12th December 2015

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

NO 1,129

SATURDAY, 12 DECEMBER, 2015

www.tribuneonlineng.com

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Nigerian Tribune

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Tribune denies receiving money from Obaigbena/NPAN New Telegraph too pg5

CORRUPTION WAR:

I won’t spare my pg3 friends, Buhari vows

—Amos Mcroy Osifo

Army vows to tackle Biafra agitation, militancy, oil theft Naira now N260/dollar pg4

pg4

es s pm r o s c r fro ry a st pea rtua e t Prodisapo mo Ed

pg8

Not many people know what is really wrong with Majek Fashek

pgs 2 & 30

Dasuki’s trial shifted to Monday

Relations protesting over the disappearance of corpses of their family members from the Central Hospital Mortuary in Benin on Friday. PHOTO: NAN

DPR suspends import permit of six oil companies

pg4

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

klieglight Not many people really know what is wrong with Majek Fashek —Amos Mcroy Osifo Former bandmate in Ja’Stix and a cousin of Majek Fashek, Amos Mcroy Jegg, now Pastor Amos Mcroy Osifo, in this interview with NEWTON-RAY UKWUOMA, speaks on his career, Majek’s dilemma and the way forward.

I

T has been reported that you said, your cousin, Majek Fashek would have become a man of God if he wasn’t a musician, why did you say so?

Let me give you a short story of how we started. We were born and raised in the same church. We were three and were very close. Majek, the late Pastor Friday Omagbon and I grew up in the Church of the Lord Aladura, now Church of the Lord Prayer Fellowship in Benin City (Edo State). We used to compete in fasting. We went on dry fasting for days without taking anything. The leader of the cathedral had to stop us by saying that we were harming ourselves as we were young then. I went to one of the best schools in Benin, Edo College. If I did three days fasting, Majek would do seven days, Friday would do fourteen days. The zeal was there and we wanted to grow spiritually. That is why if you listen to some of Majek’s songs like ‘Holy Spirit’ and ‘Righteousness take over the world’, they are all gospel-oriented songs.

When did music take a hold of you?

We were in the choir when we were doing all these. We were also the arrowheads in the choir. I was playing the guitar then, Majek actually started as a trumpeter. Friday was playing the drums and keyboard. They brought a music teacher from College of Education, Abraka to teach us.

I was around eleven years old and wasn’t allowed to learn the guitar then. I settled for the percussions in the beginning but I was always the one to pack and set up the instruments. I lived with my cousin, Kingsley who was one of those that caught up fast with playing of the guitar and I watched him playing at home. Once he dropped it, I would pick it up. He started teaching me the moment he saw my interest. It was the same interest that made Majek to dump the trumpet for the guitar. So I actually taught Majek the guitar. I had an uncle who was one of the top producers in NTA Benin then and he brought us on to perform at music programmes and panoramas. That brought us to the limelight.

We were in secondary school and like stars already as churches and organisations used to invite us. We were like mercenaries and so we were paid. On TV, I was being paid five naira per programme and had three programmes every week. We collected our payslip every Thursday. So I was sure of collecting N15 every week which is like today’s N15,000 . I didn’t bother my parents again about paying my school fees and feeding allowance any more.

When did you decide to form a band?

While we were at NTA Benin, we met a friend of us, Black Rice who came from the United States. The TV station was like a melting point- Oritz Williki, the late Isaac Black — we all met there. People like Kris Okotie, Felix Lebarty all started from NTA Benin’s music panorama. So Black Rice came around and we had that synergy. He was good on drums.

We formed a group known as RAMS — R from Black Rice, A from Amos (myself) and M from Majek and after Black Rice left for Holland because of his marriage, we had to get more hands. Dennis Isila, Charlie Fynn, a Liberian, Sammie Samama and others joined and we formed Ja’Stix.

We were not able to release an album due to unfortunate circumstances but Ja’Stix made reggae popular in Nigeria. Before then, reggae was only sung by a few. We did not decide to break. Since we were bound by a contract, we decided to explore our individual career. That made Majek record ‘Prisoner of Conscience’ album and it was released on the 1st of April, 1988. We all

If I did three days fasting, Majek would do seven days, Friday would do fourteen days. The zeal was there and we wanted to grow spiritually.

Continues on pg30

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Corruption war: I won’t spare my friends —Buhari •Says CBN ’ll disclose recovered loot •Gives reasons why suspects are detained Leon Usigbe - Abuja

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has declared that his anticorruption war will not spare even his friends.

He has also reiterated that looters of public funds are making refunds which will be made public by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) when a reasonable target has been achieved.

Delivering the keynote address titled “Incorruptibility: a Spiritual Premise for Material Well-being,” at the Osigwe Anyam-Osigwe Foundation lecture in Abuja on Friday, he spoke about his determination to bring treasury looters to justice and urged Nigerians to embrace the war against corruption in order for it to succeed.

Buhari vowed that in the fight against corruption, there would be “no friend, no foe.”

He blamed the dilapidated state of infrastructure in the country on arrant corruption of officials who diverted public resources for their personal use.

In a direct response for calls on him to disclose former public officers whom he had earlier said had returned stolen money, he said: “In striving to reorder our country and put it on the path of recovery, we have thus identified the need to tackle corruption head-on.

“In this regard, we have taken steps towards recovering a reasonable amount of the money that was looted or misappropriated from public coffers.

“Investigations are ongoing on public officers who served, or are still serving, and those whose conduct are questionable will be compelled to accept the path of honour and surrender their loot.

“As I stated recently, a good number of people who abused their positions are voluntarily returning the illicit funds. I have heard it said that we should disclose the names of the people, and the amount returned.

“Yes, in due course, the Central Bank of Nigeria will make information available to the public on the surrendered funds, but I must remark that it is yet early days, and any disclosure now may jeopardise the possibility of bigger recoveries.

“But we owe Nigerians adequate information, and it shall come in due course. It is part of the collective effort to change our land from the bastion of corruption it currently is, to a place of probity and transparency.

“Quite frankly, the anticorruption war is not strictly about me as a person, it is about building a country where our children and the

forthcoming generations, can live in peace and prosperity.

“When you see dilapidated infrastructure around the country, it is often the consequence of corruption. Poor healthcare, collapsed education, lack of public utilities, decayed social services, are all products of corruption, as those entrusted with public resources put them in their private pockets.

“That must stop, if we want a new Nigeria. And that was why I said at another forum that people need not fear me, but they must fear the consequences of their actions.

Corrupt acts will always be punished, and there will be no friend, no foe.

“We will strive to do what is fair and just at all times, but people who refuse to embrace probity should have every cause to fear.

“Look at the corruption problem in the country, and tell me how you feel as a Nigerian.

“Our commonwealth is entrusted to leaders at different levels of governance, and instead of using the God given resources to better the lot of the citizens, they divert them to private use.

“They then amass wealth in billions and trillions of naira, and other major currencies of the world, ill-gotten wealth which they cannot finish spending in several lifetimes over.

“This is abuse of trust, pure and simple. When you hold public office, you do it in trust for the people. When you, therefore, use it to serve self, you have betrayed the people who entrusted that office to you.”

He stated that his government was seeking the cooperation of the countries where loot was taken, assuring; “Time it was, when such nations may have overlooked our overtures for assistance to fight corruption. However, we now live in an era where corruption is anathema, looked upon as something that should be tackled headon because the actions of the corrupt can have global impact.

“It is to be noted that resolving the problem of corruption transcends merely arresting and trying people that have held public office.

This is because, to curtail corruption, we have to reorder the mindset of all.

“Empirical facts have shown that even those who are critics today are most times not better than those they criticise. When they are availed the same or similar opportunities, they act likewise.

“In other words, those who didn’t have the opportunity criticise and blow whistle but when they get into office, they become victims of the same thing they criticise.

Nigeria must grow beyond that point, and be populated by people with conviction, a new breed without greed, radically opposed to corruption.

“This points to the fact that curtailing corruption might require a more broadened social engineering. It, indeed, requires conforming every mindset in the social order to the moral tenets in which propriety anchors as a way of life.”

The president recalled the positive reception Nigerians gave his anti-corruption message during electioneering in their realisation of the adverse effect it had on the country and therefore stressed the need to eliminate it.

He noted: “In other words, we note that sheer heroism cannot achieve the elimination of corruption from our social space. What is most required is the conviction of the populace that corruption is an antithesis to social cohesion and development, and must be eliminated.

“We must get to a point where every Nigerian begins to hate corruption with a passion, and collectively determine to root it out of our body politic.

“Any effort to try to deal with corruption without a convinced populace will end as spasmodic, ephemeral exercise, lacking the appropriate social impact. When we are talking about corruption conventionally, it is a manifestation of the human mindset. It is the human beings that manifest corruption.

“To win the war on corruption, therefore, begins with the people accepting that there is an error to be corrected in their lives, that there is a need to refocus and re-orientate the values that we cherish and hold dear. It requires change of mindset, change of attitude, and change of conduct.”

Praising the organizers of the lecture for choosing corruption as the topic of discourse, Buhari said it was in line with his government’s vision that winning the war against corruption required synergy, a collectivisation of resolve that corruption must be eliminated in the social psyche of the Nigerian nation.

The president recalled his initial efforts as head of state in 1984 to deal with corruption and indiscipline, adding that he took the position of corruption as being much more than embezzlement of funds.

According to him, “Even in my earlier years in service to our country, I had personally identified the destructive impact of corruption. Taken from the narrow perspective of the embezzlement of public funds, its social con-

sequence of gross economic inequality alters the basis for social peace and security.

“When given the opportunity to play a leading role in our national history in 1984, we acknowledged that corruption is not just about the embezzlement of public funds but that the perversion of our consciousness and mindset was the point at stake.

“This was the basis of our War Against Indiscipline (WAI) – Indiscipline in any way and manner is a form of corruption of the human essence. That was why we waged campaigns against indiscipline, and its many manifestations in the 1980s during my tenure as head of state of our great nation.

“Sadly in this season, we find ourselves in a Nigeria where indiscipline has been taken to an unprecedented level. The rule of law is grossly perverted, and corruption has been elevated to a way of life at all strata of the society.”

While stressing his previous regime’s effort at tackling corruption by instilling discipline, he recalled: “That effort of the past was under a military regime, a dictatorship as it is classified. Now we are under a democracy.

“The democratic system has its benefit in the rule of law and the fact that a man cannot be assumed guilty until it is so determined by the court of law.

“With the rule of law and its advantages, the same could, however, pose as serious limitations to curtailing corruption when the legal system is not adequately reinforced.

“The onus, therefore, is on those who run our legal pro-

cess to ensure that the corrupt does not go free through exploiting the weakness and lacuna in the system.

“I agree with AnyiamOsigwe that corruption is an attitude and it is about the wrong attitude. The problem with tackling corruption is that when people have become used to a particular way of doing things, even if it is not the proper way, they find it difficult to change.

“We all know that to lie is not good. But we have a sense of justification each time we tell lies. This sense of justification encourages us always to do the wrong thing. It is in this context that the mindset becomes an issue. There is the need to bring back our minds to the pure state of the human identity.

“While changing the mindset of the people is integral to dealing with the manifestation of corruption socially, it is also important to heal the wounds inflicted by the corruptive indulgence of specific people who have been entrusted with public positions or funds.

“Thus, it is the responsibility of government to investigate reported cases of corruption. In the process, suspected culprits could be arrested, detained or questioned. All these efforts would eventually end up with prosecuting the case in court.

“A government that closes its eyes to brazen corruption loses its essence, the very reason of its existence.

Such a government is sheer flippancy, a waste of time, moral and sociological absurdity.

“In Nigeria, it needs be said

that two problems stare us in the face. First is that our laws need to be strengthened if we must realistically contend with the miasma of corruption.

“The second is that we must correct the gaps in our legal system that are exploited to frustrate the process of justice. A number of anticorruption cases have been rendered inconclusive due to legal limitations.

“Dealing with corruption requires the collective will of every Nigerian. Without our collective will to resist corrupt acts as a people, it will be difficult to win the war. We in the leadership will provide the right example. We will not pay mere lip service to corruption. We will eschew it in every aspect of our lives.

“However, we are but few, in a country of more than 170 million people. We need the mass army of Nigerians to rise as one man, and stand for probity in both public and private lives. It is only then that we can be sure of dealing a mortal blow on corruption, which will engender a better country.

“Nigeria has been brought almost to her knees by decades of corruption and mismanagement of the public treasury. We must come to a point when we all collectively say Enough!

“That is collective will, and that is what will bring us to a new state and status.

If this country will realise her potentials, and take her rightful place in the comity of nations, we must collectively repudiate corruption, and fight it to a standstill. It remains eternally true: if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.”

NASS election: Appeal Court affirms Akpabio’s victory Sunday Ejike - Abuja The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Friday upheld the election of former governor Godswill Akpabio as the winner of the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial seat.

The appellate court, in a judgement delivered yesterday, dismissed the appeal brought before it by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Chief Inibehe Okori for lack of merit.

In determining the three issues that were raised before the court, the Justice Moshood Oredola-led three-member panel said hat although there was an error in one of the nomination papers which indicated that Akpabio stood for election for Akwa Ibom North-East, the mistake was, however, successfully corrected in all other docu-

ments.

The judge also held that the oral evidence of appellants’ witness and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Eelctoral Commission (INEC), successfully rebutted the case of nonqualification alleged by the appellants.

The appeal court also held that the former governor met the requirements of Section 65 subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution, which clearly states that a person can only contest an election if he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party.

It further held that the evidence showed that there was no other candidate for AkwaIbom North -West Senatorial District as such, it is clear that nobody was deceived as to the candidature of Senator Akpabio.

It will be recalled that the Akwa Ibom State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, which sat in Abuja, had, in its judgement, dismissed the petition that was lodged against Akpabio’s election by the All Progressives Congress, (APC), and its candidate in the senatorial district, Chief Inibehe Okori.

The tribunal had held that the petitioners failed to prove that the erstwhile governor was not validly nominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election.

It held that the fact that Akpabio was in an initial list that was sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the PDP, erroneously identified as the senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North-East, did not invalidate his election.

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

US denies issuing Boko Haram warning Leon Usigbe - Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), exchanging pleasantries with Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, at the 15th Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe AnyiamOsigwe Lecture Series in Abuja, on Friday. With them is former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan. Photo: Nan.

Profiteering: DPR suspends import permit of six oil companies

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he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has suspended fuel import permits of Capital

Oil, Sahara Petroleum and Folawiyo Petroleum for three months for alleged profiteering.

This is contained in a

statement issued by Abimbola Ogan, the DPR spokesperson, on Friday in Lagos.

Other companies whose permit were suspended are

Trial of ex-NSA, Yuguda, Bafarawa to begin on Monday as Jonathan’s ex-aide is ‘on the run’ Sunday Ejike - Abuja The trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki, exMinister of Finance, Bashir Yuguda and a former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, as well as six others for alleged misappropriation N10billion slated to commence on Friday has been shifted to Monday.

Saturday Tribune gathered from the antigraft agency that the trial of the accused persons over their alleged involvement in the arms deal, for which the former NSA is being prosecuted before a Federal High Court in Abuja will now begin on Monday.

It was gathered that others involved in the matter are a former Executive Director of NNPC, Aminu Baba Kusa; former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa; Sagir Attahiru, Dalhatu Investment Limited, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

Other expenditures include alleged N13.570 billion “agreement” between Dasuki and the ex-Director of Finance; transfer of N1.45billion to Acacia Holdings Limited’s account for special prayers; N2.1billion given to DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited for publicity; N170million for a four-bedroom duplex; N380million to support re-election of members of the House of Represen-

tatives; and N750million paid into Reliance Referral Hospital Limited’s account for special prayers; N670million paid to a publisher; N260million transferred to Tony Anenih and N345million traced to a former president of the Senate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu. The anti-graft commission said Hon. Waripamowei Dudafa, the Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan is on the run.

All the suspects have been divided into two groups for trial before Justice H.Y. Baba and Justice Peter.O. Affen of Abuja High Courts.

Those in the first group with a 19-count charge are: Dasuki, his erstwhile Director of Finance,Shaibu Salisu, Aminu Baba Kusa, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

The charges include among others, “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser and Hon. Waripamowei Dudafa (now at large), whilst being Senior Special Assistant , Domestic Affairs to the President within the jurisdiction of this honourable court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N10billion being part of the funds in the account

of the National Security Adviser with the CBN, the equivalent of which sum you received from the CBN in foreign currencies to wit: $47million and €5.6million Euros committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you claimed to have distributed same to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Presidential Primary Election delegates and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

“That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), between 22nd January 2015 and 19th March 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N2,120,000,000 which was in the account of National Security Adviser with the CBN committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by remitting the said sum into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited controlled by one Dr. Raymond Dokpesi for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presidential Election Campaign for the PDP and you thereby committed an offence punishable under under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004”.

Samon Petroleum, Fynefield Petroleum in Calabar and Stallionaire Petroleum in Lagos.

The regulatory body alleged that the companies sold fuel above the government regulated price of N77.66k at the depot.

The DPR also slammed N10 million fine on each of the companies and directed the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to revoke the companies’ allocations.

The DPR said it had put in place all necessary machineries to curb all incidents of profiteering, hoarding and other unwholesome practices by operators.

“The public is hereby advised to shun panic buying and report any noticeable infraction to the DPR office nearest to them,” the statement said.

THE United States embassy has refuted claims making the rounds that the US Ambassador in Abuja had issued a warning to American citizens in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stay indoors because of the threat of bomb explosions in the city.

This followed a message circulated on “WhatsApp” in the last 24 hours seeking to draw Abuja residents’ attention to the purported message from the ambassador.

According to the message, the envoy was said to have alerted the Americans through emails that three bombladen cars had been parked in different locations in Abuja but was unsure who could be targeted by the terrorists.

The WhatsApp message warning Nigerians about the US alert claimed: “Please, stay safe especially those in Abuja. I Just got this now from a friend & I see no harm in sharing: “For those who stay in Abuja or those who have relatives there, please read this: “American ambassador called and emailed all Americans to tell them to stay indoors, three cars in Abuja loaded with bombs planted in different areas. We are yet to know their targets. Pass the message please.”

However, speaking in Kaduna during a retreat organised for State House correspondents on Friday, US Counsellor for Public Affairs in the American embassy, Victoria Sloan, denied that the ambassador issued such warning.

She said neither the ambassador, the US mission nor the US government sent such message to American citizens in Abuja.

Appeal Court upholds Umahi’s election as Ebonyi Gov Jude Ossai - Enugu

THE Appeal Court sitting in Enugu on Friday dismissed the suit filed by the 2015 governorship candidate of Labor Party (LP) in Ebonyi State, Edward Nwleagu, for lack of merit.

The appellate court upheld the tribunal’s declaration of Engineer David Umahi of PDP as winner of the election.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Oyewole J . O . K, who read it on behalf of other four judges, explained that the five reliefs sought by the applicant lacked merit. It was a unanimous judgement.

The governorship election petition tribunal had in October in Abakaliki dismissed the petition filled by Chief Nkwegu challenging the declaration of Chief Umahi as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for lacking in merit and the inability of the petitioner to prove allegations of corrupt practices and criminalities as contained in the petition.

Dissatisfied with the judegment of the tribunal, the petitioner proceeded to the court of appeal sitting in Enugu to challenge the verdict.

In the appeal filed by his counsel, Chief U.N Udechukwu (SAN), Nkwegu prayed the appeal court to set aside the judgement of the tribunal, describing the verdict as a grave error of law.

He urged the court to annul the election of Chief Umahi with fresh election conducted, adding that the governorship election was marred by widespread irregularities.

But counsel for Chief Umahi, Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lack of merit.

Nigeria tightens rules for retail bureaux de change, naira falls to 260/dollar the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday revised the rules for operating retail bureaux de change in a bid to tighten regulation to curb speculation after the long slide in oil prices hit Nigeria’s dollar reserves and currency .

The naira traded at a new low of N260 to the dollar among most retail money exchange operators on Friday as against 255 on Thursday. On the official interbank market, it traded at 199, close to a rate at which it has been pegged since February.

The circular, which will come into effect in January, orders retail money exchanges to deposit a mandatory cautionary deposit of N35 million in an account

with the central bank, in addition to a minimum capital requirement of N35 million.

The central bank has been struggling to shore up the naira hard hit by the plunge in oil prices, Nigeria’s main export, which started late last year. The new guideline is the latest measure which has cramped dollar demand and the banking sector.

The banking regulator restricted bureaux de change agents to one branch operations, whose licence will be renewed yearly and gave those operating with branches 90 days to close them.

The central bank said bureaux de change agents, which account for less than five percent of total dollar trades in Nigeria, can obtain

dollars from private sources including its window to fund travel allowance of up to $5,000.

But it added that individuals wishing to sell more than $10,000 shall be required to disclose their source.

Nigeria’s dollar reserves shed 1.1 percent in a week to $29.59 billion as of December 7, according to the central bank.

This week the regulator cut dollar supplies to bureaux de change operators due to incomplete documentation.

It sold $30.5 million to some bureaux de change agents on Wednesday, lower than $84.5 million it offered two weeks ago. It also excluded several others from the weekly sale.

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

JAMB Registrar, Ojerinde, becomes Emeritus Professor at OAU

By Moses Alao THE Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, has been appointed Emeritus Professor of Education at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, becoming the second ever to attain that position in the university’s Faculty of Education, after the late Emeritus Professor Babatunde Fafunwa.

The appointment, which was made by the university’s Governing Council and communicated to Professor Ojerinde, midweek, allows him to be a permanent member of staff at the university, taking lectures once in a while and supervising students, though without financial commitments.

Ojerinde, a Professor of Education Tests and Measurement at the university, has been on several national assignments at various times till now, beginning with the National Primary Education Commission, where he was the pioneer Director of Monitoring and Evaluation and Centre for Educational Measurement before he established the National Board for Educational Measurement in 1992.

Honourable Justice J. Hezekiah Omololu Thomas (retd), with his wife, Princess Olufemi Omololu Thomas, singing during his 90th birthday service held at All Saints Church, Jericho, Ibadan, on Friday. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

Tribune denies receiving money from Nduka Obaigbena •New Telegraph too

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HE African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, has denied receiving any money through the publisher of THISDAY newspapers, Mr Nduka Obaigbena, as compensation for attacks on its operations and personnel by soldiers in June 2014, although it filed claims like all other newspaper companies as requested for by the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).

A statement signed by the company’s Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr Edward Dickson, faulted claims made by Mr Obaigbena that the Tribune was one of the 12 newspaper companies compensated by the Federal Government for the June 2014 attacks on newspapers, their circulation personnel and vehicles by soldiers in Abuja and parts of the north.

The two-paragraph statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to claims by the Publisher of THISDAY newspapers, who is also the President of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, that a sum of N10 million was paid to our company through NPAN by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as compensation for the disruption of our circulation operations, seizure of our newspapers and damage to our property by soldiers in June 2014.

“Although, like other NPAN members, we filed claims as requested for by NPAN, the fact of the matter is that up till this moment,

11th December, 2015, our company is yet to receive a kobo as compensation through NPAN for the 2014 disruptive activities of the military to our operations.”

New Telegraph too

Also, the management of New Telegraph newspapers, in a statement signed by the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, Mrs Funke Egbemode, denied receiving any money from Mr Obaigbena despite repeated demands for same from NPAN. The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the inclusion of New Telegraph Newspapers on the list of media houses that THISDAY Publisher and President, Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) claimed he paid N10 million each to,

from funds he received from the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (retd), as compensation for the illegal seizure of some newspapers by the military during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“It is on record that following the decision of NPAN to seek compensation from the Federal Government in the aftermath of the seizure of editions of newspapers by the military, New Telegraph computed its losses, which were passed to the association. However, since then, the company has heard nothing from the association on the matter.

“Following a report that NPAN has begun paying N9 million (not N10 million as contained in the report that has gone viral on the inter-

net), the management of Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited, publishers of New Telegraph, Saturday Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, has written three letters to NPAN for its share of the compensation; but regrettably, as at this moment, not even a kobo has been received.

“The first letter was written on May 22, 2015 followed by another on July 16, 2015 with a reminder written on November 19, 2015.

“Therefore, it is nothing but sheer falsehood for the NPAN president, who claimed he received the money on behalf of the association, to have included New Telegraph Newspapers as one of the beneficiaries of the funds, which as it has now emerged, was disbursed by the former NSA.”

Justice Omololu Thomas virtues lauded at 90

By Wale Akinselure RETIRED Justice of the Court of Appeal, Honourable J. H. Omololu Thomas, has been lauded for his forthrightness, disciplined, unassuming and self-effacing lifestyle in and out of the bar.

Vicar of All Saints’ Church, Jericho, Ibadan, The Very Reverend Olusola Kuyebi, emphasised these qualities at a special service to mark the 90th birthday of Honourable Justice Omololu Thomas, on Friday.

Specifically, Kuyebi noted that Justice Thomas, while he served as lawyer from 1952 to his retirement in 1990, made lucid, meticulous presentations without inducements.

Contained in his hom-

ily, Kuyebi described Justice Thomas as an epitome of strength, hardwork, nobility, a lawyer with impeccable character and a formidable civil servant.

“Justice Thomas worked with dexterity and joy. He was a good family man and a jolly fellow to move with. It is remarkable that he retired to family life in 1990 and turned down offers of several heads of state to serve in government. You have remained disciplined and a legacy of strength and nobility. You are not a biological accident or an accident of nature,” he said.

Some of the guests at the occasion were the wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, represented

by Mrs Bolanle Alli. Others

are Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, Professor and Mrs Dupe Olatunbosun, Professor and Mrs Akinkugbe.

The celebrant, in his remarks, said that the ethics of professional law practice had been abused and somewhat discarded.

Thomas lamented lack of dedication by judges to the sanctity of the profession, non respect for fair play and justice.

“Things have changed so much since our days. There is lack of dedication to the sanctity of the profession.

They don’t care about fair play and justice. Ethics of the profession has been fundamentally abused and somewhat discarded. They don’t care anymore about fairness and justice,” he said.

Glo powers 2015 Ovation Carol NATIONAL telecommunications operator, Globacom, has thrown its weight behind the 2015 edition of the annual Ovation carol scheduled to take place at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, on Sunday, 20 December.

Artistes billed to perform at this year’s event are one of America’s living music legends, Evelyn Champagne King and Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi.

Glo brand ambassadors, Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, Omawumi Megbele and other top African musicians will join the two, and they have all promised to give Nigerians and other international guests attending the event a memorable Christmas season.

“In line with our tradition of adding value to worthwhile ventures, we are sponsoring the Ovation Carol to celebrate African music, fashion and culture. We have particularly chosen to support the Ovation Carol because we share the noble objective of the organisers of the carol to use the platform not only to give sublime entertainment at this time of the year, but more importantly to raise funds for various charity initiatives. It aligns with our avowed commitment to ensuring mirth for others in this season of goodwill to mankind,” Globacom said in a statement.

No recruitment yet, police insist Chris Agbambu - Abuja THE Nigeria Police authorities, on Friday, expressed concerns that many young and able-bodied youths desirous of enlisting into the Nigeria Police are being hoodwinked by fraudsters into believing that the police is currently engaged in recruitment/enlistment exercise.

It said it became necessary once again to inform members of the public that no recruitment/enlistment exercise is taking place now at the police headquarters or at any of their institutions, commands and formations.

Force spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole, in a statement, said the force will duly inform the general public whenever it intends to commence recruitment of personnel through appropriate channels, including public advertisements in the media.

“The public is, therefore, advised not to fall victim, by making monetary payments or any other consideration to fraudsters masquerading through Facebook and other website platforms as agents of the police,” she said.

Oluwalobamise 2015 BLOOD of Jesus Power House Church Inc., a.k.a. Oluwalobamise behind Bishop Philip’s Academy, Shop Mesan Road, off Monatan, Iwo Road, Ibadan, will hold its annual Oluwalobamise Anniversary 2015 and thanksgiving service on 12 December 2015, starting at 10.00 a.m. The theme of this year’s anniversary is ‘He is coming in the cloud’ (O mbo lawo sanmo).

Ministering are Revd. T. O Agboola (speaker), Revd E.O Oderinde, Revd. T.Y Odudiran, Revd. D.O. Familusi, Pastor Paul Aserere, Pastor Mayowa Adegbola, Pastor John A. Amos, Pastor Z. F. Alabi, Pastor E.A. Adetunji, Pastor S.O. Abodunrin and other anointed men of God. Mother in the Lord, Prophetess J.O. Abodunrin (Mama Igor) JP, founder/General Overseer is the host.

6 news

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

FG assures payment of N47bn debt to Egbin Power Plc Olatunde DodondawaLagos

THE Federal Government has assured of the settlement of the N47billion debt it owes Egbin Power Plc. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated this during the kick-off of the despatch of 200MW excess capacity for both Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies in Lagos on Friday.

According to Fashola, “I realised that the power sector needs to be sufficiently funded. When I resumed, I checked what the power ministry was owing but I am happy we were not owing anything.

“We are working with other ministries to settle their outstandings too. I want to assure you that we will pay debts that are legally incurred and are verifiable.

As government, we have to demonstrate clear commitment to encourage other power consumers to pay. We will ensure that the debts are liquidated without distorting the system,” he said.

He argued that regulators must brace up to promote efficiency in the sector. “If Eko and Ikeja distribution companies are ready to take

power and dedicate it to special buyers who are ready to pay slightly higher tariffs, the regulators must begin to work on this to accommodate willing buyers and sellers. The public should know this and must be ready for

the change,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of Egbin Power, Mr. Kola Adesina, stated that “at the point of take over two years ago, we invested $500million and additional N45billion has been spent

to overhaul the plants which were never overhauled over 30 years that they were built.

“As of today, the Federal Government is owing us N47billion. If you can support us and ensure the payment of the debt, we will appreciate it

and be able to do more.”

The Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Benjamin Dikki, implored Nigerians to be patient while assuring that privatisation of the Power sector will work if telecoms

Media, key to anti-graft war —Presidency Muhammad Sabiu -Kaduna THE Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu has said that the role of the press is critical to winning the war against corruption and the change mantra of the administration.

He spoke at a three-day retreat themed ‘Journalism and the Change Mantra’ for State House Correspondents in Kaduna on Friday.

While thanking the Nigerian media for the role it played in igniting the change agenda that brought the president into power, Shehu noted that the change agenda was just the beginning.

He said: “President Buhari has embarked on an anticorruption campaign that is bound to offend many. Big toes will be stepped on, personal interests will be cast

aside.

“As the popular saying goes, when you fight corruption, corruption fights back.

Yes, anti-corruption is a war.

And the press can help President Muhammadu Buhari to win that war. You are one of the government’s most lethal weapons in this battle against the forces that aim to pull down Nigeria. The power of the media, if they have any power at all, lies in their ability to expose wrongdoing. This power of exposure is a far more effective deterrent in many countries, including our own, than the court systems that deliver judgement and not necessarily justice.”

He further admonished journalists, saying “If they know that they will be exposed, many crimes will not happen and herein lies the challenge of the media under Buhari administration. Use

your power to expose wrongdoing, the days of impunity are gone. This is the best way to help the change, now that we have a government with the will and capacity to right

all wrongs.”

Also speaking at the occasion, Governor Nasir el-Rufai said that it was up to the media to make the change agenda succeed or fail.

can work.

“Telecoms worked because the regulators nurtured the market and investors came in. If regulators can nurture the power sector market too, investors will bring in more money and invest,” he said.

He said: “The job is not done. It is just beginning. If you fight corruption, it will fight back. And you are the tools the government will use to fight corruption.”

Glo subscribers get double freebie in Free Tomorrow promo NIGERIA’S next generation network, Globacom has done the unthinkable in Nigerian telecommunication by doubling the value of airtime subscribers on its network used in a day for calls, internet browsing and SMS and giving it back in its entirety to the subscribers free the next day.

In the promo called Free Double Tomorrow, Globacom calculates all the value of airtime a subscriber used in a day for internet services, phone calls and SMS, doubles the value and credits the subscriber’s phone by 12 midnight with the value.

Globacom said the benefitting subscriber can use the free double credit anyhow he or she likes to call or send SMS to any network and browse the internet within the next 24 hours.

The promo was launched in October 2015, when Globacom started giving back to subscribers whatever amount of money they used on calls, SMS and internet browsing in a day and credited the subscribers back with the same amount the following day. Globacom said it decided to double the reward package for its subscribers in appreciation of

their loyalty.

Giving a vivid explanation of the benefits subscribers will enjoy in the Free Double Tomorrow Promo, Globacom said if, for instance, a subscriber on its network uses N500 credit in a day on calls, SMS and data, it will give back N1,000 credit to the subscriber the very next day from 12 midnight to 12 midnight to use as the subscriber pleases to call any Nigerian network, call five international destinations including the USA, China, India, Canada and landlines in United Kingdom, send sms and browse the internet.

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

8 news

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Protest as corpses disappear from Edo mortuary

Bayelsa election: Southern Ijaw is PDP’s stronghold —Dickson

T

Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

Banji Aluko - Benin City

WO families who went to the mortuary of the Benin Central Hospital on Friday to pick the bodies of their relatives received the shock of their lives as the corpses could not be found.

The situation resulted in a commotion at the Edo State-owned hospital as the aggrieved family members threatened to shut down the hospital before the arrival of policemen, who brought situation under control.

The two alleged missing corpses on Friday were those of Abifade Idemudia and Lawrence Agbon-

lahor.

A son of the late Abifade Idemudia, Michael, said he last saw the body of his 54-year-old father three days after the body was deposited on November 21, adding that members of the family were in shock over the missing corpse.

He said, “We brought the corpse to this hospital on the 18th of November, 2015. We came to check on the 21st November when they called me to come and pick his clothes.

“We did not check again since then. That is where we made the mistake. When we came on Thursday to carry the corpse, it was nowhere to be found and the burial was scheduled for Thursday

and Friday.”

Mr Friday Agbonlahor, who is a brother of the other missing corpse, Lawrence Agbonlahor, said he last saw the body of his late brother only three days before (Tuesday) and that he could not explain the circumstance surrounding the disappearance of the body at a time he was to be buried.

He said: “I came to see the body twice in about three weeks to ensure that they take care of it. However, when we arrived today to pick the body, it was nowhere to be found.

“This morning (Friday), somebody came to tell us that there was a problem in the mortuary because

of missing corpses. I never envisaged this.

“The hospital management said we should take it easy and that they were going to investigate the matter.”

No member of the management of the hospital could be reached as they were all said to be in an emergency meeting over the development.

Calls made to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Omorodion Uwadiae, were also unsuccessful.

Some other families who had deposited corpses at the hospital’s morgue were later seen taking the bodies of their departed ones out of the hospital.

Osun: 6 students docked over alleged cutlass, gun attack on teachers Oluwole Ige - Osogbo OSUN State Police Command, has arraigned six students of St. Marks Anglican High School and Adenle Middle School in Osogbo before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attacking their

teachers with cutlasses and clubs.

The students, suspected to be cultists, had on Friday, 4 December, 2015, invaded the schools premises where they allegedly chased their teachers with guns and cutlasses.

But when they were arraigned before Magistrate (Mrs) Adejumoke Olowolagba, the pupils were accused of causing breach of the peace by disturbing school activities on 7 December, 2015 at St. Marks Anglican High School, Os-

Fuel scarcity will end before Xmas —NUPENG

THE National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Friday assured Nigerians that the current scarcity of petrol would soon come to an end.

Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, the South-West Chairman of the union gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, had, on

December 9, confirmed the payment of N407.07 billion fuel subsidy to oil marketers.

Korodo said that there was massive loading of petroleum products in different depots in Lagos and other parts of the country.

“There is massive loading of petroleum products in different depots throughout the country, and our Petroleum Tanker Drivers are ready to go the extra mile to deliver the product

to designated filling stations.

“Our team of tanker drivers will work round the clock to ensure that the product gets to their destinations.

“Well, tentatively, before Christmas period the queues will vanish at filling stations across the country,” he said.

Korodo urged the Federal Government to ensure that subsidy claims were paid on time to avoid recurrent scarcity of petrol in the country.

Army vows to tackle Biafra agitation, militancy, oil theft Adamu Amadu - Dutse THE Nigerian Army has expressed concern over the rising insecurity and resolved to strengthen its ways to tackle militancy, Biafra agitation, Niger Delta militancy and oil theft in the country.

A communique issued at the end of the 2015 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference held in Dutse, Jigawa State and signed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, said the Nigerian Army had resolved to continue its offensive against the insurgents and restore state authority in the north-east region.

According to the statement, “in this regard, the Nigerian Army has re-

solved to strengthen its resolve to tackle the activities of these groups in order to create the conducive enviroment for peace and economic development in Nigeria”.

The Chief of Army Staff maintained that “the Nigerian Army identified the need for collaborative effort among security agencies in tackling the present myriad of security challenges across Nigeria. In this regard the Army requires joint training contingency plan with other services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Police, Department of the State Services and National Security and Civil Defence Corps in tackling these threats”.

He added that “the Nigerian Army identified the language gap between Nigeria and its Franchophone neighbours and resolved to institutionalise French as an alternative language”.

“The Nigerian Army noted the need to articulate measure to constantly engage relevant stakeholders on all issues of human rights and civil military relationship”, Buratai disclosed.

He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari’s continued support for the Nigerian Army in its efforts to tackle the myriad of security challenges across Nigeria and make the welfare of troops a cardinal point of his support to Nigerian Army.

ogbo.

The accused persons, aged 18 years, are Adewunmi Olusegun, Ajibola Toheeb, Ganiyu Sodiq, Adegbite Femi, Atoyebi Nurudeen and Adepoju Yusuf.

The charge sheet obtained by Saturday Tribune reads in part, “That you (accused persons) and others now at large, on the 7th day of December 2015 at St. Marks Anglican High School, Osogbo, in the Osogbo Magisterial District did conspire together to commit misdemeanour, to wit, conduct likely to cause breach of the peace by disturbing the school activities.”

The police prosecutor, Mr Taiwo Adegoke, contended that the pupils had committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 517(d) and 249(d) of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. II, Law of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.

But the six accused persons pleaded not guilty to the two counts pressed against them.

However, the accused persons who were represented by an amicus curiae pleaded with the court to grant them bail in a liberal term, stressing that they were presumed innocent of the alleged offence until the prosecution proved otherwise.

Magistrate Olowolagba granted the six accused persons bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each in like amount.

She ordered that one of the sureties must provide tax clearance certificate.

The case was adjourned till February 15, 2016 for mention.

WHILE the election in Bayelsa State remains inconclusive, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Governor Seriake Dickson has said that he is confident of victory in the Southern Ijaw council, adding that his party will triumph whenever INEC fixes a date for a rerun of the exercise in the area.

He explained his conviction hinged on the fact that Southern Ijaw is the home of Governor-General of the Ijaw nation, in the person of the PDP stalwart in the area, the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and other founding fathers and staunch members of the party.

Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa, Dickson also defended the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) on the cancellation of the rescheduled governorship election in the area, arguing that the Resident Electoral Commissioner acted in accordance with the Electoral Act 2011 as amended.

Amosun, Ambode, Tinubu, royal fathers for Oba Akinyemi’s 10th anniversary THE grand finale of the tenth coronation anniversary of Oba Ebenezer Akintunde Akinyemi (Akaosu I), the Eselu of Iselu Land, Yewa, will take place on Sunday, 13 December, 2015, at Orita Secondary School, Eselu Road, Oja Odan, Yewa North Local Government area of Ogun State at 1 p.m.

According to a statement by the chairman of the planning committee, Mr Jide Aseniyi, the ceremony will feature dignitaries, including the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, as the special guest of honour; the governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, as the distinguished guest of honour and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the father of the day.

Other invited personalities include the Erinjugbo II, the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland and chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, HRM Oba (Dr) Adeniyi Sonariwo; the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewa Land, HRM Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle; the Oloja of Epe Kingdom, HRM Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun; the Onilado of Ilado and Inangbe Island, HRM Oba Mobandele Oyekan; Erelu Abiola Dosumu; Bishop of Epe Diocese and the Right Reverend Michael Olukayode Salami.

Today, Saturday, 12 December, 2015, there will be presentation of awards of excellence and chieftaincy titles to notable personalities, gifts to winners of quiz and football competitions, among other events.

Oba Akinyemi

Senate will not censor media —Saraki PRESIDENT of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, on Friday assured online publishers and other social network operators that the Senate would not censor the media.

This is contained in a statement by his Media Assistant, Bamikole Omishore, made available to the newsmen in Abuja.

The statement said that Saraki gave the assurance when the Executive Board of the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN), led by its president, Olufemi Awoyemi, visited him.

It said that the group’s visit was in connection with the widely criticised “Frivolous Petitions Prohibition Bill 2015” popularly tagged ‘’Anti-Social Media Bill”.

Saraki told the group that he would not support any form of censorship of the media, saying that the 8th Senate remained committed to the principles of fair, responsible and open engagement.

“The Senate has no intention to pass any legislation to control or gag the press,” the statement quoted him as saying.

He, however, charged the group to do its part to ensure that international best practices were adopted, while also abiding by the ethics of journalism.

Earlier, Owoyemi, according to the statement, claimed that a section of the bill aimed at criminalising false statements and use of unsupported petitions on social media.

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12 December, 2015

newsmaker

Trump and his many controversies

By Laolu Harolds

A

MERICANS love tough talkers, especially when it has to do with taking decisions about dealing with terrorists and economic saboteurs; and Donald Trump seems to have redefined this kind of talking effectively since he emerged on the race for the White House.

It appears this self-made billionaire has a mill where he churns out these controversies at a very dizzying pace, and he is enjoying himself.

If he is not offending womenfolk with his comments, he is making embarrassing comments about people he had helped financially or hurting religious sentiments.

But interestingly, rather than dim his chances of getting the support of voters for his often intransigent, condescending, and now bigoted views, he has held on to a comfortable lead among American voters. Even abroad, his support is swelling by the day!

When Donald Trump took the lead among the Republican pack in July, it was assumed he was a political flash in the pan. But he has consistently held on to the lead in nearly every poll taken over the past five months.

From all indications, in spite of everything, it would be a tough task for any candidate to surpass him as the Republican standard-bearer.

His latest call for total ban on Muslims entering the United States has expectedly attracted scathing criticisms across the board, but it is unlikely this is going to affect his rating among the American voters when the next presidential debate comes up.

The first votes of the primary election will be cast on February 1 in Iowa.

For sure, he is making enemies, and putting long-standing relationships on the edge, but his friends that gave him the comfortable lead have stuck to him – and he is winning more!

An online petition to ban him from entering the United Kingdom has reportedly hit 370,000, while the UK parliament is currently considering debating it, but Trump is unperturbed, insisting that the United Kingdom should be thanking him “instead of pandering to political correctness.”

Trump says his Muslim friends agree with him and that he is “doing good for Muslims” by making that call.

In his usual brusque manner, he recently told the CNN: “I’m doing good for the Muslims.

Many Muslim friends of mine are in agreement with me. They say, ‘Donald, you brought something up to the fore that is so brilliant and so fantastic’” claiming that one of the most important people in the Middle East (whom he didn’t name) had reached out to him to tell him ‘Donald, you’re doing a great service’.

Trump’s planned visit to Israel is gradually becoming a very disconcerting proposition for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is widely seen as a supporter of the Republican Party.

The Israeli leader has tacitly distanced himself

from Trump’s comments about Muslims, saying that Israel “respects all religions.”

Netanyahu said he would be meeting Trump on December 28, just as he agrees to meet any presidential candidate who visits the country, but that the meeting would not amount to an endorsement of the Republican presidential frontrunner or his religious views.

Not only is Trump being buffeted verbally for his comments since the debates started, he has lost business contracts and now an honorary degree of the Robert Gordon University, Scotland, as well.

The spokesman for the university is quoted as saying in a statement: “In 2010, Robert Gordon University awarded an honorary DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) to Mr Donald Trump, in recognition of his achievements as an entrepreneur and businessman.

“In the course of the current US election campaign, Mr Trump has made a number of statements that are wholly incompatible with the ethos and values of the university. The university has therefore decided to revoke its award of the honorary degree.”

Former boxing world champion, Muhammad Ali, has also flayed Trump’s comments and call for total ban on Muslims, calling on “true Muslims” to stand up to “those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda.”

Conservative presidential frontrunner, Hilary Clinton, has expectedly made a capital out of Trump’s comments and proposition.

“Donald Trump has made a name for himself in this election by trafficking in prejudice and paranoia. Now he says he wants to stop all Muslims from entering the United States. That’s a shameful idea. It’s also dangerous. At a time when America should be doing everything we can to fight radical jihadists, Mr Trump is supplying them with new propaganda. He’s playing right into their hands.”

She has even smeared the other Republican candidates with the same religious intolerance smudge Trump seems to be promoting, saying that though some Republicans have

been quick to condemn Trump’s statements, many GOP candidates have also said extreme things about Muslims.

“Ben Carson says a Muslim shouldn’t be president, Marco Rubio compares Muslims to members of the Nazi party, and Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz have suggested we should only allow Syrian refugees to come to America if they’re Christian,” she said.

But will this make any difference?

It is difficult to understand for sure why Trump is doing what he is doing. Is he really serious about winning the Republican ticket or is he, as some have lately suggested, playing for the Conservative Party?

There is a conspiracy theory emerging that perhaps Trump is running to damage the Republicans and help Hillary Clinton to the White House.

A tweet by one of the Republican runners, Governor Jeb Bush, recently raised some eyebrows, given the history between Trump and the Clintons.

In 2012, Trump was reported to have said of Mrs Clinton: “Hillary Clinton, I think, is a terrific woman. I am biased because I have known her for years. I live in New York. She lives in New York. I really like her and her husband both a lot. I think she really works hard.”

Investigation has revealed that Trump donated money to Mrs Clinton in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

He is also said to have donated more than $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation, while his daughter, Ivanka, is close friends with Chelsea Clinton.

In 2005, Hillary Clinton was said to have attended Trump’s wedding to Melania Knauss, his current wife, in Florida, while the property mogul was said have been

interview

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P39 Pp35&37

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a registered Democrat between 2001 and 2009 before switching to the Republican Party.

Jeb Bush, whose campaign has been debilitated by Trump’s popularity, said: “Maybe Donald negotiated a deal with his buddy, Hillary Clinton. Continuing this path will put her in the White House.”

Donald Trump’s controversies are getting deeper by the day, but so is his support base among the American voters.

A footage has been unearthed that shows Donald Trump attending New York Sinn Fein dinner in November 1995 before the IRA London terror attack He was also seen shaking hands with Gerry Adams at the function at the Essex House hotel in Manhattan. Mr Adams was regarded by many as an apologist for the IRA, Sinn Fein’s military wing.

Four months later, the Provisional IRA unleashed a terror attack in London’s docklands, killing two people working at a newsagent and destroying a building at South Quay, just under a mile away from Canary Wharf.

This was despite the IRA having declared a “cessation of military operations” on August 31 1994.

But whatever the plan, Trump’s game seems to be on course. He has successfully split the American public and he has the bigger chunk with him. Even the Democrats that were incensed with the recent attacks by the terrorists believe Trump is speaking for them, and there is the growing possibility that this property mogul may actually soon occupy the White House, or successfully pave the way for his rival Conservative rival, Hilary Clinton – if that is his game.

Across Middle America, in rural towns in New Hampshire and Iowa, conservative white voters are said to be backing Trump and endorsing his propositions.

Two-thirds of Republican primary voters are said to be in support of Trump’s proposal, according to a Bloomberg poll released earlier this week.

With Trump’s support growing despite his unconventional and abrasive comments, the Republican Party will soon face a serious choice: if it backs him, it might condemn itself to the margins of far right politics. If it dumps him, Trump might run as an independent candidate, which would gift the election to Hillary Clinton.

court&crime

Pp38

He’s jobless, diabolical and generally useless —Wife I’m sorry, my mother, family misled me —Husband Pp18&31

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

08050498504 toluwaniforever@yahoo.com

Love is no longer blind — Prof. Odebiyi

I

T is often said that love is blind, do you believe in this?

Love is no longer blind. You have to consider and weigh many things and commit them to God in prayer.

If He gives you a go-ahead, then you can say ‘yes’ to a marriage proposal.

As a spinster, what was the picture of your dream man?

I was bent on marrying someone with whom I would flow with and share the same interest. Fortunately, I had him. We had a good marriage. Though we had our ups and downs.

Who is your spouse?

He is Oluseye Odebiyi, an associate professor. He was also a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University. I lost him in an auto crash.

Can you recall your first meeting?

It was at a party at the postgraduate hall in the University of Ibadan. Before then, we had both travelled to the UK for Summer but we never met. In UK, there was the Q Club, where students used to hangout. If you are very sociable there’s no way you won’t go there. They have a particular way they dance in this club. I was doing this dance at the said party and he got attracted to me. He knew I must have visited the Q Club. He and some others were watching me and talking about me. He later walked up to me and chatted with me.

We both loved playing table tennis and we chatted at these occasions. The proximity aided the whole thing.

Tell us how he proposed to you?

I won’t say it was romantic. I had a boyfriend in Glasgow before I met him and I had his picture on my table in my room. He came in one day and asked me what the picture was still doing on my table. I was still trying to answer him when he removed it and put it in my drawer. While protesting, he stated that it had outlived its usefulness. He then said, ”As from now it’s you and me.”

What did you share in common?

We were of the same age, loved playing football and table tennis and partying. He loved to dance.

Who was a better dancer between the two of you?

He was. He was very sociable.

What were the advantages of your being in the same profession?

We encouraged each other since we were both of the same age, made a second class grade and got scholarships. We grew at the same pace.

What do you miss about him?

His companionship. He was a good scrable and monopoly player.

What’s your take on couples having the same purse?

I don’t believe in it. I believe in each party having its own purse, but a purse can be jointly run for family

She is a retired professor from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and now Dean, Postgraduate School, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State. Mrs Adetanwa Odebiyi, who has made a mark in her career, was a consultant to the World Bank and a recipient of the Association of Commonwealth University Academic Exchange Fellowship Award, among others. She speaks with TOLUWANI OLAMITOKE on her background, career and marriage.

projects like the children’s school fees, building of a house and the like. As the chairman of an NGO, I carried out a study for the World Bank on widows. Widows face challenges like poverty among other things due to the way their husbands handled their resources and property before they died. Some made their relatives their next of kin and these defaulted in handing over their entitlements and properties to their immediate families.

Who should be one’s next of kin?

I believe the spouse should be the next of kin. If something happens, the spouse will use whatever his or her partner has left to take care of the children, especially.

Tell us about your family background?

My parents are late. My father, Mr Adenekan Ogundepo retired as a deputy permanent secretary in the Western Region. He attended Government College, Ibadan and was a socialite. My mother, Mrs Modupe Ogundepo retired as a senior education officer. She was a hardworking woman. My father always told me not to follow the path that is already made but to create a path for others to follow.

What did you admire about your parents relationship?

Their dedication to work, honesty and commitment to each other. They grew old together.

Can you recall moments you enjoyed as a child?

As children we were pampered to some extent. I remember while at Queens School, Ede, my parents travelled to the United Kingdom as career diplomats and sent me lots of things.

Tell us one of those childish things you did?

Dad loved flowers and while in primary school, he gave me the assignment of watering them every morning before going to school. I started doing it, but l later devised a means of making the assignment easier for me. I would wet the flowers with so much water on Mondays and leave the other days.

There was a day my dad was watching me and I didn’t know.

Anyway he found me out and didn’t pick me to school. I refused to go to school because I believed I would hurt him by so doing. My mum ordered me to leave for school. Dad later explained to me that plants need water each day to survive like human beings need food.

Did you get into the teaching profession by choice or providence?

I became a lecturer because I loved teaching. I became interested in teaching during my postgraduate days at the University of Ibadan. Then, I was given tutorials to handle. I loved interacting with students and they were fond of teasing me because I was young and tiny. I got along well with them.

When did you become a professor?

That was in 1991.

What price did you pay for coming this far in your career?

It has not been easy. Some people believe that some professions are men’s domain, but some of us also believe that what a man can do a woman can also do better. I gave it all it would take. Again, my dad always told me I shouldn’t be behind because I’m a woman. In academics, you either publish or perish. I had to do research which was not easy, collect data, take care of my family, especially the children.

I was always travelling and had to prepare food which could last about a week for my family and put in the freezer. I always promise to make up for the time spent carrying out these researches. My researches were funded by the World Bank and the World Health Organisation (WHO) and I made sure my papers were published abroad internationally and whenever I travel out, I come home with gifts for my family.

Can you recall your best moments on your job?

One was when I got my first paper published abroad in 1976.

It was one of the best journals in my field in the UK. The other was when I became a professor in 1991.

What is your experience like working with students?

I have had the opportunity of working in different universities—Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) for 35 years and also Bowen University and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) while on sabbaticals and I had varied experiences with the students. Students in faith-based university are very conscious particularly about their dressing. They actually have a dress code. They are respectful and we had rapport in class. At OAU, I learnt that if your students like the way you teach they will respect you and get on well with you.

Can you tell what you do to keep fit?

I watch what I eat. I don’t eat meat while I take swallow in small quantity with much vegetable.

How fashionable are you?

I love to wear things that are in vogue.

What fashion items did you use as a youth that is now back in vogue?

Platform shoes, mini dresses, alter neck blouses and dresses, spaghetti and the like. I wore a mini dress for my wedding thanksgiving. When my children saw the pictures they were surprised we also wore such in the past.

11

12 December, 2015

food&drink Make soup complete with cow butter

Mrs Halima Yoman is a Kaduna State-based educationist with a passion for good food. Though Fulani, she enjoys preparing, with a twist, foods from other parts of the country. She shares with BLESSING EKUM the secret to tasty dishes from the north.

W

HAT are some of the dishes you had while growing?

There is this general misconception that northerners don’t have variety of food but this is not true.

There are several such as miyan kuka (baobab leaf soup), miyan taushe, danwake, okra and the like but the most celebrated dish is Pate. It is a corn meal.

How is pate prepared?

Corn is ground to coarse texture. Sift.

You will need the vegetable called green (African spinach), salt, tomatoes, pepper, locust beans (dadawa), onions, palm oil.

Bring water to boil, add palm oil, locust beans, onions, blitzed tomatoes and pepper, salt. Allow to cook for a few minutes.

Add ground corn (seki) bit by bit and stir thoroughly, else it would burn. As it cooks, it thickens. Tear vegetable in large pieces and slice onions; keep aside. After a few minutes, add sliced onions and torn vegetables. Cover for a minute. Serve.

How often do you prepare this?

It’s a weekend special in my home. I’ve also devised a special way to prepare it.

I add beef, dried fish, fresh groundnut, garden egg and use groundnut oil. Sometimes, I don’t make use of any oil.

What was your favourite food while growing?

It wasn’t food per se; it was a beverage called nunu and fura. As Fulani, if I didn’t take it in a day, I wouldn’t sleep well.

Milk cow. Boil milk. Add little nunu

(youghurt) to milk after it has cooled.

In the absence of nunu, add little cow butter to cold milk and leave over night. By the morning, it becomes yoghurt.

For fura, you will need millet (doro or gero), ginger, spices and a little sweet potato ground to powder. Pick stones and shaft out of millet. Pound or mill millet.

Bring water to boil; this would depend on the amount of millet you have. Pour into pot of water and leave for 15 minutes.

Bring down and pound. Add powdered ginger, spice, pepper, sweet potato flour.

Mix. Serve with nunu.

When making fura in large quantity, is there a quick way to pick millet?

We make use of calabash. Get two clean calabashes, pour water in both. Pour in millet in one and shake thoroughly. Scoop and transfer to second calabash. Usually, stones and other sediment settle in the first calabash. We use this to pick corn, beans, rice and other grains.

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

Would you describe yourself as adventurous in the kitchen?

Yes, in fact I enjoy eating and learning to prepare foods from other parts of the country. I’ve learnt how to prepare isi ewu, ewedu soup, ogbono soup, and edikang-ikong soup, though I modify them to my taste. I enjoy preparing dishes from the South East because they are tasty and very rich.

Can you recall your first experience preparing isi ewu?

The first time I tasted it, it was so delicious that I decided I had to learn how it’s prepared. After learning, I prepared it and it turned out nicely. In fact, I now prefer to cook it to buying from restaurants because mine tastes better.

Can you compare the feeding lifestyle of nowadays to the time you were a child?

There is not much of difference in the foods we eat but the difference lies more in awareness about culinary hygiene. Back then, we didn’t care much about washing our hands before eating or being careful of the kinds of fruits we ate. Growing up in the village, we just ate whatever fruit we saw, regardless of if they could be harmful or not. Also, we drank water from any available source using leaves (we didn’t know if they were poisonous leaves or not) or hands to scoop or lapping with our tongues.

But now, these things have changed.

What are the ingredients for miyan kuka and how is it prepared?

You will need dry baobab leaves. Pound to powder and filter. You will also need ginger, beef, dried fish, salt, cow butter/ palm oil/groundnut oil, dadawa, onions, tomatoes (optional). However, cow butter is preferable. Bring water to boil, add palm oil or groundnut oil or cow butter depending on your choice. Blend ginger, pepper, tomatoes, onions and add to boiling water. Add dadawa, beef and fish and leave to cook for about 15 minutes. Pour in ground baobab flour. Stir and leave for another one minute. Serve with swallow of choice.

Why cow butter?

It has a distinct, delicious taste. Once you taste it, you won’t want to cook any dish without adding it. It’s not the usual butter or margarine but made specially from cow milk.

12

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

08055001741 (sms only)

conversewithyemisi

yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com

Can I get pregnant through anal sex?

I

Dear Yemisi, am an 18-year-old girl, a virgin and a student. I am dating a guy who always has sex with me through my anus because I told him I don’t want to be deflowered yet.

I am confused because I don’t know if having sex through my anus can get me pregnant and I want to know if I am still a virgin.

Anonymous.

Dear Anonymous, What you have been engaged or indulged in with your boyfriend is far dangerous and deadlier than having sex through the normal channel.

You have asked if you are still a virgin, virginity is defined as having had vaginal sex. That said, you are already sexually active - defined as having any type of sexual activity with another person.

I would say that you are technically a virgin because you have been having anal sex.

You are far from being innocent so while you may still be a virgin - you are not chaste. If I may ask, if you like this guy that much, why not give him

your virginity?

My dear, you are toying with fire! Your resolve not to be deflowered yet is a far cry from what you have been doing?

There is a saying in Yoruba that ‘ti idi ba baje, a di ti oninkan’, which literally says that you will be left with the consequences of your action and inaction. I pray you will not pay dearly for your habit later in life, if not now!

Who do you think you are fooling by not having sex the normal way? And to your fears about getting pregnant, the chances are very slim because the basic biology that I know about a woman’s anatomy says that the anus is not connected to the female reproductive tract in any way. However, under certain conditions, pregnancy could occur if semen drips from your anus into the vagina, which would allow the sperm to travel up the vaginal cavity and possibly fertilise an egg.

For pregnancy to occur, the sperm, must enter the vagina, travel up through the cervix, into the uterus, and then into the fallopian tube to meet up with the egg. Once this hap-

pens, the sperm must fertilise the egg, and the resulting fertilised egg must travel down the fallopian tube and implant in the uterus.

Sperm enters the vagina when ejaculation or pre-ejaculation occurs inside or near the vagina. During anal sex, ejaculation occurs in the anus -- which is not connected in any way to the female reproductive tract (i.e., vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes). The odds are not high, as the sperm would have to stay alive after dripping out of the anus and making its way up into the vaginal cavity, but the possibility is still there.

But if you must continue with this practice of anal sex with your boyfriend, kindly consider the health risks involved by it as it has been described as the riskiest form of sexual activity for several reasons.

One of such is the claim that the anus lacks the natural lubrication the vagina has. Penetration can tear the tissue inside the anus, allowing bacteria and viruses to enter the bloodstream. This can result in the spread of sexually transmit-

ted infections, including HIV. Studies have suggested that anal exposure to HIV poses 30

Am I under a spell?

Dear Yemisi, I’m an ardent reader of your column and I have gained so much.

I am over 40. My worry is that I’m still single. I am an introvert.

However, I desire a tolerant, funny, godly, simple and smart woman as a life partner, in fact, I am looking for an average woman who will like to do the same things that I do.

I’m the eldest of my siblings, some of who are shacking up with women, providing grandchildren for my parents. I don’t envy them a wee bit. What’s wrong with me?

Am I under a spell? My communication challenges to blame?

Please, lend a hand.

Recently I met a woman, a fruit seller, at a place I visit in fits and starts to see my friends. An adage says ‘Go often to the house of a friend; for weeds soon choke up the unused path.” Truth is, I’ve received gifts (fruits) from her.

This happens from time to time.

We’re from the same town, but she’s married in another state.

One day she raised an issue, insisting I marry her daughter, while also expressing her love for me. She’s expressed her love for my quietness. In fact, she wanted to befriend me but her daughter

has confessed her love for me and asked me to marry her and her daughter wants me to pay her bride price.

Both mother and daughter have been putting me to great expense. They’re always demanding for money like Oliver Twist from me for things such as toiletries and so on. The daughter asked me to pay her rent at her school (a polytechnic), complaining about her dad’s financial difficulties. She goes for expensive products.

She’s been pestering me to take her to my parents and siblings and visit her village as well.

She wants us to cement our relationship, I have been shillyshallying. This girl is much younger than me; in fact this is what has drawn me to her; she’s a demure young lady, approaching her 30s.

I’ve been doling out money to assist the woman and her daughter because we’re all lightskinned.

Fair-complexioned woman excites me; I want to marry a woman of the same complexion, but someone has advised me to reconsider my choice. I know little about her character; I don’t know if my character tallies with hers, I

mean if we’re compatible. Their constant demand for money puts me off.

A counsellor has advised me to stay clear of them and another told me to run as hard as I can.

They believe the mother and daughter are using me to satisfy their financial needs. According to them, a wife is a helpmate.

But two other counsellors, a man and a woman, thought otherwise. They believe they’re serious and in fact they encouraged me to give the woman’s daughter money if that will prove my commitment. I’m worried; I’m at sixes and sevens.

Coincidentally, one of my younger brothers is married to this mother and daughter’s relative. My brother’s wife is not in good terms with my mother and siblings, except me. She’s encountering challenges with them. She’s suspected of bewitching my brother, causing him mental illness; he’s gotten the better of it. My parents are estranged; I don’t want such experience. I hail from a dysfunctional family.

What are the implications of two brothers marrying from the same kindred and of course the same village? Is common sense

against it?

Recently, a matchmaker introduced me to a fair-skinned woman. Now, what’s your take on online dating? Also, a lady called me recently saying she read about my request in one of the dailies. She would like us to start a relationship, but she’s always demanding money for airtime. She didn’t leave her picture in her WhatsApp profile. Do I continue this relationship? I’m worried.

How do I know a woman fore ordained for me, the flesh of my flesh and the bone of my bone? I want a wife who’s a source of psychological support, encouragement, inspiration and support.

Ngele, Owerri, berneteuzoma2013 gmail.com Dear Readers, Ngele wants to know if he is under any form of spell because of his inability to get the woman of his dream as a life partner. What do you suggest as a way out of this confusion considering the number of counsellors in his life? Send your intervention to yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com or 08055001741.

times more risk for the receptive partner than vaginal exposure. Exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV) may also lead to the development of anal warts and anal cancer.

Secondly, the tissue inside the anus is not as well protected as the skin outside the anus.

Our external tissue has layers of dead cells that serve as a protective barrier against infection. The tissue inside the anus does not have this natural protection, which leaves it vulnerable to tearing and the spread of infection.

Thirdly, the anus was designed by God to hold in faeces.

The anus is surrounded with a ring-like muscle, called the anal sphincter, which tightens after defecating. When the muscle is tight, anal penetration can be painful and difficult. Repeated anal sex may lead to the weakening of the anal sphincter, making it difficult to hold faeces until you can get to the toilet.

In addition to the above, the anus has been found to be full of bacteria. Even if both of you do not have a sexually-transmitted infection or disease, bacteria normally in the anus can potentially infect the giving partner.

Practising vaginal sex after anal sex can also lead to vaginal and urinary tract infections.

So, in essence my dear girl, there is nothing suggestive of confusion as you have asked.

The ball is in your court, play it well.

13 feature

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Uproar as Nigerian female student bathed with acid by Ghanaian businesswoman dies...

Suspect: Eugenia Coleman

Kasali Zainab A Nigerian protesting in Ghana

By Dipo Ogunsola with reports from Ghana

T

IME was around 1:30a.m.. She screamed from her sleep as she felt the burning effect of acid poured on her by her Ghanaian friend. Now, Nigerians living in Ghana are smarting from the brutal attack on that lady, Kasali Kofoworola Zainab, and have called on Ghana’s security operatives and the judiciary to bring to justice perpetrator(s) of the crime.

“There is a general hatred for Nigerians here and if it had been a Ghanaian at the receiving end, it would have created a media sensation here. It is not even being discussed on radio here. They would normally have been throwing expletives at Nigerians if it had been the other way round,” a Ghana based Nigerian embittered by the sad incident informed the Saturday Tribune in an email. He, however, craved anonymity.

The victim, Zainab, a Nigerian nursing student in Ghana was allegedly sprayed with acid by the friend she was living with at Auntie Aku, near Santa Maria, a suburb of Accra.

A student of Pherson Health College at Achimota in Accra, Zainab, aged 25, was sleeping on a couch when her friend poured the acid on her.

The police have given the name of Zainab ’s friend, who is suspected to have poured the acid on her, as Eugenia Billiana Coleman, a 32-year-old businesswoman.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian community in Ghana has appealed to security agencies not only to ensure justice in the case but to also expedite action into the investigations on the acid attack.

Already, a number of peaceful protests and mass demonstrations have been staged by Nigerians resident in Ghana to press for justice in Zainab’s case.

Executive President of All Nigerian Community-Ghana (ANC-Gh), Moses Owharo, has appealed to Ghana’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) John Kudalor and the Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood, to ensure that justice is done to the late Zainab.

Owharo also called on the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana to do more to ensure that Nigerian citizens in Ghana are protected.

Zainab spent eleven days at 37 Military Hospital, where doctors battled to save her life but when her situation was

getting out of control, she was transferred to Nigeria.

Six days after reaching Nigeria, Zainab died at a Lagos hospital to end a 17-day ordeal at the hands of acute burning sensation.

An elder sister of Zainab, who gave her name as Ms Bukola Kasali, told Ghana’s Daily Graphic that Zainab died at exactly 6.30 am on Friday December 4.

“We had looked forward to her recovery from the severe injuries from the acid. We were heart-broken when we heard that she had passed on,” said Kasali.

Just like Owharo had admonished Ghana’s justice system, Kasali has words to add: “We the family of Kasali have put our trust in God and we know the wrath of God will deal with the perpetrators and anyone trying to influence the law in the course of the investigations and prosecutions.”

Zainab’s discussion with investigators However, Daily Graphic reported that before she was transferred to Nigeria, Zainab had given useful information to investigators. She told the police on her sickbed that Eugenia subjected her to the acid bath after she had rejected a request by Eugenia to join her in narcotic business.

She was said to have told the police that Eugenia asked her to go with her (Eugenia) to Tanzania to survey the security condition in that country so that they could traffic cocaine there later.

According to the police, Zainab said she declined to give her passport to Eugenia for the processing of their travel documents, since she did not want to be involved in narcotic business.

However, Eugenia, who denied being the culprit, claimed unknown assailants threw the acid on Zainab while she (suspect) was out of the house.

Zainab is said to have moved from her rented apartment at Auntie Aku, near Sowutuom, to live with Eugenia in the same area after Eugenia had agreed to share room with her, following a series of robbery attacks on Zainab.

A second person, identified as Samuel Boateng, an accountant with the Ghana Cocoa Board, believed to be Eugenia’s boyfried is also in the custody of the Sowutuom Police on suspicion of being Eugenia’s accomplice.

Zainab, who sustained burns on her face, the front part of

her body, buttocks, hands and legs, is said to have woken up from her sleep screaming hysterically at about 1:30 a.m. on November 18 after the acid had been poured on her.

Preliminary investigations When contacted, the Sowutuom District Police Commander, Superintendent of Police Ms Susana Adjei, confirmed Eugenia and Boateng’s arrest.

She said Zainab had told police investigators on her sickbed that when she felt the effect of the acid on her body, she started screaming, but Eugenia, who was standing by her, told her to stop shouting, as nobody would hear her.

Zainab is also said to have told the police that Eugenia later dragged her by the hair to the bathroom and put her under the shower.

Ms Adjei said the police, in their preliminary investigations, found that though the suspect and the victim lived in a compound house, none of the co-tenants was called in to assist Zainab.

Zainab also told the police that after pleading with Eugenia to take her to hospital, the latter, who failed to inform anyone in the compound house, did not do so immediately, but rather drove her around town.

Police investigations also established that Eugenia drove towards Tema, using the Spintex Road, until a police patrol team told her to go to the 37 Military Hospital.

At the 37 Military Hospital, records show that Eugenia arrived at the facility at 5:30 a.m. and failed to report the incident to the police. While at the hospital, a witness whose name is being withheld heard Boateng, believed to be an accomplice, telling Eugenia that life would have been simple if she had killed Kasali.

Ms Adjei said though Eugenia was told by the hospital authorities to report the case to the police, she refused to do so until the Airport Police was called in to arrest her.

The Airport Police subsequently transferred the case to the Sowutuom Police for further investigations.

Ghana’s Daily Guide newspaper which also reported the story said the Amasaman circuit court where the case was heard had granted Eugenia and Boateng bail while the two are currently in the custody of the Police Homicide Unit at the Police Headquarters.

14

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

With Aunty Yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com Compiled By TaibatAlimi and Omotayo Fabusua Adesope Muhammad, 12 yrs old, SSS 1 My parents are both teachers. I would not like to practise their profession because I do not like teaching. Although I know the benefits of their profession to the society, I feel the profession is too specific. I would like to be a mass communicator so that I would have access to other professions as mass communication is very broad because you have to know and talk about things happening around the world.

Ahmed Abdullah, 13 yrs old, JSS 3 My dad is a manufacturer while my mum is a pharmacist. I would not like to go into either profession because I want to study Mass Communication to become a journalist or work in big companies. I also love to be like the famous business tycoon, Mike Adenuga of Globacom.

By Abdulganiy Fareed,13 yrs, SSS 1

Ikeola Bushroh, 10 yrs old, JSS 1 My dad is an accountant while my mum is a medical laboratory scientist. I would like to go into my mum’s profession because they are the bedrock of medicine as the field deals with carrying out medical tests. Medical laboratory science has five main branches — hematology\blood group serology, medical micro biology, parasitology, histopathology and chemical pathology. To study this course, one must five O’Level subjects, which are English language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Some challenges facing the field are professional rivalry, importation of expired laboratory amenities, quackery, government policy and lack of basic infrastructural amenities such as set electricity.

My pen

Between my finger and my thumb It rests so quiet but never dumb Sliding and gliding on the open page It keeps me busy in my bookish cage Its life flow straight from it fountain of ink With which it makes the longest ink It pricks and probes with its nifty nib Its tiny tooth, its eloquent tip Digging and daring from the days of old An ancient tool,forever bold A world of words from its fluent tongue The magic of music and endless song In its inky fountain there is a glowing fire We stoke it deep and it takes us higher Silent warrior with the thunderous word Forever mightier than the mightiest sword.

Courtesy: Professor Niyi Osundare.

Akande El-mahmudah, 14 yrs old, SSS 2 My dad is a veterinary surgeon while my mum is an agricultural economist. I would like to go into my dad’s profession because I love animals and unlike human medicine where dead bodies are experimented on, live animals are made use of in veterinary medicine.

I also like the profession because veterinary surgeons ensure that the meats we consume are healthy and the animals slaughtered do not havediseases which could be transferred to humans when consumed. Another attraction for me in veterinary medicine is that there are a few veterinary doctors in Nigeria and most of them are males and I would like to be among the females to increase their number in Nigeria.

Would you go into your parents’ profession?

Puzzle

Adegbite Sakeenah, 11 yrs old, JSS 3 My mum is an accountant and my dad is a civil engineer. I would like to go into my dad’s profession because of its benefit to the society. Civil engineers provide shelter, infrastructure and social amenities like seaports and airports. All these are done to make life easy. They also contribute to the development of the country which would inspire the youth to become a civil engineer in order to develop the country.

The miracle of nine DID you know that if you multiply any number from 1 to 10 by nine, the addition of the two digits in the answer gives you nine?

Look at these.

9 x 1 =9, 9 =9

9 x 2 =18, 1+8 =9 9 x 3 =27, 2+7 =9 9 x 4 =36, 3+6 =9 9 x 5 =45, 4+5 =9 9*10 =90, 9+0 =9 9 x 6 =54, 5+4 =9 9 x 7 =63, 6+3 =9 9 x 8 =72, 7+2 =9 9 x 9 =81, 8+1 =9

By Ayinde Ibrahim, 15 yrs old, SSS 2

J

ke

STUDENT: Sir, can I ask a question?

TEACHER: Yes! STUDENT: How do you put an elephant inside a fridge?

TEACHER: I don’t know.

STUDENT: It’s easy, you just open the fridge and put it in. I have another question!

TEACHER: Ok, ask.

STUDENT: How to put a donkey inside the fridge?

TEACHER: It’s easy, you just open the fridge and put it in.

STUDENT: No, sir You just open the fridge take out the elephant and put it in.

TEACHER: Ooh...ok!!

STUDENT: Let me ask another one. If all animals went to the lion’s birthday party, and one animal went missing which one would it be?

TEACHER: The lion of course! Because it would eat all the animals.

STUDENT: No, sir, it is the donkey because it’s still inside the fridge.

TEACHER: Are you kidding me?

STUDENT: No, sir, one last question.

TEACHER: Ok! STUDENT: If there’s a river full of crocodiles and you wanted to cross, how would you?

TEACHER: There’s no way, I would need a boat to cross.

STUDENT: No, sir, you just swim and cross it because all the animals went to the lion’s birthday party....

TEACHER: I have my own question, if all students come to school except one person, who is the person?

STUDENT: No idea, sir..

TEACHER: It is you because you are on two weeks suspension.

Respondents are students of Front Model College, Agric Bustop, opposite Foodco Monatan, Ibadan Abdullahi Uthman, 15 yrs old, SSS 3 My dad is an accountant and my mum is a teacher. I would like to go into my mum’s profession because it is teachers that train doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc. Though the profession is stressful as it deals with day-to-day reading, which might scare me off it. I would like to be a teacher because teachers impart knowledge to students to become responsible persons in the society.

Yusuf Abdullah, yrs old, SSS 2 My parents are both teachers and I would like to go into their profession because of the honor bestowed on teachers in the society. They are the pillars for all other professions.

Without teaching, other occupations would not exist. A great scholar once said: “Search for knowledge, even if it is as far as China,” and the two holy books have been quoted to say “Teachers reward is in heaven,” so God commanded people to respect teachers.

15

12 December, 2015

health&fitness

Saturday Tribune Blessing Ekum

ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

Why being neat doesn’t stop you from having lice

By Opeyemi Oladipupo

T

he hair is usually said to be the beauty of a woman and some men like to pride themselves with neatly cut hair. But what do you do when you suddenly notice annoying white deposits that vehemently attach themselves to the root of your hair and sometimes itch you? It could be a lice infestation and while they are not in themselves life-threatening, they can be frustrating to deal with, cause a lot of discomfort and be a source of social embarrassment.

Saturday Tribune spoke with Dr Adetoye Adeolu of the Ibadan Central Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State who shed light on this pesky parasite.

Which part of the body do lice affect?

They can affect any part of the body where there is hair but the more common infestation is on the head (specifically the hair) and sometimes the neck. Since hair grows on the neck, sometimes, lice could attach themselves to the hair follicles. These are called head lice in lay man’s terms but biologically they are called pendulous humanus captious. The part of the body infested determines the name given to the particular infestation.

The head louse is a parasitic infestation that affects the head and most commonly affects children.

Where head lice live They live on the head specifically at the base of the scalp where they attach to the hair follicle. The eggs, known as nymphs, grow to become adult lice.

They feed on blood drawn from the scalp. They are wingless parasites and so cannot fly.

Signs of lice infection The first sign is itching. The infected person would be scratching his or her head but the itching is not actually caused by the organism biting you but an allergic reaction by your body. This means that the person who is not allergic to the bites may not have the symptom of itching. There may also be a whitish or greenish deposit which on very close observation or when you comb your hair would be noticeable.

Are lice contagious?

They are very contagious and one major way you can contract it is by contact. It is easily and quickly spread among children because of close contact while touching each other when they play and also have head-to-head contact.

Can it be removed by hand?

It a very small organism, so to remove it by hand will be very difficult because sometimes, it is not visible to the naked eye. The eggs are however easier to spot.

With head lice, the carrier may have wounds on the head and those that are allergic to the bite and scratch it might develop sores or ulcer on the head

Do kids have to stay away from school when they suffer from infestation?

Well, children are kept at home from school to prevent spread to other non-infected children. This is the major reason. Then also, children who are allergic to the bites and have very itchy scalps may have their school activities affected.

Lice versus dandruff Infestation of head lice is not the same as dandruff infection, though they may possess similar symptoms of itchy scalp.

The connection between head lice infestation and hygiene Having head lice infestation doesn’t mean that you have poor hygiene or you don’t bath well. Even those that

take their bath regularly and have optimum hygiene can be infested with the parasite. All it takes is contact with an infected person.

How to prevent the spread of head lice Once a person is infected, it is his duty to prevent the spread to others. Treatment should begin as soon as possible and it is usually recommended that the infected person’s family or people he or she lives with should also be treated alongside. This is because there is a likelihood that contact has occurred between the infected person and members of his family or people he or she is resident with.

It takes two to 10 days for a louse’s egg to hatch.

So, if the infected person is treated when his family already has the eggs in the scalp, it’s only a matter of time for the eggs to hatch and the family member would have an infestation. So, to prevent spread and re-infection, it is advisable for everyone living with someone who has been infested with head lice to also receive treatment.

Treating head lice infestation To get rid of it, one way is by getting a special comb that has a sharp tiny edge and combing the hair from the root to the ends to dislodge eggs (nymphs). Also, washing your hair-care items, cloths, bed covers and pillowcases thoroughly and sun-drying or ironing it properly so as to kill the ones that are still hanging in your clothing, can be helpful. You should equally wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo designed to kill lice. There are also medications that can help with the treatment. With consistency and proper usage, they will eventually die off.

16

healthandfitness

12 December, 2015

My growing breasts

I am a 50 year old man weighing about 85 kg. I recently noticed that my breasts have been growing b i gg e r s o m u ch so that they have started protruding through my shirt.

This has been causing me a lot of em-

barrassment. Please let me know the kind of drug I should take to reduce the size of my breasts.

Uncle Joe (by SMS) Breast enlargement in men is called gynecomastia. It is usually due

Dr. Wale Okediran

to hormonal changes or medication side effects. Andropause is a phase in a man’s life that is similar to menopause in a woman’s. During andropause, the body’s production of male sex hormones, especially testosterone declines, over several years. This usually occurs around middle age.

The resulting hormone imbalance may cause breast swelling, hair loss, and insomnia.

Breast swelling can also result from abnormal growths within the breast muscles or tissue

or from an injury to the breast. Weight gain and Obesity are also possible causes of gynecomastia. Most cases of gynecomastia do not require treatment. However, the condition can affect self-esteem and cause sufferers to withdraw from public activities. Gynecomastia is treatable with medication, surgery or by discontinuing use of certain medications or illegal substances.

Weight control in overweight individuals may also relieve breast enlargement.

My baby’s excessive salivation MY 18-month-old baby who is still growing more teeth has been salivating a lot in the last few days.

Apart from this, the boy is otherwise in good health. I put the salivation to be due to the teething.

I hope I am right?

Mrs Raji (by SMS) Yes, you are right.

If you have confirmed that your son does not have any other problems, including

mouth sore, then it is safe to put the salivation to teething. All you need to do is to help your son to relieve any discomfort he might be going through by giving some teething medications. You can also apply a teething gel. Teething is a natural part of an infant’s growth and development.

Know that the symptoms of teething will eventually pass, and that your

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child will one day have a healthy set of teeth thanks

to your efforts to keep up with good oral hygiene.

08055069356 (sms only)

Is this HIV/AIDS? I had an unprotected sexual activity last month with two different ladies. Now I have started getting weak with headache and poor appetite. One of my friends said that I could have contracted HIV. Kindly advise.

Worried Boy (by email) There is usually a 6 months ‘window period’

before the symptoms of HIV/AIDS start appearing in the body. In view of this,

I have lost interest in sex I am a 45-year-old mother of four. I noticed that after the birth of my last child about four years ago, I have lost all interest in sex.

My husband is a committed and loving man and this has been a shock to him.

Kindly help me as the prob-

Pains in my arms and legs I have noticed about two or three times now that sometimes I wake up with pains in my arms and sometimes legs and the pains are still on after 2 to 3 days.

I am just 17 years old. I wonder what could be wrong with me bearing in mind that I don’t engage in strenuous exercises.

waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

Dele (by SMS) It is important for you to do some blood tests which will ascertain your Blood Group as well as your Genotype. This is because people with some types of Genotype usually develop periodic bone pains. By knowing if you belong to this

group of people, you will be advised on the adequate medications and conditions of living which will make you comfortable. In addition, some nerve problems can lead to pains in the limbs. Your doctor will be able to tell you what the problem is after examining you and running some tests.

lem has started affecting my marriage.

Jumai ( by SMS) In general, sex drive decreases gradually with age in both men and women, but women are two to three times more likely to be affected by a decline in sex drive as they age. Reduced sex drive becomes much more common in women starting in their late 40s and 50s. The effect of age also differs

it is not likely that what you have are indicative of HIV infection at least from your last sexual encounter. I will rather think of malaria. Having said this, I will still advise that you go for a retroviral test in order to know your HIV status and to refrain from unprotected sex in future.

by individual: some women experience a big decrease in sexual desire beginning in their midlife years, others notice no change, and a few report increased interest in sex at midlife. In addition, it is not unusual for some women to lose interest in sex due to the pressure of child birth, career and home care.

A change of scene, a long vacation as well as medications to be prescribed by your doctor are ways by which you can tackle the problem. The support and understanding of your husband is important as you gradually find ways of re-invigorating your sexual life.

Link between milk and Parkinson’s disease?

H

EPTACHLOR epoxide - a pesticide used until the 1980s and found in milk at that time - may be associated with signs of Parkinson’s disease in the brain, according to a study published in Neurology.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), heptachlor was used from the 1960-70s to kill termites found in the home, and by farmers to kill insects on farm crops, especially corn.

It was phased out from the 1970s, and by 1988, the commercial sale of heptachlor was banned in the US. Its use is now restricted to controlling fire ants in power transformers.

There is little information available about the health effects on humans from heptachlor epoxide, but the EPA cites animal studies suggesting that long-term exposure can affect the liver and kidneys and cause tremors and convulsions. In rat models, it caused suspected fertility and developmental problems.

Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive disorder affecting movement, muscle control and balance. Cell death occurs in the brain, particularly in a cell mass known as the substantia nigra, which is involved in the control of movement and coordination.

Link between dairy products and Parkinson’s Previous studies have found a link between dairy products and Parkinson’s, but this study focused specifically on milk and the signs of Parkinson’s in the brain.

R. D. Abbott, PhD, from the Shiga University of Medical Science in Otsu, Japan, and colleagues followed 449 Japanese-American men who were enrolled in the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study.

Participants, who had an average age of 54, were tracked for more than 30 years until they died.

Autopsies were then performed to find out whether

they had lost brain cells in the substantia nigra area of the brain.

This loss is a feature of Parkinson’s disease and can start decades before the onset of symptoms.

Researchers also measured the amount of residue of heptachlor epoxide in 116 brains.

The chemical was found at very high levels in the milk supply in the early 1980s in Hawaii, where it was used in the pineapple industry to kill insects. It was removed from use in the US around that time. It may also be found in well water.

Heptachlor residue and brain cell loss co-occur

Residues of heptachlor epoxide were found in 90% of people who drank the most milk, compared with 63% of those who did not drink any milk.

Nonsmokers who drank more than two cups of milk per day had 40% fewer brain cells in that area of the brain than people who drank less than two cups of milk per day.

Among those who had smoked at some time, there was no association between milk intake and loss of brain cells, supporting previous studies suggesting that smokers have a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Limitations include a lack of evidence that the milk participants drank contained heptachlor epoxide. The study does not show that the pesticide or milk intake caused the disease; it only shows an association.

Dr. Honglei Chen, of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and a member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), added in a corresponding editorial: “There are several possible explanations for the association, including chance. Also, milk consumption was measured only once at the start of the study, and we have to assume that this measurement represented participants’ dietary habits over time.”

Dr. Chen commended the research as an example of how epidemiological studies can help in the search for causes of Parkinson’s disease.

Courtesy: Medical News Today,

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12 December, 2015

mediascope Outdoor advertising will die if govt fails to address its knotty issues —Babatunde Adedoyin, OAAN President

akadewakun@yahoo.co.uk 08054683584

But with all these negative stories about outdoor ad business, how would now assess the business since the beginning of the year?

Nothing much has happened. As I said, with all these problems, there is no way the business can go forward. A lot of us that are in this business for now are just trying to survive. We owe this to pay this. For instance, if you have six boards, if three, out of the six are vacant in Lagos, you are not making any money, because even the three that you’ve sold will not be enough to pay for the six. So whether you were able to display or not, you are going to pay. When you run that kind of a business, how will you make profit? So we are managing to survive.

But with all that you have said now, what are your projections for the business next year?

It may be a bit tougher for the business next year. For instance, because of the enforcement that LASAA is doing now, definitely part of our budget is going to be moved somewhere else, because what it means is that these independent media planners will look at outdoor medium as a troublesome one, and you know, nobody wants to associate with trouble. We all want an easy and seamless way. It is not about sentiments.

If I’m a media planner too, and I see all these problems going on, my trust in the medium will decrease, and what it means is that I will put less money there because I don’t want problem with my clients. So next year, we are going to be seriously affected by all these things happening from our regulators to our members.

S

The outdoor, today, is being seriously threatened, what are you doing to address this?

We are still talking to government. They are also saying that they will get back to us. The challenge is that practitioners seem to be in a hurry, and I tell them that these things started long time ago. Though we’ve been talking and have been asking them questions, that is the successive governments, right from the Bola Tinubu era, but we’ve not really come

With akin adewakun

state has not really been able to do anything about it. When we complain to LASAA, it seems they are only interested in their own money, the revenue they have to collect from the billboards, that is all. The problem still remains that of the practitioner.

In this interview with Akin Adewakun, the President of the Outdoor Advertisers Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and Chief Executive Officer, Media View Ltd, Mr. Babatunde Adedoyin, talks about the challenges currently facing outdoor advertising business in the country, noting that this may sound its death knell if the state fails to re-visit some of the knotty issues holding down the business. ince you were elected in July this year, you’ve not really unveiled your agenda for the outdoor advertising sub-sector, can you let the public into some of those things your executive is setting out to achieve?

Honestly, when we were campaigning what we said was that we would try and ensure that we talk to government to give us a good, conducive and enabling environment for business. We said that because we were being mindful of what had happened in the past, especially regarding the rates and some few critical issues which we believe we would want government to look at. Some of these things are things we believe are very crucial to our business. For instance, we talked about the high rates that they are charging which we believe is too high. We want to know the percentage of the rate that they would be charging on our revenue. For example, if I’m charging my client N100,000 for a particular billboard, the question is, should government charge more than 25 per cent as a tax on that billboard? If they want more than 25 per cent, they should tell us the reason, because as a business person, we have our overheads, we pay salaries, we pay taxes and we believe it should not be more than 25 per cent, given the worst scenario. We’ve given instances of most countries such as Kenya and Ghana. Governments there charge only 20 per cent on the revenue of any billboard. Even in Philadelphia or so, I think it is about 7 per cent, and for LED in Philadelphia it is about 20 per cent. So these are the things we are saying. For example, in Lagos, they still charge for vacant board. What that means is that even when you don’t have display on your board, they still charge you, which we have our reservations about. We are of the position that you shouldn’t be charging us for vacant boards, and if you are going to charge at all, it has to be very minimal, because one is not earning revenue on that particular site. But their own argument has always been, if you are not selling, go and remove it. But the fact remains that this is a practice that is internationally-based, so it doesn’t work that way. There are some boards that you use N20 to N25 million to install, how can you just say the person should go and remove it? But the person you are giving this to, when you put him there too and he is not selling, would you again ask him to remove it? By the time you start doing that, you just notice that it doesn’t work that way. We really have to be very pragmatic, objective and realistic about these things. We also talked about franchising of roads, and we said it is not good for government to franchise roads. The roads are built with public funds and everybody has a right to put boards on the road. We are of the belief that doing that creates monopoly which is not good for our economy, doing that is very unconstitutional. These are the things that we are saying. And these are very simple things. Our belief is that once these grey areas are ironed out, our business will be back on track, the practitioners will not owe again because these are the factors that make us have huge debts on our neck. So these are some of the things we set out to achieve.

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out like this. So this is the first time we are coming out to tell the government that look, this business will die if you don’t do something for us, that is if they fail to address the knotty issues on the ground. For me, I believe it is good to have patience, we still have to talk to them, but if the talk breaks down, we will look at the next appropriate step. That is, what next can we do to get heard.

But since you’ve been talking to government, what is the response like?

Well positive. The letter we wrote to the governor, I learnt, has been minuted to the Secretary to the Government, may be LASAA and other relevant agencies. Even when I met the LASAA MD recently, he told me they were currently working on it and would talk to me very soon. I don’t know how far they would want to go, but let them come forward with whatever assistance they want to render. If it is enough for us, we will be glad, if it is not, we will press for more. But I always believe in dialogue. I believe dialogue first, then we can move the practice forward and the government itself can be in peace.

One of the challenges of the trade is the issue of Omo Onile, street urchins that disturb your men in the field, is this challenge still there?

It is still there. Even my own company was even harassed by a boy on a land that is not his father’s land, but a government setback, where we have our billboard. But every year, he always threatens us. This year, he even blocked my board, snapped the photograph and took it to MTN, telling them that I was owing. MTN had to write to me and I had to show proof that he is not my landlord but an area boy. I had to show them the approval given by LASAA on the land. You see, these are some of the challenges we face everyday and unfortunately the

We really have to be very pragmatic, objective and realistic about these things. We also talked about franchising of roads, and we said it is not good for government to franchise roads. The roads are built with public funds and everybody has a right to put boards on the road.

In the past, one of the arguments of practitioners was the need to get members to head some of these regulatory agencies, to enable them to come up with policies that would grow the business, since such member-regulator will be operating with that benefit of hindsight, is this still in the agenda of the present exco?

We don’t have power over that, it is the governor that appoints, though if they really want to go by the advertising law, they are not supposed to appoint somebody that is not a practitioner, because it is an offence to practise advertising when you are not an advertising practitioner. And when you regulate advertising, by extension, you are practising advertising. But it is not for me to go and tell the governor; since we still have our apex regulatory body, which is the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), that could take that up. Besides, I was a member of the last exco and we’ve always been talking. We’ve been talking to LASAA, now we are talking to government, because we discovered that LASAA can not do it alone. We’ve presented our case to the governor, while soliciting for his help. If we can get such support it will be good, then we give reasons. We are enterpreneurs, we are supposed to make money, having put investment, time and energy into the business, and I think it will be very unfair if government now wants to be sharing our profit with us.

What would be your advice to members of your association?

We should exercise patience. We are still talking to government and we are getting some response. As I said, it is better to dialogue. These things did not start today. They started about eight, ten years ago and since we didn’t nip it in the bud then, nobody should expect that it would be over in a day. We are making an impact, talking to people, we are looking for political solution, we are looking for business solution that will result in a win-win situation. We are not saying government should not control the environment, we are not saying they should not take taxes, but what we are saying is that they should be fair to us too.

But talking about dialogue and win-win situation, are you talking of Lagos alone or across board?

No across board, you know these things started from Lagos and Lagos own is the highest. It is the most prohibitive, and once we can get Lagos to do something good, then others will fall in line. The fact remains that we are not fighting the government, and we don’t have the intention to start one, all we are just saying for now is to have a conducive environment to do our business. That is why I have been talking to our members to exercise restraint and allow us approach this matter very maturely. I’m sure if Lagos State calls us to a meeting today and we marshal our points, they will see reasons with what we are saying.

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

crimeandcourt

He’s jobless, diabolical and generally useless —Wife I’m sorry, my mother, family misled me —Husband Stories by Yejide Gbenga-0gundare, Ayomide Owonibi, Rukayat Olufemi and Taibat Alimi with Agency Reports

A

man, Mr Bayo Bankole, has begged an Agboyi customary court in Lagos State not to separate him from his wife of five years.

He told the court that it was his mother and family members that made him maltreat his wife.

He told his wife to forgive him and not to go ahead with the divorce proceedings.

The wife, Mrs Ejiro Bankole, was of the opinion that his claim came a bit late as the harm he did to her cannot be erased by his tears.

She told the court that on several occasions the husband has inflicted injuries on her. She said that the problem started when she told her husband to bring his mother so that they could take better care of her. “ I told my husband to bring his mum to come and live with us so that we can take better care of her, not knowing that I was putting myself in a big trouble. As soon as my mother-in-law came to live with us, all the rest of the family members who even have their own houses came in, knowing fully well that my husband does not have a job. I take care of everything in the house, from house rent to feeding and we have a daughter.

“I thought that they will not stay long but to my surprise they had no plans to leave and I was thinking my husband would take the initiative and tell his family to leave the house but he didn’t. So, one day, I told him to tell his people to leave; that the financial stress is becoming to much for me to bear. Instead he beat me up and inflicted injuries on me and as a result I had a miscarriage,” she said.

Mrs Ejiro also alleged that her husband is very diabolical and that one day she found a pot filled with charms in their room and when she asked him what it was, instead of answering, he started beating her again. She also added that her husband is fond of leaving home for days without coming back and she believes she sleeps with other women.

“Sometimes he sleeps in a native doctor’s house. Whenever he comes back home, he would have the urge to sleep with me immediately, no matter the time of the day. If I refused, he would make sure he had his way and I usually feel very sick in a strange way afterwards.

“When I decided that I couldn’t take his attitude anymore, I told him that I would leave him and not continue with the marriage and he threatened my life and told me he would kidnap our daughter and pour acid on any man he sees me with. My mother-in-law and the rest of his siblings made life difficult for me. They couldn’t even appreciate that I am the one taking care of every responsibility in the house. Instead of showing appreciation, they intimidated me because I’m not from their place,” she said.

Her husband, Mr Bayo Bankole, in his tears, blamed his mother in the open court for his woes.

President of the court, Mr O.T. Williams, after listening to both parties, adjourned the matter till 13 January 2016.

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He beat me even when I was ill —Wife She doesn’t behave as if she’s interested in marriage —Husband A 30-year-old advert representative, Happiness Uwah, at the Igando customary court, Lagos State, has called for the dissolution of her six months union to Martins Uwah over alleged battery.

According to Happiness, her estranged husband was in the habit of beating her at the slightest provocation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the couple had dated each other for about two years before the traditional wedding was consummated six months ago.

Happiness added that her now estranged husband smokes, the habit he did not exhibit during courtship, saying that she does not love him anymore.

“The first day the beating started, I was sick, so he asked me not to take any drugs that we should get to the hospital first and do all the necessary tests.

“He told me to wind down and ask for the turning to Subol Hospital, but I told him I was familiar with the area; but he suddenly stopped and asked a passerby.

“The man said we had passed the turning, he hit my head and started beating me, I had to go home,’’ she said.

Martins in response to the allegations, told the court that he still loves his wife and said that Happiness’s behaviour towards him only depicts “someone who does not want to stay married.”

“It is true that I beat her, but I have apologised. She flares up at almost anything. There was a day we wanted to have our morning devotion, I told her to put off her phone she refused.

“She got angry and went to the living room; I went to talk to her, and held her, she told me not to touch her, I left her, then l went back and beat her severely.

“She still receives phone calls from men. I always tell her that we were married by tradition, even though we were still preparing for our church wedding.

“I think this whole thing is more of tribal problem, because I’m from Akwa Ibom State and she is from Imo State. Her mum was against our union, she says things that are derogatory to my family, I still love her,” Martins said.

President of the court, A. L Omilola, ordered the couple to come for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) with three members of their family each on January 20.

The case was adjourned till January 29 for mention.

‘She is so dirty I can’t sleep with her’ He doesn’t want me to go out, he’s too autocratic —Wife

“I do not know why I must continue with this marriage. My so called wife can’t cook or keep the home. She’s so lazy and dirty I can’t even sleep with her; the only thing she knows is to dress up and go to parties. I want a divorce.”

This is the testimony of a Lagos based 55-year-old man, Elder Moses Ajuwa, before a Grade A magistrates’ court, where he had gone to seek the dissolution of his three-year-old marriage to 30-year-old Hauwa.

Elder Ajuwa explained to the court that he was fed up with his wife as she has failed in all her matrimonial obligations and was, consequently, a disgrace to womanhood.

“I can’t continue with this marriage, it is better to be a bachelor than stay married to this excuse of a woman. She has failed at being a woman. I married her so she could take care of me after my first wife died; this is the worst mistake I ever made.

“She can’t keep the home or cook. Every corner of our house stinks and unless I sweep, she doesn’t. Our rooms are filled with dirty laundry and I had to take my two children from my late wife to her family for proper care because I don’t want them in

her care because she will turn them to slaves.

“She is so dirty that I can’t even sleep with her; I buy food because our kitchen is too dirty to cook. Anytime I clean it up, she messes the house up again.

“She never stays at home, once she gets one clean cloth and can dig her makeup out of the dung-hill she created in the room and a corner of the sitting room, she’s off. She rarely takes her bath. I have tried my best to make her change without success.

Please separate us.”

Hauwa denied all the allegations. In her defence, she told the court that her husband does not like her going out and is too autocratic.

“I am a small girl and he wants me to dress like an old woman. That I’m married doesn’t mean I should act like a dead woman. I want my marriage to work but my husband needs to relax his stance.

“His other allegation is in bad faith because I have told him that the house is too big for me alone to maintain.”

The court gave the couple two months to see if they can resolve their issues and adjourned the case.

A retired naval officer, Chief Bakare Olushola has pleaded with the Grade ‘C’ customary court in Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State to dissolve his six-month old marriage to his wife, Monsurat Bakare, on the grounds of dubious means of accumulating money.

“I paid her dowry and performed my marital rites to her.

All the children she had are from different fathers, which I got to know recently.

“When we met I asked her about her mensuration, but she lied to me that she needed to take an injection of N10, 200 not knowing she has reached menopause.

“I requested to meet her parents as she insisted on staying with me. She was reluctant about it but accepted later on when they had a burial ceremony. On getting to her parents place, they only requested for a bag of salt and a bottle Schnapps and also gave her mother, father and her children money as she requested.

“The next day, she brought a long list of items for the bride price. I informed her parents about the changes she made and they agreed to her decision. She then packed into the house with me.

“She started her troubles by trying to prevent the children and other wives from me. Her sister came to me to borrow money but I refused and gave her half of it not knowing they connived to use the money for a microfinance loan.

“She fought with people at her shop and they sent her away, then her aunt called me informing me that the police wanted to arrest my wife and threatened to bring them over.

On getting there, the story was twisted and then I sensed it was a plan to extort money from me.

“I avoided her from then and she packed her things and left threatening to kill one of my wives. She then accused me of borrowing money from her which I never did and took me to the police station. I sought for advice and I was told not to pay her, so I gave her court notice,” he told the court.

The defendant, Mrs. Monsurat Bakare was not present at the hearing. President of the court, Alhaji Amusa Makinde adjourned the case for further hearing.

She’s always devising dubious ways of collecting money from me —Husband

It’s always a war before I can collect feeding allowance from him —Wife She’s too troublesome, she can go —Husband

A woman, Mrs. Morufat Idowu, has filed a suit at a Grade c customary court, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking the dissolution of her 17- year-old marriage to her husband, Idowu Ajao, over his irresponsible attitude.

“We always fight before I collect money from him to feed myself and the children. He left home and abandoned me

She threatens to kill me and my mother, man tells court I’m no longer interested in the marriage —Wife A Grade ‘C’ customary court sitting in Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State has dissolved the two-year-old marriage between Sodiq Tajudeen and his wife, Opeyemi.

The plantiff, Sodiq filed a suit on the grounds that his wife is troublesome and too rude. He also reported that she tore the trouser he wore the day they had a fight and threatened to kill him and his mother with knife. He then told the court to grant his wish as he is no longer interested in the marriage.

Responding to the plaintiff, Opeyemi told the court she is no longer interested in the marriage.

Saturday Tribune

‘’He embarrasses me a lot because of the girl he goes around with and beats me whenever I tell him to desist from his promiscuous ways. He had battered my face and threatened to kill me with knife times without number,” she told the court.

President of the court, Alhaji Amusa Makinde, in his ruling, dissolved the marriage having sensed that there is no love in the marriage anymore and granted the wife the custody of the daughter and ordered the plaintiff to give her the sum of N3,000 monthly for the upkeep of the child. He urged both parties to maintain the peace.

and my children in his father’s house 11 years ago. We left his father’s house and moved to another house but he now owes the landlord two years rent.

“I do not want this marriage anymore,” she said.

Responding, the husband, Idowu Ajao also agreed to the divorce stating that she is too troublesome.

“We were selling meat at the same market, but I left home because of her troublesomeness. She used to curse me whenever she sees a female customer with me.

“I have two wives; she was always coming to my second wife’s apartment to cause trouble. I always gave my children N700 every day but I sometimes gave them N500 and also pay their school fees.

“I’m aware I am owing her landlord two years rent, but I explained the way business is to her but she refused to listen and will pour my meat away whenever she meets me at the abattoir.”

President of the court, Alhaji Amusa Makinde, counselled both parties and urged them to go and think about their union, particularly their children while adjourning the case till December 21.

She placed juju on me and my mum, man tells court A motor spare parts dealer, Mr. Olaoye Inaolaji, has filed a suit for the dissolution of his 25-year-old marriage to his wife, Mrs. Bilikis Olaoye, at the Grade ‘C’ customary court at Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State on allegations that she is promiscuous and fetish.

“I paid her bride price when I married her and she has five children for me. I have called her attention to her promiscuity three times by inviting her to court, this being the third time.

“She had sex with an auto-technician and another bricklayer we contracted for our house construction and also other men outside. I have not slept with her for two years when I noticed that she is fetish.

“My mother came to my house and complained of leg pains but I did not take her seriously. Unfortunately, I started getting bigger such that most of my clothes were no longer fitting, people around also called my attention to this.

“I went to the hospital but all diagnoses showed no result. I was about to break my fast one day when my second wife told me not to step out because my wife had poured something in my slippers and where I would pass and I saw it myself.

“My second wife and my nephew had told me early on but I turned deaf hears. Then I went to clerics who took care of me.

“There is no solution to this marriage anymore and I want divorce,” he added.

The defendant was not around to counter the allegations, so the president of the court, Chief Amusa Makinde ordered the bailiff to inform her and adjourned the case till December 14 for judgement.

‘I left the house because she’s bitter I married another wife’

The president of a Grade ‘C’ customary court in Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State, Chief Amusa Makinde has dissolved the over 16-years-old marriage between a couple during the week.

The plaintiff, Kazeem Qodri, accused his wife of being cruel and troublesome. He said she is irresponsible and almost set the children ablaze.

He also said she cursed him most times because she is bitter he married another wife and he left the house for her.

The defendant was absent for the second time of hearing, so, Chief Makinde, in his ruling dissolved the marriage and ordered that two of the children who are old enough should stay with their father, while the other two should be with their mother. He also added that the plaintiff should pay N6,000 monthly for the upkeep of the two children with the estranged wife.

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Saturday Tribune

12 December, 2015

voxpop

With Kate Ani

08071080888

anikate92@yahoo.com

What could make you pour acid on your partner?

One of the most horrifying forms of gender-based violence is acid attack. If the victim survives, the effects of acid attacks are life-changing… The psychological scars are even worse with depression, anxiety and shame being the emotional aftermath. KATE ANI asks some Nigerians what their lover or spouse could do to warrant pouring acid or hot water on them. Their responses are revealing.

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DEBAYO Oshin No matter the offence, nothing justifies bathing a woman with acid. This dastardly act are usually meted out to women by jealous lovers or husbands, with the intention to make her so ugly and unwanted that no man would find her attractive. The acid is used with the malicious intent to take revenge, disfigure and harm their victim.

Bimpe Lawal I really don’t understand the thought process that leads to believing that carrying out an acid attack is the only solution.

They say hell hath no fury than a woman scorned but these days, reverse is the case. Some men really need to learn how to move on; being in a relationship doesn’t mean that you must get married. Some men’s ego will not allow them to accept rejection and when their advances are spurned, they retaliate by throwing acid at the woman.

would do such to that lady! You can’t eat your cake and have it. It’s either she belongs to me or no one else would have her. Of course I won’t tell her to refund all the money I have spent on her because

she won’t, so she needs to be taught a lesson. This should also serve as a warning to greedy ladies out there who milk men dry and dump them for richer guys! Revenge is best served hot, no longer cold.

Prince Adeniji Armed robbers have been terrorising our area of late: Apete area, Ibadan. They burgled a hostel around there, stole laptops, money meant for payment of fees, flat screen televisions and expensive mobile phones. If we happen to catch any of them, we would give them a jungle justice by pouring acid plus hot water on them!

Hakeem Abdul People now settle scores by pouring chemicals or hot water on their victim. I remember an accident that happened last year while a girl bathed her friend with hot water, over argument of age.

Dapo Animashawun Heartbreaks are often the reason why men pour acid on women, when the love gets sour. The more reason I always advise people to go into a relationship with open mind: If it works out, fine, if it doesn’t, that’s not the end of the world. Pick yourself up, dust off your shirt, square your shoulders and check next bus stop. Life is too short.... No time!

Bimpe

Hakeem

Of course I won’t tell her to refund all the money I have spent on her because she won’t, so she needs to be taught a lesson. This should also serve as a warning to greedy ladies out there who milk men dry and dump them for richer guys!

Revenge is best served hot, no longer cold.

Femi Adesegun But for divine intervention, I almost did same some years back, some girls are heartless!

Niyi Talabi If I spent my last money on her and believing that she would eventually be my wife but dumps me at the last minute, I

Joyce Adaran If I catch my husband in our matrimonial bed with another woman, I would gently tip toe to the kitchen, boil a bucket full of water and splash it on them. I would make sure I target their genitals, after which I would take my children and leave the marriage.

Joyce

Adebayo

20

Saturday Tribune

12 December, 2015

With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

1 President Muhammadu Buhari (second left), receiving a presentation from the national chairman of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Professor Bankole Okuwa (second right), while other members watch, at State House, Abuja, recently.

2 2 Mega distributor for Osomo Energy Boost drink, Mrs Nikki Owolabi (middle), with her team in one of her ongoing promos in Ibadan, and environs, recently.

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The groom, Dr. Olorunfemi Basola and his wife Oluwaseyi, with bride’s family, at their church wedding service at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ijoko, Ota, recently.

Dr. Olorunfemi Basola and his wife Oluwaseyi, with groom’s family at the church service at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ijoko, Ota, recently.

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5 District Manager, AXA Mansard Financial Institution Channel, Ibadan, Rasheed Adeyemi (second left) and Ibadan residents being examined by health officials at the 2015 community outreach, organised by AXA Mansard and West African College of Surgeons in Ibadan, Oyo State, recently.

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From left, Alhaji Tunde Akanbi, Head of Current Affairs Unit Radio Kwara; Alhaji Rasaq Lawal; the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Government Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba and Mallam Ismail Magaji, bursar, Ministry of Health, at the fidau prayer for the late Alhaji Amosa Mohammadu Lawal Eleran, at Eleran Compound, off Sobi Road, Ilorin, recently.

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

African drought and hydropower

By Jameson Mcbride

O

ver the past few months, an energy crisis has been deepening in Zambia: the nation has been generating only 58 percent of its usual electrical capacity. The cause of this energy crisis, however, is not economic or political—it is drought. Like many sub-Saharan states, Zambia is heavily dependent on hydroelectricity, and recent drought has crippled the nation’s power supply. Zambia’s hydropower problems may only be a sign of things to come. Long-range models predict that climate change is likely to cause more droughts throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. While hydropower is widely billed as sustainable due to its low emissions and high efficiency, the drought-induced Zambian energy crisis suggests that it may not be a reliable solution for African energy in a future marred by climate change.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the least electrified region in the world. Nearly 600 million Africans—or three-quarters of the sub-Saharan population—lack reliable access to the grid. Finding energy solutions for Africa that are cheap, reliable, and scalable is thus a priority for the region.

Hydropower has traditionally been viewed as one of the best solutions for Africa’s energy needs. After a one-time construction cost, hydroelectric dams run cheaply and produce virtually no waste. Currently, only 7 percent of Africa’s potential hydropower is harnessed, so the prospects seem tremendous. Despite concerns about dams’ impacts on local ecology, their high potential and low cost make them too attractive to ignore. Indeed, in the past few years, financial planning has begun for the massive Grand Inga Dam in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which at 42,000 MW, would be the largest hydropower plant in the world.

Due to climate change, however, much of sub-Saharan Africa will experience considerably more severe and frequent drought in the coming decades. The efficiency of hydroelectric dams depends on consistent rainfall, so droughts quickly cripple energy systems that are heavily reliant on hydropower. This causes serious blackouts in the affected states: during a temporary total dam shutdown in October, Tanzania only produced 105 MW

of the 870 MW normally generated. Less than 10 percent of Tanzanian households had electricity.

African countries that build more hydropower are likely to be more vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, a tremendous challenge facing Africa’s energy future will be finding a cheap, scalable, and sustainable alternative to hydropower. Solar power is one possible alternative. The potential for solar generation in Africa dwarfs even that of hydropower. In addition, solar does not necessarily depend on major distribution infrastructure. Dams produce electricity in one (often remote) location, which a well-maintained grid system must then distribute to consumers. Solar panels, on the other hand, can be used on roofs or in small arrays to generate power for local consumption, without reliance on a large grid. The impact of “affordable small-scale, off-grid systems” could create an energy revolution in Africa—and one that would help the

poorest most. This reasoning has already been incorporated in some development programs: under President Obama’s leadership, the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) launched the “Power Africa” program, in 2013. The program includes an explicit focus on solar initiatives and no hydro initiatives.

It is hard to ignore the potential of African hydropower in the context of extreme energy scarcity.

However, facing increased drought risk due to climate change, many African states will need to look beyond dams to ensure a bright future.

McBride a student of Columbia University is an intern for Energy and the Environment at the Council on Foreign Relations Africa Programme. He posted this piece on cfr.org.

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12 December, 2015

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newsfeature T

he fate of Nigeria’s naira is tied to the prices of oil in the international market just as the destiny of the nation’s economy is determined by the value of naira. However, despite being a major oil exporting country, Nigeria has little or no say in the determination of oil prices. Thus, by extension, Nigeria has limited control over the value of its currency and the direction of its economy. Consequently, very often, developments outside the country have telling effects on the economy.

Therefore, since the free fall of oil prices commenced in June 2014, there has not been any respite for the nation’s economy. Reaching the peak at $115 per barrel that month, the price has steadily and consistently cascaded over the last 19 months to $39 on Thursday. The decline in oil prices, which resulted in a drop in the country’s earnings, has forced the Federal Government into borrowing and has put many of the states in the country in a dire strait as they find it extremely difficult to cope with the payment of workers’ salaries. Consequently, many of them have put a lid on development projects and this has affected commercial activities at the state level.

But it is not only government activities that are affected by the dwindling revenue occasioned by falling oil prices, nearly every aspect of the nation’s economy, which a few years back was regarded as one of the three fastest growing in the world, is affected by the development.

The currency Perhaps the primary victim of declining oil revenue is naira. The currency has been so battered that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had to devalue it twice within three months as a way of rescuing it. On Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at its monetary policy committee (MPC) Tuesday in Abuja, the CBN announced an official naira-to-dollar exchange rate, forcing down the currency by N13. With that the naira exchanged officially at N168 to a dollar from the N155 it had hitherto been. Again, on February 26, 2015, the apex bank announced an adjustment of the exchange rate to N198 to a dollar.

But the measure taken by the CBN to save the naira failed to work as the value of the currency is daily eroded by market forces. While the official exchange rate is N198 to a dollar, at the parallel market a dollar is exchanged for anything between N249 and N255. This has led to calls by a number of people, including the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, for a further depreciation of the currency to reflect its true value. According to Sanusi, a former CBN governor, “It is wrong to continue to pretend that you can keep the naira at a certain level, when the price of oil is falling, without depleting your reserves. You have to make a choice.”

A rating agency, Standard & Poors,

Oil price dip

CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele

NSE CEO, Oscar Onyema

and its casualties

The descent of oil prices since June 2014 has put the Nigerian economy in a precarious situation. SULAIMON OLANREWAJU looks at the sectors of the economy that have been worst hit by the dwindling oil revenues in the light of the expansionary budget proposed for 2016.

President Muhammadu Buhari has also been consistent in its call for an appropriate value for naira.

The agency once observed through Ravi Bhatia, its director of sovereign ratings, that “Another devaluation is inevitable… they will have no option but to devalue… I think at this stage the plan is to move in increments…

At some point they have to decide: do they want to go with their policies or do they want to stay in. But there are issues there, and it is a concern.”

But the CBN is decidedly averse to further depreciation of the currency.

Rather than accede to the clamour for this, the apex bank has been churning out all manner of strategies to shore up the value of the currency. Not too long ago, the CBN decided that it would no longer provide foreign exchange for the importation of some items. It also supported

the decision of money deposit banks not to take dollar deposits from their customers just as it has strengthened its monitoring of the activities of bureau de change operators.

CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, recently advanced various reasons for the apex bank’s decision not to subject the value of the currency to market forces determination.

According to him, “There has been a lot of talk on whether or not we want to depreciate our currency again. The truth is that we had adjusted the currency by depreciating it from N155 to N197 in February this year. There is no intention to depreciate or adjust the currency any longer.

“The president has been very clear on this. The vice president has been very clear on this and let me further

reiterate our position at the CBN that we are not considering any further depreciation of the currency.

“What we are trying to concentrate on right now is how to improve and deepen the foreign exchange market by improving supply of foreign exchange into the market.

“And to do so, we are trying to encourage people to export and earn your export proceeds and use your export proceeds to import whatever you need to import.

“We are also concentrating on how to reduce the import of items that we can produce in the country today.

“It is very clear: what we need to do is reduce our propensity to import, but we will not depreciate our currency. For now we will not,” he said.

Also speaking on the decision of the bank not to provide foreign exchange in support of the importation of certain items, the CBN boss said, “What we have done is to exclude certain items that are

imported into the country from obtaining foreign exchange from the Nigerian foreign exchange market.

“Yes, it is also true we held a stakeholders’ meeting with the organised private sector and prominent and leading private sector stakeholder were at that meeting.

“The purpose was to engage the private sector to make the private sector understand that government realises that they are engine of growth. We also used the opportunity to explain to them the basis and purpose of those policies that we have introduced. At the end of that meeting, they were very happy.

“They saw our position and indeed at the end of that meeting, some of them provided us with the names of some items that should be included in the list that should be excluded from foreign exchange.

“And I must confess that at this stage, given the determination of some of the organised sectors to say that yes, they produce these items and that we should exclude those

items from foreign exchange, we are reviewing that list.

“We may in due course include more items, products that can be produced in Nigeria, in the list of items that will be excluded from foreign exchange in the Nigerian foreign exchange market,” he said.

Stock market But the CBN’s rescue operation for the naira is not without its consequences. One of these was the decision of JP Morgan to delist Nigeria from its Government Bond Index for Emerging Markets (GBIEM) due to alleged lack of liquidity and transparency in the nation’s foreign exchange market management. The lender’s decision came after it had earlier in January placed the country on a negative index watch on its Government Bond Market Index.

Economic experts are of the view that the delisting of the bond has resulted in capital flight as a number of portfolio investors have taken

Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun their investments away from the country to other countries. This, they say, has been partly responsible for the dismal performance of the nation’s stock market. According to Dr. Austin Nweze, an economist and a lecturer at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, foreign investors make up between 45 and 50 per cent of transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The delisting of the country has eroded their confidence in the market and that has been partly responsible for the bearish trends witnessed in recent times on the exchange.

While there is no doubt that the delisting of the country’s bond by JP Morgan has had its adverse impact on the stock market, the major cause of the downward trend in the prices of equities is the floundering oil prices. This is because with revenue dwindling while the foreign exchange rate is rising, there is no motivation for investing in stocks.

Similarly, the Nigeria All Share Index have exhibited volatilities and marked drop following the dwindling oil prices.

This came to the fore last Wednesday as the stock took a cue from the tumbling of oil prices to shave 2.4 per cent and hit a new three-year low. According to Reuters, the stock market, which has the second-biggest weighting after Kuwait on the MSCI frontier market index, fell for the second day on thin volumes to levels not seen since December 2012. The bourse, which is down 20.6 per cent yearto-date, broke below the psychologically key 27,000 point line on Wednesday. Banking shares fell the most, down 3.1 percent as investors sold off relatively liquid financial stocks.

Foreign reserves Economists have said that the dwindling revenue from oil will

have definite negative effects on Excess Crude Account, contributions to the sovereign wealth fund as well as the foreign reserves. The implication of this is that the country’s fallback position will become weak and any little shock will increase the country’s sovereign risk.

For instance, since the oil prices started plummeting, there has not been any contribution into the excess crude account. This has significantly affected state governments since they would have ordinarily called for the sharing of the funds in the ECA. According to Mr. Moses Tule, director, Monetary Policy Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who

For over a year, Nigeria’s foreign reserve has been between $28 billion and $36 billion. The reserves hit $36.3 billion in October 2014, fell to $32.4 billion in January 2015, and stood at $28.6 billion by May 2015. The reserves gained marginally to $31.9 billion by July, before sliding again to $29.9 billion by September.

was a speaker at a seminar for journalists recently, the slide in oil prices had resulted in a reduction in the ECA sequel to constrained savings.

According to him, this squeeze is having downside risks on fiscal management. Specifically, he noted that the balance in the ECA had been on a downward trend since July 2014. He added that this had forced the government to resort to fiscal tightening, stressing that some states of the federation are unable to pay wages and meet other monthly obligations. “This has put substantial pressure on the ECA with high demand from the states. The issue has created panic among workers and has the tendency to degenerate into social unrests if not addressed.”

Similarly, the nation’s foreign reserves have been witnessing a decline as the figure fell to $30.04 billion on Thursday, November 26, according to the CBN. The apex bank said the figure dropped by $7 million, from $30.11 billion recorded on October 26. It said the $30.04 billion represented the “gross” amount, while $29.33 billion was “liquid” and $719.32 million “blocked”.

For over a year, Nigeria’s foreign reserve have been between $28 billion and $36 billion. The reserves hit $36.3 billion in October 2014, fell to $32.4 billion in January 2015, and stood at $28.6 billion by May 2015. With the assumption of office of President Muhammadu Buhari, the reserves gained marginally to $31.9 billion by July, before sliding again to $29.9 billion

by September.

The CBN said the continuous pressure on the foreign exchange market was due to the rise in the internal demand for dollars. According to reports, the CBN had spent about $5billion since January 2015 trying to defend the Naira.

Unemployment As a consequence of all these, youth unemployment, which is already high in the country, will likely get worsened. According to reports, companies in financial and oil and gas sectors have already started laying off their staff as a way of coping with the situation. In the same vein, a number of manufacturing companies which find it difficult to compete with imported items because of the high cost of doing business in the country, have been scaling down their operations and their personnel as well. Even state governments are contemplating retrenchment as a solution to the heavy burden of unpaid workers’ salaries.

2016 budget As its response to the development, the Federal Government plans to energise the economy and stimulate growth by increasing spending in the ensuing year. This is captured in the budget proposal as revealed by the Budget and Planning Minister, Udo Udoma, on Monday. The government plans to spend N6 trillion

70 per cent of which will be on capital project while 30 per cent will be on recurrent expenditure.

The government believes that by embarking on construction work, the economy would be energised and employment opportunities would be created. It is also of the opinion that with its plan of providing a meal to every school child daily, several sectors of the economy would benefit and this would impact positively on the economy as a whole.

According to Udoma, the budget estimate is predicated on $38 per barrel of crude oil, while the crude output is set at 2.2 million barrels per day.

The government, however, said a fifth of the budget would be financed through borrowing but the minister added that the “level of borrowing that we anticipate and we’re projecting will be well within the maximum that we allow, which is 3 per cent of gross domestic product because we want a prudent budget.”

Experts, however, think that the plan of the government may not be as perfect as it sounds given that the price of oil has already come down to $39 per barrel.

“The Federal Government has a good plan to enliven the economy. When there is stagnation in an economy, that is the best thing to do,” said Mr. John Ogbamosa, an economist. “I will support what has been done but the only concern is that $38 is a bit ambitious. With what we are seeing, oil prices may go as low as $30 a barrel in 2016. If that happens, it means that most of the plans will not be realised. It also means that the respite that the budget is supposed to provide will be a mirage, the economy will shrink further and the suffering of the masses will remain unaddressed. So, it is best to work with realistic figures so that we can achieve realistic targets.”

According to him, without adequate savings from oil sales or other means, there won’t be any succour for the naira, especially given the position of the government to shield the currency from market realities.

But Professor Adeola Adenikinju, an economist, lauds the government for its plan to widen the tax net so as to increase non-oil revenue. He said this, coupled with the intention of the government to block wastage, would shore up the revenue accruable to the government. Although he agreed that with increased construction and the one meal a day programme for school children, there would be a measure of activities in the economy, he, however, said the change would not be significant in 2016 but if sustained, “there may be considerable changes starting from 2017.”

He also advocated a widening of the economy through the utilisation of many of the derivatives from crude oil as a way out of the nation’s economic doldrums.

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The cankerworm of protocol and a word of caution for Buhari

By Baba Isa PROTOCOL and bureaucracy is part and parcel of modern governance and without it, systematic administration will grind to a halt. But the practice of protocol and the workings of bureaucracy in African countries leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Our leaders are surrounded with multiple layers of protocol and governance is tardy and untidy due to bureaucratic machinery. The way some of our leaders carry on with this protocol thing, one will wonder whether that is all there is to governance.

Political leaders in Nigeria don’t derive their importance and satisfaction from executing people-focused projects. They derive such satisfaction from being driven in long siren-blaring convoys and being addressed in a paragraph of titles. Some governors are being addressed as His Excellency, Senator, Professor, Dr, Barrister, Chief…

It is sickening how you see these leaders surrounded by hundreds of aides, perfectly shielding them from the people they are supposed to be leading. The leaders don’t move with the people anymore and so can’t understand what the people suffer.

How can they fix roads they don’t travel on? How can they fix hospitals they don’t get treated in? How can they understand our internet problems and network wahala when they have got special phones and SIMs customised for them by these cut throat telecommunication companies?

Even some of the leaders with good intentions will end up failing because they have smoked protocol like marijuana. They are high on protocols but low on the needs of the people. They are buried in protocol and bureaucracy, surrounded by ass-licking aides who are only concerned in singing the leaders praises for their own selfish ends.

A former vice-president of Nigeria once described Aso Rock Villa as a prison. During the Goodluck Jonathan administration, there was a saga with a supposed phone call to the King of Morocco and President Jonathan didn’t even know about it weeks after the mass media was awash with the story.

It’s like these aides usually convince our leaders that they are too important to read the papers; they shut them out from the real world and convince them that anyone that says anything contrary to their policies is an enemy.

Government officials cannot even detect the rot in the system; rot happening right in their ministries because they don’t pay unscheduled visits to parastatals, agen-

cies and project sites in the name of protocol. How can a minister or commissioner for education find out the rot in a secondary school when he can’t pay unscheduled visit to such a school?

They will have to announce weeks before such a visit, allowing the corrupt school administrators to give the school a cosmetic facelift. When the government official arrives, he is usually more interested in the red carpet reception, the rendition of his everlasting titles and the yams they will give him to take back than in engaging the administrators, looking at the books and asking probing questions.

Children whose parents have not been paid for months will line up to wave at the government official and sing welcome songs on empty stomachs. This is governance for our leaders. In 1991, I was in primary 2 in Government Primary School, Abakpa, Ogoja, Cross River State, when Ibrahim Babangida visited Ogoja. We were asked to line up the road to wave him welcome.

CBN and its BVN policy

By Oladele Oladipupo THE recent Bank Verification Number policy which was initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the apex bank in Nigeria has no doubt caused a lot of problem for bank customers. As far as I am concerned, the Bank Verification Number project was poorly implemented. The Nigeria InterBank Settlement System (NIBSS), the Technical organisation approved by the CBN to be in charge of the BVN project should be held responsible for the failure of the project. The organisation did not do its homework very well before implementing the policy. The reasons for this are obvious.

First, there was no proper sensitisation on the BVN project. Secondly, awareness on the objectives and aims of the policy was very low. Thirdly, relevant stakeholders such as the banking sector, public and private organisations were not carried along. It is important that when you are formulating a policy and you want the policy to be implemented to the letter, all relevant stakeholders need to be carried along right from initiation to implementation. According to information gathered from most of the dailies, it was reported that the BVN project was marred by wrong data submission

which resulted in customers not having access to their bank accounts. For instance, the Punch Newspaper of Wednesday, November 4, 2015 reported that only 14.4 million BVNs were linked to bank accounts out of a total of 21 million BVN holders in the country.

The Guardian Newspaper of Monday, November 23, 2015 also reported that after the deadline given for voluntary compliance the management of CBN ordered all commercial banks to block access accounts without valid BVN, but should allow inflow of cash and deposit into them. The directive by the CBN to block access to customers’ accounts was a punitive measure for those that refused to comply but the directive has turned out to be a pain in the ass! This is because the blockage of customer’s account has affected a lot of innocent bank customers. I was one of those that were affected by the directive despite the fact that I obtained my BVN on time. I think that the management of CBN should have taken a better and proactive measure instead of blocking customers’ accounts. This action, to the best of my knowledge, is undemocratic and uncalled for. The CBN should understand that the BVN policy is not a panacea for our economic woos. At the moment there

Imagine seven-year olds standing under the sun for hours, famished and dog-tired, just to wave to our president for a few seconds while he drove by in a tinted, air-conditioned bulletproof car. He didn’t even have the courtesy to wind down and wave back to the leaders of tomorrow. For years all I dreamt about was to drive in that kind of car and punish other children to wave at me just as I was punished.

Yes, it was a punishment. My dad who was a police sergeant had died two years before the president’s visit.

No one paid us any death benefits. We were plunged into abject penury. My widowed mother had just toiled to get me a new uniform and that was my sin for being punished for hours under the sun. I was selected because my uniform was new and clean. As I stood under that blistering Ogoja sun waiting to wave at IBB, I wished I had worn the ragged uniform I had worn for months before Mama bought me the new one.

Who knows maybe our current leaders are also taking their pound of flesh? Somewhere and somehow they have picked up the idea that governance is about long titles, red carpets, siren blaring convoys, endless trips abroad, doing nothing, feeling important and gathering a choir of aides to sing their Responsorial Psalm of praises.

In Nigeria if it is not slow it is not governance. Government officials behave as if they come to office without their brains. You will give someone a two-paragraph letter or one-page proposal to read and six months later he will tell you he is still looking into it. Abeg you no fit read? You don’t look into letters and proposals, you read them and take action.

I believe this is what President Muhammadu Buhari is trying to stop by the recent directive that ministers must take permission from the presidency before travelling out of Abuja. This seems laudable but it will create more problems than it will solve. This will increase the problem of shutting the leaders away from the people. And it will also increase the ceremony in their visits. This will not be good for us.

Ministers should be encouraged to pay regular unscheduled, convoy-less visits to agencies, institutions and project sites under their ministries. This will enable them to gather firsthand knowledge and improve service delivery to the people. This should be exemplified by the president. If administrators realise that the president, governors and ministers can visit anytime, unannounced and ask questions they will sit up.

And don’t tell me that is not how governance works here; I know, but I think that is how it should work.

Baba Isa sent in this article from Abuja

are so many economic crisis which require urgent solutions. Some of these pressing problems include, but not limited to the following. Depreciation of our naira, hyperinflation, high interest rate and scarcity of forex. In order for our economy to improve, drastic measures must be taken to tackle all the aforementioned problems. At this juncture, I would like the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria to find ways of assisting our moribund industries. For instance the textile industries have been down for so many years now.

The textile industries need to be bailed out so that employment can be generated for our teeming youths.

Moreover, the CBN should also find a way of helping the small and medium enterprises in terms of access to soft loans by so doing our economy will definitely improve.

Finally, I would like to implore the management of CBN to start initiating pragmatic, sound and sustainable economic policies that would stand the test of time.

Oladipupo, a retired Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Environment, sent this piece from Abuja

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12 December, 2015

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Saturday Night Style (SNS): Light up the night in style!

A

neckerchief is actually the middle ground between a scarf and a handkerchief, also popularly known as a square scarf. The ‘necker’ part comes into play because the proper way to wear this said square scarf is to wear it around your neck. This fashion accessory is an affordable way to refresh your wardrobe. It’s accessorising potential is boundless and, quite simply, they’re cute and fun.

TONIGHT, like every Saturday night in Nigeria, is a special one as there will be lots of partying going on everywhere. Night parties bring smiles to people’s face.

Why? Because partying means good clothes, good food, fun, gossip, good company and, trust me, you don’t want to attend a party not looking gorgeous.

You have to be on point; your hair, makeup, shoes and entire appearance must be on fleek.

If you’re waving your hands in the air like you just don’t care, you need to look fabulous doing it. There are so many outfits to choose from, but here are a few looks that will definitely make you feel like going dancing.

Tinuola Ayanniyi tayanniyi@yahoo.com 08055069379

Do-it-yourself:

Star-shaped bracelet

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12 December, 2015

outofthisworld

WITH FEMI OSINUSI

osfem2@yahoo.com 08055069292

These airport runways pass through the seas!

T

HESE are, indeed, the world’s scariest airport runways. They are built and made to pass through the seas. Some of these airport runways are built in areas like North Pacific and the Maldives where there are not enough lands to build runways.

According to the Daily Mail of UK, any mistake by the pilot to overshoot the runways leads straight into the seas, but since the runways were built, no pilot had ever overshot the runway!

Agatti aerodome runway in India

Saba Airport runway, Caribbean

Meck Island runway in Marshall Islands Kwajelien Airport also in Marshal Islands

Dutch Harbour Airport runway in Alaska

Nauru International Airport runaway

Saturday Tribune

28 interview

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Exodus imminent in Oyo PDP —Olopoenia A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia, in this interview with NURUDEEN ALIMI, speaks on the reasons he feels the state chapter of the party needs to be overhauled and situates the decision of a former governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, to join the All Progressives Party (APC).

A

S a chieftain of the PDP in Oyo State and a close ally of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, what is your reaction to his plan to defect from the Labour Party to the APC rather than come back to his former party, the PDP? In my view, Alao-Akala has made the right decision, at least, at this time when those that were responsible for the failure of our party during the last general election in the state are still in charge. As a matter of fact, the party, at the moment, is in disarray. I have said many times that that unless the people that destroyed the party are shown the door as soon as possible, the party will continue to lose chunks of its members. I believe Alao-Akala has chosen the APC over the PDP because of people that have refused to step aside after failing woefully during the last election.

Those people are still interested in continuing to run the affairs of the party and I think no right-thinking politician would want to associate with such people. Therefore, Akala’s decision to shun the PDP at this point is laudable.

Alao-Akala’s exit was big blow to the party in the state, in the first instance.

As a stakeholder, have you ever taken steps to put things right within the party?

Immediately after the general election in April, I initiated what is called Reformed PDP, which was aimed at restructuring the party and probably bring back those that have left the party due to one reason or the other. But we were being sabotaged by elements that have never put the interest of the party before theirs. For instance, when the national conference of the party was held in Abuja, the invitation cards sent to Oyo State by the leadership of the party was hoarded and distributed among a few members of the party. That was the reason no prominent member of the party was present at the conference except these elements. Senator Ayo Adeseun, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, Senator Lekan Balogun, Femi Babalola, Professor Soji Adejumo, Azeem Gbolarumi and a host of others were not present at the conference.

What do you think is the way forward for the party in the state?

As far as I am concerned, the first thing is to dissolve the present executive committee before a fresh congress is conducted. If the exco is not dissolved, I can assure you that there will be exodus before and after the congress.

At different times, we wrote letters asking the national secretariat to come here and dissolve the exco from ward to state levels. At a point, we initiated a move for harmonisation but how do you harmonise without removing some and putting others as substitutes? The truth is that the people who make things happen in the party are tired of the activities of this exco and they are ready to leave if the leadership of the party at the national level does not do the needful at the appropriate time, which is now.

You keep hammering the dissolution of the present exco of the party in the state, is there more to it than meets the eye?

Yes, they have not done well at all since they have been saddled with the responsibility of administering the party.

I challenge any member of the exco to produce the result sheets from their polling unit, ward and local government and be assessed by that. None of them won in their polling units, let alone their wards and local governments. They all failed woefully, so, I see no reason a team that has failed should still be kept to function.

The most painful part of the situation is that those in charge of the affairs of the party in the state now were not elected. They were actually handpicked. The current chairman never nursed the idea of becoming the chairman. He only came to the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, venue of the congress, and was selected as the chairman, likewise some other members of the executive committee. If the national leadership of the PDP does not act fast and all reasonable members of the party leave, then the party will be left with the person who is being acclaimed as the leader of the party in the state

and his cohorts who, to the best of my knowledge, have no electoral value.

Why are you clamouring for the return of some members of the party who have left like Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Seyi Makinde and Alao-Akala?

Because they have electoral value and can take the party

The truth is that the people who make things happen in the party are tired of the activities of this exco and they are ready to leave if the leadership of the party at the national level does not do the needful at the appropriate time, which is now.

to greater heights. Senator Ladoja formed Accord Party because of what happened in the PDP in 2011 and that was the reason some PDP members see Accord as an option. As a matter of fact, I do not think Senator Ladoja can come back to the party. I do not need a soothsayer to tell me whether the former governor will return to the PDP to be paying obeisance to certain people. Alao-Akala, as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, performed creditably during the last election. Despite losing out in the election, he garnered a considerable number of votes.

Aside from that, his party produced five members of the state House of Assembly and a member of the House of Representatives. So, what can you say about such a person?

Will you say with such results, he has not performed well as a political leader?

Also, Seyi Makinde only joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) shortly before the last general election, yet, the PDP was ahead of him in the poll by just 10,000.

But let it be on record that he defeated the PDP in all the 11 local governments in Ibadan. Imagine what the situation would have been if he had been in the party for a long time. It would have been a different story entirely. So, if these people do not return to the PDP, I can assure you that between now and next year, when the ward congress will be held, there will be exodus from the party in Oyo State.

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12 December, 2015

ntertainment Society Gist

News

im r a l lc nto e l ’ te me duad a r g no dIja 32 n i n has ahee P a ly he —W n O

with Joan Omionawele and

jistwtjoan@yahoo.com Twitter:@joanbajojo 08059793705 Newton-Ray Ukwuoma 08052271251

Celebrity Interviews

e r a o c i h s w u s r o m t c A in

w o n

Saturday Tribune

3 P3

ls i e e nv m i t u do T g Bi men e, Wa in tist 0 a t r t ar P3 e t En lates

jek n’s a M ata ds’ w s ‘Ho llinto ghan fe aitin P30 w

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12 December, 2015

‘How Majek fell into satan’s waiting hands’

Amos (second right), Majek (second left) with the RAMS band Continued from pg2

contributed to the album.

What is Majek’s problem really?

I have always told people that Majek’s problem is a twoway attack. A lot of people talk about the drug addiction and the alcoholic addiction. The drug addiction and alcoholic addiction came as, or was seen by him as a fake escape route of the main problem. The real problem is hallucination that came out of him delving into spiritism.

Mind my language, spiritism not spirituality. They are two different things. But be that as it may, recently people were complaining about his health, how they saw him on the streets begging for alms. A lot of people posted a lot of things, some called me. I told them all Majek was like King Nebuchadnezzar, at that point he was in the wilderness. At the accepted time, God will bring him back. I thank God that that prophecy has come to pass. God has used Chief Ayiri Emami to resuscitate him. He’s almost there. He’s almost back. The rehabilitation is medical. You see Satan has no power and one of his antics is to make you believe that there is no problem when there is a problem. When you agree then there is a problem, the problem is half solved. That was exactly what Satan succeeded in doing to him. And what is that problem? Like I told you, we started from the church. All of a sudden, you preach to him telling him about Jesus and he says Jesus was in the past. And I keep telling him and I keep telling people. God does not force himself on people. Your willingness plus God’s ability is what brings God on the scene. It is that willingness that Satan has trampled on and held him bound. That is why the medical rehabilitation is important; to bring him to that sober mood.

Film on Ojukwu, The encounter, screens in Lagos

By Joan Omionawele A new movie entitled ‘The Encounter,’ which is a poignant historical drama adaptation based on the short story on the late Chukwuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu which was written by historian, Henry Onyema, held its private screening in Lagos during the week The film captures the remarkable story of a moment in the history of the nation and how the events that transpired helped in determining what Nigeria is today. Set in 1967 during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, an imprisoned Ifeajuna

is summoned by Biafran Commander-in-Chief General Ojukwu for one last conversation - one last encounter.

‘The Encounter’ goes a step further by not only addressing a highly significant issue of the time through seamless storytelling; the film entertains, educates and also informs the audience on the importance and value of Nigerian history by delving into the subject matter and dissecting and analysing the roles played by pivotal historic personalities.

The two defining characters in the short film are critically juxtaposed

Saturday Tribune

From left Majek Fashek, Amos Mcroy and Black Rice

Were you tempted to do drugs at some points?

I was never tempted to use drugs. And they had a nickname for me. They called me, Weak Heart Dred. I’m one person that I’m not easily influenced.

As someone close to him, at which point did Majek delve into mysticism or spiritism?

Majek’s journey into the evil cycle started in Nigeria and it’s a combination of so many factors — fame, fear of the unknown — he wanted to consolidate on his success and fame and he went looking for help and protection where there was none.

Was it also true that Majek’s mum, in order to protect her son’s fame, went to bury your album in the grave?

It was true but I don’t want to dwell on that anymore. It has happened, it has happened.

Have you also lent a hand after knowing that Majek’s problem was beyond medical?

We are that are in-house with Majek understand what transpired. Somebody like Black Rice knows what transpired. Black had been a pillar behind him. Black had taken him to Mountain of Fire and Miracles, churches to do deliverances. He also got in touch with the then Commissioner for Justice in Edo State and the governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on this matter — that Majek was an icon, if the Federal Government didn’t want to do something, the state government should and they got a team together headed by the Chief Medical Director of Psychiatric Hospital in Benin City. This rehabilitation would have taken place four years ago but at the point of rehabilitation take-off Majek ran back to the United States. in order to depict the tension that was characteristic of the time. Their ensuing conversation causes the audienceto engage in meaningful reflection.

The role of the main characters General Ojukwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna were played by Gregory Ojefua and Amara Onoh respectively.

The film was directed by Tolu Ajayi, produced by Ekene Mekwunye and the screenplay by Sammy Egbemawei.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference, the Gregory Ojefua, who played the role of the late Ojukwu revealed that the experience acting as Ojukwu was different and unique. He said “the hardest part was learning to speak like him.

I have appeared in over 100 movies and this has been my most challenging. It is full of intrigues and suspense. It will take Nigerians on a whole new viewing experience,” he said.

What have you been up to?

I was doing music. And I am still doing music. I am now into music productions. I produced Buchi’s song, My Number One. I also produced some songs for Righteousman. I produced in my own studio, Fresh Dew Studio. Presently I’m working on my own album titled Holy Ghost Zone. It is my third gospel album.

My first album is Harvest of Victory, produced in 2010. The second one is Heal Our Land. I also pastor a church called Seed of Abraham international Christian Centre, established in 2007.

I also deal in sales of musical equipment and sound systems. I deal in installations. I consult for churches and companies too, especially the Redeemed churches.

How did you become a man of God? I was actually ordained a pastor way back in 1993 but I tried to dodge it. I was actually under the ministry, Faith of Life Bible Ministry, led by a Sierra Leonean pastor. The call of God has been there but I was fighting it with excuses.

I was buying time and telling God to give me a sign. The truth was that right from when I was young there had been people telling me that I was going to work for God. Prophets had been used of God right from age 8 to foretell I was going to be a man of God but I was always giving the excuse that God should speak to me himself and later as I matured with age I kept telling God to give me time until I received a major sign and I (smiling) surrendered to God. Yes, the glamour played a part but I can’t tell God that it was because of the glamour I didn’t want to yield to God’s call (Laughs). I was telling God, I could fulfill the call by singing Gospel music instead of secular music but God said no, you must shepherd a church. I was trying to bargain, it didn’t work out. I have been doing music for thirty-seven years.

‘There is a slim chance of pirating ‘Out of Luck’’

By Newton Ray Ukwuoma FILMONE Distribution, a subsidiary of Filmhouse Cinema and official dis-

tribution company of the movie, ‘Out of Luck’ has put measures in place to discourage pirates from

Big Time entertainment unveils latest artiste,Wado

By Tobiloba Oyesola THE management of Big Time Entertainment has unveiled its latest artiste, Selom Oke Eruedoja, aka Sg Wado. The unveiling which took place at R & A City Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, featured various artistes on the record label as well as the record label CEO, Kelvin Richman.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference, Kelvin Richman said, “Big Time Entertainment is a company that has come to stay in the industry. It has come to make things right for Nigerian artistes, most especially the up and coming artiste.”

Richman, who is also a music promoter, further stated: “I have passion for what I am doing. I said to myself five years ago that when I get to

the standard that I am today, I would keep working hard to discover up-and-coming artistes. I have made a lot of people in the industry, apart from Wizkid, I have also worked with Davido, 97per cent of music artistes that are successful passed through my table when it comes to promotion.”

reproducing the newly released movie.

Mr. Don Omope, the Director of Content, FilmOne Distribution who revealed this to journalists during the premiere of the movie, sighted the use of new technology in screening movies and attitudinal change about piracy as the beginning of the end of piracy in the country.

Omope also advised genuine marketers and distribution companies to learn the ways of pirates as solution to the cankerworm instead of considering them as problems.

“One of the good things about Filmhouse Cinema is that we are people of experience in the cinema business as well as movie distribution. We are thinking at the same pace with the pirates. Currently, all our cinema houses have coded screens and each screen has five passwords held by our strategic officers. The same special coding apply to every DCP we use in screening.”

32 entertainment

12 December, 2015

My father’s stand made me to learn spare part business

—Waheed Ijaduade (Dimeji) Waheed Ijaduade needs little introduction - his stage name, Dimeji, alone rings a bell. He is a Nollywood actor cum producer who has featured in many Yoruba movies. In this interview with OLUWATOBILOLA OYESOLA, he talks about his career, family and what he misses about his father.

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Why have you chosen to concentrate more on directing movies than acting?

From the beginning,people may have noticed that I have been directing most movies,Even when I was with Olaiya Igwe,We were both doing the business together. There should be a division of labour in the industry,I don’t buy the idea of being the director, major character, musician and everything. It’s never done.

That is pure greed. The industry is a very big industry that accommodates different practitioners.

Sometimes you leave your family to go to location, how has it been like?

Thank God for giving me an understanding woman as a wife. Funny enough, if I don’t go to location on time, family members would ask ‘Daddy, it’s time you should go on set, hope there is no problem?’ Thank God, these days there are easier means of communicating through mobile phones. I do make sure I spend my free period with my family.

Why did go into acting, rather than going into business which you have knowledge about?

I developed interest in acting when I was in primary school, but unfortunately my father did not like acting at all, and did not want me to do it. But on getting to Abeokuta for my secondary school education, I was able to join the students acting for the school, and this gave me the opportunity to develop my talent, but my father insisted that I must have a solid educational background, and that is why I had to go for business Administration.

What is the secret behind your relevance ?

There is no secret anywhere, God makes everything possible.Also, I thank all those people that have been supporting me, my friends inclusive. I have a friend,Honourable Luqman Adiro, who sponsored one of my films. I am grateful for the confidence he has in me.

So, how were you able to cope?

Immediately I finished my education, I knew I had the freedom, so I decided to do what I wanted to do then, I left Ibadan, where I was brought up to Abeokuta, to stay independently.

Your son Ola started acting from childhood,why did you allow such exposure at that tender age?

That’s a very big question but let me be frank with you, I was not the one that discovered him. From his early days as a child, he has been a talkative. He has always been bold enough to ask any question right from age three. I got a call from one of my friends, Alaasari, who said he wanted to feature him in a movie which Sefiu Alao sponsored .

Alaasari told me he performed excellently well in that movie, and that was it.

When precisely did you start acting?

I can’t say precisely, but I came to Abeokuta in 1975 for my secondary school, and I joined the Acting Group immediately I got to Abeokuta. And since then I have been acting.

Aside from acting, what other business are you into?

After my education, my father also insisted

What do you miss about him?

I miss a lot about him because he was a very good father to me. I thank God for everything but at the initial stage, he did not support my acting career but when it got to a stage, he became proud of calling himself my father so he advised me always and showed me how to live a good life.Though I love my mother, I was closer to my father. He made me know what life is, and since then, I have never seen someone like him.

Can you remind us of some of the movies you have produced?

When I was with Olaiya, we produced more than ten. We started with ‘Ota Olorun’, ‘Itara eda’, ‘Okun ife’, ‘Iru eshin’, ‘Agbegilere’, ‘Ebute’ and many others. When I left Olaiya to be on my own, I produced more than ten also, namely ‘Onje Oluwa’, ‘Elese’, ‘Elenini Aye’, ‘Sunmibare’, ‘Ojo Isinmi’, ‘Ese osi’ and many more.

an you let us into your background?

I am Waheed Bolaji Ijaduade, I come from Owu kingdom, Abeokuta, I grew up in a polygamous home and I am the fourth child of my father. I am married and also have a diploma in Business Administration.

Who trained you in the art of acting?

I do tell people that it’s unwise for anybody to say I don’t have a master or anybody that trained me because whoever you met met in the buisness doing that thing you are also trying to do is ahead of you and the fact is, you have to emulate somebody. I have bosses who trained me on the rudiments of acting and they are those I emulated because I saw the zeal in them, so I call them my bosses. Artistes like Chief Akin Ogungbe, Alao Sorunke Akayinsoro and Ebun Olaiya Igwe are those I met him in the industry. As far as I am concerned, they have contributed positively to my development in the industry, so for me, I have many bosses.

Saturday Tribune

I was not the one that discovered him. From his early days as a child, he has been a talkative. He has always been bold enough to ask any question right from age three. I got a call from one of my friends, Alaasari, who said he wanted to feature him in a movie

that he wanted me to go into business, so I went to train as a spare part seller, so I know much of buying and selling spare parts.

Is your father still alive?

No, he is late.

We hear so much about actresses and producers’alleged amorous relationship, what can you say about this as an insider?

The little I know, I will say because I don’t go to location that I am not called to, but to me, I don’t believe in stories that claim that women use their bodies to get roles. On location, we are all mature people, and it is normal for you to woo anybody you like. Any reliable director or producer would not be after sleeping with actresses on set Rather, his sole objective is to dish out a nice job which everybody will like.

33 entertainment

Dayo Amusa Yoruba actress-cum-producer and musician, Dayo Amusa has proved to be a jack-of-all-trades. The actress who rose to fame in the Yoruba movie industry boosted her standards when she produced the movie ‘Unforgiveable’; starring Desmond Elliot and Mike Ezuruonye.

She also spread her tentacles in the industry as she released two singles, ‘Blow My Mind’ and ‘Aye Mi’, which were heavily promoted and received massive airplay.

And just as we thought it was a flash in the pan, Amusa, along with a host of other musicians released a remix of international music star, Adele’s hit track, Hello.

Although she received mixed reactions from fans, she was tongue-lashed for trying to add a bit of ‘local’ content to Adele’s song.

Saint Obi One of Nollywood’s leading hunks of the mid 90s, Saint Obi has been absent from the scene for a long time, leaving many to wonder what he was up to. Many thought he had become a model of some sorts, but when tongues stopped wagging, the actor resurfaced. This time, not as an actor but as a musician.

When asked why he decided to venture into music, the actor, who remixed one of John Legend’s song said “the song was very inspirational in the sense that it preaches about peace. I wanted people to know that there is no need killing ourselves since we all have little time to spend on earth.

Dialogue can settle all these crises going on everywhere.

I am not a professional singer but I am a social crusader.

So I would say that the desire to create a better world prompted the song. And that is my own way of passing the message of peace across. I did not do this song for the financial benefit but I want to use it to support UNICEF” Saint Obi further revealed that he had floated a record label and signed two artistes.

Idowu Philips Veteran actress, Idowu Philips, popularly known as Iya Rainbow who began her career in the late 80s has also joined the growing number of actresses trying to break the glass ceiling by venturing into music.

Saturday Tribune gathered that she recently released a gospel track titled ‘Ore Ofe’ from her forthcoming gospel album.

The thespian revealed to journalists that she has a full gospel album recorded and ready for release, although the name of the album is yet to be released, the actress is set to release singles of the album before the proper launching.

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

King Joel When Nollywood actor and producer, Joe Okechuwu, aka King Joel, left the country for some years to study in the United States of America (USA), and many thought he would come back to act mind-blowing films. But the actor hinted at intentions of delving into music with his recent debut single titled ‘Proud to be African’.

According to King Joel, his first single tells the story of Africa as being beyond slavery, fraud and barbarism as the race is being portrayed and projected outside. The song depicts a campaign song for Nigerians and Africans at home and in the diaspora to tell great things about Africans and great things happening in Africa.

Some Nollywood actors who have delved into music

It’s not unusual to find entertainers testing the waters and trying new things. Personalities like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade and many others have ventured into other genres of entertainment aside acting but went back to their first love acting. JOAN OMIONAWELE profiles some of the actors who have gone into music. The golden question is: can they hit the top?

Ronke Ojo Oshodi-Oke COMIC actress, Ronke Oshodi Oke is full of surprises.

The actress who is known for her hilarious gimmicks in movies, has also joined her colleagues who have added music to their CVs. According to reports, RonkeOshodi-Oke’s musical career began in 2014, when she launched her debut album with a single titled ‘Ori Mi’ which featured popular musician, Abolore Akande, aka. 9ice.

Although the mother of two, has not revealed intentions of dumping acting, fans are still being thrilled by her movies while waiting for her next turn.

Liz Anjorin The single mother of one has been able to showcase her talent as a woman of many parts actress, enterpreneur, and now, a musician, as she recently featured budding rapper Jhybo in her single titled ‘Orombo’.

The actress, who has featured in countless Yoruba movies, dropped her latest song which featured Fuji star, Pasuma and ‘Qdot. She has promised to keep thrilling her fans with impressive song .

Jennifer Eliogu After several years of living abroad, Jennifer Eliogu finally returned to Nigeria to pursue music which she described as her true passion.

Eliogu has more than five singles to her name since she emerged a strong soul singer. The actress who confessed that singing was her first calling, told Saturday Tribune that she wasn’t afraid of competition in the music industry. She is currently on a tour of the country and performing at different private and corporate events.

She has however dismissed claims that she left Nollywood, saying that music was a passion she had to pursue because it is her first love.

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

with Tunde Ayanda ayandaayotunde@yahoo.com 08034649018

Lagos celebrates

Mo Abudu

J

UST like the goldfish, Mosunmola Abudu, the Chief Executive Officer, Ebonylife TV, has no hiding place since her newest work, Fifty, was premiered and viewed by over a million audience in London, United kingdom.

Now, it’s the turn of the Lagos State government to appreciate the anchor of the rested programme, Moments With Mo, as she stages the Nigerian premiere of her movie in Lagos tomorrow.

The Lagos State government through an official letter announced its partnership with Ebonylife Films to showcase the film in the city.

El Rufai, Tonye Cole, Linda Ikeji light up TFAA THE Future Awards Africa 2015 has come and gone, but it left on its trail memories in the hearts of the winners and people who attended the ceremony.

The awards celebrated its 10th year of spotlighting individuals across Africa who are impacting and inspiring their communities and the continent as a whole and sent Lagos into a frenzy.

Guests in attendance at the award celebration included the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; Group Managing Director of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, Tonye Cole, Mo Abudu, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Rasheed Olaoluwa and many others who enjoyed the classic acts of D’banj, Chidinma, Niyola, Timi Dakolo, Omawumi, Harrysong and other artistes that performed at the event.

The endorsement by the Lagos government for Ebonylife Films production is a great feat for the cast and crew of the film, which was earlier in the year selected to screen at the 59th BFI London Film Festival and garnered rare reviews from the BBC, CNN and other leading local online and print publications.

The Fifty stars Ireti Doyle, Dakore Akande, Omoni Oboli and Nse Nkpe Etim. The production is Mo Abudu’s quest to showcase African women coming of age, loaded with increasingly similar aspirations and dilemmas faced by their contemporaries everywhere.

Tunde Babalola is back!

TUNDE Babalola, the Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Airline, is making real his promise as he stages a gradual comeback to the party scenes from where he had been absent for some time.

The man endured some tough moments when his airline was grounded and he threatened to

relocate back to the United Kingdom.

The businessman reportedly shunned all his areas of relaxation to focus on his next move.

The man is reported to be back on course, as he was spotted at the coronation of the new monarch and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi in Ile-Ife recently. The young monarch is said to be a close friend of the Discovery boss.

Gbemi Saraki takes a break?

TO keen observers, Gbemi, sister of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, seems to have taken a leave from politics, which brought her family into prominence.

It was not only in political circle that the woman is missing, she has also been an absentee in the social circle, which what many consider her personal decision.

The woman of substance and grace who once sat with

the high and mighty in the Red chamber, must have perfected her plans after her defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has since maintained a life devoid of the usual political activities.

Those close to her said her absence may be temporary and a calculated plot to restrategise.

Femi Adekambi’s rising profile IN Ondo State, the name Femi Adekambi is widely known. He belongs to the class of young politicians who believe that the wellbeing of the majority is more important than the interest of a few.

The businessman who shares the philosophy of the Ondo State governor, Dr Segun Mimiko, was recently appointed a commissioner in his state

and this drew jubilation among his family and friends who understand what his contributions can bring to the people of the state.

Femi is not a greenhorn in politics and his donation of a building to his party after losing in the last elections showed his mission as a party man, and his readiness to rebuild and harmonise against coming elections.

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12 December, 2015

seniorcitizen

Saturday Tribune With Kate Ani

08071080888

anikate92@yahoo.com

Govts playing politics with education in Nigeria Osun State varsity was a successful model before...

—Prof. Makinde, ex Babcock VC

The immediate past vice chancellor of Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Professor Kayode Makinde, in this interview with KATE ANI, evaluates the Nigerian education sector and shares his experience at the helm of a private university.

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AN you let us into your background?

I was born in Ile-Ife and grew up around the country. My mother is from Ekiti State and my wife is from Ogun State.

Similar to what President [Muhammadu] Buhari said in his inauguration speech, I belong to everywhere. I belong to nowhere. I am not attached to any place. I went to Seventh Day Adventist Grammar School, Ede, Osun State and Adventist College of West Africa, which happens to be this institution, before it became a university.

From there, I went to Middle East University in Beirut, where I studied Business Administration and History. I have two bachelor’s degrees; combined honours in Business Administration and History. From there, I proceeded to England and enrolled at North East London Polytechnic, now Middlesex University, but I left and went to Andrews University in Michigan, where I bagged two master’s degrees, in History and Political Science. At that time, I got a call to go into ministry, so, I got a second master’s degree in Religious Studies. I came back to Nigeria and pastored for a while before I got a job at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where I was a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Public Administration. I later went to France for a master’s degree in Philosophy and then PhD in Political Science and Applied Administration. I went back to OAU and taught for a while. I was later appointed the acting vice chancellor of Babcock University. I actually admitted the first batch of students in 1999. I first functioned in acting capacity because the vice chancellor that was initially appointed was not immediately available. So, I took over the university in its first year and in 2000, the VC came on board and I handed over to him.

I served as deputy vice chancellor for six years before coming back as president\vice chancellor.

I just handed over to the current vice chancellor.

As the pioneer vice chancellor of the institution, how does it feel to finally hand over to your successor, after ten years of meritorious service?

It is exciting.

What was the secret of your success?

People may say it is oversimplification but it was nothing but faith in God and clarity of vision and purpose. If you know where you are going and what you want to achieve, your faith in God gets you there. It is as easy as that.

Doesn’t it sound strange to you that somebody would be praising the blade that cut the patient instead of the hand of the doctor that held the blade? I was nothing more than a blade in the hand of the surgeon. When you get your perspectives correctly, everything will fall into place.

The success was also due to the helpful team that I had.

I likened my assignment to that of a pilot of an aircraft.

Most of the time, the pilot is the one that everybody sees and applauds because he is the one that sits at the cockpit.

One must not fail to acknowledge the co-pilot, the cabin crew, engineers and even those at the control tower that nobody ever sees. Without the control tower, the plane will run into another plane and crash.

What were the challenges you faced in those long years at the helm?

If there were no challenges, then there was no excitement or achievement to celebrate. The foremost challenge was

with them. I took them on trips to universities around the world so they could see what I was talking about. We spent the first five years to build a brand and the next five years to perfect the brand. We also carefully recruit lectures. A PhD is not enough to qualify you to teach at Babcock; you must have a ‘GodhD,’ too.

In other words, you must be a child of God. Why is Babcock University’s tuition incredibly expensive?

How expensive is ‘incredibly expensive’? Do you have any idea how much it costs to come to Babcock? What is actually expensive is ignorance, not tuition.

There are secondary schools in Lagos that charge N5 million per term. Only two programmes cost N1.5 million per year in Babcock - Law and Medicine. Here, students enjoy 24 hours power supply. What other institution in Nigeria has 24-hours-power supply?

The difference between a madman and a leader is that a leader has the know-how to share his vision and get others to buy into it. There is no achievement without some measure of madness. sharing my vision so that my team members would see what I saw. The difference between a lunatic and a sane person is that a lunatic sees what other people don’t see, and part of madness is that the madman cannot make sane people see what he sees. The difference between a madman and a leader is that a leader has the know-how to share his vision and get others to buy into it. There is no achievement without some measure of madness. When I assembled my team, I had a whole week to share my vision

Sixty-six years of university education in Nigeria, yet no university in the country has been able to rank among the top 1000 in the world. As a stakeholder, how does that make you feel?

You cannot extrapolate and take a product out of the system that produced it. Is the Nigerian military or aviation, sports, health or any other sector one of the first 100 in the world?

Are we one of the 100 best economies in the world? The system that produces education is just one of the several industries that make up the Nigerian economy. Yes, I agree that the universities are supposed to be the thought leaders to show the way but we can’t just sit down and pay lip service to education. [The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has earmarked 26 percent of the GDP of any country for education. No government in Nigeria has ever gone up to 15 percent. The previous government invested only between five and seven percent of GDP in education and pumped the rest into defence. They claimed it was necessary because of Boko Haram. They claimed they bought fighter jets, which never existed. They pumped so much money in the black holes of corruption and you expect the university system to flourish. No, it can’t. They have to be ready to pay for it. There is no free lunch anywhere in the world. It is either Nigeria is ready to go where other great countries are going or we just continue to talk. It is possible for any of our universities to be among the best universities in the word but it cannot happen overnight. We must commend former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar who, between 1998 and 1999, signed the law that brought in the private university system in the country. Yes, the Nigerian university system is 66 years old, but it went into a coma Continues pg37

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12 December, 2015

weekend cartoons

Saturday Tribune

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

Just a Laffing Mata

P l an t a i n s

POLITICO

Teacher: Segeluulu, spell ‘Plantain’.

Segeluulu: Which one? The ripe one or the unripe one?

Teacher: What difference does it make?

Just spell plantain!

Segeluulu: Teacher, if you fry the ripe one, na ‘DODO’, if you fry the unripe one, na ‘CHIPS’, if you roast am, na ‘BOLI.’ All of them na plantain, so which one you wan make I spell?

The dead dog

“Pastor, my dog is dead. Could there be a service for the poor creature?” Pastor replied, “No, we cannot have service for an animal in the church. But there is a new church down the road, maybe they will do it.” The man said, “Do you think they will accept a donation of $500,000 for the burial service?” The pastor exclaimed, “Sweet Jesus! Why didn’t you tell me the dog was a Christian?”

FUNOLOGY

You’ll walk Out of curiosity, I went to a church to take part in their prayer session.

While praying, a member touched my shoulder and said: YOU WILL WALK! I did not understand him because I am not physically challenged.

When I got out of the church, believe me, my car had been stolen and I had to walk home.

The ‘Godwin’ singer announced as 1st ever Nigeria Police Youth Ambassador

12 December, 2015 37 seniorcitizen Saturday Tribune Govt should stop using TET-fund to fund contract —Prof Makinde Continued from pg35

and was only reborn 17 years ago, because that was when private universities started operating in the country. You cannot compare a 17-year-old sector to an Oxford or Harvard that is over 2000 years old. A 17-year-old is still a minor but we are making progress. I was at Kensington Palace in May and Babcock University won the global brand award for education in Africa. I don’t brag about it because I am not really in a competition with others, but I would like to collaborate with other institutions and form a global network. The Nigerian government needs to get some things clear. They need to distinguish between investors, operators and regulators. Right now, the Federal Government is playing on all fronts; they are the police catching thieves, they are the judiciary judging the thieves and they are the jailers. When we say government is best at regulating, let them elaborate the regulations, let them create an enabling environment and provide security. A Nigerian university administrator is not just an educationist, but he is also a governor of his state because he has to provide all municipal services.

Governments should stand up to their responsibilities.

Academic work is brain work; it needs a quiet environment where you can reflect, process and build. A situation whereby power is erratic, schools are always on strike and vice chancellors are being kidnapped, what do you expect? It is only now that we are beginning to have stability in the Ministry of Education. There was time when, within a five-year period, Nigeria had nine ministers of education. Once there is no continuity, there is no sustainability. Right now, there are different sets of rules for private and public universities, but each one needs to be true to its principles. When governments govern, they should let professors profess and managers manage. A situation whereby government manages an institution, everybody’s job becomes nobody’s job.

Nigerian private universities don’t record enough applicants, yet, many citizens go to foreign countries for university education, how do we remedy this malady?

Nigerians are addicts. They are addicted to foreign products. Can you imagine somebody saying he is going to a foreign university and that so-called foreign university happens to be a university in Ghana? There are 250,000 Nigerian students in Ghanaian universities while the current Nigerian universities’ holding capacity is about 500,000. What this means is that we have half as many Nigerians going to school in Ghana as we have in Nigeria.

At the University of Legon, Ghana, the tuition alone for a foreign student is $6,000. That is about N1.5 million.

Aside from that, they have to pay for accommodation, transportation, feeding, etc.

I have been there (in Ghana). Some of the schools are just two-storey buildings and they would come here to recruit students. They sometimes make newspaper publications and they have agents. What happens is that if a student from any of those foreign universities succeeds in recruiting a student to join the school, they would give such a student a commission. It is basically a commercial venture.

These students would bring those empty calorie certificates back into the Nigerian economy and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would sign them on. How can a Nigerian university compete in that type of situation? In those foreign institutions, students don’t stress themselves much before they could gain admission. The moment they fill the admission form, the school may not even verify the authenticity of the applicant’s examination certificate, they would be given an admission letter on the spot. So also are British universities that come here to convince our students to study over there. They would organise British education fare and issue admission letters to Nigerians on the spot. How many foreign students do you have in Nigerian universities? The University of Ibadan, which has the greatest number of foreign students, has 17 of them.

How many students would leave New York and come to Nigeria to write UTME, go back, come back again to write post-UTME, go back and then come back to pay? The educational sector is putting shackles on the hands and feet of our universities and you are asking them to run the same race with others who have aggressive admission policies?

It doesn’t work like that. You can’t give what you don’t have. There is the need to create a level playing field for everybody before you can begin to ask Nigerian universities

A former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, created the Osun State University. He said it was a model that was meant to be self-sufficient.

He set the tuition at N180,000. The vice chancellor of that school, Professor Shola Akinrinade, who is my friend, once said Oyinlola never starved them of funds and look at what he was able to achieve in that school. The moment another government got there, they wanted to play politics. They said the fee was expensive; that they would slice it.

why they are not performing. The government must begin to put their money where their mouth is. All they do is to talk but little action.

Recent attempts by some universities to increase their tuitions have been strongly resisted. Do you believe that public universities can survive on their current fee structures?

It is not possible. The problem is that governments are playing politics with education; they are not serious. The [All Progressives Congress] APC government should be able to do things better, judging by its manifesto. They must live up to their promises. They promised to pay all unemployed Nigerian youths N5,000, which is not even realistic. A former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, created the Osun State University. He said it was a model that was meant to be self-sufficient. He set the tuition at N180,000. The vice chancellor of that school, Professor Shola Akinrinade, who is my friend, once said Oyinlola never starved them of funds and look at what he was able to achieve in that school. The moment another government got there, they wanted to play politics. They said the fee was expensive; that they would slice it. Is it not the same government that could not pay workers and later

people had to contribute for them to survive?

If somebody already took a decision that is working perfectly and achieving great results, don’t come in with different political ideas to disrupt the process. All the states that are declaring free education and want to pay National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for students, for goodness sake, why do you need to pay exams fee for a students not taught? You want to pay for them to buy failure? Don’t pay for WAEC exam, pay for instruction, pay for teachers that will teach the students, let the students look for the registration money themselves, but let them be taught. Education is easy. It is the simplest thing to run, but we don’t put sufficient national capital into education.

What we are actually mortgaging is tomorrow, because the people that we don’t teach today will become cultists, Boko Haram and kidnappers tomorrow. Those politicians that stole our money should invest the money on the poor to be educated. As the immediate past president and VC of Babcock University in the past 10 years, I can show you my pay slip and assets.

What it means is that I don’t get paid what even a professor will get paid somewhere else, but I can tell you that I am not poorer than anyone anywhere else. A semi-illiterate that serves as a local government chairman, because he was able to rig and kill, controls resources that even a professor of between 20 and 40 years has never seen or earned. You see, the system is actually self-destructing. If we don’t correct it right now and invest in education, we have not seen anything yet. All these Biafra agitators that we are talking about, go and check them out, how many of them who have jobs are matching around carrying banners? Education is the factor that actually regulates and corrects inequality in the society. While packing things from my office, only one portrait was on my office wall. My picture with Mama HID Awolowo.

The reason it was only her picture was because her husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, made all the difference in my life by introducing free education. Mama actually adopted me as one of her children. She used to say that I was the last born that she never had. It was Chief Awolowo that laid the foundation stone of this institution in 1959. Awolowo made it possible for me and my father’s eight other children to able to go to school, thanks to free education. When there was an economic ‘bubble burst’ in America, what President [Barack] Obama did was to push money into education. He said people should go back to school to retrain. According to him, that was the only way to compete with the Chinese. Americans are good when they study and invent. Nigeria needs to begin to learn from that so that we don’t go get worse than we are today.

Private universities are asking for government’s funding through TET-fund. Is it fair to run a private enterprise with public funds?

I don’t believe in that, but I must say here that TET-fund is not a public fund and that is why they are asking for it.

TET-fund is money sub-charged from private companies and industries. That is why the private universities are arguing that if they are collecting the money from the private sector, why is the private sector excluded from benefiting from the funds? However, TET-fund is being completely misapplied. It is being applied as an interventionist fund.

They use it to build laboratories, structures, buy vehicles for schools and so on. Unfortunately, all of these assets can never be sustained. The government should stop funding any contract or institution and put the money in the public domain.

How do you relax?

I relax with my family and ministry. I minister to families.

I do a lot of counselling, especially couple counselling and those who have issues with their marriages.

Tell us about your wife?

She is a professor of nutrition. I met her on Babcock University campus 40 years ago. We got married 36 years ago. She is the best you can get anywhere.

38

politics&policy

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune With Saheed Salawu

0811 695 4643

yinkadejavu@yahoo.com

Plateau House of Assembly: Who really is in charge?

Isaac Shobayo - Jos

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NTIL the last general election, Plateau State was one of the strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), considering the calibre of people from the state that were deemed vital to the survival of the party, especially on the national scene.

It was against this backdrop that many people thought that the 2015 elections would follow the pattern of previous exercises and be a stroll in the park for the PDP in the state. However, a division precipitated by discontent over alleged imposition of candidate for the governorship election by the immediate past governor of the state, Jonah Jang, is believed to have formed the party’s Archilles heel.

Many political stakeholders in the state, especially those from the central and southern senatorial zones, irrespective of their loyalties, had reportedly perceived the candidature of the late Senator Gyang Pwajok as an imposition and injustice on the grounds that the northern zone had produced Jang as governor and he ruled for eight years.

It is a popular opinion that protest votes had led to the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in that election, Simon Bako Lalong.

That notwithstanding, in the senatorial election, the PDP clinched the three seats and won six out of the eight House of Representatives seats in the state. The party further secured the majority status with 13 members against APC’s 11 in the House of Assembly.

Members of the PDP across the state perceived the acquisition of the greater number of seats in the House of Assembly as a consolation for the loss of the governorship to the APC. They believed that with its members in the majority, the party would be able to wield a considerable influence on the APC-led government in the state. But from all indications, this has turned out as a disappointment.

The general expectation was that being the majority party, it would be easy for the PDP to produce the Speaker of the assembly, but an alleged break in its ranks robbed the party of the opportunity and the APC cashed in and clinched the gavel through Honourable Peter Azi, representing Jos North-West Constituency.

Governor Lalong is believed to have played a major role in the emergence of Azi as the Speaker of the House and

some political analysts are of the belief that nothing short of such a move was expected from the governor, having been the Speaker of assembly during the administration of former Governor Joshua Dariye.

“He was once the Speaker, so, he knew the importance of a symbiotic relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government. He also knew that with PDP being at the helm of the assembly, it might be difficult for him to survive for four years,” an analyst said.

Since it lost the speakership, the centre is said to not hold any longer for the party as its members are allegedly working at cross purposes. It was gathered that the situation has been giving members, especially officials who had expected the party’s House members to become an instrument of a formidable opposition, serious concern.

To add more to the worries of the party, the election petition tribunal sacked one of the PDP members in the House, Honourable Vincent Bulus, representing Langtang South Constituency. The tribunal also banned the lawmaker from future elections. Although Bulus has appealed the judgement, his lot is being viewed as an upset for the PDP. Still smarting from the sack of Honourable Bulus by the tribunal, another PDP member of the House, Honurable Godfrey Dadong, representing Qua’Pan North Constituency, died, further depleting the number of PDP members in the House. In the by-election conducted last week in

All PDP members are one. We are still the majority. The speculation of a sharp division is just a figment of some people’s imagination. The major concern of every member is how to move the state forward.

There is no division.

the constituency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the APC candidate, Mr Eric Dakogol, as the winner.

With Dakogol’s victory at the poll, PDP has lost its majority status as both parties now have 12 seats each in the 24-member state assembly.

But the Majority Leader of the House, Honourable Daniel Dem, said the PDP still maintained its majority status, saying in a situation where a matter required a voting, the Speaker, who is an APC member, had no voting right, being the presiding officer. According to him, without the Speaker, it is still PDP with 12 voting members and APC, 11. He also condemned the insinuation doing the rounds that there is a division among PDP members in the House.

“All PDP members are one. We are still the majority.

The speculation of a sharp division is just a figment of some people’s imagination. The major concern of every member is how to move the state forward. There is no division,” he said The state secretary of the APC, Alhaji A. Bashir, said the party was more concerned about good governance and good legislations than being majority or not in the House, adding that the APC was satisfied with the present harmony among the legislative members.

The state PDP organising secretary, Honourable Mike Dachomo, on the other hand, maintained that the PDP remained the majority party in the House but accused the APC of rigging the recent by-election in Qua’Pan. He expressed optimism that his party would win Langtang South if eventually a by-election is held in the constituency.

Apart from the PDP’s numerical strength in the assembly waning and the party sliding towards becoming the opposition in the House, insinuations are rife that some of its members in the assembly are becoming too comfortable with the APC and may be well on their way to swelling the rank of the ruling party.

Against the background of the alleged polarisation of the PDP in the state since losing the governorship election, most of the party’s stalwarts are said to have been standing aloof. The death of Pwajok is believed to have robbed the PDP of a rallying point. But much is expected to be done by the three PDP senators, Joshua Dariye, Jonah Jang and Jeremiah Useni, to put the party on the path of stability in the days ahead.

39 interview

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

‘Fashola’s shoes not too big for Ambode’

The chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Honourable Gbolahan Yishawu, in this interview with CHUKWUMA OKPARAOCHA, speaks on the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in the state, President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade, among other issues.

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re you satisfied with how things have turned out in Kogi State after the hue and cry over the Yahaya Bello/James Faleke saga?

Our party is a very democratic party and whatever step we have taken is in the interest of the Kogi people.

overexpose themselves. The executive arm of government is the policy-making arm of government but it has numerous agencies that are supposed to execute these policies. If you expect the president to come out every time to address certain issues that lie within the purview of certain ministries, then we confuse the public about whether we are making policies or politics. For instance, during elections, we often hear people say that the governor should tell LASTMA (Lagos State Traffic Management Authority) not to work so that people could vote for him. This is so because somewhere along the line, a governor has exposed himself to suggest that he is LASTMA. Some might even say ‘elections are coming, tell schools not to collect tuition. But if we divorce such operations from government, then the government will be able to perform its duties well.

If a minister comments on an issue of national interest, that is okay. You don’t need the party to make comments on such issue again.

What lessons do you think can be drawn from the development, given the fact that this was the first election to be conducted by the APC-led government and under the leadership of a new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman?

The lesson to be learnt is that there will be many firsts to come and we should be prepared for them. This is the time of change, so, expect new things.

How would you react to the allegation by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State that the Attorney-General of the Federation’s interpretation of the constitution over the Kogi saga was wrong?

The AGF is the chief law officer of the country, and to the best of his ability and with the information at his disposal, he has made his comments.

Is Governor Fayose a lawyer? Is he the Attorney-General of the Federation? Maybe he wants to be the AGF. He should wait. The gentleman [AGF] has expressed his opinion and that is it.

Are you satisfied with the performances of Governor Ambode and President Buhari so far?

Our government is the executive and the legislature and the judiciary, therefore, we rate ourselves very high. I can say we are meeting the yearnings of Lagosians and we are going to continue to meet them.

But in Lagos, for example, there have been challenges in recent times, especially as regards security and transportation, which are causing people to nurse the impression that the shoes left by former Governor Babatunde Fashola may be too big for Ambode...

I disagree with them totally. You can imagine that even during the elections, some of our governance systems were not as effective as they used to be. Roads that okadas were not supposed to ply, they started plying. The then Federal Government was trying to undermine activities within the state. You will remember what the [Oodua Peoples Congress] OPC did during the elections, when they were moving about with the backing of the police.

Okadas were made to ply routes they were not supposed to ply. So, to me, all that happened during the election period were carried forth into the first few months of this new administration. So, it is not that Governor Ambode is not fit. The immediate past Federal Government tried to collapse the system in Lagos vis-a-vis security, transportation, power and others. It took us a while to find our feet in addressing some of these issues and reorienting our people, and I believe that this is still being done. We have taken the bull by the horns and we are getting on top of it.

I know the one you may want to hammer is the incidence of thefts that take place in traffic recently, but, sincerely, it is like any other social vice. There was a time the society was rife with kidnappings and pipeline vandalism.

We have risen to the challenge. People expect us to act instantly but we will continue to work to ensure that the response time is as short as possible. We will even get to a point where we will have done before you even think it. These are some of the issues and we have been able to surmount them. All a government needs to do is to be responsive and we have been able to achieve this.

The recently rebranded RRS (Rapid Response Squad) is an indication that security of lives and property of Lagos residents is topmost on our agenda.

Your party had always canvassed for state police.

Now that you are in government, how soon do you think this can be realised?

We have always asked for state police and we will urge every state across the country to do same. But if states don’t vote and as a result, we don’t meet the requirement for the amendment of that portion of the constitution that only gives room for one police force, then the clamour will remain a mere wish. But we will continue to tell other states that this is the way to go. If it is the wish of the Nigerian people to have state police, then we will pursue it. It is a collective pursuit that will lead to better governance and improved security.

The economic situation is harsh and this is not helped by the power situation and the persistent fuel scarcity. Your party, APC, seems to be a bit passive about this. What is your take on this?

Sometimes we overplay politics. Our leaders tend to

If the police all over the world come together, they cannot catch every single criminal. You enforce the law to basically serve as deterrent to other people perpetrating such act.

The more people we try, the less the number of people who engage in corrupt acts. Do you know the number of people who are still planning to be corrupt? Whoever is caught should be prosecuted, whether he is from APC or PDP or anywhere.

Some people are of the opinion that the president has been selective in his crusade to punish corrupt people.

They are even saying that some of those in his cabinet should also be facing corruption charges. Do you think the Buhari-led government is getting its anti-corruption fight right?

I don’t see anything wrong in what the government is doing. The question we should ask ourselves is: do those being prosecuted have questions to answer? I don’t subscribe to this negative argument. It is like you are driving and an officer stops you for jumping the light, then you argue that you are not the only person who jumped the light. The question is, did you jump the light or not? I don’t subscribe to such arguments.

They are arguments of people who don’t want the government to get anything done. We keep on forgetting that the law is not meant to catch everybody but to serve as a deterrent to others, especially after it catches one person.

If the police all over the world come together, they cannot catch every single criminal. You enforce the law to basically serve as deterrent to other people perpetrating such act. The more people we try, the less the number of people who engage in corrupt acts. Do you know the number of people who are still planning to be corrupt? Whoever is caught should be prosecuted, whether he is from APC or PDP or anywhere.

Now that the APC is in power, will the Lagos State House of Assembly push for the recognition of the Local Council Development Authorities, deemed illegal by the past PDP Federal Government, to be duly listed as full local governments?

Thank you very much. I will make it a motion and present it on the floor of the House.

You sponsored the anti-smoking bill, which has been passed into law. But you still find people smoking freely in non-designated places. Does that not suggest that the law is ineffective?

My job as a lawmaker is to make law. The execution of the law rests with the executive. I know LASEPA is doing a lot and tourism is doing a lot with respect to enforcing the law. Hotels, bars and nightclubs have all designated places for smoking. Public offices don’t allow it at all.

I know from time to time, police do arrest those found smoking in wrong places.

What will be the focus of your committee to ensure that waterfront infrastructure is turned into a money-making avenue for the state government?

I will rather say that my mission as the chairman of the standing committee on Waterfront Infrastructure Development is to ensure that our waterfront is placed at the disposal of our people for their maximum benefit. You are talking money. I am talking service.

40 feature

12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Entrance to the Methodist Grammar School, venue of the Mare Festival in Idanre. The massive Ojimoba Hill at the background.

All eyes on Idanre Hills as Mare Festival beckons

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TEPPING into Idanre, one is faced with two rocks that part up like a gate, the town 15km from Akure, capital of Ondo state is one of the most natural and undulating landscapes in Nigeria.

Idanre hills are an assemblage of rocks that rise 3000 meters above sea level with a plateau of 50 kilometers atop. The hills appear to demarcate the towns and settlements.

The festival ‘Mare’ is derived from the Yoruba phrase ‘Ma re bo’ literally translated as ‘don’t fall’, a symbolic word connecting man to nature as man tunes into nature in the heights of Idanre hills. In only its 6th editions, Mare has thrown up the hidden potentials of the ancient town for tourists worldwide to savour. Mare is also an acronym for Marathon Race; Arts and Culture; Rock Climbing, entertainment/exhibition and Empowerment. All of these were the fulcrum of Mare activities.

The determination of the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko to make the state a cynosure of all eyes via its tourism potentials is paying off fast no doubt.

The initiative of the government to draw attention to one of these potentials is this annual Mare Festival which is celebrated in Idanre, in the central senatorial district area of the state. Mare festival which usually attracts tourists worldwide celebrates the rare gift of nature in the ancient town especially the hills.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s visionary creation of Mare festival has further transformed Idanre from the rustic village to a tourist delight.

Mare according to the governor, is a deliberate attempt of the government to establish a festival around the scenic beauty of the hilly town of Idanre, celebrating nature’s gift and providing a viable destination for tourist while showcasing to the universe the culture and heritage of Ondo state.

As a result, tourists make frequent visit to the Idanre

hills resort located in the town’s tourism zone as well as savor the ‘leisure’ climbing of the hills. There are also other historical facts about the town which are exposed to tourists during visits to the hills and most especially when Mare festival is celebrated .

The people of Idanre have a long and rich history. The plateau was inhabited by the indigenes for 800 years before they moved downhill to their present location in 1928.

The name Idanre was coined out of two words “idan”(magic)and “are” (wanderer). The idanre hills have a mystical feel about them. The scenery is eclectic; the hills are like a wrap around the town, which gives an imposing imagery that dumbfounds even the wittiest person. Man and rock lay side by side in a perfect work of nature.

The ancient Idanre town was identified as a tourism behest by the colonial governor on stepping foot on the nature endowed township in 1894, while the Mimiko administration has made this a reality, even as the oke-idanre hill is at the final stage of being enlisted as a UNESCO world heritage site.

In the last few editions of Mare festival, the initiative has continued to work wonders as mare attracts new visitors all over the globe year in, year out. The festival has also raised the bar of adventure tourism and opened a vista of sports tourism in the sunshine state; a place of pride, hence the earnest preparations for the 2015 edition of the annual event which will hold between the 18th and 19th of this month.

Speaking on steps towards the successful hosting of the event this year, the State Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade said the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, (NTDC) Sally Mbanefo and Nolly wood acts have pledged their active involvement and full support.

He said Tourists to this year’s edition of the festival will have a different experience from what they used to have, as the hills environment which now has an improved golf course and Habitat to accommodate Tourists among other innovations has become of world standard where Tourists all over the world have been thronging to have a new experience.

Before now, Mbanefo had promised to support the cultural festival which emphasizes unity, stability and promote peaceful co-existence of the nation to grow and improve on its domestic tourism.

In the same vein, Nollywood actors who constitute majority of the state’s cultural ambassadors have also been mobilising other members of the entertainment industry to be part of the event.

According to popular actor, Funsho Adeolu, Ondo state is rich in culture and indigenes of the state in the entertainment industry have teamed up with the government to showcase its tourism potentials.

The Ondo born actor said Ondo indigenes in the Entertainment industry have resolved to ensure that everything is done to encourage the government to put the state in the world entertainment map, hence the support for Mare.

“Ondo is rich culturally. We have the potentials to be one of the best tourism spots, that’s why we have resolved to give the government the necessary encouragement especially since it has taken the initiative to make a difference in that area.

“Already most of our members are on ground and others will be coming in to be part of the Mare event which is just few days away” Adeolu congratulated the state’s Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko for what he described as his ability to draw global attention to Idanre in particular and the state in general through his government’s tourism exploits.

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12 December, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Is education Boko Haram’s biggest victim?

A school destroyed by Boko Haram

By Mohammad Ibrahim and Jennifer Lazuta (IRIN)

B

OKO Haram translates as “Western education is forbidden,” so it is perhaps unsurprising that a disproportionate number of teachers become victims of the Nigerian militant group. Hundreds have been killed, while many more have fled the violence.

A UNICEF report in mid-September revealed that Boko Haram attacks had displaced 1.4 million children across the region. Meanwhile, girls as young as 11 have been employed as suicide bombers, sent into crowded market places or mosques to blow themselves up, instructed to take as many others with them as they can. Boko Haram only came to many people’s attention when it kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from a secondary school in Chibok.

But while the mass abduction, the millions displaced, and the relentless suicide attacks have received most of the headlines, the exodus of teachers and the disintegration of the education system could be a longer-lasting legacy of Boko Haram that sets northeastern Nigeria back a generation.

Teachers in the crosshairs Schools and universities have been particular targets of the Islamist militant group since it began its insurgency in 2009.

More than 1,100 schools have closed or been destroyed since the start of 2015 across the Lake Chad Basin region, which also encompasses parts of neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad. Northeastearn Nigeria has been worst hit. Many of the abandoned buildings now shelter the internally displaced.

Between 2009 and October this year, Boko Haram murdered more than 600 teachers in northern Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Union of Teachers. Another 19,000 teachers have fled their posts because of the violence. About half of the deaths occurred in Borno State alone. Countless more teachers have been threatened, injured or kidnapped.

“Don’t forget, in the northeast, there was a shortage of qualified teachers before the crisis,” stressed NUT President Michael Olukoya.

Living in fear “I have been a teacher for 20 years now, but I’m always afraid to attend class,” 42-year-old Ahmadu Abba, who works at the Jajiri Government Day School in Maiduguri,

told IRIN. “Most of our colleagues have been killed or injured.”

Classes are held just two days a week now, and when school is in session armed guards stand at the entrance.

“If you are inside the school, you feel safe,” Abba said.

“But outside school premises is always dangerous because you don’t know what will happen next or if you are being trailed. Many times I have felt like quitting my job because of my safety.”

Government officials declined to comment directly on the security situation but said they had been meeting with community leaders and local “vigilante” groups, urging them to report any suspicious activity.

A spokesperson for Kaduna State’s police command said the unit had organised a series of security workshops with schools and had deployed additional officers to patrol school grounds.

But Olukoya, the head of the teachers’ union, called for more to be done, telling IRIN: “To check further bloodshed and loss of teachers, the Federal Government must beef up security around public schools across the country.”

Hadiza Bashir, a widowed mother-of-seven, works at a primary school in Maiduguri.

“As a teacher, I’m always concerned about my safety because the insecurity is a thing of worry for all of us in the city,” she told IRIN. “The school I teach [at] has no fence or guard to check those going in and out… anybody can

Between 2009 and October this year, Boko Haram murdered more than 600 teachers in northern Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Union of Teachers. Another 19,000 teachers have fled their posts because of the violence.

just go in and plant anything.”

Many teachers refuse to even consider working in the northeast until things improve.

“I recently rejected an offer to work at Gashua, the Federal University in Yobe State, because of the security situation,” said Shehu Ahmed, a professor who currently works in the northwest. “I felt it would be too risky for me to work there.”

Doctors too It is not just teachers who have fled the conflict zone.

Many doctors have gone too.

Nigeria and India together accounted for more than one third of all maternal deaths in 2015. Nationwide in Nigeria, for every 100,000 live births, 814 women die, according to the latest figures from the United Nations Population Fund.

There are no figures for maternal mortality rates in the northeast, but they are likely to be disproportionately high, as an estimated 61 percent of global maternal deaths happen in places where there is a humanitarian crisis, according to the UNFPA. The Nigerian Demographic Health Survey found that 90 percent of women in the northeast who conceived between 2009 and 2013 didn’t have pre- or post-natal check-ups, citing fears of Boko Haram attacks, intimidation by security agents at checkpoints, or destroyed local clinics.

Kabir Muhammed Abdullahi is the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative’s team leader for Kaduna State. He told IRIN that if a maternal and newborn mortality study was “thoroughly carried out” in the northeast, the numbers would be even higher than feared.

“This is because people ran away from their livelihoods,” he said. “They are denied access to health services.”

Ninety percent of people who flee have taken refuge outside the camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), making it more difficult for the government and aid workers to reach them with services. Even within the camps, the maternity situation is worrisome.

“There are women delivering in IDP camps without necessary health support,” Abdullahi told IRIN. “These IDP camps don’t have the capacity to provide skilled birth attendants. The government must… intervene to provide effective services so as to save women and children’s lives.”

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Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Kogi Utd back to NNL, takes over Bida Lions’ slot

U-23 Nations Cup final:

Bonus boost for Dream Team

P

layers and officials of Nigeria’s Dream Team will be paid their bonuses and allowances before the African U-23 Nations Cup final against Les Fennecs of Algeria tonight.

Officials disclosed that sports ministry personnel, who will pay them will only arrive early on Saturday (today) and ensure the 2016 Olympics-bound Dream Team is paid before the showdown with Algeria at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium, Dakar billed for 8pm.

“The sports ministry officials are due in by midnight and thereafter they will pay the team,” an official disclosed.

The players are due $2,000-a-man win bonus and a daily allowance of $100 beginning from their training camp in The Gambia.

The Dream Team VI reached the championship game without being paid a kobo.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Mr Amaju Pinnick has admitted the body is facing financial hard times.

“These are tough times in Nigeria and this is also affecting the federation as we are tied to the apron strings of the government,” Pinnick said.

Meanwhile, suspended captain of the Dream Team, Azubuike Okechukwu and injured Taiwo Awoniyi will be back for tonight’s final.

However, Warri Wolves flying left winger Stanley Dimgba is still ruled out by an ankle injury even though, he started light jogging during Thursday’s training.

Dimgba was Nigeria’s most potent attacking threat before he was injured in a second group game against Egypt.

Okechukwu has served out his one-match suspension after he picked up his second booking against Algeria in a final group game, which ended in a scoreless draw, and officials informed Awoniyi is back training after an ankle injury kept him out of Wednesday’s semi-final against hosts Senegal.

Azubuike

Lagos Gov’s Tennis Cup:

Futures 3 first leg finals hold today The first leg (Futures 3) finals of the 15th Governor’ Cup Lagos Tennis Championship holds today at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, with no Nigerian on the list of the finalists in both men and women categories.

In the women’s singles, Tessah Andrianjafitrimo from France will battle with Slovakia’s Tadeja Majeric in the final.

Andrianjafitrimo who is a debutant in the ITF-sanctioned tournament on Friday, got her way to the final when she defeated Norwegian Ulrikke Eikeri.

The 17-year-old French lady, who is the tournament number 8 seed upset number 6 seed Eikeri in straight set of 6-3, 6-4, while Tadeja dumped Conny Perrin of Switzerland 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the second semi-final.

Speaking after her victory, Andrianjafitrimo said Eikeri gave her a match.

“This was a tough game because Eikeri was pretty good on court, but I’m so happy qualifying for the final.

As to my final match against Majeric, I don’t know much about her because I have never seen her play, but I believe there is no cause for alarm,” Andrianjafitrimo said.

In the men’s singles, Zimbabwe’s Takanyi Garanganga (number 5 seed) could not survive the heat in his match against number 6 seed Sadio Doumbia.

The Frenchman triumphed in straight set of 6-3, 6-3, while top seed, Bosnia’s Aldin Setkic defeated South African Llyod Harris in 7-6(3), 6-2 in the second semi-final.

Garanganga however, blamed his defeat on poor start saying “Doumbia took advantage of this lapse to win the match.”

The Zimbabwean star said that he would rest and prepare himself for the second leg next week.

Meanwhile, the duo of Russian Margarita Lazareva and Valeriya Strakhova of Ukraine claimed the women’s doubles title after they defeated the pair of Zimbabwe’s Valeria Bhunu and Ester Masuri of Israel.

Kogi United FC has confirmed its readiness to compete for honours in the 2016 Nigeria National League, NNL season.

Chairman of the club, Abdul Sule disclosed this in Lokoja after Kogi United completed the takeover of the slot of Bida Lions FC to remain in the NNL. Kogi United lost its status in the NNL last season after losing the appeal case against Adamawa United, but has since exchanged status with the Niger Statebased club side which gained promotion to the NNL at the just-concluded season.

Sule stated that the move to remain in the second tier league became necessary as Kogi United deserves to be in top flight in Nigerian football.

The ex-international added the Lokoja-based club would put logistics in place to compete favourably in the 2016 season.

“We are back, I can confirm to you that we will be in NNL next season after we did the deal to swap positions with Bida Lions.

“We cannot afford to play in the amateur league, this club is too big for that, what happened to us last season was unfortunate, it was painful but we’ve put that aside now as we’ve learned our mistakes. This time we want to face this season squarely and by the grace of God, we will challenge for glory,” said Sule, a member of the famous Super Flaming Stores of Lagos which won the league title in 1992.

Meanwhile, Kogi United have been ordered to resume for training on Monday, January 4, 2016 for the preparation of the new NNL season.

Team Manager of the Confluence state club, Ameh Henry, in a statement stated that all players must be present at the training on the said date as there won’t be open screening for new players.

“We want to quickly swing into action and prepare well for the new season, we want all players to resume on this date as there will be strict penalty for late arrival,” he said.

Yakmut makes case for grassroots sports Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna Grassroots sports development is vital for Nigerian sports to thrive and compete effectively with other countries, Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Al-Hassan Yakmut has said.

He made the remarks while delivering a paper on the theme: ‘Grassroots Sports as Basis for Sports Development’ at a sports seminar organised as part of the activities to mark the Kaduna State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (2015 Kaduna SWAN Week).

According to Yakmut, the premium placed on elite sports and foreign-based sportsmen and women in the country is unhealthy and would not give adequate room for the development of young talents, hence the need to do away with that and make grassroots sports development the policy to move Nigerian sports forward.

“The products from the

grassroots sports will be the standby generators for our sports instead of the current practice of recycling ageing sportsmen and women.

Grassroots sports will provide the reservoir of sportsmen and women for Nigeria,” said Yakmut, who was represented by the Director Grassroots Sports, Dr Ademola Are at the seminar.

He suggested the need to train primary and secondary schools coaches, establish sports academies across the country, revive the All Nigeria Junior and Senior Open Championship in athletics and football and revive the university and tertiary institutions competitions across the country.

“Multinational companies should partner with the federal, state and local governments to build sports infrastructure for use by the rural and urban dwellers, while state and local governments should help in organising competitions at the grassroots with the support of corporate organisations,” he added.

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12 December, 2015

Ogunbote hails beach soccer challenge

C

OACH of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Gbenga Ogunbote has said a lot of positives would be derived from the 2015 COPA Beach Soccer Club challenge scheduled to hold later this month in Lagos.

The former Sunshine Stars of Akure handler who is a two-time CAF Confederation Cup semi finalist made the remarks following the introduction of beach soccer which he noted would lead to the growth of Nigerian dosmestic league.

“The introduction of beach soccer club challenge for the second year running with the participation of FC Barcelona, Kano Pillars and Pepsi Academy will be another experience for every participating team, putting into consideration that beach football is still at the cradle stage in Nigeria. Though, it may come with some roughness, but will in the long run be better for Nigerian football,” said the erstwhile coach of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt.

Ogunbote noted that this is the practice in advanced countries where beach soccer is used to assess the strength of retired professional footballers and also as pre-season training for clubs.

Pascal mourns Keshi’s wife Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja FORMER international, Patrick Pascal has described the death of the wife of former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, Mrs Kate Keshi as painful.

Pascal who is the current Super Eagles coordinator told Tribunesport that he received the news with shock, just as he condoled with Keshi over the unfortunate incident.

The former Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) star stated that though death was inevitable for every human being, it was always painful to lose one’s loved.

While praying for the Keshi family and everyone around the former Nigeria coach, Pascal urged Keshi to accept the death of his wife of 33 years as the wish of God. Also, Al Ain striker, Emmanuel Emenike has commiserated with the former coach of Mali and Togo over his wife’s demise.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of coach Stephen Keshi’s wife,” said Emenike.

Also, ex-international, Waidi Akanni, noted that the COPA Lagos beach soc-

cer challenge is a good development for football in the country.

Saturday Tribune

English Premiership fixtures

NO 1129

Saturday, 12 DECEMBER, 2015

n150

Saturday, December 12 Norwich vs Everton C/Palace vs Southampton Man City vs Swansea Sunderland vs Watford West Ham vs Stoke B/mouth vs Man Utd

1:45pm 4:00pm 4:00pm 4:00pm 4:00pm 6:30pm

Sunday, December 13 vs Arsenal 2:30pm Aston Villa Liverpool vs West Brom 5:00pm vs Newcastle 5:00pm Tottenham

Monday, December 14 vs Chelsea 9:00pm Leicester

I never received 3-month salary upfront —Oliseh Nigeria coach, Sunday Oliseh has disclosed that he is being owed for three months while dismissing claims that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had paid him upfront.

Oliseh said he was upset with the situation and that his employers are not giving him hope to continue the job.

“When it comes to money, I am disappointed because based on what I’m being owed I should have stopped working, my assistants should also stop working,” Oliseh told FootballLive.ng.

“They make people think I was paid in advance, which is not so and am still waiting to be paid. The only thing is that I just decided not to go public with it.”

His assistants Jean Louiscuito, Salisu Yusuf and Alloy Agu are yet to get their money for the past six months.

One of his assistants said the Super Eagles B are being owed two match bonuses and claimed it could mar the team’s preparation for next year’s African Nations Championship in Rwanda.

“If Oliseh is being owed three months and he’s not talking who are we to complain about our own six months?” one of the assistants said.

Toure with BBC Award

Toure wins BBC African Footballer award

Oliseh

U-23 AFCON final:

Algeria is dangerous —Dream Team defender, Bello

By Adebayo Taoreed

D

ream Team defender, Zaharadeen Bello, says Nigeria is in for a showdown with a tough opponent, Algeria as both sides clash tonight in the final of the African U-23 Nations Cup billed for the Leopold Sedar senghor Stadium in Dakar, Senegal.

The Les Fennecs humbled South Africa 2-0 on Wednesday night to book a rematch with the Dream Team, which stunned the hosts, Senegal 1-0 in the semi-final via a 77th minute spot kick converted by Etebo Oghenekaro.

Algeria had held the Samson Siasia-piloted team to a goalless draw in their last group match as tonight’s

clash however, is a winner takes all affair.

Zaharadeen, a member of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning Golden Eaglets squad ahead of tonight’s final acknowledges that the Algerian team handled by Pierre Andre Schurman practically remains the best team in the tournament.

“Algeria are most probably the best team in this tournament going by their impressive record – five goals scored and one against,” admitted the Kano Pillars defender.

“We watched their video before our group game and we will watch that game on video again before the final.

“They not only have a good defence, but also a good attack with their No.7 (Ferhat), No. 10 (Meziane) and No. 9 (Darfalou) very

important players, but we have the players to shut them out on Saturday,” he said.

The Fennecs boast of Zinedine Ferhat, Meziane Ben Tharham and Oussama Darfalou, among others that could give the Dream Team headache, but the return of captain Azubuike Okechukwu after a card suspension would no doubt give Siasia some respite ahead of the clash.

Ten years ago, Siasia led the Flying Eagles to win the African Youth Championship in Benin Republic.

Interestingly, Nigeria early this year conquered the continent in the African U-20 Nations Cup also staged in Senegal, and Siasia would hopefully bank on the same luck to favour his wards tonight in Dakar.

Manchester City’s Yaya Toure has been voted the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2015.

The Ivory Coast midfielder becomes only the third player, after Nigerians Nwankwo Kanu and Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, to receive the honour twice.

Football fans voted for Toure, who first won in 2013, ahead of Yacine Brahimi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Ayew and Sadio Mane.

“I am very proud. To receive this dedication from the fans is unbelievable,” Toure told BBC Sport.

“Also I want to pay tribute to the other nominees.

African football is growing up, becoming much better and we have fantastic young players coming through now.”

Toure described all five nominees as “champions”.

He added: “I am delighted and very happy. And as an African player, I want to lead all my younger brothers to be successful in the future.

“When I was a kid I was

Dream Team keeper, Emmanuel Daniel.

always dreaming of being an important player. I have sacrificed a lot.

“I will continue to try to win a trophy every year, I will fight to win a personal trophy.”

Platini loses suspension appeal EMBATTLED president of UEFA, Michel Platini has failed in his bid to have his 90-day provisional ban from football lifted.

Platini’s request was denied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which means the Frenchman will not be allowed to attend the Euro 2016 finals draw in Paris today.

The 60-year-old was suspended in October, along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter, while corruption claims are investigated.

Both deny any wrongdoing.

Platini and Blatter will have personal hearings with FIFA’s ethics committee next week, following allegations that a £1.35m payment was made in 2011 for work Platini did as Blatter’s adviser.

A verdict is expected on Monday, December 21.

Ethics investigators for football’s world governing body, who handed down the initial 90-day suspension, have recommended a life ban for Platini.

Blatter has announced he will stand down from his post, leaving FIFA to elect a new president at a special congress on February 26, 2016.

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: saturdaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: LASISI OLAGUNJU. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 12/12/2015.