11th September 2016

NO 2,063

SUNDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER, 2016

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Recession: Make huge cash from after-school tutoring pg8

Ondo gov election will be conclusive, REC assures pg45

Fresh fears over Edo election pg5

•Again, new election day clashes with WAEC exams •Parents putting pressure on corps members —REC

oung y t s o m Why rtistes can’t a e m a f n i a t main KSA —

Saudi-bound woman excretes 82 wraps of cocaine pg4 within 7 days

Military attacks 12 Boko Haram camps •Troops kill 7 kidnappers

Some of the rescued children being carried by Good Samaritans during the parade at Police Headquarters, Asaba, on Saturday. INSET: Pastor Chinedu Strongson. PHOTO: ALPHONSUS AGBORH

Police arrest popular pastor with 12 stolen kids •Accuse him, others of abduction, child trafficking •Cleric denies allegation pg4

pg45

Eid-el-Kabir: 1.5 million

Eid Mubarak

to our esteemed readers

Muslims converge on Mount Arafat today pg44 •Arewa, Atiku, others preach unity

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11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

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11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

specialreport From Lagos to Ekiti

The land grabbers are here

The menace of land grabbers, popularly known as Omo-onile, has intensified in recent times. Though Lagos State government has risen to the occasion by criminalising their activities, Omo-oniles are gradually finding new territories in other South West states. Tunde Alao, Oluwole Ige, Olayinka Olukoya, Sam Nwaoko, Hakeem Gbadamosi and Tunde Ogunesan report.

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ENACE of land grabbers in Lagos is not a new phenomenon. Popularly called omoonile or Ajagungbale, they have no respect for the law, neither do they fear law enforcement agents.

Activities of land grabbers are more pronounced in the suburb areas, unlike the metropolitan areas, such as Lagos Island, the Mainland, Ikeja, Ikoyi or Victoria Island.

But in places like Lekki, Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki, Ajah, Akowonjo, and parts of Badagry, among other places, their activities have become worrisome.

There, land has become so costly and acquiring a plot of land whether by legal or illegal means is increasing by the day to the extent that litigation over land matters usually result in spiritual and physical battles, sometimes

leading to loss of lives and properties.

The Omo Oniles carry out their activities in different forms. For example, land owners, after selling land to an individual, it was disclosed, now go surreptitiously to employ the services of thugs to harass the buyer(s) so they can make more money. A recent development in Gberegbe area along Ijede road in Ikorodu, where a firm purchased one acre of land to set up a beverage plant was reported to the police.

“When the case in question was reported at Igbogbo Police Station, we were surprised at the response of the officers on duty, who advised us to settle the Omo-onile, and that there is nothing the police can do,” said a member of the firm’s management team who confided in Sunday Tribune on condition of anonymity.

President, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) who is also the National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Institute Of Building (NIOB), Mr Kunle Awobodu, noted that the case of Lagos, the nation’s commercial nerve centre is well-known, saying what oil is to Niger Delta is what land is to Lagos.

According to Awobodu, land grabbing has resulted not only in mass forced evictions but also led to a deterioration in the landscape as public spaces meant either for recreation, schools or other public use are sold or allocated to people.

“Worse still, land that had been sold and occupied for so many years is still disputed in some areas, especially in Continues pg 9

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news

11 September, 2016

Pastor arrested with 12 stolen children Alphonsus Agborh - Asaba

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popular radio preacher and founder of Gospel Fire Army Ministry, Nkwele-Ogidi, Anambra State, Chinedu Strongson, has been arrested in connection with child abduction and trafficking in persons.

The 48-year-old cleric was paraded on saturday at the police headquarters, Asaba, Delta State, along with 43 other criminals arrested for kidnapping, robbery, murder, cultism and car theft.

According to the state police commissioner, Zana Ibrahim, who paraded the suspects, 12 stolen children were rescued from the pastor, adding that he allegedly paid N400,000 for each child sold to him.

However, the pastor denied any involvement in child trafficking, saying that his business was to help humanity including payment of school fees for children.

Trouble started for the pastor when one Aisha Yahaya of Asaba reported how two ladies came to her house as police detectives sent by her husband now serving at Ogwashi Uku prisons.

Aisha disclosed that she followed them to a junction where they met one Abigail Nwakama, also known as Madam Cash, who gave her N3,500 to alleviate her poverty and asked her to buy clothes for her one -month-old daughter.

In the process, the said child was allegedly stolen by the syndicate, prompting her to raise the alarm which led to

the arrest of the two ladies.

Based on the report, the commissioner said detectives swung into action and arrested one Onyinye Nwakama, daughter of Madam

Cash, at a drinking bar in Asaba.

Also arrested were Madam Cash (32 years) and Ifeoma Anyadike, (32) at Okpanam before they led detectives to Ogidi where the pastor

was arrested.

Others arrested from different locations are David Ikesinachi; Ebere Edwin, Adaeze Enyi and Chike Agwunenu.

Two of the rescued children, the commissioner

A 55-year-old woman arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, recently, has excreted the last wrap of cocaine she ingested. She tested positive for drug ingestion on her way to Medina, Saudi Arabia, on pilgrimage.

This is just as the Chairman/ Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, has warned against trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Describing her action as shameful and discreditable,

ment, one Chukwudi Ijeoma of Aboh in Ndokwa East Local Government Area was arrested in connection with the raping and killing of a housewife, one Blessing Ogama, who was previously reported missing.

Recession: Buhari urged to revamp economic policies Chukwuma Okparaocha-Lagos

Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio (right), exchanging pleasantries with Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church, Sunday Mbang (middle) with them are deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Moses Ekpo (second right); Prelate of the Methodist Church, Dr Samuel Uche (right) and his wife, at the 80th birthday celebration of Mbang in Eket, on Saturday.

Boko Haram: UN expresses concern as hundreds of IDPs return to villages

THE United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, has expressed concern over basic services and security in a territory formerly controlled by Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria, as hundreds of internally displaced people are returning to their villages and towns in the north-eastern state of Borno.

“Comprehensive figures are not available but our field staff and partners are reporting both government-facilitated and spontaneous return in recent days of hundreds of

people to places such as Mafa, Konduga, Benisheikh and Dikwa,” Leo Dobbs, a spokesperson for UNHCR, told journalists at the regular press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday.

UNHCR expects the number to grow in the coming weeks, while noting that government and aid agency assistance had been stepped up in Borno’s 16 newly accessible districts.

“UNHCR and its partners have restricted access to 10 of these districts where some 800,000 people need urgent help,” Mr.

Dobbs elaborated. “Some of those now returning to their homes in the liberated areas from places like the Borno capital, Maiduguri, appear to be happy to go back, citing dire conditions in the places where they have been living, including camps for the internally displaced.”

However, UNHCR is concerned about the welfare of the people who are returning to areas that have been devastated under Boko Haram rule.

“Many of the internally displaced will be going

Saudi-bound woman excretes last wraps of ingested cocaine Shola Adekola - Lagos

of police said, had been handed over to their parents while the remaining were kept at an orphanage in Asaba pending identification by their families.

In another develop-

Sunday Tribune

the NDLEA boss said that drug traffickers shall be severely sanctioned in line with anti-narcotic laws of the land.

“It is a shameful and discreditable act for a 55-year-old mother who is going on a holy pilgrimage to ingest narcotics. This is very shocking and a clear indication of her inability to effectively discharge parental responsibility. The agency shall invoke the powers of the law against her and others caught indulging in production/ trafficking in narcotic drugs,” he said.

NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Hamisu Lawan, confirmed the total

number of wraps of cocaine ingested by the suspect while under observation saying: “Mrs Binuyo Basari Iyabo, while under observation expelled 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 931 grammes. All arrangements have been concluded for her prosecution”.

The suspect was arrested during the outward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight to Dubai enroute Saudi Arabia where drug trafficking is punishable by death.

Mrs Binuyo, who hails from Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, is married with three children and sells cosmetics at Dosumu market, Lagos.

Binuyo, who reportedly owned up to the crime and also provided investigators with useful information, declared: “I am a trader in Lagos, married with three children. I wanted to expand my cosmetic business but I have no money.

My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage. This was how I got involved in the act. I was excited until the issue of drugs was introduced. I wanted to decline but it was late. Besides, I was offered N1 million which I accepted. I swallowed the drugs in Lagos and took a flight to Abuja on my way to Medina but I was caught in the process.”

back to destroyed homes and infrastructure, and areas lacking health care and other services,” said the refugee agency’s spokesperson. “The returns should be voluntary, dignified and safe – people should be informed about conditions in their home areas.

In regular contact with state officials, UNHCR has raised its concerns and offered to work closely with them to help ensure that the reinstatements are conducted safely with dignity and in accordance with international standards.

Mr. Dobbs pledged that the UN agency would continue to monitor the situation of returnees, especially the most vulnerable.

“Meanwhile, as we and partners scale up our operations in the northeast, security and access to the needy, especially those in the newly accessible areas, remain major challenges. A greater humanitarian response and presence on the ground is urgently needed, aid efforts must be better coordinated, and data collection improved.”

In the past week, UNHCR began to deploy a 14-strong emergency response team, including experienced senior emergency coordinators and several protection officers.

A group, the Salvage for Development Initiative (SDI), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to revamp his economic policies, saying the policies cannot take the country out of the economic woes it is currently facing.

Led by its Executive Director, Peter Ajayi, the group lamented what it called the poor economic performance of the government since it assumed power.

The group also added that the present administration’s war against corruption was not yielding the necessary results, alleging that no suspect has been jailed to prove the sincerity of the whole crusade.

“Nothing has changed for the better in the lives of our people. Poverty has increased. Unemployment is off the chart. Hunger roams about like a hungry lion and continues to devour our people with no end in sight.

The basic amenities of life – food, water, electricity, and good road remain elusive as ever. Our people are in constant fear and worries. They are scared of today and tomorrow on how to make ends meet,” Ajayi said.

The SDI further explained that although under former president, Goodluck Jonathan, “the country was plundered and soaked in a dirge of doom,” he stressed that Nigerians believed Buhari would set things right. He however said after a year and a half, the administration had largely not met the expectations of Nigerians.

“The Jonathan years witnessed a once-mighty nation staggering on the brink of collapse. The evil of corruption and other ancient evils – poverty, disease, hunger, fear, insecurity, indiscriminate killings, abduction, kidnapping, political assassination, and other vestige of barbarism had permeated every segment of our national life: homes, institutions, professions, businesses, churches, mosques, shrines, youths, the elderly, politicians, prophets, and priests,” said SDI.

news Fresh fears over Edo election 5

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

•Again, new election day clashes with WAEC exam •Parents putting pressure on corps members not to participate—REC Banji Aluko -Benin city

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fresh crisis appears to have engulfed the rescheduled Edo State governorship election, as it has been discovered that the day clashes with the conduct of Physics practical, Food and Nutrition (1 and 2) and two other papers in the ongoing November/ December, 2016 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations.

This came just as National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members, who are expected to serve as INEC ad hoc staff for the election, are said to be dragging their feet following pressure allegedly being mounted on their parents not to allow them participate in the election.

The September 10 date earlier fixed for the conduct of the election had clashed with Mathematics papers in the examinations before the election was postponed for security reasons.

Some of the candidates, who spoke with Sunday Tribune shortly after writing their Mathemat-

ics papers on Saturday, expressed discomfort with another clash between their Physics practical examination and the September 28 date fixed for the election.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Sam

Olumekun, told Sunday Tribune that the threat from the parents of the corps members over the safety of their children was the biggest fresh challenge facing the conduct of the election on September 28.

He, however, expressed the optimism that the fear would have melted before the day of the election.

When reacting to an allegation suggesting that there were plans to replace the names of corps members

who will be involved in the election, Olumekun said, “The problem we are having now is psychological; their parents are asking them not to participate.

“That is the problem we are having now. We be-

NRC suspends AbujaKaduna train service for 2 days Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (3rd right); former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (3rd left);couple, Mr and Mrs Kayode Quadri (middle) with parents of the bride and groom, after the Wolimot Nikkah of the Quadris’ in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday.

...Oshiomhole, APC plan to replace trained NYSC members with loyalists —PDP •PDP is frustrated —APC •Corps members will pass out after election —NYSC THE Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again alerted the international community, accredited election observers and members of the public to an alleged secret plot by Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to substitute members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) already trained for Edo governorship election with APC members.

In a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Nehikhare, the PDP restated its position that the postponement of the governorship election earlier scheduled for Saturday, September 10, was in line with the governor and the APC’s “devious plan,” pointing out that it had nothing to do with insecurity in the state.

According to the PDP, ‘’The postponement was well-planned to undermine the will of Edo peo-

lieve the fear in their minds would have disappeared by then.

Meanwhile, GCE candidates writing their papers in Edo State have expressed delight that they were not made to travel outside the state to write their papers.

Some of the examination centres visited were Western Boys High School and Oredo Girls Secondary School in Benin.

When Sunday Tribune visited the centres, the candidates were writing the General Mathematics (Core) 1.

ple; we are now convinced that the phantom security advice by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) was orchestrated by Governor Oshiomhole and some cabal within the APC in the face of imminent defeat in the election.

“For instance, we all know that many members of the NYSC were trained by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ad hoc staff for the election; and, going by the ‘NYSC Action Plan, September 2016,’ the trained NYSC members are to finish their clearance, as part of their final disengagement process that will end on September 26.

“We have just been told by insiders within the APC that Governor Oshiomhole and his party had compiled a list of their party’s members that they will secretly use to replace the outgoing trained NYSC members.’’

The PDP said that one of the reasons the APC also asked INEC to fix the rescheduled election for

Wednesday, September 28, an official working day, was to deny many electorate outside the state, who planned to come to the state for the election, from doing so.

It said hundreds of the electorate outside the state had arrived Edo before the election was postponed with many of them feeling disappointed about the action of the APC in connivance with INEC/security agencies.

According to the PDP, “part of APC strategy is also to unleash all kinds of propaganda against our candidate in the next two weeks in order to complement their devious plans to manipulate the election.’’

“PDP, therefore, calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, who had benefited from the process of a free and fair election, to caution Governor Oshiomhole and other federal institutions involved in the election not to plunge Edo into avoidable security crisis,” he said.

But the Edo APC, speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Mr Godwin Erhahon, described the allegation as mischievous and frivolous, accusing PDP of speaking out of frustration.

Erhahon said, “The PDP is talking out of frustration. The APC, having succeeded where the PDP failed, doesn’t have any need for rigging or manipulation.

“We will emerge victorious in an election the will be conducted in

communities where the APC is seen as a Messiah,” he said.

Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the NYSC in Edo State, Mr Benjamin Esan, said no set of corps members is expected to pass out in September.

He said, “No, not at all.

No set of corps members is passing out by September 26. They have to complete their national service before they pass out. The next set that will pass out will be October.”

THE Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) will suspend its passenger train service from Abuja to Kaduna on Monday and Tuesday because of the Eid el-Kabir public holidays.

Alhaji Yakub Mahmood, the Deputy Director, Public Relations of the NRC, made this known in Lagos State on Saturday.

Mahmood said the period would also be used to carry out comprehensive maintenance of the train.

He assured passengers that the Abuja-Kaduna train service would resume on Wednesday.

“The corporation highly regrets any inconvenience this may cause our esteemed passengers,” he said.

The Abuja-Kaduna passengers train inaugurated

by President Muhammadu Buhari moves from Idu in Abuja to Rigasa in Kaduna.

4 million Nigerians waiting for prepaid meters, says NERC

THE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that over four million electricity consumers are awaiting prepaid meters in the country.

The acting NERC Chairman, Dr. Anthony Aka, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Ni-

geria (NAN) in Uyo on Saturday.

Aka said the commission had improved on metering system, but explained that the unavailability of meter manufacturing companies were hindering maximum provision of meters to Nigerians.

He said the commission would sanction any

Electricity Distribution Company which failed to comply with directives relating to the distribution of prepaid meters.

“It is our responsibility to ensure compliance with the metering schedule.

He noted that any customer who paid for a meter should have it within 60 days of payment.

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11 September, 2016

crimereports

Sunday Tribune

edited by Oluwatoyin Malik 0807 889 1950, 0811 695 4633 praiseboy01@gmail.com

I don’t feel happy being in custody, says 68-yr-old arrested with fake currency

By Oluwatoyin Malik

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68-year-old man, Mr Femi Faweya, who was arrested with one Segun Adeoye over fake Nigerian currency found in his possession, has urged the Nigerian government to provide jobs for unemployed youths to keep them away from crime, saying that a busy hand would not get involved in crime.

The suspects was among the 47 suspects paraded by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Oyo State Police Command, Mr Sam Adegbuyi, last Tuesday at the command headquarters at Eleiyele, Ibadan.

He and Adeoye were alleged to have specialised in printing fake Nigerian currency.

While speaking at the press briefing, Adegbuyi said that the two suspects were caught with 655 pieces of fake N1000 notes with the same serial number N/40 526257, 35 pieces of N500 denomination with the same serial number Q/59 099504, a colour printer and printing papers.

In an interview with Crime Reports, the elderly suspect, whose head and chin were covered with white hair, confessed that “I was arrested for unlawful possession of Nigerian fake currency.”

Explaining how he got the fake notes, Faweya said: “What I did was to use a colour printer to produce photocopies of N1000 and N500 notes. I started fraud business about three years ago when one Bayo introduced me to it, though he is now dead. He duped me of about N200,000 and I could not do anything about it.

“That was when he sold the idea to me so that I would make some money too. I started printing fake currency about two months ago when I got a good colour printer. I tested the printer and saw that it was good and I could do it.

My first production was what I was caught with. I would have done it before then but I didn’t have money to buy the printer and the ink.”

On his arrest, the suspect said he was in his house about two weeks ago “when the police came to arrest me.

I didn’t know how the police got information about me.

My aim was to use the money I would make to replace the one I lost to Bayo.”

He said at 68, he did not feel good being in police custody at his age but advised the Nigerian government to make jobs available for all categories of people to help them keep away from crime.

“I was a Grade Two teacher and after 10 years in service, I retired. I left for Britain and worked there for three years.

“There, I met some guys who were involved in criminal acts and they introduced me to fraud through money transfer but I was not interested because I was regularly paid every week. I was living comfortably so there was no reason for me to get involved in crime.

But something happened in the hotel where I was working when one of them stole someone’s credit card and I was repatriated back to Nigeria.

“I had a Peugeot 504 car but it later went off the road when I had no money to repair it. I had no means of living and my three children were in the university. Currently, they are just roaming the streets as they have no job to do. That was why I thought I could make ends meet through the fake currency.”

The second suspect, Se-

The suspects and the exhibits recovered from them gun Adeoye, said that it was Faweya who told the police that he was the one he got the printer from “but I never

knew he wanted to use it to print fake currency. I brought the printer from Europe to Nigeria and I thought it was

for his business centre.”

Adegbuyi said the press briefing became imperative in view of the operational order

mapped out for the ember months and the coming sallah celebration, adding that the order had been yielding results.

Family demands justice over man clubbed to death, force put on family to bury him Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

THE sudden death of one Moses Kaizer Erhikevbe is causing some ripples between the Nigeria Police and family members of the deceased in Warri, Delta State.

The relatives are accusing the police at Ekpan police station in Uvwie Local Government Area of compromise and attempting to bury the identity of the masterminds of the murder by allowing only a family member to make written statements on the incident.

Crime Reports gathered that the deceased, Erhikevbe, was found life-

less on August 22, 2016 at about 9:00p.m, close to a popular hotel along the NPA Expressway, Ekpan.

A sibling of the deceased, Grace Erhikevbe, who found the body dumped at the location, claimed that he was severely and gruesomely clubbed to death.

She said acting on a tipoff, she quickly informed other family members. She added that she and other family members rushed the relation to the General Hospital, Ekpan, where doctors confirmed him dead.

The body was thereafter taken from the hospital to their late father’s house

at No. 1, Afieki Quarter, Ekpan, with the intention to lodge a formal complaint at the police station at daybreak.

It was, however, gathered that at about 12:55a.m of August 23, some suspected youths from the Quarter stormed the deceased’s late father’s house and started shouting that an “exhibit” had been brought into the area.

A leader of the youth was said to have allegedly ordered that the corpse be removed from where it was kept, threatening to burn the deceased’s late father’s or throw the corpse into the river.

The deceased’s sister, said they immediately removed the body and kept it in their mother’s kitchen in the premises.

But this gesture still did not go down well with the some youths who allegedly stormed the house at about 2:00 a.m. and began to shoot sporadically into the air, after which they ordered Grace and family members to bring out the deceased for burial.

The hoodlums were also said to have ordered one Mr. Monday Erhikevbe, a brother of the deceased to start digging the grave.

After the burial, they ordered the deceased family

members not to disclose the sacrilege or be ready for the worst.

But the relations said they reported the incident same day at the police station in Ekpan.

A doctor and a morgue attendant from the Central Hospital, Warri, were reportedly hired to exhume the body of the deceased, after which it was washed and taken to the hospital’s morgue.

Crime Reports gathered that after the preliminary investigation, detectives arrested two of the suspects. But the family has raised concern over Continues on

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crimereports

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

We returned to crime to get money to finance our needs —Suspected car thieves

By Oluwatoyin Malik

TWO ex-prison inmates who were released from prison a few months ago are back in police net after the operatives of the Zonal Intervention Squad, Zone 2 of the Nigeria Police Force, apprehended them with another suspect, in connection with car theft through the use of master keys.

The names of the ex-inmates were given as Akinola Babajide (46) and Akinmiluyi Sesan (43) while the third suspect was named Orji Ejike (32).Exhibits recovered from them include 17 master keys and 25 vehicles of different brands and models.

Crime Reports learnt that the arrest was a follow-up on the information received by the officerin-charge, CSP Gbenga Megbope, on August 27 that some miscreants who specialised in removing vehicles from parks within South-western and Southeastern parts of Nigeria, specifically Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Delta and Rivers states, were in a particular location in Ughelli, Delta State and perfecting plans to perpetrate their act in one of the South-western states of Nigeria.

Briefing journalists about the arrest last Thursday at the squad’s office at Obada-Oko, Ogun State, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the zone, Abdulmajid Ali, said that a team of operatives attached to the squad was detailed to go after the miscreants, and place them under surveillance for possible arrest.

He stated further that the move produced result, as Ejike was arrested in Ughelli town, Delta State, on August 30. His confession reportedly led to the apprehension of the two other suspects in Akure, Ondo State.

The AIG said that the suspects confessed to have stolen over 70 vehicles, adding that efforts were on to make more arrests and recoveries.

He appealed to members of the public whose vehicles had been stolen or snatched to approach the Ogun State Police Command or the Zonal Intervention Squad base at Obada-Oko, along Abeokuta/Lagos Expressway, Ogun State, for claims with proofs of ownership, saying that the suspects would

soon appear in court.

Crime Reports spoke with the suspects at the Zonal Intervention Squad’s office. Below are their confessions: Orji Ezike (32) I am from Abia State. I live in Aba town. I was arrested in connection with vehicles we stole. We used master keys to open the cars. We were operating in Lagos and Ogun states, sometimes in Enugu State.

I have been doing it for four years.

The crime was introduced to me in Benin, Edo State, by one Rotimi through his friend, Kevin. He invited me to come and work for him as a driver. After about two months, Rotimi opened up to me that the cars I had been driving were stolen.

When I decided to withdraw, they threatened that they would still mention my name if anything should happen and they got arrested. So I have no choice than to join them.

On my own, I have stolen about 30 of such cars. I got

my buyers through Rotimi and his gang. I have not made any tangible profit from the crime because of its nature. We have to

stay in hotels and paying the bills makes it difficult to save some money. I am married but my wife did not know that I was into

car stealing. She thought I was a driver. So far, 12 vehicles have been recovered from me.

The suspects

Family demands justice over man clubbed to death Continued from pg6

how it was only Grace Erhikevbe who was allowed to make a written statement to the police.

In a petition signed by Oghenejabor Ikimi of the Ikimi Oghenejabor & Co Legal Practioners, based

in Warri, and addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the family members of the deceased are asking for a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure justice.

When contacted by Crime Reports, the image-maker of the Delta

State Police Command, Celestina Kalu, said the allegation does not hold water. According to Kalu, a Superintendent of Police, “how can the police stop somebody from writing his statement? Is it possible?”

She added that the incident was still being investigated.

Sesan Akinmiluyi (43) I was arrested in Akure, Ondo State with Akinola where we went to steal vehicles. I had been arrested before over the same offence. When I was charged to court, I was remanded in Ijebu Ode prison but was released about two months ago.

I went back to crime because my house rent had expired and I needed to pay. I did not know what else to do. I never knew things would turn out like this. Nigerians should forgive me. I was working with my partner, Akinola.

Both of us were arrested before and were charged to court together before we secured our release.

Akinola Babajide (46) I wanted to gather some money through few jobs (car theft) and get out of the country. I didn’t know it would be like this, so the government should pardon me. I left prison in April after I was able to perfect bail condition. The case is still on in the court.

Man plans theft of ex-wife’s newborn baby to negotiate dowry refund Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

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housewife, Mrs Fatima Adamu has been arrested by the Police in Niger State for allegedly stealing a day old baby girl from her mother, one Samsiya Auwalu, in connivance with the ex-husband of the baby’s mother. Also arrested was a teenager, Aisha Badamasi, Adamu’s niece who was used to ferry the baby away by strapping her on her back.

Adamu was also accused of setting the apartment of the mother of the stolen baby ablaze with liquid substance suspected to be petrol after the theft, in order to cause confusion among the family members of the stolen baby .

The incident occurred at Ungwa Kaje in Bosso Local Government Area of the state at about 11: 00a.m last Tuesday, when the suspect was left in the room with the baby.

Information gathered

by Crime Reports had it that shortly after the theft, the suspect handed the

The ex-husband (left) and Mrs Fatima Adamu baby over to her niece, Aisha, who accompanied her to the scene of the crime, and instructed her to leave while she remained behind to set some of the clothes in the room on fire with the liquid substance in a container hidden in her bag.

The Director General, Niger State Child Rights Agency, Barrister Mariam Haruna Kolo whose office reported the matter officially to the police, told Crime Reports that the baby’s mother discovered the stealing of her baby when she returned to her room.

The recovered baby In a brief chat with Crime Reports last Wednesday in Minna, Barrister Kolo said that the nursing mother raised the alarm when she noticed this.

To perfect her plan, the suspect reportedly advised the new mother to go and take her bath, failure of which could cause her baby ill-health, an advice Samsiya heeded, giving the suspect the opportunity to carry out her plan.

When asked to produce her niece after the theft, Fatimah reportedly claimed ignorance of her

whereabouts but the niece was later apprehended with the baby still strapped to her back.

Upon interrogation, Fatimah was said to have confessed that one Mohammed Shehu, an ex-husband of the new mother, was the mastermind of the crime.

He and Samsiya reportedly separated about a year before the birth of the baby.

He was said to have planned the abduction of the baby when he learnt that his ex-wife put to bed, with the intention to demand for the N40,000 he paid as

dowry on the ex-wife, before he would release the baby.

This was confirmed by the ex-husband as he said he wanted to use the baby to negotiate the refund of his money. The day-old baby girl had since been re-united with her mother .

Meanwhile, Barrister Kolo has expressed shock over the incident, describing the theft of the little baby as very disheartening.

She added that government would follow the case up in order to make it serve as a deterrent to others in the future.

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Sunday Tribune

Recession: Make fat cash from after-school tutoring

By Dare Adekanmbi

I

T is not strange development that Nigeria’s economy is in recession. The best economies in the world have been hard-hit by economic meltdown, with the attendant closure of many businesses, job haemorrhage, considerable budget cuts and other unpleasant experiences.

However, quite as many as have been hit have survived the onslaught. The trick is: their citizens, though with the benefit of coherently articulated government policies in place, have fuelled growth and catalysed their economies out of recessional grip by shifting focus from traditional business lines to what have been called recession-proof businesses.

These are businesses that are largely insulated from the punches of recession. One of such enterprises, to which Nigerians may shift attention, is providing afterschool neighbourhood teaching service or what is simply called home lesson/tutorial for kids and teens.

Hard as the times may appear, parents still go the extra mile for their children to have qualitative education.

Starting an afterschool tutoring Doing a little research on the area to cover and the kind of service to provide is the first step. The findings of the research should be factored in the drawing up a comprehensive tutoring plan. The niche to be targeted must have been identified in the research, which should also incorporate the unique desires of parents for their wards. The kids’ specific interests should also not be discountenanced.

The research can be done through drawing up a questionnaire to be administered on residents of the

neighbourhood, seeking information from parents what specific needs will they want met or strengthened in their kids. The entrepreneur can also ask parents directly in a one-to-one interaction. The methodology to be adopted, whether formal training or informal one will also determine.

On the whole, the focus should be on not just training pupils to be bookish, but also to grow to be well-adjusted and roundly developed individuals.

A financial breakthrough One young entrepreneur who is almost three years into the venture is Miss Adedoja Odubanwo. She offers after-school services to kids in her neighbourhood at Omole Estate, Lagos State. Odubanwo, who will be three years on the job in another three months, narrates to Sunday Tribune how the idea came, the challenges and prospects of the job.

“I used to work as a teacher in a private school and as you probably know, proprietors of private school don’t pay the teachers they employ well, but like to overstretch them. So, I called it quits with the school I was working before where I was paid N12, 000 monthly.

“For me, teaching is not just a means to an end. It is an end in itself. So, I started home lessons for kids in my area, providing after-school services to primary and secondary school pupils. I take them only English and Mathematics. But I occasionally add Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning.

“I started with a kid whose mother I approached. From the testimony of that parent and dramatic improvement in the standards of the child, more parents engaged my services. Before I could say Jack Robinson, I have more kids than I could handle. So, I gave others to my friends

who also teach in the area.

“I charge based on what work I do as well as the school fees charged in the schools attended by the kids of my clients. The least I take is N10, 000 for kids in schools with below N100, 000 as fee. But for schools where they pay From N100, 000 and above, the minimum is N15, 000 and N20, 000 maximum per month. I have five kids.

“The job enables me to run my part-time HND programme in Ibadan, Oyo State, though I live in Lagos.

I pay my school fee, feed and provide for my needs from what I make every month from the services rendered.

“Whoever is interested in this job should be well versed in teaching techniques and how to impart knowledge generally. The person must have a lot of patience, especially with the parents, many of whom could be naughty at times.

“For instance, on Monday (last week), I went to the home of one of the kids I teach but met no one. The following day, it was the same story. After several calls were not answered or returned, I sent an SMS to the parent. Not quite long afterwards, she called me and started yelling, asking what kind of message I sent to her. And this was a message whose tone is not in any way harmful or unfriendly. I apologised profusely after I had allowed her to let out her anger. The following day, I sent her a text message of another apology. She called and said she was not angry anymore.

“Another challenge is that some parents don’t want their children to be herded together with others. They want me to visit each flat and take their kids separately from others. So, I allot time. I do about five hours three days in a week. But as soon as I am through with my HND programme by November this year, I will add more kids and make more money,” she said.

news Recession: Sallah ram not obligatory —Islamic scholar Muslims have been told that the slaughter of livestock, especially rams, during Eid-el-Kabir is not compulsory according to Islamic injunctions.

An Islamic scholar, Dr Abdulhameed Shuaib Agaka, told an online news agency, Economic Confidential, that the sacrificial ram for Sallah celebration is permissible but not obligatory.

“Considering the current economic situation, Muslims should prioritise their need and ensure they provide basic necessities for the family, especially accommodation, feeding, medication, education and mobility.

It is after meeting the basic essentials that surplus income could be utilised for Sallah ram and other celebrations,” he said.

Quoting from the Holy Quran, Dr. Agaka said: “La yukallifullahu nafsan illa wus’aha, which means Almighty Allah does not place burden on a person beyond his ability in any situation.”

The cleric added that “the ceremony is symbolic in exemplifying the absolute submission of Prophet Ibrahim and

Ismail to the will of God. The essence, therefore, is to be obedient to God, live peacefully with our neighbours, including those that we don’t share the same tribe, culture or religion and pray for our nations.”

He said for those that could afford Sallah rams, they must follow the principle of Zakat. He said the ram should be shared into three parts.

“The first part is meant for the family; the second part should be given

as Zakat (gift) to the neighbours including non-Muslims and Muslims that could not afford it, while the last part should be distributed to the underprivileged in the society,” he concluded.

N12bn needed to rebuild Yobe, says governor YOBE State governor, Ibrahim Geidam, says the state will require N12 billion to rebuild structures destroyed by insurgent group, Boko Haram.

The governor gave the figure on Saturday when he received the Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan, who was

Mimiko empowers farmers, lauds OSARMCO on road project ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, will, on Thursday, distribute multimillion naira worth of farm inputs among farmers in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, told newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the weekend that farmers across the 18 local government areas of the state would benefit from the programme which Mimiko would kick

off at Oladejo Matins, Akinnifemi Memorial hall, Bolorundoro in Ondo-East Local Government Area of the state.

According to Akinmade, farmers in the state were expected to visit the farm service centres in their respective local governments with their smart cards, otherwise known as Kaadi Igbeayo, to benefit from the programme.

He emphasised that the distribution would

take place in the 18 local government areas simultaneously starting in Bolorunduro, adding that the distribution would be sustained beyond the kickoff day.

Also to be distributed to the farmers are surgicides, herbicides, fish feed, fish nets, iron files, among others.

Meanwhile, Mimiko has lauded the management of the Ondo State Agency for Roads Maintenance and Construction (OSARMCO)

for the job done on roads across the state.

Governor Mimiko, during an unscheduled inspection visit to the ongoing fourkilometre Igoba road in Akure North Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, noted that in spite of the financial challenge facing the state, his administration had continued to utilise the resources available to add value to the lives of the people.

Gov candidate quits over Edo election postponement Banji Aluko - Benin City THE postponement of the governorship election in Edo State has claimed its first casualty as the candidate of the KOWA Party, Thompson Osadolor, has announced his withdrawal from the race due to the postponement of the election date.

The Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, announced the postponement of the election from Saturday, September 10 to September 28 following an advice given the electoral body to do so by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Osadolor, who confirmed his withdrawal on

Saturday, condemned the postponement of the election, pointing out that he could no longer continue with his campaign following the postponement.

He, however, endorsed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, urging KOWA supporters to give their votes to him.

He said: “I am not satisfied with the postponement of the election. They (INEC) knew that we would win the election, that was why they postponed it.

“They have destabilised us. That is one of the reasons we withdrew. I met with my campaign team and we have decided to harness our campaign with that of the PDP.”

on an advocacy visit to the state.

With the return of peace in the state, the governor said majority of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned to their ancestral homes, while 3,000 were still being catered for at the official camp in the state.

On the funds required for the rehabilitation, Governor Gaidam told the minister that the process had gone beyond the financial capacity of the state.

He called on the Federal Government to assist the state in actualising the rehabilitation of the insurgency ravaged areas.

The governor, however, praised the macro finance scheme policy of the Buhari administration, saying it would go a long way in benefiting the women folk and the underprivileged.

The minister said she was in the state to ensure the well-being of the IDPs as well as fact-finding on the social protection programme of the Buhari administration.

Senator Aisha further stated that it was one of the priorities under the administration to provide a macro-finance scheme to the tune of N1.6 billion.

This, according to her, would be shared among benefiting women in the state while benefiting states would receive N200 million.

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Sunday Tribune

‘Sometimes even govt agents masquerade as omo-onile’ make it an offence for any person to act or purport to act on behalf of any party to a real property transaction, whether in respect of a sale, leases, license or other dealings or disposal of or relating to the property, including any person engaged for the purpose of forceful takeover or sale of a landed property”, Adeleye stated.

He noted that the bill would put in place legal framework to punish hoodlums, thugs, miscreants, touts who parade themselves as landowners without having legal title to the property.with a proposal of 21years imprisonment for anyone found guilty.

Continued from pg 3 Lagos State because the Omo-oniles are being given more than enough room to operate,” he said, adding that Omooniles are not the only land grabbers, but also local authorities, private developers, private organisations and public institutions, individuals, state corporations and companies loyal to the governments!

“In some cases, some unpatriotic government officials do engage in shaddy activities, by instigating land grabbers to harass land owners under the guise that the affected land belongs to government,” said Alhaji Ganiyu Alawode, who was once a victim of forceful eviction by Omo-onile at Ijede.

He noted that what Land Use Act of 1978 set out to achieve, that all lands belong to government has been defeated.

However, it was a great relief for property owners who have been at receiving end of the notorious activities of omooniles, when the governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode signed into law, the Property Protection Bill passed by the state House of Assembly, outlawing the activities of the miscreants.

The bill, which is now signed into law, is titled: “A law to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in Lagos State and for connected purposes.”

The task force, together with the police, will help to enforce the law aimed at streamlining and regulating the activities of right of agents among others, when it comes into force.

According to the law, anybody found guilty of forcible land takeover will be liable to 10 years imprisonment upon conviction. Also, a person who, without lawful authority uses or threatens violence for the purpose of securing entry into any landed property for himself or for any other person commits an offence and upon conviction liable to 10 years imprisonment.

Interestingly, all the provisions above have no option of fine. Section 6 of the law

says: “No law enforcement agent, vigilance group, ethnic, cultural/traditional militia shall execute the judgment of a court in respect of any landed property except, as may be provided for under the Sheriff and Civil Process Act or any other law.”

According to Mr Akinjide Bakare, chairman of the task force, who is also a lawyer, their work is to enforce existing laws, waiting for the governor’s assent to the new law, adding that the law will be more effective to curb the menace, because it is comprehensive.

The law, also in retrospect, provides penalty for those who use force or selfhelp to take over landed property three months before the commencement of the law. Section 2 (2) states: “A person or group of persons, who, having used force to take over a landed property in the state before the commencement of this law and still remain in possession of the said property three months after the commencement of this law, commits an offence.”

Apart from prescription of jail term for defaulter, additional fine not exceeding N5million will be imposed, For example, in Section 4 (5) of the law, it provides that: “A person who commits an offence under the provision of section 4 (1-5) shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding N5million or five years imprisonment or both, while Section 6 of the law also prohibits the use of force or fire arms to acquire or encroach into lands.

On how they have been working towards curbing the omonile menace in the state, while awaiting the assent of the governor, Bakare said: “The state has been using Section 52 and 53 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. In section 52, it states that it is unlawful for anybody to enter into any land that is lawfully held by another person, while section 53, states of same as unlawful after entering or encroaching forcefully, to remain on the land.”

A law for land thieves soon…

In Ogun State, the state House of Assembly is set to partner with the executive arm of government to ensure speedy har-

monisation and passage of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties Law, 2016.

Speaker of the House, Honourable Suraju Adekunbi, said this at a one-day stakeholders forum on House Bill No. 03/ OG/2016 title “ A Bill for A Law To Prohibit Forcible Entry and Occupation of a Landed Properties, Violent and Fraudulent Conducts in Relation To Landed Properties In Ogun State And for Connected Purposes”, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

He assured that the assembly would collaborate with the executive arm to expedite action on the proposed bill to enhance protection of life and property of the people of the state.

He said there was urgent need to legislate against what he described as “unwarranted harassment” following the population influx being experienced in major cities in the state due to rapid socio-economic development which had put higher demand on land, resulting in increasing illegal activities of land speculators.

The Chairman, House Committee on Lands and Housing, Hon. Adebiyi Adeleye, said that the forum was an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the bill so as to promote peace and tranquility to aid development of the State and nation at large.

“The bill when passed into law would

According to the law, anybody found guilty of forcible land takeover will be liable to 10 years imprisonment upon conviction

Ibadan… the land grabbers are here In Ibadan, land ownership is mostly family-based. It is often the case that some sell the same plot of land to different people which often leads to legal tussles.

Recently, two neighbouring communities around the popular Alao-Akala expressroad in Ibadan had their share of sudden order of vacation from their houses.

First, 18 landlords at Ire-Akari Estate, played host to unwanted guests on a Sunday morning, precisely with a notice of less than 30 minutes to pack out of their various houses. Till date they are yet to reclaim their houses.

Since they were not joined in the suit, they resorted into seeking alternatives into getting their cases pushed to get respite. The Landlords under the banner of Ire-Akari Landlords Association, wrote a save-our-soul letter to stakeholders. According to the paper pasted on the walls of the affected buildings, a court case was instituted against one Kola Olaseemo in 2006 and was finally determined in 2013.

In their letter, they narrated how their community was invaded by a group of people, led by one Jacob Adelugba Afolami and Lawyer Kazeem lawyer of Adebayo and Gbadamosi, Amole Layout off Liberty Road Ibadan.

While the landlords were being locked out, one of the landlords’ wives, who was sick at the time, was allegedly deliberately locked in her husband’s house with her child. They were only rescued after three days. Also, a school within the area was locked up and innocent pupils rough-handled.

If what happened to Ire-Akari residents, is awful, then, the recent experience of Peluseriki area, idi-Araba, Olode area, off South-West, Ring Road, Ibadan, also along the Alao-Akala expressway, gives more headache to the constant court injunctions against landlords.

Before their experience on Friday, August 26, 2016, Sunday Tribune learnt that the landlords had already had a settlement judgment with the family that sold their parcel of lands to them sometimes around 2006/2007.

But this fateful Friday morning, the unusual visitors, backed by over 20 policemen and court baliff, came around 7.00 a.m, and gave the landlords one hour to pick whatever they ‘will be needed”, as they are out to seal over 100 houses sitting on a 6.777 parcel of the land.

Their warrant for possession obtained

by Mr Durojaye Omoleke Aransi & others against Alhaji Raufu Gbadamosi & othContinues pg 10

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Sunday Tribune

Omo onile: In search of new territories

Governor Akinwunmi-Ambode, Lagos State

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, OgunState

Continued from pg 9

Osun State Though, the menace of Omo Onile is not on the high side in Osun, there were cases of their illicit activities in Ife East and Ife Central Local Government councils.

At Eleweran, in Ife Central, Mr Kolawole Eluyemi, a landlord who shared his experience with Sunday Tribune, said that many of the property owners beside Motel Royal, Ile-Ife have had bitter tales to tell, regarding the activities of Omo Onile.

According to him, “I bought a plot of land, from one surveyor. Later, he took me to another plot, where I eventually built my house. But, after about two years when we wanted to roof the building, some people, accompanied by policemen came to our areas, claiming to be Omo Onile”.

“They insisted that all property owners in our areas must pay a sum of N50,000 each before they can continue their projects. There was nothing we could do. We eventually paid the money, even some of us who are lawyers paid the money,” Eluyemi asserted.

However, in Agunbelewo community of Egbedore Local Government Area of the state, controversy over the traditional stool in the area has created opportunities for Omo Onile to harass land and property owners.

A landlord in the community, Mr Waheed Abodunde, said “here if you buy a plot of land two groups of Omo Onile would come and collect money from you. This is because we have two traditional rulers in Agunbelewo. If you refuse to pay, they would not allow your construction workers to do anything on the site.”

However, effort made to get the views of the state government over what it intends to do on the issue were unsuccessful as of press time, as calls put through to the cell phone of the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Semiu Okanlawon did not connect.

ers, in a suit number I/704/2007 over a 6.777 hectares of land, was pasted on the affected houses.

The team came in more than two vehicles but Mr Adeyemo led a group which also has a welding team in their blue peugot 504 with registration number Lagos BDG 817 DB. The pasted warrant of possession obtained in the High Courts of Oyo State of Nigeria reads: “in the High Magistrate’s Court of the Ibadan Judicial Division/Magisterial district. Suit no I/704/2007 between Mr Durojaiye Omoleke Aransiola & Ors plaintiff and Alhaji Raufu Gbadamosi & Ors defendant.

Investigations also revealed that first set of people who actually bought their own portion directly from Peluseriki family are Atole, Oluyedurun, Oladipo, Asimolowo, Apostolic Faith and Jamat.

As usual, the new owners were brandishing court judgment which stated that one Alhaji Aransi and others had won a legal battle against Alhaji Raufu Gbadamosi and others on June 10, 2015. Though, the landlords in this case were not new to the case, they were however surprised that after some years after the first settlement judgment, another court judgment is calling on them to vacate their respective homes.

Sunday Tribune investigation revealed that as far back as 2006, the landlords have been living in fear following series of threats of ejection from one faction of the family. It was also gathered that the family involved, Peluseriki, seemed divided, and within them, they have been having series of injunctions, arrangements and interventions that has left the landlords confused over the years.

The parcel of land in question had occupants who had been living there for over 23 years. Meanwhile, those who came to the area in lesser years, it was gathered had documents from the 2007 settlement judgment delivered

by Justice Muntar Abimbola, as part of documents bequeathed to them from the first occupants of their portion of land. That signalled another round of negotiations with the Peluseriki family which, according to some of the landlords gave them a piece of comfort.

With the experience of Friday August 26, the Peluseriki family, the landlords are now at the mercy of the family for negotiation for the third time on the same subject.

Although with time, the land had appreciated, the houses also costing fortunes, the landlords seems compelled to enter into another round of discussion with the representatives of the Peluseriki family.

In a telephone conversation, the current Mogaji of Peluseriki family, Waheed Oyetunji who confirmed the development however allayed the fears of the landlord.

He said the family had commenced peaceful negotiation meeting the affected landlords, with the hope of a mutual resolve in due course.

Like Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states, Ekiti is not free from the menace On 7 August this year, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, publicly decried the activities of land grabbers, usurpers and miscreants.

The outcry was instructive, given the fact that the issue of Omo Onile has added to the worries of the town.

Oba Adejugbe, however, announced that the Ewi-inCouncil was already taking steps to deal with it.

The instances of Omo Onile in Ekiti State are scarce and far between, but it is here with the citizens of the state capital. One construction engineer working at a site in Ado Ekiti, told Sunday Tribune that his company was harassed by some miscreants to part with some money.

The builder, who wished not to be named, said “they came in motorcycles and had announced that they were the ‘owners of the land’.

“They were straight in telling us that we had no problems with the piece of land we purchased as, according to them, ‘we know that it is legitimate and no problem’.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, OgunState But they were also straight in telling us that we must pay some money to the ‘boys’ for ‘foundation and appeasement of the owners of the land’. Their demand was illegal and illegitimate but it is a common thing.

“The good side of the Ekiti experience is that their demand was not as much as what we experience in Lagos State. They took just N10,000 and a bottle of schnapps.

They also assured us that no other such team would come here to disturb us. And so far, nobody else has come with the same demands.”

The above contractor, who is working at a site at NTA Road, Ado Ekiti had an experience that is nothing compared to that of Mr. Afolabi Adebayo. Adebayo encountered what he described as “quite a different and unpleasant set of Omo Onile” in his own case. Adebayo, an indigene of Ado Ekiti, said he found it “strange and unbelievable that some boys can just come and demand money from me for a piece of land that belongs to my family, and which I legitimately acquired.”

According to him, “they came and said I had to drop something ‘for building’. I refused because I didn’t know them as members of our family and I let them realise that. Perhaps they didn’t even know I was an indigene and that easily gave them away as criminals. However, they came back and created a lot of scene here and destroyed some property. It is strange that a thing like this is happening in Ado Ekiti.”

Adebayo said he reported the matter to the palace and also to the police, adding that “the police promised to investigate the matter, but I wasn’t interested in pursuing the matter further because the boys never came back.”

No sunshine for land grabbers Ondo state, is also not spared the illegal operations of the land grabbers. Indeed, the community is becoming unbearable within Akure metropolis and its environs The omo oniles move from site to site in groups and always threaten builders and land owners who failed to do their bidding with hell, disrupting building work and forcing people to pay them before they can work on site.

But one of the mission statements of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi when he ascended the throne as the traditional ruler of ancient Akure land was to rid the town of the menace of “Omo Onile” in order to open the town to investors and to make the town a safe haven for all.

“They now constitute a menace which could assume a dangerous dimension if not quickly checked. You can imagine that they now harass innocent citizens and threaten to deal with them if certain amount is not paid to them by land owners and developers. We cannot sit down and watch things degenerate beyond control, “the monarch said.

The security agencies have also promised to join hands with the traditional rulers to put an end to the menace, assuring that they are battle ready to confront the hoodlums by setting up a special squad and patrol team that will deal decisively with these notorious groups and curb their activities.

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feature Celebrating Ekiti’s rising performance in WASSCE

By Idowu Ariwodola

I

t has been revealed that performance of Ekiti State candidates in the West African School Certificate Examinations, (WASSCE) has improved considerably, especially in the last two years.

Comparing the summary of analysis, breakdown as well as statistics of the state’s results in the last five years, i.e (2012-2016), Ekiti State performed better in 2015 and 2016 than in 2012, 2013 and 2014 during which unimpressive performance was recorded.

Findings as well as statistics obtained from relevant government establishments show that Ekiti State came 17th out of the 36 states of the federation in the 2016 WAEC results just released recently, representing 53 per cent success.

In the same token, the state came out 17th in the 2015 WAEC results, representing 37 per cent success.

The state, however, came 35th in 2014, 28th in 2013 and 22nd in 2012.

The percentage of failure recorded range from 75 per cent in 2014, 44.55 per cent in 2013 and 35.75 per cent in 2012.

Whereas, in 2015 during which the state began to receive a boost, the percentage of success recorded was quite impressive.

Also in the recent one released for 2016, Ekiti placed 11th out of the 36 states, with 8,954 out of its 21,333 candidates obtaining credits in five subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics.

Mr. Idowu Adelusi, who is the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, while reacting to the improvement recorded in the last two years of the present administration, described it as heartwarming.

According to him, “the feat was an indication that efforts of the present administration to reposition education in the state were already yielding results.”

He said the governor was particularly happy that no fewer than 37 per cent of the state candidates that sat for WAEC in 2016 had minimum of five credits including English and Mathematics while similar feat was recorded in 2015.

He said the state presented a total of 13,690 candidates in 2015, while in 2016, a total of 21,333 candidates were presented, out of which 8,954 recorded more than five credit pass including English and Mathematics.

“The mere fact that the state jumped from 35th position to the 11th, barely two years of the coming into office of this administration, is remarkable “I recall that Mr Fayose was the first Ekiti State governor to organise an education summit in 2003 during his first tenure, the result of which was that the state ranked seventh in the country and the first in the South West then.

“It is, however, unfortunate that the successive administrations failed to follow the trend, hence the failures that greeted such wicked oversight.”

Adelusi disclosed that part of the strate-

Governor Ayodele Fayose gies employed by the governor upon being sworn-in for a second term in October 2014 was to introduce special salary for teachers that handle core subjects across the state as well as provided all the required teaching aids in all schools.

The governor’s spokesperson further disclosed that a total of N411.7 million had so far been committed to paying a total of 5,130 core subject teachers under the new scheme.

“Governor Fayose did all of these not only to motivate the teachers but to also ensure that the type of students we present for external exams are not half-baked,” he said.

The state Commissioner for Education,

Science and Technology, Mr Jide Egunjobi, corroborated the governor’s stand, adding that the present administration placed premium on training and re-training of teachers.

“I can assure you that training of teachers now takes the front seat “As for the students, we have banned cutting of grasses and other manual works during normal school hours in order to allow them have full concentration on their studies “The Fayose-led administration has done quite a lot to curb the menace of mass failure in external examinations and we can only thank God and commend the tutors that our efforts are paying off gradually,” he said.

When asked to state the likely causes of the initial failure, the commissioner said low morale of class tutors as a result of poor treatment on the part of past administration was largely responsible.

He also bemoaned the hitherto lack of seriousness and poor attitude to study by the students as another factor.

A parent, Mrs Ibidun Ajijola, who is a retired school supervisor, said the introduction of modern technology such as phones, Ipad, laptop computers among others have wreaked more havoc on the lives of children who now preferred to rely on information generated from the net than what they are supposed to read from books.

•Awodele sent this pice from Ado Ekiti.

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The enduring practice of circumcision

Though many people have increasingly embraced the idea of circumcision of their male children in the hospitals nowadays, it is still believed that some, especially those in the rural communities, still do this at various traditional homes where crude items are used. TADE MAKINDE paid a visit to some of the practitioners who reveal that they are still in business as their trade is growing in leaps and bounds.

I

N the days gone by, especially in this part of the world, it was a vocation well-respected in the society. Every male child – and sometimes female child - delivered in the community has to be circumcised according to cultural dictates. In the South West , they are known as oloola. Everybody knows the oloola’s compound, due to its unique nature.

The vocation is family-based as there are families whose major profession is carrying out circumcisions on children. Their tools of the trade are simple metal objects which they had been using down the ages. However, with improvements in the practice of modern medicine, compared with the seemingly crude nature of their implements, enlightened people began to shun the oloolas, preferring instead to circumcise their baby boys in the hospitals.

Gradually, they began to lose their customer base. To make matters worse, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Non-Governmental Organizations began to frown on circumcision of both male and female children by these practitoners. That was when the bubble began to burst and governments began to impress it on the practitioners to begin to look elsewhere for another means of livelihood and dump the profession which has sustained their families for ages.

While some had heeded the call by finding other vocations, others believe they will be doing their forefathers a disservice to abandon the profession which had earned them social recognition.

Chief Abobade Matthew, who has been in the business for about three decades, is one of those who have refused to let go. In fact, according to him, he still has a good number of clients. According to him, the economic recession has not affected his job in any way.

“Recession doesn’t stop people from having children and parents must circumcise their kids for hygienic and even religious injunctions,” he said.

At a meeting where Sunday Tribune spoke with him and some others, Chief Matthew disclosed that he had carried out two circumcisions before coming for the meeting, just as he carried out four sessions of circumcision the previous day and would attend to two other clients immediately after the meeting.

“They still come. Though ours is not a job we do strictly for the money, because it was handed over to us by our forefathers, what we eventually make is nothing compared to what those who we taught the art and act of circumcision now make. We do this for humanity, but all because some are saying they studied it at a university or school of technology, we are suddenly seen as no-dogooders, but our accusers are only about the money,” Mathew said.

A woman oloola, Dasola Humani, is still much into the job as she carried out a circumcision exercise a day before.

“I have customers to attend to after this meeting. My mother taught me how to do this and this is what we do for a living, though we do it at a minimal fee. It is a family inheritance, a Yoruba thing and we don’t teach outsiders unless you are from an oloola family,” she said.

Shefiu, another practitioner, also told Sunday Tribune that the recession has not stopped patronage from mothers who appreciate what oloolas do.

“As cheap as we come, many still come to us because they trust us to do better and permanent jobs than those at hospitals. For as little as N2,000, we would work. For anything above N10,000, it means that the procedure will

Chief Abobade Mathew

require m o r e t h a n o n e practitioner.

Many still come to us despite the recession. I did two circumcisions yesterday (recently). I had done one before I came here.

Those mothers who can’t afford the high hospital bills come to us. Even the rich come. We are much in business because we don’t do this for the money,” Shefiu said.

While berating the argument by the WHO, the NGOs and others over the ‘crude and unsterilised’ implements used by the oloolas which are believed could transmit HIV/AIDS and other diseases, Matthew said it is a totally false assertion.

“You’ve heard it said that omo kiiku lowo onikola,

Mrs Dasola Humani

(a child does not die at the hands of an oloola) but rather, it is in the hands of these people who are scheming to send us out of this business. Let them prove to the world where the highest death rates from circumcision are recorded - our homes or their hospitals?

“We asked those with marks on their faces if they had HIV. None of them said anything affirmative. But try and investigate how many children have contracted anything at hospitals and you will marvel.

“If the so-called professors can come from major teaching hospitals to seek our help, why have they not deemed it fit to begin courses on circumcision? If they do this, it can probably help in modifying, not change, what we do and how we do it. They use our tools, but it’s a modified version; yet they call us archaic.”

Still on the issue of sterilization of equipment a local circumciser said: Simply called Abobade, said: “We have our ways of sterilising tools. We use fruits, snails, etc. Excretions from them are medicinally useful. We particularly use charcoal and osun (camwood) among many other natural products and by-products. They are antiseptic in nature and are good for cleansing wounds.”

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11 September, 2016

children’sarena

Change yourself and not the world

L

ILD E CHF TH K O EE W

Eniola Elizabeth weren’t comfortable and that they were very stony. He could not tolerate the pain. He said that he was very much worried about the people who had to walk along those roads as it would be painful for them too!

Considering all this, he ordered his servants to cover the roads in the whole kingdom with leather so that the people of his kingdom can walk comfortably.

The king’s ministers

were stunned to hear his order as it would mean that thousands of cows would have to be slaughtered in order to get sufficient quantity of leather. And it would cost a huge amount of money also.

Finally, a wise man from the ministry came to the king and said that he had another idea.

The king asked what the alternative was. The minister said, “Instead of covering the roads

Do Dragons really breathe fire?

with leather, why don’t you just have a piece of leather cut in appropriate shape to cover your feet?”

The king was very much surprised by his suggestion and applauded the wisdom of the minister. He ordered a pair of leather shoes for himself and requested all his countrymen also to wear shoes.

Moral: Instead of trying to change the world, we should try to change ourselves.

Ajiboye

10

clocked

Happy birthday

Famous invention

Tootpaste

The ancient Egyptians around 5000BC created what is believed to be the very first toothpaste. It wasn’t a paste but a powder. The ‘tooth-powder’ was made from crushed rock salt, mint, pepper, and dried iris flowers.

Sometimes, other abra-

RIDDLES

1. What has a foot but no legs?

2. Poor people have it. Rich people need it. If you eat it you die. What is it?

3. What comes down but never goes up?

4. I’m tall when I’m young and I’m short when I’m old. What am I? 5. A dad and his son were riding their bikes and crashed. Two ambulances came and took them to different hospitals. The man’s son was in the operating room and the doctor said, “I can’t operate on you. You’re my son.”

How is that possible?

6. What goes up when rain comes down?

to bring good fortune and wealth.

•There are many dragon decorations and danc-

es during Chinese New Year.

•Dragons are a real mystery!

7. If I drink, I die. If I eat, I am fine.

What am I?

Answers

• Dragons are mythological creatures found in artwork, stories and legends.

•No one really knows where the legends and stories of dragons came from or started.

•Dragons are usually described as a huge, gigantic reptile or lizard like creature.

•Sometimes they are shown with green scaly skin, wings and red eyes.

•There are many different kinds of dragons.

•Some dragons are said to blow fire, other dragons fly, some blow ice •Some say that dragons are poisonous.

•Dragons are sometimes shown as an evil creature.

•Dragons are an important symbol in Chinese New Year celebrations. They are believed

Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 0807 449 7425

1. A snail 2. Nothing 3. Rain 4. A candle 5. The doctor is his mom!

6. An umbrella!

7. A fire!

ong time ago, people lived happily under the rule of a king.

The people of the kingdom were very happy as they led a very prosperous life with an abundance of wealth and no misfortunes.

Once, the king decided to go visiting places of historical importance and pilgrim centres at distant places. He decided to travel by foot to interact with his people.

People of distant places were very happy to have a conversation with their king. They were proud that their king had a kind heart.

After several weeks of travel, the king returned to the palace. He was quite happy that he had visited many pilgrim centres and witnessed his people leading a prosperous life. However, he had one regret.

He had intolerable pain in his feet as it was his first trip by foot covering a long distance.

He complained to his ministers that the roads

Sunday Tribune

sive materials like oxhoof ashes, burnt eggshells, or oyster shells were added.

Around 1780 someone came up with the rather silly idea of using burnt toast to clean teeth. It was turned into a powder to use as a tooth-cleaning agent. Soap was added to tooth powders around 1800 to improve cleanliness. Not long after that, a smooth paste like we have today was created for the first time.

In 1873 the first commercially produced toothpaste was sold in jars. A collapsible tube of toothpaste, similar to those we use today, was introduced 20 years later. Calcium fluoride was added to toothpaste in Germany in the 1890s, but it wasn’t until 1914 that fluoride’s decay prevention qualities lead to it being added to toothpastes.

16

11 September, 2016

I

have always believed and advocated that only a universal change can truly change whatever is primed for a change, even in a nuclear family. A desired systemic change is only a reality when everyone keys into it. But there is something biblical about change. It always has little beginning. Almost always, change is ignited by the positive imagination of a man or a group, then becomes a conflagration when spread about and abroad. Its gospel is also easier to preach in the midst of decadence and eye-hurting filth. But while it is for everyone to project and establish, the burden of proving such change desirability rests with the visionaries.

President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) were the visionaries of the current change agenda. The vision was the best thing to happen in the 2015 presidential contest, considering where Nigeria was as a nation. To the visionaries’ eternal credit, the mission was outstandingly communicated to Nigerians with a commanding articulation. The story of the desired change was told straight into the hearts of everyone, including those not buying it for diverse reasons. The change agenda remains the most successful campaign commodity ever sold to a traumatised people.

Were it to be a commercial commodity, its embrace by the people would have made its profitability a recordbreaker.

But there is currently a feeling in the land that what was sold the people is a second-hand China-made change. In fact, many would argue that what obtains now is worse than fourth-grade much-maligned Aba-made. On a lighter note, the much-vilified change is about home-grown and home-made which may soon make Aba-made, the preferred make.

The buyer-remorse wailing in particular must have gotten to Mr President and Team Change so much that they decided to shift gear and engaged in the scape-goat concept. After the obvious failed attempt at making the people to “see” the positive change that has taken place in their wellbeing, Team Change shifted the burden of proof to the people by launching a counter-campaign of Change beginning with the people. What Buhari and his men are saying now is “show me your change and I will show you mine.”

No, sir Mr President. That is pure fraud. The change should and must begin with you and other visionaries on the assumption that you were the real visionaries. Even if it was a certain sweet-tongued American who consulted IT is disheartening that the level of poverty in the country fails to give members of the ruling class the creeps.

That the rich and the powerful are still able to flaunt their wealth, despite the depth of deprivation is indicative that the poor do not matter to them. While the poor are consumed by the weight of getting by day after day, they are already strategising about the 2019 elections. They conduct and comport themselves as though the final decision on what happens at the polls in 2019 lies with them and not the people. Their talk and walk suggest that whatever they resolve among themselves about the election is a cinch.

Sadly, this is neither a slip nor a gaffe; it is a deliberate act because the politicians believe that the populace is too weak to be a threat to their ambition. They are of the opinion that irrespective of their gross misdemeanours, blatant disregard for the electorate and flagrant waste of the nation’s resources, the masses are so poor that they will dance to the tune played by the politicians. Therefore, as far as they are concerned, it is what they want that will happen, not the people’s wish.

It is for this reason that politicians, in and out of government, are not bothered about reducing the poverty indices in the country. Despite the trillions of naira sunk into the poverty alleviation programmes of the various governments at all levels; Better Life for Rural Women, DIFFRI, National Poverty Eradication Programme, YouWin etc, the number of the poor in the country has consistently been on the increase. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, at independence in 1960, poverty was about 15 per cent in the country. This rose to 28 per cent in 1980. By 1985, it had risen to 46 per cent, dropping to 43 per cent in 1992. However, by 1996, poverty in the country had gone up to 66 per cent before climbing further to the current rate of 67 per cent.

The belief of the nation’s ruling class about the poor is in tandem with the findings of a research conducted by a team of researchers at Princeton, Harvard, and the University of Warwick. According to the findings, poverty reduces the cognitive capacity of the poor because pov-

0811 695 4647

olanreade@yahoo.com

Change and the burden of proof

for your party during the campaign that holds the patent right, you brought so much Nigerian content into it that the swan-song emanating from it last year became an original Nigerian dancehall supremo. APC, Change; the last-line chorus of your campaign slogan captured imaginations, including the x-generation. My kids would jump from dining table to help your campaign advertisers complete the melodious mantra. They almost disowned me for staggering.

And now you are saying sir, that my kids should first change from eating cornflakes to dried corn before you will fulfill your promise? That is back-stabbing. They patiently read through your promises frequently displayed in public and media spaces. They believed you. Million others did. You are now saying they must change before you change things as promised, simply because your change agenda appears not to be working? That sounds like a broken promise.

Team Change and Mr President are to mainly drive the

With Sulaimon Olanrewaju 08055001708

lanresulaimon@yahoo.com

Winning through poverty

erty-related concerns consume mental resources, leaving less for other tasks. The study concluded that poverty imposes such a massive cognitive load on the poor that they have little bandwidth left over to do many of the things that might lift them out of poverty.

The poor are so consumed by their poverty that they cannot think about any great idea; they are so caged by their deprivation and destitution that their major concern is how to survive the day, not how to take a decision

Sunday Tribune

change agenda. They cooked it and served Nigerians a la carte. If it is distasteful at this stage, the owners of the recipe must take responsibility and re-fix the menu, instead of asking Nigerians to hop into the kitchen and feel the heat, if they are not ready to appreciate what is currently on the dining table which everyone agrees, is sour.

Maybe President Buhari didn’t really realise that he was the chief salesman of the change agenda. And truth be told, it was the carefully- choreographed image of a saintly candidate Buhari that delivered on the oja okunkun (unknown package) change. It is always said that Nigerians suffer from drug-defying amnesia, but it cannot be easily forgotten that many senior members of Team Change, were active constructors of the dreadful past we desire a change from.

So Mr President, you are Change and Change is you.

Don’t be too quick in shifting the burden because of the criticism trailing the on-going metamorphosis. In fact, I personally believe you have not failed or derailed, despite the current consuming tide.

While you can keep rallying the nation behind you, never attempt to inch away an inch from what you believe, that is if you genuinely believe in it.

While you are mostly responsible for some of the worse turns things have taken in the country, all the plaudits could still be yours even you can keep faith as the Commander-In-Chief of the Change agenda.

It should not require John Kerry’s curious visit before your conducts, utterances, body language and loud silence should portray you as the true father of the nation. Before now, you weren’t behaving like one. It is my prayer going forward, you will be.

Nigerians are not unappreciative of the much Team Change has done. Many still fight with their words for Mr. President, incidentally including this reporter. Buhari’s more rabid supporters do it with their fist. They can’t stand their hero being de-robed. Many defend you sir, as an electoral asset. They are still shocked their votes are now being considered a waste. They hope against hope that their votes would eventually “count”. I also believe Mr. President would still make the votes count. Only that old things must pass away in his life and government.

There is a way a masquerade will dance and lose its mysticism. Before Nigerians can own the change agenda, the ground rules must be well set out. The end-result must also not be in doubt. Buhari must lead by example. Right now, that is debatable. that will effect a positive change in their lives. This explains why the poor have a poor estimation of their selfworth and have no consideration for personal dignity.

Their concern is survival, not any exotic ideal.

So, the strategy of the powerful is to keep the people so poor, bruised and incapacitated that not only will they be unable to think right and take steps that would improve their lot, but they will also be eternally grateful to the rulers for the crumbs that fall from their tables. The elite know that the longer they perpetrate poverty among the people, the better their chances of perpetuating themselves in power.

Therefore, in Nigeria, the elite prefer to give the poor crutches instead of wings. They prefer to keep the poor eternally dependent on them than to liberate them from their poverty. Rather than give the poor enough to last a month, they give enough to last a day so that they will be back the following morning. The rich fancy having the poor line up in front of their houses daily for pittance rather than to give a few of them money to embark on a business that would make them become financially independent.

This is why Nigerian politicians hardly set up employment-generating businesses. Less than 10 per cent of the nation’s wealthy politicians have a company employing up to 10 persons. Again, this is deliberate because they know that when a person is gainfully employed and earns decent and honest wages, his perception of himself and his environment would be impacted. He can afford to ask questions and challenge the status quo. But this will not serve the purpose of the Nigerian politician who prefers to keep the poor mum so that he can continue to ride roughshod over them.

But will this continue in perpetuity? No, because nothing lasts forever. Members of the ruling class should stop deluding themselves that the trend will never change.

Those who are tempted to believe there will be no end to the injustice should remember the Occupy Wall Street poster sign: One day, the poor will have nothing left to eat but the rich.

17

11 September, 2016

ate celebr s o t s e r pa eak de pre usician sp is A y n n m h ur, the g Su As Kin th birthday, ed States to, his family, his 70 recent Unitian hip hop reports. on his n on Niger E MAKINDE opiniog other, TAD amon

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0 r n d n pg2 will co for by Pasto herish that nues o i t n o c d C praye nion and I u comm

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Sunday Tribune

and

A S K —

18

11 September, 2016

Segun Adebayo tegbollistic@yahoo.com 08116954644

Sunday Tribune Seyi Sokoya seyi_sky@yahoo.com 08075166585

I’m not in a hurry for fame —Ayoade

I’m working to have children

—Rita Dominic

Stories By Segun Adebayo

I

T was a special Sunday for Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic, as she decided to interact with her fans on her facebook page through a live chat video monitored by R. For some time, Dominic has managed to avoid questions about when she would be getting married and start having kids.

But last week Sunday was dif-

ferent. This time round, she decided to interact with her fans by taking questions from them.

It is not a hidden fact that Dominic is one of the eligible spinsters in the movie industry, but what was new to her fans was the actress cum producer is now working to have kids.

When asked if she has any kid of her own by a fan, Dominic said “No I don’t. But I would love to. I love children very much. I am working on it,

hopefully.”

The producer whose new movie 76 featured Ramsey Nouah revealed that she has a relationship with a German based guy but would not reveal more than that, saying she would like to keep her relationship with him private.

“It is my personal life. I was dating someone in Germany but let me not talk about that, it is my private life,” she said.

FAST-RISING ACTRESS, Adedayo Ayoade, wants to take her career to the next level without compromising her stance on working hard.

Ayoade, whose acting career started from childhood, insisted that she was ready to give her colleagues a run for their money as she continues to build on her popularity in the Yoruba speaking movies.

In an interview with R recently, the mother of one recalled her early days in the industry when she joined a theatre group called Gbolorogun and was trained by professionals who put her through the rudiments of acting, music and dance.

According to her, no seriousminded actress or actor could claim to be a professional without going through the tutelage of an elder or a theatre group.

Speaking further, the actress admitted that getting to the top in the movie industry for a lady could be very challenging, adding that she was aware that some movie producers usually take advantage of up-and-coming actresses, who are

desperate to take any role.

According to her, “sexual harrasement is not peculiar to the movie industry, it happens everywhere, even in banks and other places. But as an actress, you must not be desperate to become famous. “I have always maintained that with hard work and perseverance, one can achieve anything in life. I know some producers are fond of making advances at some of us, but they won’t force you to go against your wish. If they approach you with such and you say no, there are other God-fearing professional producers who are ready to cast you if you merit the job.”

With a movie to her credit, Ayoade wants more and she says work has begun on a new project which would cast popular faces among the Yoruba speaking movie practitioners.

“I co-produced a movie, Ogunologun, some years back but we are working on a new one that will shake the entertainment firmament. I want my fans to watch out for this movie, the title would be Obikan.”

Robbery attack: Thank God my sense of humour was not stolen —Basketmouth DAYS after his house was robbed, popular comedian, Basketmouth, has thanked God for sparing his life and that of his family during a robbery attack at his Lekki Phase 1 house in Lagos State on Wednesday.

The comedian, who has been in the news in the past weeks following his spat with popular on air personality, Freeze, confirmed the robbery attack on Friday, saying he was happy that his family was doing fine after the two-hour robbery.

Basketmouth’s close friend, Bovi, broke the news of the robbery on his Instagram account on Wednesday, saying “Basketmouth was robbed this morning in his home in Lekki Phase 1 between the hours of 2 a.m and 4 a.m, 7th of September 2016. He and his family were held at gun point while the sad episode lasted. Nobody was hurt. Valuables were taken including the cctv device.

Speaking on his ordeal in the hands of the armed robbers, Basket said he

lost a lot of valuables during the incident, adding that it was only the grace of God that spared him and his family.

He said he was happy that although they made away with his valuables, he joked that his sense of humour was not stolen.

According to him, “Yes I was robbed, yes they made away with a lot of valuables.

The great thing is that they didn’t steal my sense of humour.

Myself, my wife and kids were not harmed, so we thank God. Big thanks to everyone that reached out, may God bless you abundantly.”

4Real Eze, Jimmy Jatt, Oritsefemi close ranks for ‘Power’ remix THAT music enthusiasts are fast catching the bug of 4real Eze’s rhythms and rhymes is like stating the obvious.

‘Super’, his debut single that hit the airwaves late last year, was what the Kaduna State born Eze Franklin Chekwube otherwise known as 4real Eze needed to lay claim to fame in the Nigerian music scene. And 4real Eze actually wowed his growing fans with the original version of the follow-up single entitled, Power, which was released early this year.

However, due to wide acceptance of the original version of ‘Power’, and in celebration of his birthday ‘IceCream4real’ as he is also called, has decided to release the audio and video of the remix version of ‘Power’ featuring,

DJ Jimmy Jatt and music star, Oritsefemi.

19

razzmatazz

11 September, 2016

Ayinde Barrister ‘Fuji Charity’ concert holds in US

2Baba, MI disrupt Lagos at the Buckwyld ‘n’ Breathless concert

By Tunde Busari ALL is set for the first Fuji Charity Concert in honour of the late Fuji music creator, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, in the United States.

The concert, organised by a US-based Sikiru Ayinde Barrister Global Fans Foundation, will hold at Maryland on September 16, at 4 pm and is expected to feature a number of fuji stars.

Reported to be on the list are Sefiu Alao, Adewale Barrishowkey, Besco Wonder, Barrymade, Qudus Balogun and other showbiz stars including Lancaster, Baba Gboin and Mr Latin.

Also some royal fathers like the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, are also expected to grace the occasion with a view to showing their love for the accomplishments of the late Alhaji.

According to the anchorperson of the event, Monsurat Morenikeji, the event was her group’s contribution to the ongoing immortalisation of Barrister’s name as the pathfinder of Fuji music which Nigeria exported to international social scene.

By Segun Adebayo

IT was an event that was talked abo ut for weeks.

The nooks and crannies of Lagos and by extension, other adjoining states waited in anticipation of what was termed the biggest con cert in recent time.

One cannot expect nothing less whe n the thought of a concert that would feature the duo of 2face Idibia and MI Abaga.

All of it and more makes no atte mpt to cover the entirety of the Buckwyld n Breathless: The Disruption Concert, held at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre, Victoria Island , Lag os, last week Saturday.

It was intriguing, exciting, and the energy emanating from the auditorium was special that in matter of hours, the convention centre was sold out.

The concert showcased the beauty of Africa with its variety of multi-talented ente rtainers from dancers to an amazing 20-piece ban d and an array of superstars.

Artistes like Ice Prince, Cohbams, Waje, Vector, Jesse Jagz, Djinee, Vanessa Mde e, Ruggedman, Nosa, Kelly Handsome, among others, were on stage performing hits to the excitem ent of the auditorium.

Despite the no-table arrangemen ts, the auditorium was structured in a way that granted VIP guests privacy they required and still kept the regular ticket guests locked in on the excitement of the concert.

It certainly was a difficult task to cho ose who the better performer was between the show’s headliners; 2Baba and MI as both artistes allowed themselves to be absorbed in the perf ormances, thus making themselves one with the stag e.

Gospel artistes commiserate with Abiara’s family

By Seyi Sokoya GOSPEL artistes, Evangelists Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi; Joseph Adelakun, popularly known as Ayewa; Gospel Musician Association of Nigeria (GOMAN) president Evangelist (Mrs) Funmi Aragbaye; Evangelists Bola Are, Dunni Olarewaju, otherwise known as Opelope Anointing; Bukola Akinade, popularly known as Senwele Jesu; Bisi AlawiyeAluko, among others, have sympathised with the General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church

Nollywood actress, Fisayo, produces first movie ‘Road To Ruin’

By Seyi Sokoya NOLLYWOOD actress, Ajisola, who is passionate about the younger generation, especially the underprivileged, has commenced work on a new movie entitled: “Road To Ruin.”

The movie tends to address the plight of the banned hawkers who are now finding it difficult to survive since the Lagos State govern-

Sunday Tribune

ment placed a ban on street hawking.

The development came as a result of the rampant cases of crimes and traffic congestion which, according to the state government, had aided robbery, kidnap, killing, and all sort of evil deeds.

Ajisola, through her Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Jewel Empowement Foundation (JEF), has solicited for a better alterna-

tive from the government and also proffered a lasting solution to the challenges of the underprivileged and street hawkers in the new flick.

The movie, according to Ajisola, was to draw the attention of the Federal Government, states and well-meaning Nigerians to the plight of young Nigerians, who have no means of survival, education, jobs and practically no life, but only to find means to make their lives productive through any menial jobs.

Veteran actor, Raphael Niyi Stephen, who is also part of the project, said, “The movie is a way of making people know what is happening to kids and also to lend our voices to what the government is doing about hawking, letting people know hawking isn’t the last option.”

The director of the movie, Tunde Olaoye, noted that the short movie was a public service announcement for the children on the street and to encourage the government to look for a better solution.

(C.A.C), Pastor Samuel Abiara, over the death of his wife, Prophetess, Aduke Christiana, who died last Sunday.

The gospel musicians joined other Nigerians who have been sending their condolence messages and also visiting the widower at his residence at Idi-Isin, Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State, since the death of the woman.

The musicians received the news of the death with a rude shock, while they also sympathised with the popular cleric and entire family on the loss, just as they prayed that God will give them fortitude to bear the loss.

Speaking on behalf all the gospel musicians in Nigeria, Aragbaye said, “She will be greatly missed because she was instrumental to Abiara’s ministry. One of the things that she was known for was her good heart and support to gospel musicians. We love her but God loves her most. I want every human, especially women even outside the vineyard, to follow her footstep.”

R also gathered that plans have begun by the gospel artistes to celebrate the late Abiara.

R was hinted that the special event have been included to the burial arrangement of the deceased.

20

glitz

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Continued on pg17

You said ‘unique.’ What’s going to be different this time round?

My usual birthdays is always a week. In the past, it was always from September 22 to 29.

Now, everything will start proper on September 21 to December 31. There are plans for me to be hosted even abroad by fans and friends. It’s the first time I would be having a pre-birthday. That will be on the eve of 22. There will be a gospel music night. They want to be the first to sing before my birthday proper. A family prayer and prayers by friend and partners will also hold. That day, my children will celebrate their father.

I am happy that I have children who are old enough to celebrate me. As usual, I will visit the motherless babies. Also, my family will celebrate me. There will be a lecture at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), to be followed by a show that will have KSA on bandstand at the Ooni’s palace. In October, there will be a book launch in South Africa, just as there will be a musical concert that will feature the old and young acts from all genres of music. Associations in the media, music, presenters will also host me You must have your fears. In 70 years, what has been your biggest fear?

That is the day God will say to me that I should stop singing, that I should stop giving the fans what they want. That is my only fear Decades ago, you released an album entitled ‘Wait For Me’. What was it between you and Onyeka?

It was a gimmick of sort. Then, UNICEF noted that young people were having unprotected sex and having babies that they shouldn’t be having. In USA, an idea of featuring males and females in songs worked and they felt it could be tried in Africa. They agreed on Onyeka and I. Somehow, the controversy around my relationship with Onyeka helped to make the project work in Nigeria. Many believed that we were dating and wanted to see what was going to come out of the relationship. I was not involved with Onyeka. She is a colleague and a good lady. I had no crush on her, but that was what many thought and it sold the album.

It was only recently that the two of us played together. About two and a half months ago, she was also around when I had a show with Wizkid. She joined us on stage to sing What is your view of the new generation of music and artistes we now have and the quality of music?

Most expect me to criticise what we have.

I can’t. What we have now is Nigeria’s new brand of music and it has gained global aapeal. If Nigerians accept it, why won’t I? We are all in this industry together, including the media. If you feel something is being done wrongly, you should use your pen to correct it. Our mistake is where we expect the up- and-coming ones to learn from and improve on so that the end can be better than the beginning. Our predecessors made mistakes which we worked on. We need producers whose jobs will be to ensure that quality music is eventually put out there. It should be same with the new generation of acts. As regards content, you have to consider where things are now, where it was in the past. Back then, we had great studios-EMI, Decca, Phillips, many others scattered all over the North and Eastern parts. Now we have people using the basement of homes as studios.

Things have changed. It is in this situation that our young ones are still churning out good music. Most even take their songs to Ghana, South Africa to mix or master. All of these were once done perfectly in this

‘My birthday ceremonies will last 4 months’ country. But things can be better. The new generation of artistes are doing their best to continue where we have brought Nigerian and African music. Of course I have problems with some slangs, especially their word col’labo. It is collaboration. I find the word demeaning. When people criticise them for what they do, I quickly tell them that in our time, we were not this many then. Most parents would not allow you to play or listen to music. But now, most parents bring their children to us and beg us to teach them music. As long as they are willing to take from us, work on it, leave what is not needed and make good music, it is allowed. We copied our predecessors when we were starting out. Most of us adopted from IK Dairo, Ambrose Campbell and many others and used what we felt was best for us.

In life, you look up to some people and try

I have problems with some slangs, especially the word col’labo.’ It is collaboration. I find the word demeaning.

to take what is beat from them for your good. My only advice now is that they must learn to depend less on computer to make songs. Any music that you can’t use your hand to make is not yours. We can embrace computer, but it’s risky to rely soley on it.

Learn to use an instrument.

You’ve lasted decades and still going strong singing and performing.

You just came back from a tour of United States after 10 weeks. What is it about the new acts that they don’t last longer than one single or one album?

Back then, we had bands. You knew that you belonged and never thought of going solo. As a team, you could do more. Now, we don’t have bands again because it is expensive to form and keep one. A good guitar costs close to N18, 000 now. A band needs more that five. Is it amplifiers, drums, microphones? Do the calculation and you see why it’s easier and cheaper to go it solo these days. Those of us who have equipment can’t even think of buying new ones because they cost a lot. The issue of piracy is also there. With digital downloads now, an artiste’s earning avenue is further depleted. We can only hope that government will do something about this. We won’t stop talking about this because this is our constituency and the only thing we do for a living. There are so many songs in the air, but no money for the act. Most just want to be popular, but they don’t even have the kind of money to maintain that fame One of your guitars and costume is

on display in a museum in Arizona.

How did it get there?

That museum has corners for everyone from anywhere in the world. It is in the West Africa corner. Both have been there for about three years now. It was used to raise money for the museum. Many musical equipment from all over the world are there on display, same for pictures for some that are yet to be there. When we went there during the last tour, we played for some members of the academia. Many of them had never seen us before.

When are you releasing another album?

We are working on something, especially as this is a special year for me Your tour was botched last year.

How did you make it this year?

This year’s tour for us was an image redeeming tour. Image remaking because we had missed out for the last two years.

The first did not cause any stir. But last year when we were not seen at the event, we were protected from legal issues because of the statement that US Embassy in Nigeria, and the Immigration made to the whole world. Suddenly, news filtered all over that I had died. It became an issue among promoters. I quickly debunked the story, but my fans over there wanted to see me with their own eyes. When we got the tour started, we had filled venues. We gave them the best of stage artistry. It was a successful tour and I am grateful to God how things played out.

21

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

PEOPLE

places&parties with Segun Adebayo

| tegbollistic@yahoo.com | 08116954644

Gbenga Adeyinka’s Laffmatazz gets Amosun’s nod GBENGA Adeyinka’s comedy and music show, Laffmatazz, will set Ogun State agog on October 1 as Jimmy Jatt, Reminisce, 9ice, MI and others will hit Abeokuta to entertain the people on Independence Day. The show, which received the nod of the Ogun State government last week when Adeyinka led his team to the office of the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun to formally intimate him of their plans to storm the city with unusual entertainment-music and comedy.

According to Adeyinka, who has held same show in Oyo and Osun states this year, the Abeokuta show would come with a touch of difference.

“On Independence Day, come and join the grand comedian of Nigeria, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st and friends at Laffmataz Olumo Rocks edition with MI, Reminisce, 9ice, Capital F.E.M.I, Small Doctor, Seriki, Pepenazi, INDNESS does not among others”. have boundaries The show will not only and no act of it is feature music, but also ever wasted. This comedy as popular coemdi- saying must be holding true ans such as Ali Baba, Okey for Five Star Music boss, EBakasi, Bash, Koffi, MC Money.

Ajele, Helen Paul, Peteru, There is no gainsaying the Seyi Law and others will be fact that E-Money lives truly dragged to Cultural Centre, to his name as he does not Kuto, Abeokuta, venue of only enjoy the good things of the event. life, he also has a high taste Speaking further, Adeyinka added that “I am very excited about this show. It promises to be better than other shows that we have MAKING law is his profesheld in other cities. The sion, but Deputy Speaker, list of the comedians, ac- House of Representatives, tors and musicians com- Yusuf Sulaiman Lasun, has ing to entertain the people proved that he’s truly an emhas shown that the audi- bodiment of humility and ence would be thrilled in a love. special way. And of course, Days back, the Osun State Governor Ibikunle Amo- born politician visited the sun of Ogun State will lead Ibadan office of celebrity other prominent indigenes fashion designer and wardof the state to the venue,” robe consultant, BKK Ulhe said. timo, at Felele, where he

Why HiTV collapsed — Toyin Subair

About E-Money’s heart of gold

K

about everything good life can present.

But that is not the only thing about the business guru whose interest in the oil and gas trade has earned him as much fame and wealth.

Days back, E-Money who is a sibling to Limpopo crooner, Kcee, displayed a rare show of kindness, which some men of means usually shy away

from when he decided to make a donation of cash and gifts to a corps member, who was delivered of a set of twins last week.

The lady became famous after she posted a video of herself dancing to Kcee’s Tinana video dance competition. EMoney cleared the lady’s hospital bills and gave her some cash to take care of herself.

Yusuf Lasun’s other side displayed what could be described as uncommon show of love, affection and humility towards the people.

Lasun related with the people affectionately and ensured that he touched their lives in a special unforgettable way.

Lasun, PPP gathered was at BKK Ultimo to pick new fabrics which Bashy Kuti, owner of the fashion outfit, had just

brought in from Europe.

Little wonder the lawmaker is loved and cherished by his people at home for always showing interest in putting smiles on their faces each time such opporunity presents itself. His entrance into the office complex was unnoticed and many who later got to know who he is by the time he left could not believe who had just related with them.

FIVE years after his pay TV went under, popular socialite and entertainment lawyer, Toyin Subair has explained why he failed to sustain the business. He blamed the company’s misfortune on a clause in shareholder’s agreement, which allowed a group of founding shareholders to block the comapny from raising money or selling off a subsidiary.

In a statement he released during last week. Subair who relocated to London after the his business folded up said he fought hard to save the company from going down, adding that “I failed to know and manage my investors properly.”

According to him, “People who care asked me what happened to HiTV and others in their supreme wisdom professed their own reason.

I have kept my peace and quietly moved on in life until one wrote an article recently about 1 million digital jobs from the creative sector. I realised that if I am throw-

ing a challenge to other enterpreneurs to be bold and creative, I, who used to be a poster boy for a generation and who failed five years of a great business endeavour, owed it to them to share my experience.”

Taye Currency calls for peaceful Sallah celebration TAYE Adebisi also known as Taye Currency, has advised Nigerians to be cautious as they celebrate the sallah festival.

Taye made the call through his media aide, Tope Eluyefa in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslims to felicitate with Nigerians for this year’s celebration.

He advised Muslims to abide by the lessons of Sallah, which is giving and keeping the commandments of Almighty Allah.

“It is a season of love, sharing and giving to the underprivleged. To maintain peace, law and order during and after celebration,” he said Currency also advised government at all tiers to implement friendly policies to cushion the hardship ravaging the country.

“Proper training and education must be a priority to every parents and not the rams and cloth to eat or wear for a day,” he stated.

Taye will begin a tour of Benin Republic and South Africa soon.

22

11 September, 2016

makeover

Sunday Tribune

Rita Okonoboh 08053789087 tribunemakeover@gmail.com

‘God instructed me to start beauty, spa resort’ Mrs Preye Jimoh is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Dove International Cosmetology Academy and Dove Spa and Wellness Resort situated in Ibadan, Oyo State. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, she speaks on how to become a successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry and her vision to transform the industry. Excerpts:

Y

OU recently held a media parley to unveil your beauty and spa outfit. How did you feel with this development?

The outfit, Dove, began with the decision to start a cosmetology school and this was the mandate I received from God. Before this could be achieved, I had to establish a place for people to train. So, this was how Dove started. This mandate came in 2007, so I used three years to prepare myself for the task and it was God that led me through the learning process. This is a business that I could not just jump into, owing to the fact that I am an accountant by profession. On July 3, 2007, we started Dove Spa and the academy. It was not easy for us to start, but the passion and the vision paved way for us; we started in little way and from one location to another. It is a thing of joy that the vision back then has now manifested and we’re ready to affect lives positively and shape the industry. This was why we invited the media to have a feel of what we have put in place for people to benefit from and I am glad with the comments, observations and words of encouragements.

Did you have any practical experience aside the divine mandate?

Yes. I garnered a lot of experience from my aunt who learnt cosmetology while growing up and she usually taught me when she was around. This gave me a background into what it took to be a cosmetologist, unknown to me that I was going to become a professional someday. When it became visible, I had to brush up on the knowledge, especially in the aspect of schooling. I got a school online, studied their curriculum and got the clearer knowledge of how it was done outside the shores of Nigeria.

How easy has it been combining your career as an accountant and running this outfit?

It has been very challenging, but where there is a will, there is a way. It is my passion and my dream, and I have been able to combine both without any clash. I would say that God has really helped me to combine being an employee, employer, entrepreneur, wife, mother and a minister in the church perfectly. I have realised that

my primary profession was training for me for a time like this. I am privileged to have worked as an accountant and auditor in foremost auditing firm in Nigeria and this has helped me with exposure and having a solid foundation. The fact that God actually asked me to venture into this business, even though I never thought of this in my wildest dreams, gave me a platform to set my goals and achieve them steadily. He was particular about the education aspect, but there is no way that I would do that without putting this in place. When I asked for God’s directive, He said to me that ‘I am God; I created the earth and the Greek work of the earth is Cosmos and what I am asking you to do is cosmetology. So, cosmos is the proper arrangement of things, just as cosmetology is also the proper arrangement of the act to create beauty.’ So, being a minister of God and an entrepreneur in the beauty industry are kind of interrelated; God is beautiful and everything He does is beautiful. My greatest joy is that God has helped me to affect many lives positively through the academy.

I could remember I started with one student and at present, we have about 15 students; we are growing and I am confident that very soon, many youths will benefit from the academy.

What really attracted you to Ibadan?

I was strongly advised at the beginning not to set up in Ibadan, that people here won’t buy into it, but I said that there was no business that would not work in Ibadan. So far, we have notable fast food places and banks here and people patronise them. Definitely, there is prospect for this kind of business too.

What does it take to set up professional spa outfit?

A full spa outfit must have facial and body treatment, massage parlour, pedicure, sauna, jacuzzi, among other things and we have all of these here, compared to other places in Ibadan. We have not only set up a spa, but a resort for people to have access to all the various features of a spa at once and at the same spot. We have also made the maintenance of the resort a priority because this is a sensitive environment that must project quality and neatness. We have put in place suitable facilities, well trained personnel and good structure to make the outfit top notch.

Charges are one of the major challenges those in this business face. How have you been able to handle this?

This is true. For instance, the first thing that will come to the mind of anyone who passes by Dove is that our services will be expensive, but they really don’t know that it is not, because as a business person, it is not just about making

money, but being able to reach as many people as possible.

So, it is only those that come in that would have full knowledge of the fact that the charges are cheap. Also, this is why we have started creating more awareness to inform people that we have affordable services to give them healthy bodies and help them keep fit.

How much did it cost you to set up this in the heart of Ibadan?

Indeed, it has really cost a lot of money, but the truth is that it didn’t come at once. As I said earlier, I started in 2010 and this depicts that one has to start small in anything, but not to cut corners in providing quality services.

I started with a three-bedroom flat and the effect we had then is not different from what we have now because I did not compromise quality. It got to a point that we had to move because the space could no longer contain us. Above all, we thank God that Dove Spa and Wellness Resort now has a place of its own. Now, my dream is that this initiative will be a household name in Ibadan and South-West soonest.

What do you think people are getting wrong about being successful entrepreneurs?

The basic thing is that people think being an entrepreneur is about making money; this is a very wrong mindset.

It is about bringing positive change. People should stop thinking of money first; this will cause discouragement.

Personally, if I started this business with the view of making money, I would have closed shop since because the money doesn’t come easily. It comes when one has paid his or her dues. One is under watch and people want to see whether one can stand the test of time. It is when one is able to overcome all the challenges that one can reap the rewards. For me, this is a lifetime industry and it is something I would like to hand over to my children, even to the third generation. I have discovered that there is no business that survives the third generation because people want immediate results. I want this business to grow beyond my third generation, just as Coca-Cola. I want to be the Coca-Cola of the beauty industry from Nigeria.

23

foriegnfeature

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Was the September 11 US twin tower bombing an inside job?

It happened on Sunday, September 11, 1991. Now the conspiracy theory of US twin tower bombing heightens 15 years after, according to reports by Daily Express of UK.

T

he shocking accusation that the west was involved in plotting, organising, and even carrying out the 9/11 terror atrocities to provide the grounds for the military strikes on the so-called Axis of Evil remains one of the world’s biggest conspiracy theories.

On September 11 2001, the world witnessed the Twin Towers being hit by planes, but some extreme conspiracy theorists claim planted bombs brought them down.

While many of the theories are bizarre, one longstanding view is the towers would not have collapsed in the way they did if they were hit by aircraft.

Some claim there must have been a ‘controlled detonation’ at ground level for the Twin Towers to fall in on themselves as they did.

One key part of their argument is the collapse of a third smaller tower, called Building 7, at the World Trade Center complex, several hours after the huge skyscrapers fell.

Last Thursday, the Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance held its 12th annual 9/11 Truth Film Festival, where the British documentary ‘Incontrovertible’ was screened.

The online film by Tony Rooke looks at why Building 7 collapsed in the way that it did and the official explanation given after an investigation by The National Institute of Standards and Technology, based near Washington DC, who still refuses to release all of its data amid claims it could “compromise public safety.”

The 911truth.org is a website which says it is dedicated to exposing a “cover-up” surrounding 9/11, and seeking justice for the victims and their relatives.

A mission statement on its website says: “Our Mission is to expose the official lies and cover-up surrounding the events of September 11th, 2001 in a way that inspires the people to overcome denial and understand the truth.

“Namely, that elements within the US government and covert policy apparatus must have orchestrated or participated in the execution of the attacks for these to have happened in the way that they did.”

The website says it also wants justice for all those wronged by the attacks, “beginning with complete disclosure of all records and evidence; reversal of all domestic and foreign policies following from the false premises of the official story.”

It adds it also wants “full accountability for any and all individuals inside and outside the US government involved

in the attacks who engaged in crimes of commission, facilitation, complicity, gross negligence, cover-up or obstruction of justice after the fact.”

Until now, the theory has been just that and confined to the online forums of conspiracy websites.

But now, the University of Alaska is sponsoring a full investigation into claims that World Trade Center Building 7 was brought down by a controlled demolition during the 9/11 attacks.

The official version of events is that fire spread to Building 7, from the main towers, devastating the structure, and causing it also to fall in on itself.

Footage of the tower consumed by fire emerged in 2011, and it was thought the conspiracy may have been killed off.

But Dr. Leroy Husley, chair of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ (UAF) Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, has partnered with architects and engineers linked to campaign group 9/11 Truth to evaluate the causes of its collapse.

A report on Activistpost.com said: “Although questions still remain about how the two planes that hit the Twin Towers could cause the total collapse of the highrise buildings, many 9/11 researchers now focus on the mysterious collapse of Building 7.

“A number of 9/11 family members point to the collapse of WTC7 as a possible crack in the official story that could spark a new national conversation on the events of that day.

“WTC7 was not hit by a plane that day; however, it collapsed at 5:20 p.m. according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the official cause for the collapse was office fires.

“A growing number of family members, activists, architects and engineers question the official theory for collapse and are seeking a new investigation into WTC7.”

Dr Hulsey and the WTC7 Evaluation project hope to answer some of the remaining questions.

The project is a two-year study that is being crowdfunded through Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth.

Dr Hulsey has invited professionals from the fields of structural engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, architecture, building design and construction, physics, maths, and science, as well as everyday citizens, to get involved.

He said: “Over the next year, with a team of PhD students, I will be rebuilding World Trade Center Building 7, using the same drawings that were used to build it originally we will reconstruct it digitally.

“NIST says the building fell down due to office fires. Our investigation will evaluate the probability that this was the cause of the collapse.”

The researchers have promised a “completely open and transparent investigation into the cause of World Trade Center Building 7’s collapse”, and will post every step of their scientific process on WTC7Evaluation.org.

The WTC7 Evaluation project will also include a review by a committee of technical experts who will vet the research being conducted by Dr Hulsey and his students.

The professor and his team are soliciting financial support from the public from now until the completion of the study in April 2017.

Ted Walter, Director of Strategy and Development for A&E 9/11 Truth, is in charge of working with the professor and raising money to fund the WTC7 Evaluation.

He said: “They are coming up with different scenarios of how hot the fires could have been in different parts of the building, and then for the next six months they will be running tests and scenarios.

“The last few months, early next year, will be all about putting the findings into a final report.”

The team want the final report published in peer-reviewed engineering journals.

Mr Walter added: “We hope to gain significant traction in the engineering community by providing an authoritative refutation of NIST’s report, by showing that there is no way that fires could have brought down building 7.”

He also wants the report “given to every member of Congress”.

But, the debunking911.com website, which dispute the conspiracy theories, said it had been proved the collapse was caused by the two main buildings being destroyed.

In an article, it said: “Conspiracy theorists say World Trade Center 7 is the best proof for controlled demolition because it wasn’t hit by airliners and only had a few fires.

“They also claim that there was a confession from the building owner who said he “pulled”.

“But this is deceptive because while building 7 wasn’t hit by an airliner, it was hit by the large perimeter columns of the Tower collapse.

“It was 400 feet away but the towers were more than 1300 feet tall. As the tower peeled open, it easily tilted over to reach building 7.”

24

Sunday Tribune

Sunday Tribune

11 September, 2016

glamour

With Tayo Gesinde temiligali03@yahoo.com 08054727801

What my father’s name does for me

It’s nobody’s business if I tone my skin

Ayinke Dayo Kujore, daughter of popular juju musician, Dayo Kujore, is a presenter on Orisun TV. The Abeokuta, Ogun State indigene speaks with OLAIDE SOKOYA on her broadcasting career, how she has been handling advances from male admirers, among others issues .

Nollywood actress, Damilola Ayobami Peter, is a graduate of Religious Studies from the University of Lagos, Lagos State. In this interview with TAYO GESINDE, she speaks on her acting career.

—AyinkeDayoKujore

G

rowing up Growing up was fun, I attended Starfield Kiddies College, Iju Ishaga, Ogun State and later to Brainfield College for my secondary education before proceeding to Obafemi Awolowo University to study music. I’m from a polygamous family, I’m the third and last born of my mum.

How I ventured into broadcasting It is a long story! Anyway, it all started in 2013 when Uncle Bimbo Ogunsanya, a movie producer, called me about presenting on a new TV station, Orisun (the source) on Star Times.

At first, I was scared because I didn’t really think I could do it but Uncle Bimbo encouraged me that I can do it so I started going to Orisun studio to see how it’s done. After a while, I was given a show called Miliki Express to handle and here I am today.

Life as the daughter of popular juju musician, Dayo Kujore Being the daughter of juju musician, Dayo Kujore, is a privilege. I’ve been able to learn more about music and instruments. It has made me appreciate music and develop interest and love for the craft.

My father’s name; “Wonder Dayo Kujore” is a powerful name in the entertainment industry. Anytime I meet people who know my dad, they always want to be my friend and associate with me. Also, as a presenter, the name has allowed me to meet and interact with celebrities. I can remember back then in secondary school, whenever my dad was not around and we had not paid school fees, they would send everyone out of the class except my siblings and I. So, the name has always been a blessing.

The journey so far The experience of being a presenter has been a good one. As I said earlier, I have only been presenting for Orisun and I must say I have learnt to be confident and diligent at what I do. So all in all, I would say it has been a fun filled and educative experience. That’s because it was pretty easy to do the job, it’s what I’ve always loved and wanted to do, so it was like I fitted into it perfectly.

Why I am not into music Well that’s because my dad insisted on my getting an education first. However, he appreciates my career as a presenter. I can sing as well.

What my daddy is doing now He hasn’t been around for a while because he’s had shows outside Nigeria but now, he’s back and he’s currently working on his album.

I believe in decent and simple dressing so I would say people should always wear decent clothes at all times

25

— Damilola Ayobami Peter

G

rowing up It was nice. I am from a Christian home. I am the first of four children. My parents are disciplinarians who did not tolerate any nonsense from us.

Foray into acting It was Funso Adeolu who motivated me to go into acting. I used to watch him on TV and loved the way he used to act. His younger brother, Seyi, was my teacher in primary school and I used to tell him that I would be an actor like his brother.

He always advised me to face my studies and told me that I could only become an actress after I might have graduated from the university and that was what I did.

After I graduated from the university, I saw an advertisement on TV so, I joined a theatre group in 2008. My boss was Anthony Ogundimu a.k.a Ara Abeokuta, who trained me. Along the line, I met another actress, Adewumi Fatai, who happened to be a very good friend of mine who helped me a lot in the industry.

She gets jobs for me all the time. I have featured in movies like, Effisy Po, Trust, Tales of Eve, Detola Nubi, Betty, Sheboy and so on.

Challenges faced I didn’t really face any challenge because of my relationship with Adewumi Fatai. I was accepted and loved by everyone, especially by my senior colleagues like Fathia Balogun, Iyabo Ojo, Liz Da Silva and Foluke Daramola.

The only person who had a grudge with me is Toyin Aimakhu and I don’t know the reason for that, maybe it is because she doesn’t like my person. I wanted her to be a nice caring sister but not everyone will like someone.

from the bus. Other passengers were looking at us so I had no other choice than to give them what they wanted. I was so embarrassed that day.

Description of self I am a blunt, no-nonsense person. Forget that I smile a lot. I can be rude when it comes down to it.

Other things I do aside acting I also work as the secretary of Alhaji Ganiu Oyedepo popularly known as Koko Zaria.

Philosophy of life Make use of every little time you have; spend it in a good way because time waits for no one.

My take on toning If I feel I don’t like my colour anymore, I can tone my skin and that is my business so I say a big yes to toning.

Opinion on cosmetics surgery It is a very bad thing. Why anyone would even consider it is beyond me so “NO.”

Coping with competition in the industry I just have to do what I know I can do. I don’t have to compete with anyone.

Definition of style Style to me is wearing anything that you are comfortable in. I love to buy colourful items.

How I handle advances from male fans Well, I tried to talk to them in an appropriate way because they are my fans and I love them.

Beauty regimen I make sure I take good care of every part of my body. I cleanse and moisturise my skin and I also make sure I use good hair and body products.

Qualities I want in a man He must be God-fearing, educated, lover of children and most importantly, he must be caring.

Role models Oprah Winfrey, dad and mum.

Definition of style Simple, classy and comfortable.

What

Greatest assets My wittiness, smartness and smile.

Assessment of the industry The industry has managed to evolve, thanks to hardworking veterans in the industry and I must say kudos to them. However, there’s still much to do as I for one, am still contributing my quota and I know we are going places

What I can’t be caught dead wearing I can wear any fashion item so far I am not going nude or being uncomfortable.

Favorite perfume Gucci Guilty and Tommy Hilfiger My take on provocative dressing I believe in decent and simple dressing so I would say people should always wear decent clothes at all times.

guishes me from other actresses I am a young, black and plus-size lady who is able to play any role assigned to her very well. Not all young plus-size people can play their roles well.

Role restriction I can’t act nude because I don’t like to expose my body. Apart from that, I am good to go.

Favourite colour Blue Favourite fashion designer Gucci, Versace and Zara.

distin-

a a

Most embarrassing thing fan did to me It was the day I was inside bus and some guys came and said that if I did not give them money, t h e y won’t allow me to come d o w n

What I can’t be caught dead wearing I can’t be caught dead in anything that exposes my bra or wearing a clown make-up to a wedding.

Fashion obsessions Shoes, wristwatch and earrings.

Special treat I go out and buy myself new things, both the ones I need and the ones I don’t need because I see myself as a queen My opinion on provocative dressing I don’t like flaunting my body so I don’t dress provocatively.

My view on cosmetic surgery If anybody feels she wants to do cosmetic surgery, she is free but for me, it is cool. When the time comes

and I think I need to be botched, I need to visit Dr Terry Dubrow.

Why I can’t marry an actor I can’t marry an actor because we will both want to leave home for locations and sometimes we might not come back home for a week or more, our kids will miss their parents.

Gains and pains of being an actress The gain is that when you go out, people will recognise you and want to meet you because you are an actress. The pain is that most of our loved ones don’t take us seriously when we are pouring out our hearts to them, they usually feel that one is acting. It is also painful when some people don’t appreciate you because you are an actress. That could be annoying.

To my fans A big thank you to them. Without them, there is no Ayobami and I promise not to disappoint them. I also want to tell them that I need their prayers.

26

11 September , 2016

With Akintayo Abodunrin akinjaa03@yahoo.co.uk 08111813058

Feast of music, drama as 20th MUSON Festival Nigerians and foreigners are assured of a great time at the festival whose scope has been increased for maximum satisfaction

ner will be announced at a world press conference in October.

This year’s entries were appraised by Prof. Dan Izevbaye (jury chair), Professor Asabe Usman Kabir of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and Isidore Diala, first winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism and professor of African Literature in the Department of English, Imo State University, Owerri.

that’s educative and entertaining. We will give fans an awesome experience.”

Up next is traditional festival fare, My Kind of Music on October 20 at the Agip Recital Hall. It will feature broadcaster and music critic, Benson Idonije who recently clocked 80; broadcaster, music teacher and voice trainer, Princess Banke Ademola; art collector and philanthropist, Prince Yemisi Shyllon and creative director of iOpenEye Productions, Ifeoma Fafunwa.

Another of the innovations introduced into this year’s festival, ‘Block 13’, a dance workshop and concert, coordinated by the Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria, will happen on October 21 while the festival drama sponsored by Chevron, ‘The Wives’ Revolt’ by Professor John Pepper-Clark will be staged on October 22. The play’s director, Tomoloju, shared a bit about it. “The Wives’ Revolt is JP Clark’s first attempt at comedy in 1984 or thereabouts. It’s a classic about gender relations and also about the Niger Delta issue. It was futuristic when it was written but now contemporaneous now that MUSON has brought it back,” he said.

The MUSON Choir directed by Sir Emeka Nwokedi will present the festival opera, Bedrich Smetana’s ‘The Bartered Bride’ on October 23. Total, which has sponsored the opera since 2002, will still bankroll this year’s event. The MUSON Day featuring students of the MUSON School will happen on October 25 while the Musiquest/Youth Concert also produced by the MUSON School of Music, takes place the following day.

Another MUSON collaboration with dancer Ice Nweke, ‘Pincode’ (Stars on Earth), based on the life of four struggling dancers, will happen on October 27 and the Jazz Night holds on October 28. The Jazz Night will feature amongst others, Lanre Kunnuji, an alumnus of the MUSON School of Music now based in South Africa, classic soul/ jazz vocalist, Debbiesoul, smooth jazz and instrumental soul saxophonist, Perpie and fast rising jazz boy-band, Theosolites.

Several years after poetry last featured at the festival, it returns in a grand manner in 2016 with a performance poetry and music concert on October 29. Directed by Efe Paul Azino, founder of the Lagos International Poetry Festival, it will feature 15 poets from Lagos, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, US and the UK. The celebration will end on October 30 with the MUSON Symphony Orchestra conducted by Walter Michael Vollhardt at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina.

and that Nigeria has a comparative advantage in the cultural global market and we must all take its advantage and explore.”

The meeting also resolved that NAFEST 2016 will feature arts and craft as a competitive event while traditional apartment was agreed to be skipped due to its high cost implications.

And to ensure early preparation and successful implementation of the next edition, the meeting unanimously offered the hosting rights for NAFEST 2017, the 30th edition, to Kaduna State.

Present at the meeting were the represen-

tatives of the chief executive of National Institute for Cultural Orientation and National Commission for Museums and Monument; and 13 directors of state council for arts and culture/history and culture bureaux including Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Ogun, Rivers and Plateau.

In her address at the occasion, the DG, National Council for Arts and Culture and Chair of the CEC, Mrs. Dayo Keshi charged all to find ways of improving on the presentation and marketing of existing festivals while inventing new ones.

I

T will be a rich, tasty offering for people interested in good music, arts, poetry, dance and drama as from October 14 when the 2016 Musical Society of Nigeria’s (MUSON) Festival of Arts starts. Being the 20th edition, the Society has spared no efforts in laying a sumptuous feast for people appreciative of the civilizing and therapeutic qualities of the arts. The Society has in fact formed strategic partnerships with not less than six sister organizations to increase the scope of events and ensure a befitting celebration.

The activities of the festival, themed ‘Celebrating the 20th Festival’ and which runs from October 14 to 30, were unveiled at a news briefing held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos last Wednesday. Society’s Vice Chairman, Louis Mbanefo (SAN); General Manager, Gboyega Banjo; Chair, 20th Festival Planning Committee, Kitoyi IbareAkinsan; Francesca Yetunde Emanuel and playwright and director, Ben Tomoloju were among those that spoke at the occasion, which was also used to take stock.

Recalling the roots of the festival, Mbanefo said that he never believed that the little experiment he conceived with support from others like Emanuel and Chief Ayo Rosiji back then would become the MUSON’s centerpiece. He said: “The MUSON Festival is 20 years old! In the same way that the founders of MUSON never dreamt that their modest aspirations to create an avenue for the enjoyment of classical music would blossom into a highly successful organisation, I never dreamt that the experiment of staging a festival in 1997 (during my Chairmanship of MUSON) would lead to 20 consecutive years of highly successful festivals! Indeed, the annual festival has become the major item in the MUSON Calendar.”

Toeing a similar line, Ibare-Akinsan noted that the festival has since increased its scope to include items for all categories of art lovers before highlighting this year’s offerings.

The festival will commence with an art exhibition on Friday, October 14. Coordinated

by Treasure House and The Design Museum, the show will run through the duration of the festival at the MUSON’s Function Room.

That same Friday will see a musical,

Vice chair, MUSON Louis Mbanefo (SAN) and Mrs Francesca Emanuel.

‘Fela…Arrest the Music’, centered on the life and music of the Afrobeat king, begin its three-day run at the Agip Recital Hall. Musical director of the popular Broadway-styled ‘Saro’ and ‘Waka’, Ayo Ajayi, will direct the musical produced by Declassical Arts & En-

tertainment Company. Ajayi, an alumnus of MUSON School of Music said of the production: “Fela’s contributions are numerous and he presented music as communication and awareness. He created Highlife jazz and Afrobeat, so we are producing a musical

Unigwe, John, Ibrahim shortlisted for Nigeria Prize for Literature FOUR years after she won The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Belgium-based writer, Chika Unigwe, has again made the shortlist of the Nigeria LNG Limited-sponsored prize worth $100,000.

Unigwe made the shortlist this year with her novel, ‘Night Dancer,’ published by Jonathan Cape and which focuses on the young protagonist’s search for identity and her consequent reappraisal of her mother’s values.

Competing with the 2012 winner of the prize are two male writers, Elnathan John (Born on a Tuesday) and Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (Crimson Blossoms) who are both Civitella Ranieri Fellows.

Published by Parresia Books, ‘Born on a Tuesday’ is a story about contemporary northern Nigeria which has over the years experienced religious violence and carnage as seen through the eyes of a young man.

Ibrahim’s debut novel, ‘Season of Crimson Blossoms’ is published by Cassava Republic Press. It is set in conservative northern Nigeria and focuses on unusual love affairs between characters, as well as ambiguities in religion and politics.

A statement from the NLNG said that chair of the Advisory Board, Professor Emeritus Ayo Banjo, disclosed that the eventual win-

Chika Unigwe

NAFEST returns after a year’s break FOLLOWING last year’s no-show caused

by Edo State pulling out of the hosting, the National Festival of Arts (NAFEST), is set to return next month. With the theme ‘Exploring the goldmine inherent in Nigeria’s creative industries’, the festival will hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from October 2 to 9.

According to a communique issued at the end of the 45th meeting of the Chief Executive of Culture of the federation (CEC) held in Uyo last month, modalities for the festival were adopted while the host of the 2017 edition was announced.

Some of the resolutions adopted at the meeting held at the Governor’s Office Annex on Wednesday, August 24 and declared open by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses F. Ekpo were that: “NAFEST 2016 shall focus on arts and crafts competition, indigenous poetry performance, drama, traditional wrestling and indigenous cuisines where children are to interpret NAFEST 2016 theme through essay writing, painting and drawing competition.

“That it is needful to introduce innovations and creativity in designing, packaging and interpretation of the syllabus contents;

27

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

thepolity Edo election: Of INEC and its rigmaroles The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) finally bowed to pressure and postponed the governorship election in Edo State late on Thursday. Group Politics Editor, TAIWO ADISA, examines the implications.

Professor Yakubu

T

HE police and the Department of State Services (DSS) shocked the nation on Wednesday when they jointly announced an election advice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking the electoral body to postpone the governorship election in Edo State hitherto scheduled for yesterday, September 10. Though it was not the first time federal agencies would directly seek to intervene in the electoral process, the jolt this time was heavy.

The shock was orchestrated by the fact that the police had earlier declared its deployment of 25, 000 officers and men, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had also announced the deployment of 10, 000 personnel. Coupled with assurances coming from INEC’s consultations with Edo stakeholders, it was apparent that all was set for the election.

But at a press conference on Wednesday, spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, Don Awunah, and an official of the DSS, Garba Abdullahi, said that the election should be put on hold. Awunah, who read a statement on behalf of the agencies, said: “The Nigeria police and the DSS wish to inform the general public that credible intelligence available to the agencies indicate plans by insurgent/extremist elements to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets with high population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between 12 and 13 September, 2016.

Edo State is among the states being earmarked for these planned attacks by the extremists elements.

“It is in regard of this that we are appealing to INEC, which has legal duty to regulate elections in the country, to consider the need for possible postponement of the

Oshiomhole

date of the election in Edo State in order to enable security agencies deal decisively with the envisaged terrorists threats.

“While the police\DSS remain mindful of the inconveniences this request may cause the various political stakeholders, it is our strong resolve that security agencies need not be distracted from ensuring a peaceful and secure Nigeria now and always.”

True, it was not the first time the security agencies or federal agencies have stopped election process in Nigeria.

The famous and the most notorious being the overnight ruling of the late Justice Bassey Ikpeme which stopped the conduct of the June 12, 1993 election, while the last was the move by the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd) which secured a six-week postponement of the 2015 general election on account of insecurity and Boko Haram insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country.

While the ruling by the court in 1993 eventually paved the way for the annulment of the June 12 election, leading the nation through a huge political turmoil, the proposal

by Dasuki secured for the nation a successful election, even in the Boko Haram strongholds. But many are uncomfortable with the push this time by the police and the DSS, especially on account of the fact that Edo has been one of the most peaceful states of the Niger Delta region in the past months. Again, those who opposed the idea had said that since it was going to be a stand-alone election, it should be easy for the security agencies to lock down the state and ensure no miscreants move close to the election spots.

The political parties immediately sparked off a blame game after they were jolted by the news of the shift in polls. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pointed the fingers at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for orchestrating the postponement as a way of postponing the doomsday. A statement on Wednesday indicated that the PDP was firmly putting the blame for the proposal by the police and DSS on the doorsteps of the APC. A statement by PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, said that the proposal was borne out of the fear of imminent defeat at the polls, adding that unfortunately, the APC was only postponing the doomsday. “Edo PDP has condemned in very strong terms and brings to the attention of the general public especially the good people of Edo State, a grand plan by APC to rig Edo elections through despicable connivance with security agencies whose questionable security report INEC has acted upon to postpone the elections.

“The security agencies in their report were talking about planned attacks on densely populated areas during the sallah celebrations on September 12 and 13; whereas Edo election is on September 10. APC Governor Oshiomhole and his proxy, Godwin Obaseki, knew and still know that Edo people are ready to vote them out and they have simply devised a strategy to prolong the process so that, in their calculation, PDP will be financially stressed and unable to sustain its electioneering.

“What APC and its leaders do not realise is that the Continues pg 28

28

thepolity

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Controversy of opinion survey Continued from pg 27 liberation movement is beyond Ize-Iyamu and the PDP; it is a statewide consciousness; it is a defining idea and movement whose time has come, as the future is now,” the party said.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in his reaction, insisted that the election must hold. He stated that he was already moving to go and cast his vote as required by law. He said: “I am already preparing to go to my village to mobilise my people as other party leaders are doing. That is to let you know that we are not relaxing despite the fact that we know the PDP is already dead and our people are just getting ready for the burial.”

“However, security issues are security issues and as regards elections, they are very critical. If on their own, they are calling on INEC for postponement, I am sure they must have their reasons because they are experts on it.

“If you recall, we raised the alarm that the PDP had planned to import thugs from neighbouring states to help them unleash mayhem on our people because they are not prepared for the election. They have not been campaigning because they have no message. They imported thugs into the state, but I wish that the election will go on so that the security agents will pick them up and expose them,” the governor said.

While the debate raged over who was planning what and who was pushing the postponement, the electoral umpire was involved in a sort of dance drama that defied the reality.

INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Solomon Shoyebi, told newsmen early on Thursday that the electoral body was going ahead with the election as planned. His decision that electoral body would defy the police and DSS looked suspect. But many chose to go by his words. Later in the day, the same Shoyebi announced INEC’s readiness to listen to the security operatives and subsequently announced the postponement of the election by two weeks.

The National Commissioner said the decision to postpone the election was reached at a security meeting held with security agencies on Thursday evening. According to him, though the commission had successfully implemented 12 out of 14 conditions set for a successful election, the receipt of official security report put a dagger into its preparedness. He declared: “However at about 6:00 p.m. today, the commission received official communication from the police and DSS drawing its attention to the need to postpone the Edo governorship election. Such postponement, the communication indicates, is necessary in view of threats of terrorists activities in the state and other states of the federation during the election and over the Sallah period.

“The deployment of security personnel country wide to secure lives and property would overstretch their capacity to at the same time provide adequate security for the election. Consequently the commission notes the request of the security agencies and considering the security implications of proceeding with the election the safety of eligible voters, electoral officials, including ad hoc staff and other stakeholders has decided to reschedule the Edo governorship elections to Wednesday, 28 September 2016,” he said.

The civil society groups, which had constituted the Situation Room for the election, insisted that the postponement was bad for democracy.

Again, PDP’s official statement released by its publicity secretary, Chris Nahikihare, blamed the ruling party and the security agencies for the decision. Nehikiare stated: “We are taken aback by the rash security advice, a day after the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, was present at the final campaign rally of the APC in Benin City, which was concluded without any security hitch.”

It described as ‘’lamentable, inexcusable and shameful,’’ the decision to push forward the postponement, adding that it was uncalled for that governorship election could not be held in Edo which it said has a relative history of security stability. ‘’It will be recalled that a few weeks ago, I alerted the people of Edo State and the entire country that there were

Ize-Iyamu

Obaseki

devious and evil plans to postpone the election and I alluded to the fact that it was a ploy by the APC to destabilise the electoral process, having sensed that the Edo people were fully prepared to vote them out in the governorship election.’’

But the PDP was to stoke more controversy when it said that the APC was aware of a poll conducted ahead of the election which indicated that the opposition would sweep the APC out of office if the election was held.

According to the PDP, the APC was aware of the result of a survey conducted by a media research and marketing organisation, Samrex Communications Limited, which it said put the opposition party in a poll position to the September 10 election ahead of APC’s Godwin Obaseki.

The survey, which was said to have been supervised by a university don, Dr Ubani Azuka and released to the PDP Campaign Organisation last Tuesday was said to have put PDP’s Osagie Ize-Iyamu ahead of Obaseki.

The report indicated that the survey, which targeted 23,000 respondents and cuts across the three senatorial districts, was carried out between August 1 and September 2.

“The survey said that many of the respondents based their decision on the neglect of their communities, unfulfilled promises by the government, huge corruption within the state government, high cost of living, bad roads and abandoned projects in their areas,” the report stated.

While quoting excerpts from the survey, the statement indicated that some respondents in Owan-East in Edo North claimed that their communities have been neglected with no polling booth at Okpa-Emai; insufficient primary school in Ake; bad roads/ abandoned projects at Egbuotubu, as well as lack of social amenities.

The statement also quoted respondents in Igueben

community—Edo Central as restating their support for the PDP candidate due to what they called lack of job creation by the incumbent government; failure to empower women and lack of water, light, good roads and educational facilities.

It equally quoted respondents in Oredo local government area in Edo South, as claiming that their support for the PDP was based on their rejection of the incumbent government in the state because of bad roads; poor power supply; reduction of teachers’ salaries; lack of provision of social amenities: water, light and lack of job creation. The Ruling APC however described the survey as unreliable, adding that the people should disregard it.

Publicity secretary of the APC in Edo State, Godwin Erhahon, in a reaction said that the touted poll was lacking credibility and baseless.

He said: “I will not endorse any opinion poll that is concocted by partisan groups. Such opinion poll should be discountenanced until a credible media organisation or neutral bodies are able to come up with their own opinion poll.

“In any case, those opinion polls are irrelevant. They should have done that a long time ago. By Sunday we will know if the opinion poll was correct or not. It is not credible and what they are saying is baseless.”

Away from the endless arguments from the parties, the decision of INEC has however continued to raise questions of the readiness of the electoral body, its avowed freedom and the preparedness of the security agencies to perform its assignments. There are also question of costs of the election, especially to the security agencies, the political parties and the society in general.

For instance, policemen, DSS officials as well as NSCDC men have already been deployed, while many INEC officials have been in the state for upward of a week. Indeed, the electoral body also trained a number of election personnel starting from Wednesday, an indication that enormous resources had gone into the preparations before the postponement. The sad aspect of the whole saga is that all such trainings will be repeated close to the rescheduled date.

INEC and the security agencies appeared to play into the hands of the opposition when it made the announcement a day after the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state. Bearing in mind the logistics that go into preparing for a president to a state and the backward integration that occasions in the aftermath of the visit, many would find it curious that security operatives would announce insecurity as the key to postponing the election. Indeed some commentators have insisted that the job of security operatives is to protect the people and not to give excuses in form of security advisory.

As all eyes now rest on the new September 28, the hope of all democracy lovers is that INEC and the security agencies would give no room for anyone to doubt their sincerity to conduct a free and fair election in Edo.

Enormous resources had gone into the preparations before the postponement.

The sad aspect of the whole saga is that all such trainings will be repeated close to the rescheduled date

29 thepolity DARE ADEKANMBI sought the views of some Nigerians on the postponement of the Edo State governorship election and its implications for the polity.

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Lawyers, don, right group speak on implications of election shift

Tunde Adeniran

Ajetomobi

Olufemi Aduwo

O Ugochukwu Osuagwu, a Lagos-based lawyer, there is nothing wrong in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acting on the security advisory given to it by the security operatives because the electoral umpire is empowered to call off an election where security matters have been raised.

According to him, “Section 26(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 gives INEC power to postpone an election that is yet to commence. Negative security reports are one of the reasons it can rely on to shift polls.

He added that “It is only security personnel who are well positioned to know if election may be marred by violence.

INEC may consider the report. After all, election cannot be conducted if police and other security personnel refuse to give protection to those on election duty as ad hoc or permanent INEC staff members. INEC is duty-bound to take security advice from police and operatives of the Department of State Services. It is now up to INEC to decide the cost of the postponement, which has to be considered too.

A former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Dave Ajetomobi, however, said though the security issue raised was strong enough, it was not convincing, stressing it was “intellectual fatigue” on the part of the police and the DSS officials to have called for postponement of the election by the agencies.

“It is good that they detected the alleged threat. It should make them prepare to meet the challenge and not to seek postponement of election as they did. It is a sign of intellectual fatigue on the part of police and DSS to have called for postponement.

“I am not convinced about the reasons they gave. It is their duty to forestall such threat and not to be wailing helplessly. It is a valid reason to bring in the military, if the police and DSS can’t cope. I don’t believe INEC should have heeded such dubious call.

Submitting to pressure has cast a shadow on the independence and integrity of INEC,” he said.

Asked about possibility of voter apathy as a result of the security concern raised for the shift in the election, Olufemi Aduwo, national coordinator of Rights Monitoring Group (RMG), whose election observation team had been in Edo State before the postponement, said: “The outcome of the little study we have done in Edo shows that the people are

determined to come out in large number. We don’t want to say whether it is because they like the government in power or they really want to make a change. But there is a determination and they want to come out in a large number. Some people are looking at the alarm raised by the security agencies as something that may create fears in the minds of the electorate so that there will be apathy or low turn-out. But that may not happen.

On what the security situation in the state was before the shift of the polls, Aduwo said:”We did not even notice any tension in the state. Rather, the people of the state looked ready to troop out for the election. Five days to the election, a deputy inspector general of police, after reviewing the security situation, told the whole world that everything was set. Two days to the election and suddenly from the blues came a security advice that warranted the call for and eventual shift in the election. Assuming there was security challenge that they knew that there were 500 militants or terrorists that wanted to foment trouble in the state, couldn’t the 25, 000 policemen and personnel from the army, NSCDC and other contain such number of terrorists?

“Edo has never been a flashpoint in terms of militancy or extremism.So, how come now? If we could conduct the election in Borno and Yobe states that used to the hotbed of insurgency, why not in Edo that has known peace?

On the implication of the shift for 2019 general elections, Aduwo observed: “If we don’t quickly arrest such situation, the general elections in 2019 may be in danger because if security agencies with more than 25, 000 personnel could tell us they could not guarantee security in a single state, what will they tell us in 2019 when the elections will be countrywide? I think it is a serious challenge that we should take seriously. If not, many things will be wrong with the 2019 election.”

In agreement with Aduwo is the head, Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Saturday Obiyan, who considered the shift as “very disappointing” and called for a retreat from the path he said is dangerous.

“I would say the postponement of the election is very disappointing. The pattern of election conduct in recent times has been very unfortunate. The biggest implication of the postponement is that the action is capable of undermining the confidence of Nigerians in democracy.

If the authorities had known this, they would not have allowed it to happen. The explanation given is very ridiculous.

“The postponement has financial implication for the political parties participating in the election. Also, the civil society organisations monitoring the election will have to spend more for election monitoring. They would have budgeted for a few days. On the whole, the shift is really unacceptable.

Also speaking on the likelihood of voter apathy, the don asked rhetorically, “How credible is the security concern?” adding that“It is not impossible that some voters may stay away because of the security concern so raised. Security threats don’t happen overnight.”

According to him,“Apathy could also result not necessarily because of threat but because of lack of confidence in the electoral process. Whichever way we want to look at it, it is a setback for democracy in Nigeria.

We should retreat from this track because it is dangerous.

The shift, stakeholders agree, will also have far-reaching socio-economic effect on the populace at a time when the economy of the country has been officially confirmed to be in a recession. The state will have to be on total lockdown for more than 24 hours on Wednesday, 28 September, for the rescheduled election with the attendant paralysis of economic activities.

A founding father of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Nigeria’s envoy to Germany, Professor Tunde Adeniran, said whoever flew the kite of postponement should be mindful of the implications.

“Any postponement amounts to speculations of those who felt that our security agencies have really not risen to the required level of professionalism and nonpartisan discharge of their responsibilities premised on constitutional imperatives and patriotic considerations.

“For some month, INEC has made its plans to conduct governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states available to the public. It has monitored the relevant primaries of the political parties and, for the Edo election, put in place an arrangement that is convincing regarding its readiness to conduct a free and fair election. The PDP is fully prepared, able, ready and willing to face the contest.

It is also the expectation of the public that the APC, in spite of its apparent shortcomings, should be ready to face the inevitable challenges,” Adeniran said.

T

30

interview

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Nigeria needs a replica of First, Second Republic leaders now —Oyo lawmaker Honourable Fatai Adesina is a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly. He speaks with DARE ADEKANMBI on the perceived poor quality of political leadership in the country, the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), among others.

O

N the floor of the House of Assembly, you were one of those who kicked against the allocation of the newly created 35 LCDAs. Did you do this because you are an opposition lawmaker?

The summary of my argument is that it is not a bad idea to create LCDAs because if you look at other South-West states, there are LCDAs. We are in politics because of development. But what we are saying is that the exercise should not be a political jamboree. The state government should think first about the funding of the LCDAs so that by the time they are properly set up, they won’t come across as a political game or a ploy to postpone the much-advertised local government election or even a popularity stunt. The argument of the state government on the issue has been fantastic. It said it was done to prepare for likely state creation or local government creation and such councils will have been on ground as LCDAs. But what we are saying is that government should provide funding and look at infrastructural requirement of the exercise.

Like I did mention on the floor, the current 33 councils in the state have gone comatose. What you see when you visit most of these councils are abandoned vehicles, lack of organisation, dilapidated infrastructure and other ugly things. The councils have been run by caretaker committees for over five years now. We can’t continue like this and that is why as a member of the opposition party, I had to raise it on the floor. Funding is an essential requirement in any programme one sets out to do.

The constitution gives the state houses of assembly supervisory function on local government. Why then do you complain that the councils are being run with caretaker committees the names of whose members are forwarded to you lawmakers for approval and which you have graciously been approving?

There are so many factors surrounding most of these functions. First, you need to look at what is going on in the councils at the moment. What we have therein are caretaker committees. The assembly has its own internal mechanism for supervising the councils. Politics is dynamic. The era when opposition lawmakers go to the press to shout or raise the alarm is gone for good. There is what we call the rule of engagement. We call officials of the executive arm to the House and the various House committees engage them. One thing the state government keeps saying is that it is ready to conduct council election, which we believe will be done soon.

So, by the time we have in the councils, elected chairmen who have the mandate of the people the councils, there will be a change and the lawmakers will fully carry out these constitutional duties on the councils.

My appeal is that every politician at every level should always make their word

economic affairs. If I am not in politics today, will I be able to do all that I am doing for my people? There is a limit to what I can do from personal resources.

Will Accord continue to exist as an opposition party or is it going to fuse into the planned mega third force party?

The purpose of setting up a political party is for the party to win election and form government so that it can affect the lives of the people positively. So, Accord, maybe, will have to merge with other opposition parties to make it have a better national outlook. We can’t keep operating at the local level any longer. The decision as to which way to go rests with the national leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

Honourable Fatai Adesina their bond because a time will come when politicians will give account of their stewardship. Those who are not able to practise what they preach will be voted out when another election comes. If the government fails to hold council election, it will have serious consequences for it in 2019. Look at the bye-election in Oorelope Local Government. Despite the ruling party’s campaigns which were graced by the governor, his deputy and their wives, the people of Oorelope still kept faith with Labour Party. That is a lesson. Edo State governorship election was postponed for reasons known to the security agencies which claimed there was a security threat.

The state Labour Party chairman you the opposition lawmakers as being rubber stamp legislators, including members from his own party. Did this strike you?

I read that interview too wherein he indicted himself unknowingly. Accord performs regular oversight functions on those of us who are its lawmakers in the House. If he as the chairman doesn’t perform that role on LP members, it means he is failing in his duty as well. We in Accord give periodic report of happenings in the House to our leader. I will recommend to LP chairman to employ such approach too so that he will know we are not rubber stamp lawmakers.

We are not ragamuffins. I joined politics after a successful banking career

which saw me serve as a branch manager of one of the prominent banks in Nigeria.

Do the people expect me to be fighting in the House and in the ensuing melee. I am thrown out through the window and have a broken arm or leg in the process?

I mentioned the rule of engagement earlier, which is more important to us as an approach to solving issues. There are different routes to a market. It is the mechanism we deploy that is different from one person to another.

The poor quality of political leadership is one thing people identified as part of the reasons the country has not developed at the pace it ought to. What do you see to this?

I agree with you that so many misfits are today calling the shots in our political ecology and this ought not to be so. The problem we have is that the elite, especially of the finest quality, have refused to join politics. During the First and Second Republics, the leaders that were on the scene were high quality people who were deep in knowledge and versed in administration. They were well grounded in almost all fields. The quality of education they received, the training they got made them to be outstanding and matchless. But what do we have today? A lot of people who don’t know their left from right have been let loose on the system. To develop at a faster rate, Nigeria needs a replica of heroes past to be in charge of its political and

There will be congresses later this month to usher in a new set of executives for Accord. Do you envisage any possibility of violence from those who may not get what they want?

The beauty of democracy is that people are allowed to decide and elect who their leaders will be. If you look at the PDP, for instance, after the demise of Chief Lamidi Adedibu and Senator Ladoja left the party, almost every one remaining in the party turned themselves into leaders. But in Accord, our leader is Senator Ladoja in whom resides the ultimate decision in the party. Accord is a family party that does not believe in violence as an instrument to achieve political ends. I can assure you that we shall conduct the best congress in the state and it will be rancour-free and worthy of emulation by other parties. Why should people kill their fellow human beings in the name of politics? It is absolute madness.

What is the motivation for your frequent empower programmes and constituency projects? Is it for you to be able to get something bigger from the people at the next election?

The motivation for me is based on the fact that I made so many promises while seeking the votes of the people. I thank Allah that I was given the mandate. The essence of the mandate is that the people who won the mandate expect me to fulfill the promises made, which is a must for me to do. I am doing all these empowerments and constituency projects so that when I come back to the people either to seek re-election or aspire for something higher or to even bring another candidate in the next election, my party and I will be rated based on what I have been able to accomplish for the constituency and how well I have represented them in the state parliament. One thing I am confident about is that I have been able to gain the trust of my people in me and I will continue to build on that. There is no crime in my having a higher aspiration because it is within my constitutional rights. If I aim higher, I will do more for my people.

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11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

For the new change mantra to work…

By Folu Olamiti

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OT too long ago, on March 17, 2009 to be precise, Nigerians were roused to a blistering campaign on attitudinal change. Its passcode was: Nigeria, Good People, Great Nation. And it was from the fertile ideas factory of the then Minister of Information and Communications, the late Professor Dora Akunyili. May God rest her beautiful soul.

In her characteristic fashion, she plunged every fibre of her being into the campaign. She mobilised every resource to push the mantra. And in a jiffy, the airwaves, social media and the conventional media, especially print, were on fire with their news with the slogan. It was powerful; it was forceful. Ironically, the more people heard and listened to it, the more disenchanted they appeared to be.

A few years later, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) under Mike Omeri launched a fresh campaign anchored on the slogan: Do The Right Thing. Yet the effort met with similar indifference by Nigerians whose attention it was meant to catch. Indeed Omeri’s NOA initiative fell flat on its face, as he failed to correctly guage the mood of Nigerians with the poor reflexes they seemed to be getting from the government of the day on economy and their general well- being. This forced the question: why?

The answer was not too far to locate. There was an apparent disconnect in the campaign between the people and those in government. It failed to psyche up the masses and they could not see or feel why they should feel good or key into the slogan. No sooner the initiative was launched than it went into oblivion. It went with the enormous resources invested in it. Everything went down the drain.

The questions begging for answers: what did we learn from these moribund rebranding campaigns? What lessons have we brought to the table to guide our policy makers in their latest attitudinal change campaign? The initiative, launched in Abuja on Thursday has theme; Change Begins With Me. It is good to galvanise the populace to be on the same page with the government in its various initiatives towards making Nigeria an utopian state (if there is any such thing) in all its ramifications, be it political, social and economic. But from my observation, the people that should have been mobilised to buy into these projects have always been inadvertently left out. Hence, they are often dead on arrival. The reason is not difficult to locate: our policy makers love putting the cart before the horse.

Let the truth be told, the “Change Begins With Me” campaign came too little and too late. It is belated. For me, the change mantra started way back when President Muhammad Buhari was sworn in as the President of Nigeria. The people voted massively for him because they saw in him a renewal of hope, a rebirth of sort from their seemingly hopeless estate. The frenetic chants of Sai Baba almost became the national anthem of Buhari fanatics who showed their loyalty in diverse forms. Some trekked hundreds of kilometres to Abuja, while others gave their last coin to celebrate PMB’s second coming. To me, that was the point the buildup to the launch of the change slogan should have started. But from all indications, the organisers had no roadmap. No lesson was learnt from the Akunyili and Omeri experiences.

A change slogan like this should have started with a well thought-out advocacy programme a year ago beginning with the rural populace; comprising farmers, traders, community leaders, traditional rulers and school children. It should have come with juicy and attractive welfare packages that will translate into training them how to fish. Had this been done, it would have been easier for the people to key into it. It would have been easier for the people to engrave into their hearts an undying love and commitment for positive change.

It is only after people have been properly and appropriately sensitised that the administration could then prepare for a grand take off like what we saw in Abuja on Thursday even something much bigger than that.

Such preparation should have seen the architects of the

programme going round the country, mobilising the people at every stratum of society. For Lai Mohammed and his crew to now begin to take the campaign round, for what I suspect, would amount to a waste of scarce resources, and an inducement for corruption, trust me. And an economy in recession cannot afford that.

The government should learn how to put smiles on people’s faces—like the ongoing efforts for mass employment for the millions of unemployed—before dreaming of how to mobilise them for change of attitude. This is certainly a challenge for the government with its current advocacy campaign, to draw new people and new nation out of Nigeria.

However, hope is not completely lost as the president has pledged personal commitment and leadership for the project. His apparent goodwill and honesty will definitely be an added advantage. The people must start seeing the reflection of change which they are noticing from the president. The cabinet members should key in by conducting their affairs transparently. National Assembly members too should take a new attitude in which they put the interest of Nigerians first in their agenda and shun extravagant living. The judiciary too must begin to fight corruption within its fold and desist from trading

The change mantra started when Buhari was sworn in as president. That was the point the build-up to the launch of the change slogan should have started. But from all indications, the organisers had no roadmap.

No lesson was learnt from the Akunyili and Omeri experiences

judgment with. The Nigerian Police that interface more with the public must be the show piece of this change.

This is absolutely necessary in order to encourage Nigerians to key into the change mantra.

Change must not be about mere slogans. As they say, talk is cheap. So, the architects of this mantra must show leadership by example. They must walk the talk. This must be expressed through some variations, including: showing strong leadership sensibility; establishing trust by proving practically to taxpayers and voters that as leaders, they are dedicated to the society, community and the people; restoring confidence and demonstrating strength and leadership through actions and programmes that beam strong rays of hope for the future; and of course, ensuring fairness and justice.

Even before President Buhari got to power, he had foreseen the enormity of the problems facing Nigeria and the Herculean task of changing the culture of governance. He mirrored this in an interview he granted ThisDay newspapers in 2014 during his electioneering.

“The priority will have to put the country in order first.

In attempting to put the country in order, it is going to be a terrible situation for whoever wins and I pity whoever succeeds President Jonathan, even if it were to be myself. But this is what we can do; the practical way to tackle corruption is to draw a line, because institutions have been compromised. We cannot go on the way we did in the military in 1983 to fight corruption. This time round, you cannot do it that way because most of the institutions have been compromised. The person you will depend on as the auditor to go and check the CBN, maybe he has got some substantial part of the deal. These are facts on the ground. So, what you do is to persuade them to help to amend it. And that part of the amendment is for the people to have attitudinal change to the ills of this country,” he had said.

However, no matter how hard he tries, President Buhari cannot do it alone. For the campaign to succeed, all hands must be on deck. Those charged with the implementation of his initiatives must put on their thinking caps, and endeavour to march his pace in his efforts at pulling the country out of the current recession. This is one battle we must win for our country.

• Olamiti, a media consultant, wrote from Abuja.

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11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Ogun West marginalisation: Attention President Buhari

By Kayode Odunaro THERE is no other way to draw the kind attention of Nigerians to the plight of a people whose existence is greatly threatened in our great nation Nigeria than to pen this article. Let me say right away that I am a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having registered for the party at Ward 2, Ilaro, Yewa (Egbado) South of Ogun State. I had served in various appointive capacities like Chief Press Secretary, senior consultant to military and civilian governors of Ogun State as well as adviser on communications to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In these positions I had worked as a professional in government and joining APC was my first stint in partisan politics since the dawn of our democracy.

I am an indigene of Ilaro in Yewa South of Ogun State.

The people of my area namely the Yewas, Aworis, Anagos, Ketu, Ohori and others, all located in Ogun West Senatorial District, are indeed disillusioned about our status in the state and indeed Nigeria as we have been grossly neglected in the scheme of things in the nation that our people are contributing to its development in diverse ways. For record purpose, Ogun West shares international boundary with Republic of Benin in the west, Lagos State in the south, Oyo State in the north and a host of local governments in the state to the east. With a hub of industrial complex, including the multi-million naira Dangote Cement at Ibeshe, the senatorial district account for about 70 per cent of the state’s IGR and a huge chunk of Nigerian Customs generated revenue to the Federal Government from our international borders.

Among us can be counted great men and women of local, national and international repute that had contributed/are contributing to national development.

Historically, we have the warrior figure of Oronna of Ilaro, who was a defender of his people against the marauding Dahomean Army. But for his triumphs, it is possible that part of present day Ogun would have been carved into another country during the scramble for Africa, making us lose the present oil-rich Tongeji Island to Benin Republic.

In contemporary time, we have renowned late Professor (Senator) Afolabi Olabimtan, a Yoruba linguistic expert; Professor Biyi Afonja, a renowned scholar; Professor A.I.

Asiwaju, an international expert on boundarymatters; General Tunji Olurin, a former ECOMOG commander and Military Administrator of Oyo and later Ekiti states; late Chief J. A.O Odebiyi; Dr. S.A.J Ibikunle; late Dr. Tunji Otegbeye; a pre-independence activist and politician, Alhaji Bolarinwa Abioro; Senator Felix Kola Bajomo; Senator Kamal Odunsi; Professor Titilola Filani; Chief I. Ade Akinleye; Mrs Ebun Oyagbola, a former female federal minister; and Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, another female federal minister and a host of others.

We have no lack of eminent and qualified people to hold positions at state and federal levels. But surprisingly, since the creation of Ogun State over 40 years ago, no indigene of this district has been appointed or elected to govern the state with resultant lopsided and skewed development against the people of the area as will be acknowledged by any objective observer in relation to the two other senatorial districts of Ogun Central and East that had been rotating the governance of the state between them. And the neglect of Ogun West development is continuing. Infrastructure, particularly those structure in the area, are in a parlous state.

Over the years, the marginalisation of the people of the district in the state in terms of equal chances in governance and civil service has been compounded by denial of appointments of key officers of the Federal Government and its agencies. Key and top federal appointments from the state as with the governorship of the state has been from the two senatorial district of Ogun Central and East. Since 1999, no person from Ogun West has been ap-

pointed a minister of the Federal Republic. The last time we had a minister was under the military administration of General Sani Abacha when Mrs. Iyabo Anisulowo was appointed Minister of Education. Many federal appointments also ended up by act of omission or commission in the hands of the people of the other two senatorial districts further relegating the people and development of Ogun West to the backwaters.

The majority of Ogun West people that voted overwhelmingly for President Muhammadu Buhari believe in his sense of fairness, justice and equity and were expectant that in terms of federal appointments, you may look in the direction of Ogun West for some key federal positions that are coming to Ogun. The area is not in short supply of qualified and indeed ardent supporters of the Buhari administration. But surprisingly, the administration seems to be following the trend of old and further relegating Ogun West in the scheme of things. So far, the major federal appointments made by the administration have gone to people from Ogun Central and East. They are namely the Minister of Finance, the chairman of NCC and the Postmaster General of Nigeria. We are not in doubt of the competence of the individuals so appointed and we are indeed elated that the state parades illustrious sons and daughters that can hold their own anywhere in the world. But from the above narrated marginalisation of Ogun West, we were hoping that the Buhari administration that believes in change for better will use the privilege to assist in redressing the continuing marginalisation, underdevelopment and undermining of the people of Ogun West.

Our president may not have been fully briefed of the above situation, this article thus servers as a notice and plea for your kind attention to redress injustice and inequity to a people whose sense of belonging to a state and indeed Nigeria has been put to question and stretched to unacceptable levels in terms of collapsed infrastructure and denied appointments in government. We believe that we can still be part of the change we voted for given your sense of equity, justice and commitment to develop all parts of Nigeria.

• Odunaro wrote this piece from Ilaro, Ogun State.

Francis Oladele: One year without Mr Calpenny

By Patrick Edebor HE would have been 84 on Tuesday, August 30, 2016.

But he missed that birthday. And missed the one before it. He went the way of all flesh on June 22, 2015, leaving family, friends and the art community in grief.

I first heard of Francis Oladele around 1995 from my friend, Lanre Oladele, who is his son. It was only a name.

Then more details filled in when I saw the promotional materials of some of his works. I knew I would have to meet the legendary filmmaker who had brought cinematography to Nigeria before the Black Americans gained respectable access to Hollywood. But it took quite a while before I could tear myself from my desk to make the pilgrimage– with Lanre, of course, as the pilot.

The ancient city of Oyo is only a few eye blinks away from Ibadan. In no time we were there, and we headed for Lapiti Estate in “The Forest.” (Even as I write, I’ll need an abracadabra to find my way back to “The Forest.”) We alighted by a roadside, truly turned our backs to the city and faced the bush. We picked our way through a narrow bush path with the leaf blades on either side brushing our legs and rubbing welcome to our feet. I sank into a daydream of infant days of hurrying to the village stream to fetch water or to take a competitive bath with peers, a ritual I abhorred at home.

It was a brief passage, and yet all the street noise of Oyo died instantly in our ears. Lapiti Estate loomed ahead of us. No, it was not an estate developer’s greedy delight.

No. It was a large compound dotted by trees. A perfect location for shooting films. It was also the perfect excuse Wole Soyinka and his tribe of hunters needed to sneak into the forests of Oyo. He nearly shot the partridges of Oyo to extinction. So I heard.

Uncle Francis Oladele welcomed me as if he had known me all of Lanre’s life. I had a near full grasp of his personality in an instant. A very warm and pleasant bearing, and a thorough goodness that spoke from the heart.

We combed the compound, walking from room to room.

A finger pointed to Prof. Soyinka’s room somewhere on the right, reserved for whenever he was able to make it to Oyo. Something was cooking on the fire. Uncle Francis had an attitude to food as he did to people. He didn’t just eat eba or pounded yam like other people; he boxed it!

I had tonnes of questions, and Uncle Francis had a lot of hand waving to do. Each wave of the hand was a chapter of Nigeria he had closed his mind to. He had a story untold, both personal and corporate. My questions had answers in printed form and in photography, and they were mostly held entombed in the boxes pushed to a corner of the room. He dared me to prise them open and see for myself.

I had a good understanding of my greed. If I should open a box, I might be signing myself for a week of absence from work. And I had no alibi to give my employers.

“I will return,” I told myself. But I never did return.

And now it is too late to return. Uncle Francis, the soul of that piece of real estate, is gone. Well, I returned at the apocalypse, at the hospital. He gave a shrill shout when he saw me by his bed. I saw in his wasted flesh, a vivid colour of how Nigeria wastes its best. I remembered the day he came to my office. He was working on a new film, The Eye of Life. He sank his entire investment into it. Counterpart funding was to have come from mutual funding and subscription. But the bank would not release the money without a bribe and Francis Oladele, being Francis Oladele, would not give a dime to bribe anyone.

He managed to complete the shooting of The Eye but the

foreign exchange crisis crippled its post-production. The film has remained till today in the studios in America.

I returned at the apocalypse, and stood by the hospital bed. I watched the whole drama of nursing, the pretended medicare, a fatuous extension of our pretended living.

Nigeria is an ill place to be ill. Nigeria is a wrong place to stand in need of medical care. I saw big bills passing no parliamentary reading but still escaping the bank vaults.

I saw beyond the patient on the bed. I saw Nigeria lying prostrate on a thousand hospital beds across the land. We cannot fix education. We cannot fix healthcare. We cannot fix the grinding poverty.

I left and returned again, morning or evening. Mr Calpenny had no desire to depart. He had a strong will to live. The nurses teased him and measured their physical strength against his. They asked for and got from him palm-withering handshakes. Everything was dressed up. Appearance looked like reality. We all hoped. And we prayed. My phone rang early – at 5.30 a.m. or thereabouts. My heart skipped a beat. It ought to. It was the knell. Mr Calpenny was gone!

I returned to the bedside. But he was no longer there.

Only his remains remained. I stood, staring at the wrapped symbolism a long time, parched of tongue and drained of emotions. The air changed its colour and the day its taste.

It is now one year after. It is one year of whispers in my ears. We are all tenants in this world, both the landlord and the face-me-I-box-you resident. We are all tenants without any idea of the length of our lease. Some leases lapse in the morning and some at noon. Some leases are extended, and some over mature. But we all are tenants.

And we have no idea how long or short our leases are. If only we can think about this as a people, then maybe our attitude to life will be different. Maybe we can make our lease a happier one. For each person and for us all.

• Edebor is an Ibadan-based writer and publisher.

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is fast becoming a predictable organisation. And Nigerians are fast adapting to the fact that nothing could be sacrosanct as far as the electoral body is concerned.

Way back in July, one of the political actors in Edo State had told me he had inkling the September 10 election would not hold. The top politician had said that emerging feelers made him skeptical the election would hold on the date.

“As you can see with INEC, you are not sure of anything.

We are hearing the election may not hold on September 10. All we will ask for is that INEC tell us way ahead if they are not ready on that day. We don’t want to dissipate our energy only to hear at the end of the day that the election will not hold.” I couldn’t immediately place the submission but decided to follow the trends. Two months after the politician told me of the insight, the election was postponed in a dramatic fashion.

But the funny procedure adopted by INEC in forcing the postponement could serve as hint of the dangers that will befall the electoral process if stakeholders are not vigilant. INEC, in announcing the two-week postponement of the election, refused to come up frontally. It allowed the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to carry the day.

Spokesman of the police, Don Awunah, and an official of the DSS, Garba Abdullahi, who delivered the election advisory to INEC, asked it to postpone the election on account of security concerns.

The agencies said: “The Nigeria police and the DSS wish to inform the general public that credible intelligence available to the agencies indicate plans by insurgent\extremist elements to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets with high population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between 12 and 13 September, 2016.

Edo state is among the states being earmarked for these planned attacks by the extremist elements.”

That advisory, coming ordinarily from security agencies would look plausible and practical. It also seeks to fulfill the quest of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended which provides that elections can only be postponed on account of “cogent and verifiable reasons.”

But the unsuspecting public would most likely not see the missing lines. First, all the security agencies and the

AS an ardent football fan and a supporter of Liverpool Football Club of England, if the truth must be told, the Bayelsa-born tactician and coach, Samson Siasia and the entire Dream Team deserve to be celebrated and congratulated for their performance in the recently concluded Olympic games that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I have followed Siasia’s football career right from his days with Julius Berger of Lagos and as the Super Eagles attacker in both Tunisia and USA ‘‘94.” Going by his antecedents, the team would have performed better but for the lack of motivation by those at the helms of affairs at the NFF. Our problem as a nation is that we always use the wrong people for essential tasks and a case in point is football administration in the country. An adage says, ‘’instead of asking the tree why it is shedding its leaves, we should rather ask the roots.’’ Instead of blaming our athletes for their poor performance at the Olympics, we should rather ask our sporting directors to explain what went wrong.

—Taiwo Sangotikun Iseyin, Oyo State 08056309372 Nigerians and its leaders are being told that corruption can only be effectively fought by institutions that promote justice in public life. The concept of justice credited to Chief Eleyinmi in the now rested soap opera “Village Headmaster” (which is what I call justice), will only lead to chaos, violence and retrogression. That article is a masterpiece. Please keep it up.

—Lekan Olawumi Orita Ibadan 08033237021 The evergreen admonition of Abraham Lincoln to his compatriots, that they should consider as priority what they could do for America rather than ask what America could do for them, is heeded by Nigerian leaders in the reverse. This is the context in which to understand the predicament the nation is facing. TSA means it is no longer business as usual. The failure of the Olympics adventure was caused by Nigerian officials who now want to heap the blame on the late release of, or inadequate funds. Siasia, who is more patriotic, knew this and fo-

11 September, 2016

the lynxeye with Taiwo adisa

08072000046

INEC: From inconclusive to election recess

electoral body are part of the Inter-Agency Team which comes alive immediately the notice of an election is published. It is the duty of the team to review the security situation around every election on a weekly basis, until the election is done with. The team, which is comprised of top members of INEC and senior officials of the different security agencies, is to brief the headship of INEC on a regular basis as to the nature of emerging concerns

frontrow with Toyin Willoughby Muyi 0805 500 1769 toyeenz@yahoo.com

Re: Walking in Siasia’s shoes

Sunday Tribune

in the subject area. The advice of the team usually comes in handy in determining in the past whether the military would be needed as back up for election duty or not.

If this committee had been in place since March, 2016, when the time table for the governorship election in Edo was announced, what type of analyses have they been churning out to INEC and what discussions have they been engaging in to warrant an emergency press conference outside their purview barely 72 hours to the election?

Bearing in mind the fact that the job of security outfits is to provide security and maintain the peace, while proactively nipping potential crisis in the bud, can we really say that the police and the DSS acted in good faith when they released that advice? Does it mean that any election can just be postponed or cancelled once a section of the security expresses helplessness? Indeed, the security agencies left a gaping hole in their argument when they failed to prevent the President from visiting the state for the grand campaign of the APC on the basis of the “security advice.”

You want to wonder if the same security outfits were able to successfully host the president in Benin, the capital city of Edo State on Tuesday, what suddenly changed on Wednesday that would warrant the decimation of all security networks they deployed in hosting the president and thus expose the state to possible unimaginable danger. And then, you may want to ask, if our security operations are that ephemeral, how are we going to face the present and serious danger posed by Boko Haram insurgency, kidnappers and armed robbers?

Though some persons have celebrated the election postponement as an offshoot of the February 2015 postponement orchestrated by the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan, it is apparent that the two are not the same. In 2015, there was clear information that the larger part of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa would be unable to participate in the election unless the military took some drastic measures. The then National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki secured a six-week postponement after which the insurgency-ravaged states were able to partake in the election. The opposition was indeed full of smiles following its huge vote haul from the three states. It is imperative that the nation’s security agencies must willingly put their all in the defence of the citizens at all times, while fleeing from any entanglement that stand to paint them in negative light.

lant attitude of the previous governments in arresting the embarrassing situation. The world is now a global village and by virtue of this, the Japanese donor of the $390, 000 gift, Dr. Katsuya Takasu, is quite aware of what could happen to the donation hence the cheque was sent directly to the team. This is a shameful scenario and the NFF should stop attributing their failure to the introduction of the TSA (Treasury Single Account) as they had four good years to prepare. One should commend the courage displayed by Siasia in handling the issue as intended by the donor.

—Ibrahim A. Taye, Ibadan. 08166190119

In a situation where a late traditional head of a large family is being praised louder than the present leader, the current one should be ashamed because if his percused on the glory ahead, and actually received it. He is formance had been better than that of the previous one, paying for his patriotism through his present predica- nobody would have remembered the late leader. Today, ment. The Japanese windfall is a reward for patriotism many people speak positively of Chief Obafemi Awoloand the NFF is scrambling to reap where it did not sow. wo’s administration, Dr Tai Solarin’s educational success, No Nigerian politician or businessman can do what the and the effective sports administration of both late Chief Japanese did because his or her primary aim in any posi- Lekan Salami and Chief Jim Nwobodo. One day, those tion is to milk the nation dry, if possible. Siasia should people who are only interested in enriching themselves count himself lucky for making the nation proud in spite will definitely be remembered - for their greed. Nigeria is of the clog constituted by Nigeria bureaucracy. God and beset with many ailments and only God can heal it.

—Revd M G Afolabi, Oyo 08067365604 posterity have vindicated him and the handsome reward from the Japanese was divine.

—Adewuyi Adegbite 08066328387 Despite our poor outins in the just ended Olympics in Brazil, Coach Samson Siasia deserves commendation I am also walking in Siasia’s shoes. Unfortunately, I for putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians by winning have seen that the taste of the pudding is no longer in the bronze for Nigeria despite the poor treatment meted to eating! What is responsible for this? Our national leaders him and the players in Atlanta by the NFF. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State are insensitive to the wishes of the people. Rather than being true agents of change, they are rather obstacles to 07084644222 the concept of change.

—Sesan Oyende, Abuja. 08073887783 “Give unto Caesar what is due him.” For the simple fact of being the only team that won a medal for the country, The problem associated with the payment of salaries of the man Samson Siasia should be generously compenindigenous coaches, at all levels by the NFF, has been a sated rather than being vilified.

—Lekan Oladeji, Ilora 08053049443 recurring decimal. The painful aspect of it is the noncha-

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11 September, 2016

ON THE

Sunday Tribune

With Bolanle Bolawole turnpot@gmail.com 07052631058

lord’sday

Ondo governorship primary demystifies Tinubu?

A

GAINST the expectations of many, Rotimi Akeredolu aka Aketi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2012 Ondo State governorship election, has emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 26, 2016 governorship election. With this win, Akeredolu is a step away from the Alagbaka Government House Akure, Ondo State. God’s time, as they say, is the best. Akeredolu would have beaten Governor Segun Mimiko in 2012 if not for the splintering of his party, the ACN. That unfortunate incident was caused by the shenanigans of godfathers who imposed a candidate on the ACN, thereby causing disaffection within the party and splitting it down the middle. Many who would have supported the ACN to win that election decamped; those who did not adopted the late Chief Bola Ige’s “siddon look” approach. That was how Mimiko escaped with a narrow win.

Incidentally, Akeredolu was the candidate imposed by the godfathers in 2012.

Possibly because the time to favour him has come this time round (Psalm 102:13), the godfathers turned their backs on him and reportedly anointed one of his rivals for the contest. When I read Akeredolu’s boast that the godfathers would be disappointed, I honestly did not believe him.

I thought he was just making mouth (as they say in Nigerian Englsih) like politicians often do. The incurable optimists – some will say blatant liars! – that politicians are, even when they see clear defeat staring them in the face, they will still stand on rooftops to declare that they will win hands down!

Akeredolu appears to have matured as a politician, though. His feet appear to be firmer on ground this time round than four years ago. He is now, in my view, in a better position to understand the murky waters of politics, its shifting and unstable alliances, as well as its dark alleys and sharp corners. He is not the “outsider” of four years ago, who was brought in from Ibadan by “Lagos” at the promptings, as I heard, of some retired or serving judges, to be imposed on Ondo people. The locals were vociferous in rejecting him and the imposition. As I also heard, Akeredolu’s peacock attitude poured petrol into a raging fire. Rather than build bridges the last time round, he burned them. Rather than extend a hand of fellowship to his fellow contestants who felt cheated and abused by the godfathers’ imposition, Akeredolu reportedly arrogantly told them off. The rest, as they say, is history.

Once bitten, twice shy. Akeredolu must have grown up and should not make the same mistakes twice. If he stumbles at the same hurdles again, then, something really serious must be wrong with him. It is good for him that he is no longer seen as the errand boy of a godfather; with the way he ran in the primary, he appeared to have

come of age. He must have had a political structure of his own to have been confident enough not only to run independently of his erstwhile godfathers’ support, but to also publicly thump his chest that he would win. Ondo, I believe, will like him for that. Here, too, I am sure he will have an edge over the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, who is seen as the anointed son of outgoing Governor Mimiko. If it was when “Iroko” was “Iroko”, I would have counselled Akeredolu to tighten his belt seriously. But the “Iroko” of today is not the same as the one that took Ondo politics by storm in 2007/2008; defying no less a person than ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; standing against a behemoth like the PDP; contesting on the ticket of an unknown Labour Party and still winning landslide victory against an incumbent governor. The election was massively rigged but “Iroko” had his day in court and won. “Iroko” – “Gba sibe!” - is the nickname of Governor Mimiko; “Iroko” in Yoruba is ‘king of the forest.’

That was then. Mimiko has since diminished seriously in political stature.

Inability to pay salaries as and when due has been his greatest undoing: The other time, Mimiko cut a pitiable sight as he sat on the bonnet of a vehicle addressing protesting workers who would not allow him access to his office. There is also the Modu Ali Modu Sheriff albatross dangling from PDP’s neck. Mimiko must be rueing why he left his Labour Party comfort zone for the “double wahala for dead body” that the PDP has become. Many will suspect that Mimiko is trying to install a crony to help cover his back and tracts. An independent fellow is needed to succeed Mimiko, so we can have a glimpse into how he ruled Ondo: If someone else had not succeeded former President Goodluck Jonathan, we would not have heard or seen what we are hearing and seeing today.

But that is as far as it goes. The time is now for Akeredolu to face up to daunting

realities and hard facts. He has a bright chance of winning if he has his party solidly behind him. Should his party splinter like it did the last time, he could lose again. The results of the APC governorship primary indicate that he was merely lucky to have won. Akeredolu may not like my bluntness, but I do not care or, to borrow from Jonathan, I do not give a damn.

I have never met or spoken with him; I only know him by reputation. Like him, I am from Owo and I think the rotation formula enacted a long time ago by Ondo leaders of thought makes some sense. The formula says it is now the turn of Ondo North, where Akeredolu comes from, to produce the next governor. I have participated in think-tank sessions with brilliant Chief Akin Aruwajoye, the Ogbeni-Oja of Owo and President, Owo General Assembly, on how to effectively push Owo’s candidature. Governor Mimiko from Ondo Central is trying to subvert the zoning formula by lining up a candidate from the same Ondo Central to succeed him.

Where is Mimiko’s sense of fairness? My sentiments are therefore with Akeredolu, but my support, eventually, will go to the best candidate. If Akeredolu messes up, I will withhold support for him.

The primary results show that Akeredolu won by the narrowest of margins. He scored 669 votes; Abraham, 635; Olusola Oke, 584; Ajayi Boroffice, 471 votes. We can see that it was a very strong field. If any two of the other three had teamed up against Aketi, the outcome would most likely have been different. The results indicate that Aketi’s first three opponents are formidable in their own areas of strength and the winner is going to need their cooperation and support. If he fails to, I can assure him it will affect him adversely in the governorship election proper. A total of 2, 744 delegates were accredited; meaning that Aketi got only 24.380 per cent of the total votes cast. This score is not even enough to give anyone an E

or “resit”; it is F flat! Aketi is also going to need all the other contestants who, amongst them, polled a total of 385 votes by my own calculation. When elections go to the wire – and we never can know if the one we are preparing for will not – every vote will count. If all the aspirants support Aketi conscientiously, that will make his burden lighter and victory at the polls much more likely. Aketi has bounden duty to run, affect the others, court them, and curry their favour. Beg them, if you have to. Make concessions to them, if you must.

Politics is a game of compromise. “Who chop alone; die alone,” as they say.

It is in this respect that Aketi must pay great attention to the vituperations of two of the front-runners, Dr Segun Abraham and Chief Olusola Oke, who are contesting the outcome of the primary election.

Their complaints may not likely lead to the cancellation of the primary election, but no one must think of it that way. It is important to immediately win them over.

None of the APC gubernatorial contestants must be allowed to defect. Aketi will also be well advised to treasure Dr Tunji Abayomi. I dare to say that he is the one who allowed his head to be used to crack this coconut. If he had not campaigned vigorously against the attempt by godfathers to hijack the process, the outcome might have been different. Finally, Aketi must avoid the situation that played out in Ekiti in the last governorship election when the party leadership was lukewarm to the re-election bid of Governor Kayode Fayemi. Apart from what PDP did to outsmart Fayemi, the attitude of Fayemi’s own people did not help matters. The party splintered, with Opeyemi Bamibele leading a section to confront Fayemi before reportedly teaming up with PDP’s Ayo Fayose.

Aketi must immediately begin to reconcile with party leaders; firstly, in the state and then at the national level. He must worm his way back to the hearts of the godfathers. I give him two Yoruba proverbs and I close. The first says the leper cannot milk the cow, but he can spill the milk. The second says if a child has as many clothes as his father, he cannot have as many rags. Need I say more?

LAST WORD: Ramadan Kareem to all lovers of this column! I wish each and every one joy, peace, and happy celebrations. These are not the best of times for festivities, though; what with the high cost of rams and other food items and the scarcity of money in circulation? How many workers have received their salaries? But this is the time to remember the late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade’s immortal words to South-west electorates during those difficult days of Sani Abacha’s maximum dictatorship. The late Ooni had said: “E jade lo ki e lo try best yin” meaning, “troop out (to vote) and try your best.” Economic depression notwithstanding, troop out and make the best of a very bad situation.

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11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune With Rita Okonoboh tribunechurch@gmail.com tribunechurch@yahoo.com 08053789087

tribunechurch

Recession:

Our churches have become ‘IDP camps,’ say clerics

By Rita Okonoboh

T

HERE is no church without the people. By virtue of that fact, the church provides a veritable ground for understanding the real effects of the current economic recession, especially as it affects the people.

Speaking with TribuneChurch, clerics shared experiences of the effects of the economic recession and suggested ways for the government to handle the situation.

Poor management and administration, cause of recession – Archbishop Fape Archbishop of Lagos Province, Most Reverend (Dr) Michael Olusina Fape, affirmed that the church was feeling the effect of the economic recession. According to him, “the recession is taking a great toll on members. Honestly, I think it is only by the grace of God that people have been surviving. It is true that God has blessed us with all that we require to be a prosperous and very fruitful nation.

“I can only adduce the reason for this recession to poor management and administration. For instance, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said that people were attributing the recession probably to the shortfall in the revenue generated from oil. But that only accounts for 15 per cent of our GDP. It means then that the current situation is as a result of poor management of the resources that we have, not the fall in the price of oil, as it were.

“Members of the church are lamenting and praying that God will intervene to bring relief and reprieve to those of us in the present generation.”

In his recommendations for government on easing the recession, Fape noted that while “it is true that the present administration is taken to accountability, in the bid to do this, it should add the humane factor to whatever they’re doing.

There should be element of human touch so that, at least, while they’re chasing after people who have squandered our resources in the past, they should also put in place programmes that will bring people out of the woods so that people would not all have died before they begin to do whatever they think they want to do to make life meaningful for the people. Let the government work and introduce programmes that would be people-friendly.”

People now eat from the rich’s dustbin – Bishop Omoniyi Bishop Titus Omoniyi of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Oyo, in his reaction, stated that “the situation has become so bad that people are now eating from the dustbin of the rich. The rich in the country have forgotten the poor and we find people going about begging for food. I work in a rural area and from what I’ve seen, the situation has become so critical that people can hardly feed two times a day. That is why I want to appeal to the Federal Government to focus on the youth. Many of them have no jobs and they’re now beggars and are all over the place. Even at the MCN Cathedral in Oyo, a lot of people can no longer give offering in church. I would also advise government to diversify the economy. Let us go back to the farms. Just like what obtained during the (Olusegun) Obasanjo regime (in 1977), when the

PHOTO: www.buzznigeria.com ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ was launched, if the government can feed the nation at this time, I think the poverty level will reduce.”

The church has become like an IDP camp –Bishop Adeoye Bishop Seun Adeoye of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry, who noted that the effects of the recession were becoming very serious, stated that the church had embarked on providing encouragement for the people, advising them to be prayerful, save more and embrace agriculture.

According to him, “We have been trying to encourage people, telling them that the recession has come and it would soon go. It is a season and it’s not only Nigeria that is affected.

Prayers are also very important. We also encourage people to work hard because, basically, people at this time cannot get food to eat. So, we encourage people to work hard, embrace agriculture, and imbibe the culture of saving, particularly in this time of hardship, because we know that the hardship is not going to end now, based on what we’re hearing from our leaders, especially as they say it may last till 2020.

“People should be prayerful because it is very important. It’s not only affecting members, but even I as an individual. In fact, let me say this, the church has turned to what I will call an IDP centre. We distribute food, clothes and other items to people. Tithes and offerings have dropped and the situation has even discouraged us from embarking on church projects because we have to ensure that the people are properly taken care of. It’s really bad

and is affecting all of us.”

In his advice for government on handling the situation, Bishop Adeoye called for policies that will help the people.

“Government should not just fold its hands believing that people will sort themselves out. The essence of government is to give peo-

ple succour in times like this. Government should ensure that they find a way of cushioning the effect through effective policies.

They shouldn’t tell us that we have to wait till 2020.

See how many people have died. People cannot care for themselves medically or even get food to eat.

“If it means government suspending infrastructural projects to take of the people, that is better. Because if you have infrastructure, and the people expected to use them are dead, what’s the point? When people are healthy, they can contribute their quota to national development.”

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11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune With Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 08074497425

churchnews

Uniting CAC is our priority this year —Pastor Akinosun

By Abiodun Jimoh

P

RESIDENT of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, has expressed confidence in God that the unity of the church would be achieved before the end of the year.

Pastor Akinosun stated this at the 70th anniversary of the Oke-Igan District Coordinating Council Headquarters, Akure, Ondo State, where he also inaugurated the church’s main auditorium; the Mike Tayo-Ojo Memorial English Assembly; the DCC

Stop wasting your time on unproductive ventures, bishop tells youths THE presiding bishop of the Be Prepared Evangelical Church, Ibadan, Oyo State, Bishop Dapo Ojo, at the weekend, charged Nigerians to have positive impact on others, just as he frowned on some Nigerians who wasted their youth on unproductive ventures.

Bishop Ojo said this during the 40th anniversary of God’s faithfulness and dedication of a new album of Evangelist Opeyemi Olusola, at Jesus Discipleship Ministry, Challenge, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking on “How are you using your life?’ the cleric averred that it was only those who knew how to redeem their lifetime that could manage their lives meaningfully.

Earlier, the husband of the celebrant and founder of Jesus Discipleship Ministry, Pastor Ayodele Olusola, described the celebrant as committed, courageous and a transparent cleric who had touched many lives.

“It is a celebration of her commitment to God and humanity. It is a celebration of a woman committed to serving others and I want others to emulate her,” he said.

In her remarks, Evangelist Olusola thanked God for making her vision of about two decades a reality as well as for sparing her life to witness the event and called on youths to remain focused and trust God always.

Superintendent official residence, and the launching of a book on the history of the church.

Akinosun noted that with cooperation and assistance from all CAC leaders, pastors and members, he was making frantic efforts to ensure that the needed

unity comes to reality.

He added that with prayers and commitment from all the leaders of CAC and others, the church would be under one fold and one shepherd as was the vision of the founding fathers of the church.

“We are making efforts to

ensure that we are one and we are praying to God, and we are very optimistic that very soon and before the end of this year, that unity will be achieved across the church.

“The vision and mission of the founding fathers of CAC worldwide which

clearly states ‘One Fold, One Shepherd’ will be fully attained by the grace of God,” he said.

Pastor Lawrence Oladele Akinloye, the Akure DCC Superintendent, in his remarks, thanked God for the completion of the anniversary of the church,

President, Christ Apostolic Mission Church (CAMC) worldwide, Pastor Simeon Adesoji Ajayi (fourth right) and others during the inauguration of a new church auditorium and the 2016 harvest thanksgiving of the church at Oke Igbala, Cistern of Life Parish, Ibadan, Oyo State. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

which, according to him, was done in order to move the church forward so that the works of the founding fathers would not be destroyed.

According to Akinloye, “It is also for the people to know that the church was started by some people.

It is to express the greatness of God in the lives of the late fathers of the church and those who are still alive. it is also a way to show our youths that good name is better than silver and gold. This makes us steadfast and we are working to ensure progress and unity among our youths and other members. The church is not moving backward, but moving forward in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Get ready for Jesus’s second coming, Kumuyi tells Christians Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

From left, guest speaker, Bishop Dapo Ojo; Pastor Joseph Olatunji; celebrant, Pastor (Mrs) Opeyemi Olusola; Pastor Ayodele Olusola; Mrs W.A. Amusa and Evangelist Rebecca during the dedication of a new album by Evangelist (Mrs) Opeyemi Olusola, held at the church auditorium of Jesus Discipleship Ministry, Challenge, Ibadan, Oyo State. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE.

Ogun CPFN gets new executives

By Taiwo Olanrewaju THE new executive members of the Ogun State Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN) have been urged to be strong in the face of challenges.

President, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) World-

wide, Pastor Abraham Akinosun, stated this at the induction programme of Pastor K.J. Onakoya as chairman of CPFN. Akinosun, represented at the event by Pastor B.O. Akanmu and Pastor Jacob Oluwaniyi, noted that “like Solomon, the more difficult the problems you

solve, the more people you attract and the more prosperous you become.”

The new executives were urged to use their gifts to serve God and were informed that unless “one identifies and serves his divine purpose, he may never be appreciated.”

In his acceptance speech,

Christians urged to trust God during difficult times Chima Nwokoji -Lagos Senior Pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church, Orelope district, Lagos State, Reverend Victor Iwala, has called on Christians to sustain their role as the body of Christ in this period of economic uncertainty and persuade people to believe that the solution to problems was in God’s hands.

Iwala stated this at a press conference to announce plans to mark the church’s

25th anniversary.

“As a church, we are to prove to the nation, especially at this time, that we are the salt of the world and that as it is written in the Bible that our God is all sufficient,” the cleric stated.

According to Iwala, the 25th anniversary celebration is scheduled for September 16 to 19, and will be a gathering of members who have passed through the Orelope district.

Having planted nine churches within and out-

side Lagos as a testimony of the success of the church’s “operation one soul, one week-endorsed,” Iwala said it was the desire of the district to plant another branch of the church in commemoration of the anniversary of the district established 21st September 1991.

Also speaking, Chairman of the anniversary organising committee, Deacon Dapo Omowonuola, said the church decided to come together to celebrate the goodness of the Lord.

Pastor Onakoya appreciated the founding fathers of CPFN and urged the country’s leaders to reset the nation’s economy to ensure that as Nigeria moves forward, growth would be sustainable in all areas.

Elected to run the CPFN with Onakoya were Pastor J.S. Ajibola, vice-chairman; Pastor E.O. Orekoya, secretary; Pastor M.A. Adedoyin, treasurer; Pastor Samuel Ibikunle, financial secretary; Pastor Timothy Ogunbiyi, PRO; Pastor Ebenezer Abe, auditor and Pastor Paul Yussuf, assistant secretary.

Others were: Pastor S.O.A. Fadipe, assistant financial secretary; Pastor (Dr) Ezekiel Olukunle, legal adviser. The ex-officios are Pastors I.O. Ogunbona; N.A. Popoola; R.A. Adedoyin and Pastor I.O. Babalola.

M.A. Ashimi is the CPFN/ PFN representative.

GENERAL Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has charged Christians to get ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

He made the call last week at a crusade held in Warri Township Stadium, Warri, Delta State.

In spite of the downpour which lasted for several hours after the programme, worshippers trooped into the stadium.

Some removed their shoes and some rolled up their trousers due to the flood caused by the rain.

The programme witnessed various worship songs and dancing, as worshippers expressed joy and admiration for the cleric.

The programme started at about 5:00p.m. with an exhortation entitled: “Revelation of Christ’s Second Coming.”

Kumuyi, who took his text from Revelation 1: 7-8, noted that the first coming of Christ was marked with humiliation, but His second coming would be marked with glory.

He, therefore, admonished the worshippers to be ready for His coming which was a promise that would come to pass.

37 tribunechurch

11 September, 2016

Nigeria’s problems started after govt scrapped religious instructions in schools —Ogunbode Reverend (Dr) Stephen Oyedele Ogunbode is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church (FBC), Idikan, Ibadan, Oyo State, zonal coordinator for the pastors’ fellowship of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) and the chairman of Ibadan Baptist Conference and Consultant of Ibadan Central Baptist Association. He speaks with RITA OKONOBOH on the FBC, Idikan’s experiences in the past 110 years and other religious and national issues.

H

OW did you find yourself in the ministry?

I was a teacher, an NCE holder and was doing fine and God called me. I never knew it was God’s call when I had that dream. In the dream, I found myself in a thick bush and I saw a lion. I wanted to run away but the lion spoke and told me not to run away. I was surprised that the animal could talk. The lion said I should not go back and that I would become head of the bush. I saw a platform and the lion placed me on the platform and I was moved up and the lion said I had become the head. When I got home, I told a brother and he said that was the lion of the tribe of Judah and that it was an indication that I had been called into the ministry. My father was a Baptist pastor and I saw the life in the mission house. I never wanted to be a pastor. I wanted to be an accountant. I dropped everything I was doing then to answer God’s call. I was invited to the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, for training and there I got two degrees – B.A. and B.Th. I got into the ministry in 1991 and left the seminary in 1995.

How did you become senior pastor of FBC, Idikan?

I was at Yaba Baptist Church as an associate pastor after which I was called to Ikate Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos State. From there, I came to Ibadan and I’ve been here since March 2009. The Baptist operates on call system not posting. If there is vacancy in a church, they could call.

Brief history of FBC, Idikan FBC Idikan actually started in 1904 from the FBC in Lagos State. It was suggested that the work of the Baptist mission be moved to Ibadan. In 1905, a meeting was held, and about seven people gathered to meet on how to come to Ibadan. Papa Obasa (of blessed memory) was the one who volunteered to lead the Ibadan church and the church started in August 1906. From that time the church grew. The first ever gathering of the native Baptist church started here in 1914. We have produced churches within and outside Ibadan. We also have churches we didn’t start per se but nursed to growth.

What would you say are some of the challenges of FBC, Idikan?

We had a lot of challenges. The first was that of membership. As Ibadan was spreading, people were moving to the suburbs to build their houses and in that wise, they were moving away from the church. They were settling down to begin other Baptist churches as they moved. That really affected our membership. Till date, people are still moving like that. However, God has a way of doing His work. As people were moving away, we had other members coming in.

The exodus of members to other areas and churches was a challenge. Another challenge is that of finance. Most of our vibrant members are retirees. Although, we have younger ones who are coming up gradually, majority of those who are financiers are retirees who depend on their children. So, the power to support the work of the gospel drastically reduced. However, God is raising younger people who contributed to the growth of the ministry. Another challenge is that of

expansion. The church acquired much land and with time, as people encroached on the land, our forefathers didn’t mind because, according them, they wanted to give them a chance to convert to Christianity. Some of these people became Christians but many did not. For instance, the land close to us was repurchased for millions of naira, even if it was church’s land initially. There is also the government school that has also found its way into part of the church compound.

We have asked government to help us move the children but they only moved some and left others. We have been appealing to the Oyo State government to move the school out of the church but that has not been done yet but we are hopeful that we will get that done so that we will be able to expand.

Regrets?

The land issue is one of our regrets. The land should have been fenced round for expansion and to prevent encroachment.

However, we have learnt our lessons to prepare for the future. Another regret is the school which has taken part of the church compound. The serenity and atmosphere of prayer and spirituality expected of a church is not present and it is regretful. However, by my assessment, we are not doing badly as a church.

At 110, what would you say the FBC, Idikan is most grateful for?

We are grateful to God for the opportunity to spread the gospel and for the great impact we have had. We may not be rich financially but we are rich spiritually because we have brought many to the knowledge of Christ.

The church, as you said earlier, has produced many daughter churches, and by implication, pastors. How would you then address declining moral standards and church proliferation?

When the Nigerian government scrapped religious instructions in schools, by my thinking, that was the beginning of problems for Nigeria. When a child who comes to school is not taught the fear of God and the difference between right and wrong, and even how to value life, then such children leave school with less of God and more of wanting to make it in life. That has affected a lot of growing Nigerians who have not come to terms with the reality of their salvation.

That has devastated the moral standard of Nigeria. Thank God for some children who were nurtured in religious homes. Between that time of taking over schools from the missionaries by government and the establishment of private schools by missions, there was a deep gorge of moral decadence.

Today, Nigeria needs a lot of prayers, especially for the young people, many of whom are not thinking correctly. I pray that the government of the day will see the need to put religious sentiments aside and instead teach our children what is right.

FBC, Idikan predates Nigeria. How would you say Christianity has influenced Nigeria?

Christianity promoted the sanctity of human life, peaceful coexistence and love. On a negative note, not all churches are Christoriented. That is why we have proliferation

of churches. To sum it up, more positive things came from Christianity in Nigeria.

How would you advise government on the state of the economy?

For someone to move forward, you have to look backward. You look at where you have missed it and make amends. In the 70s, there was oil boom. The leaders then

Sunday Tribune

should have saved enough for the future.

If we had done that then, many nations of the world should have come to Nigeria to borrow. God blessed us with that bounty and we squandered it. That Nigeria is talking about economic recession is the greatest calamity that I’ve ever witnessed. That time we celebrated FESTAC and a whole stretch of town was used to build houses for those who would celebrate the arts festival. We forgot the One who gave us the boom. The government should have done something better. How many countries since then have taken it upon themselves to celebrate FESTAC since 1977? What we did then was anti-God and it is telling on us now. And our leaders made it worse by engaging in corruption with the little money left with which to develop Nigeria. It is like a generational curse but we serve a God who can reverse that curse. God can give us leaders who will plan great for Nigeria.

For the economy to be revamped, we need God and must settle down to hard work.

We should return to farming. Government should provide avenues to make people, especially youths, many of who are idle and some without vision, more productive. Nigeria needs orientation. Someone said then that Nigeria is in need of rebranding. People cannot be branded; we’re not products.

Rather, we need re-orientation. Our workattitude must change. Everybody must be ready to engage themselves productively to earn a living. Also, let positive messages on developing Nigeria permeate the airwaves.

I see a Nigeria that will be restored to glory in the future by God’s grace.

Where do you see FBC, Idikan in the future?

I see a church more focused on evangelism and spreading the gospel. We will plant more churches as we have been doing. We are also going to address moral decadence through investment in education.

livingword

By Bishop David Oyedepo Call 7747546-8; or e-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

What is in the Name of Jesus that Heals? (2) LAST week, we began this teaching series with the understanding that Jesus is the Great Physician and one of His great prescriptions is the name of Jesus Christ. We also looked at the power in the name of Jesus that guarantees our healing. In this week’s edition, we shall examine other forces in the name of Jesus that heals? They include: The name of Jesus is the irrevocable gift of God for our dominion: The dominion virtue that subdues the enemy without sweat is resident in the name of Jesus. That dominion virtue also empowers us to dominate situations and circumstances, including sicknesses and diseases. Concerning Christ, the scripture says: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

‘Things under the earth’ in the above scripture refers to demons that are kept in the pit of darkness for destruction on the Day of Judgment. They also include the oppressors of the saints, that is, the spirits of infirmity, whose mission is to inflict people with all manner of sicknesses and diseases.

However, according to divine verdict, every other name bows to the name of Jesus. God gave Jesus Christ the name which carries dominion virtues and we understand from

scriptures that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. Thus, when we say, ‘In the name of Jesus’ in faith, the dominion virtues in Jesus Christ, the anointed One, goes forth into operation, thereby subduing every resistance and opposition on our path.

Remember that the apostles were warned not to teach or speak in Jesus’ name because it was a threat to the authorities in Jerusalem. The Bible records: But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:1718; see also John 5:20-21; Romans 11:29; Hebrews 13:8).

Therefore, it is important to understand that the name of Jesus is neither an injunction in prayer nor a religious doctrine; rather, it carries visible dominion virtues to put us on top of the issues of our lives.

From today, as you invoke the name of Jesus in faith, that situation will continually bow to you! Remain ever blessed! Are you born again? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner.

Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

38 tribunechurch

11 September, 2016

My mission as new Secretary General of Anglican Church in Nigeria —Fagbemi Venerable Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi, the Dean, Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Akure, Ondo State, has been appointed the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. He shares with HAKEEM GBADAMOSI his experience as head of the college in the last five years and speaks on the role of churches in the society, among other issues.

H

OW has it been at the Archbishop Vining College of Theology?

I have been the Dean of the Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Akure, for five years. It was our vision to provide visionary leadership in delivering holistic training of clergy and laity that could meet the challenges of the 21st century and to work towards making it a college of international status, in a healthy environment where every soul matters.

These five years have been very remarkable and I have enjoyed them in every ramification. It has been particularly interesting offering leadership in the training of Anglican clergy, especially those who will become future leaders of the church. That has been a major contribution to church life that I have personally appreciated. It has also been quite a privilege ministering to the calibre of people who worship in our chapel, the Chapel of the Annunciation, Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Oke-Emeso, Akure in Ondo State.

What are some of your achievements?

Ministry in the church of Christ is not about achievements because Christ, the owner of the church, achieved everything, and this included the giving of Himself

and shedding of His blood for the salvation of all. This is the climax of achievements.

Those who are called to ministry are simply called to propagate this message. So the greatest achievement for me was the opportunity to share in this ministry with those who were being trained and also to preach the message constantly to our chapel members. There has been spiritual renewal and growth in our time. That said, God has also blessed our time with infrastructural development. The whole college has been virtually transformed. We have so many achievements. Perhaps, the most important for me is the people. I have worked with a wonderful set of people who served in the college community and the chapel.

What are some challenges you faced?

Perhaps, the first challenge was changing the way we did things and the orientation of people. On our arrival, attention was not paid to how we treated ourselves and especially the clergy-trainee. So we instituted the ‘Every Soul Matters Agenda,’ which is a social and spiritual engineering of people, designed to make people recognise that every soul matters to God, so every soul must matter to us. This calls for mutual respect and dignity, self esteem and passion to

treat one other well. Rich or not, every soul is important to God and we must ensure that God’s creatures are treated well. This must even affect our environment we live, We must then become agents of change in the community. So this policy began to guide our activities. It took time for some to understand, while some even misunderstood it. But I am pleased that in the end, this has great impact on our people as we gave a new understanding of life and dignity to our people. Another major challenge was securing funds to implement our projects. But given all that we were able to achieve, I can only thank God for raising people who supported us. We also instituted the Friends of Archbishop Vining Col-

Nigeria is in bondage, God will deliver it soon —Prophet Hezekiah Founder of Christ Apostolic Church, Canaan land, Prophet Hezekiah Oluboye Oladeji, recently spoke with newsmen about sundry issues. SAM NWAOKO provides excerpts.

What is the role of the church in today’s world?

Part of such role is what this church, Christ Apostolic Church, Canaan land, is doing, and that includes preaching the gospel to the world, opening the eyes of the multitude to the ways of God, leading them in godly paths, making people return to God and do His will, making them give their lives to Jesus Christ and preaching the truth to leaders.

Is there still evangelism in the church today?

Yes. There is still serious evangelism. As a matter of fact, we are doing massive evangelism in the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) and this church, Canaan Land. We enjoin all men of God to follow biblical instruction which states that those who have been saved should endeavour to also bring others to salvation. Evangelism starts from your immediate family: your spouse, your children, friends, brothers and sisters and your parents. If we do this, the gospel will, in no time, spread across the world and evil deeds would be eradicated.

What good does the true prayers do for the nation?

The Bible says the fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much. It says true prayers reaches God like a sweet smelling offering unto God. True prayers elevate a nation. I enjoin all men of God to endeavour to pray for our nation because a nation under cap-

tivity needs the fervent prayers of the righteous. I pray that God will deliver this nation from all its captivity.

You entitled the sixth edition of the yearly ‘Total Deliverance’ programme of your church, ‘Taking the Prey from the Mighty.’ Why? In the Holy Bible, Israel was rescued from the powerful, from Goliath. Whenever Goliath arose, they would all flee from him. And because of this, they trained their men for war. In spite of all this, they could not conquer their enemy. But one day, God raised someone, David, to conquer David. Nigeria

is in a bondage now, and I believe strongly that very soon, God will deliver Nigeria from this palpable fear and from the powers holding us captive. The programme has to do with all individuals and the nation as a whole. It’s true we can reclaim what has been forcefully taken by the evil powers.

God will deliver Nigeria from this current bondage. God has revealed that this nation would be delivered from some mighty ones very soon, but we all have to pray and fast fervently. We must be very watchful and also submit to God. We must dedicate our life to God. All hands must be on deck in this direction. All men of God who are sure of their calling, all market men and women, civil servants, artisans, and all citizens, do not be afraid. We will soon salvage this nation from the mighty ones holding it captive.

What kind of bondage is Nigeria under?

One is that the powers of darkness have not made us realise that being closer to God is the way out of our present predicament.

When the Israelites strayed from God by worshiping idols, God released them into the hands of their enemies who preyed on them. But when the Israelities retraced their steps and returned to God, God also delivered them from their captivity. If a nation is in bondage like we are presently, you would see that no one would say the truth anymore. No one would fear God and many would follow their vain desires. We must return to God and be truthful and have the fear of God. For that is what can elevate our nation. We must realise that this country is not an inheritance of just one set of people.

Some have come and gone, others will still come and go. This land doesn’t belong to just anyone but to all of us and particularly our future generation, even yet unborn.

Sunday Tribune

lege of Theology, Akure (FAVICTA) and this helped to enlist more support.

What are you going to do now after your five-year tenure as dean?

Having been appointed as the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), this means that I will relocate to work with the Primate, the Most Revd Nicholas D. Okoh, who has been providing clear leadership for our church since his primacy took effect in 2010. My prayers are for God to bless me with the grace and insight needed to deliver in the office in fulfilling its many responsibilities and duties, working closely with the Primate and bishops of the church. I am also praying that Archbishop Vining College will be blessed with a good successor who will continue with the work that has begun, especially as it prepares for its centenary celebrations holding in January 2017. Our valedictory service comes up at the chapel today by the grace of God. What is your take on the current economic state of the country and what’s the way out?

In times like this, the government needs a complete review of its policies and programmes. The economic recession is not good for the country and its people. People are suffering, and government has not often appreciated the reality with which the people are faced. It is unwise for government to introduce any policy before adequate provision has been made to cushion its effect on the people. I think Nigerians are suffering from the effect of bad governance and lack of genuine appreciation of the needs of the people on the part of government. Sometimes, you wonder whether those who are in government have truly prepared for it.

There is widespread hunger in the land. What is your advice for the leaders?

All the challenges Nigerians are facing are as a result of the bondage foisted on us by the powers of darkness. If a nation is in captivity, it would not tread the right path. Once God delivers us from this bondage, our eyes will be opened to the right and godly path that leads to El Dorado.

Tell us more about this programme and what development the church has brought to this community?

The Total Deliverance 2016 programme holds at the headquarters of the Christ Apostolic Church, Canaan land, in Garage Olode, Ife-South Local Government Area of Osun State. The presence of the church has brought development to this town, Garage Olode. I encourage all men of God who are sure of their calling to be steadfast and not waiver. I say this because the present suffering is a pointer to the glory of the near future. I invite everyone to be part of this great gathering entitled: ‘Taking the Prey from the Mighty.’

Churches are spreading but it also seems that true salvation is dwindling, why?

This is because many of us who have been called by God have derailed. God has one attitude that I know: If He calls you for a job and you refuse to do it well, He can call four other people or more to replace you on the same assignment. Today, God has been calling some youths because He knows some elderly ones are already derailing. God’s work cannot be destroyed, it’s the people called that can derail. He said until we spread the gospel across the world, the end would not come, this end can be interpreted in many ways, the end to suffering, oppression, spiritual captivity and all that. True and faithful love of God and a godly life is true evangelism.

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tribunechurch

11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

dawnofanewera sundaysermon

with Most Revd J.O. Akinfenwa Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese

with Pastor Sunday Adelaja Senior Pastor of the Ukraine based Embassy of God Church e-mail: pastor@godembassy.org

The purpose of nations (3) LAST week I affirmed that God had a purpose for us all. Now I want you to know that it is because of these God given purposes for each unit and member of the human race that God in his wisdom distributed lands to nations. Land is important to God. There is an unspeakable significance of the place and role of lands in our lives and destiny. Lands are not just important to God, they are important to us. It is important where people are born. The land and the environment influence and leave a trace and a mark on them for the rest of their lives. Your place of birth defines you.

It leaves a mark on you for the rest of your life. You cannot get rid of your colour, you cannot get rid of your look, you cannot get rid of your pigmentation, you cannot get rid of your DNA and, in most cases, you cannot get rid of your accent, etc.

There are a lot of things that influence our lives from our land of birth much more than we could ever think or imagine. For example, the climate of the place where you were born and grew up plays a role in defining you. The food produce of the land plays a significant role in your formation. A few years ago, in the depth of River Thames in England, a decomposed body was recovered. The body was so decomposed that there was no evident sign of recognition that could help in tracing the body to any particular individual or race. As complex as the task of identifying this corps was, through the help of forensic analysis it was discovered that the body belonged to a young teenager of the black race. However further analysis traced the composition of the bones to the food stuff that made up the content of that bone. After a thorough forensic break down had been done, it was discovered that the composition of the food that is built in the bones could only be traced to one particular square kilometer of earth in the world, which led to a particular people group, nationality and tribe in Nigeria. A horrible homicide was unveiled, thanks

there is nothing that is in you by accident. Your parents were not by accident; your culture was not by accident; your nationality is not by accident; your tribe is not by accident; your language or tongue is not by accident. Please don’t despise all the great things God has deposited in you

to the significance and the role of the land were the person was born and bred.

Ladies and gentlemen, we all carry a part of the land where we were born. In my own case I know for certain that if I had not had the Nigerian DNA in me, there is no way I would be having the same result I am having right now. Dear friends, there is nothing that is in you by accident. Your parents were not by accident; your culture was not by accident; your nationality is not by accident; your tribe is not by accident; your language or tongue is not by accident. Please don’t despise all the great things God has deposited in you.

Talking of your countries, the composition is not by accident just like the composition of your body and your different make ups contribute to who you are. In a similar way the composition and make up of peoples in your country contribute to the personality and identity of that nation.

I, being a Nigerian of Yoruba decent, have come to appreciate the wealth and the advantages I possess in being a Nigerian rather than just being a Yoruba man. It’s just like I see a great advantage in being a Yoruba man rather than just being an Ijebu man. In the same vein there are even more advantages that I am an African, a black man rather than just being a Nigerian. Everything is important in God’s calculations.

Before I go back to what I started this write up with PELEG, I would like to touch on the fact that there are some universal purposes for all nations of the earth, while at the same time, there are more concrete purposes for each nation as well. Let’s have a look at some of the most common and universal purposes God has for all nations.

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:26-27 There are several points we must note from the scripture above: 1. All nations have the same origin. We are all one in God 2. The proof of our oneness is in the blood.

3. The earth was given to nations to be inherited.

4. God specifically gives out boundaries or territories to nations.

5. There is a purpose for every nation 6. There is a timing for every nation.

7. That purpose is in time. That is, a country could be given a purpose to be accomplished within a time span of 500 years. From the history of the Israelites, there are different time spans in God’s dealings with them. The most often used is 40 years, 70 years, 400 years, etc.

8. Boundaries or territories of nations is dependent on purpose and timing.

(To be continued next week)

The priesthood of all believers Continued from last week IF that is true, then what it means is that Christians must begin to rise up and respond to the call of God with urgency and determination like never before. If things are going to improve, if this nation will not continue to drift towards a final shipwreck, Christians must arise and carry the banner of Christ to the market place as people with a strong sense of calling. Christians must stand like Elijah stood in the time of moral depravity, and enforce righteousness in the land. The Bible says, Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

As we arise to entrench a reign of righteousness all over the land, this nation shall rise again. That is our calling. That is the essence of the priesthood of all believers.

It takes all of us, not only the clergy, to effect change. Let us become the ambassadors of Christ in our respective fields; in those places where, unless we present Jesus Christ, the people may never get to see or feel him. That is the call.

And as we do it, God will open more and more doors for us.

When Daniel represented God well in Babylon, God saw to it that he was promoted, and that he remained in government across the tenure of four kings. In other words, Daniel lasted longer in Babylonian politics than the kings themselves. And as he honored God,God kept honoring him.

Peter the Apostle therefore says to us:

2 Peter 1:10-11 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

In addressing this topic, we must also call attention to that word, diligence.

Apostle Peter says we should respond to this calling with an attitude of diligence.

We cannot have much impact if we do what they call “touch and go”. The world will have no respect for flash-in-the-pan reformers. In fact, evil in Nigeria is like the wall of Jericho to the Jews, we may have to march around it several times. It takes diligence and discipline to endure and not fall by the wayside. We have to be diligent, consistently doing the right things whether people are looking at us or not. Interestingly, the Bible also says, Proverbs 22:29 5eest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

So, we must condemn an forms of complacency, procrastination and idleness in our midst, if we must make our calling and election sure.

In Matthew 20, we saw earlier that there were people who stood idle at the eleventh hour, saying that no one had hired them.

And today, our world is at the eleventh hour.

The midnight hour shall soon come, and the bridegroom shall return.

To be continued next week

theapostolicmessage

By Pastor (Dr) G.O. Olutola JP.

A new beginning BEHOLD, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).

God wants to bring to you a new beginning. He wants to do new things in your life, He wants to make new things to happen in your life.

The Lord declares in Isaiah 43:19; “Behold, I will do a new thing…” God has made up His mind to take you to a new level arising from new things He has promised to bring to pass in your life.

You need to know that when God makes a declaration, no power, no mortal can stop Him. The Bible in Hebrew 4:12 says; “For the word of God is quick, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword”.

Therefore, believe His word for as Isaiah 14:27 puts it; “For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” Believe that the best is yet to come. “Remember ye not the former things neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18 is admonishing you to put behind you all the things that may have befallen you or beset you. God says you should not bring them to mind for new things will He use to replace the old.

When the Lord wants to do a new thing, it is always a thing that is marvelous to behold. What will make the people around you, the heathens, your enemies and even family members to marvel? In Psalm 126:2, when the Lord did a new thing in the lives of His people in Babylon, the heathen mar-

veled and testified thus: “The LORD hath done great things for them.”

The new thing that God wants to do is that which has not been in existence because of His power. God in His great power will do a new thing. You have been praying for this to happen in your life, and you have not laid hands on them, don’t worry! This is what the enemy has been doing in your life in one way or the other; But the Lord is telling you that He is going to do a new thing. You need to place your faith in God’s hand who is always faithful when He promises.

This message “I will do a new thing” is a fresh hope concerning your life. The Government of a state or a nation knows that the citizens always look forward to what new thing the Government is going to do for them. New things that will replace the old.

New policy in place of the old. A new tariff, a new salary structure, etc. All these, when pronounced by the Government bring relief to the citizens.

A father who promises to buy new things in the house; car, chairs, electronics, clothes for the children or build a new house, brings the wife and children excitement.

You may have been expecting God to tell you what He has in store for you and His declaration is “Behold I will do a new thing… I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

The words are assuring, God did it for the Israelites when He made a way in the Red sea (Exodus 14:21-22); and every ear heard it and eyes saw it happened.

To be continued next week

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language&style

by Samson Dare 0805 500 1770 samsonadare@yahoo.co.uk

Relieving and reliving

S

AMPLE 1: “The Rivers governorship election, which was criticized by local and international observers, witnessed the largest amount of violence both in its build-up and after the elections, following its nullification by two competent courts, has left the ruling PDP literarily clinging unto straw according to many analysts.”(Rivers Governorship: APC, PDP Back in the Trenches, The Nation, Sunday, December 27, 2015) The word literarily which occurs in the context, ‘literarily clinging unto straw’ is our sole focus in this excerpt. This word makes absolutely no sense in this context because the reference has nothing to do with literature and the word is morphologically and semantically related to literature.

The adjective literary and the adverb literarily are related to the noun literature. If that is the case, as we are sure it is, it would mean that the reporter intends his statement to be taken in the sense in which words are taken in literature---figuratively, metaphorically. But that would be the exact opposite of what the writer intends.

In the light of this confusion, we need to clarify the usage and meanings of the following words: literal, literally; literary, literarily.

Please read the following sentences: 1) When the Ifa priest said the man was blind, he did not mean it in its literal sense.

2) The word ‘die’ is not to be taken in its literal sense in the sentence, ‘The man dies in every man who is silent in the face of tyranny.’ 3) In its literal sense, light is about physical illumination, something that prevents people from stumbling.

Those sentences illustrate the way the adjective literal is typically used. The word literal is the opposite of metaphorical or figurative. The literal sense of a word is its ordinary sense, the sense in which it is commonly used, without additional ‘colour’ or contextually acquired meaning. For example, if I say, ‘The boy picked up some stones and began to pelt me,’ I have used the word stone in its ordinary or literal or common sense. On the other hand, if I say, ‘The man has a heart of stone’, I have used the word stone not in its ordinary sense but in a figurative or metaphorical sense. The adjective literal invariably carries a sense of contrast whether in an explicit or implicit way with the idea of the figurative or metaphorical sense.

The adverb form of literal is literally. Please read the following sentences: 1) During the June 12 protests, all sectors of the Nigerian life literally came to a standstill. 2) The mountain involved in a volcano will be found to be boiling literally at the time the volcano occurs. 3) The congregation was made up of old men and women and the heads that I saw from the pulpit were literally white. 4) Morally bankrupt, his life almost literally stinks as much as would a septic tank. 5) The news literally broke his heart as he collapsed and died instantly. 6) Wherever he went and whatever he did, his wife was always literally behind him.

Whenever the context may tempt the reader to interpret a pivotal word in its figurative or metaphorical sense, the writer feels under obligation to qualify or define the word with the adjective literal or its adverb literally. For example, the compound word empty-headed is used in its figurative sense, rarely in its literal sense. The common interpretation is likely to be applied to the idea of head and empty in the sentence, ‘His head is almost literally empty.’ To guide the reader, we have brought in the adverb literally. The use of the adverb literally can be explained in this way in the six sentences above.

Now read the following sentences: 1) What are the literary merits of that writing? 2) Some literary writers are also scientists. 3) That is the man who taught me literary appreciation.

4) Must literary style always be colourful or flowery? 5) You have not properly mastered literary language. 6) Some newspapers have sections for literary criticism.

The adjective literary is related to the nouns literature and literacy. We use the adjective for writing in general and literature in particular. Literary arts refers to poetry, drama and prose---those works of art we have in mind when literature is mentioned. In other words, literarymerits are qualities or values associated with literature; literary writers write po-

Sunday Tribune

11 September, 2016

ems, plays and novels; literaryappreciation is an effort at understanding and evaluating literature; literary language refers to the language associated with literature.

What we have said about the adjective literary is also applicable to the adverb literarily. You could say: ‘The writing is literarily deficient’, by which is meant that the writing does not possess some good qualities of literature.

Do not say: *He was literarily soaked in oil. Rather say: He was literally soaked in oil. Do not say: *The whole town literarily went up in smoke. You should say: The whole town literally went up in smoke. Do not say: *What is the literary meaning of the word? You should say: What is the literal meaning of the word?

Other expressions that may interest readers are: literaltranslation; literary language; literary scholars; literarylanguage.

Sample 2: “An alumna of the University of Wisconsin, USA, where she studied Economics, she relieves her early career days…Reliving her childhood years, George-Taylor says they were laced with lifelong lessons which she will forever treasure.”(Only the Paranoid Survive…The Sun, March 27, 2016) Let’s focus attention on the words relieves and reliving both of which occur in the following contexts respectively: “she relieves her early career days”; “reliving her childhood years.” We don’t need to have special linguistic or reading skills to know that both words mean: trying to recall and re-enact and attempt to re-experience an earlier known experience. It is a surprise, therefore, that the reporter has provided two forms for the same word.

The fact is that he has ignorantly presented two different words as variants of the same word! The word he needs for both contexts is relive: relives and reliving.

One of the challenging and intriguing features of the English spelling system is the fact that, often, two markedly different words can be differentiated in writing by only one letter, present in the one, but absent in the other.

The word relieve is about comfort that comes after pain or reduction in pain. The noun form is relief. Let’s start by illustrating the usage of the noun form. Please read the following sentences: 1) Powerful as the pain killer is reputed to be, it failed to bring the expected the relief. 2) The joy of seeing a newborn baby is a relief that often overwhelms the pain that accompanies childbirth. 3) It was a great relief to realize that her husband was not one of the victims of the vicious attack. 4) Relief came from various quarters to the victims of the flood disaster.

5) When the policemen arrived, we breathed a sigh of relief. 6) The relief provided by the air-conditioned car more than compensated for the hours spent in the scorching sun.

Now let’s illustrate the usage of the verb form: 1) I was greatly relieved when I heard that she had arrived safely. 2) Every drug that relieves pain is believed by medical experts to have one side effect or the other. 3) As a way of relieving stress, he plays football every evening. 4) Although the cup of milk did not fill me, it at least relieved my hunger slightly. 5) The presence of the children relieved me of the boredom and loneliness that I had often complained of. 6) The boy stood up, walked towards her mother, and relieved her of one of the bags she was carrying.

Now to relive an experience is to remember and imagine an experience one once had with such clarity that it seems one is going that experience again. Please read the following sentences: 1) As she narrated her experience as a rape victim, I had that strange feeling that I was reliving my own experience. 2) Each time we watch the film, we relive our experience of the civil war. 3) Adults watching children at play would no doubt relive their childhood life. 4) Strangely enough, as I narrated the story, the old emotions were coming up, an unmistakable sign that I was reliving that dark episode of my life. 5) There are novels that would give you the feeling that you are reliving aspects of your own life. 6) The widow frequently relives the gruesome murder of her husband before her very eyes.

line

life

with Niyi Osundare

Random Blues Rise now, Beloved Step up to the waking day Say, rise now, Beloved Step up to the waking day Dew-drenched, mist-mobbed Pay due homage to the quickening clay

Dawn’s frail aspects Confound the venturing sole Say, dawn’s frail aspects Confound the venturing sole The shadows know what they own And what they jointly stole

The road is long The Way is short Yes, the road is long But the Way is short Our legs never scared by life’s gallop Will stay steady behind its fort

The winds howl apace The storms unleash their fury Say, the winds howl apace The storms unleash their fury Twilight staggers across the void Like a masquerade with a missing face

Rise now, Beloved Mold the day like friendly clay Say, rise now, Beloved Mold the day like friendly clay Whisper life’s blessings in my yearning ear Away from darkness, far from fear

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11 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Sunday Tribune 11 September, 2016 42 eid-el-kabirmessages Pray for success of Buhari’s economic agenda, Atiku tells Nigerians

By Dare Adekanmbi

F

ORMER Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has charged Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to

work hard, persevere and pray for the success of the measures adopted by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in order to restore the country’s economy to good

health.

Atiku, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), gave the charge in his Eid-el-Kabir message, urging Nigerians to learn to support one another,

Pray for positive change, Ekiti speaker tells Muslims SPEAKER of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Honourable Kola Oluwawole, has charged Muslims across the nation to use the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir festival to pray for positive change in the nation, “so as to be relived of the current hardship.”

The Speaker, in a congratulatory message to Muslims in the country, particularly those in the state, over the Sallah cel-

ebration, signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Stephen Gbadamosi, said the change the ruling party gave was not what Nigerians bargained for, adding that “all hope has, however, not been lost.”

He said the people of the state, particularly the Muslim celebrants, should take advantage of the period to pray to Allah to restore the good fortune of the nation so that the suffering masses would have respite.

especially in the face of the current economic meltdown.

The former vice president, who congratulated Muslims on the celebration of Sallah, called on Nigerians to go out and celebrate the festival despite the economic condition, while assuring them that relief would soon come.

He added that rather than despair, the occasion calls for sober reflection, prayers, cooperation and the display of solidarity

among Nigerians so that no one feels left out.

The Turaki Adamawa noted that though the situation of things would take some time to improve because a lot was left undone for too long by previous leaders of the country, there is always a silver lining at the end of a dark cloud.

“Considering how challenging basic survival has become, this is the time for all Nigerians without

‘Seek God’s face for Nigeria’ MUSLIM Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Oyo State chapter, has urged Muslims to celebrate Sallah by imbibing the lesson of total submission to the will of Allah that the festival preaches.

A Sallah message signed by its chairman, Alhaji Wasiu Aliu and the secretary, Alhaja Rofiah Animasahun, said that in celebrating Eid-el-Kabir, people should be modest and use the period of the festival to seek Allah’s mercies for the country and also use it to further tighten bond of unity among Christianity, Islam and traditional religion.

He also pleaded with citizens, irrespective of religious persuations, to use the occasion to reflect on the virtue of the faith, service and total submission to the will of Allah, the foundation for their lives, because Eidel-Kabir festival symbolises the fear of Allah and desire of man to always comply with the wish of His creator.

Some pilgrims from Nigeria praying near the Kaabah in Mecca on Saturday as they prepared for the climbing of Mount Arafat which holds today.

PHOTO: DAILY MAIL OF UK

Don’t be disillusioned, hopeless, APGA urges Nigerians Christian Okeke-Abuja

THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has advised Nigerians not to be disillusioned and hopeless over the challenges bedevilling the country.

It also urged the citizens to stop ostentatious living and never allow themselves to be hoodwinked with half-a-truth and falsehood regarding the current economic situation.

The National Chairman of the party, Victor Oye,

Eschew bitterness and hatred —ACF Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on Nigerians to eschew bitterness and hatred on the basis of faith as Muslim all over the world celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Adha.

This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna, on Saturday and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim.

According to the state-

ment, “this is a period of sacrifice and a reflection on the significance of the spiritual act. Muslims are therefore enjoined to be steadfast in promoting the tenets of Islam, among which are peaceful coexistence, love, accommodation and understanding.”

The ACF called on Nigerian Muslim Ummah and other Nigerians to eschew unnecessary bitterness and hatred on the basis of faith, tribe or even political leanings.

also advised the Muslim community not to allow the current economic

meltdown in the country to dampen the importance and spiritual essence of

Eid-El-Kabir but to be unfazed, up and doing and alive to their obligations.

exception to invoke the spirit of brotherhood and communal fraternity to beat the reality of the hard times,” he said.

Senator Adeola calls for prayer, perseverance AS Muslims all over the world celebrates the Eidel-Kabir tomorrow, the Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Adeola, has enjoined all Muslim faithful in his senatorial district and Nigerians to continue to persevere and pray for peace and progress.

In his message to felicitate with adherents of the Islamic faith, signed by his media adviser, Kayode Odunaro, Senator Adeola said a strict adherence to the teachings of Islam in the areas of love, brotherliness, piousness, peaceful coexistence as well as tolerance will greatly assist the administration to achieve its stated positive agenda for the nation.

According to him “the present downturn of the economy is a passing phase that will soon be over with correct government policies and peoples’ cooperation with government.”

The senator said he will continue to represent his constituents by ensuring that they continue to enjoy dividends of democracy from the government as well as from his programmes in the area of health, education.

Plateau CP assures on peace Isaac Shobayo-Jos

PLATEAU State Commisioner of Police, Mr. Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo,

has warned that anyone who attempted to breach the prevailing peace in the state both during and after

Eid-el-Kabir festival would be dealt with.

Addressing newsmen in Jos, the new commis-

Eyitayo Jegede felicitates with Muslims GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November governorship election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has

felicitated with Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid -el-Kabir festival.

Jegede, in a statement in Akure, appreciated Allah for allowing Muslims

‘Muslim faithful should continue to pray for Nigeria, Buhari’ Bola Badmus-Lagos

AS Muslims in Nigeria prepare to join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festival, the Chief Whip, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Rotimi Abiru, has urged them to use the occasion to continue to pray for the country and President Mohammed Buhari

to succeed.

The lawmaker representing Shomolu Constituency II made the call on Saturday in his Sallah message, even as he urged Nigerians to join hands, irrespective of their ethnicity or religious affiliation and support President Mohammed Buhari and his team towards moving the country to greater height.

to again commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to a command from God. He emphasised that lessons of sacrifice and understanding for the PDPled government in Ondo State is needful at this time of national economic downturn.

He said with their prayers and support, the PDP-led government would succeed itself in the state after the November governorship election.

Jegede also advised residents and people of Ondo State to pray for a successful upcoming November governorship election, devoid of violence and rancour.

sioner of police said all Divisional Police Officers across the state had been placed on alert to monitor all places of worships to avoid breakdown of law and order.

“I have directed my men to be at alert, there was a show of force on Friday.

To fully show the people that we are not taking things for granted, security men would be deployed to all strategic places to protect lives and property both during and after the Sallah celebration,” he assured.

The Commissioner of Police, who said security was a collective responsibility, pointed out that his command had placed opinion boxes in various places for suggestions and information from the public.

He enjoined the people of Plateau to be law abiding and sustain the prevailing peace in the state.

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11 September, 2016

Ekiti @20: What keeps me going —Fayose Laments Ekiti’s high turnover of governors Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti

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overnor Ayodele Fayose has said that his controversial traits and toughness as a leader are some of the features that keep him and his government going in the face of the tough challenges in this period of recession.

The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, on Saturday, said when his performance as a second term governor is compared with those of past governors and administrators of the state since its creation in 1996, he should be given a pass mark for his achievements.

He said: “Ekiti was created 20 years ago. It is the only one among the states created at the same time that is yet to have either airport or airstrip. Still, the opposition does not see this as minus for the state.

“I don’t know how to play politics with development of the state. To me, its Ekiti first. My detractors know what I am made off and are disturbed by my achievement. That is why they will always concoct lies to distract me. “I am not a rookie, I am a sec-

ond term governor, if it is not photocromic, it is soldier used to rig. If it is not Dasuki money today, tomorrow they will fabricate many unimaginable lies.

The dirty politics here is responsible for Ekiti having about 11 governors as opposed to Ebonyi with four since 1996. During my first tenure, the opposition said there was no need to dualise roads in the state capital, everybody is enjoying it today.”

According to him, “My priority is to leave Ekiti better than I met it. What I did during my first tenure are those visible things in the state today. I may be tough, I may be controversial, but all these are catalyst to my performance. I built the first governor’s office, dualised roads of the state capital, constructed roads in all nooks and crannies of the state, put on ground many structures for use of the state. I always scored the first position in development of the state.”

He repeated his allegation that ex-Governor Fayemi had left the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBED) worse than he left it, and also claimed that the projects,

which the immediate past administration sunk a lot of borrowed money into, were uncompleted and of no real benefit to the people of the state.

Fayose described himself as “a visionary leader”, saying: “I dont wait until there is dire need for anything. I always plan for the future.

Is it when there is gridlock in Ado Ekiti before we build flyover? Must there be fire incident before you have fire service station? I thank the almighty God for bringing me back as Ekiti State governor.

Former University of Ibadan Vice Chancellor and emeritus professor of English Language, Professor Ayo Banjo, and Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Matters, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, have decried what they called ancient systems and structures that limit the Nigerian woman.

They, however, admitted that going by the array of women in history who have distinguished themselves as icons, the Nigerian history cannot be effectively written without giving women a prime place.

They both said this in the foreword to a book written by the retired Director

Nigerian history is women history, say ex-UI VC, Dabiri-Erewa, in Bolanle Awe new book of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, and former Commissioner in the Western Region, Professor (Mrs) Bolanle Awe, entitled Nigerian Women Pioneers and Icons.

The book is a historical assessment of the contributions of 34 women pioneers from pre-colonial era till date that showcases their uncommon contributions to the historical development of Nigeria.

Some of the women recognised in the book include Nana Asmau, Hajiya

Saint Isabel Schools, centre for child’s intellectual development —Parents

By Kehinde Adio

Parents and old students of Saint Isabel Comprehensive Model College, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State, have described the college as a centre for child’s intellectual development.

They made this remark following the release of the college’s West African School Certificate Examination results.

Miss Adeleke Oluwatimilehin, one of the best stu-

dents of the college for the 2016 set, and winner of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Science Competition in the 2015 edition, asserted that the school imparts into students discipline, good character, self-confidence, apart from academic excellence.

The school administrator, Mr Adeniyi Adeyemo, stated that “our penchant for a wholesome character

Sunday Tribune

build, culture of excellence discipline, topnotch curriculum and dedication to quality educational standard prepare our students for the tough tertiary educational challenges in Nigeria or elsewhere.

“The consistent year-in, year-out exceptional results of our students only serve to illustrate a portion of our achievements as a private institution of learning in the country.”

Fatima Lolo, Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti; Wuraola Adepeju-Esan; Margaret John Ekpo, Irene Thomas; Ladi Kwali, Adetowun Ogunsheye; Mabel Segun; Flora Nwapa; Folake Solanke; Grace Alele Williams; Gambo Sawaba; Hansine Napwanijo Donli, Onyeka Onwenu; Zaynab Alkali; Batule Alake; Joy Ogwu, among others.

According to Professor Banjo, prejudice and discrimination, which he likened to the racial prejudice of apartheid South Africa, had been the bane of the assessment of the contributions of women to the Nigerian history, which he said suggested that a gender was superior to the other.

In her own contribution, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa called for an understanding of the difference between the modern woman and her foremothers.

“The most significant difference is that the modern woman works and earns a living most of her adult life, whereas her forerunner, once married, stays at home and takes care of domestic affairs,” she said, asking for the striking of balance by the modern woman in her different roles.

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11 September, 2016

1.5m pilgrims climb Mount Arafat today

M

ORE than 1.5 million Muslims have gathered in the sprawling tent-city of Mina for the start of the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage that reenacts the actions of the Prophet Muhammad from more than 1,400 years ago.

Worshippers from more than 150 countries began performing rituals at the Grand Mosque in Mecca early on Saturday, one of the holiest sites in Islam, before setting out en masse to Mina, about 8km away.

The more than 1.5 million pilgrims will spend the day in Mina before setting out at dawn on Sunday to Mount Arafat, a 14.4km journey from Mina, which was the scene of the Prophet Mu-

hammad’s final sermon.

Last year, Mina was the scene of the worst disaster in Hajj history, when a stampede occurred as pilgrims made their way to the Jamarat Bridge for a stoning ritual.

To address security concerns, pilgrims have been given electronic bracelets storing personal and medical information that will help authorities provide care and identify people; and nearly a thousand new surveillance cameras have been installed at Mecca’s Grand Mosque which will monitor crowd numbers.

“We don’t come here with fear in our hearts,” said Naouri Abdelkarim, aged 50, from Casablanca, Morocco.

Pilgrim Lawan Nasir, aged 45, from Nigeria, who lost a cousin in last year’s stampede, said: “The pains have not dulled a bit,” but stated that it would be “silly” to stay away.

In one of several safety measures implemented after the stampede, access to the Kaaba is suspended during prayers, and the walk around it is stopped to avoid overcrowding.

Security has also been reinforced around Islam’s holiest site, where officers in red berets and camouflage uniforms man green plastic barricades to control the crowd.

Pilgrims were told they needed to follow a strict set of rules to prevent another tragedy.

“They said not to stray from our group, not to linger when buses arrive and depart, and to properly respect the designated routes,” said Rasha Mohammed, aged 36, from Alexandria in Egypt.

Pilgrims are, this year, being issued with identification bracelets, following difficulties identifying the dead last year. Each bracelet carries a bar code which is readable by smartphone.

It holds data including the pilgrim’s identity, nationality, and place of lodging in Mecca, the vice secretary of the ministry of hajj and umrah, Issa Rawas, revealed.

As well as 1.5 million worshippers from across the world, around 300,000 Muslims from Saudi Arabia are expected to attend.

Sunday Tribune

Muslims contribute to buy cows for Sallah in Kano Kola Oyelere -Kano AS Muslim faithful count down to Eid-el-Kabir, many rams across various markets in the ancient city of Kano remained unsold, probably as a result of high prices, a development which forced likely potential buyers to opt for joint contribution to procure cows.

When Sunday Tribune visited some ram markets, at Angwa-uku and Naibawa, situated close to each other, an average ram which sold last year for between N20,000 and N35,000, cost between N40,000 and N50,000.

At Yankaba and Maiduguri roads, rams hitherto sold for between N15,000 and N25,000 now cost between N30,000 and N35,000, while at Dawanu market, the price ranged between N75,000 and N100,000 as against N40,000 and N50,000.

Following this high cost of rams and seeming non-availability of money in circulation, a respondent, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba, said the price of rams had gone beyond the reach of common man, adding that he and some people had resolved to contribute money to jointly buy ram to celebrate Sallah.

Some ram sellers at various markets in the state blamed the high price of rams on the dollar exchange rate and the present economic recession.

Ondo APC primary: Ekungba wants crisis resolved internally

By Moses Alao

The inaugural lecturer, Professor Afolakemi Oredein (left), presenting a copy of her lecture to the vice-chancellor, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Professor Olufemi Onabajo, after she delivered the lecture recently.

One dies, 6 hospitalised after cassava meal in Plateau •Man dies after falling from train From Isaac Shobayo -Jos and Biola Azeez -Ilorin A family of seven, simply identified as Atang, in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, has been hospitalised with one dead, after eating cassava for breakfast.

A source close to the family told Sunday Tribune that the family comprising a 67-year-old man and six others, suddenly fell ill and complained of chronic stomach ache after the meal at about 10:00 a.m., adding that they were taken to Jos University Teaching Hospi-

tal (JUTH) by neighbours who heard about their predicament.

It was gathered that the youngest, a three-year-old girl, died on arrival at the hospital, while the other family members were placed under observation and were yet to fully recover as at the time of filing this report.

Some of the family members who spoke with Sunday Tribune at the hospital said they rushed into cooking the cassava due to hunger, adding that the variety they ate contained some substances that need-

ed to be extracted before they could be boiled and eaten.

When Sunday Tribune visited JUTH, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mrs Ngozi Oparah, was not on ground while medical personnel attending to the victims were not willing to comment on the issue.

In another development, an unidentified man, suspected to be a beggar, fell off the top of a moving Kano-bound train in Ilorin, Kwara State.

According to a female eyewitness, who boarded

Don tasks leaders on crisis management AS Nigerians await the implementation of proposed policies and programmes in fulfilment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign promises, an advice has been offered to the present crop of leaders to address issues headlong as they emerge instead of waiting until they degenerate into crisis before they manage them.

Professor Afolakemi Olasumbo Oredein of the Department of Educa-

tional Management, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, stated this on Wednesday while delivering the 6th inaugural lecture of the institution.

Speaking on the topic “Good Leadership for National Development: The Inevitable Fraternal Twins and Irresistible Skills as Matters Arising,” Oredein, stated that “Our leaders should not wait until issues degenerate into conflict or conflict escalates

before it is managed. They should identify opportunities for growth, improvement, change and development, and make the best out of the situation.”

Present at the lecture were academics from the University of Ibadan where she was a student, the IAR&T, Olabisi Onabanjo University where she previously lectured, the Anglican Communion clergy, family members, and others.

the train from Lagos, it was noticed that the one-handed man, kept moving in and out of the train, apparently to evade officials who were checking tickets.

“I am surprised to see him dead, here in Ilorin, but I suspect that he went out of the station due to the delay and when he saw the train moving, he ran to join and fell off,” the witness said.

Speaking on the development, the Ilorin station manager, Mr Godwin, said: “I received a call from the level crossing keeper, telling me that somebody fell from the roof of the train and I rushed there in company of the station’s Divisional Police Officer, DPO, to see what the situation was. He is actually an Almajiri, a one-handed man, who had no ticket.

“The unfortunate thing is that despite repeated announcements in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba that no one should hang on the train, someone still took the risk. He had no ticket; the corporation cannot be held liable for his suicide act.

The corpse has been taken to a mortuary,” he said.

ONE of the governorship aspirants that contested in penultimate Saturday’s primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Chief Jamiu Afolabi Ekungba, has appealed to leaders of the party at all levels to convey a roundtable conference in order to resolve the crisis that followed the primary election.

In a statement made available to Sunday Tribune at the weekend, Ekungba, who also denied calling the people of the state “bastards and ingrates,” called on all aspirants to heed the advice of the national leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, to close ranks, commending the former Lagos State governor for his “strong commitment to the creation and growth of APC to the extent of becoming a national party and winning election at the centre.”

He urged Tinubu “to lead the most critical aspect of the struggle of rescuing Ondo State, which is winning the November 26 election.”

He described a report that he referred to the people of the state as “bastards and ingrates” after his loss at the primary and that he stormed out of the venue of the primary, as false and malicious.

Ize-Iyamu expresses satisfaction in PDP lawmakers Banji Aluko-Benin City GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has expressed delight at the representation offered by the party’s lawmakers in the National Assembly, describing them as “worthy ambassadors of the PDP.” Ize-Iyamu stated this in Benin, the Edo State capital, during the award of scholarships to 88 secondary and university students drawn from the seven Local Government Areas in the Edo South Senatorial District by the lawmaker representing the area, Senator Matthew Urhoghide.

In his address to the students, Urhoghide, who is the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, thanked the PDP for giving him the privilege to serve his people, while the Edo State chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih commended the effort.

Church convention

THE Followers of Christ Gospel Mission Incorporation will begins its three-day annual national convention with the theme, ‘The Celebrated Saints’ based on Revelations 7: 17. The convention holds at FCGM national headquarters, behind Ibadan Grammar School, bus terminus, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State, between Friday, September 16 and Sunday, September 18, 2016. The Friday event will hold at 10:00 p.m.; 10: 00 a.m. is scheduled for Saturday and 8:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Ministering are, Pastor Akin Akintayo (JP); Pastor Isaac Olapade (JP); Pastor James Falade; Pastor F.O. Oyetunde; Pastor O.O. Adepoju; Pastor Lekan Ogundipe (JP) and Pastor Adedeji Adewumi.

Pastor Chaplain J. Bode Awowole (JP) is the General Pastor Awowole Overseer and the host.

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11 September, 2016

Military attacks 12 Boko Haram camps •As troops kill 7 kidnappers in Bauchi Chris Agbambu-Abuja

A

bout 12 Boko Haram camps and hideouts have been destroyed by the air component of the Operation Gama Aiki of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

The troops of sector 4 in Diffa, Niger Republic also neutralised four Boko Haram terrorists suspected to have attacked the Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs).

In a statement signed

by Colonel Muhammad Dole, the Chief Military Public Information Officer and made avail-

able to Sunday Tribune on Saturday that the continuous blockade of the terrorists’ main supply routes and arrest of their logistics suppliers had caused economic hardship for the terrorists and forced many of them to surrender in different locations in the Area of Operation (AOO) of MNJTF. Colonel Dole added that the troops of sector 4, while on clearing operation after successful air strikes at Baroua village, encountered improvised explosive devices, which led to the death of two personnel and left six soldiers

injured.

In a related development, troops of 33 Brigade Nigerian Army, on Friday, during exchange of fire killed seven suspected kidnappers and destroyed their camps at Lame Burra, Gunduru and Kati Layin villages in Bauchi State.

The troops said they recovered two AK-47 rifles and three dane guns during the shootout.

The troops, Sunday Tribune gathered, were currently combing the villages to further track down other fleeing members of the criminal gang.

The Chief of Army Staff,

Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, had, after the initial successes of its Operation Forest Kunama, which was aimed at clearing all livestock rustlers and armed bandits camps in Bauchi and Gombe states, directed the troop to maintain continued presence at the Lame-Burra forest.

This, he said, was put in place to prevent the suspected criminals that fled from returning.

He added that two Forward Operation Bases (FOBs) had been established at Lame and Jimi to cover and ensure that criminal activities were no more perpetrated.

Sunday Tribune

National hospital recorded 500 IVF births in 10 yrs, says CMD Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja

THE Chief Medical Director of National Hospital, Abuja, Dr J.A.F. Momoh, said the hospital recorded 500 births conceived through In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) between 2006 and 2016.

Dr Momoh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday at the end of the 78th regular meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Tertiary Hospitals held in Calabar, Cross River State.

In-Vitro Fertilisation is a process by which an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body.

According to Momoh, the hospital is the first to achieve this feat consistently for a decade in West Africa.

“National Hospital Abuja attended to over 20,000 patients last year and more than 15,000 of them were admitted.

Eid-el-Kabir: Stay away from Abia, police warn hoodlums Jacob Segun Olatunji-Abuja

AHEAD of tomorrow’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, has assured the people of the state of a peaceful celebration, even as he sounded a note of warning to hoodlums and potential trouble-makers to stay away from the state.

Oyemade who gave the warning during an interview with newsmen said that his officers had been mobilised to ensure a hitch-free celebration According to him,“all the police personnel including myself would be on duty from today. There would be no breathing space for hoodlums anywhere in the state. We will make the state a no-go area for criminals”.

He said that Police personnel had been adequately deployed to all strategic places such as prayer grounds, recreation centers, hotels, motor parks and government installations to ward off criminals

Wike to improve Kalabari economy

From left, a beneficiary being presented a tricycle (keke NAPEP) by Alhaji Tijani Yusuf Orisankoko representing Ilorin descendants Progressive Union (second right), DG, Mandate Office, Honourable Wahab Isa and Alhaji Yunusa Gidado, during the presentation of empowerment materials of Saraki Mandate Office to some constituents in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Saturday. (Insert) is a line-up of some of the Tricycles.

10 feared dead, 192 injured, many houses collapse as earthquake hits Tanzania AT least 10 people were reported dead and left 192 injured after an earthquake measuring 5.7 hit NorthWest Tanzania on Saturday.

The epicentre was re-

corded at a depth of 25 kilometres and located 44 kilometres east of the North-Western town of Nsunga and Bukoba, close to the western shore of Lake

Victoria.

Impact of the earthquake was felt as far as Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi, according to the US Geological Survey. Images

Ondo election will be conclusive —REC Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja

AHEAD of the Ondo State governorship election, the State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mr Segun Agbaje has declared that he was not under pressure from any quarters to favour any of the political parties, saying that “the people of Ondo State and their votes would determine the next governor.”

Agbaje who stated this during an interview with Sunday Tribune pointed out that “we don’t have

any other mission than to ensure that we have a very credible election that would be acceptable to all the political parties and the public.”

According to him,“we want to make Ondo State election a reference point that would catch the attention of everybody in Nigeria and even across the globe. We don’t have any other mission than to ensure that we have a very credible election.”

Asked how political violence could be eradicated in the country, Agbaje said, “the solution is Electronic voting. You saw it dur-

ing the election of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

You will be in the comfort of you home and do your thing, the law has not enabled us to do it.

According to him, “bringing smart card readers alone was a tug of war last year. But we insisted that we were going to use it. We are not expecting to have a 100 per cent success but the minuses we have were not up to five per cent across the country.

“So it means we have had credibility in the conduct of elections in Nigeria.”

taken in Mwanda showed collapsed structures after the shake.

In the town of Bukoba, residents said that some homes in the area caved in.

Some residents of Bukoba told reporters that 10 people were found dead and some houses caved in.

“This incident has caused a lot of damage,” Deodatus Kwala, the District Commissioner of Bukoba, told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Saturday.

“As we speak now, the number of dead stands at 10 and those injured stands at 192. Because we are still collecting information, it’s likely to go up. Even the number of injured people is likely to go up.”

“The walls of my home shook as well as the fridge and the cupboards,” said an Agence France Presse (AFP) correspondent in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that the Abonnema Ring Road, Phase Two, would improve the economy of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area and also empower the people.

Governor Wike also stated that the Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema being reconstructed by the State Government would create access to quality secondary education for the people of Kalabari Kingdom.

He spoke on Saturday after inspecting key projects of the state government in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

The governor assured the Kalabari people that his administration would ensure the successful completion of the land reclamation programme in the area.

He said the Abonnema Ring Road would provide an alternative route out of the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

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SUNDAY

Sunday Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman 08053789060 tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com

Iheanacho (left) scores winner for Manchester City on Saturday at Old Trafford.

Iheanacho wins Manchester derby for Guardiola

By Ganiyu Salman

N

IGERIAN international, Kelechi Iheanacho was the match winner at Old Trafford on Saturday, as his 36th minute’s goal gave Manchester City a 2-1 win over hosts, Manchester United in the English Premier League.

Iheanacho, who last weekend also scored Nigeria’s lone goal against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania, in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) dead rubber qualifier in Uyo, had assisted teammate, Kevin de Bruyne to net the opener in the 15th minute.

The starlet doubled the lead for the visitors 21 minutes later when he did a simple tap-in after De Bruyne’s effort had hit the post.

Iheanacho with the goal had scored nine goals from 13 shots on target in the English Premier League.

The Manchester derby was the 17th time both Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho had clashed, with the former winning eight times, while the latter had only three wins to show as six of their meetings ended in stalemate.

The Citizens dominated the better part of the first half to maintain their unbeaten run this season with four straight wins, while United suffered their first loss of the

season.

Swede striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic maintains his scoring form when he got United’s only goal in the 42nd minute, after debutant goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo, who joined City from FC Barcelona, had misjudged a free-kick, as the Swede who moved to Old Trafford from Paris Saint Germain this sea-

son was clinical enough to volley in the rebound.

What would have saved the defeat of United was Marcus Rashford’s goal in the 78th minute which was overruled after Ibrahimovic was caught in an offside position.

Iheanacho after the match was proud to form a superb combination with Belgian De Bruyne.

“I am happy that I scored the goal that gave us victory, I am happy that I also assisted De Bruyne to score and I

SUPER Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo finally scored his first goal of the season in the English Premier League as

Ighalo

Watford produced a stunning performance to come from 0-2 down and beat West Ham United at its new ground, the Olympic Stadium.

Ighalo, who fired blank in the past three EPL games against Southampton, Chelsea and Arsenal respectively, had though scored last month when the Hornets were bundled out of the English Football League Cup by visiting Gillingham.

The Hammers shot into the lead barely five minutes into the game through Michail Antonio with a glancing header which displaced goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, while he was on song again in the 33rd minute to put his side firmly in control.

Ighalo brought respite to

Most Valuable Player, Iheanacho who presented De Bruyne with the Man of The Match award.

... Referee killed Man U —Mourinho MANCHESTER United manager, Jose Mourinho said his men did not impress in the first half during Saturday’s derby at Old Trafford

Ighalo nets season’s first EPL goal

By Oluwabunmi Ajayi

thank him too for assisting me to score. It is a great moment for me and our fans,” said the 2013 FIFA U-17

the visitors when he grabbed his first EPL goal of the season in the 41st minute.

The former Udinese striker after receiving a pass from Troy Deeney had drifted inside from the left and his low shot went in after a kind deflection from James Collins.

Deeney picked up the loose ball before curling home a superb shot from just inside the area for the equaliser before the break.

The visitors came out stronger in the last half as Etienne Capoue’s powerful half-volley gave them the lead for the first time in the game in the 53rd minute, while Jose Holebas sealed Watford’s first victory of the season with a shot from 18 yards out.

against Manchester City, just as he also blamed the 1-2 loss on referee Mark Clattenburg who he said “made two big mistakes”.

“The two halves were completely different. In the first half we were below the level to play this match. You have to be completely ready in terms of the speed of your thinking and decision-making.

“The second half was completely different. We were a team that had the courage and honesty and dignity to chase with pride the result which I think we deserved - we deserved a goal in the second half,” the Special One told bbc.com.

Mourinho (left) and Guardiola during the derby at Old Trafford

The Portuguese manager stated that he also lost the game to bad officiating.

“We were also punished by two decisions of Mark [Clattenburg], because even the best referees can make mistakes and he made two mistakes. The first one is Bravo [on Rooney] – it’s a penalty and a red card. If any player does that outside the box, it’s a direct free-kick and a red card, so inside the box it’s a penalty and a red card. But the referee maybe thought of the consequences of that because the consequences would be a completely different game and he didn’t want to take that decision, which would be very important.”

47 sport

11 September, 2016

Winners emerge at S/West Beginners’ Tennis vacation clinic

3SC beat Rangers 2-1

By Olawale Olaniyan SHOOTING Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Saturday continued with their impressive home form as they defeated title contender, Rangers of Enugu 2-1 in a match day 35 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

Both sides created a pocket of scoring chances but the first half ended in a stalemate.

The Oluyole Warriors on resumption for the second half piled pressure on the Flying Antelopes and got rewarded six minutes after, as Ifeagwu Ojukwu converted the spot kick which was awarded his side after Nojeem Olukokun had been fouled in the box.

Former Sunshine Stars striker, Ajani Ibrahim doubled the lead for the Gbenga Ogunbote men when he placed the ball over onrushing Rangers Ghanaian goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu in the 64th minute.

The league leaders reduced the tally in the 89th minute through Chisom Egbuchulam as the homers held on to the 2-1 lead till the end of the game which produced two red cards.

Rangers’ defender, Chibuzor Madu was the first player to bag a red card after he brought down Olukokun in the box which resulted in a penalty kick, while 3SC defender, Moses James was also issued a red card in the dying minutes following a rough tackle with an opponent.

Speaking after the match, 3SC defender, Izu Joseph said it was a hard fought victory for his team.

“I give glory to God for this victory, it was a very difficult match because our opponents really did everything to avert this defeat. It would have been another story if we had dropped points at home again and kudos to our fans for their support. With this victory, I believe we are going to be better placed on the table now,” Izu told Tribunesport.

Meanwhile, former Rangers handler, Christian Chukwu said nothing would stop his side from lifting the league trophy this season adding that, the Flying Antelopes are ready to win all their remaining matches.

By Nurudeen Alimi

Iwobi

Iwobi returns as Cazorla gives Arsenal victory N IGERIA international, Alex Iwobi returned to action with Arsenal, as the Gunners secured a stoppage time penalty to beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday.

Iwobi came on to replace Theo Walcott in the 75th minute after he had missed Arsenal’s last two games as a result of muscle injury.

His first game this season was the season’s opener where the Gunners bowed 3-4 to Liverpool at the Emirates.

The Saints on Saturday took

the lead in the 18th minute when Petr Cech tipped a Dusan Tadic free-kick onto the underside of the bar, but the ball bounced in off the former Chelsea goalkeeper.

Laurent Koscielny equalised with a spectacular overhead kick in the 29th minute after Cazorla’s corner was not cleared.

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger gave debuts to both his recent signings, £35m centre-back Shkodran Mustafi and £17m forward Lucas Perez.

A World Cup winner with Germany, Mustafi instantly looked

comfortable in his new surroundings, having more touches (94) and playing more passes (86) than anyone else on the pitch, frequently stepping up into the Saints half when he was on the ball.

The Gunners wasted a couple of scoring chances in the dying minutes of the game.

The match was heading for a stalemate when Cazorla converted a penalty kick awarded his side after Jose Fonte was judged to have fouled Olivier Giroud in the box.

THE duo of Adeyemi Kasali and Fatimah Ganiyu have emerged winners of both the male and female categories of the SouthWest Zone, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports’ 6th Beginners Tennis Vacation Clinic at the Tennis Court of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, last Saturday.

According to the Zonal Coordinator, South-West Zone one, Dr Steve Olarinoye, the week-long clinic was put together for kiddies from ages five to 12, just as he noted that the clinic has witnessed increased number of participants with the support from parents.

Olarinoye, who initiated the programme in 2010 said: “The essence of the clinic is to discover new talents and groom them to a level where they will be useful for themselves and the society at large. And I want to believe we have achieved a lot in the last six years.

“The majority of the children discovered from this clinic are now playing for states in the south-west, including Oyo State,” he said.

He stated that the Obafemi Awolowo Tennis Academy manned by experts has been put in place at the stadium to groom discovered talents, saying the academy will expose them to series of competitions that will aid their level of development in the game.

Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State, Mr Makanjuola Ayoola; the Chairman, Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Mr Niyi Alebiosu and the Director, Sports and Training, Oyo State Sports Council, Mr Tunde Popoola, among others grased the closing ceremony of the event.

US Open final: Djokovic goes for treble against Wawrinka

Djokovic

Sunday Tribune

DEFENDING champion, Novak Djokovic will take on third seed Stan Wawrinka in the US Open final after both men won semi-finals in punishing conditions.

Djokovic beat 10th seed Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in New York, with the Frenchman adopting unusual tactics to try and counter the world number one.

Stifling humidity was still a factor as Wawrinka beat Japan’s sixth seed Kei Nishikori 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.

“It’s really humid, really hot.

I knew it would be tough,” said Wawrinka.

Djokovic, 29, had treatment on both shoulders during the first semi-final, while Monfils could barely move at times as conditions took their toll.

“Humid,” is how the Serb described it. “I think that’s all we were thinking about and feeling.”

Monfils robustly rejected the notion that he did not give his all, saying: “I think I tried my best.”

Djokovic will attempt to win his third US Open and 13th Grand Slam title today, while Wawrinka - who beat Djokovic in last year’s French Open final - is going for

a third major victory and first at Flushing Meadows.

Meanwhile, Wawrinka who dumped Nishikori to book showdown with Djokovic today said getting to the final is something crazy.

“Kei is a tough player and he played well from the beginning,” said Wawrinka, who had two years ago lost to the Japanese. “I had to wait and fight and make him a bit uncomfortable and he started to get tired.

“That is when I put my game to be aggressive. To be in the final is something crazy.”

Wawrinka

SIDELINES NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

11 SEPTEMBER, 2016

NO 2,063

www.tribuneonlineng.com

N200

Rolland Ezuruike has won Nigeria its first Olympic gold at the 2016 Paralympics Games in Rio De Janeiro. Such noteworthy accomplishment rings true of the Nigerian spirit. Even in the face of economic woes and less than admirable working conditions, Nigerians always want to do their country proud.

The resistance to Nigeria’s restructuring must end now

I

stumbled on a very important document in my archives – namely, the written message brought by a distinguished delegation of Northern leaders, representatives of the Arewa Consultative Forum, to a meeting of the Yoruba Unity Forum holding at Ikenne on December 15, 2012. Arewa Consultative Forum is the topmost organization of the Hausa-Fulani political leadership of the North; and the Yoruba Unity Forum is one of the topmost organizations of the Yoruba political leadership of the Southwest.

The said document is therefore a message exchanged between two organizations representing the two largest nationalities of Nigeria – the Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba. That makes it a truly historic document. What the prestigious delegation of the Hausa Fulani leadership had to communicate to the august gathering of Yoruba leaders that day at Ikenne says much about our country.

But before I come to the core of the ACF message, I take some liberty to comment on the delegation from the North and the way they handled their message. I must give honor to whom honour is due. The ACF message was very expertly and carefully worded. It was printed, with late Sir Ahmadu Bello’s picture emblazoned on it.

And the ACF representatives thoughtfully made some copies available for distribution at the YUF meeting, and generally delivered their charge with great dignity – dignity appropriate in the communication of one great nation to another great nation. I read this document a day or two after its message was delivered at Ikenne and I was highly impressed then. Reading it now nearly three years later, I am still impressed.

Even so, I find the core of the message shocking and embarrassing – because of what it principally proposes. Though Nigeria has fallen very low at home and in the wider world, I still would wish to be proud of my country’s leaders when they make important statements. The message of the ACF to the YUF on December 15 2012 was a very important statement.

In the light of what we all know and admit concerning our country, and in the light of the things that the message itself acknowledges about Nigeria, I cannot say that I am proud that the statement of this message was made by some of the most exalted leaders of my country.

The central proposition of the message was that no real change is needed in the way that Nigeria is organized and managed today! That proposition is summed up in the following staggering sentence: “Today, we have reached a point at which certain groups are calling for a re-negotiation of many settled issues in our nation”!

What does ACF mean here by “many settled issues” - many settled issues that

that our federation’s structure as it is today is “settled” and not open to discussion obviously needs to rethink in the interest of Nigeria and all its 180 million citizens.

It is the duty of all patriots and all lovers of Nigeria’s recovery, orderliness and prosperity, to tell the ACF and its principals that it is dangerous to Nigeria for a prestigious nation likely the Hausa-Fulani nation to continue to stonewall over the question of restructuring our federation properly.

As we prepared for independence in the 1950s, our political leaders were in no doubt that our nationalities should be given the recognition and the development freedom that they deserved. That is

“certain groups are calling for a re-negotiation of”? Surprisingly, as they spell out quite unmistakably in their message, they mean the structure that the Nigerian federation has today – the structure that, gradually and deliberately between 1966 and 1999, the Federation of Nigeria was given by a succession of Northern military dictatorships punctuated now and then by Northern-led civilian presidencies.

The ACF message urges that, in discussing this all-important issue, and other issues concerning the pitiful decline of our country, we should eschew recriminations. I agree totally. And I am sure that most Nigerians would agree. Recriminations will not solve the titanic problems of our country.

Any group that continues to insist now

why they agreed to a federal structure for Nigeria. And that is why they allowed each of the Regions of the federation to manage itself in its own way. The Regions made commendable achievements in development, and at independence, our country was a land of hope and pride, a country that the world viewed with great expectations. All that was needed was to take the regional autonomy lower to the level of the nationalities – to grant the petitions of the group of minority nationalities in each Region a Region of their own.

But, unfortunately, after independence, the Northern politicians who controlled the Federal Government decided to themselves that the Federal Government must control all things in Nigeria, and that the federating units must all be subject to the whims

Rio 2016 Paralympics: Ezuruike delivers Nigeria’s

first gold, as Oyema wins silver

By Ganiyu Salman

TEAM Nigeria late Friday night recorded its first gold medal at the ongoing Rio 2016 Paralympics through powerlifter, Roland Ezuruike.

The reigning All Africa Games gold medallist lifted 200kg to clinch the gold in the men’s 54kg powerlifting event at Riocentro, Pavilion 2.

Ezuruike first lifted 185kg to set a new Paralympic record and improved on it with a lift of 190kg, while the Nigerian’s last attempt was a successful lift of 200kg which

stands as the new Paralympic record.

The Imo State-born Ezuruike, it will be recalled, at his first major international debut won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where he competed in the men’s 72kg.

Wang Jian of China won the silver with a lift of 170 kg, while Bakochristos Dimitrios of Greece settled for the bronze after lifting 162 kg.

It will be recalled, that Nigeria first won a silver medal at the ongoing Paralympics through Latifat Tijani who lifted 106kg in

the women’s 45kg powerlifting event, one kilo short of the gold medal winner from China’s Hu Dandan.

Meanwhile, Nigeria clinched another silver medal on Saturday night through Esther Oyema in the women’s -55kg powerlifting event.

Oyema lifted a total of 127kg, while Mexican Perez Amalia who won the gold lifted 130kg.

China’s Xiao Cuijuan settled for the bronze with a lift of 115kg.

Pools result:

3, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 40, 46, 47. Today’s matches: 08 and 10.

and caprices of the controllers of the Federal Government. By the beginning of the present century, our country had become a battered and broken entity on the edge of a precipice. An overwhelming majority of our citizens, in all Regions of our country, are wallowing in poverty and hopelessness.

Even the North was beginning, as at independence, under Sir Ahmadu Bello’s highly respectable leadership, to make impressive economic and social progress. In a group of youths visiting the Northern Region from the Western Region in 1961, I had the privilege of visiting this great premier of the North in his office, and of listening to him for a few minutes as he told us, his sons, what he was doing for the people of our Northern Region. I left his presence very proud of him, and very proud of my country and myself. Now, the North is sunk and sinking in poverty, and countless youths of the North are reacting to their hopelessness by giving their energies to callings that are dedicated to destroying, killing and wrecking. And yet, some of the men whom God has elevated to high positions of leadership in that same North are telling us and the world that the distortions that have led our country to these disasters are “settled” and not open to discussion? It is unbelievable!

Most Nigerians say that the present structure and situation of their country is untenable and unsustainable. The Yoruba nation, the Igbo nation, the nations of the Delta, the nations of the Middle Belt, and the Kanuri and related peoples of the Northeast, all speaking through countless voices and organizations at home and abroad, say so. It is time the Hausa-Fulani leadership come forth to say so too.

The dream of a Hausa-Fulani domination of Nigeria is anachronistic and unattainable. Striving for it is chasing shadows – and chasing shadows in a manner that only generates Nigeria’s decline and generates ever-increasing poverty and hopelessness for the millions of Nigerians. The dream of a prosperous and great Nigeria is attainable. We can make Nigeria prosperous, and we can all prosper together in Nigeria. That is a goal well worth striving for.

Results:

English Premier League Man Utd 1 Man City Arsenal 2 Southampton Bournemouth 1 West Brom Burnley 1 Hull City Middlesbrou 1 C/Palace Stoke City 0 Tottenham West Ham 2 Watford Liverpool 4 Leicester Shooting Stars FC IfeanyiUbah Sunshine Stars Rivers Utd Nasarawa Utd Ikorodu Utd Tornadoes

NPFL 2 Rangers 2 Akwa Utd 3 Plateau 3 W/Wolves 2 Wikki 4 K/Pillars 1 Enyimba

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: sundaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 11/9/2016 MANAGING DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR : SINA OLADEINDE. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712.

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