13th September 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,588 TUESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER, 2016

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TODAY'S SPECIAL

How long and hard should you brush your teeth By 'Laolu Afolabi SOME group of secondary school students in a hostel engaged in a competition recently. They wanted to find out who will spend more minutes brushing their teeth. It was, indeed, exciting. Even those who used to brushing their teeth within 30 seconds stayed longer this time. They wanted to impress and show they could brush their teeth for a longer period. Eventually, the winner emerged, he

spent 25 minutes! The teeth must be whiter than others, one will guess.

Another scenario is the toothbrush in use today. Most people prefer the hardest texture toothbrush to the soft ones. They believe it is the best and would clean the teeth of plaque and eventually leave the mouth with good breath.

Incidentally, such toothbrushes are even cheaper to come by.

Continues pg6

I inherited nothing from PDP's 16 years' rule —Buhari —P4

•Concentrate on how to redeem economy —PDP Nigerian migrant gives birth on Mediterranean Sea

Many displaced as earth tremors hit Kaduna

Former British PM, David Cameron, quits parliament

Abiara hospitalised 8 days after wife's death

—P37

—P4

•I'm hale, hearty, he says

—P37

More trouble for Nigeria as crude glut persists —P12

—P34

President Muhammadu Buhari flanked by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar (left) and the Magajin Gari of Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar, during the Eid-el- Kabir prayer, in Daura, Katsina State, on Monday.

Fulani herdsmen moving with guns are foreign terrorists —Sultan —P4

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Happy

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I inherited nothing from PDP’s 16 years —Buhari Concentrate on how to revive economy —PDP Leon Usigbe - Abuja

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has again hammered on the fact that 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) left his administration with nothing to run the country.

He also alleged that governments of the former ruling party achieved nothing in terms of infrastructural development in all its years in power.

Buhari was speaking to journalists after observing the Eid el Kabir prayers in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, on Monday.

He said: ‘‘I want Nigerians to realise that what this government inherited after 16 years of the PDP government was no savings, no infrastructure, no power, no rail, no road and no security.”

The president pointed out the achievement of his administration so far, saying: ‘‘Nigerians can see what we have done to Boko Haram and what we are doing to resolve the problem in the Niger Delta. ‘‘Before the elections, we identified three major problems confronting our country. The first is security; we need to sufficiently secure our country to manage it well. ‘‘The second is economy, especially job for the youths and fighting corruption, which is continuous. ‘‘For the youths, graduates and non-graduates who are interested in agriculture, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are doing something to provide employment for them.”

On the war against corruption, Buhari assured that patriotic Nigerians had nothing to fear in the fight, as it would ensure justice and

fairness to all.

President Buhari reiterated that those who abuse public trust would face justice, in addition to returning their stolen assets to the nation’s coffers.

He then thanked Nigerians for supporting the Federal Government’s policies, programmes and actions aimed at improving securi-

ty, revamping the economy and combating the fight against corruption. ‘‘We should thank God this year, the reports I’m getting, which is very pleasing, is that we will have a bumper harvest this year,” he said.

In a reaction to the president’s claim, the PDP National Publicity Secretary,

Prince Dayo Adeyeye, accused the president of being “insensitive” by making unsubstantiated allegation on a day Muslim faithful were observing an important religious occasion.

He said the opposition party would, therefore, not join issues with the president.

But the party spokesman

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar (left) and former President Shehu Shagari, during the sallah celebraton in Sokoto, on Monday.

PHOTO: NAN

team that he could solve the present economic woes of the country.

The PDP said: “Mr President, in his Sallah message today, again, blamed the present acute economic recession on the past administration and global economic downturn.

“Let Mr President and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), be reminded that it took a smart and experienced world-class economic team in 2010 to lead Nigerians through a cushioned global financial meltdown and beyond.

“The ‘Change’ is really with them (APC) and their barrage of falsehood. They were elected to further better the lots of Nigerians and not to dish out constant complaints on the situation which they mindlessly created, not minding the attendant consequences of their actions on our collective destinies.

“It is, therefore, high time they stopped this unnecessary grumbling and concentrate on how to redeem our economy by providing good governance to the people.”

Herdsmen moving with guns are foreign terrorists —Sultan THE Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has described the herdsmen causing violence as “foreign terrorists,” saying Nigerian herdsmen are peace-loving.

The monarch, who is the spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria, said this in his Eid el-Kabir message.

“The Nigerian herdsmen are very peace-loving and law-abiding,” he said.

“The so-called Fulani herdsmen moving with guns, causing violence, fighting with farmers are not Nigerians.

“Foreigners are the ones coming into Nigeria to cause a breach of the peace. They are, therefore, terrorists and

should be treated as such by the Nigerian security agencies.”

Abubakar acknowledged that there were problems between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers, but recommended that the disagreements should be resolved through dialogue.

The monarch emphasised the need for all Nigerians

to live peacefully with one another, irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.

The Sultan also underscored the imperative of sustainable peace, if the country is to fully develop.

“Nigeria will continue to lag behind if there is no peace and unity.

“Our diversity should be our strength and God has not

of shock as the incidents took them unawares around 4.00 a.m.

Details of damage or loss was still sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

The state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm.

He said this in a statement issued by his spokesman, Sam Aruwan, that government had made a formal report to the appropriate authorities to investigate

made a mistake by creating us with diverse differences.”

On the hardship in the country, he appealed to Nigerians to go back to the farms.

He also urged Nigerians to learn to be more productive, rather than solely wait on the government to provide all their needs.

The monarch promised to continue to offer prayers

and provide wise counsel to the federal and state governments.

The event was witnessed by the Second Republic president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari; Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; deputy governor, Ahmed Aliyu and the business mogul, Aliko Dangote.

Development, security of Rivers West lies with APC —Amaechi

By Dapo Falade MINISTER of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the only

political party with developmental and security plan for the people of Bonny and Rivers West senatorial zone in Rivers State.

He made made the decla-

Many displaced as 2 earth tremors hit Kaduna MANY residents of Sambang Dagi, in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been displaced as a result of earth tremors witnessed in the area.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the first disaster happened at Nok village, about 20 kilometres from Sambang, while the other was witnessed in the early hours of Monday.

The residents were reportedly thrown into state

reiterated its previous position, asking Buhari to get a smart economic team to revive the economy rather than constantly complaining and blaming the past administration.

The PDP had, in its Sallah message to Nigerians, issued on Sunday, reminded the president that it was only by having a competent

the development and report on the event for appropriate guidance.

“The governor sympathises with the people in the Kwoi area over the reported earth tremors. He has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to mobilise to the area and comfort our citizens.

“The national geological agency has also been notified and invited to investigate the tremors and provide appropriate guid-

ance.

“The Kaduna State government is receiving updates from the area. Relevant government agencies have been directed to take steps to comfort the residents of Kwoi area and to assuage their uneasiness as they come to terms with an unusual event.

“The state government wishes to appeal for calmness, urging everyone not to spread unverified information or create panic,” the statement read.

ration while speaking at the APC special rally, held on Saturday, at the Industrial Unit Field, Bonny, as part of the campaing for the rescheduled legislative rerun in the state.

The former Rivers State governor was represented at the rally by the APC deputy governorship candiate in the 2015 elections, Honourable Asita Honourable.

“Again, we are here to tell you that it is the APC that can provide good things of life for the people of Rivers West especially the BonnyBomu Road, Ring Road, pipe-borne water, just to mention a few.

“When the Federal Government is willing to help us and we elect opposition members, would the Federal Government be able

to help us freely?” he asked rhetorically.

He assured that the APCled government at the centre would bring about genuine and effective security for the people of Bonny and the entire Rivers West communities.

“We want security; do you want Governor Nyesom Wike’s security or that of the Federal Government?

There are many undecided voters now take the message to them.

“We have tried the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 16 years and we were not better off, let’s try the APC,” Asita added.

Also speaking, the Rivers South-East senatorial candidate, Senator Magnus Abe, said there was unity of purpose in the forthcoming rerun.

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How long and hard should you brush your teeth Continued from front page

They not only damage the gums, they also leave the palate in sore, with taste bud, which sends signals to the brain when stimulated, thereby producing the sense of taste, also affected.

The single most and the biggest mistake people make is that they brush too hard.

People think if they brush too hard, they will remove the plaque. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Removal of plaque with a toothbrush is done as hard as one would brush one’s eyelashes and that’s how well to remove the plaque.

Glo Science founder, Dr Jonathan B. Levine, in a documentary released by Business Insider recently, showed that an average American brush teeth for 37 seconds, saying that’s about how much time one needs to brush a quarter of the mouth. To brush teeth thoroughly, he said a minimum of two minutes for all, about 30 seconds for each quadrant.

According to Dr Levine in the documentary, the outside and inside are where one needs to brush for two minutes. “You have

got to spend the time. You can’t do it too hard. You have to do it effectively and it’s all about proper technique,” he adds.

Many dentists agree that proper brushing takes at least two minutes. Dr Anna Guarna, a dentist for over 20 years in Connecticut, goes one step further and typically ask her patients brush for three minutes – one and a half minutes on both the upper teeth and the bottom teeth. Most people don’t even come close to brushing for two minutes let alone three. Three minutes can seem like a long time, especially for little ones. Dr Guarna recommends using a time to make it a bit more fun. There are also electronic toothbrushes that have self-timers to help one get back on track.

Again, working with dental professional and hygienist will make one to have a great brushing technique, Dr Levine further counsels.

Richard H. Price of American Dental Association. “If you are straining to open wide enough to let the brush in, the brush is probably too big,” he says. Know your bristles too, if they are really still hard, they can hurt your gums. A soft brush is best.

Toothbrushing mistakes and how to fix them Choose the right tool – Just any old toothbrush may not be the one for you. Think about the size of your mouth, says Dr

Perfect your technique Is your technique right? Wide, side-to-side strokes can scrape your gum line, Sesemann says. Hold your brush at 45-degree angle to your gums, and make an up-and-down mo-

Give it time Are you brushing enough? Twice a day is recommended, but Dr Michael Sesemann says three times a day is the best. Two minutes for each time is okay.

Don’t overdo it Brushing more than three times a day might not be ideal, Sesemann says. That’s because too much can damage gums and wear down the outer shell of the teeth, called enamel. Be gentle, it doesn’t take a lot of force to remove plaque, he says.

tion. Don’t forget about hard-to-reach areas.

Pick products wisely The kind of toothpaste one use matters.

According to Sesemann, plain old fluoride toothpaste is okay. Also, if one wants to lighten smile, one can always switch between whitening toothpaste and regular.

Store your brush properly Most people store brushes in the bathroom, however, it is not the cleanest place in the house. To keep brushes tidy, stand it up in a holder. Leaving it on the counter could expose it to germs from the toilet or sink. Don’t let two brushes touch if they are stored together. Keep it air dry always, as a moist brush is more likely to grow bacteria.

Get rid of old brushes One should get a new brush every three or four months. Also, when one notices bristles are losing their normal flexibility and start to break apart, it is advisable to change the brush. To decide which brush to buy, ask your dentist.

Edo poll: APGA candidate calls for further shift Postponement, conspiracy against PDP —Hon Goa’r From Banji Aluko and Isaac Shobayo

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ESPITE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s postponement of the Edo State governorship election from September 10 to 28, uncertainty still hangs in the air over the conduct of the election on the new date.

INEC, citing security concerns expressed by the police and the Department of State Security (DSS), shifted the conduct of the election to Wednesday, September 28.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election, Osaro Onaiwu, on Monday, however, called for a further shift in the election date to the “earliest possible date of October 1.”

He premised his argument in calling for the shift on the fact that students of Edo State participating in the current General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination would write Physics practical examination on the September 28, the new date of the election.

Onaiwu further reasoned that the shift he was advocating would enable the students take part in the election after their examination, adding that education was number one pillar in APGA’s manifestoes, even as he revealed that some of the students had threatened to sue INEC if

prevented from voting during the election.

Reacting to the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party was on the verge of winning when the election was postponed, the APGA governorship candidate queried “how do they know?

Do they have everybody’s PVC?” He slammed the PDP for insisting that the election should have been allowed to go on saying “are we going to wait for what happened in Rivers? PDP is crying because they know what we don’t know. Since security agencies said the election was not possible, everybody should abide.”

Onaiwu, who is confident that he will win at least 12

out of the 18 local government areas of the state, said the candidates of the APC and PDP were unpopular, pointing out that the feeling that the two parties were frontrunners in the election, was a creation of the media.

The APGA candidate, who claimed to have campaigned at the grass roots more than all the candidates in the election, said the Igbos constitute 48 per cent of Edo voters and that the Igbos were ready to vote for him because of their attachment to APGA. Meanwhile, apparently reacting to the postponement of Edo State governorship election to September 28, former member of House of Representatives,

Honourable Emmanuel Goa’r said the postponement was a conspiracy against the PDP. Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Jos, Honourable Goar, a staunch member of PDP and former Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, expressed disappointment over the postponement, adding that the security reasons given by the police and DSS could not be justified considering prevailing peace in Edo State.

“Many Nigerians were surprised by the postponement considering the prevailing peace in Edo State.

Before the security agencies came up with the theory of some unscrupulous persons trying to ferment

trouble, Mr President and some APC governors were in the state for a rally without any inkling of likely security breaches. Political parties too had been going about campaigning without any problem, so what are the parameters for the postponement?

“If the postponement is a craft ploy to disorganise the PDP, they are deceiving themselves, it would rather help the PDP to further consolidate and place it at vantage position to win the election. Whatever goes up must come down, APC is simply running away from defeat,” he said.

According to him, with APC at the helm of affairs in the country, democracy was at the crossroad and

charged all democrats in the country to defend democracy and ensure that rule of laws were adhered to, adding that the ruling party was desperate and would do everything possible to win Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

He implored the INEC not to succumb to the antics of some desperate politicians bent on circumventing the laid down procedures for proper election for their selfish interests.

On the crisis rocking the PDP, Honourable Goar assured that the impasse would soon be a thing of the past, adding that PDP stakeholders at various levels were leaving no stone unturned to address the lingering matters.

Fashola advocates movement of cargo by rail THE Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Sunday, inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of access road to Apapa/Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, calling for the movement of cargo across the country by rail in order to save the nation’s roads.

Fielding questions from newsmen after the inspection of the project, which included the construction of a new bridge running parallel to the existing one from Liverpool Roundabout across Port Novo Creek, Fashola, who expressed dismay at the rate the roads and bridges were collapsing as a result of stress of cargoes on them by the tankers and

trailers, warned that unless the trend was reversed, the transportation business would be adversely affected.

The minister said there was need for all the stakeholders, including government and all those in the transportation business, especially those in the trailer and tanker business moving cargoes across the country to agree on reverting to the rail transportation as means of moving heavy cargo in order to save the roads.

Recalling that he had in the past suggested to the drivers of articulated vehicles moving heavy cargoes to begin to think of alternative means, seeing the damage they cause on the

roads, Fashola pointed out that if this was not done in time, the roads might collapse and so would their business.

“In the past, I told all the tanker drivers that if they could move from rail transport to tanker and container transport on roads and we have seen the damage we have done, there is no reason we cannot move back,” the minister said, adding that although it may take time, but there must be a common agreement to move off the roads because if the roads fail, the transport business dies.”

He declared: “So, in the same way they import trailers to move their cargo, they

can begin to make arrangements to import wagons.

We must all agree that this is the way to go. I am convinced that this is the way to go for the future”, adding that Nigerians have even designed tankers beyond the capacity found in any other parts of the world. “We must all agree because this is not sustainable,” he said.

Fashola suggested that instead of building and reconstructing the rail lines, the same containers and tankers could be configured to run on tracks, adding that the present administration was now moving cattle by rail from the North to Lagos and that according to him, it was how it should go to save

the roads.

On the rehabilitation project, the minister, who described it as an emergency intervention, added: “This is why Ijora-Apapa Bridge failed, because it was just over burdened with cargo for a very long time and after sometime, it could not hold it anymore.”

Explaining his reason for the inspection, the minister said “I am here to see things for myself, so that those who will give me budgetary support when they ask me for details I can give to them,” adding that the project could not be appropriated in the 2016 budget, but would be accommodated in the 2017 budget.

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Troops gun down female suicide bomber in Borno •Boko Haram members now disguise as lunatics, military warns Chris Agbambu-Abuja

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N Sunday, troops at a check point located at Kara Cattle market axis, Dikwa, towards Antul and Mukdala, Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State gunned down a suspected female suicide bomber with her explosive device killing her and causing minor injury on two soldiers and a civilian JTF assisting them.

The suspect was seen approaching the troops and refused to stop when she was challenged from afar by the vigilant duty sentry, claiming to be coming from Monguno to see her parents in Dikwa.

Troops, however sensing that the direction of approach of the suspect was suspicious and abnormal, fired the shot which triggered the explosion that killed the suspect.

Acting Director in charge of Army Public Relations, Colonel Usman Sani, who confirmed this, said the injured soldiers and the civilian had been treated and had continued with their duties.

“This incident has shown that there are a few of the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists that are

determined to carry out criminal acts to create panic and insecurity in some areas,” he said.

He also said there was very reliable information that remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists now disguise or pretend to be mad men or women in order to gain access to some locations, especially in Maiduguri.

Usman said all should be very wary of any seemingly mentally unstable or mad

men or women found wandering and report same.

He said: “It is imperative for all to be more security-

conscious and vigilant, especially during the Eid

Current economic problem due to long-term mismanagement —Ajimobi

By Wale Akinselure

GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has reiterated the need for Nigerians to remain firm in believing that the current Federal Government will

bring about the desired change, attributing the current state of the economy to long term mismanagement of resources by the nation’s political leaders.

This, Ajimobi said, just

after joining other Muslims for the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Agodi prayer ground, Ibadan, on Monday.

Not failing to note the current challenging economy that Nigerians grap-

THE Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO) has commended the Federal Government (FG) and the Nigerian Armed Forces for their exploits and success at taming the activities of terrorists in the country.

The group gave the commendation in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Mr Adekunle Aderibigbe, as part of efforts aimed at commemorating the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001 terrorists’ attacks on the United States of America.

It will be recalled that the deadliest attacks by the Islamic extremists left many people of different nationalities dead.

“The Buhari Youth Organisation joined various institutions in the remembrance of the affected ones who lost their loved ones to the terrorists’ attacks in the United States of America.

“But we also want to commend the Nigerian government for curbing the excesses of terrorists in the North-Eastern part of the country,” the group said.

“The efforts of our military and supports from concerned foreign institutions in the region and in-

pled with, he asserted the resolve of government at all levels to turn the corner and ensure that Nigerians experienced the “Change” that they voted for.

“The problem being faced today emanated from past mismanagement of our resources, lack of adequate planning, lack of infrastructural development and lack of adequate structure to propel development, so, every individual must play his or her role for the economic situation to improve,” Ajimobi said.

In his Sallah sermon, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiyu Agbotomokekere harped on the essence of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

Shettima observes Eid prayers in Konduga Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima (middle), planting a tree as part of activities to celebrate the Eid-El-Kabir, in Maiduguri, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN

Group commends FG’s exploits in taming terrorists Chukwuma OkparaochaLagos

festivities and public holidays.”

ternally displaced persons has earned the nation good reputation,” it further said.

The statement, however, said more was still required to be done in the fight against terrorism in the country, as well as re-

habilitating people in the affected areas and their environment.

It urged the relevant authorities to put necessary measures in place to prevent terrorists’ attacks rather than proffer solu-

tions after attacks.

“In order to guide against similar occurrence in the future, BYO is calling out to the government and related institutions to step up on Database Management and intelligence.

“This could be used to monitor trends, behaviours and activities in order to forecast likelihood of terrorism or related crimes in the nearest future,” it added.

Ganduje pays outstanding debt of over N8bn owed contractors Kola Oyelere-Kano

KANO State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has paid over N8 billion outstanding debts owed contractors by the immediate past administration of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Disclosing this while speaking with newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, in Kano, on Monday, the state chairman of the Nigerian Indigenous Contractors, Alhaji Auduwa Maitagaran, said the contractors were now convinced that Governor Ganduje was a leader that could be trusted by anyone.

According to him, the N8billion paid to about 500 contractors was to ginger their confidence in the administration of Governor Ganduje who had seen the compelling need to settle the whooping debts owed contractors by his predecessor.

He, however, regretted that many of the indigenous contractors had

ended up in prison having failed to settle the burden of debts hanging on their neck, adding that as employers of labour, they had relieved thousands of staff of the jobs they had offered them.

He stated that Governor Ganduje had been compassionate by promising to

settle the debts despite the paltry grant Kano was currently receiving from the federation account, stressing that the payment had clearly demonstrated his firm resolve and commitment towards rewarding the excellent jobs they had executed for the state.

He pointed out that no serious-minded government could successfully operate without the indigenous contractors carried along, lamenting that foreign contractors were only given the lee-way to make huge money and lodged the monies into their banks.

Kwara Muslims pray amidst tight security Biola Azeez-Ilorin

THE Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Ilorin Central Eid praying ground, the Kwara State capital, was held amidst watertight security on Monday.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that all roads leading to the expansive praying ground were manned by stern-looking security operatives, including members of the vigilance group of Nigeria.

Out of about six gates leading to the praying ground, only one was

opened for use as the security arrangement brought about orderliness in parking of vehicles by the worshippers who trooped out in large numbers for the prayers.

The Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable (Dr) Ali Ahmad, were among dignitaries that attended the prayer session.

The two-rakkah prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheik Mohammed Bashir Salihu.

Addressing the congregation after the prayer, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, enjoined Muslim faithful to sustain their religions obligations of living in peace and harmony with fellow human beings.

He urged them to abstain from any act that could cause disunity among members of the society.

“I appeal to government at all levels to make welfare of the masses the priority.

Happy sallah celebrations and God bless you all,” he stated.

Bodunrin KayodeMaiduguri

IN a show of solidarity, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, on Monday, joined his kinsmen in Konduga, about 40 kilometres from Maiduguri, in observing this year’s Eid prayers.

Konduga town is one of the Kanuri territories controlled by Boko Haram insurgents since 2014 when residents were abducted and chased out of the town.

Hundreds were killed in the process while those who could flee on foot trekked to Maiduguri, the state capital, where they tarried in IDP camps until two weeks ago when the governor asked them to return to their origin.

Tides were turned around with the administration of the new Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, enabling the Nigerian military to take full control of the town early this year with the state government embarking on reconstruction of public and private buildings leading to the present sanity.

On arrival, the governor was received by the council chairman, Audu Ladan, and the district head of Konduga, Alhaji Zanna Masu, at the Eid ground located by the District head’s

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Tuesday, 13 September, 2016 Tuesday,13 13September, September,2016 2016 Tuesday,

Irepo HLGA charges caretaker committee members

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EWLY sworn-in member of caretaker committee of Irepo Local Government Area, Oyo State, have been charged to see their appointment as a challenge.

The acting Head of Local Government Administration of the local government, Mr Francis Adeoti, said this during the swearing-in ceremony of the new

members at the legislative chamber of the local government, Kisi, recently.

Adeoti urged them to be agents of positive change in all their efforts.

“Let me stress the need for the would-be members of Irepo Local Government caretaker committee to see their appointment as a challenge, considering the multifarious problems facing the country, positive

THE executive director of Pharmatex Industries, Chief Joseph Uzoma Ebowusim, has donated a Hilux van to the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) brigade, as an operational vehicle to fight crime in society.

Ebowusim, who doubles as the state patron of the Lagos command, made the donation on same day his company marked its 25th anniversary.

“I started my business 25 years ago and I thank God for today. I also thank my business partner, Mr Christopher Nebe, who is currently the managing director of the company. He’s been helpful and instrumental to the success of this company and this donation I’ m making today. It’s an

international company. We produce drugs and distribute not just within Nigeria but to other African countries.”

Receiving the gift on behalf of the brigade, the Lagos State commander, WAI Brigade Nigeria, Mr Gabriel Adeoye, commended Ebowusim for the donation.

“I’m so grateful to our patron to have thought it wise to make this donation.”

“We are here today to express our heartfelt appreciation because no duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.

“We gather here for the official presentation of our operational vehicle donated as a gesture extended to the WAI Brigade Lagos State Command by our honourable patron, who is proactive and reliable.”

Pharmatex boss donates Hilux van to WAI brigade

efforts must be geared toward the change mantra of the current administration, as political office holders, you must be agent of positive change. You must always exhibit decorum and attitude befitting the status of your office; you must at all time and in all places, be good ambassadors of Irepo Local Government, Oyo State and the nation at large,” he said.

Adeoti implored them as members of caretaker committee to work together as a team for the overall benefit of the local government.

“You should know that to every privilege, there is a corresponding responsibility. You must, therefore, be responsive and responsible in the discharge of your official duty. You must also eschew unhealthy rivalry among yourselves and work together as a team for the overall benefit of our people,” he said.

Also speaking on the occasion, the Director of Local Government Affairs in the state, Alhaji Hammed Bello, who represented the state government, charged them to be committed to the policies and programmes of the Senator Abiola Ajimobiled administration.

Nigerian Tribune NigerianTribune Tribune Nigerian

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016 9 sallahmessages Without sacrifice, we will never see the Nigeria of our dreams —Jonathan

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ORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has advised Nigerians to put the love of the country above personal interests.

He said that this would make the “Nigeria of our dreams” possible.

In his goodwill message to Muslim faithful, Jonathan cited the example of

Mark calls for united Nigeria Taiwo Adisa-Abuja

FORMER Senate President, Senator David Mark, has called for a peaceful and united Nigeria in the wake of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The former Senate President, in a statement, on Sunday, urged Nigerians to renew their indomitable spirit and rise up to the current socio-political challenges and economic recession.

Mark, in his Sallah message said: “We cannot afford to give in to failure on account of economic recession. The only option we have is to evolve strategies to overcome the odds.”

The statement, signed

by Mark’s Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, said that notwithstanding the bad economic situation currently, the difficulties have its positive sides, adding that the situation “demands our creativity to think outside the box for survival.”

Pray for prosperity —Seyi Makinde THE Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain in Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, an engineer, has sent his felicitation message to Muslims in the state on the Eid-el-Kabir festive season, in a release signed by the party scribe, Alhaji Akeem Azeez.

Mr Seyi Makinde enjoined Muslims in the county to pray for peace and prosperity at this point in time that the country is going through difficult times.

Ibrahim who was willing to sacrifice his son.

“Let us imbibe Ibrahim’s ideals and put Nigeria first

AS Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has called on Muslim faithful to use the period to pray for the unity, peace and prosperity of the country.

This is contained in a statement signed by the

“Without self-sacrifice, we will never see the Nigeria of our dreams and will always think ‘what about

me’ instead of ‘what about Nigeria.’

“On Eid-el-Kabir, we honour Ibrahim’s willing-

ness to sacrifice his son.

This must teach us that we must all sacrifice for Nigeria’s greatness.”

Aisha Buhari preaches optimism at Sallah Leon Usigbe-Abuja

WIFE of the President, Aisha Buhari, has urged Nigerians to be optimistic of the future of the country despite the current economic difficulties they are facing.

In her Sallah message

made available to the media in Abuja, on Monday, she advised that Nigerians irrespective of their affiliation should “always be very optimistic rather than otherwise and remain confident about the unique intervention of the Creator, Almighty God in

the affairs of the country.”

The wife of the president who joined thousands of Muslims faithful to observe the Eid at Ansaruddeen Mosque, Wuse II, Abuja, observed that the period of Eid-el-Kabir was “very special to Muslims because of the spiritual

uplifting and exhortation on the position of sacrifice as enshrined in the Holy Quran.”

She, therefore, urged Nigerians to use the special occasion to reflect on the lessons embedded in Eid El Kabir season “to reappraise their closeness

to God, level of sacrifice, commitment and sense of patriotism to the country.”

Aisha Buhari noted that all lessons in the act of worship must be reflected in “our daily endeavour as a means to influence change that will improve the life of each other.”

She congratulated Nigerians for being alive to witness yet another celebration and called for consistent prayers for leaders as well as the safe return of the abducted Chibok girls.

Stay peaceful, Isiaka Adeleke charges

Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari (third right) with other faithful performing Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Ansarudeen Eid Ground, in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday. PHOTO: NAN.

Glo enjoins Muslims to pray for Nigeria’s economic prosperity NIGERIA’S data grandmasters, Globacom, has sent a goodwill message to Muslim faithful in Nigeria as they celebrate this year’s Eid-elKabir, urging them to abide by the edifying teachings of Prophet Ibrahim.

The company, in a state-

ment released from its headquarters in Lagos, enjoined Muslims to see the season as a time for sober reflection and prayers for the good and prosperity of the nation, while urging them to coexist peacefully for the development of the nation as Prophet Mo-

hammed had taught.

Globacom also felicitated with the pilgrims who performed the Hajj this year and encouraged them to remain steadfast, committed, dedicated and obedient to constituted authority as seen in the readiness of Prophet

This is a time for sober reflection —Senator Oluremi Tinubu SENATOR Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central senatorial district has felicitated with Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir; adding that this is a time of sober reflection and a time of sacrifice and charity toward our fellow believers and

Dickson calls for unity Austin Ebipade-Yenagoa

in all we do. I salute the Muslim Ummah this Sallah. Happy Eid-el-Kabir,” he wrote on Twitter.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Daniel Iworiso Markson, made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Yenagoa.

He has also urged them to propagate the message of love, which remains the cornerstone and overriding principle for the adherents of every religion, including Islam.

others.

“We must continue to see ourselves as a community knitted together for service. Our country

today needs us all to contribute whatever we can make - individually and collectively to make Nigeria great again.”

Ibrahim to offer his son according to the will of Allah, a supreme act of faith which Eid-el-Kabir glorifies.

“We call on Muslims to use the occasion to continue to live up to the tenets of their faith through acts of charity, peaceful co-existence with their neighbours and obedience to the injunctions of the Holy Quoran. The joy of Eid is giving,” Globacom said, promising to ensure hitch-free telecoms experience and quality voice and data services throughout the Sallah and beyond.

Pray for unity of Nigeria —Adedoja Jacob Segun Olatunji -Abuja

A contender to the office of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Taoheed Ladoja, has urged Nigerians and the country’s friends across the globe to use this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration to pray for her unity, saying that the current economic recession in the country would soon be a thing of history.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, to mark the Sallah celebration, the former

Minister of Youth Development and Special Duties declared that with peace and unity in any nation,

such a nation would move mountains and that Nigeria’s case would not be exceptional.

Exercise caution while driving, Lagos NURTW boss warns

By Gbenga Olumide THE Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State Council, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, has advised commercial drivers, especially those plying interstate routes to exercise caution while driving dur-

ing Eid-el-Kabir fesitival.

Agbede gave the advice in his goodwill message to members of the union as part of activities marking this year’s Eid-el-kabir festival.

The NURTW boss further said that drivers should abstain from acts that could cause auto crash.

SENATOR Isiaka Adeleke has called on Nigerians to thank Almighty God for enabling them witness another Eid-el-kabir celebration, despite all the unsettling incidents across the county, praying God to intervene in finding a lasting solution to unwarranted and senseless killings of innocent souls under the guise of insurgency.

The Asiwaju of Edeleand said this in a release issued by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Olumide Lawal, to commemorate the 2016 Eidel-Kabir celebration. He buttressed, that no matter the odds, the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable. He called for dialogue in effecting settlement in whatever grievances that might be agitating the minds of some people, rightly or

Veteran journalists felicitate with Muslims THE League of Veteran Journalists, Oyo State, has congratulated Nigerian Muslims on the celebration of this year’s Eid-elKabir festival.

A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr Wale Adelowo, said the League rejoiced with Nigerian Muslims who are joining their faith with their colleagues’ around the world to mark this year’s celebrations.

The League noted that the lessons of the celebration, which include absolute trust and faithfulness to one’s religious doctrine, should be imbibed by all Nigerians, especially at this critical time of economic recession which the country is passing through.

10

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

EID-EL-KABIR CELEBRATIONS ON MONDAY

From left, wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; her husband, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo; APC national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the Eid-El-Kabir celebration at Tinubu’s Bourdillon residence, Lagos.

From left: Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Sokoto State deputy governor, Ahmed Aliyu, during the Sallah homage to the Sultan, in Sokoto. PHOTO: NAN

From left, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu;the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheik Afiz Abu; majority leader, House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila and the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, during Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Dodan Barracks, Obalende, Lagos.

From left, Chief Lateef Oyelade, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Aare Musulumi, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola, Secretary to the State Government , Alhaji Olalekan Alli and others, during eid prayer at Agodi praying ground, Gate, Ibadan.

PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

From left, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, during Eid prayers at the Ilorin prayer ground.

From left, Mogaji Alalaga, Chief Adewale Bankole, the Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the Lagunna Olubadan, Chief Adewale Bankole, in Ibadan. PHOTO: NAN

From left, the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo; Adamawa State govenor, Mohammed Bindow and the Speaker, Adamawa House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabir Mijinyawa, at the Yola prayer ground. PHOTO: NAN

From left, Chief Imam, Oro Central Mosque, Alhaji Mikail Mohammed; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Abdulrofiu Ajiboye Oyelaran, at the Eid praying ground in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara. PHOTO: NAN

From left, Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Muhammed Maikarfi and the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Honourable Umar Imam, at the praying ground In Lokoja. PHOTO: YINKA OLADOYINBO

From left: Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima; Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Kaka Garbai and the Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, during Eid prayers in Konduga. PHOTO: NAN

11

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

EID-EL-KABIR CELEBRATIONS ON MONDAY

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (second left); his wife, Bolanle (second right); All Progressives Congress (APC) South-West women leader, Mrs Kemi Nelson (right) and the deputy governor, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (left), during the Eid-El-Kabir celebration at the Blue Roof, LTV, Agidingbi, Ikeja, on Monday.

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Muhammed Uwais (left) with other Muslims at AL-abibhiyah Muslim praying ground in Abuja. PHOTO: SUNDAY OSUNRAYI

The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi (left) and his children, Prince Oyekunle and Prince Adebukola, at the Eid Praying Ground, Ogbomoso. With them is Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (in front), representing Oyo North Senatorial district.

Bauchi State governor, Muhammed Abubukar (left) and the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, with others, performing the Eid’ Prayers.

Former Minister of Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja (third left); Oyo State chairman, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Ajao (right); zonal secretary, AUD, Alhaji Ladejo and others, during the eid prayer at AUD Praying Ground, Liberty Road, Ibadan. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

From left, Minisiter of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni; national leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, during the eid prayer at Dodan Barracks.

From left, Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Ogun State, Alhaji Jelili Okewole, Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG), Zone 2, Abdulmajid Ali; state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former military administrator and the Baba Adini of Egbaland, Navy Captain Rasheed Raji (retd) and the Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Alhaji Ishiaq Oloyede, during the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Lantoro Praying Ground, Oke Lantoro, Abeokuta.

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi and others at the Iwo Praying Ground, Osun State.

PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

12

businessnews

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

More trouble for Nigeria as crude glut persists Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

H

OPES for early rise in the price of crude to buoy a depressed Nigerian economy may have been dashed as Organisation of Petroleum Producing Countries (OPEC) announced that rather than decrease, oil output from nonmember countries would increase in 2017 thus escalating global surplus.

Nigeria’s foreign reserves declined week-on week by 0.84 per cent to US$25.20 billion as at Wednesday, 07 September 2016.

And Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri has raised the alarm that before December this year, the price of rice may rise to N40,000 per bad.

Last week, OPEC members went from working to cut output to maintaining current levels but with understanding that Nigeria and Iran were free to increase their output cut due to militant activities and international sanctions.

Production from outside the cartel will grow by 200,000 barrels a day next year, according to the group, which a month ago had projected a drop of 150,000 a day.

The gain is driven by the startup of the Kashagan oil field in Kazakhstan. That means the organization’s total output of 33.24 million barrels a day in August was 757,000 a day higher than the average amount the world will need from OPEC in 2017.

“For 2017, non-OPEC supply growth has also been revised up,” the organization’s Vienna-based research department said in its monthly market report. “This is mostly due to new production from Kashagan next year.”

Oil climbed above $50 a barrel last week on speculation that OPEC may reach an accord on output levels with competitors such as Russia at informal talks scheduled in Algeria

later this month. Prices have since retreated amid doubts that any agreement will mean a reduction of supplies as long as producers are resolved to defend their share of world markets.

Stockpiles in developed nations remained 341 million barrels above their five-year average in July, OPEC estimated. The surplus is poised to diminish in the coming months as a result of surprisingly strong demand in major consuming nations, according to the report.

“This, along with a potentially improving oil supply picture, would contribute to a reduction in the imbal-

ance of market fundamentals,” it said.

Still, the report indicates that the market will continue to be defined by abundant supply in 2017.

As a result of OPEC’s increased projections for rival output, the group cut estimates for the volume of crude it will need to provide next year, by 500,000 barrels a day to 32.5 million a day.

The organization kept its estimates for world oil demand unchanged, forecasting that consumption will increase by 1.15 million barrels a day next year to average 95.42 million a day, driven by growth in India, China and the U.S.

THE Nigeria Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and PZ Wilmar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revamp the oil palm industry and restore lost glory of the country in the global map and rating of leading palm oil producing countries.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, signed on behalf of the federal government while

Lokpobiri, who spoke at a town hall meeting on Saturday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State said that Nigeria spends about $22bn a year on food importation.

He said the development had led to the astronomical rise in prices of rice and other products, stressing that if Nigerians failed to produce some of the items being imported before December, the price of rice would skyrocket to N40,000.

“Price of rice was N12,000 some months ago, but it is now about N26,000 and if we don’t start producing,

by December, it could be N40,000.

From left: Managing Director, Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company, Professor Charles Inyangete; Chairman of the Board of African Union for Housing Financing (AUHF), Oscar Mgaya; Executive Director, Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa, secretariat to the AUHF, Kecia Rust and Executive Director, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, at a news conference on forthcoming AUHF and Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company conference and 32nd AGM in Abuja, on Monday.

PHOTO: NAN

Dollar scarcity persists as financial market remains closed Chima Nwokoji-lagos

SCARCITY of the United States dollar has persisted in the country especially as activities in Nigeria’s financial market remained shut due to a two day public holiday declared by the federal government for Eid-el-Kabir celebrations .

Nigerian Tribune find-

ings revealed that with the resumption of a new academic session in most schools abroad, a lot of parents that have been finding it extremely difficult to purchase dollars from the interbank forex market, are spending even more as they are left with the option of purchasing the greenback

NIFOR, PZ Wilmar sign MoU on oil palm industry rebirth Collins Nnabuife-Abuja

Despite recording an inflow of $595 million into the country’s foreign exchange(forex) reserves in just 72 hours as confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria’s forex reserves declined week-on week by 0.84 per cent to US$25.20 billion as at Wednesday, 07 September 2016.

The decline in reserves was in spite of a week-onweek (w-o-w) increase in global crude oil prices, especially Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC’s) reference basket price which appreciated by 6.21 per cent to US$44.61/barrel as at September 8.

Chairman, PZ Wilmar, Chief Kola Jamodu, signed on behalf of his company.

Ogbeh who was delighted over the development promised government support for the successful implementation of the MoU and said the ministry will make its contribution towards the project.

He said: “We are very proud of you. We look forward to seeing ourselves not just achieving self sufficiency in palm oil production but meet the demand of the rest of the world

soon.

“We were there before, we weren’t serious and lost our position but the potential has not disappeared.

We are always here to support in any way we can. We will come on a visit in early part of October to your plantation.”

“We are very proud of you. We look forward to seeing ourselves not just achieving self sufficiency in Palm oil production but meet the demand of the rest of the world soon.”

from the parallel market at N424 and N425 to the dollar between Friday and Monday.

Normal banking activities as well as transactions at the interbank foreign exchange (forex) market will resume on Wednesday, 14th September,2016.

Analysts are concerned that the inability of parents, whose children school abroad, to access foreign exchange is threatening the completion of their wards’ education.

The situation is worsened by the recent directive given by Nigeria’s central bank to commercial lenders requiring them to allocate 60 percent of their foreign exchange purchases to manufacturers, in a bid to boost their ability to pay for imports and boost the economy.

Widespread dollar shortages, caused by a fall in oil revenues, have hit manufacturers’ ability to import raw materials and spare parts, forcing many plants

to close.

Yet, currency dealers insist that even the apex bank does not have enough dollars to play in the market, not to talk of banks which also have been mandated to sell dollars to Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

Although the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, recently revealed that the apex bank spent about $2 billion annually on foreign school fees remittances, the new forex regime appears incapable of meeting such a huge demand any more.

Available recpords reveal that average weekly dollar turnover on the interbank forex market (spot) has dropped to $600 million presently compared with the $2 billion available as at August last year.

The development was further validated by banks’ returns on forex utilisation for the week ended September 2, 2016, which was published last week.

Nigerian Tribune

Ban Ki-moon sends special UN envoy to NYPF summit in New York

By Victor Ogunyinka

AS part of efforts to resolve the present economic crisis in Nigeria and assist with credible projects that could potentially elevate Nigeria from its current status as a third world country, the United Nation Secretary General, Ban Kimoon, has pledged to send a special envoy to the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) Summit scheduled to take place in New York on September 24, 2016.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Communications, NYPF, Owomilere Obe. The statement noted that the summit with the theme “X-raying the current Nigeria’s Economic Challenges and our Foreign Policy, Prospect and Solution” will hold concurrently with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and will feature discussions that border on inclusive growth, food security, economy diversification, foreign direct investment (FDI) and several other topics.

The US Co-ordinator of NYPF, Mr Okenfe Liberty, said that the summit, which is the second of its kind by NYPF, was geared toward proffering lasting solutions to the current economic challenges in Nigeria.

“We can no longer pretend that Nigeria is not in a recession. This is evident by the dip in government revenues, drop in consumer spending, decline in economic activities, job losses and most importantly, Inflation rate. It is our hope that the resolutions from the summit, which will be submitted to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will be properly reviewed and recommendation made for possible adoption,” he said.

Notable key speakers at the summit, which will be broadcast live in Nigeria, include the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Charles Soludo; Prof Pat Utomi; former deputy governor of CBN, Prof Kingsley Moghalu and Prof Soji Adelaja of the Michigan State University (MSU).

Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Dr Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and Minister of State Agriculture, Senator Dr Heneken Lokpobiri, are the invited special guests.

13

editorial OAU’s timely response to religious extremism Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

L

AST week, gripping details of some deviant students hiding under the cloak of religion and planning to disrupt the prevailing peace on the campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, were brought to light. The students, who had consistently engaged in hate preaching and purveyed terrorist doctrines, reportedly harboured female students in rooms inside mosques in the institution for purposes of prostitution. According to reports, it was members of the recognised Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) who brought the attention of the school authorities to the existence of the outlaws. Indeed, when the factional group was invited to a meeting with the Dean, Student Affairs (DSA) of the institution to hear its own side of the story and possibly resolve any misunderstanding with the executive of the mainstream MSSN, it refused several summons from August 12 till August 23,2016.

According to a statement signed by Dr. G. O. Akinola, the MSSN had been apprehensive over the “strange doctrinal principles and procedures” of the splinter group, fearing that it could bring its strange ideas to fruition. The details are as gripping as they are horrendous: on the night of August 27, 2016, the Acting Dean, DSA, received reports that the splinter MSSN group was planning to hold a religious programme at the Awolowo Hall cafeteria the following day, for which it had neither sought nor obtained permission.

Again, acting upon the invitation earlier extended to the DSA by the splinter group, the Acting Dean and Vice Dean of the institution visited the Fajuyi and Awolowo halls on August 31, 2016, highlighting the many irregular and illegal activities which the group had reportedly engaged in at the ‘mosques’. The group however argued that it had not been violent but law-abiding.

On the visit to the Awolowo Hall ‘mosque’, the university team discovered a group of ladies numbering about a dozen, locked inside a room. They were either fully or partially veiled. As the team queried why the purported female students would be locked up in a male hall during lecture hours, some of the veiled ladies escaped through the backdoor of the room, but it was able to apprehend three of them, collecting their identity cards. But more surprises were on the way. At the Fajuyi Hall, the team also discovered five female students locked in a room in a ‘mosque’, claiming that they were kept there by their leaders, who happened to be the arrowheads of the splinter group. The students also claimed that they were praying in the room, although they could not explain why the prayer had to take place during

Nigerian Tribune

lecture hours in an exclusively male hall at around 11am.

Following their investigations, the university authorities have since shut down the two cafeterias being used as mosques to prevent a situation where halls of residence are converted to breeding grounds for religious extremism.

Indeed, that there is no let up in the determination by misguided fanatics to continue to push Nigeria down the alley of religious crisis even while it is battling many security challenges is not in doubt. It is certainly bewildering that a group of students could be so resistant to authority as to turn a deaf ear to summons by the university management. We commend the restraint, maturity and due diligence displayed by the OAU authorities in arresting what is potentially another big challenge to national security. The OAU management has, by this action, demonstrated that it is able to check extremism in whatever form within its confines. It will be recalled that the university had historically been fiercely resistant to cultism, leading to the series of shootings and murders by a death squad of 40 members of the Black Axe Confraternity at the university, which took place on Saturday, July 10, 1999, resulting in the deaths of five students. The victims included the then Students’ Union Secretary General, George Yemi Iwilade (Afrika); a 400 level medical student, Eviano Ekelemu; a graduating student, Yemi Ajiteru; a 100-Level Philosophy student, Babatunde Oke, and Ekpede Godfrey.

We salute members of the OAU MSSN and the national body for their vigilance and patriotism. Indeed, the national president of the MSSN, Muhammad Jameel Muhammad, visited the OAU campus and interfaced with the university authorities on the crisis. The MSSN’s whistle blowing has certainly helped to avert a looming calamity not just on the OAU campus but the nation as a whole. It will be recalled that the present Boko Haram menace first erupted in Niger State but the vigilance of the then Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu led to the eviction of the group from that state. It later surfaced in Borno State.

We commend the OAU example to others with huge population of youths, the usual targets of devilish propaganda and destructive indoctrination. What Nigeria needs now is peace to grow food and industrialise. Finally, we call on the Osun State government and the Federal Government to take an active interest in the development at the OAU, and deploy the security apparatus of the Nigerian state into unravelling the details that are yet to come to light.

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Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

LETTERS TO THE

editor

Letters to the editor should be sent to letterstribune@yahoo.com or by sms to 08054005323. It MUST be accompanied by the full name and address of the writer.

No to another fuel price hike

I

T was reported last week that some top officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were saying the current N145 per litre of fuel is not in tune with the present economic reality. What these officials were insinuating

was the need for the Federal Government to jerk up the price of fuel in order to make the oil sector more competitive.

I am happy that the Federal Government has come out to inform Nigerians that it has no plan to increase the price of fuel, but

I want the government to stick to this position. Increasing the price of fuel at this period in time will further plunge more Nigerians into abject poverty.

Already, many Nigerians are finding it difficult to survive as a result of the economy that has gone

Letter to African American leaders JUST a couple of weeks ago, a United States government agency released the crime figures in major cities across the country, and it declared Chicago, Illinois as the crime capital of the country. It is shocking to note how people are murdered in this city, with most of the victims being young black men in their teens and 20s. What is also disturbing is that these killings are being committed by young black men.

In fact, in its documentary on the Chicago killings, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) describes Chicago as a city being ruled by gangs who fight for the control of drug sales, as well as other criminal activities. Even Chicago residents have come to realise that while they are alive today, they could be gone tomorrow.

It is shocking to note that less than 8,000 US soldiers lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but more than this number have been killed in Chicago alone since 2001. Unfortunately, this is the same situation in other black communities in the US. Also just recently, the governor of Maine, a state in the US, described blacks as the problem of his state, saying they are mostly involved in drugs, crime, and constitute the majority of inmates in prisons in the state. This reality should be cause for concern for black leaders in the US, and campaigns on promoting love, while doing away with drugs should be sustained in black communities in the country.

One of the most vocal campaign movements in the US today is the Black Lives Matter campaign; this movement is working towards ending police

brutality against blacks, with most of them ending in loss of black lives. While this movement is necessary, it is also important movements that work on the need for blacks to ‘drop the guns and drugs’ should be more vocal. The naked truth is that blacks are killing blacks on an unimaginable proportion in the US, and this is fuelled by drugs.

As a result of this, more vocal campaigns against violence, particularly against

drugs, should be started.

It is also important that the US Congress supports President Barack Obama in his efforts towards reducing access to guns.

It is not as if crimes are also not being committed in other parts of the world, but unprecedented access to guns is making killings in the US to be above the ordinary.

•Yemisi Soares, mailwesco@gmail. com

into recession.

When President Muhammadu Buhari removed the fuel subsidy earlier this year, the majority of Nigerians supported him, despite the fact that a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) opposed the increment. Today, the competition in the oil sector has forced the price down to about N140 per litre. In fact, some filing stations are now selling for N139 per litre in order to attract customers.

It is, therefore, hoped that the funds being saved from the fuel subsidy will be utilised towards bringing Nigerians out of poverty. But one mistake that the Federal Government should not make at this point in time is succumbing to the outdated opinions of some energy chiefs, thereby increasing the fuel price. There is the limit to which Nigerians can ab-

sorb policies that will further reduce their economic powers and plunge them into hardship.

The prices of goods and services have gone up astronomically in the last one year, but incomes have not increased. Therefore, Nigerians are going through their worst economic situation in recent times, but because of the popularity of President Buhari, Ni-

gerians are bearing with his government as he is not the cause of how the economy has degenerated to this extent. However, further putting a burden on Nigerians by increasing fuel price will not be accepted by the already overburdened populace.

•Nicholas Uchendu, nichudu889@yahoo. ca

Of visual disability and quality of life THE primacy of the eye as an indispensable organ in the body cannot be overemphasised. If you are in doubt, close your eyes for ten seconds and in that brief period, try to walk around or carry out an activity. The result is better imagined. This explains why the eyes are referred

to as the light of the body.

Therefore, if the eyes are impaired, the whole body sits in darkness. No one deserves to be without sight or vision.

Globally, research has shown that the prevalence of blindness is five-fold higher in poor countries than rich countries. It is also estimated that about 285 million people are vision-impaired globally, with up to 80 per cent of these cases of impairment due to treatable or preventable causes. Worse still is the fact that over 90 per cent of these people live in low and middle income countries, and proportionately more in Africa. In general, the most remote and poorest areas of low-income countries have the least access to eye care services.

Visual disability impacts negatively on an individual’s quality of life and their functionality and has implications on the national economy as epitomised by the fact that income and livelihood are affected, as well as access to basic services such as education, healthcare, nutrition and development.

Blindness is most likely to interfere with an individual’s life goals such as achieving material wealth, social status and planning for the future. In view of the socioeconomic significance of blindness which often results in the loss of man-hours to the Nigerian economy, concrete and urgent steps are required to remedy the situation.

•Smart Adekunle, Lagos.

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opinion

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Change begins with whom?

O

N Thursday, September 8, in the Federal Capital Territory, the Federal Government finally launched the “Change Begins with Me’’ campaign, an initiative aimed at educating and enlightening Nigerians to appreciate the values of accountability and integrity. Since that day, I have been consumed by the fiercest form of insomnia. It has been as though a time bomb currently sat in the heart of the FCT and ticked… there is traffic on the air waves as every Nigerian has taken to one platform or the other to dissect this baby like some toad, pinned to a board at a freshman laboratory practical. There has been cacophony in the media, activist groups oozing out condemnations, simple Nigerians playing to the gallery and some others emitting fire. The presidency is literally under fire- some friendly but others cannon balls of dissension and sedition.

In the midst of all the hullaballoo, I decided to grab a copy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech at the launch, and like a ruminant retreats to the shadow of a huge tree to regurgitate its meal and chew on the curds, I sat under the ambience of nature, my muse, and began to do the same, and did I catch any epiphany?

The morning after the launch of the “Change Begins with me” campaign, national dailies were flooded with several intriguing headlines, but they all were pitched, like a camper’s tent, around this portion of the president’s speech: “The campaign we are about to launch today is all about THE NEED FOR US TO SEE CHANGE NOT MERELY IN TERMS OF OUR ECONOMIC, SOCIAL PROGRESS but in terms of our personal behaviour on how we conduct ourselves.”

I suppose that a variant of this part of the speech, which was taken to town by a top national newspaper, must have been one of the numerous kindlers in the current national inferno. It read “Buhari lambasts Nigerians, says change isn’t about economic progress.” I capitalised the initial quote directly from the president’s speech and have initialised boldly, the headline of that paper for a reason… you do the comparison, but while you are at it, I wonder where the ‘MERELY’, which also translates into ‘ONLY, SOLELY, JUST’ disappeared to. Thus, a truncation and disambiguation of the entire portion but that is not the destination of my discourse…

As I read the speech further in my solace, I encountered a pathway that I have decided to tread, taking you along with me, step by step.

“There is no doubt that our value system has been badly eroded over the years. The long-cherished and time honoured, time-tested

virtues of honesty, integrity, hard work, punctuality, good neighbourliness, abhorrence of corruption and patriotism, have given way, in the main, to dishonesty, indolence, unbridled corruption and widespread impunity.”

Sad but timelessly true…The president couldn’t have been more apt by describing our value system as eroded as a matter of fact, I would posit our value system has evaporated or has been, in fact, obliterated. Recently, while engaging with an old professor in one of the foremost universities in the South West, I wept for the degenerative lack of value that has, like the disease ALS, crippled this nation. He told me of how he bought gifts for his parents, siblings and relatives in the late 70s as a graduate assistant, but on taking the presents home, his father, vehemently declined the gifts, probing the son, who was at the time, employed by the University, for the source of such lavish gifts because he knew, a GA’s salary couldn’t afford to buy all that. It was after he convinced his father that he was jointly awarded a grant with his boss that the gifts were taken into the house.

That was our Nigeria decades back. Fast forward to after the new millennium and beyond, read this carefully; it happened in a neighbourhood in the South West: Gerrad, (of course not his real name), was in J.S.S. 3 in a public secondary school when he dropped out and disappeared. Before that, rumour had it that the little boy had been secretly engaged in internet fraud, locally called ‘YahooYahoo’. Well, he was away for about a year until suddenly he showed up on the street, clad from head to toe in designer wears and gold shimmering from a distance, driving a Toyota Camry model of that year. His parents, average Nigerians, owned a tiny store where they sold daily products, but today, his father, who never rode a bicycle, drives a brand new Honda Accord, his mother, a minivan, and all his siblings have been upgraded. The mother was elevated to a deaconess in church because her tithe increased and they currently live lavishly…

veracity with Vera Onana

veraonana@gmail.com 08054680688 Ours has become a country where dignity in labour is dead and buried. It has become a stage where only the wealthy are allowed the spotlight regardless of the source of their wealth.

Just last week, I got a call from an agitated friend. In fact, I could literally feel the heat of her anger for my phone was burning. She recounted a humiliating experience at the hands of security personnel in one of the federal universities.

This friend of mine, who is running a PhD programme at the university, was driving towards the school gate in her beat up Honda baby boy that was given to her by her father when she enrolled for a master’s programme years ago.

Driving in front of her was another lady in a clean Toyota Camry, 2010 model. The security guard, with all smiles, let the other lady through but when she approached, he stopped her, demanding in an unrefined manner that she open the boot. An indignant young lady fired him with verbal bullets, insisting on doing no such thing for no other car before her was checked… I could go on and on about how no one cares anymore about hard work and how the real nation builders are treated like vermin while criminals, brutish rogues are the paparazzi’s delight!

What happened to the family unit? The fathers, who like the old professor’s father, would demand explanations from their children? The religious bodies, which were the measure for honesty, integrity and truth, are more concerned with buying private jets and flying around the globe. If these fundamental set-ups have woefully failed in breeding a truly honest Nigeria, I do not think that it is a crime for the FG to remind us of what really matters.

Some activist groups have blatantly rejected the campaign for several reasons including referring to it as a reincarnation of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) that was barbaric and brutal, stating it is a sham and a subtle way for the FG to shift the blames of its ineptitude on Nigerians while asking series of questions on transparency and accountability. Fellow Nigerians, these are valid points. While we must keep demanding a foolproof that the change we were promised a year ago will materialise by the FG fulfilling all the promises it made Nigerians, we must also remember that for us to cast the first stone, we must be without sin… If you will treat that menial worker with respect, may be more young people will want to do honest jobs.

We have to bring back our value system, our morals and when we have done so, we can more confidently go on demanding to see the change we were promised, but if change still doesn’t show up, we must never forget that life’s consistent inconsistency is change.

Still chewing the curd…

Re: Sanusi Adebisi Idikan (1882-1838)

By Kazeem Adeleke

May 1925 deposed by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Shiyanbola Ladigbolu, for ‘disloyalty and having an unsatisfactory attitude.’”

Here, the impression that is created in the minds of readers is that the Alaafin had the power to depose an Ibadan monarch.

However, according to the available facts, this was not so. It is in line with this that I do not think it is fair, given the prevailing circumstances then, to ascribe the power which deposed Shittu (or Situ) to the Alaafin. Clearly, Ibadan was the most powerful Yoruba state in the 19th century, but the British, for some reasons, in a brazen, unexpected and unfair reversal of the power status, deliberately placed Ibadan under Oyo. The new Oyo Province, which was headquartered in Oyo, was created by the British upon the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914. Capt Ross was later appointed as the Oyo Resident.

As at the time the British arrived, Ibadan was clearly and unambiguously stronger than Oyo, as Oyo had virtually lost control over the empire. Samuel Johnson, in his ‘The History of the Yorubas’, noted that during the reign of Alaafin Amodo (1825 – 1831), ‘none of the principal towns now paid tribute to Oyo or acknowledge the authority of the king. He was virtually king of the capital only.’ Compare this to the power of Ibadan, which

was growing in leaps and bounds. ’.

The growth of Ibadan was meteoric and unparalleled. Just a few years after the present Ibadan was founded, Ibadan had grown so powerful and was protecting the entire Yorubaland against external attacks. By 1840, Ibadan forces decisively defeated the Fulanis at the Osogbo war and forced them to retreat.

Effectively, Ibadan had become the successor state to Oyo. If the Ibadan people had been power-drunk, they could have easily annexed or absorbed Oyo in the years after the Osogbo war. Without any argument, it was the British, through Ross, who sought to extend Alaafin’s powers over Ibadan. It was under this unjust arrangement that the Alaafin began to meddle in the affairs of Ibadan, of course to the great consternation, dismay, and displeasure of the Ibadan chiefs. As if this Britishcompelled subordination was not enough, the treasury of the Ibadan native administration was made to pay half of Alaafin’s salary (which was £4,500).

Baale Situ suffered greatly under this unfair and strange arrangement and was deposed in 1925, just like Baale Irefin, Situ’s predecessor, whose tenure (1912-1914) coincided with when the unfair treatment of Ibadan started. However, it is unbalanced and one-sided to say that the Alaafin deposed Baale Situ.

The beleaguered Baale was deposed by Capt Ross, the British Resident whose advocacy of Oyo paramountcy, according to J. Lorand Matory in his ‘Sex and the Empire’, ‘seems strongly connected to his personal friendship with the crown prince, Ladigbolu, who ascended the throne in 1911’.

It should be noted that this rejoinder is not done with a view to slighting or promoting any traditional authority. As we continue to draw lessons from our history to guide the future, this is only part of the efforts to set the records straight for the sake of posterity and equity.

•Adeleke lives in London.

,

I read with delight the article written by Hon. (Barr.) Femi Kehinde, published in a national newspaper on July 23, 2015, in respect of the above subject.

To be candid, the article was rich and engaging. It was a refreshing discourse which must have helped to educate many readers as well as remind several others about the pre-eminent position of Ibadan, especially from the early 19th century, in the scheme of things in Yorubaland.

The article achieved this by focusing on an Ibadan son, Adebisi Sanusi Giwa, who took advantage of the emerging capitalism and post-world war prosperity and tapped into it by becoming an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. The import of this rich historical piece on the ability of Nigerians to achieve success by leveraging on local potentials (agricultural, human, and material resources) should not be lost on the discerning.

However, there are some inconsistencies in the piece which, for the sake of posterity, should not go uncorrected.

Firstly, the title of the article which says that Adebisi died in 1838 is obviously an error. Moreso, another part of the write-up says that he died on June 21, 1938.

Secondly, the article says that Adebisi was born in 1882 in Ibadan during the reign of Aare Latoosa, the Baale of Ibadan. It is thus difficult to reconcile this with another part of the writeup which says that Adebisi ‘moved to Ibadan with his paternal half-brother – Alabi – and settled in Aremo, in the household of Lanase.’

Thirdly, the article says Shittu was deposed in May 1925 but again goes on to state that after the foundation of Mapo Hall was laid in June 1925, Alaafin Ladigbolu left a message with Shittu (already deposed) that Adebisi must see him in Oyo. There is something incongruent with the narrative here.

Fourthly, and most importantly, the writer notes that the reigning monarch of Ibadan in 1925, Baale Shittu Aare, was “in

16

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

agriculture CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme:

Towards Nigeria’s food security

Farmers filling their harvests in sacks. PHOTO: RUTH OLUROUNBI Despite the February 2015 announcement that Nigeria’s local farmers would add about 2.9 million metric tonnes of rice to Nigeria’s rice stock from the 2014 season, the country was still losing N1 billion daily to rice imports, costing the country N360 billion annually; in addition to over N1.3 trillion lost to import waivers between years 2011 and 2014, according to the federal government.

To plug this drainage in national purse, the federal government, through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), reintroduced the ban on rice imports through its land borders, in 2016, in an effort to boost local rice production in Nigeria. Prior to the ban, however, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in November 2015, rolled out a N40 billion Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) aimed at empowering at least 600,000 farmers to increase capacity utilisation in the agro-allied industry from the current levels of less than 50 per cent to at least 70 per cent by 2020. Nine months after the ABP launch, RUTH OLUROUNBI was in Kebbi State to investigate if the programme could help save Nigeria from imminent food crisis and if the country could indeed feed itself by 2020. Her report:

N

IGERIA’S agriculture journey to food security has been on a chequered one at best. In the 1960s, Nigeria’s economy was dominated by exports and commercial activities, with agricultural sector being the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 65 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 70 per cent of its total export.

In fact, records from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that agriculture earned foreign exchange with which Nigeria funded imports of raw material and capital goods. As historians have it, the 1960s was the period in Nigeria’s history when farmers from across the country produced crops in which their respective regions had comparative advantage.

Economic historians recall that Nigeria’s major exports of agricultural produce and minerals were shipped to the more industrialised countries, and in the comity of nations, Nigeria was a respected country which empowered local manufacturers to produce goods that were being imported, through the Import Substitution Industrialisation (ISI) strategy.

According to those who lived during the agriculture era, Nigeria was on its way to becoming a developed country. “There were

jobs, people had enough money to spend and save; people were fed and were happy.

The farmers were the rich people back then.

If you took a trip across the vast lands of Nigeria, you’d be amazed at Nigeria’s abundance in cocoa, cassava, yam, groundnut, oil palm, maize or rice; Nigeria had it in abundance,” a 90-year-old man, who had farmed in the 60s recalled.

Then came the oil boom of the 1970s.

Depending primarily on the global oil market boom, agriculture as the mainstay of the Nigerian economy was replaced with oil. As Nigeria recorded high commercial success in the oil market, the farmer population, thousands of whom were lured into the urban lives, became hugely depleted and the farms that hitherto produced groundnuts, yams, cassava and rice became largely deserted.

But with economic realities in Nigeria – the oil on which it depended on is no longer bringing in the money – and the country is forced to retrace its steps to its abandoned first love, agriculture. Except that now, the challenges left to accumulate, is now staring at smallholder farmers which make a larger percentage of the farming population, business owners and well as the government, in the face.

Lack of finances to smallholder farmers and access to capacity development pro-

gramme, as well as lack of access to research outcomes, gender inequality in the sector, poor management or outright lack of sustained value chain programmes, climate change, water scarcity and diminishing access to farm lands in some parts of the country, all serve to contributing to inevitable food insecurity in the country.

As food security in Nigeria is increasingly threatened by lack of foreign exchange with which many of Nigeria’s food items are imported, it was time to combat the desperate times with desperate measures – ban food imports especially rice from Nigeria and focus on local food production by empowering a large number of the country’s smallholders.

To encourage farmers to produce the otherwise imported food, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched the Anchors Borrowers Programme.

The ABP Rice is one of Nigeria’s stable foods and it depletes country’s GDP through imports.

And despite previous efforts to boost local production in the agricultural sector, the import bill of the country continues to rise.

In fact, Nigeria’s agricultural commodities and food import bill averaged over N1 trillion within a period of two years, according to CBN. Data show that food products

such as wheat, sugar, milk, rice and fish accounted for N901 billion or 93.5 per cent and N788 billion or 88.71 per cent of this total in 2013 and 2014, respectively, excluding the figures lost to the activities of smugglers; not to mention the fact that import bill of rice and wheat was estimated at N428 billion and N307 billion in 2013 and 2014, respectively. According to official record, rice imports alone cost the country N360 billion and another N1.3 trillion in import waivers between 2011 and 2014.

In an attempt to stem the tide, a new initiative the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), targeted at local farmers, especially the small scale farmers across the country, was developed with the hopes that the problem of food insecurity could be solved and the country may once again, become an exporter of agricultural commodities it once was, many stakeholders in the agriculture sector believe.

The ABP is a build up on several interventionists programmes such as the 1977 Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) aimed at helping farmers that have little or no collateral secure loans from Deposit Money Banks; the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS), the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and the Agricultural Credit Support Scheme (ACSS),

17

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

For enquiries, contact:

08116954637, 08039521408 designed to increase the confidence of DMBs in agricultural lending by reducing their risk exposures, among others.

But will the programme truly rescue the nation from impending food crisis? Opinions vary.

By creating the programme, the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, says the bank seeks to build capacity of banks, farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs, reduce commodity importation and conserve external reserves, as well as reduce the level of poverty among small holder farmers; and “more important, seeks to create jobs, assist rural small-holder farmers to grow from subsistence Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor to commercial production levels, and facilitate the emerthe governor, who saw how only 3,000 gence of a new generation of farmers/entre- farmers under the previous KATASHI propreneurs.” gramme had served to feed the state and The N40 billion programme, earmarked its neighbours, the governor was able to out of the N220 billion Micro, Small and convince the CBN to pilot the programme in Medium Enterprise Development Fund, the state, Sheu said. would support the out-growers with single-digit loans. Designed such that major How ABP made farmers “millionstakeholders in the agricultural value chain aires” would work with financial institutions, inWhen Bello was asked to speak to ecocluding the insurance industry and CBN, to nomic impact on the farmers in the state, he create the linkages required to sustainably said: “Most definitely, agriculture has never ramp up production; the programme aims had it so good as we have this year.” to train the farmers, extension workers and But it was Danjuma Bisi, who owns 55 banks with customised value-chain finance hectares rice farm in Suru who said that modules for banks and an “agribusiness” never in 100 years have rice farmers in the training protocol for farmers that is consis- state experienced such “financial prosperity tent with the aspiration of the ABP. The the as we are expecting right now.” apex bank expects to mitigate risks through Yusuf Isa, state’s chairman, Rice Farmers the identification and selection of small- Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), who conholder farmers, the grouping of out-growers ducted this reporter through massive rice into viable cooperatives/clusters and the farms in the area in Brinin Kebbi, said prior registration of the cooperatives, Emefiele to the ABP, farmers struggled to make good explained. returns on investments, as sales of a 75kg bag of rice sold for at the highest N5,500.

The ABP put to the test in Kebbi “Today, however, same bags sells between State N9,000 to N11,000, making thousands of In what started like a “drama”according rice farming in the state millionaires,” he to the Acting Permanent Secretary to Kebbi said.

State’s Ministry of Agriculture and Mineral “Our people are now becoming millionResources, Muhammad Lawal Sheu, CBN’s aires! Prior to the ABP, our people could Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) was only harvest four tonnes of rice per hectare launched in the state, with the state gover- and they sell one bag for N5,500. But today, nor, Atiku Bagudu, championing its course. we have people harvesting up to seventy to Building on the success of a previous pro- eighty tonnes, selling at least N9,000 per gramme in Kebbi State known as KATASHI, bag. And you know that you can harvest Kebbi Agricultural Transformation and Self rice at least twice, sometime three times in Help Initiative, launched by the then gov- a year. If you multiply that, you see where ernor Muhammdu Aliru, in which more I am going with is?” a very pleased Isa said. than 3,000 smallholder farmers were empowered to engage in food production, the Can the ABP help Nigeria feed itself current governor, Atiku Bagudu, reached by 2020? out to the CBN and the federal government Nigeria needs about 6.5 million metric to try out the programme in his state, Sheu, the acting permanent secretary said in an interview.

Abubakar Bello, a member of the steering committee for the programme in the state, sitting in for the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Garba Muhammad Karaye, said an interview that “the immense benefits that was realised in rice production and other veritable crops [under the KATASHI programme] indicated that we can be able to exploit over 178,000 hectares of FADAMA land which this state is supplied with to meet the rice demand in the country.”

Banking on over 600,000 square kilometres of arable FADAMA land, and over 200,000 registered rice farmers in the state,

It was exports, and not domestic demand, that lifted Spain out of the worst economic crisis since the civil war in the 1930s.

Audu Ogbeh, Minister, Agriculture and Rural Development tonnes of rice and currently, only 1.5 million metric tonnes is produced locally as at 2015 and a deficit of five million left to imports.

However, with the ABP, Kebbi, Sokoto as well as Zamfara farmers are confident that if the boarders remain closed to imports, Nigeria could, before 2020, produce enough food to feed itself and export to neighbouring African countries.

That is though, if the programme is sustained and is introduced to other states.

“We may not reach 2020 in view of the results we’ve seen in Kebbi State, with the programme,” Abdulahi Idris Zuru, the General Manager, Labana Rice Mills, Brinin Kebbi said an interview in his office.

According to Zuru, since the programme was launched in Kebbi State in November 2015, rice production and processing in the state has increased in leaps and bounds. For instance, local rice farmers told me that rice production has increased by more than 300 per cent.

“Our farmers have really been producing in large quantity and our rice mill is processing 16 tonnes per hour, 320 tonnes per day. If you look at our capacity and what we have been able to produce in one and a half years, we have considerably contributed to the economic development of this country.

We’ve been able to, within this short period, reach all parts of the country. As I am talking to you now, Kebbi produces one of the best varieties of yields in the country,” he said.

A call for sustainability and broader reach The farmers, who spoke during independent interviews, said if the CBN-initiative is sustained, Nigeria could feed itself earlier than 2020 even. Isa, said through the programme, Brinin Kebbi currently expects to produce one million tonnes of rice in six months, as against less than 400,000 tonnes it previously produced.

Isa, explaining how Nigeria could meet the 2020 target, reasoned that if Kebbi could produce one million tonnes of rice in six months; and Sokoto, Zamfara and Nasarawa states could produce 1.5 million tonnes respectively, at the end of the harvest of the raining plantation, the country would edge closer to food security.

He explained that production yield is expected to “be a lot more during the dry seasons harvests and if we invest in limiting post-harvest loses, I can guaranteed you that Nigeria will not need to import rice and wheat again.

“Going forward, what we anticipate is the

involvements of many more farmers for increase in land cultivation and of course, the increase in yields. But most important, there is going to be increase in value chain activities. Yes, as we continue to go forward, we expect that there will be investments now in mechanised farming, there will also be investment in agro-processing facilities and small scale investments of local entrepreneurs who are going to benefit in the programme will also increase.”

Muhammad Umar Bello, Programme Coordinator, Kebbi Agriculture Rural Development Authority and Sectary, Steering Committee on ABP, said “you can imagine how much potential in rice farming we have left untapped.” According to him, if other rice producing states join in, the country could significantly lower its import bill on rice in the country.

He said if sustained, more than 70,000 farmers who are currently under the state government could be multiplied to produce more rice in shorter period of time, Abubakar, who praised the programme, said, adding that currently, Kebbi farmers now produce more than seventy tonnes of rice per hectare, the first in the history of the state, according to him.

Farmers in the south-west Nigeria have also lend a voice to the clamour for self sustainability in fod production, calling for the ABP to reach the region as well as every state in the country.

Adeola Adekola, a farmer in Ekiti State said it was important that the ABP got to all the states, adding that through this, “we can effectively produce enough food to sustain the country and export abroad.”

The challenges before the programme In spite of good reports the farmers were willing to share, many of them lamented that fund disbursements don’t get to them quickly enough. “Rice cultivation cycle is three months and sometimes, we would have finished cultivation and sometimes even harvested before the money get to us, a farmer, Usman Dubagari, a member of cooperative society in Suru said.

The farmers said they need the fund quicker than “one oga at the office thinks we need it,” adding this challenge is eating into their production.

Yakubu said “if they will not disburse funds quickly, how do we meet our production target. I want you to tell CBN and the federal government that this is frustrating us.”

A CBN representative who did not want to be named because he did not have authorisation to speak on the matter, confirmed the disbursement challenge, saying this brought on by lack of enough commercial banks partnering the CBN on the programme.

The funds are there, the representative said “but the fact that only one commercial bank is disbursing the funds through the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) throws a clog in the wheel.” According to the CBN representative, since money is given to farmers in trenches, “we have N160,000 out of N210,000 left to be disbursed to these farmers. Sometimes, they are only to get one or two trenches before the harvest occurs.”

18

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016 With Tommy Adegbite 0811 695 4631 tommyabijo@yahoo.com

From left, Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola; President Muhammadu Buhari; the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi and Chief S.O.B Babalola, during the state visit of President Buhari to Osun State, recently.

Former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, his wife, Victoria and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, at the closing ceremony of the 34th Holy Ghost Convention and 60th birthday of Bishop Wale Oke, held at Garden of Victory, O ld Ife Road, Ibadan.

From left, Kwara State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold; Commissioner for Sports, Kale Ayo and the captain of Maigida Team, Ola Olorunnisomo, during the presentation of trophy to winner of first edition of Maigida 9 A-side football competition, at the Government House, Ilorin, on Saturday.

From Left; Mallam Sabiu Zakari, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport; Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of State, Avation, and Captain Usman Muktar, Director General, NCAA, during a meeting of the minister and aviation management, held at Protea Hotel, GRA IKeja, Lagos, recently.

Fidelis Ajibogun, Lagos Zonal Coordinator, National Lottery Commission, John Gasper, winner of N10 million; Michael Hadad, Regional Chief Financial Officer and Riaan Abdoll, Country Manager, both of Upstream Mobile Systems, at the prize presentation ceremony of the Mega Hunt Promo, held at Planet One, Lagos.

Cross section of members of Nigerian Professional Photographers/Video Association (NPPVA), Oyo State chapter, during the World Photo Day 2016 at the Yemetu Police Ground, Ibadan, recently.

From left, District Chairman, C&S Movement Church, Liberty District, Ibadan, Special Apostle (Dr) D.A. Akerele; Special Apostle Theophilus Omotosho Olusola Ogunsegun, Senior Apostle A.O. Ogunleye and Superintendent Evangelist and Prophet Olusoji N. Asadeji, during the fifth Adult Harvest thanksgiving service of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo Ni O), Orisunmibare Area, Off Wire and Cable, Apata, Ibadan, on Sunday. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

Mr Oludele Olusola Gabriel and former Miss Oladokun Esther Adejoke during their wedding engagement held at On Due Move Exclusive Garden and Event Centre, Ajegunle, Oyo.

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

19

politics&policy

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Why I parted ways with Mimiko —Ebiseni

In this interview with HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, Barrister Olusola Ebiseni, a former commissioner in Ondo State and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), speaks on why the result of the Modu Sheriff factional primary election in which he participated is unacceptable. Excerpts:

Y

OU were a commissioner in the cabinet of Dr Olusegun Mimiko until recently, what brought about the disagreement you had with him?

Our disagreement with Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the governor and leader of the party in the state, is on the principle that he could not unilaterally impose a governorship candidate on the party-- and even from his own Central Senatorial District where he is concluding an unprecedented eight-years tenure.

But what’s the difference between what the governor did and the endorsement of a candidate by the APC leadership?

It is wrong to compare the endorsement Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was said to have given Dr Olusegun Abraham in APC, which itself is a major cause of the hiccups in their party, with the brazen imposition by the governor. In our own case, Mr Governor only recently told me that he had made up his mind about his successor about a year ago but continued to encourage us, other aspirants, most of who were members of his government, who sought his consent to contest. To give authoritative effect to his pronouncement, the governor summoned other aspirants and asked them to step down for his candidate. At different times within two weeks, he also summoned the state cabinet, the members of the State House of Assembly, all statutory delegates, party Exco at all levels, women and youth leaders, different associations, market women, non indigenes, artisans and all, briefing them on his choice and seeking voice votes of approval immediately.

The remaining assignment was left for the obsequious political office holders to ensure the ‘perfection’ of the delegates’ list by excluding perceived non-conformists.

In all cases, the governor, political office holders and party executive members became campaign managers and cheerleaders of the governor’s candidate several weeks before the hoax of a primary. As all contrary entreaties and appeals were rebuffed by the governor, the only option we were left with, was to seek our fate outside of his area of immediate influence.

But why the choice of the ModuSheriff group?

Interestingly, the Alli Modu Sheriffled PDP was the only group in the state to which all, including the governor, belonged. In fact, it may safely be said that none of the two parallel state Excos of the party is a product of Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s leadership. The governor created factions when he left the existing Sher-

iff group and pitched tent with the new Markarfi Caretaker Committee at the wake of the first botched Port Harcourt Convention. The rest of us remained with Sheriff as the alternative platform to ventilate our political aspirations. The group is made of two tendencies; the first consists of some irredentist old PDP, who were not properly integrated into the new arrangement when the governor, in October 2014, merged the Labour Party with PDP in the state.

Some of these old PDP members who obtained nomination forms for various offices in the 2015 elections, were not only denied nominations; the money paid by them was never refunded. They are not only embittered against the governor and everything he represents, they filed several extant pre-election cases in court. Incidentally, most of them now constitute the executive of the Sheriff group at the state and handpicked local government and ward structures. The second and larger group consists of us; party leaders, former senators, House of Reps members, commissioners, state legislators, local government chairmen and several other seasoned politicians, including serving political appointees who openly identified with Sheriff and others waiting in the wings.

What’s the actual electoral strength of the group and what informed your obtaining nomination from the Sheriff group?

Apart from the comparative prevalence of seasoned politicians, the Sheriff faction was greatly buoyed by senatorial stakeholders’ conferences drumming support against the imposition of candidate by the governor. Leaders from the north, central and southern senatorial districts agreed to field a common candidate. The leadership of the South finally adopted me. Other contestants from the South included Jimoh Ibrahim and Oboli Omowa, but they were not favoured, being, among other reasons, from Okitipupa Local Government which has produced the only gov-

Ebiseni

ernor and the two only southern deputy governors, including the current minister and the speaker of the state House of Assembly. The caucus was of the view that the reason that makes Jegede from the same Senatorial District with the incumbent governor unacceptable, applies to the aspirants from Okitipupa Local Government in the South.

What informed the holding of your factions primary outside Ondo?

The shift of the primary to Ibadan was not against the PDP constitution which doesn’t stipulate any specific venue for the holding of the governorship congress.

There are enough precedents for its justification, one of which was the Taraba 2015 governorship primary affirmed by the Supreme Court. Our grouse is that what took place in Ibadan could not be referred to as any form of election by any stretch of the imagination. There was no means of identifying who really were delegates. No delegates’ list or register was presented, no accreditation of any form, which rubbished the entire process. How could an election which lasted barely an hour have involved the accreditation of almost 1000 delegates? It was unfortunate that some people would, out of indiscretion, desecrate the altar of integrity on which the Sheriff group in Ondo worships and for which we sought a separate tabernacle in the first place.

But it was said that three of the aspirants stepped for Chief Jimoh Ibrahim who was eventually declared the winner?

Of course, it is not a crime for some as-

As I have said repeatedly, I am convinced by the facts and laws, in spite of posturing to the contrary, that Sheriff is the authentic national chairman of the PDP and will eventually be so vindicated.

pirants to step down or withdraw from a race. But it was indecent and unacceptable for the organisers at the point of the socalled voting to have allowed campaigns by three of the aspirants who came up that they were not only stepping down for one of the aspirants but urged the unidentifiable delegates to vote for my brother, Jimoh Ibrahim because, according to them, he was the one funding the activities of the party at all levels. The whole exercise was a sham conducted in a hurry and a rowdy market place predetermined to favour a particular aspirant. It was such a shame.

But you participated, why complaining?

Yes, I protested prior to the election and some notable elders of the party led by Senator Meroyi also complained in writing. In spite of that and to answer your question directly, only those who participate in an election, not a meddlesome interloper, can raise petitions about its outcome.

Thus, as required by the party constitution, we have expressed our reservations and objections by petitions addressed to the appropriate organ and leadership of the party. As I have said repeatedly, I am convinced by the facts and laws, in spite of posturing to the contrary, that Sheriff is the authentic national chairman of the PDP and will eventually be so vindicated.

Yet, I don’t intend to be seen as speaking ex cathedral or playing to the gallery on issues concerning the totality of the internal crisis in the PDP. That was why rather than heating up the polity, I have directed my grievances appropriately.

But nomination forms are said to have been issued to the declared winner..

I have seen the forms displayed on the social media by several claimants to the candidacy of the PDP and I am amused that it is either some persons are playing pranks or the INEC is just enjoying itself by such shenanigans. In the Sheriff group, the committee that conducted the primary just submitted its report to the NWC on the 6th of September after my petition had been received, yet the purported Certificate of Return dated 1st of September had earlier been on display, including Form CF001 which is supposed to be obtained by the national leadership of the party.

20

politics&policy

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

My plans for Ondo —Amuda Ola Amuda is the candidate of the Accord Party in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State. The Ogbagi-Akoko born administrator speaks with ABIODUN AWOLAJA on his blueprint for the state.

W

HY do you think you’re the best to lead Ondo State at this time?

I have worked as a technocrat for about 28 years and I have worked with several governors at key positions. During the of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, I was his Special Assistant on Administration. All the policies and programmes that we put together, I was very key to their formulation.

Throughout my career, I have developed the skills of honesty, integrity and hard work. I am quite espoused to governance even at that particular level.

Again, when you consider the aspirants that we have today, some of them are foreigners in Ondo State. I have lived virtually a greater percentage of my life in Ondo.

I know the over 200 towns and villages in Ondo State, I know roads linking towns and villages. I know the roads that are good, the roads that are bad, I know the economic inclination of various sectors in our society. So, with the background knowledge that I have, I can deliver more for the people. My life has also been propelled by visions. I have had five of such visions and as of today, four had been fulfilled, remaining the one relating to governorship. And I know that God, who has been helping me to fulfil the other visions, can also do this.

nomic aspect of the budget, especially capital projects. I am going to divide my capital projects into two: we will have the social and economic aspect. If I put in N5 billion into a capital project, what economic return will it bring? There are other social areas where you don’t expect any returns. But you cannot use all your budgets on social areas; you also consider the economic aspect.

Academically, I have about four different degrees. Age-wise, I am qualified and competent. And I know that the experience that I have had will propel me.

Governance is not politics. When you bring politics into governance, it will destroy the entire system. So, we are talking about propelling the state government through administrative structure. And if I am elected as governor; it is not that I am saying that I have the monopoly of knowledge but I will gather people together. For instance, we are trying to gather an economic team together.

Even before we start, there will be a blueprint on the economy of the state.

There is economic recession in the country. What will you do for the state in the immediate term to get it out of recession?

In our manifesto, we have two solutions: immediate and long term. The immediate term solution is that we will look at agriculture and see those products that can easily generate returns within three months, six months and one year. The Yoruba people say that when you roast dog meat, it is very delicious. But what are you going to eat before that dog gets roasted? So, there are some projects that you need to do, especially relating to agriculture that can generate production within three months and one year. For example,

Amuda

we will put in efforts on corn production, plantain production that can yield results immediately. Once we have food in our society, a lot of problems will be solved.

Secondly, we also look at the area of wastages. Sometimes, government may have resources but once these resources are being wasted, you find out that they can’t make ends meet. Our own government shall not be a ceremonial government. Because when you use government resources to do ceremonies, there is no economic benefit that you will get from them.

Thirdly, we are going to look at the eco-

What edge do you have over the governorship candidates of APC and PDP? The two candidates, Rotimi Akeredolu and Eyitayo Jegede, are ‘foreigners’ in Ondo. They came by virtue of the fact that they wanted to contest or this administration brought one of them to become a commissioner. So, they don’t know the nitty-gritty of the state. I have worked in the public service for 28 years. My name is a household name in the public service.

So, I have the privilege of carrying the public servants along.

I was a Protocol Officer and officer in charge of village meetings during the administration of Bode George in Ondo State. We travelled from one village to another. I know virtually all ministries, departments and agencies of government, I know their operations and what they do.

And considering the MDAs, there may be one or two that may be performing the same function, we will try to annex them and put an effective government in position. This is the edge that I have over the other candidates. So, within three months, what I am going to do will surprise you.

A poll shift and the demarketing of Edo

By Felix Oboagwina

IN the past, Edo State only experienced insignificant incidents of electoral violence. There had been tiffs and toughs, lone hoodlums snatching ballot boxes amidst sporadic shooting, too inconsequential to scar the overall electoral credibility. And security had never been an issue.

Of all Nigerian electorate, Edo is one that has exhibited much political sagaciousness and maturity. It opened the Second Republic as Bendel State voting the progressive UPN, and when it suited it to change its mind, it voted for the rival NPN. In the Third Republic, Edo went with progressive SDP. In the Fourth Republic, it went with the conservative PDP, and then switched to the progressive camp with APC. Agreed, such liberal deliberateness can unsettle an ill-prepared candidate, like a half-baked student’s confidence collapses at the face of an objective external examiner. Postponing an election would then come as political strategy for the privileged aspirant to disorganise his rival, whose resources have been expended in the calculation that the race was over, only for the finishing line to be extended most unexpectedly at the last minute; a 100-metre dash suddenly stretches into the marathon.

But should state institutions be compromised and coopted into beefing up one privileged aspirant’s shaking confidence, at the expense of other competitors and Edo’s 1.7 million voters?

Still more curious is the fact that this initiative did not spring from INEC, as had been the case when Professor Attahiru Jega announced the postponement of the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly elections from February 14 to March 28 and the Governorship and State Assembly elections from February 28 to April 11. That, also, was based on insecurity. But that shift was understandably because the North-East convulsed under Boko Haram insurgency.

This time around, the movement was the other way round: the police, the DSS and other security agencies or-

Oshiomhole dered a postponement. This is improper. Both the Electoral Act and the Constitution saddle INEC exclusively with autonomy to operate independently, free from external control and influence.

Section 26(1) of the Electoral Act reads: “Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct an election as a result of natural disaster or other emergencies, the commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area or areas concerned appoint another day for the holding of the postponed election provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable.” Also, Sections 78 and 118 of the 1999 Constitution say: “The

registration of voters and the conduct of elections shall be subject to the direction and supervision of Independent National Electoral Commission.”

Here, it says the buck stops with INEC. But clearly in Edo, INEC was deprived this statutory right to initiate policy for holding or shifting the election. It was rather railroaded to fall in line with security advisers. Is the authority moving to hijack INEC the same way sitting governors have pocketed their state electoral commissions, and compromised their independence?

In addition to this highlighted impropriety, the postponement represents a disservice to Edo State and her people. Although it is in the South-South, Edo is not a known theatre of war or Niger-Delta insurgency. The postponement gives the false impression that Edo is a no-go area. It is a most myopic demarketing of a peaceful state and her peace-loving people.

The postponement does gross disservice to Edolites. It undersells and demarkets the state. What foreign investors or tourists will come to a place where security is so lax that it disfigured the electoral timetable and caused a postponement of a major election? No. Opposite to this negative picture, Edo State is at peace. Edo is home to one of the world’s richest cultures and earliest civilisations. It is a national food-basket as well as a huge market. Day and night, its roads remain open as an unimpeded gateway and hub between the North, the East, the South-South, the West and the Middle-Belt. Its people simply want to go to the polls and pick their next Governor in the most civilised manner. Both INEC and the voters were ready to do just that. But they were helplessly short-changed.

During his maiden visit to Africa as US President in July 2009, Barack Obama said in Ghana: “Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.... With strong institutions and a strong will, I know that Africans can live their dreams in Nairobi and Lagos....”

•Oboagwina, journalist and author, writes from Lagos.

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Tuesday, 13 September, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08111845048

features

Sallah: Recession hinders full celebration

Across the world where Muslim faithful are found, this year’s Eid-el-Kabir was celebrated yesterday. In Nigeria, however, the usual pomp was missing following a range of reasons from the nation’s economic downturn to unpaid salaries among others. SAM NWAOKO, PAUL OMOROGBE, ADEWALE OSHODI, BIOLA AZEEZ, YINKA OLADOYINBO, OLAYINKA OLUKOYA, CLEMENT IDOKO, JUDE OSSAI, CHIMA NWOKOJI, GBEMI SOLAJA, EBENEZER ADUROKIYA and ADETOLA ADENUBI report.

I

N Ogun, families, friends pool resources together What should have been a full celebration became low key following very obvious realities. When Nigerian Tribune moved round to observe Muslims in celebration mood around Sango-Ota and its environs, it was observed that while many had a low key celebration, others combined with neighbours or family friends to ensure the traditional blood-spilling rite is maintained.

For these families, such cows were slaughtered at the point of purchase and shared amongst the contributing groups.

This strategy afforded many families with enough meat for the Sallah celebration, while also reducing spending on meat due to the skyrocketing prices of rams.

According to a beneficiary of this arrangement who simply identified himself as Tajudeen Adisa, combining resources with family friends really helped. “The rams were very expensive and what the money I had on me could purchase would be very small. But when my friends came up with this idea, I really was relieved. We ended up buying a cow and sharing it at the slaughter slab. The portion given to me was surely bigger than what I would have got if I had used that same amount to buy a small ram,”

he stated.

Another means through which Nigerians cut cost was seen in the low amount of parties that were thrown during the celebration.

I couldn’t slaughter a ram this year due to the economic hardship. As a matter of fact, if it was possible to postpone the celebration, we would have loved it to be postponed. I say this because after the celebration, the children are going back to school and there are so many other needs that surround that.

Many families celebrated behind closed doors with their immediate members.

Mostly hit by the economic recession were the beer parlours and hotels that hitherto used to be filled up to during festive seasons like this. When Nigerian Tribune visited the popular Leksokky Hotel as at the time of filing in this report, the poolside which used to be filled was scantily populated as many stayed indoors to observe the celebration.

For few that could not muster enough funds to participate in the cow sharing formula, it was common to see them celebrating without the traditional blood-spilling that accompany the celebration.

For Taofeek Lawal, a resident of Abeokuta, “I am celebrating this year’s sallah with the little amount of money I was able to save.

I used to buy a ram for my mother to celebrate but I could not meet up this year’s because of the recession. I only bought three chickens to celebrate with my family, and I decided not to travel to Ibadan, my hometown for the celebration.”

In Ibadan, Alhaji Banji Akintayo, said he was able to afford a ram for this year’s celebration. He said the rams were easily available in the market, indicating the possibility of higher supply due to lesser demands. “We thank God for the celebrations this year, and fortunately I was able to purchase it conve-

niently not in terms of availability of cash, but getting it to buy in the market. If that happened, one can say that many people were not able to buy and that’s why I got it easily.” Commenting on the economic situation in the country, he said, “In everything put together there is hope for Nigeria. Let us believe that things will be okay, and that next year things will be better for all of us.”

Giving a similar view, Alhaji Mustapha Bamgbade, President of Owode Housing Estate, Ibadan, said “This year things are not as rosy as last year. But I urge our Muslim faithful to be patient. Things have been bad before. Let us be hopeful; better days are ahead.”

For Ekiti residents, it was a quiet celebration Musa Quadri Femi, a resident of Ekiti State, would rather thank God than mourn his lot, though he added that the reality of taking care of his children’s school fees was more important than slaughtering an animal.

“I couldn’t slaughter a ram this year due to the economic hardship. As a matter of fact, if it was possible to postpone the celebration, we would have loved it to be postponed. I say this because after the celebration, the Continues pg22

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features

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerians cut cost, improvise amid low celebration Continued on pg21

children are going back to school and there are so many other needs that surround that.

“Interestingly, as a political leader in my local government, I was unable to give anything to my party members and supporters because of the extant economic hardship.

We have even been unable to hold our usual meetings with them or to interact as much as we used to because there’s nothing to give to them at this period.

For Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed, a barrister, “We just have to thank the Almighty Allah for everything, especially for life. But it must also be stated that this year’s Sallah is quite on a low key because of the economic recession.

Things are so hard and a lot of people just couldn’t meet up with their various needs.

“Even the government that usually presented gifts to people has not been able to do so this year because of the recession. The hardship is everywhere. I’m even aware that this year, the government that could give rice and other food items, did not do so this year. However, we thank God for life and even if it is for that very precious gift alone, we must thank God.” How we prioritised our needs— Abuja residents In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, residents stated that they had to prioritise in order not to increase their financial handicap in the face of the recession.

For Mr Sani Abdullahi, a civil servant, “I used to kill two rams, one for the family and the other would be shared to my neighbours and other relatives. But this year, I could buy just one ram. By next week, schools will resume. I’m not staying in a rented apartment but many others would have to contend with rent in addition to ensuring the provision of other basic needs of the family.

So, the best is celebrating within the limit of your resources.”

Also speaking, a house wife, Mrs Zainab Bello, said her family could not travel this year for the celebration. “Definitely, the celebration this year for my family is symbolic.

We decided to spend the holiday here in Abuja in order to cut cost.”

Transporters at various motor parks also confirmed to Nigerian Tribune what they described as the lowest turn-out of travelers compared to other festive periods.

However, Mr Saidu Abubakar, who was interviewed at Mararaba Motor Park on his way to Kano, said ram or no ram, his family is used to celebrating Sallah at home. He added that the joy of Sallah celebration is in uniting with one’s family members and loved ones.

“I do not doubt that people are complaining about hardship but it depends on your priority.”

Mrs Suara, a house wife, who was not left out in the harsh economic realities in the country, said “The most important thing during this Eid celebration is the ram slaughtering. We all have priorities that are equally important. Our children are all going to school. We have school fees and prices of other things have also gone up. So, to us the celebration is marked with low-key.

We won’t be going to Gardens with the kids.

Everybody knows what is happening in the country”.

‘We couldn’t ignore our children’s school fees just to celebrate’ Alhaji Abdulganiyu Okunola, a resident of Ilorin metropolis, his children’s school fees would naturally take preeminence over the celebration. According to him, “I only take care of those things that are necessary.

School fees are still there to be paid, so no ram this year. What I told my children is

Hassan

Adedeji

Quadri

Hamed

that I will take them to Shoprite for sightseeing. We will also do with food or meat given by neighbours.”

For Alao Sefiu, a trader, “What we have at home is what we washed and ironed. There are school fees waiting to be paid. No ram.”

Mr Daud Salawu, a civil servant in Ilorin also shared a similar opinion. “No salary in the last five months. What do I do? I can’t kill myself. I gave my kids what I could afford.”

In Lokoja, Muslim faithful bemoan the economic hardship A cross section of people that spoke with Nigerian Tribune in Lokoja, the state capital, bemoaned the harsh economic realities.

According to Adoza Ibrahim, a building contractor, he was unable to celebrate as usual. He said prior to the present situation, he had always celebrated with at least three rams but the economic downturn made him to buy only one this year.

He said since the beginning of the year, he was unable to execute any contract, adding that those already executed were not paid for.

A shop owner along Ganaja road in Lokoja, Abdulahi Shuaibu, said there was no difference between the ordinary period and the festive period in terms of sales.

According to him, “Since it is was difficult to make meaningful sales before and during the festivity, my celebration has been hampered and I have to plead with my family to reason with me. The situation was further worsened by the fact that schools will resume next week”.

Also speaking, a primary school teacher, Hassan Itodo, said this year’s festival was

the most difficult he had witnessed in recent times.

According to him, non-payment of salary coupled with high cost of basic materials in the market made it difficult for him and his people to have a fulfilling celebration.

In Lagos, celebration was low-keyed In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial centre, the celebration was low-keyed. A corporate printer at Surulere Lagos, Mr. Kayode Yusuf, told Nigerian Tribune that the challenge he had celebrating Sallah was the delay by his customers in paying for their jobs. The second was high cost of not only printing materials but also food items including rams.

According to him, many of his customers complained that they were being owed salaries and the little money they had could not buy them enough food items due to the high cost of food things.

Also, Alhaji Abolore Kaseem said he could not prepare for the Sallah celebration due to cash crunch. He explained that on Monday morning the banks did not help matters.

“I have been going from one automated teller machine to another just to make withdraws. The ATMs are not dispensing cash.

Can you imagine that I have been jumping from one public bus to another to get any amount of money for my wife to cook what we would eat?” Abolore lamented.

Speaking Mr. Anwoju, a Shomolu resident, said he was able to maintain his luxury despite the economic challenges. “The recession has definitely affected everybody.

But in my case I was able to buy what I used to buy in the preceding years,” he said.

For Mr Oladotun Hassan, “I could only af-

ford a ram for my parents as a mark of honour. The realities are painful.”

Alhaji adedeji, a resident of Bariga, stated that “I have been seriously affected by the economic woes bedevilling the country currently. Before, I used to buy two rams and two cows. But now, I have been forced to cut down on my expenditure because of my children’s school fees and other needs.”

Few celebrate in Enugu IN Enugu State, there were a few people who celebrated the festival due to the nation’s economic challenges.

For Hassan Abdusalam, a cattle seller, the Eld Kabir festival this year is worth celebrating despite the economic downturn. “ I advise my other Muslim brothers to live according to their means. If you cannot buya ram, do not worry,” he said.

Mallam Ahmed Ibrahim, a cobbler, said he had no money to buy a ram. “I have no money. I could not even travel to join my family for the celebration,” he said.

For Muslim faithful in Warri, Delta State, celebrating within their means was reiterated. According to the Secretary-General, Warri Central Mosque, Suleiman Odejide, “for the fact that Allah spared our lives, we need to thank him for that. My advice to all Muslims is that whatever situation we find ourselves we should be grateful to Allah.”

Also, the Imam of Igbi Mosque, Azeez Alfarufa, said “we give thanks to Allah for everything, no matter how hard the situation is, we must celebrate it. Slaughtering rams is not compulsory, but it is the happiness associated with the day that matters, if you don’t have money, no problem.”

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Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Tunde Busari 08127593530 Yejide Gbenga - Ogundare 08116706853 Tunde Ogunesan 08116954634

Nigerian Tribune

The

South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga 08111813056

Got news for us; contact: southwesttribune@yahoo.co.uk or southwesttribune@gmail.com

Traditional comperes checking an engagement package.

Traditional marriages:

The beauty, the excesses

The age long traditional marriage ceremony among the Yoruba people has evolved beyond what it used to be; merging civilisation with tradition in a way that ensures that the basic tenets of the culture is not eroded. In this report, YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE explores the evolution of traditional marriage, the glamour, introduction of alaga iduro/alaga ijoko, excesses and the perceived waste of resources.

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arriage is an important aspect of life among the people of the South-West. Indeed, it is one of the oldest institutions

Inside

among the Yoruba people and is seen as a symbol of responsibility. In the olden days, issues relating to marriage are not the affair of an individual but a family matter.

Then, the couple, especially the female child, have little or no input in whom they marry or when. And the marriage is a serious matter with laid down steps and cul-

tural procedures; the search and selection of a mate known as Ifojusode, followed by the wall scratching called idegiri, after Continues on pg24

Ogijo: No longer business as usual Celebrating Ogbeyonu festival in Osogbo

24 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Engagement in Yorubaland: Celebrating old culture in modern way Continued from pg23

which comes the acceptance (isiun), application to the family known as itoro, the real betrothal (idana) and the proper wedding (Igbeyawo) In all these steps, there is always a go-between or chaperone (alarina), that serves as a communication link between the intending couple from the beginning of courtship till the marriage is contracted and the father of the man is the one that approaches the girl’s family irrespective of who searched for the bride; friends, the man himself, a family member or even the parents.

The most important level in marriage is the Itoro and Idana, now known as the introduction and the engagement. Once these two steps are concluded, the marriage is sealed and the couple only waits for the ceremony of the real marriage before the bride is taken to the groom’s home. Today also, the introduction and engagement take place before the civil wedding except in few cases.

At these two events, gift items are presented to the bride’s family. These items include: honey, groundnut cake (adun), kolanut (obi) ranging between 40 to 100 pieces depending on the family, alligator pepper (atare), local wine (oti sekete), palm wine (emu funfun), bitter kola (orogbo) from 42 pieces upwards, yam (isu), between 40 to 100 tubers, salt (iyo), palm oil (Epo pupa).These items all have spiritual and cultural meanings in the Yoruba society.

Though, things have changed with time, the important part of the Yoruba culture has not been eroded and are still observed as important steps in a modern day marriage. Today, the introduction and traditional marriage now called engagement are still very important and gifts are still exchanged.

The Yoruba traditional marriage though a serious affair has been lightened to become a fun-filled and entertaining event. It is now done by professional intermediaries unlike before when it is conducted by women in the family. The new trend which involves the use of contracted professionals called the Alaga ijoko and the Alaga iduro is filled with dancing, comedy and glamour.

Alaga ijoko is the traditional master of ceremony for the bride’s family whose duty is to properly officiate and co-ordinate the proceeding so each provision of tradition is strictly adhered to while Alaga Iduro stands for the groom’s family. These two women ensure that tradition is followed and often they ensure they utilise stages of the event to make family members drop money which they keep for themselves.

Other festivities include presentation of proposal letter, reading of the letter, presentation of letter of acceptance, payment of bride price, collection of engagement gifts, the bride collection of engagement ring, counseling and prayers among many other things though there’s a variation based on individual family and religious affiliations.

Also, the exchange of wedding rings which is alien to the Yoruba tradition has been added as an innovation. The ring is seen as a part of the marital vow while the issue of bride price has been eradicated as families reject this to emphasise the need to take care of their daughter and signify that the new bride is not sold off. Now, unlike before, engagement materials are packaged beautifully to add aesthetic value to the items.

Some have however argued that the glamour and new innovations introduced to Yoruba traditional weddings make many couples spend a lot of money which affect their new home.

Items produced by the groom’s family at the engagement are based on the demands by the bride’s family and their family tradition as well as religion. It may includes foreign drinks, soft drinks, wine, bag of rice, sugar,

Some have however argued that the glamour and new innovations introduced to Yoruba traditional weddings make many couples spend a lot of money which affect their new home.

Scenes at traditional weddings.

a box filled with clothes, bag of sugar, bag of salt, alligator pepper, bitter kola, yam, kola nut, honey fruits, and a Bible for Christians and many other things. Also, there may be a bride price which has no fixed amount and has been eradicated by some families. However, some money remain important in all families; Owo Isigba, Owo Ijoko Iyawo, Owo Isiju Owo Baba Gbo, Owo Iya Gbo, Owo Omo okunrin ile, Owo Omobinrin ile, Owo Iyawo Ile, Owo Ijoko Agba, owo Alaga Ijoko. These are not fixed and are negotiable.

As glamorous and interesting as the traditional wedding is today, many people have begun to grumble that it has become a waste of not only resources but time as many groom had complained that it drags and becomes tedious while many brides have gotten late to their churches and civil wedding ceremonies just because the traditional event did not round up on time.

The major complaint however is that the alagas though add glamour to traditional wed-

dings, unnecessarily drag it out to make sure they make so much money while they are more concerned about the money they extort than the interest of the couple.

The excesses exhibited by alagas seems to be common knowledge as people that spoke to Nigerian Tribune, including professional alaga themselves confirmed this.

Though not every alaga does this, the percentage that is involved seems to be high and for them, it is about what they can make.

A young woman, Adeola Babalola narrated her experience at a wedding where she was the Chief Bride’s maid. According to her, it took a threat by the groom that he will walk out of the wedding and go on to the hall for the Nikai ceremony before the alaga sat up after holding everyone to ransom for hours.

“It was my friend’s wedding and I was her maid of honour, the engagement was slated for eight in the morning, at the bride’s house at Academy while the Nikai ceremony was to start at noon at a popular Catholic Church

hall at Oke Ado before the reception. The alaga is a popular socialite in Ibadan and also hosts a programme on television. The wedding was supposed to be a talk of the town event considering the pedigree of the husband but the excess of the alaga marred the joyful event.

“Though the engagement started a bit behind schedule, it commenced around half past eight, the alaga was not conscious of time. She just continued collecting money from the groom’s family until everyone got fed up and by 11am, she was yet to allow the groom into the venue, not to talk of calling out the bride. When it was 11.30am, the groom had to put a call through to the bride that once its noon, he’s leaving for the Nikai venue whether the engagement ended or not.

In fact, this didn’t bother the alaga who claimed he must persevere since he was there to marry a woman. It took the bride’s threat of entering the venue before the groom was called to make her see the light. She then continued the programme as expected but the event wasn’t beautiful again as the couple were in a foul mood and couldn’t even smile.

The programme finally ended around one, an hour after the Nikai should have started.

For me, she spoilt their day just for her selfish interest,” she explained.

Another lady, Deborah (surname withheld) that spoke with Nigerian Tribune stated that her sister got late to her church wedding just because the alaga wanted to make money. “The engagement was slated for 7a.m and the church wedding for eleven. But the alaga wasted so much time, asking for owo train, owo plane and such irrelevancies. At a point, she feigned that she was asleep and the groom’s family must use money to wake her, insisting she won’t wake until her assistant told her the money is up to N5000.

“The programme finally ended at 10.30 but before everyone would dress up and go to church, it was late and being an Anglican Church, they started the programme before the bride got there. There was no glorious entrance, my sister scurried in like a thief and Continues on pg24

25 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

‘Some alagas waste time to extort money’ Continued from pg23 the couple and parents got serious scolding from the vicar during the sermon. It was a bad experience,” she said.

The excess of some alagas was confirmed by one of them known as Ariya Suzzy. She stated that it is true that some of them exhibit some selfish interests just to make money.

Undoubtedly, one of the areas where traditional weddings in this part of the country seem to be experiencing a revolution is the use of alaga iduro/ ijoko. Not a few believe that preparations for a regular traditional wedding ceremony is complete without involving these professional comperes.

While the alaga ijoko is seeing to the welfare of the bride’s family, the alaga iduro is defending the groom’s family and pleading for leniency in any area the family is found wanting.

“They provide a sort of comic relief at wedding ceremonies and it’s really fun to have them around though they can be irritants too and may actually task the patience of the audience, especially that of the family members that are on the ‘hot seat’, by their unnecessary demands and waste of ‘precious’ time.” Mr. Pelumi Emmanuel, a clergyman stated.

Church to the rescue In a bid to curb this perceived excess and stop the habit of couples getting late to their own weddings or spending more than their budget through subtle extortion, some churches have put in place a system and structure that will manage engagement ceremonies. Leading in this is the Anglican Communion, through its Diocesan Missionary Society (DMS), an arm of the Mother’s Union. This group of Christian women is trained to conduct engagement ceremonies for members or other people sponsored by members.

Engagements conducted by the DMS have certain features; they are timely; not expensive as the church has very little demands and do not collect unnecessary fees like owo plane or owo spectacles. Also, the DMS gives any money collected to the bride and only goes away with the evangelism money which is paid into the coffers of the union and is not fixed, it is based on whatever the family that invited the group wants to give.

Speaking on the difference in the DMS conducted marriage and that of the professional contractors, a member of the group, Mrs. Ayo Idowu, told Nigerian Tribune that the church eliminates all unnecessary spendings but does not eradicate the culture in anyway.

“We do not eradicate culture and our programmes are not dull like some think; we go through the stages and the normal steps but we do not collect unnecessary fee like owo plane or spectacles. The bible says that all unrighteousness is a sin, so which plane are we flying or which spectacles are we buying? They think its entertainment but it isn’t, it is mere extortion and unchristian like. We also ensure that the programme is one that will not deplete your resources or blow your budget.

“People from outside even invite us now and we have more demands that we have to plan ahead and often, we work with people in other dioceses to meet up. This shows people are looking beyond the noise and glamour to choose what works and does not stress them,” she said.

But irritating as people find these alagas, they have found an avenue to develop their passion and made extra income from this.

Nigerian Tribune investigations revealed that depending on the nature of the wedding and those involved, sometimes the charges range from N20, 000 to N120, 000 besides the extras that will come at the event from the two families and well-wishers in attendance Though people often complain about the excessiveness of these officials who most

times drag and waste just to stylishly extort money from members of the groom and bride’s family, they usually add glamour to wedding ceremonies.

The Yoruba traditional wedding is not just for the bride and groom but a fulfilment of part of culture and tradition in establishing a new family which also affords the two families to come together.

And it is a culture that has defied extinction in the face of innovation, rather it gets more beautiful and glamorous.

Additional reports by: Akin Adewakun, Lagos, Hakeem Gbadamosi, Akure, Oluwole Ige, Osogbo

Engagement gift items.

You don’t need to spend a fortune on traditional wedding —Ariya Suzzy Bimbola Daramola, known as Ariya Sussy, is the Chief Executive Officer of Kolbim Services; a United Kingdom based company. She specialises in compere of traditional weddings, make up, event planning, Aso ebi and Gele tying both in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. She spoke to YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE on the importance of traditional wedding, the beauty, innovations and perceived excesses of wedding comperes (alaga iduro/ijoko). Excerpts: Foray into alaga business The trade for me is hereditary, I learnt from my mum who is still in this business.

My mum had been doing this business for over 35 years and I have been in it for over 15 years. My mum is the state coordinator of all traditional alagas in Ondo State today Difference in how it’s done now and before There are a lot of differences in how traditional weddings are done in the olden days and now especially in the way we handle alaga iduro/ alaga ijoko. There’s a lot of glamour and comic relief to reduce tedium and entertain them. It’s been westernised and polished a bit without really eroding culture though things like ekun iyawo has been abolished. Though the end result is the same, the style makes it more interesting.

Is it a waste of resources like some claim?

Traditional marriage is not a waste of resources. This is what they do back then before they brought the white wedding.

For me, the white wedding is the waste of money and the traditional marriage is the important one. It is the important one out of all because this is where you know the parents and family and they accept your spouse and you get parental blessings. If you do a white wedding and do not do a traditional marriage, it is an incomplete marriage. Traditional marriage is a must. It is the acceptable thing in our tradition and one that joins the family. The white wedding is just for glamour and ceremony. I will advice people to do it because it is very important, people should not rely only on the white wedding.

You gain a lot from the traditional marriage as a couple. It revolves round the culture, family and all that should be done.

Excesses of alagas Actually, you are right, we have some of these alagas that are excessive, I am part of them as well but I don’t waste time. I do my job as I’m supposed to but there are some who just want to make money during the programme and they don’t really focus on what they are supposed to do. It happens a lot, I will only advise alagas not to waste too much time, they should just charge their fee and do their job. That’s what I do, I stipulate my fee before I go and once I’m paid, I go to basically do my work. Whatever they give out of their magnanimity during the event is just extra and not mandatory. I believe the

money you make on the stage shouldn’t be a priority because we have been paid to do the job not waste people’s time. Alagas should not extort money from people and waste time but showcase their talent and the tradition that is the beauty of the event Innovations There are various innovations in traditional weddings; there are loads of innovations all aimed at passing messages across in a manner that will not bore people. One of these is the art of putting the cap on the groom’s head in a way that is appealing to only her and no other lady as he is not permitted under the culture to come in wearing a cap. This is just a way of telling the bride to know that the husband is the head of the home. Another one is when we bring the wife and husband together after they must have prayed for them, we ask the wife to stand at the back of the groom’s mum while the groom stands at the back of the bride’s mum and we use a scarf to bind them just to tell both parents that they should support the new addition to their family, teach them the way of the Lord and see them as their biological children. Those are innovations and there are loads of them but those two are paramount

ple do it based on what they can afford, you necessarily don’t need to go and rent a big and expensive hall. I think it should be done in the bride’s father’s compound, if you cannot do it there because it’s not big enough, you don’t have to spend so much money getting a big hall. It is all about family. You don’t have to spend your life savings because you want to do a traditional wedding, it’s the white wedding that is for glamour and the traditional is a serious event basically for the family. Excesses come about when you make traditional wedding glamorous. That’s my opinion.

Excesses in traditional marriage There are some excesses that we notice during traditional weddings and basically this is due to the demands from the wives families. Sometimes when they demand too much and the groom can’t afford such, it becomes strenuous and the family complains.

This makes it look like traditional marriage is excessive. Also, I will just advice that peo-

A typical Yoruba engagement list 1.

Box 2.

Engagement ring 3. Envelopes; (a) Dowry Owo baba gbo (b) Owo iya gbo (c) (d) Owo omo ile (e) Owo iyawo ile (f) Owo okunrin ile (g) Owo obinrin ile (h) Owo ijoko agba (i) Owo gate (j) Owo isiju iyawo (k) Owo alaga (l) Owo glass

4.

Isu – 42 5.

Orogbo -42 6.

Obi – 42 7.

Atare -42 8. Adun 9.

Honey – Two Bottles 10.

Eja Abori – 42 11.

One Roll Of Sugar 12.

Two Baskets Of Fruits 13.

Assorted Sweets Four Crates Of Minerals 14.

15.

Four Cartons Of Juice 16.

One Bag Of Rice 17.

Salt 18.

Six Fruit Wines 19.

1 Keg of Ororo

26 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

o b g o s O in d re e th a g ts s e ri p a If Day for Ogbeyonu festival

The 2016 edition of the annual Ogbeyonu festival has come and gone leaving a sweet memory in the minds of attendees from different parts of the country particularly the South-West.

TUNDE BUSARI reports.

I

n their calendar, the ifa priests and their devotees in Yorubaland have marked the month of September as that the Araba Awo of Osogboland, Ifayemi Elebuibon’s holds and celebrates his Ogbeyonu festival.

Ogbeyonu is a weeklong festival consisting activities such as assemblage of Ifa priests, offering to Elegbara, invocation of 16 odu, homage to ancestors at Oluode Aturuku, exhibition of Elebuibon works, Ifa divination as well as music and dance for Orisa Ibeji.

Held in Elebuibon compound known as House of Culture and situated at off Osogbo-Ikirun road, the annual festival usually attracts a good number of Yoruba culture enthusiasts from far and near.

Even though nature was expressing its supremacy with the intermittent rain pouring on the venue, the event went uninterrupted.

Elebuibon, seated amidst his aides, began to receive guests as early as the day broke.

Cladding simple white apparel in a clean shaven face, the Araba looked complimentarily different from the heavily bearded old man his former look painted.

Women from presumably from a contracted catering service were busy preparing food and serving the guests who kept entering the compound.

Remarkably, some uninvited guests but who appreciate Yoruba culture, also found their way to the venue and got enough of what they had expected, in terms of watching big names in politics and business strolling into the Elebuibon’s compound to feast with him.

“I have come around to celebrate with Baba even though he does not know me.

Attending this event is an opportunity for some of us who have only heard about his name to see him. He looks young than the person we used to see on television. I can see him differently now. I have not seen any fetish thing since I have come here. He is such a gentle man,” a young man who gave his name as Sola said.

Traditional performances of dancers and masquerade featured at the event. Guests also enjoyed a variety of Elebuibon musicals which sound pervaded the whole space to the excitement of all.

Dignitaries in attendance at Ogbeyonu included the representative of the Governor of the State of Osun, Honourable Sikiru Ayedun. Ayedun is former Commissioner for Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture.

Others included the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, former Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Honourable Sunday Akere, the Are Latoosa of Ibadan Land Chief Adegboyega Maninuori The Oba Oyelude Makama described Ogbeyonu festival as Elebuibon’s annual obligation to his root as a credible Ifa priest.

He said the Araba Awo had proved to be an enigma in his depth and widespread acceptance as Ifa promoter.

Affirming his faith in the significance of Ifa in decoding vital issues in Yoruba culture,

Ifa priests and other guests during the festival.

Oba Makama regretted the propaganda which has, over the years, diminished the value of African Traditional Religions in the contemporary society, describing it as injustice to the memory of Yoruba forefathers.

“It is not fair to criminalise our culture which encompasses our traditional religion.

I am speaking as a traditional ruler who is naturally the custodian of custom. But I am always happy that we still have credible men like Araba Elebuibon who is now interestingly converting whites to our traditional religion. The record is there for all to see. I follow his exploits in the US and other parts of the world where he is accorded great respect,” he said.

Former President of Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU), Alhaji Ajadi Badmus, who also made a brief appearance at the event, eulogized Elebuibon as culture ambassador of Osogbo nay Nigeria. Badmus said Elebuibon’s consistency has earned him his personal respect having worked with him at Osogbo Heritage Council. Chief Elebuibon,

Drummers at the festival.

Title should never be bought with money. It is only an unreliable and irresponsible individuals who would bribe his way to become a chief. in Badmus’s lens, is a trustworthy man who does not pretend or compromise his faith under any circumstance.

“Osogbo is a predominant Muslim town, yet Elebuibon remains himself and devotes all his time in promoting his faith and relating freely with adherents of other religion.

He is peace-loving man and a blessing to

Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama (left) and Araba Yemi Elebuibon.

Osogbo for remaining at the limelight for so many years for positive reason,” he said.

The Araba used the 2016 edition of Ogbeyonu to educate the people on the need to accept God as the only determinant of who is honoured as chief.

He said chieftaincy is an integral part of Yoruba culture, which is not compromised, hence dispute arising from succession.

Elebuibon, therefore stated that no one becomes chief unless he is ordained by supreme being.

“Title should never be bought with money. It is only an unreliable and irresponsible individuals who would bribe his way to become a chief. One must have all the required criteria before he/she is considered a chief. It is only after rites and ceremonies are conducted that a person be referred to as a chief,” he said.

27 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Ogijo: No longer business as usual In the aftermath of a series of militant activities in Ogijo, PAUL OMOROGBE visited the affected areas to assess the state of livelihood of those who had the courage to return. His report Ogijo, a town in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, is situated between two more popular areas: Ikorodu in Lagos and Sagamu in Ogun State. However, it is closer to Ikorodu than Sagamu. It is easy to ‘travel’ to Lagos from Ogijo. You could take a motorbike or tricycle for N100 and end up in Ikorodu Garage, as the bus stop is called.

The area gained notoriety when hoodlums suspected to be militants had terrorised the communities for almost two months, killing many people while property were looted.

But a joint military operation involving men of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services, police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps brought the situation under control.

According to reports, no fewer than 120 militants were killed during the operation which included air strikes.

Perhaps because of its contiguity to Lagos, the level of commercial activities in this Ogun community is interestingly high. Specifically, at Ita-Oluwo, the junction leading into the area where the attacks took place, there is intense human and vehicular movement with scores of shops and business around this spot giving at semblance of a typical bus stop in Lagos.

From this point, there are mostly motorbikes that take pedestrians to their houses at sections Imushin, called Oke-Imuti, Elepete Phase 1,2 and 3, Igbo Olomu, and others like Ola Imam. These are the communities that make the area beyond Ita Oluwo. The road that leads to these areas is an earth road.

It was a rainy day when the Nigerian Tribune visited and on such days, bike men have a filled day charging higher fares than they would when the skies are clear.

On such days as this one, the entire stretch of the road which is several hundreds of metres long is terribly muddy. It takes special dexterity to ride through the road on a bike without falling or getting stuck in deep, thick muddy pools, perhaps the reason the bike men feel a higher fare is necessary for knowing how to successfully navigate through them all.

On both sides of the road that leads to the once troubled areas, are schools, churches, shops and what can be described as mini-shopping complexes.

On a Friday, where the shops at the ItaOluwo, the junction where this road meets the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, were open and bustling with activity, not the same could be said about the shops down the road. They were not as busy and many were closed.

At strategic points there were barricades mounted as security check points by the police.

Persons Nigerian Tribune spoke to all through the journey from Ogijo motor park to Ita-Oluwo and into the affected areas all agreed that there was peace and a number of

Shops and residences still under lock and key at Ogijo. PHOTOS: PAUL OMOROGBE

Though some residences around Oke-Imuti were occupied, areas further down like Elepete were no go areas for now as the Army was said to have requested for three more months to do a thorough clean up as some miscreants could still be lurking around the area.

A police van at Ogijo. residents had returned the areas all around; thanks to the presence of security agents in the area. Nigerian Tribune gathered that a strong contingent of soldiers numbering up to 200 had occupied the areas, especially the interior deep within where the bunkering had taken place.

Though some residences around Oke-Imuti were occupied, areas further down like Elepete were no go areas for now as the army was said to have requested for three more months to do a thorough clean up as some miscreants could still be lurking around the area.

Mrs Idowu Akanbi was seen sitting alone in her hairdressing salon, with a couple of her little children playing around. She said that though there was peace which she was grateful for, the same could not be said for business patronage, because the returnees were the landlords with nowhere else to go, while the tenants had left. “Business is no more like before,” she said. “People have returned but it is we the landlords. We can’t carry our houses away from here. The tenants have left. Because of this the people are not much and my business has gone down.”

According to her, not only had business taken a lull, religious activities had changed

for both Christians and Muslims in the area.

“There are no vigils like there used to be in the churches and the mosques don’t hold big programmes as before.”

The attacks had also taken their toll on education for children in the community.

“Schools had to close and most could not hold the third term examinations all this while. I do know of one that opened recently just to conduct the third term examinations for its students,” she said.

Mrs Oremade Olayinka who runs a provision store had a similar tale of business downturn to tell. But unlike Mrs Akanbi, her losses began the moment the fracas took place. “There were people that usually buy now and pay later who were owing me.

Where are they now? They ran away because of the trouble and left with my money.”

She said it was double jeopardy for her as she also could no longer get goods without paying immediately as her Igbo suppliers were not only facing the same low patronage, but had their stores looted when the trouble was on.

“All around me the situation is the same.

Look at this man beside me, he is going home already before 4pm. I who used to open at 7.30am, I came 10am today. I close between 5.30pm and 6pm unlike before the incident when I closed at 8pm. There has been no

business since the attack happened. What I do is that I resume here every day, so that I can have somewhere to go to each day. The cement shop opposite me has closed and that woman you see over there in that shop opposite me used to live with us in this area, but she has moved out. It is people who have money that can move out, I don’t!”

Lamenting the situation further, she said with no returns coming from sales, she and her children began to feed on the stock in her shop to survive. “Even my husband who works in Abeokuta has not been here to see us ever since the attacks occurred. This road you see here used to be busy with many school children and workers passing by that patronized me, but all that has changed since.”

When Nigerian Tribune visited his barber shop by the main road, Emmanuel Obembe was on his way out. “I thought you wanted something that was why I waited a bit,” he said. Obembe lives in the Oke-Muti area where his shop is, just like Mrs Akanbi and Olayinka. “ We wake up and sleep normally but business is not as usual because people have moved out. Our prayer is that they return so that things can be normal again,” he told Nigerian Tribune before kicking his motorcycle and zooming off.

All over the community, though normalcy has returned and those who can have opened for business, the story off low patronage pervades.

Nigerian Tribune visited the traditional ruler at his Olumushen mini-palace, he and his chiefs were said to be away for an important meeting. However, a man, Sakiru Ajibola, who described himself as a relative to the oba, said the community had remained peaceful because of the security operatives present, noting that people were gradually returning to their homes.

This was the optimistic view he shared just like Mrs Olayinka who also noted, “I hope that those people who left and are selling their houses will not regret it when this place becomes much better in the future.”

28 thesouth-west

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Lighting up the

Centre of Excellence in a mega way

The ‘Light Up Lagos’ project embarked upon by the Lagos State government is beginning to yield remarkable results though not without some challenges as captured by AKIN ADEWAKUN AND CHUKS OKPARAOCHA in this report.

H

e stood stupefied, dumbfounded and temporarily lost in his admiration of what had become that old rowdy former federal capital, Lagos, where he had done his youth service more than two decades ago. Some of the old, dilapidated buildings that used to dot the landscape then had given way to new and modern ones. Some hitherto inaccessible roads had suddenly become dualised with flowers and trees lining both sides of such roads to enhance their aesthetics and that of the city.

What of the very popular, rough and tough Oshodi Market and its environs that used to be a nightmare for him and his stranger colleagues who had also come to fulfil the mandatory one year service to their fatherland then? Could this well- lit and better organised market be the relics of that Oshodi of yore?

Those were some of the thoughts ‘assailing’ the minds of Nnadozie, a one time youth corp member who served in Lagos State as he drove through the city recently.

Nnadozie was in Lagos for his National Youth Service Corps in 1989 and had not been back to the city until recently, when he had cause to attend a seminar sponsored by his office in the city, and he was ‘over-whelmed’ by the pleasant spectacle that confronted him on entering the city.

Though it is not yet uhuru and the journey to becoming a mega city is still far for this metropolis that still prides itself as one of the most popular cities in the world. For him, the city is gradually wearing a new look and may not be far from that mega-city status.

Interestingly, Nnadozie is not alone in this

new assessment of Lagos! Many Nigerians, especially those who had not visited the city in the past few years, are always surprised at the spectacle that now confronts them whenever they breeze into the city nowadays.

One of the spectacles that usually leave a visitor ‘gasping for breath’ on entering the city is the unique spectacle of the city at nights, a result of the present government’s Light Up Lagos Campaign that is gradually seeing the city wearing a new look.

Since the advent of the Third Republic, various governments in the state have always professed their determination to turn the city into a mega city that would be able rub shoulders with other mega ones in any part of the globe.

But, out of all the developmental projects that had been executed in the past ten years, which have resulted in enhanced basic amenities within the city, the one many believe has continued to catch the fancy of residents is the Lagos Light up project, which has its focus on illuminating every nook and cranny of the city.

Besides enhancing the city and building residents’ confidence in government, the Light Up Project, embarked upon by the present government, since assuming office on May 29, 2015, is being seen in most quarters as a major move that has enhanced the social and economic activities of the residents of the city.

For instance, from Ikorodu Road to Agidingbi, Pen Cinema Road, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Egbeda, and Oshodi among others where the street lights stand tall on those communities, the stories and excitements are the same.

Residents of these communities, who spoke with the Nigerian tribune, noted that despite

the drop in power, people whose streets are presently benefitting from the project that now enjoy night-light, unlike in the past when those communities were thrown in utter darkness.

For instance, some residents argued that besides illuminating their surroundings, the project, which is still ongoing, had brought a new lease of life to them, adding that night businesses had received a significant boost, while security of lives and properties had also been enhanced.

According to the residents, the availability of street lights has brought a positive turnaround in their neighbourhoods, mainly in the areas of security, enhancing visibility for night travellers, as well as providing a modicum of illumination in adjoining communities, especially those close to the main roads, where the street lights are sited.

At Agbado-Ijaiye and Oke Odo areas of Lagos, residents said the street lights had helped lighten up various sections of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, that were once described as “dangerous spots” The residents unanimously commended the state government for erecting street lights on the ever busy express road, saying the project would also help provide security not just on the road but also in their respective neighbourhoods.

Narrating his experience on Pleasure Area of Agege Motor Road, Alhaji Mufutau Mokan believed he would not have been robbed of his hard-earned money if such facilities had existed six years ago when he was robbed on that spot.

‘It had rained on that fateful Friday and

I was coming from Abule Egba only for my vehicle to develop a fault somewhere around that Pleasure Area. Before I could come down and check what was amiss, about four guys had appeared from nowhere, drew out a gun, searched me and the vehicle and made away with the money I was holding,’ he narrated.

According to Mokan, they were able to do that successfully hecause it was pitch dark and nobody was ready to stop by and rescue him.

Another resident and landlord at Dada Olowu Street area of General, Mr Hakeem Opeifa, said that the lighting had helped create a new form of life in his community, especially at night.

‘Before now, once it was getting dark, the entire community would automatically become dark, especially anytime there was no light from PHCN. But now, even in the face of serious blackout from PHCN, light from the expressway often has a way of illuminating sections of our community,’ he said.

A trader at Oja Oba area of Abule Egba, Mr Olusoga Demola, posited that the lighting had reduced the activities of social miscreants popularly referred to as Area Boys along the axis.

“We all know that miscreants generally feel safe in darkness but when light exposes them, they run away and will not be able to carry out their nefarious activities. This is one of the things the street light project has done for us,’’ he said.

“We thank the governor for coming up with this noble idea, we pray it is not only sustained, but also extended to other inner roads in remote communities,’’ he added.

29

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Soji-Eze Fagbemi m:08179047919 e:sojiezek@yahoo.co.uk

The First Lady, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, at the weekend flaggedoff a training for women in income generating activities, a collaboration between the pet project of the wife of the president: Future Assured, and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

The programme which kicked off with the flagoff ceremony will see 1,200 women trained in skill acquisition and empowerment, in all the six geo-political zones of the country. SOJI-EZE FAGBEMI, who attended the flag-off ceremony in Katsina, reports.

I

T was a carnival-like event at the weekend when the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, through her pet project- Future Assured, in partnership with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) gathered thousands of women, in Katsina, Katsina State capital, to flag-off a training programme for women on income generating activities, skills acquisition and empowerment.

The programme aimed at confronting poverty and widespread unemployment among the women population in the country, was held at the Katsina State Secretariat Complex and had in attendance the Governor of the State, Honourable Aminu Bello Masari; the Acting Director General, NDE, Mr Kunle Obayan, who represented the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; the immediate past Director General of the NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed; the Chairperson, Governor’s Wife Forum and wife of Zamfara State Governor, Asma’u Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar; the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Manir Yusuf and the Director Planning, NDE, Wosila Umar.

With the flag-off by the wife of the president, the training programme commenced in Katsina, the North West geo-political zone, with 200 women who will be trained in various skills that will empower them to become self-reliance.

In her keynote address, Mrs Buhari said women constitute a critical vulnerable group in the society. Despite the challenges against women, she noted that, however, women in Nigeria are consistently taking their place to

Day Aisha Buhari’s Future Assured, NDE trained women on skills acquisition ensure a better Nigeria.

To this extent, she pointed out that carefully articulated programmes to address the peculiar needs of women must be regularly implemented.

“This is why we are gathered here today to commence the training of 200 women who have been carefully selected from all the local government areas of Katsina State to benefit from the exercise.

“I am glad that my Future Assured programme was able to find a willing and ready partner in the National Directorate of Employment to execute this training and empowerment programme,” she said.

She explained that the environment specific skills have been identified to which the participants will be exposed to a hands-on training approach.

She said in line with her partnership arrangements with the NDE, another set of 200 women will commence training in Lagos, while the partnership is prepared to expand the scope of the collaboration by engaging 200 women each in selected states in the North East, North Central, South East and South South zones of the federation.

The First Lady expressed optimism, that their joint effort will strengthen the hands of our women towards becoming major

players in the economic development of the country.

“I have no doubt in my mind that when economically empowered, women in Nigeria would contribute significantly to the diversification of our national economy. Future Assured believes strongly in empowering women in income wielding activities which in the long run will bring about inclusive growth in the economy,” she said.

While commending the governor of Katsina State for the critical role he played in making the exercise a reality and the Minister of Labour for his support through the NDE which has provided the platform for the collaboration to take off, Mrs Buhari assured the minister and the NDE that through their collective efforts, “we will make a positive difference among women in the country.”

To the selected women participating in the empowerment exercise, the wife of the president advised them to commit themselves to the ideals of the programme.

“The best way to reciprocate the efforts of the Future Assured Programme and the NDE is to pay attention to your teachers and in structures, learn the skills well, such that you will be able to compete with other practitioners when you eventually begin your

own small scale businesses. It is also one sure way to secure your future, that of your children and the next generations to come,” she said.

In his address, Senator Ngige said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has deployed several programmes to deliver decent jobs to unemployed Nigerians. He added that between January and August this year, a total of 17,938 persons have benefitted from the various skills acquisition and empowerment programmes of the NDE under the popular four-core programmes of vocational skills, agricultural skills, entrepreneurial skills as well as activities in the public works sector.

The minister, who was represented by the acting director general of NDE, said the collaboration between Mrs Aisha Buhari and the NDE in training and empowering women is another dimension to the government’s efforts which seeks to give women the necessary impetus to be relevant and active in the march towards a new and better Nigeria.

He also assured the First Lady and all Nigerians that the NDE will continue to provide innovative and environment specific initiatives that will assist in mass employment creation especially as it relates to decent jobs which is a cardinal issue in the Inter-

national Labour Organisation convention to which Nigeria is signatory.

“I am confident that as we continue with the current momentum in our employment generation efforts, all the targets we have set towards ameliorating the negative consequences of a prolonged period of job deficit in Nigeria will be met and surpassed,” Ngige said.

The minister commended Mrs Buhari for choosing to collaborate with the NDE in reducing the scourge of mass unemployment and assured the Katsina State government that the NDE will continue to partner with him towards providing decent employment for the people of the state. He however warned the trainees to abide by the rules governing the training exercise.

Obayan in his remarks, said that the flag-off marks yet another milestone in the efforts of the NDE in contributing its own quota to the ongoing rebuilding process in the country.

Obayan, whose speech was read by the Mrs Wosila Umar, stated that mass unemployment is a serious challenge facing the country and must find effective initiatives at mitigating the situation.

He said the present effort is a product of the synergy between the NDE and the Future Assured initiative of the wife of the President.

“Your excellency, your passion for the betterment of women in Nigeria at a time such as this is not only commendable but equally connects with the statutory mandate of the NDE. Your presence here today further underscores your commitment to that which you strongly believe in which is to secure the future today through hard work and innovative thinking,” he said.

The director general pointed out that the social burden of mass unemployment has made it imperative for any responsible government the world over to think outside the box in order to address the ugly trend. The twin problem of unemployment and poverty, according to him constitute unpleasant distractions to any government because “they lead to a multiplicity of anti-social conducts which continue to engender more poverty and social imbalance.”

He posited that the principle of partnership or collaboration in tackling mass unemployment is the paradigm shift that will drive the new quest for employment for all classes of the unemployed in Nigeria.

“For us in the NDE, women are a critical group in this new order and we are glad the mother of the nation has taken the lead in this direction. Our hope in NDE is that at the end of this training, 200 new small scale businesses would have been injected into the economy of Katsina State,” he added.

30

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Bode Adewumi m:08055001765 e:bodekafi@yahoo.com

ntel announces network compatibility with Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge

From left, Business Head, Nigeria & emerging markets, Midcom Nigeria, Mr Kunal Bhardwaj; Managing Director, Consumer Business, Huawei Nigeria, Mr Leo Jiang; Brand Manager, Icell, Mr Rohit Bhangar and Chairman, Technology Distribution Limited, Mr Leo Stanley Ekeh, at the launch event for Huawei’s gr5 mini smartphone in Lagos, last week.

NIGERIA’S most advanced 4G/ LTE broadband operator has announced its network’s compatibility with two high-quality devices, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge from the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer.

According to ntel, following months of compatibility tests, its network is now compatible with Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge making it possible for owners and users of the devices to call and browse at superfast speeds on the ntel network. With this feat, ntel becomes the first 4G/ LTE provider in Africa to achieve device and network compatibility that will enable VoLTE capable calls, ntel’s network supports crystal-

FDI investments in ICT sector over $35b —NCC Stories By Bode Adewumi

T

HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that over $35 billion had been invested in the nation’s telecommunications industry from Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Professor Umar Danbatta, recently made this known in Lagos during a stakeholders’ forum in preparation for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2016 holding in Bangkok, Thailand later in the year.

Danbatta said that local investments in the sector were also in billions of dollars in the past 15 years.

He said that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector had recorded significant growth, as it moved from below 500,000 active lines in the past years to the current 157 million.

According to him, the sector has surpassed the 100 per cent threshold for teledensity, as it stands at 107 per cent, while internet connectivity rose from 50,000 in 2001 to 97 per cent currently.

“Our story of successes is very long but we, as regulators, are not resting on our oars.

“We are not there yet; what we have is work in progress. We have to go to ITU Telecom World to attract more investments.

“We are here to re-strategise on how we can attract more meaningful investments into our country; we are here to fine-tune our story about the growth and attraction of our sector.

“We are here to think of ways to convince would-be investors on the potential and capacity of our country; we are here to agree on the future growth of the telecom industry,” he said.

He said that there was the need

to tell the world of the revolution brewing in the area of broadband.

He said that the country was currently at 14 per cent broadband penetration and over 100 per cent thirst for the internet.

According to him, the industry is convinced that, by 2018, the anticipated 30 per cent broadband penetration will not be impossible to achieve.

He said that Bitflux Consortium, the winner of the 2.3 Gigahertz spectrum, had rolled out services toward achieving the broadband penetration target.

“Two Infrastructure Companies (Infracos) have been licenced for Lagos and North-Central, including Abuja.

“Five more licences are underway for North-West, North-East,

South-West, South-South and South- East. Our processes are being fine-tuned to actualise the licensing rounds.

“There is a gap, no doubt, which these would-be and existing investors will bridge. The quality of service is not robust yet, but we are assured that we will get it right with more investments,” Danbatta said.

clear HD Voice calling (VoLTE), as well as key LTE-Advanced features: Carrier Aggregation (CA); and Multiple In, Multiple Out (MIMO) Antennae technology.

These features combine to enable downlink data speeds of up to 230Megabits per second and are both supported on Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge devices.

A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of ntel, Mr Kamar Abass said: “Samsung is the leader in the Nigerian smart phone market and news of the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge compatibility with our 4G/LTE Advanced network is fantastic news for our customers who have been eagerly waiting to use their highend Samsung devices on our network.

“As Nigeria’s first pure-play 4G/LTE-Advanced network, ntel is committed to ensuring its customers have the widest possible range of devices to choose from,” he said.

The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge devices are top of the range devices from Samsung with enhanced design, high-quality cameras, water resistance, wireless charging, and connectivity to an unparalleled galaxy of services, products and experiences.

LG Electronics introduces 10-yr warranty on core technologies IN a bid to satisfy its teeming consumers and deliver next level convenience, LG Electronics, a leader in home appliances and consumer electronics, recently achieved unprecedented technological advancements with the core technology designed for some of its products. These achievements came with critical acclaim along with the patent right.

This core technology breakthrough gave LG the confidence to

back it up with 10-year warranty, first of its kind in Home Appliance category in Nigeria. The products covered by the 10-year warranty include LG refrigerators and chest freezers, with linear and smart inverter compressors, LG washing machines with inverter direct drive motor, LG charcoal lighting heater in microwave oven and LG cordless vacuum cleaner with smart inverter motor.

Speaking on the innovation, Gen-

eral Manager, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics, West Africa operations Mr Jiung Park said: “At LG, we understand that durability is just as important as strong performance. A large range of our products come backed by 10-year warranty, ensuring worryfree operation year after year.

“LG Electronics is the first electronic brand in Nigeria to offer a decade-long warranty of reliability on a large array of its product

Huawei unveils GR5 Mini smartphone with new generation technology LEADING smartphone maker, Huawei, unveiled its latest device in the Nigerian market, the elegant Huawei GR5 Mini, designed to meet the demands of young professionals and showcased its elegant design. Huawei also announced its partnership with Nigerian designer, Adebayo Oke Lawal of Orange Culture, to give customers who purchase the Huawei GR5 Mini a designer phone case for free.

“Huawei is excited to partner with Orange Culture to deliver a premium experience for our customers” said Mr Leo Jiang, the Managing Director, Devices of Huawei Nigeria. “We value our customers’ need for mobile technology which suits their lifestyles and meets their needs, and now

we are aligning with customers strongest passions, one of which we have discovered to be Fashion and Style,” he said.

According to him, the new smartphone which features new generation fingerprint technology improved has been improved 100 per cent over the 1st generation, a sensor that performs in 0.5 seconds and has 360degree readability, builds on Huawei’s success in delivering powerful high end smartphones with a high level of quality.

Bound to be a delight for photo and selfie lovers, the GR5 Mini has an 8MP front camera with high chromatic resolution, 4P lens array and a 77 degree wide angle visual range which takes sharp looking selfies and also allows selfie-lovers

to capture more people in the shot.

The rear-facing 13MP MP camera features a f/2.0 aperture, 78 degree wide angle visual range, 5P Aspheric lens array with a blue glass filter to improve photo quality, and a professional mode for taking photos with parameters comparable to that of an SLR camera.

The GR5 Mini has a 5.2 Full HD Display screen which delivers great clarity and pixel density even in sunlight or low lighting conditions. The large display is also comfortable to handle and perfect for getting work done. With an exquisite design, ergonomic streamlining, and rippled surface treatment, the phone has an elegant look and feel, and a convenient and comfortable form factor that fits every lifestyle.

offerings. The 10-year warranty offering covers only specific parts of the selected products from the date of purchase.”

LG door-in-door and side-byside refrigerator utilises LG’s revolutionary Inverter Linear Compressor, which enables the refrigerator to consume 32 per cent less energy and produce 25 per cent less noise. Employing a linear piston drive instead of a conventional reciprocating drive, LG’s advanced Inverter Linear Compressor generates less internal friction than other compressor systems.

The reduction in friction results in lower energy requirements, less noise production, as well as greater reliability and durability for the compressor. The inverter linear compressor creates an optimal temperature balance inside the refrigerator, helping to extend the amount of time that food stays fresh. In a test conducted by the German scientific and technical association, Verband der Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik (VDE), the Inverter Linear Compressor was found to have an estimated lifespan of 20 years.

The Top mount refrigerator uses Smart Inverter Compressor for cooling; this type of compressor uses an inverter drive to control the compressor motor speed to modulate cooling capacity.

31

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

with Chukwuma Okparaocha

m:08038984495 e: chukscop2005@gmail.com

Corruption responsible for building collapse in Nigeria —NIS National President On May 27, 2016, Mr Akinloye Olufemi Oyegbola (fnis), a Surveying Engineer assumed office as the National President of Nigerian Institution of Surveyorsmaking history as the 20th President of the umbrella professional organisation for all surveyors in Nigeria after 82 years of existence. He spoke to MODUPE GEORGE on his vision for the institution, challenges of the profession and other issues in surveying. Excerpts

W

hat are your visions and plans for the institution?

One particular thing that has always stuck my mind is the peculiar nature of the profession. The profession is such that doesn’t advertise itself. People don’t know about it and that is why I feel one really needs to concentrate on areas such as advocacy, enlightenment, awareness and publicity for the institution, so that what couldn’t be obvious would be.

And to really ensure this, I have decided to come up with an award for all the branches, where they would present what they have done. Right now, I am on a walking visit to the branches, where I have been telling them what they have to do to qualify for the award. I believe that if at every nooks and crannies, where we have those branches in the country, they try to put whatever they do in the public domain, we would have gone a long way on the publicity aspect.

Also, the event of recent past seems to have shown us that we really need to come to terms with the laws that established our regulatory body. We have had some misunderstandings that were not well managed in the past which had even had us going to the press and court over the interpretation of the law and the rest of it. I am looking beyond the resolution of the issue itself. I believe that since it has to do with the law, one expects that it is the court that would be the arbiter and we are on that.

Also, I believe that one thing that could actually be done to stem such re-occurrence is to come up with something that could be like our byelaws which would be more specific about issues on the relationships of our different departments, the body itself and the rest of it.

I would also like to facilitate more patronage from the government.

I’m looking at how I can create more enabling environment with those in government. When there is peace and mutual understanding, I believe whatever you want to further would move faster than what it used to be.

So, I want to establish that peaceful coexistence.

Why did you say that corruption is responsible for cases of building collapse in the country?

Corruption is a vice and it is wide when it comes to defining it. Whenever you are supposed to do what is right and you do the opposite, somewhere down the line there is corruption. So, if a building is supposed to stand and it’s not, there is corruption

somewhere and we can now start to pin-point where and how. If we are to start from the materials, we would say that the actual quality materials that were supposed to be used were not used.

When the right materials are not used to build, obviously that is corruption. Now, coming to the design itself, if you have a design problem, then it is corruption. If the design is done by someone who is not supposed to do it, it is corruption. Also, when something is wrong with the supervision, which most time is part of what is responsible for the collapse, then it is corruption. The professionals in government are supposed to supervise, they either would not go for supervision or when they do, they pretend not to see for reasons that we all know even up to the extent of allowing people to put structures where they ought not to be at all. So, you can go on and on.

How do you intend to prosecute the corrupt elements in your institution?

Basically all professional bodies have that aspect of the practice that deals with the ethics of the profession and even have the regulatory bodies that take care of that. We have our own regulatory body called the Surveyors Councils of Nigeria (SURCON). Now, while an erring surveyor could be punished as per the constitution of NIS to which he has subscribed, he is still liable again under the law to be punished by the SURCON. So, there is no respite anywhere. Its just that clients don’t complain, they don’t lodge their complaints where they are supposed to.

Dry building tech, antidote to structure collapse — Nigerite Tunde Alao -Lagos

Oyegbola People are used to the just rub it on the surface thing and just letting it go.

To what extent is the government involved in NIS activities?

The rapport has not been too encouraging, which was part of what I am set out to change. However, things are changing for the better.

For instance, there was a council set up on lands in Ilorin. The Surveyor General called me and told me everything about it and before they presented what they had in the council, I already had a copy of it and we had gone through it at NIS. This wasn’t happening before. Now we are talking together.

What effort will you make to ensure a highest standard of professional conduct and ethics in the profession?

Quackery is in most of the professions and I always say to my colleagues “quackery is not the issue.

You sustained it, so, you don’t complain about the quacks.” However,

what I do is to encourage surveyors to report themselves. If that is done, there would be a sense of remorse.

More so, for the clients who use our services, at every opportunity I let them know that they can either report to NIS branch around them or the council itself.

Either of them would take it up.

I am trying to create an enabling environment among all the departments and the stakeholders, so that we can easily work together to get the desired result within the shortest possible time.

What role are the women-in surveying going to play in your new agenda?

Women-in-surveying are doing well and they could do more. They organise regional seminars, and I always advise them to involve the press in their activities. They go to secondary schools, especially girls’ secondary schools to create awareness. They are to attract girls into the profession.

IN its effort to stem the tide of building collapse in Nigeria, one of the foremost housing component solutions providers in Nigeria, Messrs Nigerite Limited, has come up with a new dry building technology, designed to meet the modern day building construction.

Speaking during the just concluded Abuja Housing Show, Head of Business Development, Nigerite Limited, Mr Danladi Mwantok, affirmed that the dry building technology was a move away from the wet construction.

Mwantok noted that the dry building technology uses steel and other locally pre-engineered manufactured materials that could stand the test of time, assuring that most buildings constructed with Nigerite materials were immune against building collapse.

He stressed that the company was show-casing its dry building technology as one of its innovative ways of introducing the new building technology into the Nigerian market.

According to him, the dry building technology would take builders away from the wet process into a dry process which was lighter, safer and cost effective, adding that the wet process ends at the foundation level, while at the DCP level, the dry construction takes over with steel frames coupled with perfect cladding to the finishing.

“The technology guarantees stability of the houses, as it is a pre-engineered system. All the forces that come on a building have been considered in the design as it is a very stable building construction innovation,” Mwantok said.

Ogun seals $11m housing partnership with private sector Chukwuma Okparaocha -Lagos

OGUN State government has received a loan offer of $11 million from a Kenya based Shelter Afrique Company, for the construction of over 500 units housing project, for residents at Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Housing Development and General Manager of the State Housing Corporation, Mrs Olajumoke Akinwunmi, disclosed this while playing host to members of the State House of Assembly on House Committee on Land and Housing during an oversight visit to the corporation.

Akinwunmi said the proposed housing project would occupy 26 hectares of land, affirming that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement would assist government to deliver on its set objec-

tive on the provision of affordable housing under its five cardinal programmes apart from meeting up with its industrialisation development.

“The state government entered into the PPP arrangement to further promote affordable mass housing for the people and create new benchmark in quality and economy to meet up with the ongoing industrialisation development in the state,” she said.

She added that the proposed estate would be designed as flats, terraces, semi and full detached bungalows with self-built homes on service plots, stating that the corporation would send a request to the State House of Assembly for the loan approval.

The Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Land and Housing, Honourable Adebiyi Adeleye, expressed satisfaction at the de-

velopment, saying the corporation had turned around the fortune of the state with a request that the gesture be extended to other senatorial districts in the state.

Meanwhile, Akinwunmi has urged residents of the state to take advantage of mortgage facilities being offered by the government to own houses by themselves.

Akinwunmi who stressed this during an interactive session with newsmen in Abeokuta, pointed out that taking mortgage, was a viable option through which people can benefit maximally from the affordable housing scheme, provided by the state government.

She said government had created multiple-gated residential communities that the people could benefit from just as lands could be allocated to them for development considering that plans were ongoing to

also make provision for artisans, individuals in the private sector, apart from public servants in this regard.

“Ogun State Housing Corporation as one of the government agencies charged with the provision of more affordable housing has developed multiple gated residential communities and aims to deliver several thousand over the next few years to meet the aspirations and affordability of the people,” she added.

Akinwunwi enjoined the people to afford themselves the opportunity provided by the National Housing Fund Scheme, through accredited mortgage institutions in the state, to harness housing loan facilities at reduced interest rates, maintaining that mortgage remained one of the viable options for home ownership in the developed and developing countries.

32 BRANDS & MARK

TING

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Airtel Nigeria rewards trade partners Expresses commitment to quality service delivery

From left, CEO, First Choice Group Mrs Taiwo Hamilton; the inductee, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Outdoor Limited, Dr Kunle Hamilton; Executive Director, Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management (IPDM), Mr Stephen Odukoya; Registrar IPDM, Mr Victor Oshioluemoh and Coordinator IPDM, Mr Oladele Gold, during Dr Hamilton’s induction as Fellow of the Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management held on Sunday in Lagos. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Research firm rates MTN, Milo, most influential brands Stories By Akin Adewakun

F

OR the first time in five years of its studies of global brands, a marketing research firm, Ipsos Marketing, has listed MTN, Milo, Close-Up, Coca Cola, Peak Milk, Indomie, Etisalat, Bournvita, Omo and Maltina, as top 10 most influential brands out of 100 brands in Nigeria.

According to the marketing research firm, the brands were selected based on market survey, carried out on 1,000 Nigerians to assess 100 brands based on various marketing parameters such as influence, trustworthiness, leading edge and corporate citizenship.

The survey, which was administered on consumers in Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Enugu, Bauchi and Abuja, saw MTN, Milo and Close-Up occupying the first, second and third positions respectively.

Other notable brands such as Coca Cola, Peak Milk, Indomie, Etisalat, Bournvita,

Omo and Maltina were ranked in that order of influence and preference.

“Beyond our own measures, metrics and surveys, there were a number of other factors, very much related to brand influence.

“Influential brands invest and this investment pays dividends. A number of the Most Influential Brands have healthy media spend levels. In other markets, influential brands also show positive trends in share price,” the survey stated.

The report, however, added that each of the brands in the ranking is the only selected product in its market categories, except MTN and Etisalat, which operate in the same market category.

“For the first time in the five years of this global study, we traversed the length and breadth of the country to ask 1,000 Nigerians to assess 100 brands. We spoke to Nigerians in Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Enugu, Bauchi and Abuja, both males and females, aged 18 to 65 years. The selection criteria for a brand to make the list of 100

Sosaco Nig. embarks on brand extension

As new Jago Gold Full Cream Milk debuts IN line with its vision of thrilling its consumers and providing them with several options to choose from, Sosaco Nigeria Limited has introduced a new milk brand, Jago Gold Full Cream Instant Whole Milk Powder, in the premium segment of the nation’s milk powder market.

The company also unveiled a new brand identity for its flagship brand, Jago D’lite, a top player in the nation’s popular milk segment.

It is now showcased in a new, exciting and more appealing new pack design, which is a part of the company’s efforts to reposition the Jago brand in the minds of the consumers and retain their love and loyalty to the brand.

Speaking at the Trade Launch, held in Lagos, the Chairman of Sosaco Nigeria Limited, Mr Francis Ogboro, described the new Jago Gold Full Cream Milk powder offering as an answer to the clarion call from Jago’s loyal customers.

According to him, the new offering,

which is a product of intense research and deep consumer understanding, would serve consumers in all segments of the packaged milk powder in the country.

“With the introduction of new Jago Gold, Jago Milk now has an offering for all segments of the packaged milk powder industry and affords our beloved consumers an opportunity to experience full cream instant whole milk powder like never before,’’ he said.

Also speaking at the launch, the company’s Managing Director, Mr Shailesh Kumar, expressed the company’s commitment to continually address the needs of its consumers from all segments of the packaged milk market.

He added that one of the main aims of the brand is to continually find innovative ways of delivering the best to its consumers.

Kumar said more quality products would be launched under the Jago umbrella in the nearest future.

were based on media spend and also factors such as market share and penetration across Nigeria.

“What follows next is our Top 10 countdown of overall influence index score and the top three influence drivers associated with each brand. We also included some of our own thoughts about why these brands performed so well in this year’s study,” General Manager, Ipsos, Steve Spicer said.

While underscoring the heritage of the brands, Ipsos stated that all but two of the brands in the Top 10 were birthed on the other side of the 21st century, adding that these brands have been around for so long and have made themselves ‘part of the family’ that Nigerians forget that they are actually foreign brands.

It also stated that the top 10 brands are huge ad spenders, hence, bringing positive results to their table in the ranking.

“Nigeria’s top influential brands are all heavy spenders in the advertising and sponsorship space. They are spending millions of naira every year to continue to be visible to consumers,” he said.

TELECOMS Service providers, Airtel, over the weekend in Lagos rewarded its trade partners, especially distributors, that positively contributed to the company’s bottonline in the last 12 months, even as the company also reiterated its commitment to being the best internet service provider in the country.

Speaking at the event tagged ‘Smart Partners Award,’ the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, explained that the award was meant to express the company’s gratitude to those trade partners that had contributed to the company’s success stories in the past one year, in spite of the turbulent economic times.

He noted that the contributions of such partners, had helped the company grow its bottomline, create and deliver value to its subscribers all over the country.

Ogunsanya expressed the company’s belief in the nation’s business environment, despite the challenging economic times, stating that the company, in the past two years, had invested heavily on its infrastructure, in its bid to achieve its mission of being the best internet service provider in the country.

According to him, the winners had been categorised into four regions, while the most revenue-earning partner will be rewarded with a car.

“The idea is to celebrate a partnership that works, a winning partnership. Interestingly, this has become more imperative because in spite of the harsh economic weather, these partners were still able to help the company grow its bottomline and deliver value to our customers.

“We are also using this medium to appeal to them not to rest on their oars. Our mission is to be the best internet company.

That is why we’ve put so much investment behind this in the last two years. But one thing we are sure of is that we can’t achieve this without the support of our customers,” he said.

SCL unveils logistics package for Nigerian businesses A global procurement, handling, clearing and forwarding service company, Simplified Corporate Logistics (SCL), has unveiled SCLogisticsng.com, a full-service logistics package, aimed at relieving business owners of challenges associated with ordering goods from overseas.

Speaking at the unveiling of the package, the company’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nduka Udeh, stated that the package, designed for Nigerian businesses dealing with import and export of goods and services, will take risks away completely from businesses associated with import and export, by handling their forex needs to reduce the long processing times needed to access forex.

He also believes that the new package would provide a transparent customs clearing within six days, while also solving other import-export related issues with an affordable on-click solution.

If well leveraged, the solution, he added, would go a long way in saving up to 70 per

cent of costs associated with procurement, handling, clearing and forwarding for Nigerian businesses.

“Nigerian businesses, in recent times, have been hit by a steep hike in the price of ordering, handling amd clearing goods from overseas.

“What Simplified Corporate Logistics does is that it removes the risk factor from businesses, by making it our responsibility to source for forex to carry out transactions so our customers only pay in the nation’s currency.

“We can even source for the items our customers want from trusted manufacturers globally and get them at the best prices, due to our partnership with several auction companies abroad.

“Most significantly, the package will help save our customers up to 70 per cent in freight costs, since we believe these cost and efficiency savings will propel the Nigerian small and medium enterprises into the future,” he stated.

33 sallahmessages

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

PFN celebrates with Muslims

By Rita Okonoboh

T

HE President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Reverend

el-Rufai calls for peace Muhammad Sabiu-Kaduna

GOVERNOR Nasir ElRufai of Kaduna State has called on Nigerians to uphold peace and show goodwill to one another.

This was contained in a Sallah message he personally signed and issued to newsmen in Kaduna, on Monday.

He said that Eid-el-Kabir, the festival of sacrifice, teaches us that as mere mortals, we can strive to be better, urging Nigerians to be buoyed by faith in these difficult times, and to work together to make things better.

Meanwhile, the acting governor of Zamfara State, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala, has said the economic crisis facing the country was temporary as the bumper harvest witnessed this year had raised hope that in the shortest possible time, the prices of foodstuff would crash.

In a sallah message to the people of the state, Wakkala maintained that the season is bright.

Ekiti APC felicitates, urges prayers for economic revival Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has congratulated Muslims on the celebration of Eidel-Kabir.

It said the opportunity to celebrate this year’s Sallah is through the grace of Allah and urged the Islamic faithful to spend their holiday to offer prayers to build better relationship with God for more blessings to celebrate more of Eid-el-Kabir holidays on earth.

In a statement by the Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Kemi Olaleye, the party also urged Muslims and indeed all Nigerians, to reflect on the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir and use the significance of the season of sacrifice to build a better relationship with God for more mercies to overcome the current economic challenges facing the nation.

“This season is about moving closer to God through obedience to His words and an abiding faith in His love for us.”

(Dr) Felix Omobude, has extended his greetings to all Muslims in Nigeria and all around the world on the occasion of this

year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

In a release made available to Nigerian Tribune, Reverend Omobude prayed for a

joyful time of celebration for everyone to usher in greater peace and prosperity in our land.

He enjoined all Nige-

rians to embrace mutual tolerance and understanding in their conduct and relationships, irrespective of faith, ethnicity

or gender, so that Nigeria can be taken to greater heights in different areas of life.

them that tough times don’t last, but tough people do. He noted fur-

ther that this season will pass and Nigeria will be great again.

Nigeria will be great again —Ladoja

By Dare Adekanmbi

SENATOR Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has enjoined Nigerians, particularly citizens of Oyo State, not to be discouraged or lose faith in the country, in spite of the harsh economic realities.

This advice was contained in his Eid-ulAdha (Eid-El-Kabir) message, signed and made available to the press by Lanre Latinwo, his media aide.

The former governor and Accord guberna-

torial candidate in the 2015 election in Oyo State, stressed that the people should not allow the present economic downturn make them lose sight of the benefits of this period, which is sacrificial, reminding

APC urges Muslims to show love THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has joined Muslim faithful across the country in rejoicing over the joyous occasion of Eidel-Kabir.

In a statement signed by the APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun on Sunday, he urged Muslim faithful and indeed all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir

to show love and promote harmonious and peaceful co-existence with one another irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliations.

The APC National Chairman also urged Nigerians to pray for peace and quick recovery of the nation’s economy.

MINISTER of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and continue to support the President Mu-

hammadu Buhari administration with their prayers.

He made this disclosure in a congratulatory message to mark this year’s Eid-el-

fies must not be lost on the faithful.

“Our dear State is on the eve of another election, an election which will determine if we want to continue on the path of growth and progress or re-

turn to the past. I urge the Ummah to use their PVC wisely and vote right. Also importantly, I plead with the faithful not to relent in their fervent prayers and spiritual intercessions for the peace and success of the gubernatorial election.

‘Let’s seek Allah’s face at this time’

By Tunde Oguensan

A federal lawmaker, representing Oyo Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, has called on Muslim faithful to use this period of Eid-elkabir to seek for Allah’s intervention in order to put an end to the trying period

being experienced in the country at present.

Senator Sunmonu gave this charge in this year’s Eid- el- Kabir message sent to Muslims all over Nigeria.

She also called on Muslims to imbibe the spirit of obedience to Allah and the spirit of sharing associated with Eid-el- Kabir.

FCT minister calls for prayers for Nigeria Christian Okeke-Abuja

THE FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, has appealed for greater unity, love and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians as well as total support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its fight against corruption and plans to grow the economy and take it out of recession.

The minister has also called for prayers for the success of the country’s leadership under Buhari and for Allah’s guidance, protection and wisdom for him as he steers the affairs of the nation.

In a sallah message to Muslim faithful across Nigeria, especially those resident in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as they mark this year’s Eid-elKabir, the minister urged Muslims to use the occa-

Banji Aluko-Benin City

PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has disclosed that his government, if elected into office, will carry all Edo people along, irrespective of their faiths.

In a Sallah message, IzeIyamu promised he will not be sectional or clannish

Adewole, Husain congratulate Muslims

Pray for peaceful polls —Oshiomhole GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged Muslims in the state to pray for a successful governorship election on September 28.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, the governor said: “I rejoice with my Muslim brothers and sisters on the celebration of the Eid-elKabir, a major religious festival, with a profound spiritual essence.

“Even as we rejoice and thank the Almighty Allah for finding us worthy to be part of this year’s celebration, the essence and significant message which Eid-el-Kabir signi-

Ize-Iyamu calls for all-inclusive govt

sion to reflect on the lessons of the festival and the teachings of the doctrine

of Islamic faith, which is premised on sacrifice and peace.

Kabir to Muslim faithful in Osun State in particular and Nigeria in general.

He prayed that this season brings everlasting joy, fulfillment and good health.

He also urged Nigerians to maintain a healthy lifestyle while reiterating the commitment of the President Buhari led administration to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to good health care services.

In the same vein, the Lawmaker who represented Osun West in the seventh Assembly of the Nigeria Senate has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, the governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola and Muslims across the nation on the occasion of this year’s Eidel-Kabir festival.

He also pleaded with Nigerians, irrespective of religious belief; to continually support the present government and ensure we do all to sustain our coexistence.

He wished all, a joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration, in peace, prosperity and happiness with prayers that Allah will shower his divine blessings on Nigerians.

Osun assembly urges Nigerians to exercise patience, understanding OSUN State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon Najeem Sallam, has urged Nigerians to celebrate this year’s Eidil-Kabir with fervent hope,

sense of gratitude to God and prayers for the governments at the national and state levels to turn around the economy of the country.

In its Eid-el-Kabir con-

Senator Gwarzo preaches unity, peace Kola Oyelere-Kano

FORMER Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Bello Gwarzo, has called on Muslims and Nigerians generally to work for the peace and progress of the nation.

Senator Gwarzo, who spoke in Kano, through his Media Assistant, Ibrahim

Garba, extended his warm wishes to Muslims as they mark the Eid-el-Kabir.

“Eid-el-Kabir is firmly rooted in sacrifice, which for me is very significant.

Therefore, as we mark this important season, may we all work consciously towards a better and greater world.”

gratulatory message, signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the Assembly said, great individuals as well as nations have stories of bumpy roads in their journey to greatness, stressing that the resilient and indomitable spirit of Nigerians, and sacrifice by all, would pave the way for possibilities.

“Therefore, while the citizenry should have more patience, tolerance, endurance, patriotic and greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all.”

governor, who specialises in pitting one faith against the other and one tribe against the other to achieve selfish political gains.

Fayemi felicitates with Muslims THE Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has felicitated with Muslims on the occasion of the Eidel- Kabir, urging them to uphold the lessons of love, loyalty and sacrifice, which is the foundation of the festival.

Dr Fayemi, in a goodwill message signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said the Eid-el-Kabir festival offers the opportunity for sober reflection and spiritual renewal which Allah demands from the faithful.

While urging that the celebrations be done with moderation, the minister said the lessons of perseverance, sacrifice and loyalty, which Eid-el-Kabir teaches should remain the dominant factor in spite of the pomp and ceremony that accompany the festival.

Remain focused, Senator Buhari charges Muslims SENATOR, representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Senator AbdulFatai Buhari has urged Islamic faithful to remain focused and pray for a better Nigeria.

In his Ileya festival message to Muslims, Buhari said what Nigeria needs now is a focused Muslim community which would concentrate on praying for the needed transformation of the country.

He maintained that there is hope in sight if collective prayers are targeted at the nation, adding that countries such as Saudi Arabia prosper because of their faith in their collective prayer for the progress of the countries.

“We have got to a stage we cannot compromise fervent prayer because I believe prayer is the only way through which man can contact God and make request. Nigeria is in need of prayer now to have the change we all desire as soon as possible,” he said.

news Ondo 2016: Owo community rallies support for Akeredolu 34

Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure

T

HE people of Owo community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, moved to intercede on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, over the frosty relationship between him and the national leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu The community, comprising of monarchs, senior citizens, youths and party chieftains, pleaded with Tinubu to forgive and support Akeredolu’s aspiration towards winning the

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The people of the community, who solicited support for Akeredolu during a rally organised by the Owo Youth Alliance (OYA), said it was the turn of the town to produce the successor of the incumbent, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, as they have not produced a governor since the beginning of the political dispensation.

The people of the community, however, called for the support of other aspirants in ensuring Akeredolu’s victory in the governorship election, appealing to them to sheath their swords and support

him in order for the APC to win the election.

The people of the town, mainly youths, armed with different placards including “Owo supports Akeredolu” “Let us support Akeredolu our son” and “It is our turn to produce the governor” among others, moved round the ancient town before retiring to the palace of Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade OlateruOlagbegi.

Addressing the youths, one of the leaders of the community, Mr Adekola Adewoyin, said the community needed Tinubu’s support in winning the election urging the na-

tional leader to forget what transpired between them before the governorship primaries.

“Akeredolu has the highest regard for him and we are begging him to come, the battle has not been won. The general election is steering us at face.”

The coordinator of OYA, Chief K C Aruwajoye, also pleaded with Tinubu and other aspirants to work for the victory of the APC in the forthcoming governorship election.

“We are appealing to other aspirants who participated in the primaries to rally round Akeredolu,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of Olowo, Prince Benjamin Koya Adako, said Owo community was solidly behind the candidature of Akeredolu and would deliver the local government to him.

Adako said “Olowo is very happy for the solidarity rally. He appreciates the candidacy of one of our sons, Akeredolu. He said he is very happy that we are showing this solidarity to him. Definitely, after a primary election, the winner is supposed to bring together all the other aspirants which Akeredolu has been doing.

“I will expect the other aspirants to reciprocate by joining hands with him to ensure APC wins election.”

He, however, said moves are on to send prominent leaders of the town to Lagos to appeal for the support of Tinubu.

Salary arrears: LG employees embark on protest in Niger

Senator Buruji Kashamu distributing food and money to people, as part of his empowerment programmes, during the Eid-el Kabir celebration at his Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State residence, on Monday.

Abiara hospitalised 8 days after wife’s death Says ‘I’m hale, hearty’

By Sade Oguntola and Seyi Sokoya

THE General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara, is currently on admission at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State.

The man of God, whose wife, Christiana, died on Saturday, September 3, during a brief illness, was rushed to the teaching hospital around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and he is currently receiving treatment at the private suite of the hospital.

Though the Nigerian Tribune is yet to get details of his ailment, sources within the hospital said that he was being attended to by an urologist.

The septuagenarian, the source said, was weak on arrival at the hospital.

It was learnt that the doctors did not spend much time on him before deciding that he should be taken in on admission.

The General Evangelist had described his wife, who he got married to in 1965, as a role model and a mother to him and everyone in the family.

Meanwhile, Prophet Abiara has informed Ni-

gerians, especially the Christian folds, not to panic about his health status, saying ‘I am hale and hearty’.

Abiara, through his Personal Assistant, Pastor Johnson Oshati, told the

Nigerian Tribune on Monday morning that the cleric is fine and of sound mind.

“Prophet Abiara is fine and good. Nothing is wrong with him; he just needs bed rest,” Oshati added.

No faction in Ondo PDP —Jegede PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, has dismissed a festering rumour that the party is factionalised, saying those parading themselves as factional PDP members are empty barrels.

He spoke in Akure, the state capital, yesterday, at an interactive session with party supporters, organised

by Sunshine Continuity Network (SCN).

Jegede, who insisted that the party is one and indivisible in the state, noted that the author of a factional PDP in the state is not a PDP member, adding that all those who entered the train

cannot but be stranded.

“Let me tell you the fact, all those canvassing the factional PDP thing are empty barrels and should be ignored. This is how you will know they are unserious people: All the PDP governors are under the leadership of Makarfi; all PDP senators, House of Reps members, and the Board of Trustees are for Makarfi. So, how would they manufacture a PDP without people, without leaders? That is how you will know that they are jesters.”

He urged the people of the state to await a new dawn as he would not only build on the foundations laid by the current administration, but

also initiate fresh projects that would create jobs and make the state attractive to foreign investments.

If elected, he said, his administration would encourage private investments from which government too can generate tax to embark on capital projects.

“I know that our people are suffering under this harsh economic situation which came with the government at the centre. But by the special grace of God, the PDP government in Ondo State will continue to initiate programmes that will bring relief to our people, and that is why I have come to seek your votes,” Jegede enjoined.

Adelowo Oladipo - Minna EMPLOYEES of Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State protested last Friday over non-payment of their four months salary arrears by the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC)led administration at the council.

The protesters, who were led by their colleagues at the education department, expressed their displeasure over the delay in the collection of their salaries for an upward of four months, despite the screening exercise carried out by the state government in an attempt to unravel ghost workers in the state.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that Lapai Local Education Authority workers insisted on the payment of all its members while the council said it would only pay those verified during its screening exercise.

It was further gathered that the workers were asked to meet the Director of Personnel Management (DPR) to commence payment based on the verification carried out by the verification team, but the workers insisted on general payment which contained those that were yet to be verified.

But when contacted, the vice chairman of the council, Alhaji Salihu Gbage, stated that “the council has carried out staff screening exercise and directed payment base on the result of the screening but they refused that they will only accept general payment.”

Nigerian Tribune

Ogun adopts PPP to develop forest reserves THE Ogun State Ministry of Forestry will continue to embrace Public Private Partnership to develop its forest reserves.

Just as the ministry has renewed the concession agreement between the state government and Omo Wood Industry.

Commissioner for Forestry, Kolawole Lawal, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Lanre Bisiriyu, said this while appraising the 2016 budget of the ministry before the members of the state House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.

The House committee was led by Honourable Adeyemo Harrison.

The concession, aimed at boosting the revenue drive of the state, was signed in April 2016 and would last for 10 years.

He stated that the ministry had partnered with a private company, Lafarge Plc, to carry out landscape restoration project to reafforest the degraded forest reserves.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Harrison tasked the ministry to control illegal tree felling, produce pilfering and other counterproductive activities in various plantations in the state.

Imbibe spirit of sacrifice, Lanlehin tells Muslims

By Dare Adekanmbi IMMEDIATE past Senator for Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, has enjoined Muslim faithful to imbibe the spirit of piety, humility and sacrifice for which the Eid-el-Kabir is associated.

Lanlehin, who is a chieftain of Accord Party, made this known in his message to Muslims.

He said Muslims and non-Muslims alike should daily live sacrificially and not just during festivals.

He congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji; the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Agbotomokekere; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola, the Baales and Mogajis for witnessing another sallah celebration.

The former lawmaker asked Nigerians to use the occasion of the celebration to pray for peace and progress in the country.

He charged the political leadership to make the welfare of the people the centre of their policies.

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Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

German training: Osun youths pledge to make huge impact on nation’s agric

O

SUN State youths newly trained in agricultural production returned to Nigeria at the weekend with a promise to create a huge impact in the agriculture and general food production sector of the country.

The youths, numbering 20, arrived into the waiting hands of the officials of the state Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement at the Muritala International Air-

port, Ikeja Lagos.

The youths, who were sponsored to Germany by the state government, gave the assurance on their arrival in Osogbo, the state capital, after their two months trip abroad.

It will be recalled that the state government had previously in 2013 sponsored 20 youths to Germany on the need to acquire knowledge on modern agricultural practices.

This initiative was part of the state’s resolve to banish

hunger; enhance wealth through massive increase in food production and agriculture and as well providing assistance and support to farmers in finding and exploiting profitable agricultural practices.

However, in their separate remarks, the leader of the youth, Adebayo Waheed Adekunle, who described the initiative as timely necessity and wise intervention, said the team was ready to bring about the development needed in

agriculture.

Adekunle said every member of the team was also ready to translate the experiences they gathered in the course of the training to effect greater agricultural production.

The captain of the team, who described agriculture as the only feasible and workable alternative to crude oil, said the time has come for all and sundry to rise to the occasion and invest hugely in agriculture.

According to him, “this

trip is an eye opener to modern agricultural methods as we were trained in different aspects of agriculture vis-avis technological implications in farming.”

On their part, Bajepade Wahab and Akinbote Adenike, commended the state government for putting up such educative and knowledge-based ideology capable of taking the state to greater heights.

Earlier, the immediate past Senior Special Assistant to Governor Aregbesola on Quick Impact Intervention Programme, Mr Dele Ogundipe, described the initiative as productive, saying the impact of the project had been felt over the years.

Ogundipe who recalled how the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, led a team of state officials to Germany to discuss areas of possible agricultural partnerships with farmers in the country, attributed the current development in agricultural sector in Osun to the efforts by the state government.

The Director of Agricultural Services Department in the state Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Dauda Ajisekola, who coordinated the youth to Germany, described their conduct as noble.

“These trained youths have been well-equipped and I do hope that they will put in the desired multiplier effect this programme intended to give to the state,” he stressed.

Nigerian children risk statelessness due to legislative negligence —WACSOF Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

Fun seekers at Kanu Ndubuisi Park, Alausa, Lagos, during the Eid-el Kabir celebration, on Monday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

ALGON, Audu/Faleke group bicker over Kogi crisis Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

THE Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kogi State, on Monday, accused the Audu/ Faleke group of spreading falsehood to cause confusion in the state.

The state chairman of ALGON, Alhaji Taufiq Isa, called on the security agents to warn the spokesperson of the group, Duro Meseko, against unwarranted utterances capable of breaching the peace of the state.

“The peddling of false information by Faleke’s group has further shown the cry of wolf. Any genuine person or group that has the interest of the state at heart will applaud the governor for the proactive steps taken so far to safe the state’s resource from the hands of perpetrators of ghost workers and ghost schools.

“The governor has also recorded a giant stride in curbing the security challenges in the state where kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities were the order of the day before governor Bello took over the mantle of leadership,” the ALGON boss added.

However, while reacting to the allegations, Meseko

said the ALGON was only echoing the voice of its masters.

He said, “We would not have dignified their brazen falsehood against us with any response, but for record purposes. We make bold to say that information we have given are backed with fact. For them to say we

want to cause chaos is the height of mischief.

“We are surprised that at a time when ALGON should be bordered about the 26 months salary owed local government staff, the body is bordering itself instead, with political issues that have no bearing on the welfare of the people they are

meant to lead.

“The Audu/Faleke organisation is a responsible one that will not sit by and allow our dear state to be raped to death by people who did not participate in the victory of the APC in the state. We challenged them to an open debate on our allegations against them.”

Don’t take Nigerians for granted, Ladoja tells leaders

By Dare Adekanmbi

A former governor of Oyo State and national leader of the Accord Party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors across the country not to task the patience of Nigerians in the face of current economic hardship for granted.

Ladoja, who spoke while fielding questions from newsmen in Ibadan after the Eid-el-Kabir prayer, said Nigerians were generally good people who reposed confidence in God and showed understanding with the leadership, despite the hardship they are going through.

“We should continue praying that the type of revolution people talk about does not happen in

Nigeria. Generally, Nigerians are very good people who believe in God. In Nigeria, someone who has not eaten for a long time will tell you that God will do it. We should not task their patience,” he said.

On the change-beginswith-me slogan meant to drive an attitudinal change among the citizenry and launched by President Buhari recently, Ladoja said the change should begin with the president and his cabinet.

“The leadership is too far from the people they are leading. Nigerians don’t need more than the basic things to live. How do we explain a situation where workers have not got salaries for months and governments expect them to be coming to

work and if they fail to come, they will be threatened with sack?

“Maybe the workers, particularly those in Yorubaland, are coping because of our Yoruba-ness which makes us our brother’s keeper,” he added.

THE West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) have said that Nigerian children may be exposed to statelessness if appropriate measures were not taken to domesticate the two statelessness conventions, ratified in April 2011.

According to a statement issued by the Acting General Secretary of WACSOF, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, it noted that “statelessness in Nigeria is not always well understood and the very nature of the phenomenon makes it difficult to assess its scope and magnitude.”

The statement explained that “the United Nations (UN) describes statelessness as a situation in which an individual is not considered a national by any state under the operation of its laws.

“Such a person is said to be invisible, without an identity and deprived of his or her fundamental human rights. More than 10 million people worldwide are in this situation with more than 750,000 of them found in West Africa. With the growing rate of statelessness, if no global action is taken, it would pose a great danger to us all, as some of these stateless persons could become targets

of terrorist groups and used as mercenaries”.

Musa further said “Preliminary analysis shows that risk of statelessness include failure to register birth of children; failure to provide safeguards for children who are abandoned or persons who want to relinquish their nationality; failure to provide safeguards for children born to parents of different nationalities among others.

Speaking further on Nigeria, he said “the two statelessness conventions, ratified in April 2011, are yet to be domesticated and legislative reforms are still pending. There is a need to bring all stakeholders together to support the strengthening of legal framework, improve institutional capacity and take practical steps to reduce risks of statelessness. The role of partnership between government entities and civil society organisations must be further strengthened.

He said that in the Nigerian context, civil society actors function to reduce the gap between national approaches and local realities. They must be able to represent and convey the aspirations of these most vulnerable segments of the society.

Nigeria’s future bright despite economic recession —Sokunle Chukwuma Okparaocha Lagos

The lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, Honourable Olusola Abdulhakeem Sokunle, has said that the future of Nigeria is bright despite the current economic recession the country is battling with.

He also stressed that

Muslims across the country should use the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir to pray for the improvement of the economy.

Speaking on Monday in Oshodi, during the Eidel-Kabir celebrations, the lawmaker argued that the celebration should not be limited to funfair but to seek spiritual intervention of Almighty Allah into the current situation of the country.

Sokunle said that the na-

tion’s economy could be resuscitated if there was symbiotic relationship between the government and the citizens.

The lawmaker further stated that religious leaders should use the celebration to preach peaceful coexistence among Nigerians regardless of religion, ethnic, colour and profession, arguing that at the moment, the country needed peaceful coexistence of its citizens to move forward.

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Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Bello empowers 100, 000 youths, women

Calls for patience with Buhari YinkaOladoyinbo-Lokoja

K

OGI State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Monday, said the state government had designed policies and programmes to mitigate against the current economic hardship in the country with over 100,000 youths and women to be empowered .

The governor also charged the people of the country to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari over the current economic recession being

experienced in the country.

Addressing the crowd that accompanied him to the Lugard House shortly after the Eid-el-Kabir prayer in Lokoja, the state capital, the governor said his administration is youth-based, adding that over 100,000 youths and women would benefit from an all encompassing empowerment programme.

He said the move was to make the people gainfully

employed and also prevent some politicians from using them to cause crisis in the state.

Bello, who sued for peace and unity among the people of the state irrespective of religion and ethnicity, urged them to live together as one entity to enable the state enjoy the patronage of foreign investors.

“We are doing our best to woo foreign investors to the state and without

absolute peace and unity among the people, the state can not enjoy such opportunity,” he said.

In his sermon the Chief Imam of Lokoja, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba, who led the prayer, cautioned Muslims against bad conduct.

“It is imperative for Muslims to embrace good conduct which is the basis of the Eid-el-Kabir. “ While reminding them of death that can occur at

any time , the Islamic cleric charged them to love one another, adding that the current administration of Alhaji Bello have shown sign of improving the living standard of the people.

The Imam, who prayed for Kogi State and the country at large, urged Nigerians to be patient with their leaders, assuring that with patience and perseverance the country can be better again.

We’ll turn Zik’s residence to tourist centre —Ugwuanyi GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Monday, paid a visit to Onuiyi Haven, the Nsukka residence of Nigeria’s first president, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, promising to turn his official residence in Enugu into a tourist centre.

Governor Ugwuanyi, who was accompanied by the former Minister of Information, Chief Nnia Nwodo; Chief Maxi Ukuta; the chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Professor Rose Onah and other top government functionaries, said they were at the residence to pay respect and express the goodwill of the government and the people of the state to the former leader.

The governor commended the wife of the former leader, Professor Uche Azikiwe for upholding the legacies of her late husband, describing him as “the undisputed icon of Nigerian nationalism.”

Governor Ugwuanyi appreciated the relationship between the people of Enugu State and Dr Azikiwe, adding that “we are very proud to have been associated with such a legendary personality.

“As the Premier of Eastern Nigeria, he made many visionary and enduring contributions to the development of the state, including the establishment of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as many important government institutions.”

Responding, Professor Azikiwe commended the governor for the “surprise” visit, adding that it was the first visit by any governor of Enugu and Anambra states to Onuiyi Haven since 1999 and praised the governor for his giant strides in the state as well as prayed to God to continue to bless him.

Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (right), exchanging pleasantries with the wife of a former president, Professor (Mrs) Uche Azikiwe, during a visit to late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s residence, in Nsukka, on Monday.

We have lived a prodigal life as a nation —Aregbesola OlayinkaOlukoya-Abeokuta OSUN State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has said that the country in the past, had lived a prodigal life, hence, the current economic realities presently confronting it.

Aregbesola said this while chairing the inaugural lecture of Uhuru Times Newspapers in honour of the Superintendent of Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in Ijebu-Ife, recently.

The governor, speaking on the theme of the lecture tagged: “Unemployment as a security challenge in a young democracy”, submitted that past administrations in the country had squandered the nation’s wealth.

He faulted past governments for not investing in other areas of economic development, such as agriculture and manufacturing.

The lecture was delivered by a former member of the National Assembly, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora.

“We have all lived a prodigal life as a nation.

We depend absolutely on a commodity that most of us don’t even know where it comes from.

“The drop in the price of

oil, the mainstay of the nation’s economy, has continued to shrink the economy. This is hardly the fault of the current government.

It is, however, the cumulative fault of previous governments that have neglected agriculture and especially, the manufacturing sector.

“Beyond slumping oil prices, however, if we are serious about employment generation, we should

principally find the way to cut down drastically on our imports. Importation provides jobs for the exporting nation and makes the importing nation perpetually dependent.

“We should also increase our refining capacity to attain self-sufficiency and exporting status, so that we will have no need to export crude petroleum again.

“But we must increase our knowledge-based

through quality education.

No nation’s industrial capacity can rise beyond the quality of its education.

“If we develop the gold deposits scattered across the country, for instance, we should generate at least, five times what we derive from oil. Unemployment is a ticking bomb.

An idle hand is a devil’s instrument and a threat to property, wealth and life anywhere.”

Public health issues take centre stage on Professor Johnbull PROFESSOR Johnbull, Globacom’s television drama series, which seeks to correct social ills through the use of comedy, will this week look at the issue of public health.

In episode 9 of the programme, called “Mobile dustbin”, the dangers of filthy environment and the need for members of the public to develop the habit of proper waste disposal will be highlighted, the data grandmasters said in a statement in Lagos.

The drama runs at 8.30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes.

“Mobile dustbin is not only as hilarious as other

episodes before it, the moral lessons contained in this episode are the type needed at a time like this when the issue of deteriorating public health has become an important issue in our society”, Globacom added.

Stars that will feature in the episode are Kanayo O. Kanayo (Professor Johnbull), Queen Nwokoye (Elizabeth), Yomi Fash-Lanso (Olaniyi), Mercy Johnson Okojie, who plays the role of Caro, Funky Mallam (Mai Doya), Ogus Baba (Samson) and Junior Pope, who plays the role of Churchill. There will also be a cameo appearance by Glo ambassador and Nollywood actor, O.C. Ukeje.

Followers of the series will find out what the professor’s reaction will be when

he finds out that his son has been caught on the wrong side of the law. Will he still be the usual moral standard bearer?

Why was Olaniyi’s popular nkwobi joint sealed off in this episode? Which other locations are affected by the sanitary audit? What brings Mai Doya and Olaniyi together as friends for the first time? How will Caro handle Olaniyi’s love overtures?

These issues will be resolved in the episode, Globacom disclosed and urged viewers to keep a date with Professor Johnbull at 8.30.p.m. on Tuesday on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes.

The repeat broadcast is at the same time on Friday on the same stations.

TRCN partners NUT to sanitise teaching profession

By Tunde Ogunesan THE Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have resolved to unite to sanitise the teaching profession through proper teachers’ registration, certification and licensing.

The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), TRCN, Professor Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, who recently led the TRCN management team on a visit to the NUT Headquarters, Abuja, reiterated the need to rid the teaching profession of quacks.

According to Professor Ajiboye, the collaboration between TRCN and NUT would go a long way in repositioning the teaching profession in Nigeria.

Speaking to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Professor Ajiboye said TRCN had obtained the commitment of NUT for the two to set a standing committee towards ridding the profession of quacks.

Professor Ajiboye noted that the council was making moves to ensure that no Faculty of Education in Nigerian universities get accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) without the membership of TRCN. “Teachers are nation’s builders; we teach, others learn. Our profession should be a front burner and other professions should be made to follow,” he said.

Emir orders HIV/AIDS test for intending couples in Jigawa Adamu Amadu - Dutse EMIR of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi, has said that it is now mandatory for couples to have HIV/AIDS test before getting married in his emirate.

The emir said this on Monday, in his Eid-elKabir message to the people of his emirate and the Jigawa State.

He said that HIV/AIDS is on the increase in the emirate stressed the need to prevent it urgently.

Alhaji Sunusi, who expressed concern on the way HIV/AIDS is spreading in the emirate, especially in the rural areas indiscriminately, said it calls for caution.

The Emir commended security agents in the state for their effort at preventing kidnapping in Gwaram Local Government Area and other criminals activities.

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Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

foreig naffairs

08116954632 with seyi gesinde foreignn ewseditor@gmail.com

Former British PM, David Cameron, quits parliament

F

ROM world leader to the wilderness in just under three months, David Cameron, the former British Prime Minister has announced he will stand down as a member of parliament for his constituency of Witney immediately, triggering a by-election.

Cameron, who has worked in Parliament since 2001, stepped down as Prime minister in the aftermath of the Brexit vote in which the UK decided to leave the European Union.

CNN reported that he had previously said that he was “keen to continue” in his role as a backbench MP after stepping away from Downing Street but has since decided such a role is untenable.

“In my view, the circumstances of my

Former British PM David Cameron. PHOTO: CNN resignation as Prime Minister and the realities of modern politics make it very difficult to continue on the backbenches without the risk of becoming a diversion to the important decisions that lie ahead for my successor in Downing Street and the Government,” he said in a statement Monday.

“I fully support Theresa May and have every confidence that Britain will

Nigeria woman delivers baby on Mediterranean Sea A Nigerian woman has given birth to a boy on board a rescue ship in the Mediterranean after being plucked from an overcrowded rubber dinghy.

Medical charity MSF said because the baby was born in international waters, his nationality was still under debate, BBC reported.

A midwife on board the ship MV Aquarius described the birth as “normal... in dangerously abnormal conditions”.

Thousands of refugees and migrants risk the dangerous crossing from Libya to Europe in search of a better life.

Last year, more than 3,700 people are believed to have died attempting the journey.

MSF said that the baby’s parents, Otas and Faith Oqunbor, had named him

Newman Otas. They had been making the perilous crossing with their two other children, aged seven and five, and were rescued just 24 hours before the baby was born.

MSF communications officer Alva White reported the baby’s birth in a series of tweets on Monday from the Aquarius - a search and rescue vessel run by the group SOS Mediterranee in partnership with MSF.

Baby Newman Otas with his mother, Faith, and midwife Jonquil Nicholl. PHOTO: MSF

thrive under her strong leadership.

“I now look forward to a life outside of Westminster, but hope to continue to play a part in public service and to make a real and useful contribution to the country I love.”

Cameron, 49, became Conservative leader in 2005 and Prime minister in 2010.

He revealed that he spoke with his successor before making the decision

public.

“I spoke to Theresa May and she was very understanding about this decision,” Cameron told ITV. “I support her. I support what she’s doing. She’s got off to a cracking start.

Obviously I’m going to have my own views about different issues; people would know that. And that’s really the point.

“As a former prime minister it is very difficult, I think, to sit as a backbencher and not be an enormous diversion and distraction from what the government is doing.

“I don’t want to be that distraction. I want Witney to have an MP that can play a full role in parliamentary and political life in a way that I think I would find very difficult, if not impossible.”

Clinton cancels California trip after pneumonia diagnosis UNITED States Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has cancelled a campaign trip to California after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Mrs Clinton was taken ill on Sunday at a 9/11 memorial ceremony and was seen stumbling as she left the event early.

Her doctor said she was now re-hydrated and “recovering nicely”.

Her Republican rival Donald Trump wished her a speedy recovery and promised to release details on his own health later this week.

Mr Trump said health was now “an issue” in the election campaign, BBC said.

Mrs Clinton was due to leave for California on Monday morning for a two-day trip that included

Hillary Clinton fundraisers, a speech on the economy, and an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Her personal physician, Dr Lisa Bardack, said: “Secretary Clinton has been experiencing a cough related to allergies. On Friday, during follow-up evaluation of her prolonged cough, she was diagnosed with pneumonia. She was put on antibiotics, and advised to rest and modify her schedule.”

The candidate’s team initially said on Sunday she was “overheated”.

Trump issues pledge on medical records after Clinton’s diagnosis UNITED States Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, has pledged to release details about his health after his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, was diagnosed with pneumonia.

Mr Trump said health

had now become “an issue” in the election campaign, BBC said.

Mrs Clinton was taken ill on Sunday at a 9/11 memorial ceremony and cancelled a campaign trip to California.

Mrs Clinton had “overheated” but was

now re-hydrated and was “recovering nicely”, her doctor said.

Mr Trump wished her a speedy recovery and said he would release the results of a medical examination he took over the past week, with “very, very specific numbers.”

“Hopefully they’re going to be good. I think they’re going to be good. I feel great, “he.

So far Mr Trump has only released a note, in which his doctor declared that he would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency”.

otherNEWS

South Africa’s Zuma repays $538,000 in home improvement scandal SOUTH Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has taken out a home loan to repay state money estimated at $538,000 spent on non-security upgrades to his private residence, his office said on Monday, after a scandal over lavish improvements including a swimming pool and amphitheatre.

In a stinging rebuke that hit Zuma financially and politically, the Constitutional Court ordered him in March to return some of the $16 million spent on enhancing his residence at Nkandla in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Reuters reported that near record unemployment and a stagnant economy have exacerbated discontent with Zuma’s leadership. He survived an impeachment vote in April over the Nkandla costs with backing from the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has been in power since the end of whiteminority rule in 1994.

Mosque where Florida nightclub shooter worshiped set on fire THE Florida mosque where Omar Mateen, who committed the deadliest mass shooting in United States history, prayed was damaged on Monday in an arson attack, investigators said.

According to Reuters, Mateen was killed by law enforcement officials after fatally shooting 49 people and wounding 53 others in a gay nightclub in Orlando in June.

Local law enforcement officers received reports of flames rising from the Islamic Centre of Fort Pierce, located about 100 miles (161 km) southeast of Orlando, at

about 12:30 a.m. EDT, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Major David Thompson told reporters at a news conference. No one was injured.

The attack occurred on one of the holiest Muslim holidays.

Surveillance video showed a person approach the mosque moments before the blaze erupted, he said.

The Florida mosque. PHOTO: REUTERS

South Sudan’s Kiir, Machar profited during war —Report SOUTH Sudan’s political and military elite have made themselves rich while the country has struggled under a civil war of their making, a report says.

Commissioned by actor George Clooney, the document accuses President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar, and top generals of profiteering.

It follows the trail of money with links to the families

South Sudan president, Salva Kiir (right) and his vice, Riek Machar.

of both Mr Kiir and Mr Machar.

Those named have not yet responded to the allegations.

The BBC is seeking comment from them.

The report’s authors spent two years collecting evidence and testimony on behalf of a new investigative unit – called The Sentry – which was co-founded by the US actor.

Entitled War Crimes Shouldn’t Pay, the report has found that “top officials ultimately responsible for mass atrocities in South Sudan have at the same time managed to accumulate fortunes, despite modest government salaries.”

38

communitynews

Kaduna embarks on rehabilitation of township roads muhammad sabiu-kaduna

WORRIED by the poor state of roads in Kaduna and environs, the Kaduna State government has embarked on the rehabilitation of roads in the state.

To this end, it had awarded contracts and mobilised contractors to site.

When the Nigerian Tribune went round some of the roads, most of the contractors were seen working on site.

The site engineer, who did not want his name in print, revealed that they are expected to reconstruct over 100 roads within Kaduna metropolis and environs , in what he said was aimed at giving the state capital a facelift.

The engineer also said this is the first phase of the work, adding that government had promised to continue the work until all the roads in the town are devoid of potholes.

The roads being rehabilitated are Arochukwu, Zaria, Bonny Adamawa, Gumel and Cameroun roads, among others.

Oyo to refurbish 5 PHC in each council area by adewale oshodi

OYO State Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, has disclosed that at least five Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) will be refurbished and equipped in each of the 33 local government areas of the state to meet the health needs of the people.

The commissioner made the disclosure in Ibadan, while receiving the advocacy team of Communities, Civil Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG) of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), an arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the state Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Lanre Abass, said, “we are proposing to improve three primary health facilities in each local government area with the support of the State Health Insurance Scheme, while the other two will be refurbished through other programmes.”

Dr Adeduntan, who disclosed that the chunk of the recent N420million Federal Government support for refurbishment of the health facilities will go into the health insurance scheme, said the remaining part of the fund would go into other programmes.

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016

Agency takes literacy campaign to markets in Oyo by kehinde adio

RECENTLY, Oyo State Agency For Non- Formal Education alongside some allied agencies at the state and federal level visited some markets in the state to emphasise the importance of literacy.

The literacy campaign and sensitisation in Bodija, Oje and Oja’ba markets in Ibadan and others across the state was part of activities marking this year’s International Literacy Day in the state in line with the mandate of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the National Commission for Mass Literacy.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the agency in the state, Mrs. Mopelola Bolarinwa, who led the team, reiterated government’s commitment to make everyone in all the 33 local government areas of the state literate, irrespective of tribe and background.

According to her, the state government has provided literacy training centres with instructional materials and teachers in all the local gov-

ernment areas in the state.

She said the centres were within accessible range.

While addressing the market men/women, she said:

“Literacy is a vaccine for poverty which you must not hold with levity. When you know how to read and write with knowledge of simple arith-

metic and business skill, it will go a long way in boosting your business and participation in governance.”

In their responses, many

Staff of Oyo State Agency for Non-Formal Education and allied agencies, during one of the programmes marking the International Literacy Day in Ibadan. PHOTO: KEHINDE ADIO

NDDC rehabilitates roads in Asaba alphonsus agborh-asaba

A

S flooding becomes a menace in most urban centres in Delta State, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has intervened through the rehabilitation of roads in Asaba and environs.

The rehabilitation work, currently covering Delta Development and Property Authority (DDPA) Estate, also involves the reconstruction of damaged drains.

According to the Project Manager of the contracting firm, A&J Construction, Mr. Mlsar Uwejeyan, the rehabilitation of roads and drainages would also be carried out in Infant Jesus, Ezene Submit and other areas in Asaba.

Uwejeyan explained that the rehabilitation was part of efforts by the NDDC to

complement that of the Delta State government in giving the roads a facelift.

He appealed to residents of affected areas to show understanding whenever there’s restriction of vehicular movement, saying it is meant to ensure a hitchfree job.

A visit to the entrance of the DDPA estate op-

posite the Nigeria Police headquarters in the town showed that a major drainage work was ongoing, while over 10 access roads have been given asphalt.

Residents of the estate and other parts of Asaba, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune, thanked the NDDC and President Muhammadu Buhari for

the gestue.

While noting that the neglect of the roads in the estate for years had impacted negatively on the estate, Barrister Emmanuel Pippa, a resident, said with the road rehabilitation, the community had once again regained its lost glory.

“It is commendable and with what is happening, the estate is now more

WIFE of Oyo State governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, was in Oluyole Local Government Area last week, to distribute food stuffs to the people of the council, as a way of impacting positively on their lives.

The programme tagged: “Ajumose Food Bank,” held at Oluyole Local Government headquarters in Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan, had beneficiaries, mostly wom-

habitable,” he said, urging both state and federal governments to embark on more infrastructure development to pave the way for meaningful development in Asaba.

Others who spoke on grounds of anonymity commended the interventionist agency for remembering them when they least expected.

Patent medicine dealers treat malaria free in Kwara biola azeez-ilorin

MEMBERS of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) in Kwara State rcently embarked on free rapid diagnostic test and treatment of malaria for residents of Ilorin.

Speaking with journalists at the event which also marks the 54th anniversary of the association, the president of the association, Alhaji Wahab Ajibola, said

over 150 people, who tested positive to malaria parasite, received free drugs.

Ajibola said malaria test of N200 and malaria drug of about N500 were given free to everyone who had malaria.

He also said the provision of first aid by his members had helped to save lives in many rural areas of the country, where there are no health facilities or pharmacies.

“This means we bridge the gap left by other health

providers. Our members should be commended for saving lives, particularly in rural areas where there are no healthcare facilities. Most rural dwellers who cannot afford medical bills find our members as an alternative”, he said.

The NAPPMED boss, who spoke on the theme of the 2016 anniversary conference: “role of NAPPMED in Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria”, appealed to government to assist members of

Oyo gov’s wife distributes food stuffs to women in Oluyole by remi anifowose

of the market men/women from different communities expressed their readiness to embrace the programme.

en, smiling home with bags containing rice, garri, salt, spaghetti, among other items.

While distributing the 500 parcels of food to beneficiaries, Mrs Ajimobi said the programme, which was always organised every three months, would cover all the local government areas in Oyo State.

She commended the efforts of the Caretaker Chairman of Oluyole Local

Government Area, Alhaji Kareem Orelope, his wife, Tawakalitu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and the people of the local government for making the programme a success.

Mrs Ajimobi, who expressed her love for the underprivileged, charged the people of the local government, including beneficiaries, party and community leaders, management

and staff of the local government on the need to render selfless service to humanity.

Earlier in her address, the wife of the local government caretaker chairman lauded the efforts of the governor’s wife in alleviating the sufferings of the people of the state, especially in Oluyole Local Government Area ,through the “Ajumose Food Bank” initiative.

the association in rural areas with loans in order to boost their trade, saying that they are pioneers in the provision of healthcare services in Nigeria.

“Our members are the first point of call in any community. We carry out first aid treatment. We also treat uncomplicated cases like malaria, diarrhoea, minor home accidents, wounds, offer family planning services and refer complicated cases to health centres.

“Our members have been trained and retrained on procurement, storage and handling of drugs, as well as treatment of uncomplicated cases. Since the association was registered in 1962, our members have contributed to the healthcare delivery system in the country”, he said.

The president of NAPPMED also called on the Federal Government to create a board for the association which will be under the ministry of Health and move it away from the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN).

39

Tuesday, 13 September, 2016 Editor: Wale Emosu tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08111813054, 08055444383

Rohr rejects Abuja house

Idrissa Rohr

Ex-B/Faso international, Derme dies during French Cup tie

S

UPER Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has rejected a threebedroom apartment provided for him in Abuja by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), saying it is “too big”.

The 63-year-old tactician, who is married to an African, has inspected the three-bedroom property in Jabi, but has now told officials he could do with a much smaller apartment.

An official accommodation is part of the benefits captured in the two-year contract the Franco-German has signed to qualify Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup. Already, the NFF has moved to also provide an official car for the former Gabon and Burkina Faso coach.

The official car first purchased to be used by Sunday Oliseh is now being fixed after it was used by Rio 2016 Olympic team handler Samson Siasia beyond his time in temporary charge of the Eagles for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifiers against Egypt in March.

Rohr is on a staggering $47,000 a month and this salary is being bankrolled by a mystery sponsor.

Today’s Champions League fixtures Basel PSG

Benfica Dynamo Kyiv Barcelona Man City Bayern Munich PSV Eindhoven

vs vs vs vs vs vs vs vs

Ludogorets Razgrad Arsenal Besiktas Napoli Celtic B/Moenchengladbach FC Rostov Atletico Madrid

Man U announces £515m record revenue MANCHESTER United has become the first British club to announce revenues over half a billion pounds.

The Red Devils posted earnings of £515.3m in the 2015-16 financial year.

Despite the club’s struggles on the field since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, their financial accounts have not been heavily affected.

United’s income via commercial channels has increased by 36.3 per cent, having brought in £268.3m, while matchday revenue is up to £106.6m from last year’s of £90m.

The Old Trafford outfit, which won the FA Cup last term, also posted an operating profit of £68.9m, with their revenue up 30 per cent year-on-year, while their debt rose two per cent to £261m.

And, according to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, the Premier League giants are on track

to improve their revenue again next year, despite failing to qualify for the lucrative Champions League.

“Our record fiscal 2016 financial performance reflects the continued un-

derlying strength of the business and the club is on target to achieve record revenues in 2017, even without a contribution from the Champions League,” he said.

Kanu loses mum NIGERIA football legend, Nwankwo Kanu and the entire Kanu family have been thrown into mourning following the death of their matriarch last Thursday.

An emotional Kanu, a former Super Eagles captain spoke with papilonews.com and eulogised his mum, whom he described as a great pillar of strength to the entire family.

“The loss of Mama is hard to bear. She is a rock that stood by me and all my siblings. She showed us equal love and affection, and always prayed for each and every one of us.

“Her support and prayers for me right from the beginning of my playing career till the end were invaluable.

Her guidance also went a very long way into moulding me into the man I am today. She taught me to love, and to give. I will miss her, but God knows best,” he said.

Mama Kanu had the rare privilege of raising three sons, who played professional football. Aside the Olympic gold medal winning legend Nwankwo, her eldest son, Godwin played for Bendel United and her last son, Ogbonna played for Ajax Amsterdam, among other clubs.

FORMER Burkina Faso international, Ben Idrissa Derme has died during a French Cup tie for amateur side, AJ Biguglia.

The 34-year-old player suffered a heart attack early in the second half of the third-round tie while playing for the French sixth-division side.

The medical services treated him on the pitch but were unable to revive him.

Derme had been capped four times by Burkina Faso and had played in the French lower leagues and in Moldova, as well as in Burkina Faso.

Champions League:

Koscielny fit to face PSG

ARSENAL centre-back, Laurent Koscielny has been deemed fit to feature against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

The Gunners face PSG in Paris tonight, with the clash kicking off at 7:45pm.

The Frenchman left the pitch with a badly swollen eye after clashing with Jose Fonte in the Gunners’ victory over Southampton - a match in which the defender scored an incredible overhead kick.

“He’s a concern,” Arsene Wenger said after the match, “The eye is already very swollen and closed up.”

The defender has recovered, however, meaning the short-staffed Premier League side will not have to count on youngster, Rob Holding to deputise in the absence of

Koscielny Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista.

Aaron Ramsey, who trained separately from the rest of the squad on Monday, did not travel with the squad due to slight concerns over a minor hamstring problem. He is likely to feature against Hull City on Saturday.

Meanwhile, PSG attacker, Lucas has confessed that the squad might have been more focused on their domestic chores, but has stressed how big a match the fixture against the Gunners is.

“The Champions League is coming and it starts with a tough match,” the Brazilian told Goal. “We’ll play a very strong Arsenal team. We’re looking forward to it. Even against Saint-Etienne it was hard not to think of this match.”

SIDELINES

NO 16,588

TUESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER, 2016

Obi Ebong, a 46-year-old truck driver has explained that he went into robbery to be able to raise money for the burial of his sister.

If Ebong could claim to go to that extent for a dead person, one only wonders what he would do if he was to raise money for the benefit of the living.

N150

Lauritta Onye celebrates her new world record in Rio, Brazil, on Monday.

Rio Paralympics:

Someone in the sports ministry tried to crush our Olympics dream —Mikel Saliu Gbadamosi - Abuja AFTER leading Nigeria’s men’s football team to a bronze finish at the last Olympic Games in Rio, Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has revealed that the feat was achieved purely because the players decided to play for themselves and the country, as someone in the Sports Ministry did try to crush their Olympics dream.

The Samson Siasia-tutored team which braced several odds, arrived in Brazil just some hours to its opener against Japan due to poor flight arrangements, went as far as the semi-finals of the Games and eventually claimed the bronze medal at the expense of Honduras.

Mikel told Goal.com ahead of last weekend’s Premiership clash between Swansea City and his club, Chelsea, which ended 2-2, that there were frustration, pain and anger in the team, which he however, said never deterred the play-

ers.

“I came to the camp. I sat down with the boys in Atlanta and I could see the frustration, the pain and the anger.

Their aim was to play in the Olympics, their goal was to play in the Olympics.

“And for me being there and seeing what they are going through, they are young boys, they want to start their career and someone in the ministry is trying to crush that dream,” the Chelsea star told Goal.

According to Mikel, the Olympics team’s problems began in Atlanta, United States of America, where the Nigerian team had its preOlympics training, adding that the initial plan of leaving at least three days before the commencement of the Rio Games was frustrated by a shoddy flight arrangement.

“There was just no flight provided by the Nigerian ministry. We planned to leave three or four days before the tournament, but we ended up leaving the day of

our first game. It was a difficult one. I don’t think I have ever seen something like that before — it was crazy,” he stated. “[After our last-minute flight] we got to the hotel, dropped our bags, grabbed some sandwiches, something to eat, a little bit of food, then headed straight back to the stadium because we hadn’t even done our accreditations then, so we had to go there and wait in the line, do our accreditation.

“It was absolutely hectic.

I don’t know how we managed to go onto the pitch and win that game — it was absolutely mind blowing,” Mikel said.

He revealed his motivational roles before and during the Games in the face of the off the pitch challenges the team encountered, informing that he told his colleagues to put the frustrations behind them and go ahead to achieve what they came to the Olympic Games to achieve.

Ex-Nollywood actress Onye , Omolayo create new world records

•Nigeria leads Africa with 6 gold

By Ganiyu Salman

T

EAM Nigeria on Monday increased its medal haul with three more gold medals at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil, through Ndidi Nwosu, Lauritta Onye and Bose Omolayo.

Nwosu won Nigeria’s fourth gold in the women’s -73kg powerlifting as she lifted 140 kg and won through her body weight as Souhad Ghazouani of France also lifted 140kg.

Egyptian Amany Ali claimed the bronze with a lift of 127 kg.

Onye, a former popular Nollywood actress known as ‘Laury White’, accounted for Nigeria’s second gold medal on Monday, the fifth in total.

The Imo State-born fairskinned athlete clinched the gold in the women’s shot put F40 event with a final throw

of 8.40m and also set the new world record.

The 2011 All Africa Games silver medallist broke the world record with her first throw of 7.83m to erase the old record, 7.72m she set at the 2015 IPC World Athletics Championships in Doha.

The Nigerian Amazon’s second throw hit the 7.54m mark, while her third attempt went one centimeter further. She eventually clinched gold with 8.40m on her fourth attempt.

Fellow African, Abdelli Rima of Tunisia finished second behind Onye with a final throw of 7.37metres, while Baars Lara of the Netherlands settled for the bronze medal with a throw of 7.12metres.

The gold won by Onye is Nigeria’s first gold in athletics at the ongoing Rio Paralympics.

Bose Omolayo also on

Monday clinched Nigeria’s sixth gold medal at the Games as she lifted 138kg in the women’s -79Kg powerlifting event to set a new world record.

China’s Lili Hu won the silver with a lift of 135kg while Taipei’s Tzu-Hui Lin claimed the bronze with a lift of 131kg.

Nigeria’s three gold medallists before Monday’s events are Roland Ezuruike, Paul Kehinde and Lucy Ejike.

Meanwhile, as of the time of this report, Nigeria was ninth on the medal’s table with six gold, two silver and one bronze to emerge Africa’s best.

Tunisia was next with four gold, four silver and two bronze medals to place 11th on the table, while South Africa followed with three gold, two silver and two bronze medals to occupy the 16th position on the table.

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