9th October 2015

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,345

FRIDAY, 9 OCTOBER, 2015

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Senate sets conditions for minister-nominees

•2 senators must endorse each nominee •Must show proof of asset declaration •PDP senators reject partial list, send words to Buhari • What we discussed with Buhari at late night meeting —Saraki—P34,35

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Tribunal: Kashamu, Abiodun know fate today —P33

N150

Mina stampede: 355 Nigerians involved, 99 confirmed —P45 dead

Yoruba leaders give Buhari ultimatum •Say 'We won't stay in union that can't protect us' •Ask president to arrest, prosecute Falae's abductors •OPC'll protect every inch of Yorubaland —Fasehun, Gani Adams

—P4 ROLL CALL

General Adeyinka Adebayo Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu Chief Ayo Adebanjo Sir Olaniwun Ajayi Chief Adebayo Akande Professor Banji Akintoye Senator Femi Okurounmu Dr Fredrick Fasheun Chief Gani Adams General Raji Rasaki Chief Idowu Sofola, SAN Dr Tola Adeniyi Dr Olu Alabi Chief Supo Shonibare Chief Seinde Arogbofa Professor Toun Ogunseye Dr Kunle Olajide Mr Yinka Odumakin

From left, Managing Director, A. G. Leventis, Mr Michael Ikonomakis; Chairman, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, Ambassador Segun Apata; Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; Chairman A. G. Leventis Group, Chief J. B. Oke; Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and the Managing Director, NBC Ltd, Mr Ben Langat, at the Ikenne residence of the Awolowos, on Thursday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

Ebola: Doctor, 9 nurses, 5 others quarantined in —P33 C/River

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

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PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE

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9 1. Ambassador Segun Apata, chairman, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (right), presenting letter of condolence to Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu.

2. From left, Mr Clem Ugorji, Chief J.B. Oke, chairman, AG Leventis Group; Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Ambassador Segun Apata, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Mr Ben Langat, MD, (NBC); Mr Michael Ikonomakis, MD, AG Leventis and Mr Uzo Odenigbo, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, NBC Limited.

3. A cross section of clergymen from Remo Diocese.

4. From left, Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran, Mrs V.O. Adebekun, Mrs M.B. Onadipe, Mrs E.A. Sofekun and Mrs E.O. Jaiyesimi.

5. Mr Kolawole O. Oyerinde, Oyo State branch chairman, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), signing the condolence register at the Tribune House, Ibadan. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE 6. A cross section of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary School Teachers, Ikenne.

7. A cross section of YWCA, Oyo State chapter, with Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran.

8. Mrs Temilade Gbolahan of YWCA presenting letter of condolence to Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu.

9. A cross section of Wesley College Old Students Association (WESCOSA) with Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu.

10. From left, Ms Funto Edunjobi, Dr (Mrs) Moji Ogunlewe and Mrs Yemi Edunjobi.

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

news Yoruba leaders give Buhari ultimatum

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

•Say 'We won't stay in union that can't protect us' •Ask president to arrest, prosecute Falae's abductors •OPC'll protect every inch of Yorubaland —Fasehun, Gani Adams

By Dare Adekanmbi

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ROMINENT Yoruba leaders of thought, on Thursday, rose from an emergency summit in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, with a threat that the Yoruba nation might reconsider its place in the Nigerian federation if the country is not restructured to reflect genuine federalism.

“If we do not see any step in this direction within a reasonable time, the Yoruba may reconsider their place in a union that cannot protect them and would not allow them to protect themselves and use all legitimate and peaceful means to attain self-determination,” part of the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting said.

The summit was held against the background of the kidnap of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former presidential candidate, Chief Olu Falae, by the Fulani herdsmen and temerity of the herdsmen to return to his farm this week after his release.

The summit, for the first time in almost a decade, brought leaders of the various Yoruba groups together for a common cause of the ill treatment of the Yoruba nation in the country, particularly the incessant attacks of Fulani herdsmen on their hosts in the South-West zone.

The theme of the summit was: “National insecurity and the menace of Fulani herdsmen in Yorubaland.”

The Yoruba groups which were represented at the summit included the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), the Oodua Foundation, Afenifere, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), the Coalition of Yoruba Autonomy (COYA), the Oodua Democratic Coalition (ODC), the Ominira Yoruba Apapo, and the Agbekoya Organisation.

The communiqué was signed by the conveners, namely a former military governor of the defunct Western Region, Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo (chairman); Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; Professor Banji Akintoye; Sir Olaniwun Ajayi; Dr Fredrick Fasehun; Chief Gani Adams; Abitoye Tunde; Rasaq Oladosu; Oyebamiji Olalekan; Alhaji Hamad Raji; Dr Kunle Olajide (chairman, planning committee) and Evangelist Kunle Adeshokeru.

Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State were represented by their deputies Chief Moses Adeyemo and the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Sola Ebiseni, respectively.

From left, Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo; chairman on the occasion, General Adeyinka Adebayo; Secretary, Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Dr Kunle Olajide and Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, at the Yoruba Summit, held at the Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan, on Thursday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU. Other leaders at the summit included Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Dr Saka Balogun; Chief Kola Ogunjobi; Senator Femi Okurounmu; Chief Idowu Sofola SAN; Dr Tola Adeniyi; Chief Shuaib Oyedokun; General Raji Rasaki; Professor Lola Adekunle; Alhaji Rasaq Adekola; Chief Akin Omosebi and Chief Akin Onigbinde.

Others are Chief Seinde Arogbofa; Dr Olu Alabi; Chief Adebayo Akande; Professor Banji Akintoye; Professor Toun Ogunseye; Dr Gani Adams; Dr Fredrick Fasehun; Alhaji AbdulJelil Adesiyan; Mr Yinka Odumakin; Mr Sina Kawonise, Chief Supo Shonibare; Mrs Bola Doherty; Professor Olatunde Oluwasanmi, among others.

The summit asked President Muhammadu Buhari to see to “the immediate arrest and prosecution of the abductors of Chief Falae and all perpetrators of the violent crimes which have been reported at different police stations in Yorubaland arising from cattle rearing activities.”

The text of the communiqué tagged “Ibadan Declaration of Yoruba Leaders of Thought on Fulani Herdsmen’s Siege to our nation” was entitled: “We Shall Take it no More.”

“After an extensive and inclusive debate on the threats to our survival as a people, especially by the unprovoked, unwarranted and mindless serial attacks on the economic rights of our people by nomadic Fulani cattle rearers, which have snowballed into loss of precious lives, raping of our women and criminal abduction of our people for ransom; the following communiqué was adopted: “Summit observed that despite the non-aggressive disposition of the Yoruba people, we have been victims of crude aggressions, violent violations from our hostile neighbours from pre-colonial days till modern time.

“From the 18th century, Fulani jihadists onslaught against Yoruba space, through the travails of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, through the June 12 saga to the latest war declared on our people by the Fulani herdsmen, we have always risen above the hurt inflicted on us to strive to make our neighbours see the need to deal with ourselves peaceably in justice and fairness not because we are cowards, but because God created us to fight only as a last resort.

“We have since the amalgamation of Nigeria gone to every part of the country to live and work, respecting our hosts and posing no threat to them, because our fathers say when you are in the city of lepers you have to fold your fingers.

“Summit paid glowing tributes to the memories of our illustrious sons and daughters who became sacrificial lambs in the course of these aggressions against us over the years, such as Adekunle Fajuyi; Bashorun M.K,O Abiola; Kudirat Abiola; Alfred Rewane; Suliat Adedeji; Layi Balogun and hundreds of our people mowed down on the streets of Lagos by ethnic cleansing forces of the late General Sani Abacha; “Summit recalled that in spite of the untold injustices meted on us over the years within the Nigerian project, we remain the only one out of the biggest tribes that has never questioned the corporate existence of Nigeria even with the obvious and sustained agenda of forces of domination to deny us the opportunity to live our civilisation, build on our golden achievements of the Awo years and move at our own pace; “Summit was alarmed by the recent abduction of a foremost Yoruba nationalist and Nigerian patriot, Chief Olu Falae, by Fulani herdsmen on his farm the day he turned

77. His violent abduction during which machete cuts were inflicted on him was sequel to the running battles he has had with nomadic Fulani cattle rearers who at various times destroyed his crops, and thereby, denying him the sweat of his labour.

“In one instance, two months before his kidnap, he sought police intervention and the effort led to the herdsmen being asked to pay him compensation. His abduction and payment of ransom before he was released is an assault on the Yoruba nation and all that we cherish.

“The return of the herdsmen to his farm on Monday, October 6, to continue their mindless grazing is to us an open declaration of war on the Yoruba people by these invaders; “Summit was not unmindful of the fact that the ordeal of Chief Falae is a continuation of the series of attacks these herdsmen have inflicted on our farmers over the years in their contempt for our land and the people therein which now appear to mean nothing to them than a grazing reserve.

“They have violated and killed our women like Mrs Ayesi Balogun, who was raped and killed by Fulani herdsmen on February 7, in Asa in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State.

A newly-wed lady was reported to have been raped by the same Fulani herdsmen in the same community.

“Regrettably, the Nigerian law enforcement system has woefully showed it cannot protect our people given the plethora of reports that different communities have made to them with little or no action at all; “Therefore, given the gravity of the situation and the apparent unwillingness of the Nigerian state to put an end to this siege and also because we cannot afford to leave our people at the mercy of violent

herdsmen who not only destroy their economic activities but also rape our women and kill innocent people; “Summit demands immediate end to the lawless nomadic cattle grazing in Yorubaland and ask all those who want to engage in cattle business in any part of our land to do animal husbandry by establishing ranches.

Our people are no longer prepared to tolerate further encroachment on their farmlands and brutal attacks on them. To this end, all nomadic herdsmen are to wind up their criminal nomadic activities in Yorubaland. Failing to do so may attract several consequences; “Summit asks the Federal Government to ensure immediate arrest and prosecution of the abductors of Chief Falae and all perpetrators of the violent crimes, which have been reported at different police stations in Yorubaland arising from cattle rearing activities.

“Realising that the crisis that we are witnessing presently over the actions of the Fulani herdsmen is a function of the refusal of Nigeria to practise true federalism which would guarantee significant autonomy to the constituent units, Summit demands an immediate restructuring of Nigeria with the implementation of the report of 2014 National Conference as a starting point,” the communiqué said.

Governor Ajimobi cautioned that the development should not be viewed as a North versus South situation, but one which should be considered through the perspective of illegality versus legality.

He stressed that the people of the South-West should refrain from taking laws into their own hands, while vowing to ensure the security of life and property in the state.

Mimiko's representative, however, noted that with the Fulani herdsmen, knowing

the geography of Yorubaland even more than their hosts and their nefarious activities posed a serious threat to peace in Yorubaland.

He emphasised that a situation, where the Yoruba would be led in the nose by strangers must never be tolerated in any part of the Yoruba nation.

Founder and national coordinators of OPC, Dr Fasehun and Chief Adams, said patience of the Yoruba nation was no longer elastic and expressed determination of the group to secure every inch of Yoruba territory.

Chief Adams said OPC would mobilise men and materials for the security of Chief Falae and his farms henceforth and threatened war against the Fulani herdsmen, should they dare to make a third visit to the septuagenarian.

Meanwhile, a former Minister of Aviation, Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, has said he is in full support of the resolutions of the Ibadan summit and expressed delight at its success.

In a statement, Fani-Kayode, who was billed to give a goodwill message at the summit, said he was held in traffic between Lokoja and Okene road, only to arrive Ibadan when the summit had ended.

“What they (Yoruba leaders) have done is long overdue and it is important that we keep it up. Yoruba must come together and stand united against those who seek to divide, shame and humiliate us and wish to turn us into second-class citizens.

“We must be ready to defend our territory and our people, when and where the government fails in its sacred duty to do it for us. Selfhelp and self-defence is not a crime, but a necessity. We cannot be anyone’s sacrificial lamb.

“I hope those who kill, maim, rape and humiliate our people and desecrate our homes and land in the name of cattle-rearing get the message. Things can never be the same again and as long as they continue to kill and attack our people, there can never be peace between us.

“If and when we are pushed to the wall, we know exactly what to do. The killings, rapings, abductions, desecration and pillaging of our land and farms by these Fulani herdsmen must stop or else, there will be consequences,” he said General Alani Akinrinade, who was part of the summit, could not attend on account of his travel to the United States, but expressed support for the initiative.

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6 news Nigeria generates N220bn annually on eggs production OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta

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HE Poultry Association of Nigeria has said that the country generates N220 billion annually on egg production.

This was disclosed by the chairman of the association, Ogun State chapter, Dr Lekan Odunsi, at a press conference to mark this year’s World Egg Day in Abeokuta.

Odunsi noted that the country has the potential to boost the nation’s economy in the non-oil sector.

The chairman observed that an increase in the per capita consumption of eggs of each person annually would equally raise the annual revenue to about N340 billion.

Odunsi also said that about N1.7 billion revenue would be injected into the nation’s revenue if 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population consumes one egg per day.

He, thereafter, made a passionate call to the state and Federal Governments to provide support for poultry farmers to enable them produce more eggs.

Qualitative representation of my people, my priority —Benue lawmaker Honorable John Okloho of Ugboju /Adoha State constituency of Benue state has promised qualitative representation of his people within his four years of his tenure in office.

According to Okloho, his people would be adequately represented in areas, such as bringing of state government presence to his constituency, wooing of local and foreign investors to his area, using of his constituency project allowance to purchase transformers for his people, assisting of the market men and women, farmers artisans and students, influencing of the state government in the area of roads tarring, channelisation of drainages, ensuring good drinkable water, sponsoring meaningful and people oriented bills on the floor of the house, supporting reasonable bills being sponsored by his colleagues.

“As various FAO research findings have indicated, in the next 40 years, meat and egg production will have to grow by 75 per cent to meet the demand for animal protein. Nigerian farmers can meet this demand if proper

support is provided by government.

“The current per capita consumption is 65 eggs.

The egg industry produces about 1 billion eggs per annum valued at approximately N220 billion.

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

Lagosmetro Two trucks pothole in Chima Nwokoji

The flooded entrance of Area 1 Estate at Adura area of Agbado, Lagos, after Thursday’s early morning downpour.

PHOTO: Chukwuma Okparaocha

A flooded area by the toll gate pedestrian bridge after a heavy downpour in Lagos.

Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Ambode to light-up 67 Lekki villages, after 35-year darkness Bola Badmus

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agos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday unveiled plans to light up 67 villages that have been in darkness for 35 years in Lekki area of the state.

The governor is also set to light up the entire stretch of road from Berger to Lagos Island and Ikorodu to Lagos Island under Phase 1 and 2, stating that the light up of the 67 villages and the entire stretch of Berger and Ikorodu to Lagos Island will be completed by December, 2015.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Energy, Deji Williams, disclosed at a news conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa in Ikeja, saying Governor Ambode had given the order on the projects.

Williams said a team from the electricity board was currently studying the architectural drawings of the roads to ascertain the number of street lights needed to

light up the entire stretch of road from Berger to Island and Ikorodu to Island.

According to him, most of the street lights will be connected to the existing Independent Power Projects (IPP) to reduce the operational expenses, saying that each of the poles would be affixed

with 250 watts.

The Senior Special Assistant said jobs would be created through the projects for the fact that the private sectors would be involved in the maintenance of the street lights, adding that the Gani Fawehinmi and MKO Parks would also be illuminated.

On vandalism, he said the service providers would be held liable for any of such act as they were meant to secure the facilities.

Also speaking, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Taofik Fashola, re-affirmed that the lighting

up of the entire stretch of road from Berger to Lagos Island would be undertaken in the first phase.

According to him, the light up of Ikorodu to Lagos Island will be undertaken in the second phase, while the light up of the 67 villages will be for the third phase.

Two trailers, on Monday night including a fuel-laden tanker and a container-laden trailer fell close to each other, after they both bumped into the same pothole at the national Agency for Food and Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) end of Oshodi.

Eye witnesses said the fuel tanker which first bumped into the pothole, fell off track, and was dismembered.

The eyewitnesses added that the driver, on seeing the fuel tank burning, jumped out of the truck and ran away; abandoning the burning truck.

The second truck carrying a container according to an eyewitness who simply identified himself as Akeem, also bumped into the ditch and the container it was carrying fell on top of a Nissan car.

Akeem said both the fallen trailer and the vehicle beside it got burnt, but the occupants escaped. The pothole, he explained further is deep and wide and whenever it rains, flood covers the surface, making it difficult for drivers who are not familiar with the terrain to drive into it.

Akeem added that within a week, more than four trucks had fallen into the pothole.

“It happened at the night after the rain; otherwise,

LAWMA, LGs partner to resuscitate wole-wole health scheme Gbemi Solaja As part of efforts towards ensuring safe, clean and healthy environment, Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA) is collaborating with the local government environmental health officers in the state for effective and efficient waste management process Speaking on behalf of LAWMA, at a meeting between the two agencies, Head of Procurement, Mr Gbola Sulaimon expressed optimism at the partnership, saying that it would guarantee proper waste collection and sanitation system

Sulaimon, who lauded the efforts of the local health officers, charged them to revisit the wole-wole scheme, under which the state enjoyed a healthy environment, adding that, “We grew up to know wole-wole. These health officials left nothing undone and also brought about a better Lagos.”

He assured residents of the agency’s commitment to its zero waste initiative approach to the waste management process, stating that, “in a highly populated city like Lagos, and considering the huge volume of waste generated, recycling and zero waste

initiatives seemed to be the clear trend for the future.”

He added that the sporadic increase in waste generation, due to urban-

isation and industrialisation and its attendant problems had necessitated deliberate strategy towards waste reduction, en-

vironmental protection and wealth creation, asserting that the partnership would guarantee quick results in the nearest future.

Why I fired 60 widows street-sweepers — Lanre Adewole Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) is currently embroiled in crisis over the decision of the authorities of the council area to fire 60 street-sweepers, who were mostly widows.

Incidentally, the sacking authority is the female council chairman, Alhaja

Funmilayo Mohammed who currently operates as the Executive Secretary.

Mohammed, who was the vice-chairman of the LCDA for six years before her appointment as the interim head, said the 60 street-sweepers were fired because they were too old for the job, adding that she planned for a fresh recruitment.

Funmilayo, who spoke harshly to Lagos Metro during the telephone conversation insisted that the correspondent must see her in person and when she wasn’t able to cut the desired deal, she snapped and hung up.

It was learnt that she had claimed that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode directed her to sack the widows, who

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Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

collide, tumble at same Oshodi there would have been a lot of casualties because Oshodi is always overcrowded,” he added.

Lagos Metro recalls that the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Oluseyi Whenu, had on September 6, announced that henceforth, the state government would impound any articulated vehicle whose driver contravenes the State Road Traffic Law 2012, adding that it will restrict them from plying the metropolis between the hours of 6.00 a.m. and 9.00

p.m.

Whenu stated that the measure became necessary following incessant auto accidents of articulated vehicles, especially, the fatal accident at Ojuelegba, Surulere Local Government Area, involving a container-laden trailer on September 2, adding that the trailer was discovered to have contravened Section 2 (i) and 2 (ii) of the Traffic Law. The state government has since relaxed the order following a strike embarked by truck drivers in Lagos over the restriction directive.

Policeman shoot driver to death in Ogun Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta A policeman (namewitheld) on Tuesday night shot to death, a commercial driver identified as Mr Likinyo Olumide, at the old Sagamu Toll gate, along Lagos-Benin Expressway.

The deceased driver, who was conveying traders from Idumagbo, Lagos Island to Okitipupa, met his untimely death, when one of the policemen ordered him to alight from the vehicle and fired him.

Giving account of how the incident happened, one of the passengers, Folake Egbeuwalo, said, “When we reached Sagamu toll gate, we did not know that there were policemen on the road.

They asked the driver to park and immediately he did. The driver came out of the car and stood beside the vehicle. The policeman then moved to the other side of the road and shot him.”

She explained that the policeman took to his heels af-

ter he had shot at the driver and later re-appeared with a Hilux van marked NPF 104 OD, to take the remains of the late driver away.

The late Likinyo, aged 42, is survived with a pregnant wife and six children.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police zone 2, Balade Hassan, who was on a visit to Ogun State on Wednesday, in his reaction said the policeman would face the wrath of the law.

The AIG said, “the regulation is clear and the con-

The deadly Oshodi pot hole and fallen trucks, on Thursday. PHOTO: Chima Nwokoji

Tension in Oshodi as procession for slain MC Oluomo’s aide holds Olalekan Olabulo TENSION has gripped residents of Oshodi area of Lagos State over reported

candle light procession for an aide of MC Oluomo, who was killed last week.

Some residents of the area, who spoke with Lagos

Metro expressed fear that colleagues of the deceased Mamora might forment trouble.

The residents also im-

Restrict movement when raining —Govt warns residents • Identifies “danger zone” Lanre Adewole Lagos State Government has alerted residents to the consequences of flooding resulting from heavy rainfall from the month of October 2015 as it would be in some other parts of the country, asking them to be prepared.

A statement by Mr Yinka

— Apapa-Iganmu LG boss were on a salary of N10, 000 per month.

She reportedly claimed that insufficient fund was also responsible for the directive.

When Lagos Metro reminded her that the LCDA allocation in July was N67 million, N77 million in August and N50 million in September, she replied angrily, “Those who reported to you are they saying I can fire

stitution is clear about the right to life of all Nigerians, so, if anybody takes the life of anybody, be it a policeman or civilian not as provided by the constitution, you will get the full wrath of the law.”

anyone again. Is what I did beyond my power?”

When reminded that mostly old women do the sweeping job, coupled with the fact that they are widows, she replied, “I screened them before sacking them. I want to replace them with those who can work. Other local governments simply sacked all of them. I still screened them. They are old women.”

Bankole-Bawa, Director Public Affairs Relations of the Ministry of Environment, quoted government as charging the residents to be prepared.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Oluwatoyin Onisarotu reportedly reiterated that the warning had become necessary in order to sensitise the populace to ensure freeflow of water in drainages.

The Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) had earlier predicted heavy rainfall for Lagos State among other states.

Mr Onisarotu appealed to Lagos residents to clean and clear drainages in their environs, regularly.

He further advised them not to panic, whenever it rains, as they would start to experience accumulated water concentration on

some parts of the roads and highways, depending on the intensity of the rains and he assured that the accumulated water will recede in no time, stressing that whatever flash floods recorded during the rains, will gradually discharge in no time because of the effectiveness of the drainage channels.

Onisarotu further enjoined those that reside along flood plains, low-line areas and other coast-lines like Ajegunle, Owode-Onirin axis, Owode-Elelede, Kuramo beach, Alpha beach, Okunmapo, Okun Ajah, Ijora-Badia, Iwaya among others, and other low line areas to be careful and may need to vacate their residence, temporarily, once they notice gradual accumulation of rising water and move to higher grounds as the state was not ready to lose any life

during the rainy period.

The Permanent Secretary implored Lagosians to take safety precautions during this period, adding that the following precautionary measures should be taken: *Avoid going out during the rains except only when it is compulsory. *Be conscious when driving, do not over speed and ensure that your vehicles are in good condition. *Do not drive through flooded areas as it might be difficult to identify its depth. *Plan your journey before going out and avoid unnecessary outings.

Onisarotu however, assured that the State Government would continue to intensify its cleaning and maintenance programme and promised not to relent until the zero tolerance targets regarding flooding are attained.

plored the colleagues of the deceased Mamora to allow the police to do justice to the murder case, since the police claimed to have identified the murderers.

Lagos Metro recalls that the State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni had a few days ago told newsmen that the police were on the trail of the killers.

Residents of Mosaku and other parts of Oshodi who were apprehensive of possible clash at the procession, said that they would retire into their homes early.

A resident, who simply identified himself as Engineer Seyi said “we are closing very early today because of the procession.

Many traders in this area will also close early because of the candle light because anything can happen.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the image maker in charge of the state police command, Joe Offor on police preparedness to forestall a breakdown of law and order, yielded no result as his mobile line was said not to be unavailable.

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

Ending Boko Haram insurgency, my topmost priority —Buhari

UK offers to assist Nigeria Clement Idoko -Abuja

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R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed the determination of his administration to end the Boko Haram insurgency as quickly as possible.

He stated this commitment, just as the United Kingdom said it would further assist Nigeria in its quest to end the Boko Haram terrorism by December 2015.

Buhari spoke on Thursday, at an audience with Britain's Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, who visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said significant improvements in national security remained the topmost priority of his administration, because other socio-economic initiatives cannot be successfully implemented without adequate security in the country.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, quoted Buhari as saying for a country to be efficiently administered, it must first be well secured.

He added that other social and economic initiatives of the government could not thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.

He said: “An environment has to be secured before it can be rehabilitated. Nigeria currently has about 1.5 million internally displaced persons and they need to be returned to their homes and brought out of trauma.

“Their schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, farms and livelihoods have been destroyed by insurgents.

If they are not catered for, the country may lose their loyalty.

“When Boko Haram is pushed out and the environment secured, normal life will be restored. That is what we are determined to do. Other things, like farming, economic activities and social life will then return. Nigerians are quite enterprising,” President Buhari told the British Defence Chief.

The president said Nigeria appreciated Britain’s support for the retraining of its Armed Forces and asked for more assistance in other areas, such as logistics, equipment and intelligence.

He also called for more international support for regional efforts to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea through which crude oil stolen from Ni-

geria was shipped.

In his remarks, General Houghton said Buhari Presidency was a huge opportunity for Nigeria to make progress.

General Houghton said he was very impressed with the progress Nigeria had made in the war against terrorism under President Buhari government and

assured the president that Britain would continue to support the Federal Government's efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), welcoming the Chief of Defence, United Kingdom, General Nicholas Houghton, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. With them is the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright. PHOTO: NAN.

“We will also help to ensure that the causes of insurgency are removed.

Beyond the military dimension, we are also interested in the stabilisation dimension,” he said.

The British Chief of Defence Staff, General Houghton, who also spoke with the State House correspondents shortly after a closed-door meeting he had with President Buhari, said he was sent by his government because the UK shared an interesting security situation with Nigeria.

Houghton said he was in the country to see how the UK could give the necessary support to the government and the president to ensure that the country optimises whatever support it could give Nigeria.

On why the support is coming now, Houghton said it had now been recognised more than ever before, that many of the security threats that were posed were not just localised ones, but were regionalised and global ones.

Boko Haram: Army reinforces troops in Geidam •Scores of Boko Haram killed •3 soldiers killed Chris Agbambu -Abuja FOLLOWING attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Sector 1 of 27 Task Force Brigade, Geidam, Yobe State, on Wednesday night, the Nigerian Army has reinforced troops.

Army’s spokesperson, Colonel S.K. Usman, said the attack was successfully repelled by the troops and reinforcement sent, while the troops killed most of the terrorists and destroyed their weapons and equipment.

He disclosed regretfully that the Army lost three of its men and some equipment during the encounter.

According to him, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, who was on operational visit to the North-East, personally visited the troops location to assess the damage done and warned the officers of the unit that such ugly incident should not be allowed to happen again.

The COAS also drove into the town and further assessed damage by the terrorists and gave further directives to the troops for the defence and improved security of the general area.

He also met with some of the community leaders and the Idris Aloma Polytechnic

staff, assuring them of their safety and improved security.

Colonel Usman added that the situation in Geidam was now calm and people were going about their normal businesses.

The COAS was received at Geidam by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major-General Has-

san Umaru and the acting Commander 27 Task Force Brigade, who led the reinforcement team last night.

The COAS was accompanied on the visit by the Theatre Commander, ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, Major-General Yusha’u Abubakar; the Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Major-General Fatai Alli, as well as acting Director

of Military Intelligence, acting Provost Marshall and the Director of Campaign Planning, as well as the acting Director, Army Public Relations and the Liaison Officer of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

The Army spokesperson assured the public that this isolated incident would not be allowed to repeat

itself and reaffirmed their determination and commitment to route out the Boko Haram terrorists in all their enclaves before the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the COAS has continued his operational visit to other formations and units within the theatre of war against the Boko Haram insurgents.

Insurgency: Reps to probe Chinese firm over N76bn failed CCTV installations in Abuja, Lagos Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja ALARMED by the increasing wave of insurgency activities in the country, the House of Representatives, on Thursday, resolved to probe the failure of a Chinese firm, ZTE Corporation, to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in Abuja and Lagos, following the contract awarded to the firm in 2010 for a whopping sum of $470 million, (N76 billion).

The House also urged the federal, states and local governments to install/reactivate CCTV cameras and other security gadgets in the FCT, state capitals and major cities across the nation, which could detect and alert security agencies of any breach of security at any time.

The resolutions followed a motion moved by Honourable Adekoya Adesegun Abdul-Majid and Honourable Abiodun Faleke demanding “the reactivation/ installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in Abuja, state capitals and major cities and investigation of the failure of ZTE Corporation to complete the contract of installing the cameras in Abuja and Lagos.”

Honourable Adekoya, while moving the motion at the pelnary, on Thursday, expressed concern about the dormant state of the CCTV cameras installed in Abuja

by ZTE Corporation after it procured a contract in 2010, to do same in Lagos, with both costing a whopping $470 million.

He argued that “by the

contractual terms, Nigeria was required to make a down payment of 15 per cent, amounting to about $70.5 million, while the Chinese EXIM Bank was to provide the remaining 85per cent, amounting to $399.5 million, which Nigeria was required to repay on a three per cent interest rate within 10 years at prevailing exchange rate.”

While lamenting the failure of ZTE Corporation, a Chinese firm to complete the contract which would have gone a long way in containing security challenges in the country, Honourable Adekoya, expressed dismay that each loan secured from the Chinese government “is always tied to specific contracts for that project having to be awarded to Chinese companies, thereby repatri-

ating certain percentage of the sum loaned, including interest; thereby creating employment for the Chinese and shortchanging local Nigerian companies in the process.”

Debating the motion, several lawmakers, in expressing support for the motion during the debate, described it as timely and long overdue, but proposed different amendments to the prayers, with a view to strengthening the resolutions further.

The House Majority Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, in his submission, argued that the subject matter was something that came up on the floor of the House in the seventh Assembly and was debated with resolutions passed, but nothing seemed to be done.

businessnews Capital Oil boss calls for deregulation of downstream sector 11

OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos

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he Chairman of Capital Oil Limited, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, has joined other stakeholders calling for subsidy removal.

Addressing journalists in Lagos on Thursday, Ubah stated that “but before the subsidy removal can be possible, the Federal Government should ensure the building of at least 10 modular refineries to complement the existing four refineries in Nigeria.”

He argued that the Federal Government was struggling to settle outstanding subsidy claims and considering the downturn in crude oil price, “this is the best time to deregulate.”

According to him, “the Federal Government owes me over N11 billion in subsidy arrears since 2012 because there is a Sovereign Debt Notes (SDN) that covers the subsidy debt which is globally honoured and I’m confident it will be paid soon.

“Nigerians will not remember the hardship they experienced during fuel scarcity period when banks were forced to shut down, telecommunication companies were also shut down. But I practically ensured that all that ended when I disregarded marketers’ directives to shut our stations.

“I have not been importing products since 2011 but I buy products from importers and also get supplies from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) because I have facilities to discharge 30 million litres of fuel per

Friday, 9 October, 2015

day.”

He advised the government to use the Sovereign

Wealth Fund (SWF) with a balance of about $500 million to invest in the modu-

change earnings and reduce pressure on those people going to the refineries to

load products,” he said.

He concluded by stressing that he was not into crude oil trading or marketing since he ventured into oil and gas sector.

AXA Mansard inaugurates HR leadership conference OlatundeDodondawa-Lagos

From left, Mr Mohamed Miraj Abbass, Regional Director, Africa, Daikin Air Conditioning Middle East & Africa; Mr Sano Ryoji, President, Daikin Middle East & Africa; Ms Kunga Miyuki, Interpreter and Mr John Woma, Media Consultant at a press conference of Daikin Air Conditioning Japan at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently. PHOTO: ALABA IGBAROOLA.

‘RB promises to make Nigeria malaria-free by 2020’ Officials of Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria, the maker of Mortein insecticides, have said the company is committed to making Nigeria malaria-free by year 2020 through its innovative products.

However, they explained, when a mosquito bites infected persons, a small amount of blood is taken, which contains malaria parasite. These parasites develop within the mosquito within a week.

When the mosquito takes its next blood meal, the

parasites are injected with the mosquito’s saliva into the persons being bitten.

After a period of between two weeks and several months spent in the livers, the malaria parasites start to multiply within red blood cells, causing malaria but Mortein kills 100 per cent mosquitoes.

Speaking recently on “own a community campaign” organised to educate members of Kosofe Local Council on prevention of mosquitoes, courtesy of Reckitt Benckiser in Ikeja, Lagos, the Market-

AJE launches premium BIG Cola, Orange, Lemon brands in Nigeria Consumers of nonalcoholic beverage drinks in Nigeria have been promised great value for money.

This is coming from the Country Manager of the newly launched BIG range of high quality brand of soft drinks: BIG Cola, BIG Orange and BIG Lemon.

At the trade launch of the BIG brand on Saturday witnessed by a select class of guests including the media, dealers, staff, guest from the brand’s corporate headquarters in Peru & Spain, the Country Manager, Mr Theo Williams, revealed that the brand was the next BIG thing coming to the Nigerian beverage market.

lar refineries.

“This will also reduce pressure on foreign ex-

“We are here to democratise soft drinks consumption. We dream big, we think big. In line with our global brand values of brave, entrepreneur, ingenious and surprising, we came to Nigeria with the determination to brave all odds to provide consumers of soft drinks with great choice of quality beverage at affordable prices.

“When we came to Agbara a few years ago, this place was in a state of decrepit; we turned it around and established our plant.

Today, we are producing drinks with the finest of ingredients and the purest of waters in a new state-ofthe-arts factory. The BIG brand delivers a superior

and more enjoyable drinking experience not only to consumers, but also promises more profitable entrepreneurship venture to our trade partners,” disclosed Williams.

The American-born Williams also revealed further that the BIG brand was the official drink of the English Football.

“The global operational philosophy is that we offer consumers ‘More value for less money’. This implies we democratise the consumption of soft drinks wherever we operate, ensuring anyone and everyone can afford a drink every day, anytime and anywhere,” Williams emphasised.

ing Director, RB West Africa, Mr Oguhzan Silivrili, said the company had one of fast-moving consumer goods in Nigeria. He added that Reckitt Benckiser’s power brands were all market leaders sold nearly in 200 countries and found in millions of households all over the world.

However, Silivrili explained the vision of the company was to have a world where people become healthier and better. To achieve this, the company had upheld the value of innovation, providing innovative solutions through their products to ensure healthier lives in safer homes.

Silivrili said: “Our number one insect killer brand, Mortein, has taken fore in its category to combat the scourge of malaria in Nige-

ria.”

Silivrili informed that Reckitt Benckiser, as corporate socially responsibility firm (CSR), had contributed a lot to Nigeria over the years in order to give back to the society where it operates.

He said: “Mortein stepped ahead of others when we launched the Mortein Voice against Malaria Campaign in 2012, a pan-Nigeria anti-malaria campaign which sought to educate pregnant mothers on how they can protect themselves and their children age of zero to five years against malaria.

“The initiative is also aimed at supporting the current effort of the Federal Government to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the state to the barest minimum.”

A leading Health Management Organization (HMO) in Nigeria, AXA Mansard, has delved into human resource management as it launched the HR Leaders Conference barely one year after the birth of the mother company, AXA Mansard Health Limited.

The conference is geared towards providing a platform for human resource leaders to meet and discuss issues as they relate to improving and sustaining employees’ motivation in the workplace.

The theme of the conference is: ‘Sustaining Employees Motivation through Integrated Benefit Planning.’

Speaking at the flag-off of the conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the Chairman, AXA Mansard, Olusola Adeeyo, stated that the purpose of the conference was to enlighten organisations on the need to treat their staff well, emphasising that business owners should rather build people who would in turn build their businesses.

“If I didn’t know the importance of people in an organization, now I know.

Company owners should take our people with absolute importance. This event is to discuss how we can better the workforce in our organisations. They have to be motivated,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Client Officer, Tosin Runsewe, said AXA’s commitment at providing a suitable work environment for its clients was second to none.

Badejo-Okusanya speaks at 2015 ICCO global PR summit in Italy The Secretary General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Managing Director, CMC Connect BursonMarsteller, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, joined global experts in strategic communications between recently in Milan, Italy at the 2015 International Communications Consultancy Organisations (ICCO) Global Summit.

The consummate Pub-

lic Relations technocrat joined other speakers and discussants from around the world to speak and deliberate on the theme: Food for Thought: A PR perspective.

Speakers and discussants at the summit include Aaron Renner Kwittken, Global Chairman & CEO Kwittken; Andreas Fischer-Appelt, Global Chairman of PROI Worldwide Owner Fisch-

er Appelt; Blair Metcalfe, Head of Media & Entertainment at Ogilvy Public Relations; Colin Byrne, Chief Executive Officer UK & EMEA, Weber Shandwick; Brad Staples, Chief Executive Officer, APCO Worldwide; Michael Frohlich, UK’s CEO & EMEA COO, Ogilvy; Susan Agliata, Head of Branded Content Solutions, Google, and many others.

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

Global economic growth rate at 3.1% —W/Bank

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he world economic growth for the year 2015 is set to disappoint, as it slows at 3.1 percent for the year 2015, the World Bank has revealed.

According to the bank’s global monitoring report for 2015/2016, “world economic growth in 2015 is set to disappoint, down to 3.1 percent, from 3.4 percent in 2014, on the basis of slower growth in many emerging market economies”.

Philip Schellekens (pictured), the report’s lead author, said the world is experiencing a demographic change which should be put to use to unlock opportunities.

“The engines of global growth need to address demographic headwinds and adapt institutions and policies to aging. In today’s interconnected world, effective policies will also arbitrage demographic change across countries,” he said. “Freer flows of capital, trade and— especially—labor present tremendous opportunity to turn this era of intense demographic change into one of sustained development progress.”

Seán Nolan, deputy director in the IMF’s strategy, policy, and review department, who spoke on the report, said the global market is becoming largely uncertain.

“The global economic environment is increasingly uncertain, with growth prospects having again been marked down—feeding concerns about a more fundamental slowdown in the trend growth rate in many countries,” he said.

“Supply-side reforms to revitalize productivity growth are essential, with the key actions required varying with country circumstances.”

The report adds that growth is expected to pick up to 3.6 percent in 2016, helped by strengthening recoveries in major ad-

female participation in the workforce, and strengthening of social welfare systems, in late-dividend countries where the share of the working age population is declining like Brazil.

Post-dividend countries such as Japan, which are characterized by declining workforces and rising

numbers of elderly, were advised to complete health care and pension reforms and take further steps to raise workforce participation and productivity.

The report was unveiled at the annual meeting of the World Bank Group and the IMF, holding in Lima, Peru.

Master of ceremonies at the Globacom Slide ‘N’ Bounce Music Concert, Folajimi Akinsola, popularly known as Jimmy, with Obadia Shanu and Hassan Idris, winners of a dance competition at the concert in Ijebu Ode, recently.

FG considers reduction of electricity tariff Clement Idoko-Abuja

THE Federal Government may be considering reduction of electrify tariff paid

by Nigerians until there is stability in power supply and distribution.

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who gave this indication said until there was stability in

Customer service week: Diamond Bank CEO turns teller, attends to customers Uzoma Dozie has been personally attending to the highly valued customers of the bank as part of activities to mark the global celebration of the 2015 World Customer Service Week.

Taking his role as teller for the day at the Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos branch, Dozie expressed delight at the opportunity to personally attend to the customers in keeping with the bank’s core values of going the extra mile to foster lasting relationships with its customers.

“It is a pleasant experience to meet with our customers and also interact with them firsthand. We

vanced economies—led by the United States— and some turnaround from weak situations in several emerging market and developing economies.

The report recommends that governments should encourage savings for productive investment,

just updated our customer service application to make meeting customer needs a lot easier and faster. We will always do our best possible to stay in touch with our publics and get relevant information on how our services impact their lives and businesses directly,” Dozie said.

Many customers were stunned on realising that they were being attended to by the most senior officer of the bank. According to Tene Alero Jumoke, the first customer to be attended to by the CEO, “today is my most memorable day in the banking hall; to see the Managing director attend to me.

the power sector, electricity tariffs could not remain at the levels they are currently.

A statement on Thursday in Abuja by the Senior Special AssistantMedia & Publicity to the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo, spoke at the Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari as the Special Guest of Honour.

He said, “at this point, if we wanted to have a cost effective tariff, the only way is to service that core value chain, the only way is to ensure that we are paying and compensating the value chain -from generation down to distribution- a cost effective tariff.”

In a similar vein, the Vice President also made it clear at the meeting that a review of the CBN restrictions on foreign currency was not imminent.

He said: “I want to make it absolutely clear that the position is not that a re-

view of the CBN restrictions on foreign exchange is imminent. It is a short term measure, not a policy, and as things improve, we will have a discussion about what to do. But certainly not that a review is about to take place.

“Power is of course crucial and as the president said in his inaugural address, to which President Mbeki referred, the question of power is one that is absolutely crucial to manufacturing and practically

everything else and we shouldn’t be rejoicing at 4000 Megawatts of power.

But the problems are historical and several of those problems will need tackling head on, on a day-byday basis.

“One aspect of the problem that i want to speak about, because this also affects manufacturing, is the whole idea of the tariffs.

Of course the president of MAN just said that we have one of the most expensive electricity in the world.

Nigerian Tribune

Glo Slide & Bounce, Laffta Fest hit Ibadan, Surulere The two flagship entertainment shows from Nigeria’s foremost indigenous telecoms network, Globacom, Slide ‘n’ Bounce and Laffta Fest, are expected to hold in Ibadan and Surulere respectively this weekend.

While Slide n’ Bounce will take place at Eagle Club Marquee, Surulere Lagos on Saturday, 10th October, Lafta Fest will hold at the Jogor Centre, Harvester’s Way, Moshood Abiola Road in Ibadan on Sunday, October 11, 2015.

Artistes expected to perform at the Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert include Glo ambassadors and Africa’s most popular musical twins, P Square; two Supreme Mavin Dynasty protégé, Korede Bello, rising female singer, Di Ja and Welu welu crooner, Sammie Okposo.

For the Ibadan edition of Lafta Fest, Comedians Julius Agwu, Bovi, Seyi Law, Funny Bone, Odogwu, Acapella, Still ringing and Bow Joint will perform at the show with Godwin exponent, Korede Bello and Fuji king, Saheed Osupa providing musical support.

Globacom said in a press statement that subscribers who wish to attend the Laffta Fest show should use up to N3,000 worth of airtime before the show and send ‘LOL IBADAN’ to 33001.

In the same vein, subscribers wishing to attend Slide & Bounce are advised to use up to N2,000 worth of airtime before the show and send ‘YES SURULERE’ to 30018”.

The two shows were flagged off about one month ago and have been held in various locations across the country.

Cadbury’s new manufacturing plant brings N10bn FDI Chioma Obinagwam-Lagos

The management of Cadbury Nigeria has said that the company’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant has increased foreign direct investment (FDI) into the company by as much as N10 billion.

The plant, which is expected to be commissioned soon by the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, according to the company, will boost the

production capacity of one of its key products by nearly 37% to meet surging demand. ‘’We embark now on a major new phase in our manufacturing capability,” said Mr Bala Yesufu, Head Corporate and Government Affairs in West Africa for Cadbury Nigeria.

“This state-of-the-art plant which represents the single largest investment

by Mondelēz International in Africa in the last two years is in line with

our desire to keep pace with the latest technology in our business space; the need to demonstrate our leadership position in our sub-sector of the Nigerian economy,” he further added.

Aside the Lagos State Governor, also expected at the commissioning exercise is the Executive Vice-President, Integrated Supply Chain, Mondelēz International, Mr Daniel Myers, among other dignitaries.

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business

Friday, 9 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

daily summary (equities) for THURSDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER, 2015

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tribunebusiness

Friday, 9 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

NIPR introduces practising number for members Akin Adewakun-Lagos

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HE Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has announced its intention to introduce a practising number for every public relations practitioner in the country, noting that this would help it check quackery in the practice.

Disclosing this in Lagos, at press conference to intimate the public on some of the institute’s activities in the coming weeks, the institute’s president, Dr Rotimi Oladele expressed the hope that the new number, which would be unique to the bearer, would help the institute monitor activities within the practice.

He stated that the council is currently embarking on some measures, aimed at re-positioning public relations practice in the country, while stressing the need for media practitioners to support the council in this arduous task of putting the institute back on track.

“The fact remains that it has become imperative for media practitioners to show more than a passing interest in the activities of the institute; since over 80 per cent of Nigerian journalists will end up practising PR,” he argued.

According to him, the council had extended the Window of Opportunity exercise provided for those intending to regularise their

PAN-AFRICAN financial services group, United Bank for Africa Plc added another feather to its cap at the maiden edition of Nigeria CFO awards, as its Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO), Ugo Nwaghodoh and the bank’s Finance Team, emerged double winners at the awards night held, recently in Lagos.

Nwaghodoh, beat other nominees in the banking category, such as Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, CFO, FirstBank; Stanley Amuchie, CFO Zenith Bank; Oluseyi Kumapayi, CFO Access Bank and Oyinkan Adewale, ED/ Chief Financial Officer, Union Bank to emerge as the CFO of The Year.

The Finance team of the year was also given to finance division of UBA for their exceptional handling of the bank’s finances in the last one year, which the Awards organisers argued, had resulted in the bank emerging as one of the top performers in the Nigerian banking industry.

Expressing his delight at the awards, Nwaghodoh, who dedicated the awards to his team who he said had worked tirelessly to ensure that the bank’s operations runs smoothly, described it

PR in the country, without meeting all the requirements spelt out by the institute.

While appealing to pro-

spective members, especially those already practising PR without registering with the institute, to avail themselves of the opportu-

nity of that Window; the NIPR boss added that the institute would not hesitate to wield the big stick at the expiration of the deadline.

PenCom emerges best performing pension establishment in Africa

Mrs Aisha Eme James, Mrs Toyin Idowu and Mrs Amina Tukur at the Digital Skills Acquisition Training organised by Access Bank Plc. and Wild Fusion Digital Centre.

BoI commissions N44m solar system to boost SMEs operation in Niger State Gbola Subair-Abuja

THE Bank of Industry((BoI) has commissioned a micro-grid solar system in Bisanti, a remote community in Niger State with a view to promoting small

UBA CFO, Finance Team bag CFO Awards Akin Adewakun-Lagos

papers with the institute, noting that as from November 30, this year, which is the new deadline, nobody would be allowed to practise

as a thing of joy to be working with the best finance team in the Nigerian banking industry.

Also speaking at the awards night, the Chief Executive Officer of Instinct Business magazine, organisers of the CFO awards, Akin Naphtal, explained that the decision to organise the awards was informed by the need to recognise the achievements of financial executives who have been outstanding in their profession and have, therefore, contributed in no small measure to the growth of their organisations and the economy at large.

The awards nights attracted CFOs from different industries across Nigeria, with many CFOs commending the organisers for putting the awards together and creating a platform to recognise CFOs who usually operate in the back end of the business without any recognition of such immense contribution to the success of any firm.

A seasoned financial analyst and accountant with about two decades experience, Nwaghodoh, prior to his appointment as Group Chief Finance Officer of UBA, was at different times, Group Financial Controller, Group Chief Compliance Officer and Head – Performance Management in UBA.

scale enterprises in Nigeria.

The commissioning of the 24KW micro-grid solar electrification system which is billed to be replicated in six communities in a pilot phase across the country, is part of the bank’s Solar Energy Partnership with the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP).

BoI Managing Director, Mr Rasheed Olaolouwa, speaking during the commissioning of the project disclosed that the project would not only help to drive entrepreneurship and boost economic activities in the community, it would also help to improve the quality of lives of the people.

He said that by eliminating the use of kerosene lanterns, oil lamps and other dangerous and unhealthy sources of power generation, the lives of the community members would be preserved while also protecting the environment.

Olaoluwa, who noted that the current electricity situ-

ation in the country could not adequately support the growth of MSMEs in the country, stated that the time had come to deploy the abundant renewable energy sources that abound in the country for the nation’s economic development.

On the significance of the project to the community, the BoI boss added,”Each home will have sufficient solar electricity to power three(3) LED light bulbs, 1 electric fan, 1 radio/Tav set and of course, mobile phone charging.

“These are the basic energy needs of an average rural family. What we have initiated is a commercially sound model for delivering power to Nigerian rural homes at affordable rates, to provide a long-term alternative to the problematic national grid.

Advocating diversification of the nation’s energy sources, Olaoluwa explained that the central power generation, trans-

mission and distribution system being operated in Nigeria scold no longer deliver competitive, cheap and reliable electricity to remote customers through the national grid.

“Rather than wait in vain for the national grid to reach these areas,” he further noted,”we should explore the golden opportunity that renewable energy presents for the provision of clean, affordable and sustainable energy for our rural communities.”

Also speaking, the District Head of Bisanti Community, Alhaji Mustapha Babadoku, who respire seated His Royal Highness Etsu Nupe, commended the development finance institution for considering his community for the project.

He said that his people would ensure that the facility put in their domain are well protected so that they would be able to benefit from it for a long time to come.

THE National Pension Commission of Nigeria (PenCom) on Wednesday emerged the best performing pension institution in the maiden edition of the Africa Pensions Awards (APA).

The Chairman of the African Pension Award Committee, Mr John Ashcroft, announced the winners of the awards at the closing ceremony of the World Pension Summit Africa Special in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2015 African Pension Award was structured into three categories namely governance, pension coverage and social economic impact.

The governance category awards was to honour countries which introduced innovations in the legal and institutional frameworks, adopted efficiency in their pension processes, corporate governance structures and service delivery.

The pension coverage award category was designed to celebrate countries that provided channels for sustainable livelihood like basic needs such as food and shelter for its citizenry, especially during old age.

It is also intended to honour countries which have incorporated both the formal and informal sectors of the economy in their pension scheme.

The social economic impacts category was designed to evaluate how countries that utilised pension funds under the contributory system, to provide financial intermediation for the real sector and infrastructure development.

Telecoms operators now have 151m active customers —NCC ACTIVE lines in the nation’s telecommunications industry rose to 151,018,624 in the month of August, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said.

The commission made this known in its Monthly Subscriber Data made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

NAN reports that active lines in Nigeria were 150,741,005 in the month

of July, but increased by 277,619 in August.

According to the data, 148,708,160 of the 151,018,624 active numbers belonged to Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network services.

Active lines on the GSM increased by 212,955 in August from 148,495,205 in July.

The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators had 2,125,941 active

users in August, indicating an increase of 68,422 from the 2,057,519 customers they had in July.

The Fixed Wired/Wireless networks’ active consumers increased to 189,523 in August as they added 1,242 customers to the 188,281 users they had in July.

The data revealed that the country’s teledensity increased to 107.87 per cent in August from 107.67 per cent in the month of July.

NAN reports that the teledensity measures the percentage of a country’s population with access to telecommunications services as determined from the subscriber base.

Nigeria’s teledensity is currently calculated by the NCC on a population of 140 million people.

NAN also reports that there was an increase of 0.20 per cent in the teledensity of Nigeria in the month of August.

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

16 islamic news

Friday, 9 October, 2015

MUSCOYS wants capital punishment for kidnappers

The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola (in eyeglasses), exchanging pleasantries with the chairman of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Oyo State chapter, Alhaji Wasiu Aliyu, during a courtesy visit to Alhaji Akinola, in Ibadan.

Oyo: All our pilgrims are intact —Akewugbagold

By Oluwatoyin Malik

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notable Islamic teacher and chairman of Oyo State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Alhaji Taofeek Akewugbagold, has said that Oyo state did not lose any of its pilgrims during the stampede on September 24, in Mina, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Responding to inquiries on whether the state recorded any casualty in the stampede, Alhaji Akewugbagold, who spoke from Saudi Arabia, commiserated with the families of pilgrims who died, saying that the grace enjoyed by the Oyo State pilgrims was that they listened to the instructions on the performance of the Hajj rites, especially the stoning of the devil at Jamarat.

“They obeyed a directive to go at 1.00 a.m. and return to their tents, especially because of the temperature which was usually on the high side in the morning.

“We thank God for this because it is not human wisdom that saved us,” he stated.

Alhaji Akewugbagold also said that all those who completed the payment of their fees made the Hajj, adding that the state Pilgrims Welfare Board even helped two persons who were disappointed by a private hajj operator by getting on board with the state contingent at the last minute.

Expressing gratitude to God that all went well with the pilgrims from the state, Akewugbagold said that 900 out of the 1,241 pilgrims from the state had

already returned to Nigeria, while he assured that the last batch will return to the country by the weekend.

He said that the state pilgrims found the per-

formance of this year’s Hajj easy because of the board’s practical demonstration that was carried out before they left for Saudi Arabia.

The Islamic teacher also

expressed his gratitude to Governor Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi whose administration, he said, made all the arrangements possible in spite of the general economic situation.

‘Sustaining the change mantra is individual responsibility’ NIGERIANS have been called upon to see the implementation and sustenance of the change mantra as their individual responsibility.

A former head of the Arabic and Islamic Studies Department, University of Ibadan, Professor Afis Oladosu, made the call while speaking on “The Change Mantra: Understanding the Sociopolitical Implications,” during a special public lecture, organised by The Muslim Congress (TMC), Oyo State chapter, to commemorate Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Director of Programmes (English), Voice of Nigeria (VON), Alhaji Abdur-Razaq Abdus-Salaam, stressed that good governance begins with individual Nigerians.

He added that while Nigeria has been unable to alleviate poverty for more than 55 years, history has it that poverty was eradicated through Islamic model during the reigns of Umar bn Al-Khattaab and Umar bn Al-Azeez in Medina.

In an address, National President of TMC, Dr Luqman Abdur-Raheem, said the approach of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to tackling

corruption, Boko Haram insurgence and other challenges in the country required the support of all.

Dr Abdur-Raheem maintained that the government must redress the campaign of calumny against Islamic values like hijab and fixing of general examinations for Juma’at or other prayer times.

He also called on world powers to justly resolve the crises in the Middle East, saying “the plight of refugees fleeing scenes of conflicts, mainly from Muslim states of Syria, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon and Yemen, is a sad episode.”

He equally called on the United Nations to prevail on Israel “to end its oc-

cupation of Palestine, its blockade of Gaza and the systematic cleansing of Palestinians.”

Present at the lecture were Barrister Adebayo Shttu, a ministerial nominee; Professor D. O. S. Noibi, Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN); a delegation from the Chief Imam of Ibadanland led by Dr Abdul-Waheed Ahmada Rufai; Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOY); Engr. Rasheed Gbadamosi, South West Regional Manager of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), among others.

WORRIED by the rate of kidnapping in the country, the Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) has canvassed for capital punishment for perpetrators.

A statement signed by Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni and Alhaji Mursiq Siyanbade, chairman and general secretary, respectively, said kidnapping is taking a dangerous dimension which requires a drastic measure to curtail as it is giving the country a negative publicity.

Citing the recent kidnappings in the country, the community commended the security agencies for their intervention and urged them to ensure the security of the citizenry.

It called on the National Assembly to make laws capable of curbing kidnapping and other forms of security threats in the country.

While MUSCOYS commended the bailout by the Federal Government for the states to offset their unpaid salaries of workers, it said it is high time governments at all levels looked “beyond oil as a major source of revenue” and look at other “sectors such as agriculture, mining and tourism.”

It urged new administrations at all levels to fulfil their promises to the electorate by taking interest in youth employment, security, infrastructure, education, health, energy, power and transportation.

Nigerians, especially Muslims, it said, should continue their prayers for those in positions of authority and also discharge their own civic responsibilities towards the nation.

The community commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari and the families of Nigerians who died in the stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, during Hajj.

“Even though their deaths were painful, it is our belief that they have fortunately died as martyr and such will be rewarded with al-Janah firdaus. Amin,” MUSCOYS said.

Fear Allah in all your dealings, Imam urges Nigerians THE Chief Imam of Olomi Community Central Mosque, Olomi, in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, Alhaji Mudasiru Sulaimon Otiko, has enjoined Nigerians to fear Allah in all their undertakings.

Alhaji Otiko, who made the plea recently at a public forum, underscored the need for the Muslim Ummah to be honest, humble and God fearing in order to gain Allah’s favour.

Also speaking, a former chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, Prince Abideen Salami, stressed the need for Nigerians to have faith in God and always fulfil promises.

He appealed to the political class to fulfil their campaign promises.

Prince Salami also sought the support of all and sundry for the transformation programmes of the present administration in the country.

The former council boss condoled with the families of those who died in the accidents that occurred in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

‘Neglect of moral instruction in schools responsible for social ills’ THE neglect of moral instruction and religion in the execution of schools’ curriculum has been identified as one of the factors responsible for the ills the society.

The assessment was made in Lagos at the end of a workshop organised by an Islamic organisation, Muslim for Education Development and Literacy Advocacy Foun-

dation (MEDLAF), for Muslim teachers.

The president of the foundation, Alhaji Yunus Ayodele Adogba, decried lack of emphasis on religious and moral education in schools, saying lack of morality has led individuals to behave irrationally and constitute a threat to the society.

Alhaji Adogba said this

is responsible for corruption and other social vices.

He, therefore, charged the government to collaborate with religious organisations and individuals to ensure that students are given moral and religious instructions.

The teachers that were trained at the workshop were drawn from the 20

educational districts in Lagos. The participants are to train other teachers and students on the conduct of school assembly and public speaking.

MEDLAF identified public speaking and conduct of assembly as area Muslims lag behind, thereby leading Muslim students to see their religion as second class.

17

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

OR my safety in prison, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Chief Giwa Osagie, together with his subordinate officers and men who faithfully carried out his instructions to protect me from harm. Chief Osagie and I never met until that night at Broad Street prison when my colleagues and I refused voluntary lock-up. And that was an unfriendly meeting. I was therefore overwhelmed by the kindness and With humanity which he exhibited towards me when my life benezer abatope was seriously threatened, and I was powerless to de0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) fend myself against my inveterate enemies.

Paul the Apostle in his second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 4; 14) says, “Alexander the Coppersmith did me much evil; the Lord reward him according to his works”. The best way, I think, I can phrase my deep sense of gratitude to Chief Osagie is to adapt, in reverse, Paul’s reference to Alexander the Coppersmith, and say loud and clear, “Chief Giwa Osagie, the Direcmined to do mathematics generally up to intermediate tor of Prisons in 1964 – 1966, did me much good; may level. So, I started, in earnest, a revision of elementary God reward him munificently, and bless him all the mathematics. days of his life”.

As a matter of fact, when the news of the first coup Until he spoke in 1979 – fifteen years later – I did not came on 15 January 1966, I was busy trying to solve an know and I had no means of knowing what part Dr. algebraic problem. The problem is to be found in Baker Azikiwe had played in the odious and inhuman attempt and Bourne’s Elementary Algebra, example XLIV, No. to kill me. I still have no means of knowing. However, 21, and it runs as follows: I now have his ipse dixit, which I accept. And so, I am Prove that be-ad is positive, zero, or negative accordsincerely grateful to him for his kind contribution, and, ing as a, b, c, d, are in A.P., G.P, or H.P. particularly for letting the world know the truth that a In order to solve the problem, I first of all formulated serious attempt was actually made by my political opthe hypothetical proposition in A.P as follows. ‘If a, b, ponents to destroy me physically in prison. c, d, are in A>P. and the common difference is x then a If the prison authorities are satisfied that a C.P is of = b – x = c – 2x = d – 3x’. That was as far as I had gone, good behaviour, every eight calendar months spent by when the news was broken to me by Mr. F.O. Okotie, him are counted as one calendar year. I became a C.P Assistant Superintendent, that Akintola had been ason 11 September 1963. Granting that I was judged to sassinated, and Balewa and Okotie-Eboh had been kidbe of good behaviour, the stark reality was that I had napped. precisely five years, ten months and eleven days more I was shocked; so shocked that when about an hour to spend behind the bars. However, I always enterlater, I tried to resume work on the problem, I was totained strong faith in God that I would not die in jail, tally unable to proceed. Accordingly, I recorded the and that I would not spend the whole of my life in jail •President Muhammadu Buhari fact in Volume LXV of my working Exercise Books on term. Nevertheless, I decided to live the remaining days Mathematics, and I abandoned the problem for good.

At my house at Oke Ado in Ibadan, I had always parof my life in prison as if each day was my last, and as if I did the recording in Speedwriting Shorthand in red I would not go out of the jail house until 10 May 1970. taken, in my room unknown to teachers and students of ink as follows: Within the six days at my disposal before my transfer to the Ibadan Boys’ High School, in the physical exercises Ub t g o w th pbm o he t Sj mus v Akintola assni a Calabar, I had faced the reality of the situation, and had which they did every morning. In my isolation I repeated Balewa a Okotieebohs kdnp, 15166. as much as I liked of this, and did new exercises which I started to make my plans accordingly.

The above reads in full as follows. “Unable to go on I did not quite like the way I had spent my time from 2 gathered from four books – The Facts of Life, You Can with this problem on hearing the strange news of AkinNovember 1962 – the day of my arrest, to 1 July 1964 – Add Years to Your Heart, Teach Yourself Physical Fittola’s assassination, and Balewa and Okotie-Eboh’s the day my Appeal was dismissed. Except for the short ness, and The Complete Body Builder. I learnt how to kidnap, 15/1/66.” period from 15 May to 1 July 1964, when I had real play Table Tennis. I did physical exercises in my cell twice I decided to complete the enterprise which I had bea day: fifteen minutes every morning after devotion, and, rest from my Appeal labours, I had spent twenty good gun at Ikoyi, to read the Bible from Genesis to Revmonths fighting a lost battle for my personal freedom. I in the evening, forty minutes before dinner. When I was elation. I did not succeed. Nevertheless, apart from did not grudge the time spent; and I did not regret the able to play Table Tennis vigorously, I alternated between reading copious passages referred to in the yearly pubefforts expended. But I felt keenly that I had not spent the latter and physical exercise per se in my cell.

At the time of the declaration of a State of Emergency on lication of Daily Bible Reading, I completed the Pentathe time as creatively and constructively as I would 29 May 1962, I had large arrears of reading to clear; and teuch, Matthew, Luke, John, Acts of the Apostles, and have wished. my aspirations to write and to explore new intellectual the Epistles of Paul and Peter. I read other books on Consequently, at Calabar, I lost no time at all in setsubjects of intense interest to me, including religion, tling down to a useful life which I considered and still fields had been almost permanently stultified. All along, ethics, logic, psychology, mysticism, and cosmology. consider to be one of the most creative and constructive the motto of our youth, which I personally regarded as I had never studied science in school. I decided to golden, was always vivid in my mind: “Know something periods of my life. break new grounds here. Accordingly I acquired books, about everything, and everything about something”.

Politics, like Law which is its next of kin, is a very jealFrom my library in Ibadan, I caused to be brought to especially the Teach Yourself series, on Biology, Physious and possessive career. When you embark upon it, ology, Anatomy, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanics, Anyou can hardly do anything else. For about eleven years Calabar all the books I wanted. I bought new books on thropology, etc., and studied them diligently, but withI had not been one of the key figures in Nigerian Politics. many subjects, and within three months of my arrival in out the advantage of a laboratory.

As a result it had not been possible for me in that time, Calabar, I had accumulated over three hundred volumes.

However, after my release from prison, I tried to The Prison authorities provided me with shelves which as well as in the twenty preceding months, to attend sufknow a little of the practical sides of some of these subwere placed in an adjoining cell, as in Ikoyi. ficiently to many things which I loved and cherished. At last I divided my period of study into three. I woke up every jects. I equipped a small physics laboratory in Ibadan; I was free from it all. I had the opportunity of a lifetime, and I bought some equipment for physiology and anatomy I decided to seize it firmly by the forelock, and exploit it to morning at five o’clock. After my devotional and physilaboratories but did not have the time nor the place the very utmost without losing as much as one minute in the cal exercises, I did reading for at least one hour, before to set them up properly; I visited the Anatomy Section the morning toilet.

After breakfast, a nap in a wooden process. of the University of Ibadan thrice, under the tempoeasy chair with cushion.

After that, a game of draughts I had always had before my mind objectives for a fully inrary tutorship of Professor T. Grullo and Professor tegrated personal development. I had always pursued them. or “Whot” with G.C. Enuife in the prison library, and Jide Desalu at different times. My son-in-law, ProfesBut since my goal is perfection, I had never really been satis- then, back to the spacious verandah of my cells, and to study. Again, after rigorous physical exercise or Table sor A.B.O. Olukayode Oyediran, dissected a guinea-pig fied with my achievements. in my presence, at my request. I wanted to see certain I recognise that every one of us has three personalities Tennis, dinner, and then study which usually closed at organs of the animal in flesh and their actual relation11p.m or occasionally, well past midnight. which it is his obligation to develop to the fullest extent of In my student days, economics was not as copiously ship to one another. I had had the same thing done for his natural talents and endowments. He has a physical perme with regard to human bodies when I had visited the sonality, a mental or intellectual personality, and a soul per- mathematicised as it had then become. As time went Anatomy Laboratory of the University of Ibadan. sonality. These three epitomise all that any man needs to on, it was almost impossible fully to understand the I wanted to write books, including a book on the sotheoretical exposition of some economic topics withdevelop continuously on earth here in order to demonstrate cial history of the Yoruba people. I also wanted to do a out a good knowledge of mathematics at Intermediate that he is a Living Soul. thesis, which was approved by the University of LonConsequently, at Calabar, I concentrated my time on phys- or Advanced level. Fortunately there were books on don, is “Dynamics of rapid and self-reliant economic ical, mental and spiritual development. These objectives are Mathematics specially written for students of economdevelopment in underdeveloped economics’. But my simple and brief to state; but they are all-embracing and ex- ics. Professor Akin Mabogunje, with whom I discussed plans for research and for book writing were cut short my plans, presented me with one such book by J. Parry tensive in scope; and demand the utmost diligence, perseby my early release – four years earlier than was due.

Lewis entitled An Introduction to Mathematics for Stuverance, and unflinching will-power to execute.

TO BE CONTINUED I devoted at least one-and-a-half hours every day to dents of Economics. It was a valuable book, and I imEBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY physical exercise. I tried to be scientific about what I did. mediately set to work on it. Nonetheless, I was deterPLEASE).

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Behind the bars by Papa Awo (8)

18 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 9 October, 2015

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo.com or by sms to 08055001747 or 08054005323.

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

Towards tackling unemployment in Abia

R

ECENTLY, unemployment has become a burning issue in the country. Thousands of graduates roam the streets unemployed. This trend has contributed, to a large extent, the sharp rise in crime in the country.

But Abia State will soon bid good bye to unemployment. The state recently launched Education for Employment Programme.

This programme, according to Governor

On the quality of Nigerian songs The quality of songs that is coming out from the Nigerian music industry is quite disheartening.

Those artistes are becoming bad influences on Nigerian youths. One of the major causes of moral decadence in our society today is through the Nigerian music industry.

When one listens to Nigerian hip hop music, one finds nothing to learn from it except that they glorify sex, money and women. Gone are the days when great musicians like King Sunny Ade, Evang.

Ebenezer Obey, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and many others use their music to teach moral values, as well as to promote and project our cultural heritage.

Today, what we find in the lyrics is nothing to write home about.

As much as I am optimistic about a better future for my country, things may go terribly bad if our future leaders continue to expose themselves to such songs which promote easy way of living.

There should be stricter regulations on the quality of songs produced in the country, particularly from the censors board.

•Oyewole Temitope, Oje, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Okezie Ikpeazu, is conceptualised around creating employment.

Also, the E4E concept is to ensure that education leads to employment by imbuing the youths with the technical skills that would enable them become either self-employed or sought after by others.

The programme is to boost the current efforts of the state to be elevated to a Small and Medium Scale Entrepresises(SME) capital of the country where all kinds of equipment and devices will be imported to boost shoes and garments production.

In the words of Governor Ikpeazu “If you remember, some people are thinking about bringing equipment and all kind of devices to make shoes and garments. But it also requires critical manpower that is vast in technical things to service

that industry. And that is why we are going back to technical education. We have brought back to life the Technical School Afara and Technical School, Ohafia simultaneously.

These two schools will serve as model for other

technical schools.”

The programme would be replicated in primary schools among pupils that are ready and prepared to go into technical education, and eventually end up servicing the technical needs of Abia

people.

The pilot schools are Boys technical College, Aba, Government Technical College, Ohafia, and Afara Technical College, Umuahia. Also, the emphasis is on the technical component of educa-

tion at Abia Polytechnic, College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, among others.

•Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu, keshiafrica@gmail. com

Nigerian football fans and unruly behaviours I read with the greatest disappointment the news that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined Nigeria $5,000 for fans’ unruly behaviour during a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Nigeria and Chad at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. What can we say about this?

It is very disheartening and highly primitive from the side of the Nigerian fans that invaded the pitch just to celebrate Odion Ighalo’s second half penalty against a relatively

known opponent when it comes to football – Chad!

With utmost respect to the Chadian national team, we are not on the same level when it comes to sport, the game of soccer especially, in Africa and even the world. The goal that could not even save the job of the former coach, Stephen Keshi. Then what were they celebrating?

Though the importance of the goal can not be underscored, but were there no better ways of celebrating one’s team’s goal or even victory without invading

the pitch? Was the game a world cup final? Are the fans now bringing their bad attitude in the home scene (local league) to the national and international view? Thank God the referee was not beaten as he sent them back to the stands.

It is highly un-cultured for the self acclaimed “Giant of Africa” to start showing to the world the bad stuff they are made of.

This fine could have been used for another development in sport especially in renumerating our valiant

athletes who performed wonderfully well at the just concluded All African Games in Congo Brazaville. This act must stop!

With this new bad development, it is now imperative for the NFF in collaboration with the Federal Government to take measures in forestalling future occurrence(s) of such shameful act by increasing the number of security operatives assigned to this kind of match.

Those who have ears, let them hear. Need I say more?

•Olawale M. Oladoyin, Gbongan, Osun State.

Why kidnapping will continue We are now experiencing those things we only imagined in the past. For some time now, well-to-do individuals and their family members have been abducted all in a bid to collect ransom from them.

There is a saying that when the poor no longer have what to eat, they will be left with no choice than to eat the rich. This is what is happening now, and at the moment, nobody is safe any longer.

The Federal Government should quickly do more towards providing job opportunities for Nigerian youths.

For these youths, taking to crime is an alternative to being engaged legally.

Something urgent needs to be done to save the country.

•Nelson Ekwale, UNIBEN, Edo State.

19

editorial

L

Friday, 9 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

The ‘plot’ to sack Arase

ATELY, the media has been awash with reports of a plot to sack the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, from the police top job and, perhaps to assuage the southern part of the country where he comes from, install a southern Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) as his replacement. The move to ease Arase out before his retirement next year, conforms with the well-known pattern of testing the waters through the media and then proceeding with the rumoured malfeasance citing convenient excuses.

Surprisingly, however, the political tendencies calling for the sack of IGP Arase have advanced no justifiable reasons for their position.

To be sure, if experiences since the return to civil rule are any indication, the story of Arase’s impending sack cannot be taken with a pinch of salt, Nigeria being one of those climes where political partisanship often defeats the national interest in the appointment and removal of heads of security agencies. Thus, an exercise which ought to be carried out purely for professional reasons is frequently an opportunity for perverse contestations and exercise of power. If the plot is pursued to fruition

by Arase’s traducers, whoever they may be, would the succeeding IGP not be subject to the whims and caprices of those who brought him into office through the back door?

More important, in the context of the seemingly insurmountable security challenges that the country is currently grappling with, it is not in its interest to continue to record a huge turnover of IGPs. For one, security issues require focus and consistency in policy formulation and execution at a very advanced degree of delicacy, and this is negated by routine sack of heads of security agencies. For another, as if taking a cue from the political class, almost every IGP unfolds a separate agenda from his predecessor’s, and this policy discontinuity is partly responsible for the rot in the force. For instance, on his appointment

in January 2005, former IGP Sunday Ehindero, while doing away with the “Operation Fire for Fire,” mantra of his predecessor, Tafa Balogun, unfolded an agenda summed up in the catchphrase: “To serve and protect with integrity.” But this is now a matter of history, as his successors invented their own slogans and programmes of action.

In our view, the tendency to make political capital out of every issue is one of the reasons the counterterrorism operations in the North-East has suffered setbacks on many occasions. For instance, prior to the retirement of former Chief of Army Staff, LtGeneral Azubuike Ihejirika, major socio-cultural groups in the North accused him, without proof, of carrying out an ethnic cleansing in the Army, and rose in stout defence of a Major-General accused of complicity in the bombing of a military formation, simply because of his ethnic origin. This malady need not continue.

The recent Abuja explosions for which Boko Haram claimed credit lends weight to the claim that matters of security require the cooperation of the entire citizenry and policy consistency, not whimsical or rash decisions. The current IGP enjoys the goodwill of top officers of the Nigeria Police who have linked their modest successes in key areas to his vision on intelligence and community-led policing, including his emphasis on proactive measures and crime prevention. This being the case, it will be counterproductive to foist another leadership on these officers just to display political power.

Certainly, replacing a performing officer with another officer, who perhaps enjoys or actively curries political favours, will convey the impression that professionalism and commitment to duty do not matter after all, and this could dampen the morale of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police. If Nigeria is to build institutions, it has to allow performing government officials to tarry at their duty posts long enough to perfect their art and competence.

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opinion Mama HID as I knew her 20

By Kolawole Ogunwale

T

a close associate of Papa Awolowo, who lived a stone- throw from the Aguda Hospital, rushed down to the occasion when he heard that Papa and Mama were around to perform the commissioning. He is still alive to bear me witness. Chief Adebanjo jovially scolded me for not putting him in the picture, as a close associate of Papa and Mama Awolowo. No wonder Papa made free health care services as one of the cardinal points of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

In 1982, I was at Ikenne with a photographer-friend, and after the ‘father-son’ discussion with Papa, he asked who the man outside was, and I told him he is a photographer.

Papa humorously asked if I had planned to have a photograph with him, to which I answered in the affirmative. Thus, my photograph with Papa and Mama in his inner office at Ikenne. It is my most treasured possession.

To me, Mama Awolowo was a disciplined woman; she was a politician with absolute humility and humanness. I was with Papa and Mama at the Lagos House, Marina in 1983, in company of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, when the presidential election result of that year was announced. Papa took it all with philosophical calmness, though with some reservations.

With my interaction with Mama, through the instrumentality of Papa, the fire in me to join politics was burning. But the late Chief S.M. Afolabi was then calling the shot in my area in Osun. I conceded the leadership to Chief Afolabi and

recognised him as such as Papa and Mama taught me to have reverence for my elders.

Mama, like her husband, did not see politics as a commercial venture as it is practised today. Hierarchy adherence was the order of the day in Papa and Mama’s philosophy.

As a political son of Mama, I found her a total family woman; a very lively woman. She did not allow politics to tamper with her family life. Mama would always ask me how my children and wife were faring.

Stressing always that any parent who failed to give his wards the best of education is a failure. Again, one sterling quality that I embrace from Mama, and which I hold close to my heart till today, is the creed: to love and respect friends until they prove otherwise. Even at that, Mama said we should give them another chance for redemption. Thereafter, we should keep them at arm’s length without bitterness, if they refuse to change their nebulous ways.

Mama, in the presence of Papa, told me and I quote: “Kola always have absolute respect for women of virtue and womanhood generally. Women, she said, should always be treated tenderly and without any harm. They are the mothers of the nation.”

Mama taught me the act of generosity, which has become part and parcel of me till today. Mama has her name inscribed in the hearts of the people. According to Mama, small minds seek office in politics to be somebody, while great minds seek office to do something positive for the people. That she did until she breathed her last.

At Ikenne in 1982, Mama pointedly told me that if I have to be in politics, I should make service to the people the thrust of my endeavours. That was exactly what I did while I was in the Senate (2003-2007). Papa and Mama were the closest couple I ever came across.

I am happy to have served Papa and Mama Awolowo; as a Yorubaman, I ran errands for them. Their doors were opened to me at the shortest of appointment.

Mama was a great woman of virtue, and she has gone to join the legend, Papa Awolowo, who is already resting in the bossom of the Lord. Not another Mama Awolowo again in our own generation.

HAT the world is agog for the past weeks with the transition to glory of Mama HID Awolowo, the most colourful and adored woman-politician of her time, shows how valuable she was to the country. It is just auspicious to do so in all dignified ways possible. In life, as in death, and like the sage, her beloved husband, she remains the reference point and central issue in Nigerian political affairs.

I was just 26 years old when my path providentially crossed that of Papa and Mama Awolowo. Chief Tele Olukoya of blessed memory facilitated the happenstance. Through late Chief Olukoya, Papa Obafemi Awolowo got to know that I was constructing a 50-bed hospital in Lagos – The Aguda Hospital, along Enitan Street in Aguda-Surulere. Papa was also at the time about to establish the now famous Dideolu Hospital in Ikenne.

I would not know what led to what, but Papa Awolowo requested late Chief Olukoya to bring me down to his Park Lane residence in Apapa, Lagos. On getting to Park Lane, I was jolted to the pant, literally shivering, that here I was, before the legendary Papa and Mama Awolowo. Papa and Mama Awolowo warmly received me after Chief Olukoya made an introduction. I prostrated on the floor for several minutes, even when Papa and Mama Awolowo asked me to get up; it was and still is one of the most joyous days in my life.

Mama HID Awolowo, since that singular occasion, was to me a woman who was born into the service of her people. A virtuous woman who was determined to serve her fatherland, through her husband.

In the presence of late Chief Olukoya, Papa and Mama Awolowo prayed for the realisation of my dream for the Aguda Hospital, as well as my other ventures. Mama Awolowo pointedly told me at that occasion that I should not make financial gain the top priority while running the hospital, as the under-privileged would come in for treatment with or without enough money. Saving lives, Papa and Mama Awolowo said, should be my goal.

I was, therefore, pleasantly surprised when Papa Awolowo, in the company of his Jewel of inestimable value, Mama HID, attended the commissioning of the Aguda Hospital in 1982.

That day was a memorable day for me. Chief Ayo Adebanjo,

Friday, 9 October, 2015

•Senator Ogunwale is the Asiwaju of Iragbijiland, Osun State.

Oyo: Ministerial choice as shift from business as usual A better news couldn’t have come to the people of Oyo State and Oke-Ogun in particular than hearing the name of one of their own, Barrister Adebayo Shittu mentioned on the floor of the Senate’s red chamber on Tuesday, 6 October, 2015 as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari for screening and approval. It was seen as Buhari’s display of fairness in appointments and a well-deserved slot for Oke-Ogun, the second largest zone in Oyo State after Ibadan. The hope is that the National Assembly will uphold the merit of the nomination. The ‘go-slow’ approach of the president has truly allowed him to sincerely discover the high level of Oke-Ogun marginalisation and underdevelopment, their great support for the party and the well-deserved representation of Oyo State in his cabinet.

The publications in The Nation and Nigerian Tribune newspapers of Monday, 5 October, 2015 as written by the leadership of the CWC of Oyo State APC on ‘Marginalisation of the Party’ concerning this nomination deserve our response, before the current ‘CHANGE’ process is brought to disrepute by what we consider an unfortunate display of ineptness on the part of a few, and that Mr President, members of the National Assembly and Nigerians may understand the scheming at play.

It is unimaginable that a party can marginalise itself. Is Buhari no longer in APC or the Akin Oke-led APC in Oyo State decided to blow the whistle so that people find it difficult to understand what marginalisation is all about? For 21st century compliant democrats and positive change advocates, the issue should be that: Is Oyo State given a ministerial slot?

If given, where is the marginalisation? Is the nominee from Oyo State? If yes, is any marginalisation at play? Is the nominee constitutionally qualified to serve the nation in the federal cabinet? If so, then marginalisation may be getting redefined if brought to the fore. To sound political on this issue; is the nominee a ruling party member? If he is a registered

member, then the place of marginalisation is unimaginable in this context. Where should the president, the National Assembly and progressive Nigerians place such publication, other than to be considered a non-issue and a product of the waste basket.

For us in Oyo State, a group that knows what marginalisation meant would not set out to hijack a party and ignore the party stalwarts in the affairs of the party. After the merger that formed the APC, such a group that declared that CPC as a stakeholder in Oyo State did not deserve fair dealings; and manoeuvred the congresses and primaries at the expense of those that hold objective views. How come they now want to express being marginalised? Maybe the publication was written to let Nigerians know that their definition of marginalisation is “when they could not have their usual way of denying others”, otherwise, such write-up is unwarranted because it is not issue-based.

Barrister Shittu, the Oyo State ministerial nominee is from Oke-Ogun zone of the state. Apart from being a practising lawyer for over three decades in Nigeria, he is an astute

politician that has served in various capacities as a member Oyo State House of Assembly (1979-1983) on the platform of UPN; a two term commissioner in the state; member of National Political Reform Conference; CPC gubernatorial aspirant in 2011 election, and gubernatorial contestant for APC gubernatorial ticket in the 2015 primaries, among others. He has also not been docked for any fraudulent act and has no record of insanity.

Why would his nomination be seen as a marginalisation?

The condition under which the Oyo State APC leadership can be marginalised in this context, is if the speculations that their plot to continually manipulate Oke-Ogun to the advantage of the zones from where they came in Oyo state and keep Oke-Ogun in perpetual bondage of underdevelopment are true. Or Buhari’s nominee from Oke-Ogun where APC had majority votes in Oyo state during the 2015 elections stands as a threat to business as usual and corruption, and seen as a real CHANGE in their scheming.

One wonders the logic behind the claim that because the non-APC residents of Oyo State applauded the nomination of Barrister Adebayo Shittu, it is a reflection of his anti-party activities. The implication is that the party leadership that appreciated the good decision of the non-partisan residents to vote APC must be under an illusion not to appreciate their objective views when it comes to applauding the nomination of a minister.

It is will interest Mr President and distinguished members of the Senate that the Akin Oke leadership and other induced groups could not have been sincere in their indictment of Bayo Shittu for anti-party activities. In a saner clime, if the allegation is true, the party would not have made him the party agent and returning officer for Saki-West where APC won on a landslide in the last election. So, he also worked for this booty the Oyo APC is negotiating.

•Olateju, president of Oyo Solidarity Group, lives in Ibadan.

,

By Teju Olateju

21

Friday, 9 October, 2015

fridaytreat

Nigerian Tribune

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636

...In case you missed AY Live, Port Harcourt

Determination wins ‘Ultimate fan’ brand new car in Port Harcourt Chinedu Ifezuehas emerged as the winner of a brand new Hyundai Elantra car in the Port Harcourt leg of Nigeria’s biggest national consumer promotion, the Gulder Ultimate promo. With his win, the 23 year old undergraduate of the Anambra State University follows the footsteps of his namesake, Chinedu Odimgbe, who also won a brand new car at the Enugu leg of the Gulder Ultimate Chase, held on the 26th of September.

Chinedu Ifezue however had to surmount several challenges before his eventual ascension into the League of Ultimate Men. Contestants in the Port Harcourt leg of the Gulder Ultimate Chase had to run from the Liberation Stadium to the Polo Club; after which they would retrieve two different scrolls from 500 boxes. They had to choose between getting the instant gift items and forfeiting the opportunity of winning the brand new Hyundai Elantra; or opting for the opportunity of winning the car and waiving their ownership of the gift items found in the boxes.

As the ‘chase’ kicked off, many of the contestants outran Chinedu and by the time he got to the Polo Club Ground, all the gift items had been taken. His only option was to pick up one of the remaining scrolls which directed him to get a map from the Gatekeeper and compete fiercely with 49 other contestants for the opportunity of winning the only remaining prize – the brand new Hyundai Elantra car.

Despite almost giving up hope, Chinedu’s determination and persistence, which are also part of the Gulder brand’s core values, won him the car. A tearful and visibly shaken Chinedu screamed for joy when it dawned on him that his discovery meant he would be driving home a brand new car.

Speaking on his victory, Chinedu revealed that he had tried to compete in the first Gulder Ultimate Chase staged for consumers in Enugu, but could not because he arrived at the venue late. He attributed his late-coming to the monthly environmental sanitation exercise which was observed that morning in Anambra State, where he currently resides.

Instead of being discouraged by the temporary set-back, it strengthened his resolve to compete in the Gulder Ultimate Chase. Thus he left Onitsha, Anambra State for Port Harcourt on Friday, October 2 and eventually won the car.

His journey to Port Harcourt was however not devoid of drama. His younger brother, sister and friends tried to discourage him, questioning his ability to compete against other stronger and faster competitors. Chinedu said: “When I told my younger brother and sister that I will leave Onitsha for Port Harcourt to participate for a chance to win the car, they discouraged me. They told me, are you going to run with these sticks? By sticks, they were referring to my legs. My friends also tried to discourage me. They told me that I don’t know anybody in Port Harcourt as I had never been there, but I was resolute. I came to Port Harcourt with faith. I had to sleep in the church. When there was no other place to stay.”

Chinedu however confessed that he did not reveal to his father or mother where he was going as they were very strict and would not have allowed him embark on the journey had they known his motive.

Some of Nigeria’s biggest entertainers, AY The Comedian, Iyanya, Kiss Daniel, Gordons, Akpororo, I Go Die among many others, gathered on Sunday, October 4th, for the biggest annual comedy concert in Nigeria, AY Live Sharing Happiness edition.

Sponsored by Maltina, the event which held at the Aztech Arcum, Stadium Road, Port Harcourt was the final leg in this year’s AY Live concert series after dates in Lagos and Abuja.

Comedians who got guests doubled over in laughter all night included Ushbebe, Gordons, Acapella, Akpororo, Helen Paul, Funny Bone, Romeo, Dan D’Humorous, Ajebo and Hezekiah amongst many others.

Some of Nigeria’s hottest artistes, Iyanya, Kiss Daniel, Yung 6 and PH’s favorite, Fortune were also on display to keep guests on their feet throughout the night.

Also, business entrepreneur,

Tobore Idoghor who attended the Maltina AY Live Port Harcourt edition with his girlfriend yesterday, Sunday, October 4, 2015 had no idea that he would go home with a brand new iPhone 6.

During the course of the show, AY called for a dancing competition and Tobore tore the competition apart with his performance which got one of the loudest screams of the night from the audience. After his performance, no other contestant had a chance to win the prize.

An excited Tobore commented, “I’m so happy I attended today’s event! Who would have thought I’d win anything? Like the Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Franco Maria Maggi said, I didn’t win it for myself. This prize goes to my beautiful girlfriend!

Thanks to Maltina for this great gift!”

Other guests who won iPhone 6 phones through the photo com-

petition on the Maltina Facebook page include Tom George, Benita Philips, Anita Daniels and Sonia Egbule who emerged winners after receiving the highest number of likes on their submissions.

Helen Paul, who is widely known for her stage antics and hilarious voice impressions threw jabs at male comedians including AY, Gordons, Alibaba, I Go Die and a host of others during her stand-up routine. Gordons who was having none of it, came onstage and threw the hall into a frenzy of laughter when he started on Helen Paul with his customary baroque humour.

SadeBlaq replies Adekunle Gold’s ‘Sade’ Fast rising songstress, Sade Blaq, has had a go0d year since the release of her hit track, ‘Nobody’, which has seen her gain popularity in the South West.

She has graced various stages alongside top rated Nigerian acts and not one to rest on her oars, has released another track,

this time a cover to Adekunle Gold’s ‘Sade’.

Her version, titled ‘Ade’, according to SadeBlaq, is a reply to Adekunle Gold, whereby the lady ‘Sade’ submits to Gold’s overtures and requests that they take their love affair to another level.

According to SadeBlaq, the original version of the song was like a blessing to her because it inspired her to compose a reply to Adekunle Gold who she considers as one of her mentors.

SadeBlaq celebrated her birthday yesterday and dropped the cover as a gift to her fans.

Stunnah Gee returns with Yagayo, promises fans 100k Riding 0n his critically acclaimed debut EP, My Passport, which featured cameo appearances from Davido, Lola Rae, Maleek Berry and P2J among others, and made massive waves in the early parts of this year, Stunnah Gee returns with a brand new single titled ‘Yagayo’, for his fans’ listening pleasure.

Produced by long-time collaborator, T-izzie The Beatmaker, ‘Yagayo’ is an exciting Dancehall and Highlife fusion record, which sees Stunnah Gee experimenting with a brand new flow, to great effects. A classic

word in Nigerian cadence and vernacular to mean rejoice, celebrate or dance, Stunnah Gee delivers a celebratory tune with ‘Yagayo’.

The new single comes with Stunnah Gee announcing a new dance competition, which commenced on Instagram on Sunday, September 27. Tagged the ‘Yagayo Legato Dance’ competition, audiences have the chance to win N100,000 by submitting dance videos to ‘Yagayo’ on Instagram, with hashtag #YagayoLegatoDance, with the dance video garnering the most likes to be announced as the winner.

22

fridaytreat

Friday, 9 October, 2015

‘Why I wrote

Locally, mix some 2face with some D banj and a little bit of Don jazzy. Then throw in some Banky W and Audu Maikori. That my friend, might be my perfect Naija music industry inspirational cocktail.

song about

Do you have your parents’ support, seeing that they are people who value education...

I think somewhere deep down, they always knew from when I was a kid that I was the type of child that was going to have to figure out his life by himself. So what they did was prepare, equip and guide me. I always enjoy their support, always.

Rashidi Yekini’ ROTIMI IGE caught up with fast-rising rap act, Phizzle, whose new video, ‘Rashidi Yekini’ is gradually becoming an anthem of sorts among hip hop heads, where he revealed why he decided to take up music as a career despite his impressive educational background, his inspiration, as well as his projections into the future.

E

arly years Well I grew up mostly in Ibadan but spent a small part of my childhood living in Festac, Lagos, from about 1989 to ‘93, although I’m not too certain.

Education I’m a Computer Technology (B.sc) graduate of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State and an Information Systems Management (MSc) graduate of Brunel University, West London. I also have a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management from the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan-African University, Lagos. I have done some schooling if I say so myself.

How did you discover your musical talent?

I won’t even say I discovered my talent. It is more like a passion that I have for music and rap music especially.

The creative freedom that lies within the art-form is what drew me to it.

I’m a creative person. I have been one since childhood, drawing, molding, painting, building... I always found it exciting, and I always wanted to be part of any creative process. With rap music, I found a whole world of possibilities for personal expression. The fact that the art form was based on the writers inner reflections and interpretations of external influences must be what caught me. Also every single rapper in the world is expected to have his/her own unique style/flow, sometimes a different flow for different songs. The creative challenge and possibilities were just too endless for me to pass on.

When and why did you decide to do music professionally?

I’ll tell you that when it starts paying my bills... (laughs) I don’t even think I’m a professional rapper yet, but a pretty good one, yes!. But it’s not yet my profession, I’ll like to go on a tour that pays my rent soon. Why do I do it, the joy and freedom that it brings me.

Nigerian Tribune

You are well exposed and have traveled around the world. Would you say this influenced your music choice/style?

I could draw Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter characters before I played the games or saw the movies. I started rapping before I stepped a foot out of this country. We didn’t even have cable till I was in University.

I used to hear rap music and it was all well and good, but until I heard Nigerians rap, Trybesmen, Mode Nine, Eedris, it was like a revelation that I could do it too.

When I started writing rhymes, I was the only one in my school, doing such. I kept it coded. I was a senior though, so it didn’t really matter.

Tell us about some of your singles?

My first single to enjoy some measure of success was a track called ‘Jaiye Jaiye’ off my first mixtape ‘Ibadan/ Lagos/London’. It was reasonably big online and within the UK university circles back in 09/2010.

I also had one single that enjoyed some measure of commercial success on TV, ‘Everyday Girl Pt2’. I released that maybe three years ago.

My new singles are off an upcoming project called ‘Egypt’. I released ‘Biggest’ with a Lucas Reid, a video that premiered on Soundcity earlier this year. The new single, which is looking like my most successful project yet, is called ‘Rashidi Yekini’

Why are hard core rappers, especially in Nigeria, not appreciated.

I wouldn’t classify myself as hardcore rapper, and I don’t think most fans of hip hop would classify me as hardcore either. I think somewhere deep in my recent recordings, there are probably a lot more dark emotions than ‘happy-go-lucky’ ones. So, it’s not been all fun and games in the lyric department recently. I maybe a bit too serious. About rappers being unappreciated, musicians were generally unappreciated in this country until recently. Some of us have to brave the storm, even if we don’t fully benefit from it. However, I see a lot of younger rappers that are super-nice and hopefully in the future, they can make a good living from their God-given talent.

Is it because you come from a well to do family and can fund your career or simply passion for rap?

Thank God for parents, for His grace and mercy, but this rap thing, it’s all passion! I’m a grown man with younger siblings, my parents are very supportive, but funding my career will be asking too much.

Your inspiration (s)?

Internationally, my top two will be Pharrell and Kanye.

I won’t even say I discovered my talent...The creative freedom that lies within the art-form is what drew me to it.

‘Rashidi Yekini’ is currently enjoying airplay on local and satellite TVs. What informed the choice of that caption for the song?

Till date, Rashidi Yekini is still Nigeria’s highest goal scorer, so “balling like Rashidi Yekini” was just a perfect figure of speech at the moment I was writing the song.

The fact that he was an Ibadan boy and a national hero that everyone seems to have forgotten about.

The kid from my video represents me in 1994 sitting in front of the TV watching that World Cup goal and his outlandish celebration. That was a time in football history, very nostalgic.

What’s next for you?

One or two more singles/videos before the year runs out. I’ll also be dropping the new EP soon. Basically, now that we have this momentum, we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

What inspires the concept of your videos?

I’m a visual artiste and brand designer by trade. So I guess for me, my videos are about who I want to be seen as. So I work with directors that get me as a person and understand what essence of myself I’m trying to communicate to the world at that moment. I hope that make sense.

Future collaborative choices would be...

I don’t really mind working with anybody, so long as there is a mutual respect for skill and talent. I’ll leave future collaborations as a surprise, because it might be a sunrise to me too.

Rate the Nigerian music scene One word: Growing.

What do you think needs be done so that upcoming stars like you can gain accelerated recognition and appreciation in the industry?

I wish I had the answers, and even if I did, I don’t have the influence. I just think stakeholders should not be like the Nigerian leaders of the past who might have forgotten they will die one day leaving us a confused nation.

Where do you see your brand in five years?

In five years, I hope to be one of the main creative inspirations and influences for the next generation of talent.

23

society

Friday, 9 October, 2015

...celebrating the people

Nigerian Tribune

For Booking, contact Alaba Igbaroola alabaadewale01@gmail.com 0803 329 8294

@ 80th birthday lecture for Pioneer DG, NTA, Engr Vincent Maduka

From left, speaker of the occassion, Dr Biodun Sotunmbi, another speaker, Professor Sikiru Sanni and chairman of the occassion, Dr Micheal Omolayole.

The celebrant, Engineer Vincent Maduka and his wife, Joanah Maduka.

From left, Former Minister of Industry, Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Akande, Mr Frank Okoisor and Alhaji Femi Okunnu.

From left,veteran broadcaster, Omobola Onajide and speaker, Prof essor Pat Utomi.

From left, Mr Martin Ikediashi, Ambassador Vincent Okobi, Ambassador Remi and Mrs Doyin Esan.

From left, Mr Y.A.O Jinadu, Chief Taiwo Alimi and Dr Micheal Omolayole.

Chairman of DBN TV, Mr Osa Sonny Adun and Pioneer Chief Executive of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) , HRH Eze (Engr) Ogbonna Iromantu.

Pioneer President, Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, Engineer A.O Shobo (left) and immediate past President, Nigerian Academy of Engineers, Prof Ayo Ogunye.

24

Friday, 9 October, 2015

Operational Parameter Crude Processed (M/tons) Crude Loss/Consumed (M/tons) Product Yields(M/tons) Capacity Utilization Planned Yield (M/tons) % Loss/Consumption Yields Ef�iciency (%)

Jul

Friday, 9 October, 2015

WRPC Aug

122,118 6,997

115,121 23.11%

528,505 5.73%

94.27%

140,778 10,726

130,052 26.64%

528,505 7.62%

92.38%

Jul

PHRC

122,141 6,119

116,022 13.76%

887,889 5.01%

94.99%

KRPC

Aug

Jul

263,537

12,058

10,069

253,468 29.68%

887,889 3.82%

96.18%

3,232

8,826

2.59%

887,889 26.80%

73.20%

Aug

48,837

19,341

29,496

10.50%

887,889 39.60%

60.40%

YTD 2015 919,889 79,658 840,231 10.04% 14,247,818 8.66% 91.34%

25

26

Friday, 9 October, 2015

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

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

Ethiopian Airlines wins PCA for best airline in Africa

Starwoods hotel

ETHIOPIAN Airlines, the largest, fastest growing and most profitable airline in Africa has been voted and won the Passenger Choice Awards for “Best Airline in Africa, for the third time in a row at the APEX 2015 EXPO, held at Oregon Convention Centre in Portland.

The Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines Group, Tewolde GebreMariam, said: “As an indigenous Pan-African Global Airline, we are honoured to be recognised as best in Africa for the third time in a row, which once again reaffirms the high quality of the service and the products we offer.

“Ethiopian is above all, a customer-focused airline with global standard service, with superior delivery through its hallmark African flavoured Ethiopian hospitality. Passenger Choice in established, emerging as Award is the most imporwell as unexplored but inter- tant award in our industry esting destinations,” he ex- since it is our customers plained.

Following the announcement of its 10th brand, Tribute Portfolio, earlier this year, the company is also actively pursuing opportunities to introduce the brand in Africa and Indian Ocean.

Starwood currently operates nearly 9,500 rooms in 13 countries, including Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda.

Starwood hotels adds new deals to African, Indian Ocean

F

ROM the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hospitality leader, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc, has announced aggressive expansion in Africa and Indian Ocean, increasing its market penetration across the region.

Currently, the company is said to have a strong footprint with 34 operating hotels and a robust pipeline of 20 hotels under development.

The President, Starwood, Europe, Africa and Middle East, Michael Wale said: “The momentum of the growth we are seeing in Africa today is unprecedented. It is a reiteration of the trust our owners have in us, the power of our distinct lifestyle brands and the strength of our global distribution and award-winning loyalty program.

“Africa is a market with huge potential. With economic growth, a rising middle class and rapid urbanisation, the demand for travel and quality lodging will continue to grow and provide us with a significant opportunity to grow our brands and play our part in supporting many emerging markets across the continent.”

While Reaffirming its commitment to growth in the region, the company announced seven new deals, including W Sharm El Sheikh and The Residences at W

Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), Sheraton Bamako (Mali), The Westin Abuja and Residences (Nigeria), Four Points

by Sheraton Abuja and Residences (Nigeria), Four Points

by Sheraton Nairobi Airport (Kenya), Aloft Dakar (Senegal), and Element Oyster Bay Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

With the new signings, Starwood is expected to further build its position in Nigeria and Egypt, increase its presence in Senegal and enter new markets, which include Mali, Kenya and Tanzania.

The Senior Vice President Acquisition and Develop-

ment, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Africa & Middle East, Neil George said: “We are excited with the success we are seeing in the continent. Franchising has opened up new opportunities for us and is a strategy that is helping drive growth of our midmarket brands.

“We are also beginning to see more and more opportunities for conversion and are pursuing them actively. We are confident that this will give further impetus to our growth trajectory. We remain focused on choosing the right partner, and the right brand

who rate us by benchmarking our service with others in the industry.

“The award is a mile stone which will induce us at Ethiopian to double up our efforts in our continuous improvements in customer services both on the ground and in the air. With 91 international and 20 domestic destinations around five continents, operated with one of the youngest fleet in the industry, which is below five years average age; we will continue our leadership in the African aviation industry and connecting mother Africa with its major global trading centers.

“I wish to thank our customers for their strong vote of confidence and for all Ethiopian employees who are working hard day-in and day-out all over the world to make Ethiopian Airlines lead the African Renaissance in the 21st Century with its motto ‘The New Spirit of Africa,’ he said.

NCMM marks 70th anniversary

By Aramide Shanu NATIONAL Commission for Museums and Monuments joined the entire nation to celebrate Nigeria at 55 and used the medium to mark the 70years of mu-

seum exhibition in Nigeria.

The programme, which was held at the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan had participants from all works of life at the event.

While presenting his keynote address on the theme

‘The Nigeria of post colonial Era’, the programme coordinator, Mrs Comfort Akinmeji, defined independence as freedom from political control by other countries, saying that the aims and objectives of the programme

Pupils displaying the Nigerian flag at the 70th anniversary of Museums, held at the National Museum of Unity , Ibadan recently.

was “to create awareness and promote the museums contributions to the development of the nation; to bring children, students and adults together in order to make the independence programme a memorable one.

“To assist the children in having the knowledge of currencies in circulation since independence and to impact in our children and the young generation the love, appreciation and preservation of our cultural heritage,” she said.

The Head of Department, Education Unit of the museum, Mrs Rebecca Agbogun expressed that museum exhibition provides tools for communication, fur-

thering that exhibitions are like a code, which could be deciphered through careful study.

“The purpose of museum education is to enhance the visitors’ ability to understand and appreciate museum’s collections. Museums are no longer merely repositories of culture, but vital educational institution that can be have a profound effect on children, adults and the society at large.”

Furthermore, the representative of the Director General, Mallam Yusuf Usman, who is also the curator of the museum, Elder Amos Olorunnipa, commended the organisers for their devotion, which he said had helped built Nigeria into a nation.

27

Friday, 9 October, 2015 Group Politics Editor Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 tai_adis@yahoo.com

Fashola

The Senate, on Tuesday, finally unveiled the list of would-be ministers forwarded to the chamber

by President Muhammadu Buhari. Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA examines some issues thrown up by the personalities contained in the 21-man list.

T

HE wait for Cabinet Ministers, who will work with President Muhammadu Buhari, has been unprecedented. Since 1999, when democracy returned to the country, Ministers have always emerged in July. The Presidents from Olusegun Obasanjo, to Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan have always used part of early June to stabilise themselves in office and then set to work by compiling the list of would-be ministers which is then transmitted to the security agencies for vetting and eventually forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

Indeed, from mid-June, would-be ministers are known because as soon as the President sends the names for security screening, contacts are made with the nominees and the political space would be abuzz with movements, lobbying and all that. On all occasions, the Federal Executive Council is constituted before the end of July. Then the senators proceed on their long vacation which ends in September.

It was however a different ball game this time, as President Buhari stormed the

Ngige

Ogbeh

Posers as Senate unveils Buhari’s ministers scene with his message of change. He insisted that he needed to “clean” characters in his cabinet and men of experience who would not fall victim of the usual ‘hostage’ that political often fall into. Statistics after the other continued to pile pressure on the nation’s books, and every finger was pointing to the failure of the President to present a picture of his cabinet and a focus of the economy. But Buhari stuck to his guns. At a stage, National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu had to put in an alibi for the president, when he asked Nigerians to give Buhari a 100-day honeymoon.

One hundred days over, Buhari was still unable to announce his list of Ministers.

On a trip to Ghana, the President said he would have his ministers in place by the end of September. Everyone then set the September 30 deadline and at 5pm that day, Buhari forwarded a list of 21 Ministers to the President of the Senate, who ‘refused’ to open the communication until Tuesday October 6.

Earlier in July, Buhari had spoken of his would-be ministers and defined their characters. He insisted on patriotism, integrity as some of the key items that would inform

We have to look for technocrats and politicians. We have to look out for decent people in this class to give them the responsibility of being in charge of ministers and important parastatals.

his choices. While speaking on a breakfast programme of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Good Morning Nigeria, Buhari said: “From what I have seen so far, we need very patriotic Nigerians to be ministers; Nigerians that can work very hard with knowledgeable experience; committed Nigerians to be in charge of ministries.

“A lot of institutions in Nigeria are compromised, everybody for himself and God for all of us. It is most unfortunate. We have people, educated and experienced people, but everybody seems to be working for himself on how much they could get away with as soon as possible.

“We have to look for technocrats and politicians. We have to look out for decent people in this class to give them the responsibility of being in charge of ministries and important parastatals.

“We will try as much as possible to avoid appointing hostages; by this, I mean people who have been in the system but compromised their personal and professional integrity.

“It is taking so much time (to appoint continues pg28

28

politics&policy

Friday, 9 October, 2015

Forces behind the nominees continued from pg27

ministers) because a number of knowledgeable people have been compromised. They have been compromised by people who will like to depend on them to damage our economy and security; a lot of them have been compromised.

“The worst thing that I think can happen is to get a compromised person to be in charge of institutions. There is no way he could be efficient or patriotic. Somebody behind the scene will be teleguiding him at the expense of the nation.

“This is what we are trying to avoid. We cannot rush to give this responsibility to people that have unfortunately been compromised.

“This is because there is no way you can effectively supervise let’s say 20 ministries, you have to give it to people you trust and you allow them to perform according to the constitution of the country. If you appoint compromised people, then we will be back to square one and Nigeria will be the loser.”

Between politicians and technocrats With the list finally in public domain, a number of issues are raising their heads. There have been questions whether Buhari had not let Nigerians down even through his own criteria for the nominations. Many who complained of a let down by the President were concerned that the list submitted is made up of principally of politicians. The contention out there is that Buhari does not need four months to present the list that was unveiled on Tuesday. Many have said that the list was in no way different from all the names that have been bandied in the media since June and that the President should have submitted that list not later than mid June.

But the questions go deeper than that. There are issues of the nature of government outlook Buhari would present, and what picture of political environment we are going to see going forward.

With his acclaimed submissions, many had expected that Buhari would submit a list of ministers principally dominated by technocrats and professionals. If he had done that, he would have painted a picture of a government that intends to settle down to work in the immediate and possibly suspend politicking till later in the administration.

But with a list of nominees dominated by politicians and political interests, it is almost clear that the government does not intend to step politics aside at all.

For instance, the emergence of Chief Rotimi Amaechi as minister from Rivers state would throw up a fresh dimension into the political tension already brewing in the side of the country. The nation is not strange to the feud between Abuja politicians and home-based politicians, which characterised the administration of former President Obasanjo.

That classification never really left the political space ever since. The intensity has only been different after Obasanjo.

There is no doubt the emergence of Amaechi will further orchestrate the Amaechi/NyesomWike battle for Rivers and by extension, the Niger Delta. The same is bound to re-enact in Ekiti, where the division between incumbent governor Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former governor Kayode Fayemi is bound to resurface. Fayose defeated Fayemi in a keenly contested election last year; an election the All Progressives Congress (APC) claimed was won with the aid of “stomach infrastructure.”

Going by the nature of the Nigerian politician, and the incurable quest for space, it is to be expected that imme-

With a list of nominees dominated by politicians and political interests, it is almost clear that the government does not intend to step politics aside at all.

diately the politician-ministers assume office, the political atmosphere of their states will definitely change. Those in their good books will kick-start the erection of structures “favourable” to the minister, while alienating others.

This is the usual source of distractions in government and the endless rifts between Abuja politicians and the home based.

Incidentally, the Buhari list has created the possibility of the above in states including Anambra, where a former Governor, Dr Chris Ngige made the list, Taraba, where the immediate past gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Senator Jummai Alhassan made it and in Oyo, where protests had already rocked the scene even before the unveiling of Adebayo shittu as the nominee.

Also in states like Kwara, the stage for endless contention appeared to have been set with the emergence of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC spokesman, who is believed to be an outsider in the APC structure in the state. The same scenario might occur in Lagos, where Fashola may attempt to pull his weight with the backing of the “federal might,” and Edo, where loyalists of the APC might see the emergence of Dr. Osagie Ehanire as the usurpation of their birthright.

Ehanire is a younger brother of former Senator Ehanire Danjuma, wife of former Minister of Defence, General TY Danjuma. Such a scenario might play out in Niger State, where the old members of APC might be tempted to view the emergence of a former deputy governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto-Niger as a usurpation of their right in a way.

Ibeto was deputy Governor in the PDP administration led

by Dr Babangida Aliyu until he defected to the APC close to the 2015 election.

Fayemi

Godfathers emerging The list unveiled so far is already throwing up some emerging godfathers. General TY Danjuma is fast emerging a godfather of some sorts. Though he has succeeded in nominating ministers from his home state, Taraba in the past years, he didn’t get that chance; this time, he got the chance to name the nominee from Edo State, Osagie Ehanire.

The same can also be said of Emir of Kazaure, HRH Alhaji Najib Hussaini Adamu, who is believed to have nominated his son Suleiman Adamu, an engineer, into the cabinet. He might get another big one if his daughter, Amina Zakari emerges the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a position she has already been named in acting capacity.

What has changed?

Looking at the list already unveiled, many would ask, where is the change promised by Buhari and the APC? The opposition, PDP said there was nothing to cheer in the list as, according to the party, the list only contained the names that have been commonly mouthed all along.

National publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said in a statement that the list presented to the Senate did not give any cause for excitement among the populace, adding that the length of time it took the President was not justifiable.

The PDP said: “Looking at the list, it is hard to put a finger on why it should take any serious-minded and focused government, six months after its election to assemble such a regular team,” adding that the length of time it took have the list has confirmed that “the APC-led administration is driven by propaganda and deceit, a development that raises doubts on the sincerity of its anti-corruption crusade.”

Now that the ball is in the court of senators, the power of the red chamber is out there to be courted once again. It has emerged that the Maitama home of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki has come alive, receiving unlikely visitors since the weekend. Senators have also been speaking about the mode of screening to expect from Tuesday, October 13.

Chairman, Senate Adhoc Committee, Dino Melaye told Senate Correspondents that a thorough screening process would unfold; adding that the era of “bow and go” was over. He also insisted that the Senate would not overlook any petitions and would readily liaise with anti-corruption agencies in determining the weight of the allegations that might be raised against any of the nominees.

There are indications that the handling of the screening of the nominees could go a long way in determining the shape of the ongoing battle against Senate President BukolaSaraki. Some have said that if he is seen as concilia-

Onu

Kachikwu tory to the dictates of his party, some stakeholders might take up his case with President Buhari so as to facilitate the much- talked about political solution. Nonetheless, it was gathered that opponents of the Senate President had been unrelenting in their push against him.

29 politics&policy

Friday, 9 October, 2015

We must end Executive/Legislature feud, otherwise… —Wole Oke

Honourable Wole Oke, a ranking member of the House of Representatives, representing Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency of Osun State, speaks frankly on the current war against corruption, resurgence of the activities of the militant sect, Boko Haram and the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State. Senior Deputy Editor, JACOB SEGUN OLATUNJI, brings some excerpts of the interview: There are two sides to a coin. We have the revenue aspect and the expenditure aspect.

As Mr President is looking at the revenue aspect, he should thoroughly look at the expenditure aspect to ensure that there are no wastages to ensure there are no leakages to ensure that there is efficiency to ensure that there is capacity building, as well as ensure that there is human development in all sectors of our life.

As a lawmaker, is it not an indictment on the part of the members of the National Assembly, which has the power of oversight?

To a larger extent, I won’t agree with you. The parliament has a role, a constitutional role to oversee the MDAs both on revenue generation and also on expenditures. That is where we really need to collaborate and synergise with the executive arm of government. The executive arm of government should come with their policies and it is our duties as lawmakers to sharpen those policies and assist the executive to drive them. It is a synergy, we both need each other but, I am just saying that the Federal Government should not just concentrate on the revenue generating agencies only; they should also strengthen their executives and their manpower in terms of project evaluation, execution, and monitoring.

You were once quoted as saying that the President should bring down the prices of petroleum products. In what sense do you mean?

You will recall that before former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan left office, he brought our PMS price from N97 down to N87. If you are very observant, you will observe that the slide has not abated. We now have a further reduction in the price of crude oil at the international market and if this is subject to forces of demand and supply, then it makes sense that the prices of petroleum products should be reviewed downward in the interest of Nigerian masses.

Oke

W

HAT are your thoughts on Nigeria having attained 55 years as an independent country?

My expectation is that at 55, we are no longer a baby nation. We have come a long way and Nigeria is so endowed in all aspects of life, be it in terms of human resources; be it in terms of natural resources and be it in terms of our population and positions in the comity of nations, both at the level of Africa and across the globe. So at 55, we have tried; more so, in the last 15 years of democracy experience, we have progressed but we can do more. Nigeria can do more and I believe will get there sooner than later with all hands on decks.

The President Muhammadu Buhari during his broadcast to the nation to mark its 55th Independence anniversary said that all the revenue generating agencies of the government would be investigated. What is your take on this?

Yes, to me it is a good way forward to look at the revenue generating agencies with a view to blocking the leakages, the loopholes. But, that is not enough-to look at the revenue generating agencies alone.

Mr President should also look at the expenditure outlets, particularly the various ministries and organs of government that spend money. The procedure should be reviewed- the capacity, the workers and men that also supervise these agencies and ministries are very important. For example, why does it take a ministry several months or years to process and execute a project?

A project you can execute within six,, nine months or one year, why does it take three to four years? You will be surprised that it will take a whole year for a procurement process to be undertaken. That is a waste of time and don’t forget that in any developing nation, the government is the largest spender. Its spending is important to generate economic activities, to generate development which in turn will generate the revenue that the federal government is trying to block the leakages from these other agencies, Mr President said he is going to look at (them). So, it is a two-way thing.

The PDP is waiting; it is hanging by to reap from their crisis... We are waiting to catch on their differences and get rid of them in 2019.

How will you access the performance of the present administration from the opposition perspective?

In all fairness, I think they are just starting. They are not doing badly; I am particularly impressed by Mr President’s resolution on corruption. It is an evil that we must all stand up to fight. It is in our own interest, the interest of our generation; generations unborn and the interest of our children. Our systems and institutions need to be strengthened so that we will all have cause to be happy; so that we will all have cause to go to bed with our two eyes closed. We will all have a cause to be able to stand. So, we are hopeful. And I believe I have co-travellers in the parliament that will support Mr President in waging war against corruption in our society.

You are a member of the PDP and last week, its leadership received the report of Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s committee on how to reform and recontinues pg30

30 politics&policy

Friday, 9 October, 2015

‘Why Aregbesola needs our help’ hari, I like him, I wish him all the best, but I hope that they will carry everybody along.

Buhari should see himself as the father of the new Nigeria.

continued from pg29

build the party. It has also pledged to zone the Presidency to the North come 2019. What is your view?

I don’t have any objection to that. I just feel that the party ought to have made wider consultations. For example, I wasn’t at such a meeting; nobody has briefed me. We are expecting to hold a meeting, because if the PDP is to make progress, there is need for us to review our past; to review where we were coming from; to review what led to our downfall and to project into the future. So, we must be sincere with ourselves.

There must be a genuine break from the past and we must be sincere to ourselves.

Let me tell you, the PDP as a party has the best in terms of membership and followership. It still remains the largest party in Africa and that party is populated by very sound, brilliant, exposed individuals. So, it shouldn’t be business as usual. They should bring younger people, both the old and the new, together with a view and determination to succeed in wrestling power from the incumbent government. We have what it takes, but we must be sincere with ourselves. We have seen where we have led ourselves to.

The 8th NASS was inaugurated in June. How will you assess the performance of the House as a member so far?

Sincerely speaking, other than the little distractions that we had at the take-off point, I think we are not doing badly. Look at the various motions that have been taken on the floor of the House, they’ve touched all aspects of our lives and the House has been very proactive under Speaker Yakubu Dogara . Virtually all aspects of life have been touched. There is no event that is happening that you won’t see parliamentarians acting to it almost immediately. It shows that Speaker Dogara was forthright in evolving a legislative agenda because he has been complying with the spirit of the agenda and that is why you see us covering all aspects of our lives. I can assure you that as soon as the various committees are constituted, and the leadership put in place, you will see the House performing and I can assure you that Nigerians will be very proud of it (House).

Let me give you an example, the House resolved that we should look into capital budget financing and before you knew what was happening, the executive had released over 21 per cent for capital project as approved in the 2015 budget.

What do you think is responsible for the resurgence of the activities of Boko Haram, as most Nigerians had thought the group was at the verge of surrendering?

Anybody who thinks and assumes that the Boko Haram sect will give up easily is deceiving himself or herself. While the Nigerian military is trying to subdue or eliminate them, from what has happened recently, it shows that they have deployed other tactics by leaving where they were used to and going to other areas. So, it means that every Nigerian has a role to play. We should aid and support our security agencies by giving them useful tips and information as at when due. It is a war that we must all fight as a nation. We shouldn’t restrict that war to just the Armed Forces or paramilitary institutions. We have a collective role to play to make sure that Boko Haram insurgents become a thing of the past in Nigeria. But, I can tell you that it is

You mentioned former President Obasanjo. He was a member of your party and tore his membership card.

Is the PDP making any move to bring back to its fold?

Baba Obasanjo said he is no longer a politician. He is no longer a member of any political party and I also support him on that. He is an institution; he is respected worldwide. The United Nations is still using him to the best of their ability; ditto AU andECOWAS. So, he has a lot of international obligations. I don’t think he has time for local roforofo politics any longer and I support him.

Oke

Whatever their differences, they should resolve it politically. You can only know the beginning of a problem; you cannot know where it will end.

a very serious job to do.

The relationship between the Executive and the Legislative arm of government seems not to be smooth as a result of the face-off between the Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki and the Executive. How do you see the development?

I will look at the issue from two ways, two ways in the sense that I will look at the issue as an APC family affair and will also look at it purely from an institution angle.

As how?

For example, Senator Saraki left our party, the PDP, to team up with the ACN, CPC, ANPP and they were able to form a new party. I expect that they will team up and work together to enjoy the fruit of their labour. But, before they took off, they started having problems internally. Well, the PDP is waiting; it is hanging by to reap from their crisis. That is a very sincere objective opinion of mine. We are waiting to catch on their differences and get rid of them in 2019.

On the other hand as an institution, like one of my senior colleagues opined that

anybody that loves President Buhari; that anybody that loves this government to succeed should not ignite a war between the Presidency and the National Assembly as an institution. Whatever their differences, they should resolve it politically. You can only know the beginning of a problem; you cannot know where it will end. So, I pray and hope that this crisis will be nipped in the bud. Let us work and let Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy that President Buhari will bring. Let me be sincere with you, I am one of the admirers of Buhari, let’s forget about party affiliation. I like him, he is very fair, he takes decision and he’s very firm and he’s a disciplined person and by virtue of my upbringing, I grew up in the Northern part of the country and I am from South-West.

I see him as a highly detribalised Nigerian.

I know most of the people that are close to him are not from the North or the Fulani dynasty. So, I believe that he means well for Nigeria. I believe that he loves this country and for somebody like former President Olusegun Obasanjo to be supporting President Buhari, to have said severally that if he knows any Nigerian that is not a thief or not corrupt, it is President Muhammadu Bu-

You are from Osun. How do you see the lingering face-off between the state government and its workers?

Yes, I am very familiar with Osun State.

My parents are from state. The state governor also happens to be my brother, as he is an Ijesaman like me. The situation in which we found ourselves today is not something we expected because I doubt if Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola knew that the prices of our crude oil would slide to its lowest level we have now. I doubt if he anticipated that the allocations accruable to Osun state would come so low to the extent that they could not even pay the salaries of a segment of the workforce in Osun. It is a civil service state; our productive capacity is very low. Though we have the capacity to do more if we are able to put all the necessary infrastructure in place like power supply, you will agree with me the extent a government can go in the provision of power in a state like Osun. So until we are able to develop our productive capacity in Osun so that we can generate more IGR to complement federal allocations, we will continue to have the problems we have.

To some people, the government is very accurate and conscious of the realities.

They are taking a bond, a loan spanning 25 years. It is not palatable and that is why the governor was dragging his feet at taking the bailout fund because it will be attached to his name for the next 20 years. So, the gentle man is very conscious; he appreciates that fact staring him at the face. That was why he was hesitating that he was not looking for a loan because the interest rate alone would further cripple the economy.

Even if he is going for other sources to cripple or liquidate the loan in the nearest future before his tenure expires, he has no option than to take the bailout and pay his workers. On how to re-strategise and cancel the debt, he was forthright by thinking twice before taking the facility and let me also say it at this point that I am talking as an indigene of Osun, not as a politician now. Let everybody abuse Aregbesola from consistently, it will not solve our problem.

The challenge now is how we will all come together so that the citizens of the state will not suffer so that there will be progress in Osun. That is the key issue. When the election time comes, we can come out from our various shells and talk politics. But now, the growth, progress and the unity of the state should be our watchword and I’m going to try my best as a developmental economist to assist or advise or counsel the state in all ways . Ogbeni Aregbesola needs our support. He needs prayers to succeed and not fight; we have no other state to call ours.

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

hers

Editor: Yemisi Aofolaju yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com 08055001741

Love conquers all, but...

By Monica Taiwo

L

ove is beautiful and it is a thing of joy. It can also be magical when both parties involved in the relationship are getting it right. In fact, there is nothing as good and as beautiful, as being in a good relationship or marriage.

The Holy Books also support this, when it states that “love conquers all”; which could mean that, when you love someone you should be able to take him or her with all shortcomings and be able to help him or her make good negative aspects.

We all view love from all angles; In the movies, love always wins altogether ignoring the messy reality that opposing values, faith, or priorities can often put a serious strain on relationships. But what the movies do not tell you is that sometimes there are things that love just cannot overcome, overlook or conquer. And in some cases, when realities of life and issues come up, we need to make a decision and side track

heartcopy

My daughter’s attitude hurts to the bone marrow! <P34

love.

As stated above, we have our own ideas of what love is, but it is never really as simple as it looks. Supposedly, you fall in love and everything magically works out. The fact is that love is more complicated than it looks, when realities set in. Little wonder many relationships fall apart when we have such unrealistic expectations about

Money is very important in every relationship, the only thing is that we should not begin to worship it and make it a centre piece

love. I believe it exists, but it’s not what keeps relationships together.

Consequently, Hersay asked readers, to state in their opinion, those things they feel love cannot conquer and how to deal with such situations if they arise. Excerpts: Damilola Odukoya: We will be foolish to think there can be love or affection without money. As the song goes, “no romance without finance” this is no myth, it is a reality.

If for a reason or the other, the relationship started without a strong financial backbone and both partners decided that their love would weather the storm, this will soon wear out when the realities of hunger, want and poverty begins to stare at them face-to-face.

Money is very important in every relationship, the only thing is that we should not begin to worship and make it a centre piece. From whichever angle you look at it, especially in a situation where there is a financial role reversal in the house. If per-

SHARE-A-burden

My mother-inlaw has become a thorn in the flesh! <P34

adventure, the woman is not putting it to heart, the man who invariably has become dependent on her may turn around and become something else. When such happens, I am sure you can imagine the rest.

Oluwaseun Olatunbosun: Deceit; love cannot conquer deceit and lies. This is why it is always advisable that in all relationships, not even in a love affair; one should be truthful. We all have our pasts and private pains, although, some people Continues on pg32

thekitchen

> <P39

32 hersay

Tomisin

Friday, 9 October, 2015

Damilola

Seun

Olatunbosun

Anthony

would you describe a woman who hid the fact that she already had a child from her fiancée of five years until the man found

out after three years of marriage. Would you advise him to continue with such a union? No way!

Love conquers all, but…

Continued from pg31

will think or argue that one is entitled to some degree of privacy, but the more serious your relationship gets, the more you should be able to trust your partner and confide in him or her.

I know of a couple that this happened to. Their marriage broke up before it even started.

The man had erectile dysfunction problems. They are both Christians and courted for three years, a strictly no-sex relationship. The woman did not know of this problem until after they were married.

According to her, her husband’s health issue wasn’t the problem, but she was disappointed that he could keep such from her for three years. Her argument was that how many other surprise is she in for and what other things has he kept? She pulled out of the three weeks marriage, despite the intervention of family members and even the church.

Anthony Maurice: I can take anything from any one, especially someone I love. But if he or she decides to be rude to my parents, uhn! I won’t take that.

I respect and love my parents so much that I cannot stand and watch anyone take them for a ride. The issue also depends on the way you handle your relationship from the onset and of course the type of relationship you have with that person because to whom much is given much is expected.

Arowosomo Tomisin: I believe love should be able to conquer and take everything, but this should not give room for partners taking each other for granted. It is an issue of “show me your friend…” you should be able to know what your partner wants and what will not go down well with him or her.

Yes, it is good to forgive when your partner errs, but you won’t and shouldn’t expect him or her to forgive you always when you keep doing the same thing wrong and hurting him or her. I won’t be comfortable with this.

Seunfunmi Balogun: lies… in every relationship, even between mother and child, the moment you cannot come out straight and be who you are, then you have failed and bedrock of the relation-

If an armed robbers is displayed in the news PAPERS it is timely example for your children to teach integrity and a life that brings honour to the name of the family.

This law and form of logic must be communicated to your children at the level of their understanding based on their age and the matter at hand. You have to explain the sequence of events that occur when your children do something, because as children, they don’t always see that their actions have a consequence.

If you drive drunk, you could have a wreck, lose your legs and possibly kill yourself and someone else. Believe it or not, children don’t always make that connection.

They don’t see the end result of their actions. They live in the moment. It is your job to educate them and communicate the consequences of their behaviour. You have to slow things down and show them “if you do this, then this will happen.”

Even a two-year-old can learn the Law of Cause and Effect. “If you touch this and you break it, you will get in trouble.” “If you pull the kitty’s tail, it will bite and scratch you.”

Will your ability to communicate “if this, then that logic change your kid’s behaviour? Sometimes. Not always.

Sometimes she will still pull “Tigger’s tail and will get scratched. “That’s a good thing. That consequence will teach her a valuable lesson. Better that she learns these lessons from you now while it’s still early and it’s just a cat’s scratch than learn them later and face much harsher consequences.

ship has no roots.

In my own opinion, lies and unfaithfulness are two things love cannot over look, or how

Realities love cannot conquer Love is more than sex: So many people tie love and sex together. It is one of the oldest lines for a man to say, “If you love me, you will sleep with me.”

Sadly, women still fall for that everyday. Sex doesn’t mean someone loves you.

Love means compromise: You might have imagined the person you will fall in love with would be just like you. He or she will enjoy the same things you like and your hobbies. The reality is, love means compromise. You talk about things and don’t hold grudges when you compromise on which side of the bed to sleep on or doing his hobby one week and yours the next.

Love is more than words: It makes you warm and tingly all over when that special someone says “I love you” for the first time. The problem is it takes more than words to show someone you love them.

Love is not perfect: You are not going to fall in love with the perfect person. This is because they don’t exist. Love is extremely flawed. There are going to be good days and bad days. There will be days when you think you couldn’t possibly tolerate your partner another day. Real love helps you get past the bad times..

Love is not easy: If you haven’t already realised it, love is not easy. It is one of the hardest job of your entire life. You have to learn how to talk to

Parenting The host of Straight Talk!

With Olufunke Adetuberu

08023242389

cryonmenow@yahoo.com

Timely Communication Communicate realism People tell their kids, “You can be whatever you want to be.” This isn’t realistic. You should not be telling your kid that he can be whatever he wants to be. Why? Because he can’t. Stop telling your kid that he can be whatever he wants to be. The truth is that he can be whatever he has the basic talent for being and is willing to work hard enough to become using that talent. That is a realistic statement based on fact. It doesn’t sound as fairy-tale-like and it doesn’t have quite the ring to it that “You can be whatever you want to be” has, but it’s the truth.

If your kid wants to play in the NBA more than anything in the whole world and he’s five feet six inches tall, it’s not going to happen. Don’t tell him it can happen just because

each other, learn body language, be supportive, put someone else’s needs first sometimes, admit you’re wrong, compromise, find solutions to problems and so much more.

You cannot force love: We have all heard horror stories about girls who get pregnant to keep a man. They are sure the man will love them if they try to force him to stay. But that’s the problem with love: it either happens or it doesn’t. You cannot force it. It is one of the greatest mysteries in life.

You can be yourself: The one thing I like most about love is you can be yourself. If you always feel as if you have to act differently around your significant other, it is time to break it off. It is not love. My guess is you love him, but he doesn’t love you. Loving someone means accepting them for who they are.

You can never be happy with someone who makes you feel like you cannot be you.

Love does not hurt: Love should never be consistently painful. You might feel hurt over something said during a fight, but after talking it out later, you feel better. It hurts to lose love. Far too many people believe they should stay in a relationship because they are in love. They deal with someone treating them badly because of love. This isn’t love. Love feels good. It makes you feel good about yourself and your relationship.

he wants it to happen. This would be dishonest.

If your kid has no musical ability and can’t carry a tune in a bucket, chances are he is never going to make it as a professional singer. A rapper maybe, but not a singer.

“Don’t encourage him to try out for the next season a world singer idol.You are setting him up for failure.

Instead of instilling false hope by communicating and reinforcing unrealistic ideas, encourage realistic goals based on talent, commitment and a willingness to work hard. Communicate very clearly that your kid can be whatever he or she has the talent and inclination to become and is willing to work hard enough to achieve. You have to be willing to work hard enough to achieve it.

When I was growing up in my walk with God I wanted to be a powerful preacher . I had that dream from the time I was a baby Christian .While I had the talent and the inclination, I had to face the fact and I was willing to work hard enough to achieve it. I was willing to study that hard, read books, did a lot of courses speed reading course in particular for many years and learnt the things I needed to learn to make it happen when others were watching movies attending functions, I was focused “ the game of life is not the game of LUCK L -LABOUR U- UNDER C- CORRECT K - KNOWLEDGE (People say I am lucky I say I am worky ) .Talent, inclination and hard work create your reality.

Teach your kids the realistic truth about their future.

33

news

Friday, 9 October, 2015

Ebola: Doctor, 9 nurses, 5 others quarantined in C/River Ubong Anthony -Calabar

F

OLLOWING a suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital

(UCTH), the management of the hospital, on Thursday, said it has quarantined 15 people of the accident and emergency ward of the hospital.

The decision of the man-

agement to quarantine them came on the heels of the death of an out-patient on Wednesday, suspected to have symptoms of the virus.

The patient, whose identity could not be ascer-

Tribunal: Kashamu, Abiodun, others know fate today Olayinka Olukoya -Abeokuta NATIONAL and state Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, will today deliver judgment on 12 petitions filed before it.

Nigerian Tribune recalled that the tribunal, under the chairmanship of Justice Ebiowie Tobi, had, on August 3, reserved judgments on all the petitions, which included the one filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Dapo Abiodun, challenging the victory of Senator Buruji Kashamu of Ogun East Senatorial District in the March 28 elections.

The APC equally chal-

tained, was said to have showed symptoms likened to that of an EVD patient before he died.

In a press statement made available to newsmen in Calabar on Thursday, the UCTH authorities, however, said the patient might have died of haemorrhagic fever.

Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council, UCTH, Dr Queeneth Kalu, said the blood sample of the patient had been sent for testing, while identified contacts, numbering about 15, had been quarantined.

“On Wednesday, October

A former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Thursday, challenged all Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government in finding solution to the myriad of insecurity challenges facing the country.

He said “we can't leave solution to insecurity to the government alone or for our leaders alone.”

The former military leader made the appeal on Thursday, at Maizube Farms, Minna, shortly after declaring open a Strategic Stakeholders Security meeting organised by Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies (AAIPSDS) and the PanAfrican Strategic and Policy Group (PANAFSTRAG) to find solution to the various security challenges in the country.

Abubakar lamented that the country had never been so bedeviled with all sorts

DHQ put Nigerians on red alert on cluster bombs

security challenges and that solution should not be left to the government alone.

He said the need to contribute his residual responsibility informed the gathering of retired and serving military leaders, traditional rulers, members of the academia and legal practitioners to brainstorm and proffer lasting solution to the various security challenges.

“Our country today is bedeviled by all types of insecurity; from kidnapping to Boko Haram and all sorts of terrorism. This is an issue that should involve every Nigerian. We all must assist the government and security agencies to find solution and the way forward on how to curb this menace.

“That is why we have come together to brainstorm and come up with lasting solution. We have invited retired and serving military personnel, the traditional rulers, who are

the one in grassroots and people from the NorthEast, who are at the receiving end of terrorism to share their experiences to help us look at the issue in totality and come up with lasting solution.”

The former military leader expressed optimism that the nation would soon surmount the security challenges, but stressed that all hands must be on deck.

He also emphasised the need to galvanise the people to give intelligence to the security agencies, so that the war against insurgency be won on time.

Aside from serving security officers, the meeting had in attendance ministerial designate, General Abdulraham Danbazzau and General Ishola Williams (retd).

The traditional institution was represented by the Emir of Minna, Dr Faruk Bahago and his counterpart from Borno State, the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Umar El-Kanemi.

court premises for the proceedings.

She noted that the development was to forestall any breakdown of law and order, saying accreditation tags would be made available to journalists, direct litigants, counsel and direct participants.

Chris Agbambu – Abuja THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has alerted Nigerians living in the North-East and any other part of the country to be on look-out for cluster bombs, sometimes called scatter bombs, as the Nigerian

Army Engineers serving in Adamawa State have recovered some catches of these bombs in the contested areas in recent times.

Defence spokesperson, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, stated this on Thursday, that the military high com-

The academia had Professor Nana Tanko, the Vice Chancellor of Niger Stateowned Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Professor Nosiru Mohammed Maiturari and Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahaya of the Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Ibadan.

shown that his government would not only be accountable, but mindful of the needs of those voted him into office across the state.

It said the quarterly parley would serve as a feedback mechanism for the government to know how its policies and programmes affected the people.

“With this proven desire to carry the people of Lagos along in his policies, Governor Ambode will

take governance down to the grassroots. We urge the good people of Lagos to continue to support the governor in his resolve to continue the legacy of uninterrupted development of Lagos for the good of every Nigerian.

We salute this initiative of the governor in practicalising the engagement of the people in governance.

We see the town hall meeting and its commencement

mand had discovered that the Boko Haram terrorists in the areas had used such lethal instruments over time, to push their callous terrorist cause.

According to him, “for easy identification, it is important to note that cluster bombs are bombs that house submunitions, that is, smaller explosives contained in individual cases.

These bombs are used against large areas containing many targets, such as columns of vehicles, market places, places of worship or large troop concentration as the case may be.”

Colonel Abubakar noted that some cluster bombs carry several hundreds

of very small explosives wrapped in a metal container like a pot, while others carry larger submunitions that could find specific targets, such as tanks.

Also, he added that some of these submunitions did not blow up immediately, but remained behind and act as landmines and could be an acceptable explanation for the recovery of catches of these bombs by Nigerian Army Engineers in the area.

The DHQ appealed to the general public to be wary of such concealed dangerous equipment now being used by the terrorist elements to cause havoc to both innocent lives and property.

Akwa Ibom to revisit contributory pension scheme AKWA Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has said his administration is gearing up to review the existing pension laws, with a view to putting in place efficient structural framework for the smooth implementation of the contributory pension scheme.

The measure, according to the governor, was to ensure proper management of the scheme, to forestall the prevalent deficit on the pension arrears of workers on their retirement.

Governor Emmanuel

Town hall meetings will benefit gov, residents —Lagos APC THE local chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has said the one week set aside

by Governor Akinwumi Ambode for his town meeting will afford the electorate to appraise the governor’s score card and rate him regularly.

In a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, the party said the governor had, with the initiation of the meetings,

of the development.”

Speaking, Dr Sunday Omini, the Director Public Health, Cross River State said he doubts if the symptoms were that of EVD, adding that it could be that of Dengue fever or Lassa fever.

Dr Omini said, however, that the Cross River State government was on top of the situation, calling for calm among members of the public.

It was, however, gathered that nine nurses, four medical workers and one medical doctor were among those quarantined.

lenged the result of the House of Representatives election of Ijebu-North/Ijebu-East/Ogun Waterside, which returned Adesegun Adekoya of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as against Biyi Ismail of the APC. Other petitions included the results of 10 seats in the Ogun State House of Assembly.

However, the tribunal had warned members of the public who had no business within the tribunal venue to stay away.

This was said by the secretary to the tribunal, Regina Kuhe, while speaking with newsmen on Thursday, that only accredited persons would be allowed into the

Insecurity: We can't leave solution to our leaders alone — Abdulsalami Adelowo Oladipo -Minna

7, we managed a patient, who presented with symptoms mimicking viral haemorrhagic fever. Due to the remote chance of it being contagious, we have sent the blood samples for testing and quarantined identified contacts. Further information will be made available as soon as we receive the results of the samples for analysis.

“The National Centre for Disease Control, Federal Ministry of Health, Cross River State Government and the Department of State Services had been informed

as a needed drive to make governance compliant with the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

“Our party believes the governor’ll make the people the epicenter of his governance, through regular fora where he renders periodic accounts and gets feedback. We see this as being in consonance with the ideology and belief of our great party,” the statement read.

dropped the hint while fielding questions from the Government House reporters on his arrival at the Ibom International Airport, where he attended the World Pension Summit held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Emmanuel, who maintained that the contributory pension scheme was far better than the definite pension system currently in operation, said the measure would checkmate misappropriation

and change the perception of workers who look forward to retirement with gloom, as they usually wait for years without receiving their entitlement.

Commenting on their participation, the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akan Okon, noted that the state had a lot to gain from the summit and gave an insight into how the state would tap into the pension reserve fund which had been dormant.

34

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

Senate sets conditions for minister-nominees

• Says nominees must present Code of Conduct clearance, get backing of 2 senators •PDP Senators reject partial ministerial list, send words to Buhari Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

S

ENATORS, on Thursday, adopted the criteria for screening of the 21 minister-nominees forwarded to the chamber by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The senators, who announced the criteria after a two-hour closed-door session (executive session), said the nominees must present evidence of Code of Conduct clearance and also secure the backing of no fewer than two senators from their states of origin.

Melaye said that the Senate met behind closeddoors (executive session) on Thursday and came out with set criteria for the screening and confirmation of the 21 minister-nominees sent last week, by President Buhari to the Senate, adding that the screening would be broadcast live from Tuesday till Thursday, next week.

He said the requirements set by the senators were drawn from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as according to him, the criteria would ensure a hitch-free exercise.

Melaye said: “You recalled that the Senate met behind closed-doors earlier in the day and the Executive session was meant to fine-tune modalities of ministerial screening due to start on Tuesday, next week. The Senate is relying on provisions of section 147(3), section 14(3), Section 65 of the Constitution for the screening.”

He insisted that each of the nominees must, by Monday, submit 115 copies of their resume to the Senate, to enable the senators have opportunity to ask them questions.

Melaye further stated that the screening would be rigorous, expeditious and thorough, adding that the senators would not politicise the screening process, while making Nigeria their priority.

Speaking on Senate’s tradition of ‘bow and go’ usually extended to some nominees, Melaye said former National Assembly members would still enjoy the tradition, while the chairman of the screening, the Senate President could decide to ask them any question.

He stated that it was compulsory for all the nominees to show proof of asset declaration at the Code of Conduct Bureau, while they must also forward copies of their resume to the chamber.

The senator said: “It is

mandatory that all nominees will show evidence of asset declaration as part of requirements for screening.”

He stated that a minimum of two senators from a state must back a nominee from the state before he or she could be screened by the Senate.

He also said that the constitution made it mandatory for any nominee for office of minister to satisfy the criteria to be a member of the House of Representatives.

He also said that all nominees must submit themselves to finger print clearance by the Force Criminal Investigations Department of the Nigeria Police.

He quoted Section 147 (5) of the Constitution, which reads: “No person shall be appointed as a minister of the Government of the Federation unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives.”

He also stated that the qualifications for being a member of the House of Representatives are clearly spelt out in section 65 and 66 of the Constitution.

Section 65 (1) reads: Subject to the provisions of section 66 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified for election as a member of: (b) the House of Representatives, if he is a citizen of Nigeria and has attained the age of 30 years; (2) A person shall be qualified for election under subsection (1) of this section if: (a) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent; and (b) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that party.

Section 66 of the Constitution also provides details on those issues that disqualify a person from being a minister and it reads: “No person shall be qualified for election to the Senate or the House of Representatives if: (a) subject to the provisions of section 28 of this Constitution, he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a country other than Nigeria or, except in such cases as may be prescribed by the National Assembly, has made a declaration of allegiance to such a country; (b) under any law in force in any part of Nigeria, he is adjudged to be a lunatic or otherwise declared to be of unsound mind; (c) he is under a sentence of death imposed on him by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or a sentence of imprisonment or fine for an offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called)

or any other offence imposed on him by such a court or tribunal or substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court; (d) within a period of less than 10 years before the date of an election to a legislative house, he has been convicted and sentenced for an offence involving dishonesty or he has been found guilty of a contravention of the Code of Conduct; (e) he is an undischarged bankrupt, having been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in any part of Nigeria; (f) he is a person employed in the public service of the Federation or of any State and has not resigned, withdrawn or retired from such employment 30 days before the date of election; (g) He is a member of a secret society; (h) He has been indicted

for embezzlement or fraud

by Judicial Commission of Inquiry or an Administrative Panel of Inquiry or a Tribunal set up under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, a Tribunals of Inquiry Law or any other law by the Federal or State Government which indictment has been accepted by the Federal or State Governments respectively; or. (i) He has presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Senate shall not consider the nomination of any person, who has held any public office as contained in Part 11 of the fifth Schedule to the constitution prior to his nomination, unless there is written evidence that he has declared his assets and liabilities as required by Section 11(1) of part 1of the fifth schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Such declaration shall be required for

scrutiny by the senators.

Meanwhile, senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, met behind closed-doors to consider the criteria set by the Senate for the confirmation of nominees of President Buhari for the post of ministers.

Though the senators refused to brief Senate correspondents at the end of the one-hour meeting, sources close to the party told the Nigerian Tribune that the senators had resolved to reject piecemeal presentation of the list of minister nominees.

It was gathered that the PDP senators had decided to hold down the screening process unless Buhari sent the full compliments of the ministerial list by Tuesday.

Sources at the meeting told Nigerian Tribune that the lawmakers had resolved to send message to the president through Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, for

onward delivery to President Buhari.

It was gathered that the senators would be prepared to stall the screening process on Tuesday, if the president of the Senate failed to read the remaining list of ministerial nominees at the start of sitting on Tuesday.

“The senators of the PDP are united and they have taken a stand on the ministerial screening. After adopting the procedures already ratified at the executive session of all the senators, the PDP caucus resolved to also demand a full list of ministerial nominees by Tuesday; else, they will have no other option than to hold down the screening process.

“The senators are of the view that the nation, having waited for four months, cannot continue to wait in perpetuity for the full complement of ministers to assume office,” a source at the meeting said.

From right, deputy speaker, Honourable Yusuf Lasun; Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara; Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Senate Chief Whip, Professor Olusola Adeyeye and the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Honourable Pally Iriase, during a meeting of the National Assembly leadership with the president, at the Aso Villa, on Wednesday night.

What we discussed with Buhari at late night meeting —Saraki Clement Idoko -Abuja SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said all elected and public officials, irrespective of their political leanings, must have a common goal to work together in the interest and development of Nigeria.

He said the closed-door meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly, held on Wednesday night, was a welcome development, as it would smoothen the relationship between the two arms of government.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting which lasted about two hours, Saraki explained that the meeting signified a good working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

He said the meeting was an initiative of the president for an interaction with the leadership of the National Assembly, adding, that such interactions were “a necessity for national development.

According to him, the meeting had demonstrated that the nation was working and had in attendance Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other principal officers of both chambers.

However, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was conspicuously absent at the meeting.

Also in attendance was Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Saraki said: “The meeting was an initiative of the president for an interaction with the leadership of the National Assembly. It was a very useful session, being the first. This kind of interaction helps in

ensuring smooth relationship between the two arms of government.

“We discussed a number of issues; some of the plans.

The general commitment is that yes, the National Assembly has legislators from different parties, but now, we are representing Nigeria.

We have a common goal, which is to see that we work together in the interest of the country as a whole,” he said.

On whether the issue of his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal featured at the meeting, the Senate President said the meeting was about how to make Nigeria work.

He said: “We are talking about what will make Nigeria work; we are talking about the promises we made during elections. Those are the big issues we are talk-

ing about and to ensure that there is no distraction.

“The focus is to ensure that the executive arm does things in the interest of the county. It is normal in a democratic setting, from time to time, to see the parliament talking with the executive. That is how to make things work.

“What we are taking away is for Nigerians to be confident that government is working.

We are committed to work together and it is going to be for the good of Nigerians at large. It is a good development. We are all committed to what we are all elected to do: to make Nigeria work,” he said.

The Senate President explained that Ekweremadu and Deputy Minority Whip, House of Representatives could not attend the meeting because they were attending a conference.

Friday, 9 October, 2015 35 news Ministers: Petitions against nominees must be cleared before screening —Saraki

...As nominees rush to submit resume in Senate Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja

P

RESIDENT of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said on Thursday, that all petitions against ministerial nominees must be treated before Tuesday.

Saraki, who gave the directive while receiving a petition against the nomination of Hajia Amina Mohammed as a nominee from Kaduna State, said the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public petition must clear all petitions against the name of ministerial nominees before the start of screening on Tuesday.

Saraki, who made some remarks, following the submission of a petition by Senator Danjuma La'ah from Kaduna South, against the nomination of Amina Mohammed, said that the chairman of Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, must “dispose of all the submitted petitions against any of the nominees before the beginning of the screening and confirmation next Tuesday.”

The Senate President however referred the petition submitted against the nominee from Kaduna State to the Committee on Ethics, Privilege and Public Petition for action.

In the petition signed by all the House of Assembly

members from Kaduna State, members of the House of Representatives from the state and the three senators representing the state, it was alleged that the woman was not an indigene of Kaduna State.

The petition entitled: “The nomination and subsequent confirmation of ministers of the Federal Government is a constitutional exercise that must be strictly followed,” stated that “we strongly object to the nomination of the ministerial nominee for Kaduna State, Amina Ibrahim Mohammed. Our objection is predicated on the fact that we have reasons to believe that she is not an indigene of Kaduna State, but Gombe State.

The nomination and subsequent confirmation of ministers of the Federal Government is a constitutional exercise that must be strictly followed. First, section 14 (3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The petitioners added that “(4) The composition of the government of a state, a local government council or any of the agencies of such Government or council and the conduct of the affairs of the government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of be-

longing and loyalty among all the people of the federation.”

They, therefore, prayed the Senate “to reject the nomination of the said Amina Mohammed and direct that an indigene of Kaduna State, from South Kaduna Senatorial District, be nominated and sent to

the Senate for screening.”

As at Thursday, ministerial nominees started flooding the National Assembly to submit their resumes as prescribed, so as to beat the Monday deadline.

As at the last count on Thursday, no fewer than nine nominees have sub-

ENMITY between farmers in Kwale axis of Delta State and herdsmen has claimed

the life of a 17-year-old cattle rearer while another was severely wounded.

The victim, Jae Abubakar, was allegedly

Volkswagen gas emission scandal, extortion of people —AUTOBATE Chris Agbambu –Abuja GENERAL Secretary of Automobile, Boatyards, Transport, Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association (AUTOBATE), Sola Olorunfemi, has noted that the Volkswagen (VW) gas emission scandal, which has generated global uproar, is “another case of manufacturers putting profit before the people.”

Volkswagen management admitted last week that it “equipped 11 million of its vehicles with software that had effect of causing the diesel cars to run cleaner during testing by regulators than they did in actual driving.”

This was confessed to environmental investigators in the United States (US) as the defeat devices – software is meant to evade tax, while the gasses emitted caused health and environmental hazards to the society in general.

The affected cars are models made from 2009 to 2015.

Olorunfemi said the scandal was one out of many that capitalist engaged in to maximise profit, adding that such scandal had contributed to increasing “environmental barbarism” that had plunged the world into unending tragedies like earthquake, air pollution and tsunamis.

Ngige (Anambra State) Dr Ogbonaya Onu, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano State), Audu Ogbeh (Benue State), Senator Udoma Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom), Engineer Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa), Dr Osagie Ehanire (Edo), Ibrahim Usman Jibril and Hadi Sirka.

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (middle), receiving the award for the best state on ICT compliance from the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Phillip Consulting Nigeria, Mr Foluso Phillip (right) and an Associate Partner, Mr Niyi Ajao (left), during the group's visit to the governor’s office.

NSE faults Buhari over ministerial list, seek 60% technocrat Gbola Subair -Abuja AS the Senate fixes next Tuesday for the confirmation of ministerial list sent in by President Muhammadu Buhari , the Nigerian

Society of Engineers ( NSE) has faulted the 21-names list, saying 60 per cent of the entire cabinet should have been made up of technocrats, while politicians should constitute 40 per

17-yr-old herdsman killed in Delta Alphonsus Agborh -Asaba

mitted their resumes this morning to the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate).

The remaining nominees are expected to submit theirs before the end of the day.

Those that have submitted theirs are Senator Chris

shot dead on Monday, while his brother, Isiaku, 20, was hospitalised after some unidentified persons opened fire at their grazing site.

The duo are children of the chairman of the Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Edo State, Malam Abubakar Haruna.

Following the development, a meeting between security operatives and council chairman, alongside other stakeholders in the cattle business was held in Asaba to find lasting solutions to the crises.

Narrating his ordeal to the Nigerian Tribune,

Mallam Abubakar said at about 9.00 p.m. on Sunday, some miscreants threw an explosive at their camp without any casualty.

However, the miscreants were said to have returned on Monday morning and opened fire on the herdsmen.

Abubakar said 32 cows were still missing, adding that in the last 14 years of attacks on herdsmen in the state, over 500 cattle had been stolen and 24 herdsmen killed.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, said investigation was in progress.

cent.

The NSE recalled that this was consistent with the advice by the United States president, Mr Barack Obama, when Buhari visited him recently.

Speaking during NSE’s October lecture in Abuja, former president of the NSE, Chief Olumuyiwa Alade Ajibola, said the ministerial composition would engender good performance, quality execution of projects and excellent service delivery.

Ajibola, who called on Buhari to attach portfolios to the names of the nominees to make screening by the Senate easier and meaningful, stated that Nigerian engineers should be engaged in government projects, so as to bring out the best in them.

To engineers, he said they should join politics and stay permanently connected to the main policy hub.

In his own speech, the president of NSE, Engineer Ademola Isaac Olorunfemi, said on assumption of office, he saw the need to specifically strengthen NSE’s partnerships with the faculties of engineering in Nigeria.

Olorunfemi regretted that the National Infrastructure Scorecard was non-existent in Nigeria and so, NSE would deliver the first National Infrastructure Scorecard for the country.

Meanwhile, the governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and chairman of Innoson Group of Companies, Mr Innocent Chukwuma have been listed for honorary fellowship for their outstanding performances in their chosen endeavours.

Ministerial nominees storm police hqtrs for finger-printing Chris Agbambu -Abuja NIGERIANS shortlisted for ministerial appointment

by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, commenced profiling at the Force headquarters, with Chief Audu Ogbeh and Senator Chris Ngige leading the way.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the first set of the ministerial nominees, who arrived in batches, was received and led to the ICT profiling centre by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, at about 12.15 p.m. and left at about 12. 35p.m.

The profiling of the ministerial nominees, with their finger prints and other biometric at Force headquarters, the first of its kind in the present democratic dispensation, is seen by observers as a way of collecting current data of the ministerial nominees by the Fed-

eral Government, to ensure proper records and accountability.

Some observers, however, wondered why the ministerial nominees, who are yet to appear for screening at the Senate, should go ahead and commence profiling.

36

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

Immigration tragedy: Reps summon NIS management Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel--Abuja

T

HE House of Representatives, on Thursday, summoned the management of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), over the non-implementation of the promises of the Federal Government to pay compensations to the families of those applicants who lost their lives during the 2014 failed recruitment tragedy and the survivors.

The invitation was to enable the management of NIS to meet with a three-man committee comprised of the House Majority Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor and Honourable Aminu Shehu Shagari to explain why the victims had not been settled till date.

The family members of the victims of the recruitment tragedy had stormed the National Assembly, protesting the inability of the Federal Government to fulfil the promise made to them to compensate them for the loss of their family members.

The recruitment exercise, which was attended by about 60, 000 for only 4, 000 vacant positions also led to a faceoff between the then Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro and the former Comptroller General of Immigration, David Partadang, as the latter accused the minister of hijacking the exercise.

Following the development, former President Goodluck Jonathan promised to compensate the families of the deceased by directing that two members each from the families of the deceased were given automatic employment in the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Speaking at the gate to the National Assembly, the National Coordinator, Nigerian Immigration Service Recruitment Stampede Victims, Mr Edmund Osasumah, said that all the promises made by the government to employ three members of their family were yet to be fulfilled.

He said that families of the deceased who were issued employment letters on March 11, 2015 were yet to start work because NIS promised that they will resume the same time with the injured victims.

According to him, “about 137 injured victims who were screened and cleared

by NIS were yet to be given appointment letters. Our agitation right now is for the NIS to release the em-

ployment letters of the injured victims since they were screened six months ago. They were told that the letters were ready so they should release it to them so that they can start work.”

The Leader, House of Representatives, Honourable Gbajabiamila, who received the group, assured them that the House would expedite actions to ensure they were adequately compensated.

Meanwhile, the House of

Representatives has urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate two major dilapidated roads in Ondo State, in order to stop the incessant accidents and loss of lives.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by Honourable Babatunde Gabriel Kolawole titled: “Deplorable states of Owo - Iyere-Ipele-Ago, Alao-Owoani-IdoaniIfira-Sosan- Isua Road and Owo-Oba- Ajegunle-

Akungba-Iwaro-Oke-OkaOkhia-Epinmi-Isua Road in Ondo State” at the plenary.

Also, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to re-evaluate all the steps earlier taken by previous administrations aimed at exploiting the abundant bitumen deposits in the country for revenue generation and employment creation as a best step towards diversification of the nation’s economy.

The resolution followed

the adoption of a motion moved by Honourable Mayowa Akinfolarin, Ile-oluji/ Oke-igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State.

Akinfolarin, while moving the motion noted that the bitumen deposits in Nigeria “is put at about 42.74 billion metric tons and is the second largest in the world, as it covers over 120 kilometres stretch of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo and parts of Ebonyin, Abia and Kogi States.”

Kaduna Poly postpones resumption date Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

THE management of Kaduna Polytechnic (KADPOLY) has postponed resumption date of students for 2015/2016 academic session till further notice.

This was contained in a statement signed by Hajiya Hadiza Kamba of the Registrar office and made available to Nigerian Tribune on Thursday, in Kaduna.

The statement simply added that the decision to postpone the resumption date was taken at the academic board meeting on Thursday.

The statement read, “The Management of Kaduna Polytechnic has postponed resumption of students for 2015/2016 academic session earlier slated for Monday, October 12, 2015 until further notice.

The decision to postpone the resumption date was taken at the academic board meeting of the Institution held today.”

Former Ondo PDP chair turns down appointment House Leader, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila (mddle); with the minority leader, Honourable Leo Ogor (left) and Honourable Sani Zoro (right), addressing families of victims of the Nigeria Immigration Service stampede of 2014, at the gate of the National Assembly, Abuja, on Thursday.

PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

4 suspected fake corps members remanded in prison over N2.4m fraud Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

A magistrates’ court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Tuesday, remanded four

suspected fake corps members in Ilesa Prison for allegedly defrauding the state government of N2, 472, 825 million.

The accused, Oyeniyi Ka-

zeem Wale, Lawrence Akinwale, Kolade Oladiran Samson and Akinlabi Zacheaus, were remanded by the presiding judge, Magistrate Olu-

EFCC to arraign 2 over 448 travellers cheques, 108 ATM cards Sunday Ejike-Abuja

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Jonathan Odu Isikwei, over unlawful possession of 448 travellers cheques.

A statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said the 51-year-old Isikwei was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), during the outward clearance of passengers on a Belgiumbound flight.

He stated further that the case had been transferred to the EFCC for further investigation, adding that the 448 travellers’ cheques recovered from Isikwei, were discovered to purportedly belong to four banks in America, Europe and Cana-

da.

The statement said all the travellers’ cheques were signed, with some having monetary value written on them. Among the cheques belonging to Safe Federal Credit Union, 27 pieces were blank while 14 pieces of the cheques have monetary value worth 322,800 US Dollars.

27 pieces of the travel-

lers’ Cheques belonging to Gun Nebo Canada Inc, were blank while 90 pieces of the cheques have monetary value worth 354,300 Canadian Dollars.

The suspect, who claimed he exported dried fish from Nigeria to Belgium, told investigators that he collected the parcel for onward delivery to a friend without any knowledge of the contents.

sola Aluko, after pleading not guilty to 8-count charge slammed against them.

According to the prosecutor, Mose Faremi, the accused and three others at large, in year 2014, at CHAMS Plc office, Ministry of Finance, Accountant-General’s office, Osogbo conspired to defraud the government by forging five doctor Youth Corps members letters of posting and identity cards.

Faremi also informed the court that they presented themselves as National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) medical doctors of the state NYSC batch ‘B’ 2014, whereas they were not and thereby committed punishable offences.

MKO Abiola International Airport to be ready in 8 months —NAF aeronautical company Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

THE Managing Director of Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited, the company handling the MKO Abiola International Airport, Air Commodore Hyacinth Eze, has assured that the airport in Osun will be ready for operations in the next eight months.

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Air Force-owned company made this disclosure when he led the team of engineers handling the project to the governor in Osogbo.

Situated at Ido-Osun in Egbedore Local Government area of the state, the airport when completed will be a cargo and aircraft

maintenance hub.

According to Eze, the airport will be the first to have hanger for the maintenance of different types of aircraft and helicopters in West African sub-region, noting that the delay in completion of the project was caused by a little hitch, which has now been overcome.

Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Honourable Ebenezer Alabi, who was recently appointed as a Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday, turned down the appointment.

This was contained in a letter written and addressed to the state governor by Alabi, which was made available to newsmen in Akure, Ondo State capital yesterday.

The former PDP chairman explained in the letter to the governor that he would not be able to take the political appointment because of his businesses which he was planning to put in place.

According to him, he said he saw his appointment as a call to service and a rare privilege but appealed to the governor to allow him concentrate on his new found love for his business.

The letter read in part, “I am aware of the competition and many waiting competent hands in our party that were not considered for positions due to space and the economic reality of the moment. Therefore, a call to service, to me, is a rare privilege and opportunity to be a part of your dream and by extension that of our great party, the PDP. I am very much aware of this and the political relevance it will confer on me.

I thank you immensely for the honour sir.

37

By Sade Oguntola

F

or years, the Chinese have used certain herbs, including spices, to prevent common diseases.

They knew that these herbs “shield” from falling ill. The scrutiny of the scientific laboratory is confirming that they were right.

These arrays of plant are general immune system stimulators and their possible inclusion in diets could increase the activity of the immune system but are not specific to a particular disease.

Indeed the immune system recognises and destroys anything foreign to the body, including cells like bacteria and other microbes, and foreign particles including toxic compounds. This recognition and destruction is performed by cells in the circulatory and lymphatic systems.

Here are a few of the best researched immune boosters available in food stores:

Ewedu Jute leaves (called ewedu among the Yoruba and rama among the Hausa), a rich source of betacarotene, iron, calcium and vitamin C, is also said to be an immune booster.

To boost the immune system, the Ewedu should be rinsed thoroughly with liquid vinegar, “blend and cook with drinkable water, without adding salt or kaun (potash) or any other ingredients. Professor Adebukola Ositelu, a consultant at the Lagos University Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, said a 25cl or half a tumbler of it can be taken once a week, first thing in the morning before any meal to boost body’s immunity.

African spinach Spinach, like many green vegetables when used as food helps to contribute to healthy functioning of the body and boost level of immunity. In an animal study, researchers found spinach was in overall of higher nutritional value than other vegetables tested.

Hibscus sabdariffa Hibscus sabdariffa, commonly referred to as red calyx or sobo, has many medicinal benefits. Researchers’ asSex helps you sleep better The importance of sleep is greatly known, yet we still don’t know why. Currently there are four main theories why we slumber.

• Sleep is a time where the body’s cells repair themselves after the day’s activities.

• Sleep allows us to replenish the body’s fuel; so when we run low our brain tells us to rest so we can refuel.

• During sleep, the brain does a little ‘tidying up’ looking through what you have learnt and perhaps deleting what we no longer need.

• Whilst we sleep the brain takes this time to replay and commit new memories, making sure we remember what we wish to keep.

After sex you’re more relaxed and receptive to sleep.

This is due to the cocktail of hormones that are rushing through the system after an orgasm. Oxytocin and endorphins released after sex are sleep promoters, which help you get a good night’s sleep.

Reduces pain Having chronic pain (lasting a long time) can create problems with how you live your day-to-day life.

Common problems with long-term pain sufferers include depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances, which are all completely understandable if you feel like there will be no end to your pain.

Your partner can help you get your prescription of nature’s painkillers. If you suffer from joint pain, headache or premenstrual tension, sex can offer great pain relief.

The hormone oxytocin and endorphins are released and help combat pain by lowering your perception of the pain signals from your problem areas.

Improves heart health No matter how much you concentrate on your diet, you’re still at risk of a heart attack if you don’t exercise.

Not adopting enough exercise in your weekly routine is the single worst risk factor for heart problems, yet the majority of adults don’t do enough.

We have already stated that sex is an exercise and the heart above most benefits when we exercise. Even older men who fear that sex can trigger a stroke or cardiac event should not worry as long as you take it slow. Regu-

Thursday, 24 September, 2015

natural

health Foods you can make your medicines

sessment of its effects on the immune system indicated in the July 2013 edition of the African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology that Hibscus sabdariffa stimulates the production of various blood cell components.

Sweet potato leaves Researchers indicated that consumption of purple sweet potato leaves boosted the immune response of 15 basketball players during a training period. The 2007 study, published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that it caused a significant increase in the proliferation blood cells required to protect the body from illnesses.

Locust beans Fermented foods like pap, locust beans and yogurt contain friendly bacteria that have a powerful, beneficial effect on the gut’s immune system which is the first line of defence against pathogens, and aid in the production of antibodies.

Researchers at the Harvard Medical School said there is a evidence of a relationship between such “good” bacteria and the immune system.

Tomatoes

An increased consumption of tomatoes can help avoid getting sick. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, when individuals consume tomato diet, their infection-fighting white blood cells sustained 38 per cent less damage from free radicals — atoms in the body that damage and destabilise cells — than when they ate no tomato products.

Researchers speculate that the lycopene in tomatoes acts as an antioxidant, helping white blood cells resist the damaging effects of free radicals.

Hot pepper Results of studies suggest that eating food containing hot components such as capsaicin may improve immune status in a study from the University of Ulsan in South Korea.

These studies have shown that capsaicin — the compound that gives chilli peppers their fire — can help stop sickness before it starts. Mice in one study were given a daily dose of capsaicin and had nearly three times more antibody-producing cells after three weeks than those given no capsaicin.

Apple An apple a day keeps the doctor way. Its nutrients, including vitamin C, help to keep the immune system on guard.

Onions Onions contain quercetin, a nutrient that breaks up mucus in the head and chest while boosting the immune system. Onions also contain allicin which slows down and kills a variety of viruses and bacteria.

Consuming fresh raw white onion within a few hours of the first symptoms of a cold or flu is when you’ll get the strongest immune effect.

Mushrooms For centuries, people around the world have turned to mushrooms for a healthy immune system. Studies show that mushrooms increase the production and activity of white blood cells, making them more aggressive. This is a good thing when you have an infection. lar sex has shown to decrease the risk of a heart attack in older men.

sex,sexuality

&your health With Monica Taiwo

strictly adult teenagers, adult & geriatric sexual well being

08187754992 (sms only) taiwomonica@gmail.com

Health benefits of sex

It helps you fight prostate cancer The prostate is a small gland that is important in the male reproductive system. It produces the alkaline components of semen, which help protect the sperm.

Recent research states that those men who ejaculate on a regular basis (five or more times a week) are less likely to develop prostate cancer.

The process of ejaculation, which involves the prostate, actually flushes away the products that can lead to cancer.

Strengthens relationships Considerable research indicates that being in a positive relationship can improve your overall health and wellbeing. Happily married couples are less likely to develop health complications, such as cancer and heart failure, and so on average live longer.

Your body experiences a whole roller coaster of hormones when you have sex and during the pillow talk after.

The most important hormone is oxytocin, which is appropriately labelled the ‘love hormone’. This particular hormone is important for the need to bond and nurture and is released when you are cuddled and have contact with your partner.

•To be continued next week

titbits Deep Voice Sure, a deep voice is attractive and alluring—but it’s still no indicator of penis size. Yet people are bound to think that a man with a deep voice is going to be packing a sea serpent. I mean, look at people like Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, or Barry White

and tell me that you don’t automatically think they’d put a high-pitched weakling to shame. Hold on – this is coming back to that ‘race’ thing, isn’t it? Either way, it’s just an illusion – which I’m sure none of the above men would be all that eager to dispel.

38

Friday, 9 October, 2015

Continues on page 39

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

Electricity: Saraki seeks sanctions against defaulting DISCOS Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, advocated sanctions against electricity distribution companies (DISCOS) which fail to live up to the terms of agreements they reached with the Federal Government before commencing operations.

He made the call when the chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi, led other members of the commission on a courtesy visit to the Senate President in Abuja.

Saraki informed that the National Assembly was eager to see Nigerians enjoy stable power supply and at the cheapest cost possible, adding that the Senate would ensure that all acts of impunity by DISCOS were eradicated.

According to him, “more importantly, from our own point of view is that how do we ensure that majority of the owners of the DISCOS keep to some of the agreements or the commitments they made at the time of purchase.

Some of them by the time they were buying these assets have committed to certain investments that were going to be done. The question is, are they on schedule and what is the time frame you set for most of these investments to be in place?

“We are both on the same side, which is to ensure that the consumers get value for their money. You are those that work directly with them and it is important you bring to our attention what is necessary to ensure that at the end of the day the consumers, the Nigerian people get the best benefit. The aim at the end of the day is to ensure that every Nigerian get the power and they get it at the cheapest possible cost and those who are responsible for running these units keep to the agreement.

“What we don’t want to see is the impunity, where people believe that they can

make commitments, but not necessarily be held to those commitments and at the end of the day, it is our own people that suffer. Definitely we are going to stamp that out and we are not going to accept that and it is your responsibility to bring that to our notice so that we can be able to address that,” he said.

Chairman of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, said the commission was doing all it could to eliminate fixed electricity charges, adding that one of the factors militating against increased power supply was the weak infrastructure in the country.

Buhari's postponed visit to Cross River not political — Gov Clement Idoko - Abuja Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, on Thursday, said the postponed visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state for the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a 260-kilometre superhighway, had no political motive.

Ayade said this while making clarification on the postponement of the visit that attracted negative media reports and speculations.

The governor, who spoke to State House correspondents after meeting with President

Buhari at the Presidential Villa, described President Buhari as a very humble president, whose level of integrity and morality would not allow him to engage in a ground-breaking ceremony for a questionable project.

According to him, shifting of the president's visit to the state was neither for political reasons nor issues of funding as being speculated in the media.

He also disclosed that based on his discussions with the president, a new date would be fixed and communicated to them for the ground breaking ceremony for the road project.

AG Leventis Group, Coca-Cola,Oba of Benin,others pay condolence visit to Ikenne Olayinka Olukoya -Abeokuta

M

anagement team of the AG Leventis Group Nigeria Plc and the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), on Thursday, paid a condolence visit to the family of Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.

The AG Leventis Group Nigeria Plc and the NBC delegation were led by the chairmen, Chief Joseph Oke and Ambassador Segun Apata.

Others on the entourage were the AG Leventis Managing Director, Mr Michael Ikonomakis, Mr Ben Langat, Managing Director, NBC, Mr Clem Ugorji, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Mr Uzo Odenigbo, Director, Public Affairs and Communications, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited.

In his tribute, Oke described the late matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty as a woman of substance and a worthy mother of the nation.

He acknowledged the synergy between the company and the Awolowo's family and promised that the relationship would wax stronger, despite the demise of Papa

and Mama Awolowo.

The AG Leventis boss said: “The AG Leventis family and the Awolowos have been friends long before I was born. Papa described Mama as his jewel of inestimable value and that was what she was to the family and to all of us during her lifetime.

“Glorious is the exit of the saint triumphant, for they shall lie at the bossom of of God. May Mama's soul rest in peace.”

The Leventis family, in a condolence letter addressed to the family and signed by Mr Tasso Leventis and Harry Leventis, expressed shock over the passage of Mama before her centennial celebration.

The family described Mama as a great supporter of her family.

The letter read: “We were very sad to read that your mother has passed away, just before her 100th birthday.

“As you know, we held the late Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo in the highest possible esteem. She was a great support to her extraordinary husband, but also a really important citizen of Nigeria in her own right.”

Also, the Oba of Benin,

Omo N Oba Solomon Erediauwa, while condoling with the Awolowo family, said Mama was a rallying point for Nigerians in general and the Yoruba nation in particular.

The monarch was represented at the No.6, HID Awolowo Way home in Ikenne-Remo by Chief H.O Obazuaye and Chief Ben Iredia.

He said in his tribute that

Mama would be greatly missed for the value and ideology she stood for in her lifetime.

"For the African Cancer Centre, wife of the sage lived an accomplished life, one full of landmark achievements in the service of God and humanity.

The centre, in a letter addressed to Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, had it that

Mama was an unshakeable pillar of strength behind her husband, who was one of the founding fathers of independent Nigeria and whose legendary contributions to the country's development would not be forgotten.

In the same vein, the Arewa Consultative Forum, in a condolence message signed by its Secretary-General, Colonel J.I.P Ubah, said Mama Awo-

lowo was a unifying factor to the Yorubas across the Niger and a personality who created greater unity and cooperation among all Nigerians.

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) from Ikenne Local Government Area and YWCA, Oyo State chapter, were also among those who paid a visit to the Awolowos.

Saraki moves to create 64 standing committees

•To create 8 new committees •Loyalists lobby for ’juicy’ committees Taiwo Adisa -Abuja Apparently moving to ensure stability in the Senate under his watch, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, is moving to add eight new standing committees to the 56 existing committees in the red chamber.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the Senate leadership, which had been working on the committee composition since August, had concluded work on the matter, having agreed to increase the number of committees to 64.

Sources indicated that the Senate selection committee, made up of the principal officers of the upper chamber,

had decided to increase the number of the standing committees to ensure the eighth Senate was stabilised.

It was gathered that ranking senators in the Senate had reasoned that the eighth Senate might continue to witness turbulence in view of the creation of the “axis of evil”, as represented by the emergence of the Senate Unity Forum (SUF) and the Senators of Like Minds, headed by Saraki and Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Loyalists of Saraki in the Like Minds Senators have continuously pushed for juicy committees in respect of their loyalty to the Senate President all along.

It was gathered, however,

that Saraki’s inner core had declared that for the Senate President to enjoy a stable period, he must find ways to accommodate more senators as committee chairmen.

It was gathered that no fewer than eight committees were to be added to the exiting 56, some of which included Customs (pulled out of Committee on Finance); Education Basic and Education Tertiary, a result of the split of Education Committee, Ports and Harbour; Judiciary FCT, Agriculture Product and services; Marine Safety and Waterways; as well as Media, which is being pulled out of Information and Media Committee.

It was learnt that the increase would allow the Senate cater for as many senators of All Progressives Congress (APC) as possible and address the complaints about geopolitical balancing included in the Senate Rule Book of 2015.

It was also gathered that the selection committee would soon meet to ratify the final compilation of the committees before the Senate President was mandated to announce anytime next week.

Former Senate President, David Mark, increased the standing committee to 54 and later 56 in the sixth and seventh Senate.

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22 children kidnapped in Benue Moms appeal to gov to rescue them Johnson BabajideMakurdi

N

O fewer than 22 children have so far been kidnapped across Benue State in the last six weeks.

Most of the kidnapped children were said to be within the age of four to seven years.

Mothers of the kidnapped children, on Thursday, met with the state governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, crying and pleading with him to come to their aid and rescue their lost children.

The governor, who calmed the young mothers, said that some of the kidnappers had been arrested and were giving useful information to the security men that would lead to the arrest of the criminals.

He added that report had it that some of the kidnappers came from Anambra and Enugu, promising that the state government would collaborate with security agencies to tackle the rising spate of kidnapping in the state.

While talking to newsmen, mothers of the kidnapped children narrated different stories of how their children went missing without any trace so far.

One of the women, Mrs Ngodoo Amiaser, 30, mother of three children said her son, Tersoo Paul Amiaser, a four year-old pupil of Joel

Model School, Gboko road, Makurdi went missing since August 29, this year.

According to Ngodoo, a raw akpu seller at Wurukum market, the young boy who had gone with her to the market on that fateful day had gone to play somewhere within the market and got missing since then.

“My son went to play close by within the market. He left my shop at about 4pm but by 5pm when he usually came back I didn’t see him. So, I went looking for him and in the process, a young girl said she saw my son with a woman whom she could not identify and asked where he was going

The Board of Trustees of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), under the chairmanship of Mallam Adamu Fika, has re-affirmed its commitment to the indivisibility of Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement issued to the Nigerian Tribune in Kaduna, on Thursday, and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim.

The statement noted with dismay, the recent embarrassing and divisive statements from some elder statesmen which are capable of causing disaffection among the various components of Nigeria.

It advised such elements to employ civility and caution in their utterances for peace and harmony to prevail in our fledgling democracy.

In particular, the statement was unhappy with the activities of MASSOB and other ethnic agitators who are fond of calling for disintegration of the country after 55 years of

Hemkya, who broke down and wept profusely while speaking with newsmen, said she left her son, Saaondo with her sister to attend a burial programme in the village, but on getting back, she was told that somebody who introduced himself as an ‘uncle’ took him away on the claim that he was going to buy Bobo for him.

Mothers displaying pictures of their children who were kidnapped at different times in Makurdi, on Thursday. PHOTO: nan

Ex-militants destroy bank property in Rivers over unpaid stipends Uduakabasi Patrick- Port Harcourt

Some ex-militants, on Wednesday, staged a violent protest at the Olu Obasanjo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

branch of the Heritage Bank, destroying properties belonging to the bank for allegedly refusing to pay their stipends.

The protesting former

We are committed to one Nigeria —ACF

Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

but the woman told the girl she was my sister and that I had asked her to go and buy Bobo juice for my son.”

The stories of Mrs Wandoo Hemkya, Mrs Charity Otumala and Doosuur Aer were not different as their children were taken away by unidentified persons at different locations in Benue.

independence.

ACF reaffirmed its belief in one Nigeria and the need for all hands to be on deck to move the nation forward.

It also lauded the effort of the Federal Government in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency through the joint multinational military task force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, global counter terrorism support by the international community and

the gallantry of our military and other security agencies.

ACF also condemned the rampant kidnapping and ritual killings of innocent people and urged the security agencies to not only track down perpetrators of such crime but ensure that they are brought to book.

It added that steps should be taken by the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.

militants were beneficiaries of the presidential amnesty programme initiated by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua for the Niger/Delta region.

The angry mob barricaded the Ikoku/Water-Line Road, disrupted traffic and chased away the bank officials and the crowd, before invading and destroying some facilities within the bank premises.

Some of the protesting exmilitants, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, accused the management of the bank of conspiring with some of their leaders to divert the money meant for their stipends.

They claimed that their leaders planned to use their

Police Officer stabbed to death by wife Hakeem Gbadamosi- Akure

A Police Inspector, Israel Omowa, from the Ondo State Police Command, had been reportedly stabbed to death by his wife, Wunmi, in Akure, Ondo State capital during a domestic quarrel.

The incident, which happened at Olowolagba area, along Akure- Owo Road, was said to have been caused by minor misunderstanding between the couple which led to the death of the husband.

Omowa, who was attached to the security outfit, “Fast

Strike Squad” in the state, was said to have a misunderstanding with his wife which later degenerated into exchange of words.

According to an eye witness, the inspector’s wife dashed into the kitchen at the height of the argument and returned with a knife which she used to stab her husband in the neck.

He explained that the deceased started bleeding and fell on the ground while the neighbours who raised alarm rushed Omowa to a nearby private hospital in the area.

He said all efforts to save the

life of the Inspector were not successful as he gave up few minutes after he was rushed to the hospital.

He, however, said that police officers from the Ijapo Police Station, who had earlier been informed about the incident, arrested the suspect and detained her at the station.

Confirming the development, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Femi Joseph, said the deceased died as a result of blood loss resulting from the deep cut sustained during the fight with his wife.

pension to offset a loan they took from the bank, stressing that their counterparts from other states had been paid their stipends.

“As we speak to you now, last week our counterparts were paid in Bayelsa State.

The previous week, the people in Delta State were paid and also in Imo State.

But here in Rivers State we always have issues.

“Here in Rivers State, our leaders are sitting on our money. The money is with the bank, but they refused to pay our money. Why should it be that way?

“So many people are angry and they are already destroying so many things.

We went to the same bank at ‘Artillery’ and they confirmed that there was money in our account. Yet, they don’t want to activate the account,” one of them said.

The former militants also accused the manager of the Olu Obasanjo branch of the bank of conniving with their leaders to deny them of their right.

“The manager is a criminal.

I don’t know what she is doing with people’s money. President Muhammadu Buhari paid each of us N198, 000 for three months. Other states have received theirs but, for us, this woman (the manager) has refused to pay us”.

43, 000 youth, women benefit from Kogi empowerment scheme Yinka Oladoyinbo- Lokoja

Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, has said his administration had created a skill acquisition platform that had engaged over 20,000 youths and 23,000 women in the bid to ensure meaningful livelihood for the people.

This, he said, was put in place to improve income generation and tackle headlong issues of poverty and unemployment.

Wada, stated this on the occasion of YAD4KOGI MicroEnterprises Exhibition, held in Lokoja, the state capital.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said the Youth Advancement Programme was designed by his administration to address the challenges of youth unemployment.

He said the success of the YAD4KOGI programme qualified the state for participation in the World Bank Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO).

Benue gov releases 90 prisoners, reduces jail terms of 22 Johnson BabajideMakurdi

BENUE State governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, on Thursday, granted pardon to 112 inmates with most of them from Makurdi Medium security prison.

The governor, who visited the medium prison in Makurdi, said that the clemency/ pardon was in accordance with power conferred on him in section 212 of 1999 constitution as amended.

Ninety prisoners were discharged and acquitted while 22 had their prison terms reduced.

Among those discharged were 74 convicts from Jos, Kaduna, Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo prisons who could not pay their fines, which were paid by the state government, amounting to about N2million while 16 convicts were also released.

The governor, who further gave breakdown of those given clemency said, eight inmates who were sentenced to death but commuted to life imprisonment and 14 convicts with various terms of imprisonment reduced, adding that on assumption of office he constituted a committee on prerogative of mercy whose members visited Jos, Kaduna, Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo prisons and gave recommendations.

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Appeal Court grants Saraki speedy hearing, adjourns case till Oct 16 Sunday Ejike - Abuja

T

HE Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Thursday assumed jurisdiction in an appeal case brought before it by the Senate President, Olubukola Saraki, to challenge his trial by the Federal Government on alleged false assets declaration at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The appellate court, in a decision yesterday, granted accelerated hearing of the matter in which Saraki is asking the court to stop his continued trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal pending the determination of his case.

Justice Moore Adumein granted the speedy hearing after listening to the argument of counsel to Saraki, Mahmud Abubakar Magaji,

on the need for the matter to be expeditiously determined because of the utmost urgency involved.

Saraki, through the counsel, is praying the Appeal Court for an order to stop or halt his trial on a 13-count charge of false assets declaration charges preferred against him by the Federal Government pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice

pending before the appellate court.

Respondents in the appeal case are the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the Federal Ministry of Justice and one Mr Musiliu Hassan, a lawyer in the ministry.

The appeal by the Senate President followed the ruling by the Code of Conduct Tribunal that the Federal Government has power to

initiate a criminal charge against him even in the absence of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice vested with powers by the constitution to initiate such trial.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Yakubu Umar, had in the ruling last month held that in the absence of a substantive Attorney General of the Federa-

tion, the Solicitor General of the Federation has constitutional powers to execute or carry out the functions of the AGF in his absence.

The tribunal also held that any lawyer in the Federal Ministry of Justice or a private legal practitioner has power to prosecute on behalf of the Federal Government once such counsel has the mandate of the Solicitor General of the Federation.

I received N102m in 9 months —Edo council chair Banji Aluko - Benin City SUSPENDED chairman of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr Osaro Obazee, has posited that there was no way he would have paid the workers in the council, pointing out that he received the total sum of N102 million between the months of January and September, 2015.

The Edo State House of Assembly had on Tuesday ratified the suspension of Mr Obazee and three other council chairmen on the allegation that they could not give satisfactory explanation for the non payment of workers’ salaries, inability to account for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) amongst other charges.

However, Mr Obazee, while reacting to the reasons adduced for his suspension in a letter written to the Edo State House of Assembly by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, said accusation of non payment of salaries was unfair going by the revenue accrued to the council.

In a media briefing in Benin on Thursday, he gave a breakdown of the statutory allocation received by the council between January and December 2015, pointing out that while the council received the total sum of N102.58 million from the federation account, the total wage bill of the council within the period stood at N486 million.

Deputy President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Mr Akin Olawore (right), presenting an award to the Director-General, National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii, during the Nigeria-British Chambers of Commerce meeting, in Lagos, on Thursday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Rivers guber: PDP opens defence, tenders volumes of evidence Sunday Ejike - Abuja FOLLOWING the conclusion of defence by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday opened its defence to show the state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja that the April 11, 2015 governorship election that brought Wike to power was devoid of any form of violence.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate in the state, Peterside Dakuku, had approached the tribunal with a petition challenging Wike’s election on the grounds of malpractices and violation of electoral laws.

But, at the resumed hearing of the petition yesterday the PDP, through its counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe, tendered incidence forms used in the election from 11 polling units of Ward 17 in Obiakor Local Government Area.

Another document used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the governorship election in state and tendered by the PDP was the oath of neutrality forms by the commission’s

Ad-hoc staff from all the local government areas of the state.

The essence of the documents tendered, Adedipe said was to show the tribunal that there was a governorship election in the state and that card readers were used by INEC in the conduct of the election.

Counsel to the petitioners, Akin Olujimi, told the tri-

bunal that he has objection to the admissibility of the documents as exhibit because of what he described as some irregularities, but however deferred his objection to address stage.

The petitioners are praying the Justice Suleiman Ambrosa-led tribunal to sack Wike and order a fresh governorship election in the state.

In a bid to prove their allegation that the election was fraught with irregularities, the petitioners produced 56 witnesses that testified against Wike before the tribunal.

Among those that testified that there was no election at various parts of the state included APC governorship candidate, Peterside Dakuku.

CBN approves $1,000 as PTA to Christian pilgrims THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has approved maximum purchase of 1,000 dollars as Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) at an exchange rate of N160 per dollar to Christian pilgrims.

The bank disclosed this in a circular to all authorised dealers and the public from its Trade and Exchange Department which was posted on its website on Thursday.

The CBN said the Federal Government approved a maximum purchase of 1,000 dollars PTA to each pilgrim in respect of the 2015 Christian pilgrimage to Israel, Rome or Greece.

It said that the Federal Government had approved the purchase of a maximum at a concessionary

exchange rate of N160 to a dollar by each intending pilgrim.

It also said that the chairman or secretary of each state pilgrim’s board would be allowed to sign and collect the PTA on behalf of the intending pilgrims.

The bank said that this would only be after due identification such as presentation of the approval list and valid passports of the pilgrims listed against the state.

“Consequently, each pilgrim travelling to Israel is entitled to maximum of 750 dollars, while those going to Israel/Rome or Greece are entitled to maximum of 1,000 dollars.

“No pilgrim should be denied the travel allowance on

the ground that he/she has no Tax Clearance Certificate.

“In view of the time constraint associated with the pilgrimage, the chairman or the secretary of each state pilgrims’ board, after due identification, may be allowed to sign for and collect the PTA. “This is on the behalf of the intending pilgrim in each state on presentation of the approval list and valid passports of the pilgrims listed against the state.

“In accordance with Israeli and Italian governments’ policies, visa shall only be issued to the pilgrims at the point of entry, that is, at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel and Fumichino Airport, Rome, Italy, on arrival.”

Ijebu Ife Day celebrations begin today THE 2015 Ijebu Ife Day Celebrations will kick off today, with football competition final match at the Community Grammar School, Oke Ife, Ijebu Ife, by 4:00p.m. It will be followed by Ikokore night at the Ajalorun Palace, Ijebu Ife by 7:00p.m.

The grand finale, which will attract all sons and daughters, including eminent personalities to the serene town, holds on Saturday at Ajalorun Palace by 10:00a.m. with special prayers for the peace and progress of Ijebu Ife town while the official commissioning of the ultra modern Ijebu Ife Micro Finance Bank Ltd building will hold same day.

Oba Adesesan Afolorunso Oguntayo, Ajalorun of Ijebu Ife, is the royal father of the day.

Dignitaries expected at this year’s event include Chief Dare Osibote as the Chairman, J S Otunba, Mr Sola Aboyeji, Prince Charles Osisami, Honourable Sule Sanusi, Yeye Aderonke Omilola, Yeye Poluga of Ijebu Ife, Honourable Samuel Oyenuga, member of Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Nike Rasak.

The Chaiman, Ijebu Ife Central Association for Development (ICAD), Dr Rotimi Tiamiyu, urged all sons and daughters of the town to attend the ceremony.

Christ Elects Faith Mission holds 19th anniversary, fundraising THE Christ Elects Faith Mission Inc (CEFAM), Victory Chapel, started its 19th anniversary and fundraising with the theme “Christ in you, the hope of glory” from October 5 and will end on October 11.

The revival, Monday 5th to Friday 9th, is slated for 5:00p.m while the grand finale/thanksgiving will come up on Sunday, October 11, by 11:00a.m., at the CEFAM Camp Ground, Jamoje Bus Stop, via OmiAdo, Abeokuta Road, Ibadan.

The programme, according to the senior pastor of the chapel, Prophet J.O. Ajayi, would be refreshing spiritually for all.

Prophet J.O. Ajayi

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

Ministerial screening: Fayose drums up support for Fayemi Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

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kiti State governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, has urged members of the National Assembly from the state, to support the nomination of former Governor Kayode Fayemi when the screening of ministerial nominees by the Senate commences.

Governor Fayose was said to have given the advice on Thursday, while meeting with student leaders from the state under the aegis of Federation of Ekiti Students Unions (FEESU) in his office.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Idowu Adelusi, on Thursday, said the governor had told his visitors that “the Ekiti project belongs to all and everything must be done to support it.”

According to him, “the governor urged the lawmakers representing the state to play their parts towards ensuring that the former governor gets a

hitch-free screening exercise on the floor of the Senate come next Tuesday when the screening of the ministerial nominees would come up.”

The governor had said: “Ekiti is my priority. Some people petitioned the National Assembly stating

how Fayemi sunk Ekiti into heavy debts. I have told the members not to do that. It is God that judges people, not us.

“You must support him there. They should not go to the Senate and oppose Kayode Fayemi. No. They must never do that. An

Ekiti man is an Ekiti man.

I appeal to everybody, you must support him. I call on all the House of Representatives members and senators that went to Abuja from here to support him.”

He charged the students to shun acts that could mar their future, saying he

would never ask them to engage in party politics or thuggery.

He urged them to be mindful of the current financial situation of the state while making their demands, promising to always treat young people with utmost respect and love.

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, exchanging pleasantries with a former governor of the old Ondo State and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, during an unscheduled visit to the former governor, at his Ikere-Ekiti abode, on Thursday.

I have no problems with Ajimobi —Shittu As group rallies support for him JacobSegunOlatunji-Abuja Ministerial nominee for Oyo State, Mr Adebayo Shittu, said he has no problem with the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Shittu, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, over some publications on his nomination, said contrary to speculations and insinuations in some quarters in the state,he has a cordial and robust relationship with the governor.

“It is true that we had political differences in the past but that has been put behind us. We were both contestants in the 2011 gubernatorial election when I contested as candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) while Senator Ajimobi was the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

“However, our differences had been settled when the ACN and CPC merged with other legacy parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC). We are brothers and there is no problem between us.”

He said this was why he could serve as the Chief Collation Officer for the APC and President Muhammad Buhari in Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo Federal Constituency in the presidential election and Saki West for Governor Ajimobi in the gubernatorial election in the 2015 general election.

Shittu also thanked the governor, the senators

from Oyo State and the leadership of the party in the state for the support extended to him since his nomination.

Acknowledging that there are some party members who had expressed opposition to his nomination, he said it is natural in politics that people would have divergent views on issues such as nominations for public office.

He, however, said what is most important is that differences are amicably resolved for the unity of the political family and the wellbeing of the people at large.

Shittu promised that he remained committed to the unity and development of the APC in Oyo State and the country at large.

“We are all committed to the development of Nigeria and the prosperity of our

people through the well articulated ideals of our great party,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, indigenes of Oyo State in the 19 northern states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, under the umbrella of “Oyo State Indigenes For True Representation”,on Thursday, hailed the choice of Mr Adebayo Shittu nominated

by President Muhammadu

Buhari owes Nigerian youths explanation on ministerial list —LP scribe National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Kayode Ajulo, has described the much anticipated list of persons nominated for ministerial appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as “a huge disappointment while insisting that President Buhari owes Nigerians youth an explanation.

Reacting to the list of nominees, on Tuesday, by the President of the National Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki, Ajulo who spoke to journalists shortly after the list was made public, said it was “quite baffling” that the nation had been put through so much tension and high expectations only to have those expectations dashed by the list of nominees.

“It is very painful that our nation is again running around in circles in the name of ‘Change’ even though providence has granted us yet another opportunity to get it right. It is equally heartbreaking

that the president has taken the citizens on a merrygo-round and a wild goose chase in the name of shopping for angels who will sanitise the nation,” he said.

Ajulo, a lawyer and the founder and chairman of Egalitarian Mission, Africa

(EMA) also accused the president of going back on his word to seek and find credible technocrats to assign to ministerial positions, stating also that the president was just recycling the old guard that thrust the nation into present circumstances.

Buhari for ministerial position in his proposed cabinet as the representative of the state, describing him as the right choice for the state.

This was contained in a communique signed by the duo of Honourables Tunde Suara and Folorunso Olusola, national president and national secretary of the association, respectively, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, after an emergency meeting of the group centred on the nominee.

The group which commended President Buhari for the choice of Shittu for the state in the proposed cabinet, declared its total support and that of the entire state for his leadership, saying that Buhari had demonstrated that he “is a true leader’.

Staff audit: Fear grips LAUTECH non-clinical staff Non-clinical staff of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, have expressed fear of being retrenched as the Osun State government embarked on financial and staff audit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) investigation revealed that more than 60 per cent of the staff in the hospital are non-clinical staff.

Some of the staff who spoke with NAN on Thursday, in Osogbo, under condition of anonymity, said the ongoing staff audit

might lead to retrenchment.

They alleged that the audit being carried out by Olumuyiwa Makinde and Co; was targeted at non-clinical staff.

According to them, new hands had already taken over from staff at various cash points in the hospital even when the report of the audit firm had not been submitted, thus, heightening their apprehension that the action of the management was a prelude to mass retrenchment.

Acting Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH, Professor Akeem Lasisi, described

the mood of the non-clinical as mere misinterpretation of action.

Reacting to the development, Lasisi told NAN that an auditing firm was presently carrying out financial and staff auditing of the hospital.

He explained that the purpose of the exercise was not in any way tailored to retrenchment but to ascertain the expenditure of the hospital in the last four years.

“I still met with people in government (yesterday) on Thursday night and they assured me that there will be no retrenchment.”

FRSC deploys more marshals on Okene-Lokoja road

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Thursday, said it was making efforts to ensure smooth traffic on Okene-Lokoja road.

The Kogi FRSC Sector commander, Mr Ogochukwu Ogboma, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja that more road marshals have been deployed to the point of the gridlock at Zariahi community.

He appealed to drivers to refrain from compounding the problem, adding that they should endeavour to obey traffic rules and regulations.

NAN reported heavy traffic build up on OkeneLokoja road which had thrown drivers and passengers into confusion and pains.

Ogboma blamed the development on the driver of a truck, who allegedly abducted an official of the FRSC and in the bid to escape, collided with an incoming truck loaded with cows and other animals.

He said the incident which happened at about 5.40 p.m. on Wednesday, led to gridlock that lasted till Thursday morning.

2face, NDI, others preach peace on Kogi poll YinkaOladoyinbo-Lokoja A non-governmental organisation, the 2face Foundation, on Thursday, inaugurated a campaign tagged “Vote not war, election no be war” towards the conduct of the next governorship election in Kogi State.

The campaign put together in conjuction with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the Youth Emancipation for the Society and the Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, was aimed at enlightening the youth on the need to remain peaceful during the election.

The Senior Programme Manager, NDI, Machill Maxwell, said the programme was packaged by the foundation of Nigerian musician, Tuface Idibia for the youth of the country.

According to him, the campaign was inaugurated in October 2014 preparatory to the last general election in the country, adding that it was meant to encourage the youth to peacefully take part in the electoral process.

news PDP raises campaign committees for Kogi, Bayelsa governorship elections 43

JacobSegunOlatunji-Abuja

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HE National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up national campaign committees for the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states, scheduled for November 21 and December 5, this year

Friday, 9 October, 2015

respectively.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Thursday, by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Chief Olisa Metuh.

According to the statement, “the Kogi State campaign committee has Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu as Chairman; PDP Board of Trust-

ees (BoT) Secretary, Senator Walid Jibril as Deputy Chairman, while the National Legal Adviser of the party, Barrister Victor Kwon serves as Secretary.

“The Kogi committee also has the former Senate President, Senator David Mark, seven PDP state governors and other key stakeholders as members.

“In the same vein, the

Bayelsa State campaign committee has Acting BoT Chairman, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed as Chairman, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha as Deputy Chairman, while the Deputy National Secretary of the party, Barrister Onwe Solomon Onwe serves as Secretary.

“On the Bayelsa commit-

tee are Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, four PDP state governors and other critical stakeholders.”

It further stated that “the NWC also approved that all state chairmen, senators and members of the House of Representatives from the respective zones of the two states.”

According to the party, “the date for the National flag-off of the gubernatorial campaigns in the two states will be announced in due course”.

Lack of fund stalls our plan to create more LGs —Ahmed Biola Azeez-Ilorin

From left, Honourable James Abiodun Faleke, Alhaji Jibrin Isah Echocho, Prince Abubakar Audu and Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim Idris, during the defection of Alhaji Echocho from Peoples Democratic Party (Pdp) to All Progressives Congress (Apc), in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Thursday.

Mega schools created to tackle social inequality in education —Mimiko Hakeem Gbadamosi- Akure ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has said the motive behind the concept of Mega schools, introduced by his administration in the state, was to tackle the inequality in the quality education in the society.

Mimiko stated this during the inauguration of Saint Francis Caring Heart Mega School in Owaluwa, in Owo Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, his administration would continue to build a solid foundation for the educational system that would make the state pupils globally competitive; and promised to build more urban mega primary schools before the end of his tenure.

The governor further said that his administration would continue to give priority to education, adding that his government would always follow the footsteps of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the area of providing quality education.

He described inequality as the greatest challenge

towards access to quality education, and stated that the present administration would not relent in the task of improving all facets of the economy.

Mimiko said, “The best way to tackle inequality in our society is to provide quality education irrespective of their social class and this is one of the reasons the present administration

is giving priority to the development of education in the state” He appreciated the synergy between the teachers’ union in the state and the government in making the dream of the government in developing education a reality.

He said more than N20billion has been released by the state government to

renovate existing schools across all the 18 local government areas of the state.

“We will continue to do our best to employ the best hands in tackling all challenges facing education.

The concept of mega school is a deliberate intervention to ensure that every child has access to quality education in Ondo state,” Mimiko said.

DPR to major marketers: Hoard, divert fuel, face sanctions

By Rotimi Ige THE Ibadan office zone of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has issued a strong warning to major marketers of petroleum products within its jurisdiction to desist from illegal activities such as hoarding and diversion of petroleum products, among other practices or face the full wrath of the law which included immediate suspension or withdrawal of licenses, closure of such stations, among other sanctions.

The statement was made

by the field controller of the DPR Ibadan zone, Mr Kunle Idowu Ogunlana, during the 2015 DPR/major marketers’ annual meeting/review in Ibadan.

Ogunlana stressed that despite the many challenges faced by the department in the last year, which included product scarcity caused by hitches in supply due mainly to incessant vandalisation of the Atlas CoveMosimi-Ibadan line by fire incidences and vandals, the DPR remained determined to continue to work round the clock to ensure that consumer satisfaction was guaranteed all year round.

He said, “The DPR will continue to ensure that operators in the petroleum sector adhere strictly to internationally acceptable standards and best practices. This is being realised with the unreserved support from the present government to ensure leakages and laxities in the sector are effectively checked.”

While sounding a note of warning to defaulters of its laid down regulations, he cited examples of filling stations numbering about 14 which were sealed off two days ago in Osun State for selling above the stipulated price.

GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has said that the plan by his administration to create additional local government areas was being hampered by financial challenge currently confronting the state government.

Speaking on a periodic interactive electronic media programme, ‘Governor Explains’, in Ilorin on Thursday, Ahmed said that with backlog of salary owed workers by the local governments, the creation of additional local governments should be put aside.

It would be recalled that a committee, headed by a former national chairman of defunct new-PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, was inaugurated by the governor last year to look at modalities of new local government creation, based on requests of the people in the state.

“We have not cancelled our desire to create new local governments. It is still in the pipeline, but it is heavily relied on resources. If we have challenges with the existing 16 local governments, I don’t think it is going to be expedient to begin to create new ones. But they are still in the pipeline. We will still create additional local governments,” he said.

The governor, who debunked the speculation that the state government had frozen accounts of local governments in the state, explained that certain money which was overpaid to them was what was withdrawn.

Governor Ahmed therefore called on people to join hands with the government and law enforcement agents to curb violence and political crisis in the state.

Nigerian Tribune

Bailout fund: Retired teachers appeal to Oyo gov

By Adewale Oshodi RETIRED primary school teachers in Oyo State have appealed to the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to clear the gratuities and pension arrears of retirees, saying the bailout fund was an opportunity for their sufferings to end.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Ibadan on Wednesday, the leader of the retirees, Comrade Remi Babatunde, said when it was learnt that the bailout had been approved for Oyo State, “we were happy that our gratuities, as well as the backlog of our arrears would be paid, but till date, we really don’t know what is happening.

“We are, however, concerned that secondary school retirees, as well as those from the core civil service and the parastatals are now being paid, while nothing is being said about primary school retirees.

“We want the governor to use the opportunity of the bailout fund received to clear the backlog of the 24 months arrears owed retired teachers, as well as gratuities.

“Our people are really suffering, and the governor should have mercy on us by releasing money to the local governments that pay our pension,” Comrade Babatunde said.

Wike dissolves 22 Rivers LGs DapoFalade-PortHarcourt GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, on Thursday, dissolved the caretaker committees of 22 local government areas in the state.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Sir Opunabo Inko-Taria, the dissolution was with immediate effect.

The affected local council bosses were sworn into office by the present administration last July.

The local government caretaker committee chairmen, whose statutory three-month tenure expired on Wednesday, were directed to hand over to the Head of Local Government Administrations of their respective local councils.

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08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

MSF: 33 still missing after US airstrike on Kunduz hospital

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octors Without Borders said on Thursday that 33 people are still missing days after the U.S. airstrike on the international medical charity’s hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan killed 22 others.

The medical group, known by its French acronym MSF, said nine of the unaccounted for are patients and 24 staff members. He said more bodies could be found inside the hospital, but MSF is waiting to regain access to the facility after ending its operations in Kunduz.

“We are still in shock,” said Guilhem Molinie, the group’s Afghanistan representative told reporters in Kabul. “We lost many colleagues and at the moment it’s clear that we don’t want to take the risk

for any of our staff. We don’t control the hospital.”

MSF ended its Kunduz operations after the aerial bombardment last Saturday and has demanded an independent investigation into the attack under the Geneva Conventions. The group says probes under way by the U.S., Afghanistan and NATO are insufficient and has suggested that the attack amounted to a war crime.

Those killed in the airstrike included 10 patients and 12 MSF staff members.

U.S. President Barack Obama apologised on Wednesday to the medical group’s president, Dr. Joanne Liu, for the attack, launched by the U.S. after Afghan forces requested help to rout Taliban fighters from inside the hospital compound.

White House spokesman

Image released

by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) on October 3, 2015, fires burn in part of the MSF hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz after it was hit by an air strike.

PHOTO. AFP

Josh Earnest said Obama called Liu to “apologise and express condolences.”

“In this case, there was a mistake and it’s one that

Syrian official says ‘wide-scale offensive’ launched The Syrian regime, which had appeared earlier this year to be on the ropes, has “launched a wide-scale offensive,” a senior military official said Thursday.

The aim is “eliminating the terrorist groups and liberating the areas and towns that have suffered from terrorism and its crime,” Gen. Ali Abdullah Ayyoub, the Syrian army chief of staff, said on state media, Ayyoub provided no details of the area in which the offensive is being launched

Turkey: UK lawyers report indicts Erdogan of Human Rights violation A report by senior British lawyers, which was commissioned by one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s exiled opponents, has said that Turkey’s government is inflicting “systematic human rights violations” on its judiciary, police and media.

The 95 page-long survey critical of government activities alleged that “the AK party government has interfered to produce ‘supine’ courts, censored websites, restricted freedom of expression, stifled corruption investigations

and subjected detainees to degrading treatment.”

A team of Lord Woolf, the former lord chief justice, Sir Edward Garnier QC, the Conservative MP and former solicitor general, Prof Sir Jeffrey Jowell QC, the director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, and Sarah Palin, a barrister specialising in media law, wrote the inquiry.

The report was funded by the US-based Journalist and Writers Foundation, whose honorary chairman is the Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, a former ally of

Erdogan who has become a fortright critic.

Last year, a Turkish court was reported to have issued a warrant for Gulen’s arrest.

Turkey, in December 2013, was hit by a corruption scandal, in which several key people in the government were involved, which as a result, the report said the ruling party started a campaign against judiciary, police and media to cover up the corruption.

The Guardian had reported that the report focuses on Gülen’s Hizmet movement and claims that his follow-

the U.S. owns up to,” Earnest said. He said Obama “is very eager to get to the bottom of what exactly occurred.”

ers have suffered systematic purges that have removed as many as 40,000 employees from public positions, led to mass arrests and in some cases periods of detention.

Erdogan

otherNEWS

or its size and scope.

But he acknowledged the key role being played by Russia, which appears bent on supporting a Syrian regime that had been badly in need of help.

“Following the Russian military airstrikes that diminished the fighting capacity of ISIS and other terrorist groups, the Syrian armed forces maintained their military initiative,” Ayyoub said.

Russia launches 26 missiles from Caspian Sea Russia has dramatically altered the balance of power in the Middle East with its robust intervention in the Syrian civil war. On Wednesday, it launched a naval bombardment of ISIS targets in Syria, a senior Russian official said, ramping up its newly muscular presence in the Middle East.

Four Russian ships fired 26 missiles into Syria, hitting 11 targets, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin during a televised meeting.

Shoigu said the strikes were launched from the Caspian Sea using precise long-range missiles that flew 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) to their targets.

15 killed after Yemen airstrike hits wedding Suspected airstrikes by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition have hit a wedding in war-torn Yemen, according to witnesses and officials, killing at least 15 people and wounding at least 25 others.

The attacks hit a home late Wednesday in the Sanban region of Dhamar province, which is held

by Shi’ite Houthi rebels being targeted by the months-long coali-

tion bombing campaign.

The Riyadh-based alliance had no immediate comment on the incident.

The coalition has been repeatedly accused of carrying out deadly attacks in Yemen. The U.N. says as many as 1,100 civilians have been killed in six months of airstrikes.

It is the second time in 10 days

the coalition has been accused of targeting a wedding. The coalition denied responsibility for a September 28 attack that killed more than 130 people at a wedding near the Red Sea coast, in what was the single deadliest incident since the conflict began.

The Saudi coalition, which includes nine other Arab nations and is supported by the U.S., be-

gan fighting the rebels in March, two months after the Houthis drove the government from power and took control of the capital, Sana’a.

Backed by the airstrikes, progovernment forces have since retaken several areas of southern Yemen, and also have driven the rebels out of the country’s secondlargest city, Aden.

Security tightens amid new Israeli-Palestinian clashes

Israeli police check the papers of a Palestinian woman in Jerusalem’s Old City, Oct. 8, 2015. Tensions have gripped the country for weeks. PHOTO: AP

Fresh clashes erupted on Thursday between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in the West Bank, and another knife attack was reported, even as Israel imposed new security measures to halt the violence.

An Israeli yeshiva student was in serious condition after being stabbed by a 15-year-old Arab

assailant near a light rail station on a main road in East Jerusalem, Israeli medical and police officials said, adding that the alleged attacker has been arrested.

It was the latest in a series of violent incidents this week, as tensions continue to grow, primarily over the East Jerusalem

holy site revered by Muslims as the al-Aqsa mosque and by Jews as the Temple Mount.

The violence has left at least four Israelis and five Palestinians dead, and prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel a trip to Germany that had been scheduled for this week.

Who’ll tame Erdogan’s retributive reign in Turkey?

By Kareem Tijani As a keen follower of events in Turkey, my observation over the years about development in that country presents a state where impunity has been entrenched. Judging by the leadership pattern of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his party, the Justice Development Party (AKP), you would agree with me that in Turkey impunity has been taken to the summit.

Political developments in Turkey dating back from the days Erdogan was the Prime Minister, and the time he was transmuted to president of Turkey, citizens are meant to endured repressive rules with utter disregard for human right.

It is sad to note that, AKP’s led government only present sour experiences for majority of the people of Turkey. Particularly those identified as perceived enemies of Erdogan and his AKP ruling party. The media, judiciary, security forces and even teachers have been muffled or made to pay dire consequences for their actions or inactions against the autocratic tendencies of the AKP-led government.

The Justice Development Party has made endless attempt to emasculate every opposing view. Like many observers of events in Turkey, it gave me a serious concern watching the highest form of impunity taking place in modern day history. The height of this retributive government of Erdogan is unfathomable.

For instance, a report from the Istanbul Institute pointed at a government crackdown on media outlets such as the Zaman and Bugün dailies, and Samanyolu TV, which are owned by people inspired by the ideas of TurkishIslamic scholar Fethullah Gülen. The reports revealed that a government-backed operation launched recently, Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanlı and Samanyolu top executive Hidayet Karaca were detained. While Dumanlı was released pending trial, journalist Karaca was kept imprisoned.

Kareem Tijani writes from Niger State.

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

Nigerian Tribune

Mina stampede: 355 Nigerians involved, 99 confirmed dead

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HE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Thursday said 355 Nigerians were involved in the Mina Stampede, out of whom 99 were confirmed dead.

More than 769 pilgrims from across the world lost their lives and 1,000 others injured in the September 24 stampede in one of the roads leading to Jamarat Complex (stone throwing site) in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

Dr Saleh Okenwa, the Commissioner in charge of Information, Research and Library Service, NAHCON, told newsmen in Mecca.

Okenwa also said that 214 pilgrims were still missing,

adding that investigation was ongoing to ascertain their whereabouts.

He said out of the 355 pilgrims involved, 99 were confirmed dead, 42 injured and 214 were still missing

as at October 7.

He also said that of the 99 deceased pilgrims, 73 were transported by state pilgrims welfare agencies, and 26 by tour operators.

Okenwa also said that the

Sanusi suspends FlyNas from hajj airlift Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna THE Amirul Hajj of Nigeria and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi

II, has suspended FlyNas airline from airlifting Kaduna pilgrims from Saudi Arabia back to Nigeria.

This was contained in a

statement issued by the Head of Media Team, Ibraheem Musa, in Kaduna, on Thursday.

The statement recalled

Ogun Assembly confirms commissioner-nominees, approves 20 advisers Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta EIGHTEEN commissioner-nominees have been confirmed by the Ogun State House of Assembly as cabinet members of Senator Ibikunle Amosun-

led government.

The nominees, had on Wednesday, appeared before the lawmakers for screening.

The lawmakers granted approval for the appointment of 20 Special Advis-

Aregbesola not involved in Lagos land tussle ­—Group THE Leadership Forum of Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, said that Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has

2 civil servants in police net over N7m fraud in Ekiti Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

THE police in Ekiti State are currently interrogating two officials of the Ekiti State Central Medical Store, Ado Ekiti, over alleged fraud said to be running into N7 million.

The two, a female grade Level 9 officer and a male grade Level 10 officer, were handed over to the police on Thursday following the directive of the state governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, that a thorough investigation of the matter be conducted by the police.

The suspects, Mrs Cecilia Akinleye and Mr Bello Olajide, were handed over to the police by Governor Fayose himself.

An audit of the finances of the agency early in the year showed that over N7 million was missing from the account of the agency.

Mrs Akinleye, a cashier in the agency, who is the prime suspect in the matter, had accused Olajide, the accountant, of collecting the money from her on various dates beginning from April this year.

42 injured pilgrims comprised 41 transported by the state pilgrims’ welfare boards and one by tour operators.

The commissioner said that 194 Nigerians of the 214 pilgrims missing were

no interest whatsoever in the litigation and alleged altercations over the LASG Estate.

The group was reacting to media reports on the said land tussle.

In a press release, signed

by Chief Solomon Ogundola, Chairman and Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo, Secretary, the group said “Ordinarily we in the Leadership Forum of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, of which Governor Aregbesola is a patron while in Lagos State would not bother to respond to tussle over land by individuals and groups against Lagos State government but we are concerned and outraged by the castigation of Governor Aregbesola in bad light even when he is not involved in the matter.

“The above story is purely a case of ‘giving a dog a bad name’ to have an excuse to hang it as we have since confirmed that Governor Aregbesola has no interest whatsoever in the litigation and alleged altercations.”

The group said that Governor Aregbesola played laudable role in the relocation of the residents to the estate in question and wondered how he will now be a litigant in the forced eviction of same.

“Governor Aregbesola cannot be involved in any illegality or engaging hoodlums for whatever reason.

We state from our findings that he is not a party to the case and as Governor of Osun State, cannot be a party in the case.”

ers on the request of the governor.

The approval was sequel to the presentation of the report of the Committee of the Whole House by the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Olakunle Oluomo, after which a motion for its adoption as amended was moved by the Majority Leader, Honourable Adeyinka Mafe and seconded by Honourable Rasaq Oduntan.

The House granted the approval through “H.R.

014/2015 – Adoption of the Report of the Committee of Whole House on the Confirmation of Commissioner Nominees and Approval of Special Advisers.”

Consequently, the majority leader moved the motion for the clearance, approval and confirmation of the nominees’ appointment. It was seconded by Honourable Yetunde Sogbein and supported by the Whole House.

that FlyNas operations have been epileptic.

To this end, the statement quoted the Special Adviser to Governor Nasir el-Rufai on Interfaith and a member of Kaduna State Amirul Hajj, Namadi Musa, as saying that Top Bras and Dornier airlines have commenced the airlift of Kaduna pilgrims.

Musa further said that Sanusi had earlier pleaded with Kaduna pilgrims last Wednesday night when FlyNas failed to airlift some pilgrims after waiting for about two days.

According to him, the Emir of Kano took the decision to suspend FlyNas from airlifting Kaduna pilgrims in order to ameliorate their sufferings and fast track the airlift back to Nigeria.

airlifted by the state pilgrims’ welfare agencies, and 20 by tour operators.

OFAACF awards scholarship to indigent students in Ikenne EIGHT-SIX indigent students of Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State have benefitted from this year’s scholarship of Otunba Festus Adeleke Adesina Charitable Foundation (OFAACF).

Speaking at the presentation of the award which was held at Ikenne Community High School, Ikenne, the Chief Operating Officer of the foundation, Mr Gbolahan Famoti, said the foundation had been awarding scholarship to indigent students of the community since 2009.

Famoti, who is also a member of the Board of Trustee of the foundation, stated that the selection of beneficiaries were on merit, adding that applications that came from a low income household students were also given priority.

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Friday, 9 October, 2015

occasions

featurestribune@yahoo.com 081 118 450 48

When Odunwo of Ondo Kingdom celebrated 90th birthday

By Tunde Adegbola

I

T was celebration galore in Ondo Kingdom recently, when the Odunwo of the Kingdom, High Chief Olabanji Akingbule, celebrated his 90th birthday anniversary in a glamorous dimension.

The event took place at the Akingbule Hall after the church service at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Ogbonkowo in the town and it witnessed the crème-de-la-crème in the society, including Osemawe-in-council and chiefs from the neighbouring communities.

The Chairman on the occasion, the Alani of Idoani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye Oluwatomiloye I, said High Chief Akingbule is a philanthropist par excellence, who has touched many people’s lives both within and outside the town. He, however, wished the celebrant a robust health, filled with joy and blessings from the giver of life.

Also speaking, the Oludoko of Udoko, Oba Samuel Akinmusire, described the celebrant as a pillar in Ondo Kingdom. He prayed God would continue to strengthen and nourishing him.

The event took a new dimension as a socio-cultural group “Yooba Omo Oodua Forum” took the centre stage to honour the celebrant, who is the Grand Patron of the group, with an award of Excellence in Human and Community Development.

The secretary of the group, Dr Tunji Adewuyi, described Chief Akingbule’s interest in the development of Ondo Kingdom as unfeigned, demonstrably serious and multidimensional.

According to him, “The award given to

him is a deserved one; he has touched the lives of many people in the kingdom and has contributed so much to the development of the community. This is the 13th year that he has been giving scholarships to indigents students, not to talk about his numerous

assistance to market women, among other philanthropist gestures he attracted to the community.

“As he joins the group of the nonagenarian, he is worthy of celebration and young successful ones should start to emulate him.

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In his remarks, the spokesperson of the family, Chief Ayo Akingbule, expressed appreciations all and sundry for their contribution to the success of their patriarch, mentor and benefactor’s 90th birthday celebration.

1. From left; daughter of the celebrant, Mrs Olayinka Rutter; High Chief Olabanji Akingbule and his wife, Yetunde, during the 90th birthday of the Oduwo of Ondo kingdom, High Chief Akingbule.

2. A socio-cultural group “Yooba Omo Oodua forum’ presenting an award to the celebrant 3. The celebrant with well wishers.

4. From left, Mrs Olayinka Rutter; the chairman on the occasion, the Alani of Idaani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye; his wife, High Chief Akingbule, his wife Yetunde and the Oludoko of Udoko, Oba Samuel Akinmusire

Princess Awobajo inaugurates Orphange Home in Ilara Remo A philanthropist, Princess Olutayo Lucy Awobayo has established an orphanage home in her hometown, Ilara-Remo in Ogun State and named it Comfort Lighthouse Care and Initiative,” a project she described as “a home of refuge and hope for the weak.”

At the inaguration ceremony which took place recently, she commended her father, His Royal Highness, Oba Emila Oye Awobajo for his efforts in encouraging her to come home and help the disabled and underpriviledged so that they can have the same social life as everyone else.

At the ceremony, Oba Awobajo commended all the royal fathers in Remoland for their efforts in moving the area forward.

Earlier in her address, Princess Tayo Awobajo said what prompted her in establishing the home was that she noticed that there are so many people who are destitute with nobody coming to their assistance.

Prominent people who graced the occasion included the Ewusi of Makun, Onirolu of Irolu, Alaye of Ode-Remo, Odofin of Soyindo, Lisa Adeyemi Opayemi, Hon Femi Kafaru, former Chairman Sagamu Local Government; Amunisan of Sagamu and others.

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1 (1) The initiator Princess Oluwatayo Lucy Awobajo, Oba Awobajo and members of the orphanage home.

(2) From left, the Alara, Oba Emila Oye Awobajo and other obas.

(3) People at the gathering (4) From left, Oba Aro of Remoland; former Chairman Sagamu Local Government, Honourable Kafaru; founder, Princess Tayo Lucy Awobajo and another member of the Home.

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Friday, 9 October, 2015 Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Kwara Utd calls off strike KWARA United has agreed to resume training after a meeting with the permanent Secretary of the Kwara State sports ministry, Rhoda Ajiboye, and the club’s general manager Haruna Ilerika.

‘The Afonja Warriors’ commenced a pay strike on Wednesday evening as they boycotted a friendly match

Baptist Church holds tennis tourney in Lagos ARRANGEMENTS have been concluded by members of the Men Missionary Union (MMU) of the First Baptist Church (Miracle Centre), Abule-Egba to organise a table tennis championship to mark the 2015 Royal Ambassadors’ Week of the church.

According to a statement by the organisers, the competition which holds from Saturday October 10 to 11 will be in four categories namely; 10-14 years, 15-20, 20-40 years and 41 years and above will be competed for among members of the group, youths and adults of the church.

It stated that prizes will be given to the first, second and joint third winners in the tournament.

The Church Pastor, Reverend Paul Kayode Abodunde described the competition as the first of its kind in the history of Baptist Church in Nigeria.

against Moonluck Academy.

An influential player of the team told AfricanFootball.com that they agreed to suspend the strike after a meeting with the club’s GM and permanent secretary in the sports ministry on Wednesday evening where the top government official promised they will be paid on Friday (today).

“We have suspended our strike and have resumed training after we had a meeting on Wednesday night with the GM and Perm Sec and she promised we will get three months’ salary on Friday,” the player informed.

“It’s just 10 players who attended the meeting, we actually commenced the strike because we did not go to play a friendly match against Moonluck Academy, that was when we were called to the meeting.

Kelechi Nwakali (left) with another member of the Golden Eaglets which won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2013.

2013 Eaglets beg Cross River to redeem house gifts

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ORMER coach of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Manu Garba has again pleaded with the Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, to redeem the houses promised the team after they won the 2013 FIFA World Cup. Manu said it was about time

Cross River State fulfilled the pledge made to the players and officials by the immediate past governor of the state, Liyel Imoke, after they won a historic fourth U-17 World Cup title for Nigeria in the UAE. “It is two years since we won the World Cup in the UAE, but unfor-

Nwabuoku upset by Barca draw SUPER Falcons captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku is upset with KII Kazygurt draw against FC Barcelona in Wednesday’s first leg, round of 32 UEFA Women’s Champions’ League game at BIIK Stadium, Shymkent.

Barca defender, Ruth Garcia scored first for the Cules in the 52nd minute, but the Kazakhs roared back and levelled matters through a smart finish by Norwegian midfielder, LisaMarie Woods.

Nwabuoku is however adamant that Barca were there for the taking and blames “fear” for Kazygurt’s failure to emerge victorious from the contest.

“I am not happy because this is a game we would have won easily. We played with too much fear especially in the first half.

“Maybe most of my teammates felt they were playing against Lionel Messi and it affected our game,” a flustered Nwabuoku told supersport. com.

The second leg holds at Mini Estadi, Barcelona on October 14 and Nwabuoku reckons it will be a game on completely different terms.

“We know them better now and I am sure our girls will no longer be intimidated because

they are a side we can beat.

“It’s still a tie that can see any of the two sides progress, but we will go there with the aim of beating them in their own stadium,” she said.

Evelyn Nwabuoku (right) takes on a Swedish opponent at the recently-held FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

The former Rivers Angels star disclosed that she received assistance from her teammate and compatriot, Charity Adule who was also in action for Kazygurt on Wednesday.

tunately we are yet to get the house gifts promised to all the players and officials by the Cross River State government,” said Garba.

“All the 21 players and 10 officials who won the FIFA U17 World Cup in UAE have been calling me frequently asking questions on when we are going to get the houses promised us by our amiable Senator Imoke especially after the Super Eagles have got their landed property in Calabar from the former governor.”

Garba stated that Nigerians and

indeed the Golden Eaglets class of 2013 were very grateful to Senator Imoke and all the good people of Cross River for their unalloyed support towards the success of the team two years ago and therefore begged the incumbent Governor Ayade to complete the task.

“I want to use this opportunity to beg current Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, to ensure that we get our houses because Senator Imoke who was instrumental in our victory in 2013 gave us the gift in good faith,” he added.

World Armwrestling event good for Nigeria —Jackson THE president of the Nigeria Armwrestling Federation (NAWF), Engineer Samuel Jackson, has said that the just-ended 37th World Armwrestling Championships in Malaysia which Team Nigeria participated in prominently gave the country’s athletes and officials the needed exposure to do well in future international competitions.

The biggest armwrestling championship in the world took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from September 30 to October 4.

The NAWF presi- dent noted that the armwrestlers and their officials gained valuable exposure good enough to prepare them for

bigger challenges across the world.

He said: “Despite the fact that the five athletes who represented Nigeria did not win any medals, they competed favourably with other top athletes from all over the world and now the Nigeria Arm Wrestling Federation broke the jinx and no longer a novice to the secrets of winning at international competitions.

“This is our first time of participating in international competition and exposed to how competitions are being conducted at international level. I was impressed by the armwrestlers even though they were unable to clinch any medal. They put up good performances with impressive skills even as first timers.

“I must, however, acknowledge that the board and technical crew of the federation still have a lot to do for the sport in the country.

We need to further improve on our skills to make the armwrestlers better and world beaters,’’ he said.

SIDELINES

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General Ibrahim Babangida in a media report during the week said that the late Mubashir Abiola, younger brother of the late business mogul, MKO Abiola, knew why the 1993 presidential election was annulled. Pray, why hasn’t IBB himself told Nigerians the reasons. The Yoruba have a proverb that whoever says his witness is in heaven must be telling a lie.

Hayatou now FIFA interim boss

Oliseh loses first match •As Congo beat Nigeria 2-0

By Ahmed Pele The Super Eagles on Thursday night at the Stade de la Vise, Belgium, suffered their first defeat under new manager, Sunday Oliseh, following the 0-2 loss to the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a friendly.

Oliseh had in the previous two games won one and drew one.

Dieumerci Mbokani after collecting a pass from Crystal Palace winger, Yannick Bolasie sent a warning signal to the former three-time African champions when he opened the scoring barely six minutes into the game with a close range shot which caught goalkeeper Carl Ikeme helpless.

Ikeme, who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers of England was beaten again in the 30th minute, when Jordan Nkololo tucked the ball home off a solid build up from the left wing.

The Nigerian team captained by Ahmed Musa was unable to get its act together in the better part of the game.

Chelsea star, Mikel Obi was brought down on the edge of the box in the 40th minute, while the resultant free kick taken by Ogenyi Onazi was punched away for a corner kick to be taken.

Watford striker, Odion Ighalo collided with the Congolese keeper, Parfait Madanda in an attempt to reduce the tally for the Eagles.

Oliseh in the 56th minute brought in Alex Iwobi in place of skipper Musa, who handed over the captain’s band to Mikel, who in turn handed it over Onazi.

What would have been the third goal for the Leopards in the 62nd minute was aborted as Bolasie’s strike was ruled offside.

The Eagles later brought in defensive midfielder Obiora Nwankwo for Ighalo, who was unable to

reignite his EPL scoring form this time.

The introduction of Emmanuel Emenike and Moses Simon in the Eagles attack could not make any difference as the Congolese defence could not be subdued.

Meanwhile, the Eagles will on Sunday at the Edmond Machtens Stadium in Brussels, face the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in another friendly.

The president of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou, has emerged the acting president of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

This followed the suspension for 90 days of both the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, and Secretary General, Jerome Valcke.

The position of the world’s football governing body was contained in a statement on Thursday by its independent ethics committee.

The statement said: “Today, in accordance with FIFA’s code of ethics, Joseph Sepp Blatter was relieved of all his duties as FIFA president following the decision of the Independent Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee to provisionally ban him from all football activities on a national and international level.

“Joseph S. Blatter, for the duration of the 90-day ban, is not allowed to represent FIFA in any capacity, act on the organisation’s behalf, or communicate to media or other stakeholders as a FIFA representative.

“As mandated by article 32 (6) of the FIFA Statutes, Issa Hayatou, as the longest-serving vice-president on FIFA’s executive commit-

tee, will serve as acting president of FIFA. “It was also announced that the Independent Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee issued a provisional 90-day ban for FIFA’s Secretary General, Jérôme Valcke.

“This decision follows FIFA’s announcement on September 17,

2015, that the organisation had put Valcke on leave and released him from his duties effective immediately. On that date, FIFA requested a formal investigation by the ethics committee.

“All operational business matters will continue to be overseen by Markus Kattner, acting secretary general.”

Enyeama quits Eagles after 13 yrs

By Ganiyu Salman

A

FTER serving his fatherland for 13 years, Super Eagles first choice, Vincent Enyeama has announced his retirement from international football.

This came on the heels of his bustup on Tuesday with coach Sunday Oliseh in the Belgium camp ahead of yesterday’s international friendly against the Leopards of Congo DR. The decision of the former Enyimba FC goalkeeper may not be unconnected with the ill-treatment he received in the camp, after the coach had ordered hotel security personnel to take him out of the team’s dining room where he and his colleagues had assembled for dinner.

Enyeama who remains Nigeria’s most-capped player with 101 caps chose his instagram account to reveal that he was through with international football given the

prevailing circumstances.

“I have fought a good fight for more than 13 years. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and sang the anthem with passion.

“Henceforth, there is laid for me a crown which only God can reward me for my 13 years of national services.

“God bless Nigeria. Henceforth, I am no more the captain of the Nigeria senior football team, I am no more the goalie of the team, I am out of the team. I am no more available for international duties.

“I want to say thank you to every Nigerian fan and supporter world wide. It’s been the most trying period of my life but I know that Nigerians are there for me and God is with me. God bless Nigeria,” said Enyeama who ended the text with the hashtag #ENDOFANERA. The Lille of France keeper, who made his international debut in May 2002 against Kenya, it will be recalled, featured at three World Cup finals — 2002, 2010 and 2014.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. Ag. EDITOR: TINU AYANNIYI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 9/10/2015.

Enyeama