as Jo-el of Kennis Music is seen as a replacement of 2face so Koker is a replacement of Brymo. This is the perception on the street. The only reason why this conversation is happening right now is because in the whole circle I’m the only one who sings in Yoruba. You see, in this life people will always compare you to somebody. It’s not a bad thing. Brymo is a super talented artiste. If you are being compared to somebody like that then it shows that you’re doing well. I don’t disregard the fact that every man is entitled to his own opinion. The truth is that I am running my race. Would you in future have any collaboration with any fuji artiste? If they call me now, I will pick oh. Who would want it to be and why? Not for any special reason but for my sound. I am open to working with people that display versatility. I have worked with Falz. I have worked with M.I. If I could work with these people why can’t I work with a Pasuma for instance? Your song with Falz “Gerrarahere” tilts towards comedy can you say if you can do comedy skits? I studied Creative Arts, so acting is a part of me already; so if I get called for a role that I have to play, no problem as long as I get paid. What is your selling point? As I said earlier, my sound and my image. How have you been coping with female fans ever since your single, ‘Do Something’? Women are awesome people. You need to understand that without women you cannot do anything in this world. What is the craziest thing a female fan has done to you? Nothing yet, because as a street boy whenever I am on stage I always “kaku” [stay observant]. I’ve been getting so much love from my female fans, even the guys too; so, it is all about love. And it depends on how you handle it. For instance, if a female fan says she loves you for your music, she reallyloves you for your music. You don’t have to take it the extra mile. It’s all love. Do you have a girlfriend? No. I don’t have a girlfriend yet. Why don’t you have a girlfriend? M y brothe r , right now I want to focus on my music.

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

with Tunde Ayanda ayandaayotunde@yahoo.com 08034649018

Obafemi Martins parties Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins, is a man that understands the importance of relaxation and this he achieves whenever he is in Nigeria. The player, who currently laces boot for the Seattle Sounders in the United States, had a wonderful period in Lagos during the Christmas and New Year festivities. Obafemi was spotted in different A-list hangouts touching back on the scene he had left for some time. The footballer, who cruised all over the city in flashy cars, has a unique style as he moves alone and hardly attracts attention at any event he attended.

Lanre Ogunlesi celebrates

40 years of love Owner of Sophisticat Fashion House in Lagos, Lanre Ogunlesi is celebrating a rare achievement. The man, who is a prominent member of a family synonymous with fashion and

style, is celebrating 40 years of his marriage to his wife, Modupe. The celebrity couple, who are popular on the social scene, have been together for 40 years and are happy to share the ingredi-

ents that spice their successful union. The couple complement each other in appearance, intelligence and other social habits, while their friendship is a course known to many of their friends and families.

Orji Kalu’s renewed interest Former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, has a project that tops all his other interests for the year. The politician, who has huge invest-

Wasiu Ayinde draws plans for the year Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, is setting the stage early for a bus iness year and the activities of 201 6. The leader of the pack in his genre of music has unveiled the plans to release his new album this month. The upcoming album, which the fuji exponent holds dear to his heart, is titled, Let The Music Flow , which he plans to release befo re the end of January. As part of his plans to strengthen his business, the musician also introduced a new publicist to his fans and admirers. The new publicist, who takes over from K1’s former manager, Perc y Ademokun, is Esther Akinwande, a 28-year-old graduate of Media, Culture and Communications from the New York University, United States, who has been handlin g some aspects of the foreign tour s of the musician.

ments in the media with the ownership of the Sun newspaper and the Telegraph, is mapping out plans to revive his airline, Slok. The aviation company ran into bad weather some years ago and was shut down in what many think was an outcome of Kalu’s confrontation with the Federal Government. The revoked licence is said to have been given back to the politician by the aviation authority, while he plots the return of the airline. Those in the know claim the billionaire has been in talks with a reputable company that manufactures commercial aircraft.

Michael Umoru celebrates Michael Umoru of Gidi Groove Entertainment recently celebrated his birthday. His friends used his special day to stage the Gidi Groove VIP Nights, which turned out to be an interesting six-hour fun voyage at the luxury hangout, Vapours in Lagos. Spotted at the event were the likes of American actor, Idris Elba, P-Square, Genevieve Nnaji, D’Banj and other celebrities, who are friends and associates of the Gidi Groove boss. Umoru revealed his plans to make the VIP Nights a monthly affair, where fun lovers all over the country can hang out and enjoy the nightlife of Lagos.

35 feature

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Oil prices have hit a 10-year low. They’re not going to stay there With demand still growing and output finally shrinking, today’s cheap oil could nearly triple in price in coming years.

By Keith Johnson (foreignpolicy.com)

EVER mind roiling tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the Islamic State’s continued assault on Libyan oil infrastructure, or North Korea’s purported detonation of a hydrogen bomb. Crude prices hit their lowest levels in more than a decade on Wednesday, plunging through a rotted floor and falling more than 5 percent in trading in New York and London to about $34 a barrel — culminating a dizzying crash from heights of more than $100 a barrel in the summer of 2014. Which makes for an odd time to start worrying about all the things that threaten to drive oil prices sharply higher. Yet that’s exactly what many in the industry are starting to do. The current oversupply of oil, which is keeping prices low, is also setting the stage for oil’s own rebound. The U.S. shale boom, which has gushed more than 4 million barrels of oil a day onto global markets, is fizzling, with U.S. production this year set to shrink for the first time since the bonanza began. Investment across the global oil industry is in free-fall like it hasn’t been for 30 years, which makes it harder to keep today’s wells pumping and puts tomorrow’s projects on ice. Global demand for oil, meanwhile, is still growing, if not quite as fast as last year’s heated pace. In other words, an oil market that currently looks ridiculously glutted is poised to tighten up dramatically later this year and could send oil prices back to the triple digits with all sorts of nasty consequences for a still-wheezing global economy. “Nobody is more bearish than we are in the short term, and nobody is more bullish than we are for 2018, 2019, and beyond,” said Robert McNally, president of the Rapidan Group, an energy consultancy. The cocktail of shrinking supply and rising demand, coupled with the kinds of geopolitical shocks that these days pass unnoticed for oil traders, means today’s cheap oil might soon become just a fond memory. “Oil will be back in the $100s by the end of the decade,” McNally said. In the meantime, all signs point to even lower prices for crude. Asian economies, the motor of global growth, and demand for crude are both stumbling. Prolonged malaise in countries like China could further dampen already tepid expectations for oil-demand growth this year, which would push prices even lower. Meanwhile, oil storage tanks around the world are brimming already and getting fuller because the world still pumps more oil every day than it burns. The U.S. oil storage facility in Cushing, Oklahoma, holds more crude now than ever before. At the same time, Iran, sidelined

from oil markets since 2012, is gearing up for a return as Western sanctions are lifted as part of last year’s nuclear deal. If Iran is able to increase oil output and exports more quickly than experts expect, that could further flood a glutted market. And through it all, major oil producers — both those inside OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, and those outside, like Russia — continue to pump with abandon. But low prices, which did nothing to discourage oil producers last year, are finally starting to take a toll. Thanks to heroic efficiency gains, U.S. shale oil production miraculously continued to climb last year despite plunging prices. But there aren’t any more rabbits in that hat: The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects U.S. shale production to drop this year by about 1 million barrels a day from last April’s peak. Oil rigs in North Dakota’s shale patch, for example, have fallen to their lowest level since 2009 because producers that struggled to break even with $50 oil cannot make ends meet when crude fetches $30-something a barrel. Overall, after record-setting growth last year, non-OPEC oil production is expected to shrink this year by about 600,000 barrels a day, the first contraction since 2008. That alone would make for a much tighter oil market. Experts figure the world pumps about 1.5 million barrels a day more than it consumes. But demand is expected to grow this year by at least 1.2 million barrels a day, nearly absorbing the whole surplus. Remove another 600,000 barrels a day of supply, and there’s no surplus at all. Wood MacKenzie, the oil and natural gas consultants, expect oil inventories to start shrinking increasingly rapidly in the second half of 2016. The price plunge has set the stage for other, longer-term impacts by discouraging capital investment across the industry. Oil companies need to invest in existing projects to counteract the natural decline of older oil fields by, for ex-

The price plunge has set the stage for other, longer-term impacts by discouraging capital investment across the industry. Oil companies need to invest in existing projects to counteract the natural decline of older oil fields.

ample, injecting tired wells with fluids to maintain pressure and keep output steady. Massive investment is also needed to fill future pipelines with big, ambitious projects like deepwater rigs or oil fields in the Arctic, which will be needed to meet global demand in the next decade. That investment is drying up. Big-ticket projects, like Shell’s gamble in the Alaskan Arctic, have been iced. Countries like Iraq are scrambling to find the cash to pay for much-needed oil-infrastructure improvements. Brazil’s Petrobras, whose deepwater fields represented the industry’s most ambitious investment plan, is battening the hatches and slashing future production estimates. Canada’s oil sands have gone from boom to bust in the space of a year. Overall, capital expenditure in the oil and gas industry shrank dramatically last year and is set for another 25 percent contraction this year, figures Moody’s, the ratings agency. Years of back-to-back belt-tightening are almost unheard of in the industry; the last time it happened was during the oil-price collapse of the mid-1980s. “It may take several years, but all those capex reductions will really start to bite,” said Jason Bordoff, a former energy advisor to President Barack Obama’s administration and now director of Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy. A tighter market would mean gradually higher prices down the road at any rate. But it could also set the stage for dramatic price spikes when something went awry, like the recent heated confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia or the Islamic State’s relentless assault on Libya’s teetering oil industry. That’s because the oil industry’s natural shock absorber — spare production capacity that can quickly be called on to fill any unexpected shortfalls — isn’t really there anymore. OPEC’s spare capacity is at historically low levels because everybody is pumping flat out to make what money they can with low prices. Estimates vary, but the amount of extra oil that OPEC, essentially Saudi Arabia, could quickly get to the market is estimated at between 1.25 million barrels a day and 2.3 million barrels a day, a hairbreadth margin in a global oil market that pumps almost 100 million barrels a day. With little buffer set aside for a stormy day, a taut market could be especially vulnerable to just the kinds of geopolitical shocks that have been proliferating in recent months, from the Persian Gulf to Syria to Russia to the South China Sea. “The oil glut has dwarfed any focus on spare capacity,” said Richard Mallinson, an analyst with Energy Aspects, a consultancy in London. “But with such a narrow buffer, you wouldn’t even need a big disruption to see a spike. A few little things could really wreak havoc.”

9 January, 2016

weekend cartoons

Saturday Tribune

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

Just a Laffing Mata Segeluulu’s first day in school

FUNOLOGY

POLITICO

ON Segeluulu’s first day at Olodorabata High School, the best school in his village, an inspector from the ministry of education visited his class. The Christian Religious Knowledge teacher was in the class when the principal and the inspector walked in. Class: Good mooooooorning sir. We are happy to see you, sir. Inspector: Good morning, class. I can see your teacher is telling you what happened in the Book of Genesis? Class: Yeeeeeeeees, sir! Inspector (pointing to Segeluulu): Okay, you, who killed Abel? Segeluulu: Sir, I don’t know. I have been in class since 8.00 a.m. Ask my friend, Amos! I didn’t kill Abel, sir. Inspector (angry): I said who killed Abel? Segeluulu: I am a child of God. I can’t kill. I don’t even know this Abel you are talking about. Is he in our class? Inspector (turning to the teacher): Okay, teacher, can you tell the class who killed Abel? Teacher (Kneels and opens his hands wide): Oga Inspector, how you expect me to kill? What example would I be laying to my students if I killed a person? Inspector (disappointed, turns to the principal): Okay, class, the principal will tell us who killed Abel. Mr Principal, who killed Abel? Principal: When you came to my office, didn’t you see me there? Inspector: I did. Principal: Did you see blood stains on my hands or in my office? Inspector: No. Principal: How could I have killed Abel? Where is the proof that I killed him? Then the class clapped for the principal. The inspector fainted.

O.B.O vs Babymama

...Hmmm, reminds one of WAKA QUEEN and the BATA FUJI KING

37 feature

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

A cold wind blows for Nigerians rendered homeless by Boko Haram

Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos

A small girl feeds her parents cows in Kaduna State, where thousands of people displaced by Boko Haram are now shivering through the seasonal Harmattan winds.

By Mohammad Ibrahim (IRINnews)

HE temperature is dropping across northern Nigeria as the seasonal Harmattan winds blow in a haze of dust from the Sahara, blotting out the sun for days on end. It’s miserable at the best of times, worse still if you’ve been made homeless by Boko Haram violence and don’t have decent shelter. “It has not been easy since we came to this camp 11 months ago,” said Mama Aisha, who fled Maiduguri, the main city in the northeast, and now lives 800 kilometres away in north-central Kaduna State. “We don’t have blankets to keep us warm.” Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide Aisha is just one of hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have set up informal camps throughout the northern region, with little to no protection from the low temperatures. For those lucky enough to have ‘proper’ shelters, the structures often still lack doors and windows. “We need blankets to cover ourselves and to protect the children from catching cold,” Aisha told IRIN. The Harmattan usually arrives in late December and lasts until mid-March. People stay indoors as much as possible during this period, especially in the evenings. While average temperatures range from 23 to 31 degrees Celsius throughout much of the year, they fall to as low as 6 degrees at night during the Harmattan season. For most, this is considered “freezing”. “I don’t like this weather,” said 65-year-old Haruna Abdullahi. “People of my age find it difficult to stay

outdoors because it gives us a cough and runny nose. Every night we must use local lanterns to keep our room warm before going to bed, but it is not enough.” “We don’t have blankets or mattresses,” he told IRIN. “My siblings and I sleep on the bare floor.” Hajiya Mariya Mohammad, a refugee from Borno State, told a similar story. “We need assistance… to protect our children from cold weather. Things are hard for us,” she said, unsure how they would all survive the cold. A need for aid A few organisations, including a Muslim women’s group led by Rabi’atu Sufyan, have begun donating food items, blankets, and warm clothes to the IDPs in Kaduna. But they can only reach a small percentage of the more than 2.2 million Nigerians displaced by the

I don’t like this weather... People of my age find it difficult to stay outdoors because it gives us a cough and runny nose. Every night we must use local lanterns to keep our room warm before going to bed, but it is not enough.

Boko Haram jihadists. Lost in the city “They [the IDPs] are really in need of food and blankets to keep them warm throughout the Harmattan season,” Sufyan said. Usman Bappa Aliyu, a doctor at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, Kaduna State, told IRIN that the Harmattan poses a number of risks for those made homeless by the six years of insurgent attacks in the northeast, which have mainly targeted civilians. “I’m worried for these IDPs who stay in tents at camps because the Harmattan comes with many health challenges,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy because it causes asthma, pneumonia, and cough, particularly for children, which may lead to death if not properly taken care of.” He added that the number of respiratory cases they’ve seen at local hospitals has already increased since the Harmattan began last month. What next? “We are aware of their presence at various camps and houses within the state, but we are only waiting for the right time to start distributing the items to them,” Abubakar Zakari Adamu, a spokesman from the state’s emergency management agency, told IRIN. When asked about the delay, he explained that the majority of the IDPs in Kaduna took refuge at relations’ houses, scattered across the state, making it difficult for agencies to have correct data about those in need. “The right time is when we have their full numbers and enough materials to distribute,” he said.

38 interview

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Soldiers killed my 4 undergraduate children but God will avenge their death —ABU lecturer

A journalist and a teacher of Mass Communication at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Isa Waziri Gwantu, tells Saturday Tribune’s MUHAMMAD SABIU about his four undergraduate children killed by soldiers during a raid on the house of Shi’ite leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, in Zaria and how his wives took the experience. Excerpts:

Fatima (20)

Husseini (18)

Mr. Etim Okon Ene

Hassan (18)

OUR sad story was carried in some newspapers, can you share with us your background? I am a journalist and a Mass Communication lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I hold the title of the Waziri of Gwantu III. I am an activist and an advocate of positive change. I was the secretary of Scholars for Good Governance - Buhari/El-Rufai 2015 project at the university, through which we carried out office-tooffice campaign for the president and the Kaduna State governor last year. It was reported that you lost four of your children during the recent clash between your sect (Shi’ite) and the army? Can you tell us how they were killed? To the best of my knowledge, there was no clash; what happened was a genocide by the Nigerian Army against the followers of one of the most peace-loving and patriotic religious leaders in the country, Sayyid Ibrahim Zakzaky. Christians who used to run to his house for refuge whenever there was ethno-religious crisis in Zaria can testify to this claim. My four undergraduate children - Muhammad (21), Fatima (20) and twins, Hassan and Husseini (18) were murdered by the soldiers in the house of my spiritual leader on the 13th of December, 2015, when they invaded his house with the motive of killing him after they had killed hundreds of his followers. They later burnt and buried many of our members in mass graves in various

Mrs Edisua Iso, Chairman Bakassi LGA

Muhammad (21)

The video they are showing on television are videos of Boys Scout members of the movement, which all religious groups have in the country. The Izala, Tariqa and even our Christian brethren have such Boys Scouts. It is nothing aberrational but, you know, as Ida B. Wells, the celebrated black American investigative journalist, said, ‘Those that commit the murders, write the report.’ locations outside Zaria. How are you coping with their deaths? Do you want diyah [blood money]? Thank God, I have overcome it [the incident]. Great men

of faith have been tested like this. I have no option but to leave everything to the Lord of Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace of Allah be upon them). Allah will avenge us since He has forbidden the shedding of the blood of even animals without any justifiable reason. Compensation?! Nothing in this world can replace my innocent and beloved children. Can you share with us how you raised your children, the schools they attended and what their aspirations were? I denied myself befitting shelter and car to make sure that these children got to the university, especially considering the fact that I am the last child in my family of 12 and the only one privileged to attain my academic height. My children passed through various schools, right from inception, to where they were, ABU, Zaria, before soldiers that were employed and paid with our hard-earned money to protect us eventually killed them in cold blood, burnt them and denied me the opportunity to see their corpses and bury them according to Islamic rites. How many children do you have left? Glory be to Almighty Allah Who gives and takes. I have 10 left for now. Continues pg39

39 interview

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

‘Only Jonathan could have let the opposition win in Nigeria’ Continued from pg28

are cut off from civilisation? The people of Benue have an airport. They won’t come to an airport in Lafia. The people of Plateau have an airport; they will not come to our state to go to anywhere. So, what is the commercial value of the airport and what airport are we building that will cost N17 billion? What airport? Is it Heathrow? It is to mortgage our future. This is a crime and we are calling on the Federal Government and the aviation authorities to stop the project. Are you saying your state doesn’t qualify for an airport at all? Our people do not have any urgency or air traffic that is so huge that we need a N17 billion airport, neither do we have any huge cargo now in Nasarawa State because cargo has not been developed. There is no industry there where chief executives will want to travel to in Nasarawa State. So, if you really reason that you need anything like air travel in Nasarawa State, what you do now is an airstrip, where you have light planes that may come in to the state capital maybe in times of urgency. But to come and build a huge airport of N17 billion is gross insensitivity to the needs, aspirations and conditions of our people. You were Minister of Information in the last government, what is your take on this current administration vis-a-vis the anti-corruption war? I don’t want to comment on this administration now. I was in government as Minister of Information for nearly five years. My voice was all over the nation. Decency requires that I keep quiet and watch events and let Nigerians hear other voices. That doesn’t mean I will not say anything but it is virtually too early for me, as a former Minister of Information, to begin to talk about what is going on at the moment. If you have spoken for so long and people have heard your voice, you also withdraw and hear others. I have my views about everything that is going on now. At least I have heard from other Nigerians, when the time is due, when I believe I have respected public decency, when I have waited, I will make my views known. But for now, it is too early for me to say anything. The processes that are going on in the full glare of the people of Nigeria and what I will say is that the media should be very careful. That is all I will advise. I will not say anything now on that one. What would you say were those things that made the PDP, your former party, lose power in 2015 despite having ruled for 16 years? I don’t want to comment on that now. I have left the PDP. The party is now an opposition party. Since I can’t speak on a ruling party, there is no reason I should on a party that has lost power. In the end, you still need opposition

for democracy to survive. As the national secretary of APGA, can you let us into your plans for the party? Our programmes are already captured in our manifesto, which is known to Nigerians. What I can say is that APGA is sad about some of the rulings so far, particularly in Nasarawa State. Everybody knows that APGA won election in Abia State. There is no doubt about it. Every Nigerian is aware of that. Everybody also knows that APGA won election in Nasarawa State. These two states were won by APGA. If we muzzle opposition by stealing their mandate, then this country will not move forward. I was in government when President [Goodluck] Jonathan initiated electoral reform programme. Only Jonathan could have conducted the election you saw in 2015. Only Jonathan could have reformed this democratic process and allowed an opposition party to grow so strong as to be in a position

to win election. Only President Jonathan could have done it. If you look at all the state elections that were held since Jonathan took over and concluded, there was something to be said because I was part of the reform. Only Jonathan could have appointed [Professor Attahiru] Jega he didn’t know as INEC chairman just because he needed somebody who would do justice to everybody. So, having been part of those who witnessed it, because I can remember when President Jonathan would say that, ‘look, I am ashamed; everywhere we go, they say that they are rigging elections in Nigeria, I want to change this country. I want to make a change.’ He made that statement clearly and he stayed by it and said, ‘look, my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.’ There is a lot to be said but having been part of the process of inaugurating change in the electoral system and I go to Nasarawa State and see what has happened, I cannot keep quiet. It is unacceptable because in a democracy, the electoral system is the only hope that can change government or fight bad governance. There is no other way. Ultimately, what we have seen in Nasarawa State has made me feel like maybe the former administration’s dream of free and fair election is too tall an order for the people that are in charge of the process now. For APGA, we cannot accept the situation we have seen in Nasarawa State and I think that for this new era of change to show any modicum of movement forward, the brazen robberies in Abia and Nasarawa states should be checkmated and the mandates restored to those who won those elections. Then we will know may be there is hope in this dispensation The motto of our party, ‘be your brother’s keeper,’ is something that is germane for this country. We must really be our brother’s keeper, given what is happening in this country today. And that is why we thought that if APGA won two states, in addition to Anambra, there would be competition in the polity. People can look at what APC is doing, what PDP is doing and what APGA is doing and Nigerians will come to conclusion because the idea is to open yet another opportunity for competition in the system. I do not believe that another party is not possible. And I believe that if APGA has those two states, there will be three parties and Nigerians will have a clear choice. If you don’t like those two parties, come to APGA. If you don’t like those parties because they are not doing well in your state, then you vote for APGA. It must not be either PDP, APC or you die. No. We are offering another hope, which is APGA. And we hope that before long when we get these two states back, Nigerians will have yet another alternative and compare us with what other people are doing.

‘I coordinated Buhari’s, el-Rufai’s campaigns in ABU’ Continued from pg38

How did their mother(s) react to the news of their deaths? They belonged to two mothers. The eldest two were from my Yoruba wife, from Ilorin, and the twins were from my Fulani wife. In fact, I think, they were not as devastated as I was. They both exhibited a strong faith in Allah and asked Him to punish all those that gave the order for the killing of our children and all those that had a hand in any way in the termination of sacred lives. Did you have any premonition of your children’s deaths? No. Why do you think your sect is having problems with the security operatives? I think it is not unconnected to the war declared on Muslims all over the word by ‘globalists’. It is not a secret that the Nigerian security agencies are proxies of the forces behind the ordeals of Muslims in different parts of the world like Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Somalia and Myanmar. Is it true your sect does not recognise any author-

ity — even the nation’s authorities — other than your spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky? I told you the role some of us played in the victory of the people that have turned out to be our killers today. What about the allegation that the military wing of your sect is training youths to fight the state? That is the most irritating, absurd, laughable and unintelligible of all the allegations against us. How could we have that and yet be unable to defend ourselves and our leader against the army who took 48 hours killing us like flies? This is a false flag and a black propaganda no discerning mind will believe. The video they are showing on television are videos of Boys Scout members of the movement, which all religious groups have in the country. The Izala, Tariqa and even our Christian brethren have such Boys Scouts. It is nothing aberrational but, you know, as Ida B. Wells, the celebrated black American investigative journalist, said, “Those that commit the murders, write the report.” I want to emphasise that unlike other Muslims who are busy funding terrorism in Syria, Iraq and other parts of the world, Shia Muslims do not believe in weapons or killing even animals. What we believe in and do is intellectual debate and discourse. People that take up arms lack intellectual ability to debate. We are not Boko Haram, neither are we ISIS who kill and behead people.

40 interview

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

How LASUTH prepared for 3 years for its first kidney transplant —Nephrologist The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) a few weeks ago carried out a successful kidney transplant on a 56-year-old man – the first of such an operation at the hospital. In this chat with NAZA OKOLI, Consultant Nephrologist and leader of the team of surgeons, Dr Jacob Awobusuyi, tells an inspiring story of determination and vision.

the facilities in Nigerian hospitals – LASUTH, for example? LASUTH happens to be one the better equipped government hospitals in the country. It is in the top category when it comes to available facilities. This is because a lot of efforts have been put in place by successive governments over the past few years. The way LASUTH was ten years ago wasn’t the way it was five years ago; and the way it is today isn’t the way it was five years ago. The facilities are better. Organisation is better. We have professionals who are quite competent. People are constantly being trained and retrained. I don’t know what happens in other hospitals, but somehow, we are constantly being ‘forced’ to upgrade ourselves and ensure that we are not being left behind. It is a teaching hospital. There are so many sub-specialties within the system, unlike the General hospitals, for example, where you have about six or seven sub-specialties. Here, Surgery alone has about 15; Medicine about eight or nine. Whichever aspect of sub-speciality you think of, it has some degree of representation here at LASUTH.

OU recently conducted the first ever kidney transplant at LASUTH, I understand it’s a difficult procedure, with lots of risks. Were you not scared at all? (Laughs) We were excited. We were excited that finally we had the opportunity to do what we had been preparing to do for three years, visiting other institutions, participating in transplants, knowing we could do it but not finding any willing patient, and then finally finding someone… being scared is just out of it. We were not scared. We actually knew we were capable of doing it. We had seen it done several times and at several places. And so we just thought this was our opportunity to do it. Yes, we had our anxious moments. But we did our preparation, we did our groundwork well. We thought of possibilities. We had our Plan B and Plan C. We developed our protocol. We made patient-specific treatment plans; we looked at our local environment and took stock of what was available. Each aspect of the procedure was well planned; we had many meetings over the three-year period – I’m talking about meeting over 50 times on the same issue. By the time we got to the final stage, it was easy. We had a projected course of action, and we simply followed it. Why did it take this long? At times, everything works for good. We ought to have done it in 2012 – about three years ago. We went to Brazil for training. It was a very intensive training. We did about five kidney transplants on a daily basis. That means over 1000 per year. So we had all the training we needed. Some of us also went to the UK, and several other places. So, three years ago, we knew we were capable of doing it. The Brazilian experience also exposed us to the fact that we could use not-too-sophisticated instruments, most of which we already had at LASU. The initial budget was really high at the time, so we had to streamline. We got those instruments that were needed to complement what we already had at LASU. We got the first set of patients and donors; we expected our Brazilian team to come over, but for some reasons, it didn’t happen, and the patients had to travel out. After that we just could not get the right set of donor and recipient. And then there is the issue of doubt. Even while we were preparing to meet the patient, someone would tell them that they should go to India. A lot of patients we were preparing for the programme left for India without our own recommendations. So it took us some time. It was not until this very patient came along. Meanwhile he was happy with the way we had been handling his treatment – his dialysis, and he didn’t think he would have anything better anywhere even outside the country. So he agreed to do it. We thank God it was done successfully. It seems recently there has been a kind of awakening – people are beginning to talk about launching programmes that would discourage people from going abroad for medical treatment. Is there any reason why all of this is happening at this time? I believe that things are getting better. Sometime in the past, a lot of people, well-trained professionals, went to Saudi Arabia. At the time there was a lot of brain drain at the top. That created a very big gap. The facilities on the ground were not sufficient to train specialists, so the well trained specialists went abroad in search of greener pastures. Over time, the system became deficient. In the 1960s and 70s, medical practice in Nigeria was very sound; the standard then was very high. The gradual decline began in the 80s, because a lot of people began to migrate. It continued in the 90s. In the 2000s, the internet came. Some of the people who went out began to come back because things weren’t the way they had thought they would be. The good positions over there were not occupied by them. And because the internet had become widely available, the average earnings of professionals got better. Attending conferences became easier, and the ability to sponsor oneself for short courses outside the country, so over time

that deficiency I guess is now beginning to get eradicated. The level of competence has improved considerably, so people are able to handle sophisticated and complicated issues in a much better way. Now there is competition. People are now beginning to see the reason to focus on the things they can do internally in order to make that mark and be recognised as having made a mark. We have been told kidney transplants are more expensive abroad than at home, how affordable is a transplant at LASUTH? Well, we are trying to make it about 3.5 million naira. But you know that individuals vary in terms of their transplant requirements. For some of them, you can use very expensive drugs. But by and large, it should be around 3.5 million or 4 million naira at most. And I think it is very reasonable, because if you have to travel, your flight alone would have taken a large chunk of the money. Remember, that the patient would travel with the donor and a chaperone. Now you talk about accommodation for all of them. Apart from skilled doctors, there is also the need for adequate equipment, how would you assess

People are constantly being trained and retrained. I don’t know what happens in other hospitals, but somehow, we are constantly being ‘forced’ to upgrade ourselves and ensure that we are not being left behind.

Apart from funding, aren’t there other factors that may affect this project? Perhaps, regulatory policies? How can this project be sustained? The only thing I see that can affect the project is personnel, and maybe the will. This is because if you don’t have somebody that is passionate about the programme, then it may not really move forward. So it would require someone that is ready to champion the cause. And for as long as you have such an individual and people who are committed to the programme, then it will succeed. Yes, policies will change; obstacles will come – administrative, political, etc; but provided you have people who are committed, who have seen the long-term benefits, it will still succeed. We are already planning for the second one. We think it will be sometime in February, depending on the availability of fund. But we have seen the patient; we have evaluated him. He is yet to bring a donor; but the donor is an aunt of his. You can see we are working on the programme. The more transplants we do, the more people will have confidence in the programme. People have confidence in the Indian programme, because nothing or very little has existed in Nigeria. But now that we have this, things will change. It may take time – it may take years. But gradually, over time, if we are able to sustain the programme, then flying to India will become less appealing. The programme itself would build the competency that is needed. So it’s a win-win situation: we have a running programme, and the people involved keep on getting the experience. I learned the Federal Government actually funds some teaching hospitals specifically for this kind of transplant, and yet people still prefer to travel abroad. What is it that your own programme will do differently? One thing with this programme is that it is 100 per cent local. Most of the other ones brought people from outside. Yes, we invited someone really. But he was a part of the local team; he was from St Nicholas Hospital, Victoria Island. It’s a private hospital and they have had an experience with kidney transplants. We related with them a lot. But the fact is that our surgeons did the surgery. We also took all the decisions, because we believe that is the only way we can stand. Once we have done the first one and the second one and they are all 100 per cent local, then that confidence is established. It is better than bringing someone from somewhere else and your surgeons are there just looking. Our programme is sustainable. Are there habits one can develop to prevent kidney failure? Yes. Eat healthy food; exercise regularly. One must also avoid refined sugar, salt, smoking and alcohol.

41 feature

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Oshodi demolitions: We’ve lost everything, traders lament Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos

R Chinedu Ihedi still finds it difficult to believe that he has ceased to be a trader whose shop was full of shoes, belts as well as male and female clothes. The middle-aged native of Imo State was one of the hundreds of the traders of Owonifari Market in Oshodi, Lagos, whose shops were demolished by the Lagos State government on Wednesday. Ihedi, who was spotted sitting in the shade of a bus parked close to where his shop used to be located said that since the incident happened, not only had his source of livelihood been blocked by the government, he had no idea of what the future had to offer, despite the government’s claim that the traders had been relocated to a nearby Isopakodowo Market at Bolade Area of Oshodi. Traders at the market had on Wednesday, January 5, arrived at the ever busy market to find a number of bulldozers stationed in front of their shops. Before they could decipher what was going on, the bulldozers had swung into action, as they tore through bricks and metals that formed part of the four-decade old market, bringing it down like a pack of dominoes. Scattered around, as Saturday Tribune journeyed from one section of the market to another, were items, such as broken bricks, crumbled corrugated roofing sheets and planks, as well as a few household items. When asked by Saturday Tribune to share his experience, Mr Akinduro Lemo, as if trying to draw strength from an invisible source, paused for a few seconds and stared into the sky. Apparently having a hard time trying not to betray his emotions, Mr Lemo said he had lost everything he had ever worked for in life because his shop was the only thing he had to show for his over three decades sojourn in Lagos. “Just a few days ago, I was a proud owner of a shop full of clothing materials. But now I still can’t believe that I have lost it. I have had to struggle to achieve everything in life, including my demolished shop, but now at 56 what strength do I have to struggle again? But I believe God has reasons for everything, therefore, I have left everything to him,” he remarked. Also speaking with Saturday Tribune, another resident who identified himself as Obazi Simon revealed that his entire family had been rendered ‘jobless’ by the demolition exercise, and that he would have to look for all means necessary to take care of his four children, an indisposed wife, and an aged mother, who he said had always depended on him. “We appealed to them to give us consideration but they refused. They carried out their activity with inexplicable brutality. But let the Lagos State government know that we are very useful to the government, and soon, they will need us. My children are still very young they shouldn’t be made to have such a harrowing experience,” he lamented. Another resident, an elderly woman, who simply identified herself as Mrs Owa, also bemoaned the fact that not even the slightest hope of any possible compensation by the government had been given to them. “This is totally unfair. We all got our shops at the market without having any knowledge that we were moving into a ‘troubled’ spot. Why are we always treated like a group of nobodies by the governments we vote into power. It has happened before, and it will happen again,” she remarked. Similarly, another victim, Steve Odinaka, when recounting the ordeal he went through, told Saturday Tribune that those who carried out the exercise also came with some Black

Maria vehicles. “They began the demolition immediately without giving us the privilege of salvaging anything. The demolition exercise lasted for just a few hours but the effects, for some people, may last a lifetime,” he said. He also corroborated the accusation in certain quarters that the security officers brought to oversee the exercise were so brutal that they forcefully seized phones, cameras and various recording gadgets of traders, passersby, and even journalists who tried to record or take pictures of the whole exercise as it unfolded. In a small corner, which he had managed to carve for himself, another trader sat quietly looking pale. Saturday Tribune was later informed that the hapless trader had suffered a similar fate in about two other markets before. Each time this happened, it was gathered that he lost goods worth millions of naira. Traders: We were not adequately informed The traders have continued to accuse the government of not doing enough to notify them of its intentions. Thus, they have kept on arguing that the demolition exercise caught them unawares. “There was no prior notice to vacate our shops, neither were we told of the intention to demolish our shops. Why is Ambode treating us this way, or has he also started to toe the path of his predecessor, Fashola, who brutally brought down shops and houses in his period as the governor?” a trader asked. ... Traders were well notified - Lagos govt But in a swift reaction, the Lagos State government said it duly notified traders at the market of its intentions. Defending its actions, at a joint press conference held on Thursday hours after the exercise had taken place, and accusations and counter-accusations had started flying around, the state government said the action was taken in the overall interest of public good, safety and security. The conference was held by the state’s Ministries of Information and Strategy, the Environment, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Office of Civic Engagement. Speaking on behalf of the government, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the traders were adequately notified before the exercise took place as required by law, and that the government had engaged with the leadership of the market severally before carrying out the demolition exercise on Owonifari Market. Ayorinde said it was important for people to note that the issue of the market had been on for nothing less than 10 years, adding that government had been engaging the leadership of

the market to make them realise that it could no longer continue in the manner in which the market was being used. He said “unfortunately, the leadership of the market, in the last three years, refused to move despite the fact that the new market has over 600 shops apart from the kee klamps which takes the number of people that the market could conveniently accommodate to over a thousand all together.” Ayorinde said having been satisfied that government had provided a befitting alternative, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode through the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, invited the leadership of the market to the Executive Chambers and met with them on December 16, 2015, where he reiterated his plans for Oshodi and the need to move the traders to Isopakodowo which, as at that time, had been ready for a couple of years. “A few of them expressed certain misgivings but largely they felt that if their interest would be accommodated within the Isopakodowo Market, they were willing and ready to move and on our part, we said that the discussion should be ongoing particularly regarding how much they would pay for each store within that market,” the commissioner said. Speaking further, Ayorinde denied allegation that many goods of the traders were destroyed in the demolition exercise, adding that such was far from the truth. He said, “The intention of government certainly was not to destroy any goods and we did not destroy any goods because we believe that a good number of the traders, if not all, had moved because they were aware that they needed to move. “Government, I should say, will not be blackmailed because we had done everything humanly possible and you know that the hallmark of this government has been compassion. It is a compassionate government,” Ayorinde said. “The intention was not to destroy the market or destroy properties or to make life inconvenient for them. We believe very strongly that Isopakodowo market is quite ideal; it’s a lot bigger store-per-store than where they had been removed now and the aim of government, as we stated earlier, is to ensure that that area of the market conforms with the type of image that we want Lagos to be, which is to return sanity to the place, to beautify the market, to construct a world class bus terminus around that place and to ensure that people who use that place on a daily basis – the commuters, traders, everybody — enjoy what it means to go to a market in a mega city. “We also believe that the exercise will largely reduce the gridlock that is associated with that area and then the criminalities that were rampant in that Oshodi. What we have done is in the interest of the generality of Lagosians,” Ayorinde further noted. He added: “You will see from the reports that quite a good chunk of the traders acknowledged that they had been properly served and that they were ready to move which was why a good number of them, if not all, packed their things just before the end of last year. “Along the line, we got intelligence report that during the holidays there were a number of criminal activities going on in the market and that the place was harbouring criminals and a number of untoward activities which of course necessitated the need to move immediately to safeguard lives, to safeguard properties and to ensure that there was no breach of peace which was what led to the demolition.”

news

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Supreme Court affirms election of Yari as governor of Zamfara

From right, Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Chairman, Elizade Group of Companies, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Prof.Kunle Oloyede and the Commissioner for Education, Jide Adejuyigbe, during an inspection tour of completed and ongoing projects in Akure, on Friday.

19-yr-old docked for anal sex in Lagos

or allegedly thrusting his sexual organ into the anus of a five-yearold boy, a teenager, Amisat Ganiyu has been arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Ganiyu was, however, granted bail in the sum of N400, 000 with two sureties in like sum. The accused, 19, who resides at No. 20, Nasiru Street, Alagbado, a Lagos suburb, is standing trial for child rape. The prosecutor, Inspector Rita Momah, told the court that the accused committed the offence on 12 December at Hasen Street, Alagbado. Momah said the accused, who lives in the neighborhood, was roaming Hasen Street when he spotted the five-year-old boy.

“He immediately dragged him into an uncompleted building. “The accused stripped the boy after which he viciously penetrated the little boy’s anus and ejaculated,” he said.

The offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Ganiyu, however, denied the charge. In her ruling, the magistrate, Mrs F.A. Adeeyo, di-

Government sacks 32 lecturers in Nasarawa

Nobody has been sacked —Nasarawa Poly PRO Ademola Adegbite- Lafia NO fewer than 32 lecturers, including non-academic staff members of the Nasarawa State Polytechnic (NASNSP), Lafia, are said to have been sacked by the state government. Investigations by Saturday Tribune revealed that those who were relieved of their appointments included the physically challenged and those promoted shortly after their appointments in June 2011.

One of the affected staff members who did not want his name in print, confided in Saturday Tribune that the institution employed them in 2011 with a letter of temporary appointment. He explained that the government gave them permanent appointment letters after three years which meant that they were pensionable under the service of the state government. According to him, “our predicament started as far back as 2014 when the state

Ngige vows to enforce safety laws in companies by April Suzy Oruya - Onitsha The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, on Friday sent warning to employers of labour in the country who do not have standardised welfare programme for their workers to sit up as his ministry, from the second quarter of this year, will engage in aggressive enforcement of regulation of labour laws in the country. Ngige stated this when he led a team of the officials of the ministry to inspect the Gas Factory at Nnewi, Anambra State razed down in December last year, in which eight persons were

rected that the file should be forwarded to the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. The case has been adjourned till 9 March for DPP’s advice.

confirmed dead and several others injured. He frowned upon noncompliance by employers to labour laws and safety regulations as enshrined in the Factory Act of 2004 while also calling for effective emergency plan and response programme. He vowed that from the second quarter of the year, his ministry will embark on aggressive regulatory activities in all the factories nationwide to ensure safety and registration of employees with the National Insurance Trust Fund by companies which have more than three workers. The minister said that

these measures were not against the employers or employees but for the interest of both, saying there are enough labour laws to protect both employers and employees but failure to invoke them has been the problem, promising that this time around, all those relevant labour laws will take its full course. “The department of Factory and Safety in my ministry will implement this. We must make sure employers provide safety measures in the work place. I will institutionalise it, so that even if I leave, there will be a machinery for its enforcement,” he said.

government constituted a screening committee. The committee told us that we were not full-fledged staff of the institution not until October when the government sacked us. Among the 32 affected staff members, the governor’s nephew who joined the service the same day with us is still in the system collecting salary. “Why is our own case a different matter from the governor’s nephew? Majority of the affected staff members are academic staff. This development seriously portends great peril to the sacked staffers as some of us are grappling with grim situation,” he lamented. When contacted by phone in Lafia, the state capital on Friday, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the institution, Alhaji Mukhtar Wakeel denied it, saying “no single staff member of the Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia, has been sacked. So, it is not true.”

The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the election of Malam Abdulazeez Yari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor of Zamfara State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that delivering the judgement, the John Okoro-led panel of six justices held that the petition lacked substance. “The grouse of the appellants in this issue, basically, is that there was over-voting and that because of that there was substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act. “To prove over-voting, the law is trite that the petitioner must tender the voters’ register. “The court must also see the statement of result in the appropriate forms which would show the number of registered accredited voters and number of actual voters,” the court said. Okoro said the appellant must also relate each of the documents to the specific area of the case in respect of which documents were tendered. He added that the appellant ought to have shown that figures, representing over-voting, if removed, would result in victory for the petitioner. “From the finding above, I agree with the court below that the appellants failed woefully to prove over-voting in accordance with the principles laid down by law. “The reliance on the evidence of one of the witnesses through a document he did not make has not made any difference. “There is no doubt that a petitioner is entitled to contend that an election or return in an election be invalidated by reason of corrupt practice or non-compliance,” he said.

5,000 graduates for NOUN convocation Authorities of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) on Friday said that no fewer than 5,000 graduates would be awarded various degrees at its fifth convocation scheduled for 16 January in Abuja. NOUN’s Director, Media and Information, Dr Ronke Ogunmakin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the university’s senate was computing the exact figure of the graduates involved. The convocation lecture slated for 15 January is scheduled hold at the permanent site of the university in Abuja. The theme of the lecture, to be delivered by Professor Nuhu Yaqub, the Vice Chancellor, Sokoto State University, is “Open and Distance Education and Socioeconomic Development.” Ogunmakin, earlier in a statement obtained by NAN, said the convocation was for conferment of certificates, diplomas, Bachelor degrees and postgraduate diplomas. The statement said that masters and honourary doctorate degrees would also be conferred on graduates of the institution found worthy in character and learning, as well as other deserving individuals. According to the statement, the lecture will be chaired by Prof. Sulaiman Bogoro, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund).

Ekiti Speaker charges women on marital virtues Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Right Honourable (Pastor) Kola Oluwawole, has charged women to imbibe virtues that will make their marriages successful. The Speaker gave the charge in a congratulatory message he sent to the wife of the state governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, on her 52nd birthday on Friday. In the message, signed by Oluwawole’s Special Assistant (Media), Stephen Gbadamosi, he praised the celebrant for being “a good mother, wife and staunch supporter of her husband.” Oluwawole said Mrs Fayose had, over the years, displayed virtues that distinguished her as a good woman and wife. “She is worthy of being celebrated. Over the years, she has displayed qualities that set her aside as a good wife and mother. Her support for her husband, the governor, Bashorun Ayodele Fayose, is legendary. And that is what virtuousness in marriage is all about. “It is, therefore, incumbent on women to borrow a leaf from the book of this woman so as to enjoy peaceful and prosperous marriage. The virtues of humility, love, support and godliness that Mrs Feyisetan Fayose has imbibed are surely responsible for the success of her family and friend. “As she attains this milestone at 52, we not only need to rejoice with her, but also learn from her life and copy her good example. We wish her many more years in wealth and success in life,” he said.

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Newly-crowned African Player of the Year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (left) and Gaelle Enganamouit of Cameroon, African Women’s Player of the Year.

Toure laments Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

Buhari hosts Eaglets, Jighere Jan 21 P Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday, January 21 host the victorious Golden Eaglets, world scrabble champion, Wellington Jighere and other athletes who have made Nigeria proud at international outings in recent times to a grand reception in Abuja. This was revealed on Thursday night by the Youth and Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung while speaking shortly after the 2015 Glo-CAF Awards gala held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. “The 21st of January, 2016 has been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari as a day for the reward of all those who have made us proud and the Federal Government has also approved a comprehensive package for all the athletes, this is not limited to only football but even scrabble, basketball and all other athletes who have made the country proud,” Dalung said. The Plateau State-born

minister described the annual Glo-CAF Awards as celebration of hardwork. “A society without a reward system is a society due to doom. Globacom had today established that those who made us proud are worthy to be rewarded. They are quite responsible, very interesting and quite stimulating. The football family today is elated,” Dalung said.

He noted that the Glo-CAF awards would stimulate the younger ones, saying that “I believe the younger ones are challenged to put in their best so that they can be rewarded.” Dalung expressed satisfaction with the honours bestowed on Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Etebo Oghenekaro, who were voted African Young Player of the

Year and Most Promising Talent respectively. “Nigeria football as it is now is quite progressing very well because looking at the Nigerians who got awards and looking at the profiles of our outings so far, Nigeria is still leading and I hope that as we approach the Rwanda 2016 CHAN, our homebased Eaglets can still make a very wonderful outing,” he said.

Nigeria names squad for Abuja ITF Junior Circuit NIGERIA has named 2014 ITF/ CAT top 8 junior masters fifth-ranked player, Oyinlomo Quadri alongside Angel McLeod, Christopher Itodo and South Africa-based Adetayo Adetunji, to lead her quest for a third successive title as the 2016 ITF West & Central Africa Junior Circuit gets underway in Abuja tomorrow. According to the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), the quartet, who also played major roles in

Nigeria’s triumphs at the last two editions in 2014 and 2015, will lead a team of 24 players which also has Bulus Christopher, Michael Oshewa, Gabriel Friday, Marylove Edwards, Suleiman Ibrahim, Daniel Adeleye, Timipre Maxwell and Rebecca Peter in Team A. Peter Lawal, David Amusu, Favour Moses, Mariam Balogun, Sani Musa, Saminu Abubakar, Toyin Asogba, Chidinma Eze, Filippo Troimbi, Gabriel Richard, Fortune Jo-

seph and Oyza Yakubi are in the team B. Nigeria’s coach, Mohammed Ubale expressed confidence in the team to retain the regional title, but stressed that more importantly, the country needs to clinch the maximum eight spots available to the main tournament billed for Pretoria, South Africa in March. Meanwhile, the NTF has stated that there will be no Local Organising Committee for the tournament due to shortage of fund.

ote d’Ivoire midfielder, Yaya Toure has said he was disappointed that he missed being crowned the African Player of the Year for the fifth time. The Manchester City player on Thursday night at the 2015 Glo-CAF awards gala held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, was dethroned by Gabon and Borussia Dortmund forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. “To be honest, I’m disappointed I lost out. As a champion, whenever you lose, you are always disappointed. Sometimes it is hard to take some things. And today was a difficult one. In every situation you have to be a man and take what comes,” said the man who captained the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire to win the 2015 Africa Nations Cup. Also, newly-crowned 2015 African Coach of the Year, Herver Renard, has expressed sentiments that Toure deserved to retain the crown which has been in his possession in the last four years. “I am sad Yaya did not win

the Africa Player of the Year award. He deserved to win it. He had a good year last year performing well for his club and country, which he led to win the AFCON title,” Renard, who remains the only coach to have won the Nations Cup title with two different countries said. He, however, acknowledged that Borussia Dortmund striker, Aubameyang, who won the title for the first time, deserved it as well given his exploits with his Bundesliga side and Gabon. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Etebo Oghenekaro, went home with the Most Promising Talent Award as well as Victor Osimhen, who was voted Youth Player of the Year. President Muhammadu Buhari was also presented with the CAF Platinum Award. Other winners at the awards include Gaelle Enganamouit of Cameroon (African Women’s Player of the Year); DR Congo’s TP Mazembe ( Club of the Year); Côte d’Ivoire (National Team of the Year) and Bakara Papa Gassama from The Gambia (Referee of the Year).

I won’t play in Nigeria league next season —Oghenekaro Warri Wolves forward, Etebo Oghenekaro has said that he will not be playing in the Nigeria topflight when the new season resumes later this month. He made this known shortly afer he was named the Most Promising Player of the Year at the Glo-CAF Awards gala held on Thursday night at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Oghenekaro, however, declined to disclose his potential destination as the European transfer window for January reopens. “I’m not going to play in the Nigeria Premier League

Oghenekaro

next season,” Oghenekaro told Goal, “but I can’t say for now where I’m going to be playing next season.” After losing the Most Valuable Player of the tournament award to team captain Azubuike Okechukwu at the just-ended U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal, Etebo said he was caught unawares by his victory at the Glo-CAF awards. “I didn’t expect it. I just want to give thanks to God. But as I’ve always told myself, it is not about the award but just to be cool-headed and remain the kind of person I want to be,” Oghenekaro said.

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

45 feature

9 January, 2016

Police are not only people’s friends, they are also their helpers —Lagos CP Showers orphanages with food items, gifts

From left, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni; matron of Old People’s Home, Yaba, Mrs A.F. Olaore; Assistant Commissioner, Administration, Folashade Adams and DPO, Sabo Division, Yaba, SP Mary Ubanga while the CP was presenting items to the home. Inset is CP Owoseni with children at Red Cross Orphanage.

By Oluwatoyin Malik

HE Red Cross Motherless Home, Yaba, Lagos State has been in existence over 50 years ago. It is even said to be the oldest orphanage in Nigeria. But in the last 30 years, no Commissioner of Police in Lagos State had visited the home and the people it is caring for. This was the expression of appreciation by the matron in charge of the Orphanage, Mrs Juliana Obanife, when the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Owoseni was there on December 30, 2015 to celebrate the Yuletide with the orphans and old people being harboured by the orphanage. And the visit made the year to end on a happy note for the orphanage as the police commissioner donated 10 50kg bags of rice, five cartons of sugar, two cartons of toilet soap, two cartons of detergent and two cartons of tinned sardine. Other food items donated include five cartons of 400g sachet milk, five cartons of Bournvita, two bundles of toilet rolls, one CWAY water dispenser and three bottles of CWAY water. The orphanage did not only benefit from these gift items, the Commissioner of Police also donated a 2000-litre water storage tank as requested by the orphanage, while he promised the purchase of a bus for the father of twin babies in the home. The twins’ father was said to have lost his wife after the delivery of the babies, and had been coming in to check on the babies. The bus, according to CP Owoseni while speaking with Saturday Tribune, was to empower the father financially so that he could use the proceeds to take care of his twin children. On December 31, the Commissioner of Police was also at the Old People’s Home, Yaba, where he mingled with the elderly citizens of the country being catered for by the home. Receiving CP Owoseni, the

matron in charge of the home, Mrs A.F. Olaore, expressed gratitude to the police, expressing the same view that Owoseni’s visit was a rare one. The home was also beneficiary of the food items given the previous orphanage, but in addition, the Lagos police boss gave a cash donation of N50,000. Same visit was made to Modupe Cole Child Training and Welfare Centre, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, where, in addition to the usual food items, the Commissioner of Police gave a cash donation to two members of the Centre, Toma Love Unu and Adenle Adeyinka, both of whom are students of Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo town, Oyo State. The money, Saturday Tribune learnt, was to cover the tuition of both ladies for the remaining sessions they would spend in the higher institution. Owoseni also offered to buy a power generating set for the Centre when the matron expressed the need for one. The CP was also at SOS Children’s Village, Isolo, where, after donating food items, he promised to buy a deep freezer for the orphanage’s use. He also assured the matron that the Works Department of the Lagos Police Command would assist the home in painting the 10 bungalows being used by the inmates. Speaking with Saturday Tribune on why he decided to embark on the visits to these homes, CP Owoseni said: “The popular maxim in Nigeria is: ‘Police are your friends.’ But I want to add that police are not only the friends of the people but also their helpers. The visit was to get connected with members of the public, impact positively on them and express love to the needy in the spirit of Yuletide. “This is in furtherance of the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase’s passion to impact on our environment. The visit was also to connect with humanity by mingling with them to celebrate the Yuletide. The Lagos Police Command deemed it fit to contribute in its way to make the Yuletide merrier for members of these homes.”

Saturday Tribune

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

47 sport

9 January, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Pinnick begs police to rescue kidnapped Ogude’s wife

HE president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has urged the police to step up their search for the wife of Nigeria international, Fegor Ogude who was kidnapped on Monday. Gunmen reportedly stormed the Ogudes’ residence and took away the wife of the Russia-based player – a member of Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations - winning squad “I am calling on the Nigeria Police to please expedite action with regards to

the search for Fegor’s wife. The player is very, very worried in Russia where he is based and he can no longer concentrate on his professional duties,” Pinnick said. “Fegor Ogude served this country meritoriously and was in the Super Eagles that brought glory to Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). “I am making a special appeal to the Police to intensify the search for Mrs Maimunat Ogude, but I also call on the kidnappers to consider Fegor’s contri-

butions to Nigeria football and release his wife immediately, hale and hearty.” Meanwhile, Ogude who spoke from the base on Thursday lamented the unfortunate incident which he said has been giving him sleepless nights. “I am very worried. The kidnappers have not made any contact with any member of the family and this is three days after. I am very anxious that nothing untoward should happen to my wife,” he said. Reports said the gunmen threw Fegor’s children out

Guardiola could suit Arsenal —Wenger ARSENE Wenger feels Pep Guardiola’s preference to work in three-year blocks would not necessarily make him an unsuitable candidate to take charge of Arsenal. The 44-year-old will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season after three years in charge and recently announced that he intends to continue his career in the Premier League. Guardiola has since been linked with Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal and Wenger believes the Spaniard could work at the Emirates at some stage in the

future. “Would Pep’s three-year blocks suit Arsenal? Anything is suitable,” Wenger said at a news conference. “Every manager has his own way to run and model his career. There’s not only one way as long as they give their best to the club where they are. What I think is most important is that anybody who works for a football club gives full commitment. “How long does it last? Nobody knows. I didn’t plan to stay here for 20 years. “But it is interesting to have the best players and

managers in the Premier League.” Wenger has a contract with Arsenal until 2017 and seems unlikely to make way for Guardiola at the end of this season, but he is determined to leave the club in the best shape possible when he does depart. “It’s not my job to talk about who will succeed me,” he added. “I can only make sure of one thing, that the guy who comes after me finds the club in a very strong position with very good players in a very good, strong financial situation.”

of the car and drove away with his wife. The car has

since been recovered, but the whereabouts of Mrs

Maimunat Ogude remains unknown.

FA Cup FIXTURES

Saturday, January 9 Wycombe vs Aston Villa Arsenal vs Sunderland Birmingham vs Bournemouth Brentford vs Walsall Bury vs Bradford

NO 1133

N150

SATURDAY, 9 JANUARY, 2016

1:45pm 4:00pm 4:00pm 4:00pm 4:00pm

Colchester vs Charlton 4:00pm Doncaster vs Stoke City 4:00pm Eastleigh vs Bolton 4:00pm Everton vs Dag & Red 4:00pm Hartlepool vs Derby 4:00pm Huddersfield vs Reading 4:00pm

GLO-CAF awards:

My victory is for Gabon

—Aubameyang

Debunks Arsenal move Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja

E W L Y CROWNED African Player of the Year, Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has dedicated the award to the people of his country, just as he said his victory

was on merit. The Borussia Dortmund forward who scored 18 goals this season in the Bundesliga, on Thursday night became Africa’s best at the 2015 Glo-CAF awards gala held at the International

Platini drops FIFA presidency bid EMBATTLED Michel Platini has withdrawn his candidacy from next month’s FIFA presidency poll in order to clear his name over allegations of corruption. Platini is currently serving an eight-year ban from all football-related activity, a sanction handed down by the FIFA Ethics Committee, over an alleged “disloyal payment” made by Sepp Blatter to the Frenchman in 2011. In an interview with

French sports newspaper L’Equipe, an extract of which was published on Thursday, the UEFA president said: “I no longer put myself forward to be president of FIFA, I have withdrawn my candidacy. “I cannot do it, I do not have the time to see voters, meet people, to fight with the others. “By removing myself, I have made the choice to dedicate myself to my defence.”

Conference Centre, Abuja, beating four-time winner and Manchester City star, Yaya Toure to the award. Aubameyang also decribed his African award as a morale booster to the upcoming players on the continent to realise their dreams. “I thank the people of Gabon, this award is for them. I want to thank my teammates in the national team and also at Dortmund. It is their work that helps me to score goals. “I worked hard and I merit the award. For parents of the youth of Africa, please give your kids a chance to realise their dreams,” an elated Aubameyang said after he was

crowned in Abuja. Meanwhile, Aubameyang also refuted claims that he is set to join Arsenal. The Gabon international has been heavily linked with a move to the Gunners in recent weeks, but he has been firm in stating to ESPN his desire to remain with the German club. “Let me say this first: I am not going to Arsenal,” The speedy 26-year-old said. “Dortmund is my club and I am not leaving soon.”

Aubameyang

Messi deserves Ballon d’Or —Puyol FORMER FC Barcelona captain, Carles Puyol says Lionel Messi continues to get better and has backed him to win his fifth Ballon d’Or next week. The four-time winner is a firm favourite to lift the 2015 prize at Monday’s gala in Zurich ahead of teammate, Neymar and Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo. Puyol says the Argentina captain remains a cut above the rest in global football

and is amazed at the hunger he has to continue to win titles despite his glittering career to date. He told Omnisport: “I don’t know who’s going to win. In my opinion, Leo Messi is the one who deserves it. He’s the best in the world and in history probably. “He gets better every day, he is still growing, he is still hungry, which is very important, and I think he’s going to win his fifth Ballon

d’Or. It’s a good number, I always liked five [Puyol’s shirt number at Barca], so I will be happy for him, he deserves it. “Cristiano and Ney are also great players, but for me Leo is ahead of them.” Puyol has been impressed at the evolution in Messi’s game in recent seasons and considers him a far greater team player than he was in the past. “I know him well, I feel fortunate to have played

with him for many years and to have seen him grow and evolve,” said the former centre-back. “He is a player who can decide any moment. At the beginning he was more the kind of player who decides a match individually, but now he also is a team player, he is able to choose the right moment to pass and create a chance for the good of the team. Puyol is also happy to see Neymar having made the

Ballon d’Or final three for the first time and recalls having to face him during the Club World Cup final in 2011, when Barcelona beat Santos 4-0. “I’m not surprised by Neymar’s performances,” he added. “I knew him already, we played against him the Club World Cup, I had to mark him in the final so I analysed him and realised that he is a player who can make the difference.”

Messi

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: saturdaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: LASISI OLAGUNJU. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 9/1/2016.