14th August, 2016

NO 2,059

SUNDAY, 14 AUGUST, 2016

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria must restructure now to survive —Anyaoku •Outlines 3 national action plans •Urges youths to join in national development

N200

pg5

Curse of the Black Gold & 4 s pg

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•How oil wealth made Nigeria poor

What I did to woman

who poured palm oil on me —Vivian Anani

NEMA warns Ibadan pg43 residents over flooding PDP: Northern leaders insist on P/Harcourt convention pg5

Magu places EFCC operatives under surveillance

•Over allegations of corruption

pg4

Ekiti gunmen Corruption: Jibrin raises fresh attack PDP spokesperson allegations against Dogarapg4 pg42

•APC members sent killers after me —Adebayo •We know nothing about your ordeal —APC

•Speaker denies, says allegations false, baseless

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news

Curse of the Black Gold

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GAINST the backdrop of growing economic h a r d s h i p occasioned by falling crude oil prices and vandalism of oil installations in the Niger Delta, experts have declared that the black gold has become a curse to Nigeria rather than a blessing.

According to Professors Adeola Adenikinju, Director, Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law, University of Ibadan and Pat Utomi, a renowned scholar and economics expert, failure of the nation to refinance the economic trappings of oil and develop other sectors of the economy, especially agriculture, has turned it into a curse.

Speaking on what has come to be known as the curse of oil, Professor Adenikinju said although crude oil ought to be a blessing, it became a curse to the country because of its failure to do what is right with it.

According to him, “Oil provided the resources that financed the Second, Third and Fourth National Development Plans. Under these plans, the number of tertiary institutions rose, roads and bridges constructed across the

country increased. Nigeria’s infrastructure such as power plants, refineries, Iron and steel company

14 August, 2016

•How oil wealth made Nigeria poor

were built. Modern cities emerged and so on and so forth. “However, oil came with its own disease – the

developmental challenge to our development. We failed to do the needful, prevent the disease and therefore

suffered the consequences of our ignorance or preferably our indifference and carelessness.”

Expatiating on this, Adenikinju said “oil has its rules that must not be violated in order to derive maximum benefit from it.”

The rules, according to him, include building strong institutions to contain the excesses of oil and its operators, protecting the real exchange rate, so that it does not penalise non-booming tradable sectors (like agriculture and manufacturing), using the earnings from oil to develop infrastructure and create savings for the future, integrating the oil sector with the rest of the economy by ensuring that petroleum is processed locally and vertically diversified as well as developing the oil sector as an enabler of development by emphasizing its contributions to value addition, rather than a mere revenue earner.

More report on page 9

Alleged corruption: Magu places EFCC operatives under surveillance Saliu Gbadamosi -Abuja IN a bid to ensure transparency and drive home the commission’s stance against corruption,

the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has ordered strict surveillance on the activities of

•Allegation fictional, scandalous untruth—Speaker In a fresh allegation, immediate past chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, AbdumuminJibrin, has accused Speaker YakubuDogara of directing the movement of “massive amount of money” from the accounts of the House.

Jibrin, who made the allegation in his Twitter handle on Saturday, called on security operatives to arrest the Speaker “before he steals everything.”

The Kano State-born lawmaker also alleged that Dogara was entangled in a multi-billion car contract scandal through “his fronts as chair of House Services,” calling on the speaker to explain his role.

But Dogara, responding in a series of Tweets, dismissed the allegation as “fictional and scandalous untruth,” because “no Kobo belonging to Nigerians has been misappropriated, stolen or lost.”

The two lawmakers had been locked in battle over

Dutch disease. This disease could have been prevented or kept at the level where it could not pose serious

From left, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Mr Edward Dickson; the Consultant, ANN Plc, Pastor (Dr) Segun Olatunji and the Guest Speaker, Mr JIde Adetumbi, discussing at the 2016 Tribune National Conference, held at Mauve 21 event centre, Ring Road, Ibadan, on Saturday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU.

Dogara moving money from House account, Jibrin alleges by dare adekanmbi

Sunday Tribune

alleged padding of the budget, just as efforts by the leadership of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevent them from publicly commenting on the saga had failed.

Jibrin, who was responding to Dogara’s Tweets on the budget loading saga, dropped a new bombshell in which he also described the Speaker’s apologetic tone as a consequence of the heat turned on him.

“May be it is easier for Dogara to explain his role in the fraudulent multi- billion naira cars contract by his fronts as Chair of House services “The same speaker who, few days ago, said padding is not an offence and he cannot be investigated. I guess it is the heat. It will only get worse.

“So that external and internal investigation and various reforms by the new Speaker can commence to restore the battered image of the House.

“His apology will make better sense if Speaker Dogara and the three

others take further step to reconvene the House immediately and step aside,” Jibrin said.

The speaker, while commenting, reiterated that there was no “act of corruption” by him during or after the consideration of the budget estimates by the House.

While calling for patience on the saga, he said “the truth which will vindicate the innocent will unfold soon.”

“I swore an oath of allegiance to the constitution and would defend this with all of my heart.As an officer in the Temple of Justice, I owe unalloyed allegiance to the Judiciary and to all institutions of law enforcement.

“I am not above the law, and I would never imply that I cannot be investigated by security agencies or tried by our courts.I did not say or mean that I am above the law or that I am shielded by the law, or that I have immunity for any infractions on the law,” he said.

operatives of the anticorruption commission.

Magu’s order followed several complaints received from members of the public, over the manner in which the operatives handle some cases, while some of them exhibit corrupt tendencies while handling cases.

In view of these complaints, according to a very reliable source in the commission, Magu has ordered general reviews of cases decided upon during the tenure of the immediate past chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Lamorde.

In this regard, a team of reviewers, headed by a serving police officer, not attached to the commission, had been set up “The acting chairman is not pleased with complaints from members of the public on the way operatives are handling some cases EFCC is investigating.

“This explains why Magu ordered a review of some cases investigated under the immediate past chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, with a view to ensuring that justice is done to people who felt they were badly treated by the commission,” the reliable source told the Sunday Tribune.

The source added that Magu had warned that operatives found wanting in the course of discharging their duties would not only be sent packing from the antigraft commission but also made to face the wrath of the law of the land.

The Sunday Tribune

learnt that two operatives who were indicted by the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, who was investigated by EFCC following petition by PenCom staff that she was paying herself N600,000 monthly as salary, have been dismissed by the commission.

The operatives, it was learnt, were allegedly on the payroll of the PenCom DirectorGeneral in order to give her a soft landing in case of any eventualities but they failed to alert her before the bubble burst.

Anohu-Amazu, it was gathered, explained the role played by the operatives and were said to have been investigated and found wanting, which led to their dismissal from the commission.

It was further gathered that the commission is currently investigating a fraud case involving some operatives in order to know those involved in the case of a seized house, which was not listed as an exhibit in the record of the commission.

According to the Sunday Tribune source, the house of a staff member of Police Pension Service (name withheld) located at Gwarimpa in the Federation Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The source informed that the police pension staffer was roped into the recent N24billion pension scam at the police service for his refusal to cooperate in a dubious way with operatives

investigating the case.

“This particular person, according to investigation, had acquired all his property before joining the service of the police pension because he was involved in agriculture and other businesses.

But because he refused to cooperate in a dubious way with operatives investigating the case he was roped into the case.

“His problem started on investigators’ discovery that he sold a car at N8.5million to his boss.

But because he had refused to ‘cooperate’ with operatives, he was alleged to have been involved in the police pension scam,” the source informed.

It was further revealed that the Gwarimpa house seized from the man was rented out but proceeds from the rent were going into private pockets for the past two years.

“The occupant of that house is supposed to be EFCC’s tenant but there is no record to show for this at the commission,” the source stated, adding that there was no record at the anticorruption commission to show that the house is under seizure,” our source stated adding that the investigation on this particular case was to discover the operatives involved in it so as to sanction them.

When contacted, EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, however, told Sunday Tribune that he did not know anything about the review of cases under Lamorde.

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14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

PDP northern caucus insists on Port Harcourt convention Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

people are talking. We are going to Port Harcourt.

This party needs to be solid so that we have national of-

ficers that will direct the affairs of the party.”

Also speaking, Mantu explained why there had been

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MERGING from its meeting in Abuja, on Saturday, the Northern Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed northern delegates to converge on Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for the national convention of the party slated for Wednesday.

This followed an attempt by claimant to office of the national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to secure the cancellation of the convention, as part of his demands for ending the lingering leadership crisis in the party.

The meeting, presided over

by Profesor Jerry Gana and which also had in attendance Senator Ibrahim Mantu and Ambassador Aminu Wali, resolved that the convention must hold, especially given the assurance on the positive security situation in Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Gana said the party members could not be intimidated by what was being said about the convention as they were ready to participate in full.

He said it was not possible to cancel the exercise as demanded by Sheriff, as that would undermine the power of the party’s national convention as the supreme organ of the party.

Gana added: “The national convention of the PDP scheduled for the 17th of August will hold. I encourage all our delegates from the northern part of Nigeria to be in Port Harcourt. In fact, our next meeting will be in Port before the convention begins.

“We want to assure you that by the grace of God, adequate arrangement will be made for security. You will travel safely, arrive safely; you will do the convention safely and you will return safely.

“We are never intimidated by the kind of things

From left, father of the bride, Mr Augustine Ojezele; groom’s mother, Mrs Korede Adenaike; newly-weds, Babtunde and Rebecca; former Editorin-Chief, Nigerian Tribune and father of the groom, Mr Felix Adenaike and mother of the bride, Mrs Mary Ojezele, at the couple’s wedding in Lagos State, on Saturday.

Nigeria must restructure now —Anyaoku

By Segun Adebayo FORMER Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has declared that Nigeria cannot attain political stability and economic development unless it restructures its existing governance architecture.

He said for the country to move away from “do-ordie” politics and unlock its socio-economic development potential, it needed to devolve more powers to all the six recognised geopolitical zones.

The elder stateman spoke at the United Nations International Youth Day on Friday, with the theme:“The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Production and Consumption.”

Anyaoku stressed that the 2014 national conference was not the answer to the restructuring that Nigeria needed, adding that while state policing and fiscal arrangements recommended at the conference were a

step in the right direction, the proposal for additional 54 states negated the idea of a vibrant federalism for the country.

“The restructuring that I am advocating should pose no threat to Nigeria’s unity. On the contrary, it is the continuation of the ongoing agitations in different parts of the country which are encouraged by the present governance structure that will most probably lead to the undoing of the country’s unity,” he said.

He acknowledged the

importance of the Nigerian youth in national development, highlithing three areas of essential national action that would contribute to reducing the level of poverty in the country.

According to him, “Youths must seek to play active roles in politics, which include governance, social change and societal values and ethics.

“They should also be involved in economic activities, especially entrepreneurship.”

He tasked young people to mobilise themselves and

THE Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has faulted the exoneration of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Presidency over the continued detention of its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem elZakzaky.

Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, had distanced Buhari from the ordeal of the Shiite leader in the aftermath of the clash

between soldiers and the sect in Zaria, Kaduna State, last December.

But the sect contended that passing the buck of its leader’s detention to the Kaduna State government could not absolve the Buhari administration of alleged human rights abuse against el-Zakzaky.

A statement by the secretary of the sect’s media office, Mallam Abdurrahman Giwa in Kaduna, on Satur-

channel their youthful enthusiasm into clamouring for a restructuring of the country’s governance in order to realise a truer federalism that would give the country greater political stability and faster socioeconomic development.

He called for a social change among the people which, according to him, will stamp out corruption that pervades all levels of the society.

“Corruption pervades all levels of the society starting from examination malpractice in schools

and educational institutions through bribery and seeking of gratification before performance of one’s obligatory duties,” he said.

He decried the outright embezzlement and stealing of public and private funds.

“Corruption pervades because the Nigerian society now worships wealth and has put its possession over and above the possession of good character.

Hard-work is no longer recognised as the only path to success in every human endeavour,” he said.

Airforce moves against kidnapping, commences aerial surveillance of Abuja, Kaduna Christian Okeke - Abuja NIGERIAN Airforce, on Saturday, said it had begun an aerial patrol of Abuja and Kaduna State as part of measures to combat kidnapping and other crimes in the area.

Air Vice Marshal Nuruddeen Balogun, who spoke during the commencement

of the patrol, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had directed that the combined operations be carried out in the area in view of the security issues bedeviling the North-East, North-West and the federal capital.

He disclosed that three light utility helicopters capable of kinetic action had

Shiite sect faults exoneration of Buhari over El-ZakZaky’s detention Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

apprehension concerning the conduct of the convention, saying that it was to give room to complete the ongoing reconciliation efforts.

He revealed that there was also skepticism because most committees were not allowed to do their work during the May 21, 2016 national convention in Port Harcourt.

Mantu, who noted that the concerns had been addressed, stated that it was now clear that the convention has to go on as scheduled.

According to him, “I will say without due apology that I have been in the forefront of those who are skeptical about the possibility of holding the convention on the 17th in Port Harcourt because the ongoing reconciliation.”

day, condemned the report of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry upon which the president’s exoneration was based, describing it as full of “contradictions and discrepancies.”

“The chairman of the Free Zakzaky Campaign explained that when President Buhari spoke on the Zaria massacre, the president gave his reason for attacking the IMN, claiming that the sect was running a government within govern-

ment.

“Does this not tally with common sense that the presient is fully involved in the Zaria massacre of innocent unarmed civilians?

“It was clear that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry stayed away from pointing fingers at the Presidency when it became clear to them that the massacre was allegedly ordered directly by the Commander-in-Chief,” the statement said.

been deployed for the operation and said the force would “coordinate the activities of the ground force with what we see airborne and make sure we bring effective fire and action to bear on whosoever it is that has intention of breaching the security.”

According to him, the area of operations covers the Federal Capital Territory, the Abuja-Kaduna highway, Birnin Gwari-Kaduna highway, the Falgore forest area, Minna general area and the Kano-Kaduna highway.

He said, “We are looking at kidnappers. We are looking at armed robbers. We are looking at cattle rustlers mainly.

“It has been on for as long as the directive has been given. There is no time frame.

We will continue to do it until it subsides completely.

“I am sure Nigerian understand the situation we find ourselves now. Anybody

who is innocent has nothing to fear, only people with criminal intent should be worried. There is no problem. It is a normal routine activity, we will make sure we identify and confirm before any action is taken.

“It is a combination of operations, Operations Yaki, Operations Sharan Daji, the joint operations is taking place in Abuja,” he said.

Speaking, the Chief of Army Staff, Leiutenant-General Tukur Buratai, said “we want to assure Nigerian, by this exercise, that even at the highest level, we are capable, and willing to face the challenges in the Nigerian state.

“If we can do this at this level, then you can imagine what our officer and air men are doing in the battle front.

“The challenges in the North-East has been substantially addressed, so we are not to worried now with the North-East?.

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14 August, 2016

crimereports

Sunday Tribune

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

‘I had sex with her only 4 times, I don’t think I’m the owner of her pregnancy’ Says dad who had sex romps with daughter

By Oluwatoyin Malik

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ANY who heard the story of 43-yearold Gafar Hamza, who had allegedly been having sex with his 20-year-old daughter, Barakat (not real name), wondered what could make a man to choose his own blood for sexual pleasure. But the reality is that not only had he been allegedly sleeping with the young lady, she is currently carrying about fourmonth-old pregnancy for her father.

Crime Reports learnt that Hamza, a night guard, was arrested by the Oyo State Police Command in June when a neighbour (names withheld) revealed his deeds to the police after he and his wife discovered that Barakat was pregnant and she claimed that her father was allegedly the owner. It was learnt that the father of two separated from his wife about 15 years ago when his second child, a male, was barely a year old.

Crime Reports learnt that Hamza’s children went to live with their paternal grandparents in Offa, Kwara State, years after their parents got separated. But Hamza’s neighbour reportedly went to Offa to plead with his mother to release the children to their father so that he could have someone to take care of house chores for him.

According to a source, who craved anonymity, the children’s grandmother was reluctant in releasing them, owing to what she perceived as irresponsibility on her son’s part, but agreed to the request after five days and assurance by the neighbour that the children would be staying with his family.

This arrangement was said to have held for a short period before the suspect complained that his neighbour’s wife was overpampering his children in a way that would not help them in being skilled in

Gafar Hamza performing house chores.

This led to the girl going to her father’s house every morning to help him out, but in the process, he started having sex with her. It was the frequent sex that eventually led to the girl being pregnant, Crime Reports was told.

It was further gathered that the suspect’s 16-yearold son allegedly caught his father in sex act with his sister twice and, angry at what he perceived as intrusion, the man became hostile to the teenager.

The hostility was so much and obvious that the neighbour was said to have noticed it. When he asked the boy what went wrong between him and his fa-

ther, he opened up on what he saw his father doing to his sister.

The revelation reportedly made the neighbour’s wife to observe Barakat, only to notice that she had the symptoms of a pregnant lady. The pregnancy was later confirmed.

During interrogation at the police station, a police source told Crime Reports that the lady disclosed that her father was doing ‘it’ with her before she left with her brother for their grandparents’ place in Offa, and had continued on her return.

She further revealed that her father always demanded to know when she was menstruating and strictly

warned her against having a boyfriend.

As of July, the pregnancy was three months old, according to medical tests carried out.

In an interview with Hamza who lives at Aroro Makinde in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, though an indigene of Offa, Kwara State, he admitted sleeping with his daughter but said he was not sure Barakat did not have a boyfriend who was doing the same thing he was doing to her.

“It is true that I slept with my daughter, but I started with her when she returned to my house in February this year. I think it was diabolic attack from

my enemies who do not want my progress in film making that made me do the abominable. I believe it was the devil at work.

“The mother of the children left me about 15 years ago and had remarried. I did not stop her from taking her children with her.

I also went into several relationships which failed because the women always left me after taking money from me,” he said.

The suspect confessed to have had sex with his daughter four times, saying that he did not know when he penetrated her as he came to himself after the action.

“She came in to greet me one morning and the next thing was that I saw her getting up beside me,” he further said.

But the man said he was not sure that he is the owner of his daughter’s pregnancy, though he confessed to have ejaculated into her during sex sessions. The reason he gave for his doubt was that he believed that she would have a boyfriend.

When Crime Reports pointed it out to him that he was alleged to have warned his daughter against having a relationship with the opposite sex, and that he also monitored her menstrual cycle, Hamza said he became aware of her monthly cycle when the girl returned to her and was having her periods twice in a month.

“Some women noticed that she was getting lean and she told me what she was going through so I took care of her with herbs and her cycle became normal again. After that, she would tell me ‘Daddy, I am menstruating.’ I didn’t tell her not to have boyfriends; I only asked her to be careful in choosing a lover.”

He said he got to know of her pregnant state through his neighbour. When asked whether he would prefer his daughter’s pregnancy to be aborted or left to be delivered, he said “anyone who aborts is a murderer.

She should deliver the pregnancy so that people would know that I am not likely to be the father of the baby.

And if I happen to be the father, proper punishment should be meted out to me.”

When further probed to know if he saw any other man with his daughter, the suspect simply responded: “One cannot monitor a woman strictly.” He denied being the one who deflowered his daughter, but confessed that his son caught him in sexual act with his daughter twice.

“The first time, I was on top of her and the door was not locked. My son came in and saw us. He greeted me and asked for money for his breakfast. My daughter and I were naked. I had already withdrawn from my daughter when he caught us the second time,” he stated.

He denied developing hatred for the boy afterwards, saying he only disciplined him because he was not good academically.

He said his 16-year-old son is still in primary 4, adding that his inability to adequately cater for his children was a result of the death of his two sisters who were helping him in that aspect.

He described his daughter as a dull girl whom he started training after she returned to him. He also confessed to being on drugs, saying “I have been taking marijuana and alcohol for about 15 years. I was taking hemp to keep awake because of my job and the alcoholic drink to keep pneumonia away because of exposure to cold weather in the night.”

Crime Reports learnt that the case which was initially reported at Ojoo police station was transferred to the State Criminal investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for further investigation.

On enquiry, it was gathered that the suspect was charged in Court 1 in July and was remanded in police custody by the magistrate. The case has been adjourned till August 29.

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crimereports

14 August, 2016

Oyo command nabs ex-prison inmates who continued criminal activities

By Oluwatoyin Malik

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OME suspected members of robbery/receiver syndicate who had once been arrested and remanded in prison over snatching and stealing of vehicles are in the net of Oyo State Police Command again after they were arrested over similar crime.

The suspects arrested include Ifeoluwa Ayanlere (23), Abdulwahab Kareem (35), Yinusa Isa (38), Safiu Yekini (35), Modi Iliasu (64), Dapo Odekunle (24) and Adekunle Ademola (42).

Others are Oludele Patunola (45) an ex-prison inmate who was once paraded for similar crime, Ojo Adegboyega (40), Badejo Festus a.k.a Abuga (39), also an ex prisoner and Azeez Ismaila (35) and Adebayo Dare (24), an ex-soldier who usually conveyed the gang’s stolen vehicles to other states, Seun Ogunleyin (40) and Anthony Ugwu (46).

Parading the suspects on August 4 at the command headquarters, the former Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, said that some of the suspects were arrested by the command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Oyo, on July 23 at about 2.30p.m when they intercepted a white Toyota Camry car with registration number FKJ 496 CQ at Apete area of Ibadan.

Oyebade told Crime Reports when the three occupants were interrogated that it was discovered that the car was earlier snatched at gunpoint from the owner, Joshua Adejumo at Jobele area of

The arrested suspects and the vehicles recovered from them. the state.

He added that his command got to know that the robbery gang specialised in robbing victims of their vehicles and other valuables, while such snatched vehicles were later sold to the gang’s receivers at different locations in the state and many other places in Ilorin, Kwara State. Further investigation led to the arrest of the criminal receivers in Ilorin, Kwara State and Oyo town while five vehicles were recovered.

In addition, Oludele Patunola was reportedly intercepted by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ibadan on July 24 at about 1:30p.m in a Honda CRV with registration number AAA 411 DF which was removed from where it was parked at Apete area at about 4:00 a.m on the same day.

Crime Reports learnt that though the driver of the stolen vehicle was said to have attempted to escape when he saw the SARS operatives, he was pursued and arrested with the vehicle. Oyebade said that Oludele Patunola who was arrested with the stolen vehicle, reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation and his confession led to the arrest of two other suspects at Idi Odo area of Ibadan where an additional Honda CRV stolen in a similar circumstance was recovered.

He stated further that one of the armed robbery suspects was hit in the leg by bullet when he attempted to escape while other members of the gang were picked up at their hideouts.

This, he added, led to the recovery of additional four stolen vehicles making a

total of six. Also recovered were several master/duplicated keys, Oyebade revealed further.

Exhibits recovered from the first gang were a white Toyota Camry car with registration number FKJ 496 CQ, Hyundai Sonata car with registration number AKD 476 DL, and unregistered Toyota Camry car, a Honda Accord saloon car with regis-

2 men in soup for defiling 10-year-old girls Adelowo Oladipo - Minna

A suspected rapist, Christian Chilaka, of Starlight Area, Madallah, in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, has been arrested by the state police command in connection with the defilement of a 10-year-old girl (name withheld).

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, August 1 at about 1:30p.m when the suspect allegedly lured the victim to his residence and forcefully had

carnal knowledge of her.

Crime Reports learnt that the suspect confessed to the crime during police investigation.

In a related development, one Dalhatu Umar was arrested in Dakwa community, in Taffa Local Government Area of the state over allegation of defiling a 10-year-old girl.

The suspect allegedly committed the crime on Sunday, July 31 at about 8:30p.m at Ungwa Galadima community.

Crime Reports learnt

that nemesis caught up with the suspect when the girl’s mother, one Suwebatu Lawal, lodged a complaint at the police station that the suspect violated her daughter when she sent her on an errand.

She further informed the police that no sooner had the girl left his house than information got to her that Umar took her daughter to his residence and defiled her.

On interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, blam-

ing his action on the devil.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the two incidents .

Elkana told Crime Reports that the cases would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation after which they would be arraigned for prosecution in a court of law at the conclusion of the police investigation.

tration number APP 564 AW, Almera saloon car with registration number AQ 139 FFA. One of the victims of the gang, Mr Adejumo, narrated his experience to Crime Reports thus: “Some men came to my house in Alausa in Oyo town at about 3.00 a.m. on July 20 with guns.

They packed my property away in my car. And when they left, I reported at a nearby police station. I was surprised when the police called me on the fourth day to inform me that my vehicle had been recovered.

Through that, the police also recovered the one they stole about a week before mine.”

Another victim, Mr Bamiji Salam, whose vehicle was also recovered, said that it would be his first time of getting to know that a vehicle could be recovered a few hours after it was stolen.

“My Honda CRV was recovered in less than 12 hours. The thieves must have been on the watch

Sunday Tribune

out because we had night guards. They opened the gate to our community. I parked the vehicle outside my fence because I was repairing the entrance to my compound. There was steering lock on the vehicle but they removed it.

I believe that they had an insider because of the way they escaped when they were pursued,” Mr Salam stated.

One of the suspects, an ex-prison inmate, Patunola, a father of seven and a driver, confessed to Crime Reports that “we stole a Honda CRV at Apete from where it was parked by the roadside. It was Adegboyega who said he knew where we could get a vehicle to steal. We met in SARS cell.

“We discovered that the car was not locked. We took some keys with us; fortunately, one of them opened the car and we took it away. We also stole another vehicle, making two.

We were arrested where we were trying to sell it.

It was because of lack of money that made me go back to car stealing when I left prison about two months ago.”

When interviewed, Adegboyega simply said his action was “the devil’s work.”

Another suspect, Adebayo a.k.a. ex-soldier, said: “I was dismissed from the Nigerian Army in 2015 when Boko Haram dislodged us at Kainji, Niger State. I am now a driver. I did not join robbery gang. Olu introduced himself to me as a dealer.

I knew him at SARS cell and he gave me his number to help him call his wife when I was released.

He called me when he also secured his release and he invited me to a popular club at Ring Road.

“He introduced the business of bringing in vehicles from Cotonou to me and I agreed. About two months after, he told me about a Sport Utility Van that was available which I didn’t like. I gave him N150,000. Since then, I did not see him until he called me and I was arrested by SARS.” On his part, Badejo said he decided to continue to receive stolen cars because he faced hard times when he was released on bail from prison.

news Tension as 2 Obas emerge in Ibafo 8

the entire Ibafo and beyond of the intention/decision of the executive governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, that he has perfected his plan to impose Mr Kazeem Kasimawo Alayande as the Oba-elect on the good people and residents of the sprawling town, any moment from now (God forbid).

“We want to state clearly that this is not a military government, where value is not attached to the traditional institution. Democracy is the order of the day and its ethos must be respected.”

A resident of Ibafo, Johnson, who expressed fear that the situation may soon grow out of control, told Sunday Tribune that the crisis actually started early this year.

He said: “since 2012, exactly a year after the last Oba died, there were reports in all parts of the town that the Alake of Egbaland and the traditional council of chiefs had approved Ajileja as the Oba-elect.”

The resident also added that “since then, everybody called him Oba until early this year when another report filtered into town that the state government wanted Alayande to be the new Oba of Ibafo.”

Ajileja, while speaking

Olalekan Olabulo-Lagos

P

ALPABLE tension is mounting in Ibafo area of Ogun State, following the emergence of two Obas- elect, with each claiming right to the throne.

The traditional council in the area has written a letter to the Ogun State government and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, to urgently prevent a bloodbath in the community .

While the traditional council in Ibafo, Oba in Council, Ibafoland is in support of the former Otunba of Ibafo, Solomon Ajileja, who was in 2012 reportedly selected as the Oba-elect, another group of residents is supporting Kazeem Alayande, who was allegedly imposed by the state government.

The Oba in Council, in a letter dated 3rd August 2016, sent to the Alake of Egbaland in which the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was copied, expressed the desire to resist any attempt by the state government to impose an Oba on the town.

Part of the letter reads: “It is with disbelief and utter consternation that we want to inform you of the information spreading round

with Sunday Tribune, stated that he had since 2012 gone through all the necessary screening, including from the security agencies and the Igbeyin Ogboni Council, which is responsible for the selection of monarchs in Ibafo and was waiting for coronation, until the latest development.

Ajileja, who expressed his surprise at the turn of events, also said that the Alake of Egbaland had not

nin, Edo State.

He said, “Government at all levels should treat Muslims fairly. What is due to Muslims must be given to Muslims. When we are given what we should have, it is not a favour to us, it is our right.”

He explained that Muslims were desirous of a peaceful and stable Nigeria as desired by Allah who put Nigeria together, saying “as Muslims, we want to treat people equally, fairly and justly.”

Stressing that Nigeria is a

SULTAN of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Sa’ad, on Saturday, called on governments at all levels in the country treat muslims fairly, even as he urged Muslims to contribute to the peace of the nation.

He made the call at the opening ceremony of the council’s General Assembly/Executive National Council meeting held in Be-

Buhari loses aide

THE Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on economic matters, deployed to the Vice-President’s office, Ayodele Adu, on Friday, died in an Indian hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, confirmed the death of the presidential aide in a condolence message issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Olayinka Oyebode.

Fayemi, who expressed shock and sadness, described Adu’s death as a personal loss to him, a major loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and

Nigeria in general.

The minister stated that the deceased, who served as a board member of the Fountain Company Limited of the Ekiti State government when he was governor of the state, was a man of courage, character and conviction.

“He was a distinguished Nigerian, an honourable Ekiti man, who through hard work and determination worked his way to the top of his professional calling and left marks of excellence on every assignment he undertook,” Fayemi was quoted as saying.

He prayed that God would grant him eternal rest and give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

sation to Alayande by the Ogun State government .

Alayande, in his own reaction, stated that for “those peddling rumours that I am not from Ibafo, that I am from Adewolu and another place called Imo, at the appropriate time, I will schedule a press conference and all of these shall be addressed.

He also added that “meanwhile, I want to implore the good people of Ibafo to support the gov-

Sunday Tribune

ernment on its selection of an Oba for Ibafo. I want people to maintain law and order. Let us all support someone with good intentions, someone who really has the love of Ibafo at heart so that great changes can come to Ibafo.”

He also stated that “I am the one with an upper hand here and definitely the other side will go the extra mile and that is the basis of all those unprintable words being used against me.”

Mimiko govt most creative in Ondo history —Youth coalition YOUTHS in Ondo State under the umbrella body of Ondo Youth Coalition have described the outgoing government of Dr Olusegun Mimiko as the most innovative and successful so far in the history of governance in the state.

The coalition observed that the governor was able to separate governance from politics, hence the ability to impact so much on the people, adding that the state had never experienced the level of global attention the numerous globally-rated achievements of the government brought on the state.

Govts must give Muslims their due in Nigeria —Sultan Banji Aluko-Benin City

only issued a letter to the effect that he had been approved as the Oba of Ibafoland, but also that the Oba confirmed that in a letter to the police.

According to Ajileja, the Alake of Egbaland had in a letter dated December 5th 2012, introduced him to the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

He also stated that he was informed that the new development was a compen-

14 August, 2016

multi-religious state, the Sultan said: “we must allow the various religions to go on, but we must not trample on each other’s right, which means I must be allowed to practise my religion the way I believe as ordered me by the Holy Quran and nothing else.

“So when we get this done, the issue of hijab and so many other things affecting Islam, I believe are our rights, not privileges, unless the constitution is changed.”

While condemning bad elements among Muslims, the Sultan said those who commited crimes should be treated as criminals or terrorists, but not tagged as Muslims.

An Islamic scholar, Professor Ibrahim Sulaiman, who spoke on “Islamic recipe for peace in Nigeria,” attributed Boko Haram insurgency to the drying up of Lake Chad with attendant loss of sustenance of livelihood of 15 million Nigerians, occasioning migration of people and consequent crises in different parts of Northern Nigeria.

Declaring the meeting open, Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said teaching of religion in schools should be re-emphasied, adding that “one way to achieve peace is to create a foundation for a fair and just society.”

According to the coalition in a statement issued on Friday in Akure, and signed by the President, Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Adekanmbi Oluwatuyi, Michael Oluwole and Obanoyen Abiola respectively, it said that beyond any other government before it, the Mimiko-led government had impacted much on the lives of residents in the state with its lofty ideas and record-breaking innovations which had in no small measure raised the bar of governance in the state.

“The mother and child hospitals; the urban renewal success which earned the governor a United Nations Scroll of Honour; cocoa revolution and the government’s job creation activities as powered by its wealth creation agency, as well as its economic diversification programmes have arrested global attention,” the statement read.

“Before now, no programme of note had warranted other states in the country to visit Ondo with the sole aim to understudy, but there are countless number of such visits un-

der the Mimiko-led government with the latest being Kogi State.”

Re-echoing the call by the former governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, that Governor Mimiko should lead the progressives because of his people-oriented progrrammes as governor, the youths said that whoever would succeed Mimiko as governor must not be an alien to the programmes of the government, concluding that it was the only way the good works of the outgoing government could be sustained.

9

14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

specialreport

Curse of the black gold How oil wealth has made Nigeria poor

The current economic travail of the country has resuscitated the arguments and counter-arguments about crude oil, popularly known as ‘Black Gold’ is a curse since it was discovered. In this report, OLATUNDE DODONDAWA examines why it seems this argument holds water.

E

VERYWHERE you turn nowadays, people, both old and young, wear long faces. They tell you without being asked that the economy is bad and their personal situation are very worse. Many Nigerians now complain of hunger in a country that once look pride in her enormous petro-doller wealth.

But how did Nigeria, a promising nation of highly re so useful citizenry, come to this sorry pass? How has oil engineered the rise and full of the nation considered as the most populous black nation in the world? Is crude oil a curse or a blessing to the people of Nigeria?

Though both Professor Pat Utomi, a renowned economist and public analyst and Mr Dolapo Oni, Head, Energy Research, Ecobank Development Company Limited argued that crude oil has enriching components, it can also bring about oil economic catashophe instead of prosperity.

Prior to the discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri in present day Bayelsa State in 1956, agriculture was the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. The Western Nigeria was known for its cultivation of cash crops like cocoa and food crops like yam, beans, cassava, maize and others like poultry.

Eastern Nigeria was known for its palm oil plantations, yam, entrepreneurship and commerce. Northern Nigeria was known for its groundnut pyramids in commercial quantities well positioned for export. It was also known for its traditional love for animal husbandry.

The regional governments especially, especially the Western Region through its produce boards, collected

proceeds from sales of these agricultural produce and pay huge taxes to the central government. However, things began to change when crude oil was discovered.

Why crude oil is called ‘Black Gold’?

Crude oil is a naturally occurring unrefined petroleum product composed of hydrocarbon deposit and other organic materials. Crude oil can be refined to produce usable products such as gasoline, diesel and various forms of petrochemicals. It is a non-renewable resource also known as fossil fuel, which means that it can’t be replaced naturally at the rate we consume it and it is, therefore, a limited resource.

It is globally referred to as ‘Black Gold’ because it is a resource that is well sought after by governments and individuals from around the world, by comparing its worth with the precious metal known as gold.

When the Black Gold was discovered in 1956, it was too late for the colonial masters to reverse the agitation for independence set in motion by the founding fathers of the nation through the constitutional conferences geared towards self rule, which had started earlier.

The post-civil war era ushered in a federal system of government and eradicated the regional and the parliamentary governments the country had been operating after independence.

What went wrong?

The fact that the country discovered crude oil just be-

fore independence; the fact that the country went into civil war less than a decade after and the fact that there was global oil and economic boom at about the same period should not be considered as a mere coincidence.

If Nigeria had discovered crude oil in the 1940s, the British Government, it is usually argued by political and economic experts wouldn’t have conceded to grant the country its independence when it did. It would have resorted to exploiting the God-given resources to the detriment of the colonial state.

The civil war lasted for 30 months, during which the Nigerian government enjoyed the support from some foreign governments with their eyes on big interests in the Nigerian oil and can only get it through support from people in the central government.

Shortly after the war ended, the golden era set in—the era of oil boom (1971-1977). As of 1971, the share of agriculture in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Nigeria stood at 48.23 per cent. By 1977, it had declined to almost 21 per cent, while crude oil became the largest earner of foreign exchange to the country.

Agricultural export, which was 20.7 per cent of total exports in 1971, reduced to 5.71 percent in 1977. The discovery of oil, coupled with the oil-boom resulting from the Arab oil embargo on the U.S in 1973, affected the agricultural sector adversely. The economy became heavily dependent on oil. By this time, oil revenue represented continues

pg 10

10

specialreport

14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘How to spend money became a problem’

continued from pg 9

almost 90 per cent of foreign exchange earnings and about 85 per cent of total exports. While the boom afforded the government the much-needed revenue, it also created serious structural problems in the economy.

Oil discovery ‘killed’ agricultural sector During the oil boom era, agricultural sector was the most hit. Rural urban migration increased, as people attempted to reap or benefit from the windfall from oil.

Production of agricultural commodities for export declined. Food production became a problem. Starting from 1974, the economy became a net importer of basic foods. Huge foreign exchange earnings were utilised in importing food. Nonetheless, prices of foodstuff remained high.

Government policies like Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) could not reverse the deteriorating food situation as government itself was involved in direct food production, provided subsidies to peasant farmers and created more commodity board.

Policy makers advised the government not only to embark on ownership and control of the commanding heights of the economy like the petroleum and mining sectors, but also to be directly involved in banking, insurance, clearing and forwarding, among others. Government decided to take Warri refinery that was built and operated by Shell D’archy in a private capacity, and turned it into a less efficient business and an apparatus used by political elite to siphon state funds. The government introduced subsidy for the first time so that all citizens will ‘enjoy’ fuel consumption at same price irrespective of their locations. If Warri Refinery was not taken over by the government, more investors would have built several refineries and sold their product at competitive prices.

With the promulgation of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree in 1972, Government became directly involved in virtually all aspects of the economy, especially as foreign exchange was thought to be no longer a constraint to development.

The policy led to massive corruption, theft, outright looting of government treasury and other fraudulent practices pre-

vailed. The state, on its own part, intensified the creation of a business class that depended solely on government contracts rather than on production.

The gap between the rich and the poor widened considerably. Ad-hoc and illconceived government policies exacerbated the problem. For example, the 100 per cent salary increase of 1975, tagged the Udoji Salary Award, was disastrous for the economy as prices increased by more than 100 per cent. The payment of a year’s arrears of the increase in salary further worsened the situation.

In fact, the then military head of State General Yakubu Gowon was reported to have said that Nigeria’s problem was not money but how to spend it. Little did the goverment and know that our problem then not how to spend money; it was the absence or lack of a visionary leadership that knew how to spend money wisely by investing and re-investing it.

However, the problem became worse as the U.S and the Arab nations, especially Saudi Arabia, settled their differences and resumed oil sales to the U.S, thereby crumbling crude oil price which fell sharply and austerity set in Nigeria.

What has changed?

Nothing really has changed structurally when it comes to Nigerian government and policy making. What actually led to austerity in the late 1970s till late 1980s was ineffective management of the country earnings from its resources.

Available date show that the balance of payment did not improve. There was an increase in external loans which further accelerated the debt over-hang situation.

It was clear that the economy was suffering from stagnation. The country’s industrial capacity utilisation, which was 73.6 per cent in 1981, declined consistently during the period such that by 1989, it was only 31 per cent.

Manufacturing which grew at 14.6 per cent in 1981 reduced to 3.2 per cent in 1989. This poor performance occurred despite various stabilisation policies of the 1980s. The structure of the economy made it vulnerable to external shocks and policies.

By the dawn of 2016, the country is back in a cul-de sac. The economy continues to shrink, commodity prices are soaring and the government seems helpless in the face

of decreasing revenue and economic recession.

More so, Nigeria lost its place as the biggest economy in Africa to South Africa. In 2014, South Africa lost the position to Nigeria, congratulated the country and went back to the drawing board to grow her economy, while Nigeria seemingly went to sleep.

Between the year 2006 and 2014, crude oil was at an average price of $100 per barrel and went as high as $140 per barrel mid-2014 before it moved downward, reaching almost $20 per barrel before stability set in.

As a mono-economy country, the leaders lacked vision to save for the future.

Sometimes, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum took the Federal Government to court because it decided to save part of the windfall as a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). Their argument was based on the fact that the Constitution does not provide for savings but to share everything. It was reported that they claimed the future will take care of itself.

‘Black Gold’ as an ‘evil spirit’ Many people have argued that ‘Black Gold’ may be evil because wherever it was discovered, catastrophe usually strikes and takes its toll on the residents. For instance, the youngest nation in the world, South Sudan, which recently celebrated two years of existence as a nation, has been enmeshed in an unrest, short of a civil war. The problem centred on who controls the ‘Black Gold’. Prior to the discovery of ‘Black Gold’ in Ghana, the Ghanaian economy was stable and growing.

The problem centred on who controls the ‘Black Gold’. For instance, South Sudan, which recently celebrated two years of existence as a nation, has been enmeshed in an unrest

It was the most stable in West Africa. But after oil discovery, the country has experienced massive corruption and inequality.

Presently, Venezuelans are regretting that ‘Black Gold’ was discovered in their country because if it had not been discovered, maybe Venezuela could have focused on other sectors like agriculture, tourism or services.

Fight over who controls ‘Black Gold’ in the Middle East has been the major cause of unrest in that region and it may continue to be until it is all dried up. South China Sea has been in existence for thousands of years without any trouble among China, Japan, Singapore and their neighbours.

However, when the U.S made public the findings of its research on the South China Sea in the year 2000, hostility began to brew among the neighbours. The research revealed that the area has several trillion tons of ‘Black Gold’ deposits.

China and its neighbours are relying on historical facts by laying claims to the larger portion of the Sea in other to have larger share of the resources.

Moreover, it would be unfair not to emphasise that discoveries of ‘Black Gold’ in places like Canada, Russia, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Equatorial Guinea and others of same class have been a tremendous blessing to these nations.

Reacting to the issue whether under oil is a blessing on wise to Nigeria, Mr. Dolapo Oni, Head, Energy Research, Ecobank Development Company Nigeria Limited, argued that crude oil isn’t a curse but a blessing, depending on the managers of the discovery.

According to him, “I do not believe crude oil is a curse. We can point to several countries around the world that have used their natural resources to make the lives of their citizens better. The problem has been the management of the resource.

We need to consider new models of managing the resource and limiting personal access to the revenue from crude oil. I believe if we channel the money directly into infrastructure funds that are directly linked with specific infrastructure that is lacking, we might make more progress.”

On the agitations in some quarters for state control of natural resources as a panacea for efficient management of resources, Oni posited that “having state recontinues

pg 11

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14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Wise countries save for tomorrow’

A child eating from the dustbin continued from pg 10

source control is not necessarily a better option, (i.e. giving the state control of the resources). I believe if they haven’t been able to manage the resources they have received from the centre over the last few decades, they are unlikely to do it differently.

“However, what needs to be done is to give the states more access to the oil fields to develop and produce for themselves. This would boost their IGR, since the resource is in their state anyway.

“This could take the form of allowing them a stake in some fields or allocating specific blocks to the states.”

While making his contribution through a telephone conversation, economist and public affairs commentator, Professor Pat Utomi, noted that there has been a global conversation for years on whether oil is a curse or a blessing.

“But if you look at countries that have managed their affairs very well, you will realise that oil has managed to be a blessing.

Classic example is Norway.

But if you go to developing countries, you will see comparison between Indonesia and Nigeria.

“Indonesia has always been considered Nigerian development twin. Both of them are growing but in different direction. They

are both populous and oil gifted countries. Indonesia developed its oil, and it also successfully diversified its economy. Their oil sector is striving, their industry sector is not doing badly and their agriculture is also doing fine.

“Oil is not supposed to be a curse, but the way Nigerians have run it has made it, unfortunately, a source of damage rather than advantage. My personal prayer is for oil to drop to as low as $4 per barrel and stay there for four years so that we can begin to have an economy.

There is something wrong with the way we behave.

We are waiting for oil price to go up and we will be in a more dangerous situation.

“My argument for years has been that when you are in a commodity-dependent economy and the commodity is in boom, you save significant part of your earnings. And you use your savings to attract other savings from abroad and make investment in other areas of growth,” he said.

On agitation over resource control by state, Utomi posited that “I am an advocate of restructuring Nigeria and I have no question about that.

Nigeria made more progress when it had regional government. For instance, someone told me a story by a senior Northerner although I cannot verify its authenticity. He said

Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, attended a meeting in Lagos, being the then capital of Nigeria, and it was announced that the Easterners will soon be exporting crude oil.

“After the meeting, Sardauna met with his cabinet in Kaduna and informed them about the potential oil export by the Eastern region. He was so happy that his cabinet members were worried and asked why he was happy about the development, but he told them that it is an opportunity for them to develop their agriculture and begin to feed the Eastern region. He said this is because once oil proceeds begin to come, the Easterners won’t be able to farm anymore. He said if they (the North) develop agriculture, they will be taking oil money from them (the East) in exchange for food they will eat.”

Utomi explained that Nigeria started the process of industrialisation when Chief Obafemi Awolowo moved to set up an Industrial Estate in Ikeja, the Premier of Eastern region said the West cannot be ahead of them so he established two (industrial estates) simultaneously, one in Aba and the other in Port Harcourt to compete against Ikeja.

Northern region established Kakuri Industrial Estate in response and Kaduna became the hub of

Poor infrastructure

Beggars in the midst of plenty textile industry in Africa.

“The same happened in television when Western region established the first television station in Africa, WNTV in 1959. The Eastern region also quickly set up their television station.

So when the Westerners say WNTV, first in Africa, Enugu will reply, Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Television, ‘Second to none.’

And that was the competition that brought progress.

All these have been lost by lazy governors who were

going to collect fat sums of money from Abuja. During the Obafemi Awolowo administration, the entire Western region from Lagos to Asaba had 12 ministers (now Commissioners).

“But to today, each has several commissioners and if you count today, we cannot have less than 300 commissioners and several advisers within the same region that was managed with 12 ministers,” he said.

On the way forward, Prof.

Pat Utomi argued that “The

pain from oil is self-inflicted. I have argued for years that Nigeria should have a benchmark price for spending. I have suggested $40 per barrel and everything from $40 to $70 should go into a Stabilization Fund, which can be borrowed from if there is a downturn to ensure we have a stable $40 per barrel investment.

If it goes above $70, the excess should go into a Future Fund (Sovereign Wealth Fund) so that we will be investing the Future Fund.”

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feature

14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

A family portrait of the Kwamni family

How ASP’s rescue efforts failed to save him, 3 children in fire incident Isaac Shobayo, Jos

N

O one had the premonition that such a tragic event was about to happen. The 2016 Olympic Games, taking place in Brazil, which is several hours behind the Nigerian time, daytime over there is late night in Nigeria. had just started and as usual many Nigerians were following the progress of the Nigerian Dream Team VI. So many Nigerians are staying up late if they have to watch some matches, including some some sporting events.

So it was with the Anthony Kwamni family of Jenta Adamu, a suburb of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State recently. The area was thrown into mourning and confusion last Monday as a result of a mysterious fire that razed the three-bed room apartment, resulting in the death of the head of the family, retired ASP Anthony Kwamni and three of his children. His wife, who escaped the incident with severe burns, is now receiving treatment at Bingham University Teaching Hospital in Jos. Brimming with excitement and patriotism that their country had prevailed after the Nigeria-Sweden match, the Kwamni family must have retired to bed, expecting to have a good night rest, but it was not to be. The fire incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. when all the family members were fast asleep. The inferno was said to have been caused by power surge which led to a spark from the ceiling and further aided by a generator in the premises.

Sunday Tribune learnt that retired ASP Kwamni died in the process of rescuing his children - Theresa Kwamni, Emmanuel Kwamni and Kerry Kwamni - from the fire and thick smoke that enveloped their room while their mother was rescued by youths who broke the wall to aid her escape from the inferno.

A relation of the family, Mrs. Juliana Matthew who is yet to recover from the shock of the incident said she was with the family a night to the incident to attend to some family issues, adding that throughout her stay until she left at about 10:00 p.m, the family was in good spirit and radiated the joy of the bond that held them together as a family, as usual, without any premonition that dearth was lurking around.

According to her, she was escorted by Kwamni’s wife to a nearby junction before both of them bid each other good night.

It was further learnt that the breadwinner of the family, Kwamni, interacted with his children as usual, on the need to be of good conduct and behaviour before going to bed. A source close to the family who described the retired police

The opening through which the woman escaped officer as a ‘no nonsense man’ said people in the area knew him to be a disciplinarian who abhored injustice.

A neighbour who was part of the rescue team that put out the fire said those in the neighbourhood were attracted to the scene of the incident by the wailing and crying of the family members who were trapped in the inferno.

He stated that youths in the neighbourhood who mobilised themselves and other residents to salvage the situation could not gain access to the building as a result of thick smoke and intense fire but had to break the wall to rescue the mother and a child which later died at the hospital, while the father and two other children died in the inferno.

A family source who craved anonymity said the fire was caused by electrical spark on the ceiling and from there spread to the room where the children were sleeping, adding that the breadwinner of the family died in the inferno, while trying to rescue his children.

“All the family members had gone to bed when the incident occurred but when the father noticed the fire, he along with his wife, dashed to the children’s room where

the fire was raging but was trapped in the room and died along with the children before they could be rescued, “ the source told Sunday Tribune.

The source disclosed further that the fire could have spread to neighbouring houses but for the youth in the area who mobilised themselves to curtail the fire and subsequently arrested the situation. It was further gathered that the building was reduced to rubble because men of the state Fire Service could not have direct access to the building due to its location.

However amidst wailing and crying, the deceased family members were buried in Shendam Local Government Area of the state last Tuesday. Arrival of the corpses into the town temporarily paralysed activities as many residents abandoned their businesses to sympathise with the relations.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Tyopev Mathias, who confirmed the incident said the bread winner of the family along with three other children lost their lives in the inferno, adding that two other members of the family are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

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14 August, 2016

I

AM happy to welcome you all to this Congress. I hope and pray that our deliberations here will be fruitful. I wholeheartedly congratulate all of you for the huge effort which you put forth in the last elections, and for the successes which attended those efforts in eleven State. In particular, I very warmly salute our five Governors, twenty-eight Senators, one hundred and eleven Members of the House of Representatives, and three hundred and thirty-three members in eleven House of Assembly.

Undoubtedly, the sum total of our success is not at all commensurate with our efforts and popularity in most parts of the country. We had made constructive and wellthought-out plans for a resounding overall victory. In the execution of our plans, we had been meticulous and thorough, and had left no stone unturned.

The Conspirators We deserved to succeed over all; and so say the majority of Nigerians. But events which occurred from the seventh of July right up to the twenty-sixth of September this year indicate quite clearly that, in the making of our plans, and in their execution, we had overlooked three factors which were extremely crucial, but not factually discernible at the time.

The three factors are: 1. The perfidy of FEDECO 2. The grand deception by the Federal Military Government; and 3. The inflexible determination of the latter to exclude all parties other than the NPN from power at all the levels of Government in the Federation, and in particular to install Alhaji Shehu Shagari as president at all costs.

A good deal has been said and written about these factors. I do not intend to go over the grounds already covered. But there are some important points which I would like to underline for emphasis.

Since November, 1978, Chief Ani and Mr. Kurfi led all of us to believe that two-thirds of the nineteen States in the Federation is THIRTEEN. As a matter of fact, in a circular letter No. EC/ AZ/7 / V /730 dated 8 November, 1978 addressed to all his colleagues in FEDECO, Chief Ani declared that two-thirds of the 19 states in the Federation was 13. In the eighth and last paragraph of this letter, Chief Ani asserted as follows: The draft of this letter was cleared with the Federal Ministry of Justice and I suggest it should be brought to the notice of the Military Administrator of your state.

Awo’s thoughts PATH TO NIGERIAN GREATNESS

Under the new dispensation

Charter of stability and progress*

Five days after the issue of this letter (that is on 13/11/78), Mr Kurfi issued a press release on behalf of FEDECO in which he also asserted that two-thirds of the 19 States in the Federation is 13.

In another letter No. EC/ AZ/7 /VIII dated 14 May, 1979 addressed to all his colleagues, Chief Ani again reiterated his earlier declaration of six months previously that two-thirds of the 19 States in the Federation was 13.

Chief Ani held religiously to this assertion right up to August, 1979.

Then, suddenly on 8 August, 1979, three days before the presidential election, he orally sought the opinion of the Federal Attorney-General as to whether two-thirds of 19 States was twelve two-thirds or 13 States. He followed up his oral inquiry with a letter on 12 August, 1979 - the day after the presidential election was held. The answer he got from the Federal Attorney-General was that two-thirds of the 19 States in the Federation would be two-thirds of 19, that is 12 2/3; but that the word each, in the phrase each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federation, conveyed the idea of an entity or a whole which did not imply a fraction, in which case 2/3 of 19 would be aggregated to 13. The soundness of this opinion is now incontestably vindicated by the eleventhhour amendment to the Constitution deleting the word each from the phrase.

From the foregoing facts, certain inferences emerge

Sunday Tribune

with crystal clarity.

1. From November, 1978 to early August, 1979, Chief Ani had no doubt in his mind that two-thirds of the 19 States in the Federation was 13; and for the view, he had the imprimatur of the Federal Ministry of Justice which studied and cleared the draft of his letter of 8 November, 1978.

2. Chief Ani’s oral and written inquiries addressed to the Federal Attorney-General on 8 and 12 August, 1979 respectively are explicable and understandable only on the ground that Chief Ani was motivated by a strong and consuming desire to ensure success for Alhaji Shehu Shagari at the presidential election, at all costs. Otherwise, and in the face of the opinion of the Ministry of Justice and of the Federal Attorney-General, he should have considered himself irrevocably bound — and indeed anyone with moral courage and a keen sense of self- respect and honour would feel so bound — by his voluntary and repeated declaration to the entire people of Nigeria but two-thirds of the 19 States in the Federation is 13.

3. Mr Menkiti’s assertion that “in the absence of any legal explanation or guidance in the Electoral Decree,” the FEDECO considered two-thirds of the 19 States in the Federation to be 122/3 is a brazen subterfuge and deliberate falsehood. Though there was no interpretation of two-thirds of 19 states in the Decree, yet Chief Ani himself held the view that it was 13 states; and he was twice supported in that view - first by the Federal Ministry of Justice and second (nine months later) by the federal Attorney-General himself.

4. When on 16 August, 1979 FEDECO declared that two-thirds of the 19 states was 12 2/3, it knew that it was perpetrating an act of unspeakable perfidy, and committing a blatant and unconscionable breach of trust towards both the electorate and the entire people of Nigeria.

FEDECO was by no means alone in its act of perfidy, and its unbridled desire to see Shagari win the Presidential race by hook or by crook. It was a combined operation by FEDECO and the Federal Military Government.

From the very beginning, both the FMG and FEDECO promised us free and fair elections; and the FMG, through its spokesmen including no less a personality than the then Military Head of State, never tired or repeatedly assuring the people of Nigeria that, in all the elections, it had no candidate. We now know that these solemn assurances were false and made in bad faith and with a view to deceive.

To be continued

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14

feature

14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘This exercise has demolished our livelihood’ Lagos traders laments demolition of shops

What is left of the market

Traders who have their shops and structures under high tension cable in Lagos are facing hard times as the state government has since rolled out bulldozers pulling down such structures following expiration of a 7-day ultimatum, reports BOLA BADMUS and SEGUN QUDUS KASALI.

A

S Lagos State Building Control Agency, in collaboration with Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation (Task Force) rolled out bulldozers to clear all the structures and shops under high- tension cables across the state, victims of the exercise are lamenting as they record losses running into millions of naira, even as they are now at a loss as to where to start from.

Only last Tuesday, the ministry made good its promise to demolish structures, including over 350 shops under high tension cable at Oba Wahab Ayinde Balogun Modern Market, Isheri - Olofin under Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area of Alimosho Local Government.

The dust was yet to settle on Monday when the same combined team headed for Lekki area of the state, precisely the Igbara Market with bulldozers.

Over 150 shops and structures were affected in new demolition exercise.

Baba Oja of the market, Alhaji Salau Lukman, disclosed to our correspondent that Igbara Market started in 1990 following the demolition of Maroko. According to him, this market was built by the Baale of Igbara. It all started back then when the Baale was giving the lands in bits to people and as a result others trooped in. We have at least 150 shops in Igbara Market.

“With reference to the demolition exercise, I would say it is a good step in the right direction because prior notice had been given by the state government before now and as a matter of importance, it is to prevent our lives from danger,” the Baba Oja said. He appealed to the government to help the affected by establishing affordable and low-cost shops where they could continue to ply their trade.

But one of the affected traders, an herb seller, Mrs Azeez, lamented that she had lost over a million naira to the demolition.

“If not for this market, I wouldn’t have gotten any means of livelihood because I don’t have an husband to supplement my effort in terms of feeding and the payment of my children’s school fees.

“But now that Ambode has taken away my only means of livelihood, where would he take me? It is really unfair for the government to put us in this state of affair,” the widow lamented.

For a building materials seller, who identified herself as Joke, it was a tale of woes as she said the demolition exercise was in bad taste.

“The exorbitant rents informed my coming to this

market because I cannot be paying hundreds of thousands and all sort of rents for a shop, hence I came to this market due to its affordability. At least, I can afford to pay N10,000 monthly and I don’t seem to be affected financially.

“The demolition exercise is not a good one at all and I know that it was carried out by the state government.

They feel contented with what they have at the expense of the poor masses,” Joke said.

For John Okeke, a motor spare parts dealer, he was lucky his shop was not affected in the exercise. Okeke, who was among those who first settled in the market in 1993, attested to the fact that adequate notices were served to affected people in the market to move out of the place.

“The Lagos State Task Force men came last two weeks to give a prior notice that those shops under the power line would be demolished as instructed by the governor.

When they came, they pasted stickers on the shops meant to be demolished. My shop was not affected because I am not under the high tension cable. I was part of the first 8 traders that started this market back in 1993, but I believe that it was God’s intervention that made me scale through,” he said.

Another spare parts dealer who also escaped the wrath of government, Mr Jerry Onyese, however, said “the government, through the Ministry of Environment, came two weeks ago with a notice that all shops under the power line would be demolished. They did not come even at the expiration of those 7 days of grace.

“To my surprise, they left the power line and started destroying shops that were not under the power line. They ought to be notified if they too would be affected by the demolition.”

Funmilayo, a building material seller who still feels pained by the exercise as she listed her woes, including loss of her investment.

“I lost nothing less than N200,000 to this demolition exercise. We expected the government to give us at least two months for adequate preparation and be on the lookout for another shop, but such was not the case.

“People patronise me so I still find it difficult to move out of this market because that would mean losing my customers and I am very sure you know what it means when you lose your customers.

By last Tuesday, traders at the Oba Wahab Ayinde Balogun Modern Market, Isheri – Olofin were still lamenting their fate with some having paid as much as N3million each to a developer to buy a shop. Some of them were scavenging from rubbles.

A trader, Mr Alex, lamented that he lost three shop

Salau Lukman

Jerry Onyese

costing N1.5 million each. The money was sent to him by his brother who resides outside the country.

Speaking on the ongoing demolition exercise, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Abiola Anifowoshe, expressed government’s determination to rid the state of Illegal structures, describing the exercise as another effort to maintain a sustainable, organised, liveable and friendly environment.

According to Anifowoshe, in a statement made available by the ministry’s public affairs officer, Mr. Sina Odunuga, it is an effort by the government to establish zero tolerance for all structures and properties built under high tension cables across the State.

The commissioner contended that “having residential buildings or conducting business under high tension power lines constitute a danger to lives and properties that could have fatal consequences.”

Also, the Acting General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Oladotun Lasoju, said, “the Lagos State urban and regional planning and development law 2010, not only prohibits building under the centre-line of over-head electricity wires, it also, in very clear terms, specified the distance to be observed between a Property and a public utility such as the PHCN high tension cables.”

“Having served the statutory contravention notices on the offending structures and when Owners of such structures failed to remove them within the statutory notice period, we are compelled to remove such structure at a cost to be borne by the owners.”

15

commentary

14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Ambode’s quest to secure the future of Lagos

By Niyi Anibaba

T

HAT Nigeria’s economy is not healthy is no longer news, however, the effects of the dwindling economic situation is fast manifesting across the country. While some states can no longer cope with the obligations of paying workers’ salaries regularly, some are hanging in the balance, forcing them to visit Abuja with cap in hand, hoping for some bail out from the government at the centre.

Observers have even argued that without the bailouts, many of the state would by now be insolvent. But despite the economic challenges, Lagos State seems to be daring the odds and breaking new grounds.

With an increasing population of over 22 million people, the state has continued to witness an influx of Nigerians from other states and citizens from neighbouring countries on a daily basis, stretching its inadequate infrastructure.

Economic experts readily attribute the state’s ability to remain buoyant in the midst of the economic uncertainties to the dexterity of the man at the helm of affairs, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Since assuming office on May 29, 2015, Governor Ambode has proved his financial acumen in many ways than one, which has among other things, led to the growth of the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Governor Ambode is not oblivious of the fact that Lagosians expect nothing less from him, but to build on the legacies of his predecessors, hence his economic policy is focused on exploring new ventures to shove up its IGR to N30 billion by 2017 and N50 billion by 2018.

At every given opportunity, Governor Ambode does not hesitate to tell anyone who cares to listen about the potential of Lagos emerging as Africa’s biggest economic hub in no distant future.

To achieve this, the Governor is already mapping out strategies to complete some landmark projects already under construction, while plans are also in top gear to embark on new ones. This was the focus when he recently embarked on an extensive tour of the Eko Atlantic City (EAC) Project.

The Eko Atlantic City Project is a multi-billion dollar project sitting on over 10 million square metres and is expected to accommodate over 150,000 people who would reside there and another 250,000 who would work and commute within the city on a daily basis.

So far, out of the over 10 million square meters of the project, about six million square meters have been reclaimed, while there are 15 bridges and two tunnels designed with the project.

For Ambode, the EAC Project, on completion would go a long way, to not only boost the economy of the State, but also increase its IGR. Accompanied on the tour by members of the State Executive Council, the governor pledged the total commitment of his administration towards the success of the project, saying that it would go a long way to facilitate the quest to grow potential of the state economy.

In his words, “I would like to express the total support of this government to this project because at the end of the day we need to grow the economy of Lagos and this obviously is going to have multiplier effect on our IGR. We promise that we are going to grow our IGR to N30bn by 2017 and N50 billion by 2018 and this project is a sure outlet in achieving that goal.”

Satisfied with the infrastructure already in place at the EAC, the Governor said it now behooves on investors to take advantage of the massive opportunities, while commending the promoters of the EAC Project for their confidence in committing huge resources to the Nigerian economy, which according to him, was a positive sign that Nigeria remains

Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with the chairman, Eko Pearl, Mr. Elias Saad; Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc., Mr. Herbert Wigwe; chairman, Eko Atlantic City, Mr. Ronald Chagoury and the Special Adviser, Lagos Global, Prof. Ademola Abass, during the governor’s inspection visit to the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently. the investment hub in Africa.

The governor also took time to inspect the 8.5 kilometre long shoreline wall, otherwise known as the ‘Great Wall of Lagos’, built to protect the EAC, saying it was gratifying that the project will not only protect the new city, but also protect the whole of Victoria Island against any ocean surge, which was one of the primary reasons for the project.

He continued: “This is a new and a bigger version of Victoria Island. We are going to have an Energy City here, a financial hub that is more or less going to run under a Free Trade Zone and so on.

“Basically, all these put together turns Lagos to that leader that we want it to be in Africa and the quality of infrastructure that has been put here is also encouraging.

“I just want to encourage other investors and other people who had taken one step or the other in respect of the Eko Atlantic City that the time is now because in another one and half years, this place will be something else,” the governor said.

Chairman of Eko Atlantic City, Mr. Ronald Chagoury said one of the first two residential buildings in the new city will be completed by the end of August, while the second will be ready before the end of the year, adding that the first office block will be ready between September and October, 2016.

Chagoury described the project as an impressive financial district which upon completion, would compare with the financial district in Paris, France and the 5th Avenue in New York, United States.

He added that the Great Wall of Lagos was scientifically designed to withstand any ocean surge and that it was built to last for 1,000 years.

Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, whose bank is the major partner with the promoters of the EAC project and the Lagos State government, said aside the fact that adequate arrangement had been made to protect the city, the project was all about saving the State and creating a new tomorrow for people to live in Lagos.

He added that with the project, the land that was lost over time to the bar beach had been reclaimed, adding that investors and interested people need not entertain any fear as to the safety of the city.

In similar corollary, Governor Ambode has set his eyes on seeing the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) take flight.

Prior to Governor Ambode’s visit to the EAC, the governor had accompanied the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to the LFTZ to inspect the level of work on the projects being carried out by the Dangote

Group.

The zone, which has the capacity to shoot the state to global economic reckoning, among other budding industries and multinational companies is host to Dangote Group, developers of an $11 billion world class refinery with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels of oil per day.

Aside the refinery, the Dangote Group is also embarking on a Fertilizer Plant and a Gas plant, all in one location. Speaking to journalists after a tour of the projects which lasted about two hours, Ambode said projects being undertaken by Dangote at the Zone would significantly boost the economy of Lagos and have great multiplier effects on the nation’s economy.

He said the projects would also be critical to the economic growth of the Lagos East and West Senatorial Districts, which according to him, will be open to massive investment opportunities on completion.

Governor Ambode said the decision of the vice-president to lead the inspection visit to the projects was a signpost to the benefits inherent not just for the state but to the nation, while pledging to provide the necessary support to ensure that the projects are completed within schedule.

Governor Ambode is also excited that apart from the 135,000 direct jobs that will be created from the projects, another 100,000 indirect jobs would be generated while income accruable to the Federal Government would be in the region of over $500 million in three years.

Only last week, the President of Togo, Mr Faure Gnassingbe was the latest visitor to the zone. His interest as expected was the Dangote projects.

Governor Ambode seized the occasion to inform the August visitor that the Dangote project was another confirmation that Lagos is a prime investment destination, expressing optimism that the project, one of the biggest in the African region, will positively change the face of oil and gas business in the West African region.

The governor said aside the fact that the project confirmed the positive investment climate in Lagos which has resulted in massive investor confidence, he also strongly believes that the future prosperity of West Africa is in collaboration between government and investors, which was why his administration has been working hard to encourage investment in the state.

He maintained that Lagos is home to all nations, races and creeds, including substantial Togolese population, adding: “I’m positive that we are providing them with the oppor-

tunities to get ahead in their endeavors.”

Governor Ambode said as a prominent Head of State in the West African region, he was not oblivious of the interest of President Gnassingbe in the Dangote refinery, adding that the project was one of the emerging opportunities in Lagos State.

While inviting Togolese investors to take advantage of the positive investment climate in Lagos, Ambode said the state is open for businesses, and that his administration, in a bid to encourage investment, had massively invested in infrastructure and security of lives and property.

“Lagos is open for business. We are open to collaboration with the Togolese government and investors to move our two countries forward. Our government is investing massively in creating infrastructure which will support businesses and individuals. We have made huge investment in security and we will continue to ensure that the lives and property of all citizens are secured.”

“We will remain partner in progress with all our investors. Our desire is for investors to invest in Lagos, grow their businesses, create wealth and jobs for our people and ultimately grow our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) positively,” the governor said.

For Dangote, the decision to site the massive projects in Lagos was not a difficult one to make. Dangote said the decision to site the projects in Lagos was due to the investment friendly climate in the state.

“Lagos is one state that is very investorfriendly and the governor himself has always been asking what the issues are and he normally put in place steps to resolve those issues immediately,” Dangote said.

He said the gas pipeline project would guarantee uninterrupted power supply in Lagos on completion, which he said would also positively increase the state’s Gross Domestic Project (GDP).

Aside the Eko Atlantic City Project and the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Badagry Deep Sea Port, Oshodi Regeneration Project and the historic 4th Mainland Bridge are other landmark projects the Ambode administration looks poised to bring to fruition.

For sure, with the above multi-billion dollars projects coming into fruition within the next two to three years, it is not too difficult to discern that the projected N50 billion IGR would be achievable. And as the governor has severally said, despite the uncertain economic climate, the future of Lagos is secured.

•Anibaba, an economist, lives in Gbagada

16

14 August , 2016

Sunday Tribune

By Wale Bolorunduro

W

ITH these constraints, how can we raise capitals for budget deficit financing and for infrastructure development? The latter is complicated by the lack of reforms in the key sectors and the “need to open up” the economy to private investments, both local and foreign, and it is the professionals, who will know what to do.

I know pundits have always argued that Nigeria’s economy is largely driven by “informal activities” and that it requires more than “book wisdom.” Yes it is true, but the modern professionals are conscious of this and they can adapt fast to learn “what Harvard Business School doesn’t teach” which is “street smartness.” To survive and succeed in business also require that the professionals have high adversity quotients, especially in a tough business environment like ours or “the dog eats dog corporate world.”

Therefore, without the political, moral or ethical constraints, the professionals must be able to learn fast, adapt fast and perform for national benefits. Without fear, they should be able to explain their objectives, the desired outcomes, the paradigm to take us out of the woods, the journey so far and what we should expect next. With candor, they should be able to tell us, where we are on the ladder and the next step to take.

These are the communication gaps or the confidence building required by the foreign direct investors and international communities before they can come into the country, if I hear them correctly.

Although I am not a fan of Donald Trump, the presidential candidate for the Republican Party, he was on point by promising to pull out the best guys from Wall Street to renegotiate all the trade deals with Chinese and to correct the balance of trade between America and China, if he becomes president.

We must also appreciate the opportunities given to professionals to serve in various governments in Nigeria by leaders such as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Bola Tinubu, Mr RaufAregbesola, and so on.

The Donald Trump example underscores the fact that such application must be in key economic sectors and with the goals spelt out.

However, the working environment largely defined by the “leader” must be right for the professionals to perform and it must be conducive for them to do their jobs and at the same time, being held responsible for their actions. The “leader” must provide the political shield to protect the professionals, while the professionals work behind the scene, most of the time. The professionals will have to form themselves into a

THE general misconduct of those who occupy leadership positions in the country has pitted the governed against them. The leaders’ great misdemeanor has resulted in the people’s great contempt for them. Now, Nigerians believe every negative report about their leaders. Rather than give leaders benefit of the doubt, Nigerians convict their leaders first and expect them to prove their innocence later. This is a product of years of betrayal of trust and gross disappointment. When a people have been repeatedly let down by those in whom they repose trust, living above skepticism becomes a Herculean task for them. It is for this reason that great leaders work hard never to betray the trust of their followers.

So, the outburst of condemnation against the leadership of the House of Representatives that greeted the revelation by Honourable AbdulmuminJibrin that the House leadership padded the 2016 budget is understandable.

This is especially so because Jibrin, was until recently, the chairman of House Committee on Appropriation. He was, as it were, the person who had the responsibility for getting the bill in its proper form before it was passed by the House.

Given the revelation that Jibrin was reeling out and the passion with which he went about it, it was difficult to ignore him. He seemed so sure of his facts that anything to the contrary would appear to be the lie. Although those who were opposed to him queried why he had to wait till he was relieved of his duty as the chairman of Appropriation Committee before he started singing, my position is that there is no wrong time to reveal an infraction against a people. If indeed what the Honourable member claimed about the budget padding happened, then it was not wrong for him to come into the open when he did, especially when he claimed that he had become a different person.

However, right from the outset of the issue I have had issue with the claim. The kernel of Jibrin’s claim is that the leadership of the House tinkered with the budget. Really, that is amusing to me. Tinker with the document?

What was the House expected to do with the document sent to it by the president? Was it expected to return it

0811 695 4647

olanreade@yahoo.com

Technocrats: assets or liabilities?

“team” so as not to work at cross purpose and to get result, the leader must ensure without suspicion that they work together, in his best interest. Unfortunately, in choosing its entire cabinet, the leader must ensure, ab initio, that they are the “types that can gel,” especially the ones that will be assigned the key functions of government. They must be round pegs in round holes, the key members especially in charge of economy must be able to “conspire positively” for the “goodness” of the leader and they must be “sold or conscripted completely” to the vision and goal of their leader. In the military parlance, their loyalties to the leader must be total, if the leader speaks once, they must hear him twice! However, to benefit from the skills, contacts and passion of the professionals, the leader must create an environment that is devoid of “fears” and “suspicions”. There must be freedom and liberty for robust deliberations of policies, while superior argument prevails.

With Sulaimon Olanrewaju 08055001708

lanresulaimon@yahoo.com

Dogara, Jibrin and budget padding

PDP’s musical chair Did I not say I was getting into a stand-off with politics?

But what do you do when the major actors in the depressing politicking around us, would end up calling the major shots in the desired revival of the equally-depressing economy.

Aren’t they also the hirers (permit my neologism) of the technocrats, whether in asset or liability form? I also didn’t condemn politics but the extremism of its players. The polity is currently running over with them in the ruling APC. PDP or mega-whatever that emerges from it, would surely come with dozens too, but maybe with little wisdom as a take-away from APC’s struggles.

Suddenly the ashes of PDP are shimmering again, simply because the ruling party is eclipsing itself. The doom of yesterday is booming again. But the grain of wisdom doesn’t seem to have a place in the former ruling party’s firmament.

Disparate arguments, suppositions and contentions for group gains and alliances founded solely on power-grab, have been everywhere in the struggle for control of the coming mega opposition, except in the realm of reasonableness and sensitivity. When you listen to those struggling to lead the new opposition camp with the aim of wrestling power in 2019, the current lyrics of “change the change” would likely obstruct the airway of an average concerned person, despite being desirous of a new melody “change” song.

If I appear to be running a circus, it is because the opposition elements are not making more sense that those in power who are currently dulling our sensitivity. I have heard about coming merger. A mega-whatever to chase Muhammadu Buhari out in another three years. PDP is expected to lead the charge, alongside other smaller groupings and APC dissidents. I learnt that those dissidents are heavyweights whose exit would make Buhari and his CPC wing of APC wool-weights in the 2019 contest. While writing off this administration now could be a little hasty, a stirring for a new thing to come won’t be out of place for a populace already yawning, while the Buhari race is supposedly starting. But is there anything truly new in what is coming? Do the elements at the front row of the biggest opposition party suggest such?

Do those struggling to lead the next “government-in-waiting” inspire newness? If PDP wants Nigerians to stop seeing comedy in all its supposed critical actions, it should advise some of those currently running to run it, particularly as national chairman, to quietly withdraw from the race. Its next face should be completely credible. Someone should be spell it to its leaders.

to the presidency as received? The essence of having the National Assembly go through the budget estimates is to allow the members make their input into it. That suggests that they need not agree with the position of the president on every issue in the budget. In cases where they do not agree with the president and they change such entries, can such be really regarded as padding? If the President votes N150billion to education and the lawmakers believe that a way of speeding up the process of getting into school the 10.5million Nigerian children out of school is by increasing the allocation to education to N200billion, will that be padding? In recent past, the executive had chosen a particular figure as the oil benchmark only for the National Assembly to disagree and recommend another benchmark which resulted in more revenue accruing to the government with the legislators allocating same to some sectors. Would it be right to refer to that as padding? If the legislators can neither reduce nor increase what is sent to them in form of budget estimates, then sending the estimates to them is a waste of time of both the executive and the legislators.

In spite of all these, I was still tempted to think that there was some merit in the claim of Honourable Jibrin until the Presidency came out to say that the budget signed by the president was not padded. According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator ItaEnang, while addressing journalists after meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress last Tuesday, “There is nothing, to our knowledge, like padding of the budget. The budget, as assented to by the president, is the budget passed by the National Assembly and it is being executed.”

If the president, who meticulously went through the budget after it was passed by the National Assembly before assenting to it, can come out to say it was not padded, then it is safe for us to assume that the budget was not padded.

Having said that, it is my considered opinion that the security agencies saddled with the responsibility should go ahead with their investigation of the matter so as to bring out the truth and prevent a recurrence.

17

14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

What I did to woman

who poured palm oil on me

i n a n A n a i v —Vi

How Mo’ Hits broke up —D’Banj

God influenced my album title

—Patoranking

2baba named as National Youth Council of Nigeria ambassador

18

14 August, 2016

Segun Adebayo tegbollistic@yahoo.com 08116954644

Sunday Tribune Seyi Sokoya seyi_sky@yahoo.com 08075166585

SIMI releases ‘Outta my head’ single, video AFRO pop singer, SIMI has continued her steady rise in the music industry with the release of another single and video, Outta My Head, the latest in a peerless run that has peaked with songs like Jamb Question, Open and Close and most recently Love Don’t Care.

Outta My Head is Simi’s second single of the year and begins with piano strings and a mid-tempo beat, accompanied by her vocal stylings. It is a playful yet serious meditation on infatuation and the downsides of a love gone sour. Written in a smooth, simple style that is instantly relatable, Simi narrates a tale of being hung up on a lover who has caused her some pain in the past. She then queries repeatedly on the chorus, Wetin you dey do for my head? as this same lover invades her space, mind and dreams.

Outta My Head was produced by Oscar Heman-Ackah, while label mate, Praiz brings along his baritone and easy charm on the song.

Both singers made for a sizzling pair and their union elevated the song .

The release of Outta My Head is accompanied by a promotional music video. Directed by terrific Josh Clarke and shot on location in Johannesburg, South Africa, the visuals depicted a safari on the South of the continent, in a natural, romantic countryside complete with wild animals, rocky mountains and a sturdy Jeep to navigate the terrain.

Born Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye, the 28-year-old songbird is a Mass Communications graduate of Cov-

enant University Ota. She doubles as a sound engineer and started out performing in her early teens as a member of the teenage church choir. Her debut album, Ogaju, produced by Samklef was released in 2008 and an EP, Restless, followed in 2014.

e h e m d l o t y z z a Don J s t i H ’ o M t n a w didn’t

By Segun Adebayo

F

OR the first time in four years, Kokomaster, D’banj, has opened up on what led to the break up of the defunct record label, Mo Hits. D’banj said though the break up of the group which had Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, D’ Prince and Wande Coal in 2012 could have been prevented, it was meant to take him to the next level, which God had destined for him.

The Emergency crooner who insisted that there has not been any other solid record label since Mo’Hits went under, revealed that it was God’s will that the group should split in order to allow the members rediscover themselves for greater value.

again —D’banj

D’banj stated this on Thursday at the maiden edition of OSMD Network Youth Empowerment Summit, held at Maurve 21, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, where he was one of the panelists.

According to him, the decision to go solo was not easy, but it has paid off for him in the long run with God being his backbone. “A lot of people don’t know me. They know D’banj. They don’t Dapo Daniel. When Mo’Hits broke up, I went back to God and asked him for direction. The only thing I had with me then was my content. It was not an easy decision, but I am happy that I have stepped into the big scene and things have worked

5 dancers emerge in Buckwyld ‘n’ Breathless :The Disruption Dance AS the Buckwyld ‘n’ Breathless: The Disruption concert drwas near, five lucky dancers have emerged as winners for the last five slots of the competition. The winners will perform alongside, 2face and rapper, MI , who are headliners of the concert.

The lucky winners- Adegbite Ciara, Ubah Ebube, Okwara Stanley, Kemisola Olowu and Efe Prince were selected following two weeks of rigorous auditions in Lagos State, Nigeria. The winners were selected among 50 dancers who participated in the competition, which took place at the Bheerhugz Cafe, Ikeja City Mall, Surulere and

Rumors Nite Club, Festac.

The judges: Michael Igbelabo and Tessy of DNMT chose the winners based on their dexterous display of dance freestyles and their survival of the spartan-patterned choreography challenge.

Subsequently, the winners will be put through vigorous rehearsals in preparation for their performance with the official dance crew of the Buckwyld ‘n’ Breathless: The Disruption concert, Dance Na D Main Thing ( DNMT), led by Michael Igbelabo.

The concert is set to hold at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre on the 3rd of September

out perfectly for me.”

He stated further that his greatest joy as a musician is that he has now become a brand of visible hope that younger generation can make reference to unlike when some years back when no parents would allow their children aspire to become hip hop singers.

He later revealed that it was Don Jazzy who came to him to announce that he didn’t want Mo’Hits again. “Yes, Don Jazzy told me that he didn’t want to be part of the Mo’hits again. I had to sit back and ask myself what next after Mo’Hits. I had to go back to God who brought me to that level and asked him if my time was up in music. God did reveal to me that day that he was taking me to another level that is bigger than singing and performing. He opened up my eyes to see the business side of music.”

D’banj who now runs a digital music distribution company with over 100,000 subscribers across the country revealed that he had to go back to the basics to rediscover himself.” You have to be real as a musician. You can’t let anybody decide for you what you want. I have always known what I wanted.

Even before anybody knew who D’banj was, I had decided that I was not going to be like anybody and that’s why I have lasted till this time, because I have my contents. Nobody can take that away from me.”

19

razzmatazz

14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Aragbaye emerges GOMAN president, Teriba, others emerge executives

By Seyi Sokoya

God influenced my album title —Patoranking

By Segun Adebayo

D

ANCEHALL singer, Patoranking, has finally released his debut album, which he titled God Over Everythng (GOE). The album released last week Friday is said to be topping radio chats across the country.

Patoranking, who hosted a me-

dia parley to announce the release of the album, disclosed that God influenced the title of the album.

The session held at Four Points

By Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos State, was organised by Spice Digital Nigeria to enable the singer have an intimate chat with the media.

He answered questions about the album, inspiration and challenges encountered while preparing for

NMA holds 14th conference

By Seyi Sokoya ALL roads lead to the University of Lagos Akoka, on August 16 as the Nigerian Musicologist Association (NMA) will gather for their 14th conference.

According to the head of music department, University of Lagos, Dr Soji Stephen, who

is also the chairman of the local organising committee, the theme of this year’s international conference is “Nigeria Indigenous Music and the Changing Times.”

It was also gathered that the three-day event is expected to be graced by many musicologists across Nigeria.

the album release.

On the choice of the name of the album, the versatile singer disclosed that his strong belief in the power of God influenced the title. “I want people to know that despite having fun, love and the rest, God still comes first, hence the choice of the name GOE. The album is about love, God, my life where I come from and where I am headed.”

The singer also shed light on the inspiration behind his music. He revealed that he leans on experiences he has garnered over the years. He added that he makes music that everybody can relate to and this also influences his choice of collaborations.

The Foston Musik star revealed key individuals behind the success of his music and the release of his album.

He said that his team worked tirelessly on the album, chose the songs on the track list while he was away on business.

When asked the reason for the delay in the release of the album and the challenges encountered, he stated that he wanted to take his time to acquaint himself with his audience and face challenges from putting sounds together to points of losing creativity to write or record.

He admitted that the journey was tough but also fulfilling.

THE election that ushered in new executives of Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN), held at the God of Glory Christian, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos State, last week Friday has come and gone with members of the association charging its new leadership to remain committed to their new calling.

Delegates from various states across the country converged on the venue to decide who leads them for the next three years. Veteran gospel singers and other leading artistes in the gospel industry expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the election that lasted for more than six hours.

Candidates to each position came with much anticipation as they expressed their readiness to lead with the fear of God if they emerged winner.

Evangelist (Dr) Funmi Aragbaye emerged the president-elect with 47 votes and Femi Opalemo also emerged her Vice President.

Popular gospel artiste, Evangelist (Dr) Lanre Teriba, defeated Mr Adewale with 61 votes to emerge the Vice President West while Pastor Gabirel Ibikunke won the post of General Secretary with 60 votes.

Mr Paul Ayodele was elected Vice President, North; Pastor Psalmist emerged the Financial Secretary; Pastor Kayode Iyiola also emerged the Public Relation Officer (PRO); Evangelist Flourish Arowolo became the Treasurer; Prophet Isaac Ibitoye, Prayer Coordinator; Pastor Tunde Ayodele, Welfare 1; Evangelist Gbadiyan Yemi and Evangelist Niyi Ajade, Assistant Sectary, were all unopposed.

Earlier in his speech, the imme-

diate past president, Pastor Timi Orokoya, otherwise known as Telemi, thanked God for the grace for a successful tenure as the president of the association.

“Despite storms and challenges of my two terms of six years, I thank God for a successful safe landing. I have done my bit and I pray for the new leadership to succeed,” he said.

In her speech, the presidentelect, Aragbaye, noted that there was no time to waste because work has begun. “I congratulate everyone, especially all the contenders.

To me, there is no winner, no loser. We must all work together and give this association a facelift. We need the cooperation of the entire GOMAN in order to easily achieve our goals. We will all project the image of the association beyond its present state. One of my priorities is to help the up-and-coming artistes.”

Teriba said that he was ready to bring change in the association and assured members, especially the younger ones, to have their footprint in the industry.

One of the elders of the association, Evangelist Ebenezer ObeyFabiyi, congratulated the winners and GOMAN as a body on holding a peaceful election.

“I want to congratulate the entire executive and members of GOMAN, especially the outgoing executives led by Pastor Telemi Orokoya and the incoming executives led by Aragbaye on conducting a peaceful election as a respected body. I want to use this medium to advice the new leadership to work together with everybody in order to move the association forward,” he said.

2baba named as National Youth Council of Nigeria ambassador

By Segun Adebayo INNOCENT Idibia, otherwise known as 2baba, who embarked on a two-day campaign in Edo State for his ‘VOTE NOT FIGHT’ initiative, was named as Youth Ambassador for the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), on Friday.

The music star was issued his certificate of conferment during the International Youth Day celebration, which took place at the Samuel Ogebemudia Stadium in

the state.

Prior to his conferment, 2Baba had spearheaded a VNF campaign session which held at the Youth Centre in Benin.

He spent the day sensitising the youth on the need to remain peaceful during and after the forthcoming electoral process.

2Baba spoke at length to the youth on the need to refuse being used by politicians and enjoined the gubernatorial

candidates who were present at the session not to adopt a do-or- die mentality during the elections.

His speech received an applause from the audience after which he made both candidates and youth sign the VNF pledge form and make public statements to show their commitment to the VNF campaign.

The songster also embarked on a media tour to propagate the message of non-violence during elections.

20

14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune With Segun Adebayo &Seyi Sokoya tegbollistic@yahoo.com seyi_sky@yahoo.com 08116954644 08053789034

How I handle

femaleadmirers —Emeka Okoye

Emeka Okoye, popularly known as Mazi Ekwuruekwu I of Africa, is a Nollywood actor, presenter, model, compere, comedian and voice over artiste, who has featured in movies like Lekki Housewives 2; Jenifer’s Diary, Wives on Strike; Blackberry Babes; Tales of Eve, among others. He speaks with TAYO GESINDE on his career and how government can come to the aid of artistes. Excerpts: To Caesar; Last Three Digits, Candle; Papa Ajasco; Tales of Eve; The Jury, Ezinaaulo; Ireoku; Nkwughachi; Ibezimako Tenants and so on.

Foray into acting Y journey in the movie industry was destined by God. I started acting in church and my school drama society as a kid. Then, I used to mimic people I was so fond of, especially my aunties and uncles. I gave professional acting a trial during the period I was writing my Senior School Certificate Examination.

I heard a director called Murphy Stevens, who was then shooting a movie entitled Prophet of Darkness. I was so excited. Though most of my classmates did a crowd scene in the movie wearing our secondary school uniform but after my papers that day, I decided to watch how the acting was going on. Those on set that day were Pete Edochie, Fabian Adibe, Stephanie Okereke, Kelvin Ikeduba and so on. Luckily for me, I was asked to come and act the role of a psycho patient, who was healed by Pete Edochie, a fake prophet. I played the role so well that after that day, I started getting offers to come to Asaba, Enugu and Lagos for filming, but because I was still very young, my parents didn’t want me to pursuing acting at that period. They wanted me to finish my education before pursing acting as a career. So, I waited till February 25, 2001, before joining the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, Anambra State chapter. At a time, I stopped to continue my diploma in Psychology and later my Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration at Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State. I returned to acting in 2008.

M

The journey so far So far, the journey has been fruitful and rewarding because people can easily identify my face wherever I go, most especially, since I starred in Wives on Strike produced by Omoni Oboli and also played Papa Pepe in Jenifa’s Diary by award - winning actress, Funke Akindele. These two jobs and my modelling job with Nigerian Breweries as one of the faces of their Lite Beer with billboards in all the six Eastern states have made me so popular in the entertainment industry. So, it has been great all the while. And it is all by God’s grace.

Movies I have featured in I have lost count of movies I have featured in. The ones that readily come to mind are; Dreammaker; The Shepherd; Imliplication, Boy George; Open Fire; Lady Gaga; Blackberry Babes; Twitter Babes; OMA The Evil, Super Story; Lekki Wives 2. Others are; Render

My most challenging role The most challenging role I have ever played was Eze, the wicked husband character I played in an Igbo movie called Ezinaulo showing on Wazobiamax TV and African Magic Igbo.

Other things I do aside acting I am also a presenter for MiTV, I anchor the Wazobiaplus programme every Monday to Friday from 10.00 a.m to 11.00 a.m, I am also a businessman.

Role models My role models in Nigeria are Richard Mofe Damijo, Olu Jacobs, Alex Osifo, Eucharia Anunobi, Liz Benson, Mercy Johnson. On the international scene, I admire Paul Walker, Eddy Murphy and Angelina Jolie.

Coping with competition For me, I am not competing with anybody. The industry is big to accommodate every talented actor. The only thing that keeps me going is the grace of God. If any one gets there before me, congratulations to the person. The only advice I have for my colleagues is not to be envious of anyone. Everyone will get there at the right and appointed time. Pray without ceasing.

Gains and pains of being a celebrity The gain is the popularity and favour it brings. When you are a celebrity, doors will begin to open for you. The pain is the fact that government has not been able to invest much in Nollywood so that an average actor can earn a good pay. If that is done, the issue of actors dying in penury will reduce.

Most embarrassing thing a fan did to me This happens everyday for me, especially, at my place of

The pain is the fact that government has not been able to invest much in Nollywood so that an average actor can earn a good pay.

work. I was hugged by a die-hard fan of Jenifa’s Diary on a busy road and she asked for a selfie, leaving her little boy behind. The boy would have been knocked down by vehicle that was reversing. It was my scream that alerted the driver of the car.

Assessment of Nollywood Nollywood needs to be celebrated in the whole of Africa because it has been able to sustain itself without much governmental sponsorship. I would say we have done so well in discovering new talents and we are impacting positively on the world. We have also generated so much revenue to the Nigerian government. I am pleading with the Lagos State government to please help the Nollywood industry.

We need funds and our up-and-coming actors need to be trained either here in Nigeria or abroad, and that will continue to make our country the pride of other nations.

Philosophy of life My philosophy of life is; do not be afraid of failing. It doesn’t matter how many times you fail, what matters most is that you make efforts to rise again.

Handling advances from male admirers Oh my God! Well, I handle my female fans and admirers with diplomacy. Have you forgotten that I am a comedian?

I always act anywhere or in any situation I found myself.

Sometimes, I mimic them and we all laugh at it in the end.

On whether I will go into politics I have featured in political campaigns, including the Ambode campaign promo. I also worked as INEC poll clerk in Anambra State during the elections. If opportunities to go into politics come, I will take them in good faith so far it is God’s directions for me. Man proposes, God disposes.

Advice for up-and-coming actors and actresses My candid advice for all aspiring up-and-coming actors and actresses is that they should believe in themselves, pray, get trained through workshops and seminars on acting.

21

14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune with Segun Adebayo tegbollistic@yahoo.com 08116954644

PEOPLE

places&parties

Meet Ali Baba, Arese Ugwu, Omojuwa, new face of Rémy Martin brand influencers RÉMY Martin Cognac, which announced the launch of its global campaign that recognizes and celebrates individual’s multi-talents in October last year, has announced Arese Ugwu, Japheth Omojuwa and Ali Baba as the new set of influencers for the campaign.

The campaign tagline, One Life/Live Them®, which assumes its grammatical error, identifies that today’s consumers are not defined by one talent or skill, but are multi-faceted and should be

Saheed Fijabi proves critics wrong

S

UCCESS they say is no accident. It comes from hard work, perseverance and giving back to the society by impacting on the people positively.

Member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Saheed Akinlabi Fijabi, appears to have started registering his name on the minds of the people for the good reasons.

The journey to the lower chamber of the National Assembly, which started in 2011 was not an easy ride and he was said to have been written off by many who believed he rode on the back of his father’s popularity to get his mandate.

When he was made the

Chairman, House Commiittee on Telecommunications by Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, tongues wagged but the Ibadan-born politician promised to use his position to better the lot of his people.

With a big dream and a goal in sight, Fijabi worked hard to facilitate and eventually inaugurated five digital classrooms worth N300 million at the Unversity College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State, last week.

For him, the cost is not the concern, but how to improve the well being of the citizenry.

applauded for their many passions.

Rémy Martin’s One Life/ Live Them campaign encourages consumers to explore and celebrate all their talents.

In a statement made available to PPP, the global brand said it remained committed to the core principles and values that its founders used to establish the company more than 290 years ago.

Ali Baba, born Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere to the Royal family of Agbar-

author, and her financial expertise, those close to the brand said. Ugwu serves on several boards including House of Tara and the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation as a non-executive director, and is also an associate member of WIMBIZ, serving on its planning committee since 2015.

Japheth Omojuwa, a public speaker and social media influencer, “has truly enlarged his life to be a multidimensional one, turning it all to a lifestyle,” the cognac maker said.

Aleey Giwa set to quit bacheloorhood IT has been said that when it comes to love, one needs not to fall but surrender. Celebrity Police officer, who is also the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer of Lagos State, Aliyu Giwa may have finally surrendered to the love of his wife to be, Oyin as PPP gathered that he’s ready to walk down the aisle anytime from now.

Fondly called Aleey Giwa, the tall and handsome officer is notable for his friendly and encouraging posts on the social media and has carried

Top socialite, Musa Alubankudi loses sister THIS is not the best of times for the family of businessman, Alhaji Musa Alubankudi as news filtered in some days ago that one of his siblings, Adejoke Sanusi died days back in United States (US).

The deceased, 53, died after a box truck crashed into her car at Cottontail, Frank-

haOtor, Warri, Delta State, after a career spanning well over two decades, is well acclaimed and respected home and abroad. Over the years, he has also delved into his other passions: photography, painting, writing, and motivational speaking.

He is also an accomplished entrepreneur who has a strong flair for creating and developing ideas.

Arese Ugwu, a personal finance expert and thought leader is selected as the brand influencer based on her accomplishments as an

lin town.

The incident has thrown the family into mourning.

The woman was buried yesterday at the Graceland Memorial park in New Jersey after a celebration of life service at the RCCG Agape House of Worship in Nw Jersey

on with his policing assignments without any blemish.

Giwa who is popular among many celebrities appears to be soaked in Oyin’s love as they released their eye-catching pre-wedding photoshoot days back. PPP gathered that August 27 has been set aside for the day as many celebrities, high soceity and senior police officers are already looking forward to the day.

22

14 August, 2016

makeover

What makes you different from other beauty companies?

The ingredients for our products are top notch and carefully selected. Like I said earlier, we use only organic ingredients that heal, protect, maintain and enhance the skin, as it is well known that many plants, spices and essential oils have anti-inflammatory effects and ultimately heal the skin. In Lagos today, we have had a large influx of young men and women entering organic skincare.

While some see it as a career path and an industry that supports and celebrates health and wellness, others see it as a money-making venture. Our products are unique, work effectively and are quite affordable. We also treat our customers as kings.

BEAUTIFUL skin is usually referred to as a woman’s asset and according to www.health.com, below are five simple rules for achieving flawless skin.

Avoid heavy-duty cleansers Unlike your pots and pans, “your skin needn’t be scrubbed or squeaky to be clean,” says Jeannette Graf, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. So don’t overdo it. Mild, non-detergent cleansers – milks, gels, foams, or cloths – are your best bet.

Ditch the toner These were originally invented to restore the natural pH of skin after it had been washed with an alkaline-detergent soap.

“If you’re using a pH-balanced cleanser, there’s no need for toner,” Graf says.

“It’ll only dry your skin.”

Make sure acid-laced products are pH-balanced This means their pH is in sync with skin, so “they gently remove sebum (an oily substance secreted by the skin) and makeup without stripping natural oils,” Graf says. Look for the words “pH-balanced” on cleansers that contain glycolic or lactic acids and on exfoliators, she adds, because some have a low pH, which can cause dryness.

Opt for fragrancefree Fragrance is the most common cause of skincare-related allergic reactions. If you’re sensitive, be sure to choose products that are labeled “fragrance-free.” The ones that are marked “unscented” typically contain small amounts of fragrance to help mask the odors of active ingredients.

Choose multitasking moisturizers A good day cream juggles two jobs – hydration and protection. Pick one that has plant-based moisturizers and antioxidants.

Rita Okonoboh 08053789087 tribunemakeover@gmail.com

and hair care and meet up to international standards.

Tips for flawless skin

Always invest in your skin

— Akinrinola, CEO, Princess Naturals

A Master’s degree holder in Public and International Affairs from the University of Lagos, Oluyemisi Akinrinola (nee Olaoye) is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Princess Naturals, a skin care company in Lagos State. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, she talks about how the desire to overcome her skin challenge made her venture into beauty business. Excerpts:

W

hat services do Princess Naturals render?

Princess Naturals is a tested and trusted name in the field of all natural beauty products.

We make and sell organic skincare products from herbal extracts, ayurvedic spices and aroma oil. We offer the best range of herbal face, body and hair care products.

We are also into the sale of jewellry and hair accessories.

I started the business in 2013 and we have been able to help customers achieve flawless and glowing skin. Our products have received several reviews. We presently have distributors in eight cities across Nigeria: Port Harcourt, Abuja, Benin, Kaduna, Ibadan, Ilorin, Enugu and Jos. Few of our products include organic body butter, skin glow moisturizer, African black soap, handmade soap, pimple/acne removal set, body glow oil, herbal body scrub, body washes, kids soap and cream.

Presently we have five staff members in our Lagos office. We also give weekly tips on how to take care of your skin on our DIY recipe, BBM channel, Instagram and Facebook so even if you are not using our products, you can still get recipe from us

on how to use kitchen ingredients to get beautiful skin Why did you decide to venture into skincare business?

I love looking after my skin, so why won’t I help others and show them how to look after theirs. I love beautiful skin and skincare generally; it is a passion, and helping others feel good about their skin gives me joy.

What were you doing prior to setting up Princess Naturals?

I was an HR executive with the Rose of Sharon group owned by Mrs Folorunso Alakija. I worked there for about four years before deciding to set up my own business. Working with the company gave me worthwhile experience which has helped me in setting up my company.

All your products are made from natural ingredients; do you produce them yourself?

Princess Naturals makes its products from scratch using botanical extracts, spices, and aroma oils. Basically, all our products are 100% organic both for skin

Sunday Tribune

Did you, in the past, have any skin challenge that made you toe this path?

Yes, I had skin issues. I used to have spots on my legs when I was young. I had a skin irritation at age four while staying with my grandmother. I can’t really remember how I got it but I remember she took me to a general hospital then but the spots were still there despite taking medication.

When I became a teenager, I was always ashamed to wear skirts. When I started working, I got some foreign products to use on the spots, but they didn’t clear them, and then I started researching on organic ways with which I could treat it myself. I mixed soap with herbal plants and I saw the spots fade off. When I saw the result, I decided to go for further training in the field.

What is the first thing Princess Naturals does when a client comes

with a complaint?

First of all, we evaluate the skin condition, get the customer’s skin type, make the customer feel at ease by providing a portfolio of jobs we have done and show our client reviews on such cases with pictures.

How affordable are your products and services?

I can say boldly that we are very affordable and our clients attest to this. Our products are affordable to students and both low and high income earners.

What is your business secret?

Apart from our products being effective, our products are skin safe, therapeutic and as natural as possible. We make use of ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cucumber, among others.

Most of these natural ingredients, when applied on the skin, aid in the treatment of so many skin conditions. We preach, use and do only naturals.

How did you acquire your knowledge of the business?

I trained with Nerolie Nature Skincare&Wellness.

They are certified by the School of Natural Skincare in Bristol, London. I also did personal research in the field.

How do you grow your client base?

I believe so much in the power of advertising, especially if you have a product that works. Social media has helped me a lot. Most of my traffic comes from my social media pages. We also get lots of clients via word of mouth. Those who have used our products refer their families and friends to us, which has been one of our most successful avenue.

Referral is key for small scale businesses.

23

14 August, 2016

children’sarena Words from the kids

1

1. Adeniji A b d u r Rahman 12 years old JSS 3 My favorite Quran verse is Q: 1 verse 2 which states that “The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, those who have not incurred thy displeasure, and those who have not gone astray.”

I love this verse because it shows the gratefulness of human beings to almighty Allah for all His favour bestowed upon them.

2

3

4

5

Respondents are students of Ansar-ud-Deen Society Comprehensive College, Saki, Oyo State.

A

2. Gbadamosi Abdusalam 12 years old JSS 1 “Arriving thereby in the centre collectively, Indeed mankind, to his Lord, is ungrateful; and indeed, he is to that a witness.” Quaran chapter 100.

It teaches us to be honest to ourselves. It teaches us that Allah has no child and nobody gave birth to him.

3. Ajibade Abdulwasiu, 13 years old, JSS3 “O Allah the king of kings brings

someone out as king (Of the earth) and takes the king out of someone, elevates who he wishes and downgrades who he wishes, in his hand is the good.”

Famous invention

jet aircraft (or simply jet) is an aircraft (nearly always a fixedwing aircraft) propelled by jet engines (jet propulsion).

Frank Whittle, an English inventor and former British Royal Air Force officer, developed the concept of the jet engine in 1928, and Hans von Ohain in Germany developed the concept independently in the early 1930s.

He wrote in February 1936 to Ernst Heinkel, who led the construction of the world’s first turbojet air-

Jet

craft and jet plane Heinkel .

However, it can be argued that the English engineer, A. A. Griffith, who published a paper in July 1926 on compressors and turbines, also deserves credit.

The first aircraft to fly under rocket power was the Lippisch Ente, in 1928. The Ente had previously been flown as a glider.

The next year, in 1929, the Opel RAK.1 became the first

4. Olarewanju Abdulmuiz JSS2 13 years old Quran 114 is my favourite which states that “I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind, The King of Mankind, thee Allah (for judge) of Mankind, from the mischief of the of Evil who withdraws and whispers into the hearts of Mankind.”

The violet

5. Gbadamosi Rahmat JSS1 11years old Quran chapter 122 says that “Allah is not in need of any of His creation in any way, as nothing they can do can better or benefit His already perfect state. Most people worship as if they are doing God a favour.

The purpose of human creation is to worship Allah because all human beings have a need to worship Him.” The verse tells us that Allah is all-sufficient God.

Poe m

Down in a green and shady bed A modest violet grew; Its stalk was bent, it hung its head, As if to hide from view.

And yet it was a lovely flower, No colours bright and fair; It might have graced a rosy bower, Instead of hiding there.

Yet there it was content to bloom, In modest tints arrayed; And there diffused its sweet perfume, Within the silent shade.

Then let me to the valley go, This pretty flower to see; That I may also learn to grow In sweet humility. purpose-built rocket plane to fly.

The first flight of a jet engined aircraft to come to popular attention was the Italian Caproni Campini N.1 motorjet prototype that flew on August 27, 1940.

Jet aircraft are usually designed using the Whitcomb area rule, which says that the total area of crosssection of the aircraft at any point along the aircraft from the nose must be approximately the same as that of a Sears-Haack body.

Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 0807 449 7425

Fun Fact

Our favourite Quran verses The verse taught me that those in higher positions should always be humble, because they are not going to be there forever

Sunday Tribune

Snails can live up to 15 years

• Snails’ bodies produce a thick slime. Because of this slime, they can crawl across the edge of a razor and not get hurt.

•Some snails have been known to live up to 15 years.

• Snails are hermaphrodites which means that they have both male and female reproductive organs.

• Snails usually travel in irregular paths, sometimes traveling in a circle.

• Snails rely mainly on their sense of touch and smell when finding food because they have very poor eyesight.

• Snails cannot hear.

• Snails can retract one or both of their tentacles at a time.

• Because of the suction created by their slime, a snail can crawl upside

down.

• Snails are nocturnal animals which means they are more active at night.

• Garden Snails mainly eat garden plants and vegetables, but they will also eat decaying plants and soil.

• The fastest snails are the speckled garden snails which can move up to 55 yards per hour compared to 23 inches per hour of most other land snails.

•Garden snails hibernate during the winter and live on their stored fat.

• Garden snails breathe with lungs.

• Garden snails evolved from sea snails about 600 million years ago.

•The garden snail is cooked and eaten as a delicacy called escargot.

S t o r y The dishonest doctor

O

nce upon a time, an old lady lost her eyesight and became blind. She called a doctor and agreed to pay him a very big amount if he restored her sight.

But she will not give a single penny if she is not cured.

D o c - tor daily came to her house for t r e a t - ment.

He started stealing the lady’s furniture and other valuable things from the house.

He took away everyday one thing from the lady’s house.

So he delayed curing the lady. He only cured the lady after he had removed all the furniture and valuable articles from her house.

Now doctor demanded his fee from the lady. But she refused to pay the fees and said that she was not fully cured.

Doctor registered a case against her in the court.

On being asked by the judge why she refused to pay the fee, she told the court that her eyessight was not fully restored.

She said she could not see her furniture and other articles in the house. The judge was very clever. He understood the matter and punished the doctor.

Moral: Dishonesty never wins.

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Sunday Tribune

14 August, 2016

glamour Foray into acting HOUGH I love acting, I didn’t know I was going to end up being an actress but I have always loved anything that has to do with television. I actually thought I was going to be a lawyer but when that didn’t work out, I thought of being a newscaster. When I was a child, I used to stay in front of the mirror, holding a paper and reading it and thinking I was on TV. Then I never knew I was going to actually be on TV someday but here I am today.

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Challenges faced It was not so easy when I started acting. People in Lagos were the hot cakes then and we were from Calabar (Cross Rivers State). So, the first few movies I did then, I had to come to Lagos from Calabar.

If producers wanted to invite people for jobs, they would think of the people in Lagos first.

But by God’s grace, I was able to overcome that challenge.

Why I am called the Queen of Soap Opera I have heard people say that several times.

Yes, I have done a lot of television series. A lot of people think I don’t do movies, that I only do TV series, but I want to clear the air on that. I also do movies when they come my way.

How I have been coping with competition in the industry I am not in competition with anybody. I am just me and I am always me. I don’t want to be like anybody and I don’t even want anybody to be like me. I want people to take what they like from me and be themselves. So, whatever you have, if you also take some things from me and add to it, you will be better than I am. I always pray that people should be better than I am.

Philosophy of life Do to others what you want them to do to you. Stay humble no matter who you are or what you have, it is not by your power, it is by God’s grace and mercy. Stay humble and stay focused. Always give thanks to God. Definition of style Style is what makes you comfortable. Style is what brings you out. It is what suits you. Don’t do what others are doing or wear what others are wearing. Create your own style because it suits you. I won’t say I will wear mini skirt because others are wearing it if it doesn’t suit my stature.

You need to know what suits your stature, what looks good

A woman

poured palmoil

andIhuggedher

How I have been able to remain relevant on TV It has been by God’s grace and mercy. It is not by my power. It is not even because I can act. I think it is just God.

With Tayo Gesinde temiligali03@yahoo.com 08054727801

you are?” But one can’t really blame them. Everybody wants attention. That is why sometimes I create time to chat with my fans on Facebook.

That is the only way to make them happy.

Without them, we are nobody. That we are celebrities, is because they are there watching us, so we should create time for them.

onmeinsidemarket

Fashion obsessions Jewellery and perfumes.

Pains and gains of being a celebrity The pain is that you might not be able to do certain things you would normally do. You have to caution yourself because people are watching. The gain is that sometimes you drive into filling station, buy fuel and when you want to pay, someone would just say don’t worry, I have paid.

Sometimes, you go to a boutique with the intention of buying two items and someone ends up buying five for you.

I think it is a beautiful payback for us.

—Vivian Anani

Nollywood actress, Vivian Anani, has featured in many soap operas and has earned herself the appellate “Queen of Soap Operas.”

TAYO GESINDE recently caught up with the actress on the location of The Casino, where she speaks on her acting career, why she always wears black to the market, her fashion obsessions and other issues. Excerpts: on you. Most of all, be comfortable in whatever you are wearing.

Beauty regimen

I do my cleansing, bathe with hot water. I make sure I don’t sleep with my make-up on and I do my facials once in a while. I also stay off harsh products.

How I became the face of Befenchy The creative director of Befenchy, Chichi, was a fan who started following me on Facebook. When I saw the pictures of her jewellery, I discovered she was very creative and hardworking unlike most young ladies today who want everything to be handed to them on a silver platter. One day, she inboxed me that she had a gift for me and asked where she could find me. Coincidentally, I was in Lagos and she came to find me and gave me the gift. I was touched by her gesture.

From there we became friends. I got addicted to her brand and started buying and wearing her jewellery. Sometimes she would even give me for free. She later approached me that she wanted to make me the face of Befenchy. Though she said she couldn’t afford to pay me millions but I agreed.

I’ve been the face of Befenchy for two years now.

I am happy doing it. I won’t tell you how much she gave me but she tried.

Special treat Every time I have a little time, I try to relax. This job we do, if you don’t create time for yourself, you will never have time to do other things. There are times one has to reject some jobs so that one will have time to rest because whether we like it or not, our body needs rest, especially those of us that are ageing. I have been on set since January and I have made up my mind that after this job (The Casino) that I am doing, I am taking two weeks off to rest.

Secret of beauty

I want to thank God for making me to age gracefully.

One thing is being beautiful and another thing is to age gracefully. I think beauty on the inside is more important to me than beauty of the outside.

Any woman that thinks she is beautiful, she will see other beautiful women who will beat her hands down, so what will stand you out is your inner beauty. That is what I am more concerned about.

How I handle advances from male admirers It is simple. You politely tell them your mind that you can be friends and nothing more than that.

Some of them are very understanding but some will insist, but you too will try not to encourage them because if you tell someone no and you are giving him attention and audience, he won’t give up. Somehow, God has been wonderful to me. The people who normally approach me are usually very understanding, when I tell them hey! I can’t do this, we remain as friends.

Most embarrassing thing a fan has ever done to me It was not an embarrassment, it was a show of love. For instance, two times, I have been bathed with palm oil in the market because when they see me, they were excited. The first time it happened, I wanted to buy palm oil at the market, when the woman who was selling it saw me, she jumped up and said “oh! It’s you” before she knew it, she had stained my dress. She was embarrassed and I was equally embarrassed. But because I could see that she was feeling bad for staining my dress, I hugged her again. When I finished buying the oil, she didn’t want to collect money but I insisted that she must.

After the incident, I told myself I would never wear bright clothes to the market again, so I wear black tops. It was not a bad experience, it was a thing of joy, and they were only excited. However, there are times you get a lot of messages on social media and everybody expects you to reply but you can’t. So, they will be saying things like “who do you think

I don’t want to be like anybody and I don’t even want anybody to be like me. I want people to take what they like from me and be themselves.

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Opinion on provocative dressing As I always say, if you have it, flaunt it. I don’t have anything to flaunt. I didn’t flaunt it when I was 20, 30. Is it now that I will do that? If you think your body is good enough to flaunt, I don’t have anything against you. If your family loves it, if your relationship permits it, your parents are okay with it or your spouse allows it, go ahead. Some men love their women to flaunt their assets. As for me Vivian

Anani, there is a limit to what I flaunt.

Opinion on toning Some people think it is good, others think it is not.

For me, I think we should leave ourselves the way we are.

On whether I will go for cosmetic surgery I am good the way I am, so I will never do cosmetic surgery. I am grateful to my God the way He has created me. My man is not complaining, he is okay with the way I am, so, why should I complain?

Combining the home front with my career As I said earlier, you have to create time because time can’t create itself and there are many things to do. I take time off from work to spend time with my family. And when I am around, everything is taken care of.

Advice for young girls If you are coming in because you have passion for it, good. But if you are coming in because you want to use it to sell yourself, because some girls, all they want is for their face to be seen on TV so that they can invade all the men they want to invade. If that is your mindset, I wish you luck but if it is passion and you think you have something to offer, outside nudity, fine. I tell my colleagues that it is not all celebrities that are role models. There is a big gap between a celebrity and a role model. For someone to be a role model, the person must live an exemplary life and have morals. Being a role model is not just about living a flamboyant lifestyle. Young girls today want to emulate celebrities because of fame and fortune, they don’t care if the person is living an exemplary life or is worthy to be called a role model. So we as celebrities have to caution ourselves that people see us as role models, even some of us are not worthy to be called that. So, I will advise whoever is coming in to come in with positive changes, come in to add value and not come and destroy what we are trying to build. If you have the talent, God will bless you and open doors for you.

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14 August, 2016

With Akintayo Abodunrin akinjaa03@yahoo.co.uk 08111813058

Revolt of the ghost players A review of Uzor Maxim Uzoatu’s A Play of Ghosts by Michael Jimoh

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HE players in this play, ‘A Play of Ghosts’ by Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, are all actors starring in their own show to incite a long overdue revolution. Thus, there is a Producer, an Author, a Heroine, her brother and two prostitutes. All of them can barely eke out a living. A counterpoint to them is a vacuous landlord cum politician called Alhaji – representing the propertied class.

Using the stage to foment rebellions is as old as drama itself. Usually deployed against the state or constituted authority, actors, writers and the lot have since employed such tactics to avoid charges of sedition. There is the added advantage of making the audience understand that the entire transaction is to be taken at face value. Still, the underlying message(s) would have been passed along, however discreetly.

In ‘A Play of Ghosts’, Uzoatu has availed his characters of a readymade medium to vent their collective spleen on a tyrannical and unfeeling class – to great effect. From the onset, the characters call themselves ghosts, effectively making them and, by extension, the playwright not liable for any traffic on stage, however unpalatable the subject may be.

Most revolutions in the world often begin innocuously, from insignificant incidents that would later change the course of history.

It is so in ‘A Play...’

After the death of their father, brother and sister, Mentalo and Victoria, are unable to pay their rent. There is already a letter of eviction from the landlord, Alhaji. Thrown in the mix is a misty-eyed lover by name Kema

Akeredolu presents book on criminal justice system ALL is set for the public presentation of Olusina Akeredolu’s new book, ‘The Indigenous African Criminal Justice System for the Modern World’.

Written against the background of the demand for lawyers to seek indigenous interventions to challenges in the criminal justice system, the book will be presented on Tuesday, August 16 at Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

President, University of Lagos Alumni Society and Joint Chief Director, EKO Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Sonny Kuku will chair the presentation ceremony of the book published by Carolina Academic Press, United States.

Eminent lawyers, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon Justice Funmi Atilade, Ekiti State Chief Judge, Hon Justice Ayo Daramola, Senator Bob Effiong, Femi Falana (SAN), Chief Anthony Aribisala (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN), Chief Bola Awe; Chief Lanre Adesuyi and ex-deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire are some of the special guests that will grace the occasion.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Oba Michael Ademolaju will be the royal fathers of the day.

who is also the Author. The landlord himself is a secret admirer of Victoria. He is a polygamist but Victoria does not wish to be spouse number X. Utterly besotted with Victoria (Heroine), Kema lacks the required resources to start a lasting relationship with her. Worse still, Mentalo reviles him because of his indigent condition, not that Mentalo is any better than Kema, though. On her part, Victoria is torn between his love for Kema and her desire to better her situation. Prompted by Mentalo, she opts for the second. Her life takes on a downward spiral from that point, as she graduates from being a hard-drinking murderess to the proprietress of a bordello.

The grist for any drama worth staging – conflict, love, death, confrontation and resolution – are so expertly woven together

by Uzoatu that readers get a sense of what minimalism ought to be. Broken by life and circumstances, some of the characters take

to drinking and whoring – with biblical and philosophical justification. “Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress…” Mentalo consoles himself, quoting the book of Proverbs, but never for once forgetting the imminent war against the oppressors.

For sheer bravado and originality, Mentalo – though his name suggests a loony – has a certain appeal to readers. Educated unemployed idlers, for instance, would most certainly identify with him. Almost every page in A Play drips with brilliance. Lola, one of the prostitutes lodged in Hotel Victoria, where most of the action takes place, dismisses Mentalo’s misogyny as a combo of “the tough talking of emergency revolutionaries with the rabid sentimentality of an undersexed refugee.”

With irreverent humour but never farcical, often mordant wit and a knack for philosophical ripostes, Uzoatu presents credible characters who understand why they must rid themselves of the shackles of oppression.

A sagely figure, Producer is the intellectual arrowhead of the revolution though he sometimes acts as a leash on the excesses of others.

He owns the house on Kimathi Street – a nod to The Trial of Dedan Kimathi by Ngugi wa ‘Thiongo – a sort of training school for prospective revolutionaries. Where his disciples are hotheaded, Producer offers some bit of temperance, ever ready with a wise counsel or protection for a potential victim.

In the closing scene, Mentalo charges at Alhaji for killing Victoria but the politician/ landlord is saved physically by Producer.

Kema tells Mentalo to look beyond doing physical harm. “We fight for life and victory does not exist by itself. Victory lies in struggle and the will to go the distance.”

Brief as it is – 64 pages in all – ‘A Play…’ will surely go a long way in the history of revolutionary drama as one of the most potent depictions of class struggle between the rich and the have-nots in Nigeria.

•Jimoh is a Lagos-based writer and literary journalist

Entries open for 2016 Etisalat Photography Contest THE 2016 Etisalat Photography Competition has opened. Submission of entries for the contest which encourages emerging photographers to capture and celebrate fascinating pictures that reflect the diversity and daring spirit of Nigeria’s expressions opened on August 8 and will close on September 1.

The competition, which kicks off a series of activities leading to the opening of the 7th Etisalat-sponsored Lagos Photo Festival, has ‘Performance’ as its theme.

Speaking on this, Director, Brands & Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye, explained that, “This year’s edition of Etisalat Photo Competition is tagged ‘Performance’;

action repeated constantly becomes a ritual, its transference into other spaces of engagement becomes a performance. We wish to explore further these performances through the strength of photography in depicting our daily routines and celebratory activities and expressions. Under the categories daily routines and celebratory, the competition serves as a platform fostering expressions and creativity at its peak.”

He added that Etisalat Photography Competition uses the power of photography to create compelling stories that encapsulate individual experiences and identities from across Africa.

Goldberg reiterates support for Osun Osogbo THREE years after it started a relationship with the Osun Osogbo Festival, Goldberg, a brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc., says it is not yet fed up with the affair.

Towards this end, the brand will be involved again in this year’s festival which began with the Iwopopo last Monday and climaxes on Friday, August 19 with the grand procession to the Osun Grove.

Speaking at the Osun Osogbo Corporate Forum held in Osogbo on August 4, Public Affairs Manager, West and Mid-West, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Tayo Adelaja, reiterated the company’s commitment to the world renowned festival. He said, “this partnership is consummated in the cultural ethos of the Yoruba because it is one between two historical brands: Osun Osogbo, a 600 year-old festival that truly reflects the traditional culture of the Yoruba race and Goldberg, the fastest growing beer brand in Southwest Nigeria.”

Adelaja added that as a socially responsible organization, Nigerian Breweries has been good partners with people from the region and will remain committed to winning with Nigeria by championing causes that add value to the society such as the Osun Osogbo Festival.

From left, Tayo Adelaja; Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II; his wife, Olori Kafayat Anike Oyetunji and Funso Ayeni at the Corporate Forum.

Speaking in the same vein, Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Funso Ayeni, disclosed that Goldberg would light up Osogbo with exciting communication materials that will create a memorable beer experience to excite and reward its loyal consumers in the town.

“We plan to activate a 15-day Goldberg Beer Village where indigenes and visitors will be exposed to an unforgettable and befitting experience with lots of music, comedy, traditional performances and rewards,” he said.

Ayeni added that the corporate partnership will not only enhance commercial activities in the town, but also increase trade, especially at the beer village where thousands of guests will be visiting daily, thereby impacting the economy of Osogbo and the state.

Responding, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, commended NB Plc for taking its social responsibility seriously. “Goldberg is truly a brand that identifies with the cultural values of people,” the Ataoja said of the official beer sponsor.

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Sunday Tribune

thepolity PDP needs experienced, tested hand as chairman —George

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, who is aspiring to become the National Chairman of the party, speaks with DARE ADEKANMBI on his ambition; the future of his party and other issues.

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S the eldest of the three contestants to the office of the national chairman of the PDP from the Lagos/ Ogun axis where it has been zoned, some people think you should allow the younger two to slug it out, while you play the role of an elder. What do you think about this?

First of all, the scenario is different.

The situation in our party requires an experienced, tested and proven person to head the party at this time. The party is going through a very serious crisis and today we are in opposition. You don’t go and look for a J.J. Green who is yet to learn about the tenets, culture and norms of the party. Out of the whole bunch of them, who served as vice-chairman of the party when we delivered five out of the six states in the South-West to the PDP? Who served as the deputy national chairman overall of the party when we won 28 states? “Atari ajanaku, ki nseru omode” (the head of an elephant is not for a small child to carry). That is one side.

Let’s look at the people we want to go and battle with. Is Chief John Odigie-Oyegun a bambino? Is President Muhammadu Buhari a bambino? If we have such people at that level, experienced and seasoned people, we must not joke with the issue of national chairman of the PDP. It is not everything that you learn in the classroom. Experienced is acquired as you move around in life. I have just told you briefly what I have done in the party in the past. I ran the directorate of a presidential election and we won. You see the track record? I have been in so many institutions — be it university, served in the Navy to the level of a General; I went to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) where the issue of Nigeria was X-rayed. With the kind of problem we have now in the party and in the country, is it not the time now to get our best out? Someone who has not achieved anything that is highly remarkable and then wants to jump into leading the biggest party in Africa. He will have to be servant before he becomes a master. I have paid my dues. When I was elected the national vice-chairman (SouthWest), nobody would have thought it was possible for PDP to win any election in the South-West. But we delivered the South-

who is less than two years in the party. It is an insult to the founding fathers and millions of Nigerians who have laboured assiduously for the party. Now that we are flat on the ground, we have to resuscitate the party.

Bode George West. It was our over-confidence and lack of focus that made us to lose these states.

We knew what happened. Where was this young man at that time? He was in the other side when we were building the party. Now, he is less than two years in the party and wants to be national chairman.

The grey hair on my head is not something that can be bought in the market. It is wisdom. I have a very strong faith in the Almighty God that I will win the contest.

The book of Ecclesiastes says it all in Chapter 3-There is time for everything. An analogy from my own professional calling as a naval officer is this. When a ship is in distress in a sea that is turbulent and is worse than 12 gale force, you need a tested captain to stabilise the ship and bring it safely to harbour. We are in dire strait.

The party is almost comatose. I related with the founding fathers since 1998 and I know why the party was created, the focus

and commitment they made to ensure that Nigeria will always remain stable. You don’t go and get a carpenter to come and do the job of a surgeon. You don’t bring a fresh graduate to go and carry out a surgical operation or do a transplant. They need to learn the rope. It is not everything that you get in the constitution. There is what we call the tradition, the culture and the norm. Who, out of the whole bunch of them, can say from the very first hour he is elected, he can be directing the party’s affairs hands on in full throttle because he has established people? I have traversed the nook and cranny of the country and all the 36 states and the FCT. They know us and we know them. This is why I am putting myself forward. It is not age now, but experience. As a General, you know we don’t retire. Let us stabilise our party because we were there when they formed the party. So, it is not a job for a newcomer

What kind of PDP are you going to be leading if you emerge the chairman?

I will be leading a PDP that is one family.

We will pull ourselves together. Conflict resolution has been my specialisation.

When we were there, we had a lot of crises in the party. I chaired the committee that resolved the crisis in the NorthWest. After that, PDP won the whole seven states in the region. When we had a crisis in Anambra, when [Chris] Ngige was abducted, who was sent to end that crisis? When we had a crisis in Imo, who went down there to resolve it? When we had crisis the Ife-Modakeke crisis and the state government under Chief Bisi Akande could not handle it, I was made the chair of the committee that resolved the crisis. Since that day, there has been no single gunshot in the area. The terrible Owo crisis, I was sent there to resolve it. There are so many. The experience is there. You don’t just jump from being an infant to being an adult. I thank God that I have a particular strength, which is being tenacious for what is good, just, righteous and equitable. I will hold on to this value and stand for them. That is what our party needs now. I will stabilise the party and move it forward. We have to get back to the [Aso] Villa. We did it in the South-West and overall. At this point, we are either going to make or break. That is the point.

Are you in any way frightened by the entry into the race of Jimi Agbaje who is seen as the likely dark horse in the contest?

As I have said, I am selling myself, my experience to members of the party. We met in Akure as zonal stakeholders and I was endorsed by the South-West based on my experience and all that. I won’t talk for him. He has said that some people are pushing him to contest. That is not my business. I will continue to sell myself to Continues pg 31

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Sunday Tribune

inter

Controversy ove

Mismanagement o for Oyo’s econom Govt took no —Layinka, A

A former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Ayodele Adigun, who retired as a permanent secretary in the state, speaks with DARE ADEKANMBI on local and national politics, among others. Excerpts: Chief Adigun

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S somebody who has been in government after retiring as a top civil servant, would you say that there is something that this current government needs to do that it has not done on the economy?

I will blame Nigerians. When they said they wanted change, they did not specify the kind of change they wanted, whether positive or negative change. Now, the realities are on ground. I joined the Oyo State civil service in 1978 and I retired in 2001. All through, no civil servant went through the pangs and pains of not receiving salaries, at least on or before the 10th of the succeeding month. For about seven months now, the civil servants in Oyo State are yet to be paid their salaries. I wonder how they are sustaining themselves. It is traumatic for the workers and the pensioners. I recollect that way back in 2013 and 2014, I advised the present state government against going into any form of bond or loan from bank. I had a premonition that the crude oil price would crash and as a mono-product economy, I knew there would be problems. The chicken has come home to roost and that is what we are experiencing now. I pity the governor. No doubt, the loan repayment, deductions from the federal allocation coupled with the poor IGR will make it difficult for the state to pick its bills.

What is obvious is that there has been mismanagement in the affairs of the states in the southern part of Nigeria that have been unable to pay their workers. It is pathetic in the sense that some of the workers are dropping dead, having been hit by hunger and poverty. It is ridiculous.

Ajimobi and other southern governors have bitten more than they can chew.

So, what would you advise the governor should do?

I guess it is too late in the day to offer any form of advice because when we offered a piece of advice in 2013 and 2014, we were called names. There was a vicious attack on my person when I was getting too loud for them. I lost one of my night guards. I told them they would encounter stormy weather with the way they were running the state. We have experienced arrogance of power. There is no need mounting any high horse. If the governor allows labour to go on strike, whether for one or two years, the government will still come back to pay the salaries.

To wriggle out of the economic quagmire, the state government has organised a series of workshops as part of efforts to return to agriculture…

Any direct involvement of the government in agriculture is deceitful. Government should just limit itself to providing the enabling environment for the practice of agriculture, which is, subsidising input, providing land and so on. But going into direct production is not something that can be done overnight. I am a farmer. I have been into agriculture for over 20 years and I have never experienced government assistance, even fertilizer I can’t get. No input from government or incentives. So, government has no business in business, including agric business. They just provide enabling environment for people to partici-

pate. It is not just something you wake up overnight and say you have acquired land.

It requires a lot of planning and incentives for farmers to till the land. The governor has not cleared the burden of salaries. I think he should just think of ways of shedding its excess luggage. You see in the past, it was cutting your coat according to your size. Now, it is cutting your coat according to your cloth.

Governor Ajimobi did promise that the council election would be conducted. But now, the tenure of caretaker chairmen has been renewed.

There is a saying about APC that the meaning of its acronym is All Promises Cancelled (APC). But the point is that if he promised some time ago that within 90 days that the local government elections would be conducted, I wonder where he is going to get the money to conduct such election this time around.

But the governor has inaugurated the members of OYSIEC… Inaugurating them is not the same as conducting elections. We need a lot of money to conduct elections and with the state of the economy and the problem on ground, will it be advisable to conduct any election now? There could be social uprising. So, he has to be very cautious.

I think we should just allow him to settle the immediate problem now before talking about elections. When he was saying it, I was very skeptical.

But for him to have said it, he knew quite well that election would cost money and perhaps the money was already available somewhere before he said it.

That is a fundamental error. Politicians will talk without considering the realities on ground. He must have made that type of statement in the heat of passion without deeply considering the intricacies involved. I don’t see local government election coming up very soon. But if he conducts any form of election now, I don’t think APC will make any head way.

People say Accord as the biggest opposition party has been silent lately, that you are not giving the state government the kind of proposition that is expected. What do you think of this?

No doubt, Accord during the 2015 elections made some fundamental errors, which I am sure will be corrected in the future. But do we need any form of opposition now?

The facts on the ground are too obvious. Do we need to be campaigning to the civil servants who have not been paid for over six months? Or to the teachers who have not been paid for over six months now? Or to those who have lost their kith and kin due to poverty and hopelessness? Do we need to campaign to them? You can say it is already done; everything is obvious. You see government, in a developing economy, is the biggest spender.

For example, in Oyo is more or less a civil service state.

When you pay salaries, it is not that the civil servants will pocket the money and go home. They will go to Bodija market to buy foodstuff; they will consult their mechanics to fix their broken down cars. If they have excess, they will call the bricklayers to put one block on the other. So, that is what we call the multiplier effect of that type of money. But

if the source of that type of income dries up, it will affect the whole gamut of the society from traders, artisans and so on.

If you meet President Buhari today, what would you tell him as a piece of advice?

The economy is no longer growing; it is rather shrinking. In the first and second quarters of 2016, the country’s growth figures were negative. It is good that the Buhari administration is running after those who stole money.

But that alone is not enough. He must address the economic problems in the country. It is not only anti-corruption fight that will sustain the country. The inflation rate has risen to 16.5 per cent, the highest since 2005. There is food insecurity as a result of which people now steal their neighbours’ food, rather than being their brothers’ keepers. We have had enough of running after those who stole money. Let him do something to the economy.

Oyo in 2019 and the state of opposition parties We are looking up to God to spare our lives till that time.

Only God knows those who will be alive by then. The present APC administration in the state is a big shame.

The governor has not only disappointed the people, he has also done a grave injury to the party. They say ‘koseleri’ (that is, something unprecedented). Yes, it is unprecedented that workers will go on empty stomachs for six months without salaries and the governor will be comfortable and be travelling out of the country under the guise of scouting for investors. What kind of stupid investors will come and invest his money in a place where there is no electricity, where all the factors of production except land are absent.

You said these and more in the build-up to the last elections, but they did not factor because the people of the state went ahead to vote for Ajimobi.

It is unfortunate that the voters did what they did. We sensitised them on the dangers of having Ajimobi for a second term. But because of the love of N500 or N1000 and cheap propaganda, they were lured into voting for him. The result is what we are witnessing in the state today. So, the people are stewing in their juice. I pity them, but they have also seen that they made a grievous mistake in voting for APC and Ajimobi. If you are in a system, there is no way it will not always come back to you. Now, I am always afraid to attend social functions because when you get there, an army of people pounce on you, asking for common N500 to feed. It is unfortunate.

Will the opposition parties coalesce in 2019?

An average politician is selfish, greedy and idiotic. What happened in 2015 was very unfortunate. Some of the top politicians believed they could do it alone and so refused to come together or step down for those who could win.

They knew they were not on ground, but stuck to their gun because of their avarice. Some people are also sworn enemies who believed that their enemy must not get to the seat, even though they knew the person they tagged their enemy would administer the state in a way that would benefit the society. That is the result of what we are having now. It is the greed of the politicians. They dream of winning without considering the realities on the ground.

I doubt if they will be able to have a rethink in 2019 and that is why the black man will continue to have problems because they won’t be realistic with their aspirations.

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er governance

of bond responsible mic crisis —Adigun o bond, loans Ajimobi’s aide

Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Media and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, speaks with DARE ADEKANMBI on the state of the state, council elections and other matters. Excerpts:

O

PPOSITION figures have said that the lot of the people under Governor Ajimobi in his second term has been pain and misery, instead of the change promised.

To make a generalised statement like that sometimes is not worthy of comment, particularly from an obviously frustrated political opposition figures who lost an election and were unable to do what they wanted to do, and particularly without any indices to support that wild claim. Unless and until such a commentary is supported by verifiable facts, I think it can at best be left to the imagination of whoever is making the claim, someone whose party has lost an election will try to seek relevance by making unsubstantiated claim.

Some people have said the state is in a dire strait because of mismanagement of the resources that accrued to government in the first term, the huge loans and bond whose repayment is also draining government’s lean funds.

What bond did the state government receive? This is a government that, to all intent and purposes, never borrowed any money, unlike several other governments across the country which have had to go to the Stock Exchange and banks to run their projects. Which loan was taken at time and from what source, that can then be said to have been mismanaged? That is another supposition that does not even merit any answer.

Workers have said the two months salaries promised by the government and as a result of which they suspended their strike have been coming in trickles and that their pain and misery have not subsided…

What we promised was not to pay two months salaries in a day. The agreement government and the labour leaders signed was that we were going to pay the first month and that the second month would be paid immediately the next federal allocation comes in and that has not happened. So, we have not reneged on any agreement with labour and the labour union, I think, is more concerned about its interest than any supposition from any quarters.

If there are issues of abdication of our commitment, I am sure the labour union will be the first to raise the alarm.

The government has expressed its plan to diversify the state’s economy. But does government have any business being in agric business?

The government has not set up an agric company. What the government has done is to bring about a policy that makes agriculture more favourable investment sites, especially for young people who can become agricultural entrepreneurs. As you implied, the business of government is to create an enabling environment and what the Oyo State Agriculture Initiative seeks to do is to mobilise all resources, whether they belong to the public of private investors, to agriculture sector to make it an investment site, particularly to the young ones who can participate at whatever level of the value chain. That is ongoing and that is why the engagement is multi-sectoral and involves financial institutions, the agric research institutions, commodity companies, investors and others. There will be some waiting time for the project to start yielding benefits and we expect

the benefits to start manifesting in the coming months.

Yomi Layinka

When Governor Ajimobi said recently that workers should brace up for restructuring and there is verification of workers ongoing, was the governor trying to hint about possible sack of workers?

I can confirm to you that a screening and verification of all workers is ongoing. But the idea of sack has been completely rejected and explained by the governor. The most recent platform for that was in Abuja where he explained very clearly that his government as well as the Federal Government of the APC cannot be interested in the retrenchment of workers. But every government, especially in these times, must brace up to the reality that it must match man to task.

The restructuring exercise is primarily aimed at bringing about optimal efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. To start with, the government has got to know exactly how many people work for it, what kind of work they do and whether or not the kind of work they do is relevant today, and whether we need to restructure and move people. As you probably know, at the beginning of the second term of this government, there was a restructuring of the ministries, departments and agencies to ensure alignment between government policy direction and its service delivery capability.

So, that is what we mean by restructuring. The ongoing verification exercise is aimed at ensuring that the number of people on our payroll is exactly the number of people that are actually at the workplaces. Two, we also intend to assess the capacity and capability of the individuals to deliver on their assignment, including claims to certification.

If a worker claims to won a certificate in Engineering, we want to be sure that indeed that worker has a certificate in Engineering. We are having cases where people have falsified their certificates and that needs to be checked. We need to ensure that the number of people we have in the system is commensurate with the number of people we need. We also need to align people’s skills with targeted results.

What happens if, at the end of the verification exercise, it is found out that quite a number of the workers don’t have the capacity and skills to do the targeted task you just mentioned?

There are a number of options usually open to an employer. You either move people from the line of duty where they don’t seem to have the capacity for to another. If we find out that there are gaps in the manpower requirement in a particularly area and there is surplus in another area, we will move people from area of surplus to where they can add value. Those who don’t have the capacity for a particular task may have the capacity for another task.

So, we will do realignment, which is normal in personnel distribution. If, however, it is found out that some workers don’t have the necessary skills and there is no alternative place for them within the civil service structure, obviously, such workers will have to go. Such workers will have early retirement option or what have you.

And if they engage in criminal acts such as falsification of certificates and fraudulent behaviour, such people will have to go too and even face criminal charge.

Why does the government have to subject the

workers to another round of biometric verification when it conducted one during the first term and after which it said it was saving N400 million monthly from ghost workers and account duplication?

Why do you revalidate your driver’s licence? Why do you revalidate your medical certificate? It is an ongoing process because what worked then may not work again.

We may have heard some other leakages, a need for realignment and so on. Management does not terminate with just one examination. So, you conduct a particular audit at a particular point in time and them you do something else. As I speak with you, even the labour union, which was part of the agreement reached, the supposition in labour quarters is that even the number of civil servants seems to be bloated.

The exercise has the representatives of labour involved in it to ensure it is all-encompassing and it is not that government is just claiming, so that if there are ghost workers, they will be weeded out. There is no sin having it again.

Will there be local government election in Oyo State?

Have you not heard that the timetable is out? You can check that out with OYSIEC. Since the inauguration of OYSIEC, there has been a state of inactivity in the commission. It is plagued by logistical challenge, which is being attributed to lean resources and which is the fear being expressed among even aspirants.

That fear is as real as our economic state of affairs and other issues that concern every Nigerian, whether public or private.

The truth of the matter is that somehow we have to wade through it. First of all, we know the people are all anxious that local government elections be held. So, government cannot continue to delay on account of lack of resources.

The truth of the matter is that we are all in it togetherthose who want to contest elections, the government and the general public. Together, we can shape and determine how we move forward. The logistical challenges are not going to go away because there is no magic that is going to bring that about. We must be realistic about our expectation because it will cost the government close to if not over N1 billion conservatively to conduct the elections. This is not an authoritative figure from OYSIEC. They will tell you better.

Therefore, we must together determine where that money is going to come from. And if it doesn’t come as early as we wish, what do we do about it? The people of Oyo State must understand that they can’t have their cake and eat it. We want to have an election and we must fund it and the money will have to come from the public purse.

Some have said the government has become a big shame to the APC as a result of the state of affairs in the state at the moment.

Those who say that have deficit in personal integrity.

Has the APC dissociated itself from its government and governor? Governor Ajimobi was appointed chairman of the APC governorship screening in Ondo State. If he was a pariah and embarrassment to his party, will the party choose in to act in such capacity? The claim is outlandish.

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Sheriff is an agent of destabilisation in PDP —Ihedioha, Ex-Dep Speaker

Immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, speaks with newsmen in Port Harcourt on the convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describes Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as an interloper sent to destroy party. DEPUTY EDITOR, DAPO FALADE brings excerpts:

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HE Professor Jerry Ganaled reconciliation committee of your party held a meeting with Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Is there any sign of positive development from the meeting?

I am not a member of the committee.

We just concluded a very successful state congress of our party in Imo State. We are happy that the party is getting ready to begin the processes to deliver governance in Imo State for 2019. That has kept me in the state for a while.

But like you said, the task, apparently, is to get aggrieved members of the party to see reasons to help the party to begin its role as opposition in the present time and to begin to build towards the next general election. We are facing a governorship election in Edo State and we believe that all well-meaning members of PDP should be interested in how the party will win that election and not in how to distract the party from victory.

Senator Sheriff is still insisting on having his candidate for the Edo election...

Can we stop all this emphasis on Senator Ali Modu Sheriff? He was the chairman of our party and his tenure is over.

The convention in Port Harcourt, which I guess you witnessed, took judicious note of it and took an action to terminate the life of that executive. By the votes of the delegates at the convention, all national officers, which included Sheriff, were removed from office. When you are removed from office, do you still remain in office?

These are mere distractions. Please, let us be positive about the future of our party.

That is the challenge we are facing now.

Are you aware of the Justice Muhammad Liman judgment on the issues in Port Harcourt? Has there been anything to the contrary? Is there any superior judgment in that regard? Has any court of higher jurisdiction made a pronouncement? The constitution of our party is supreme and the constitution of our land is also supreme. Let us not get distracted; let us be focused.

The dust was also raised on the zoning of the chairmanship position of the party to the South-West, ahead the convention. Don’t you think that aspirants from the other zones have been effectively shut out by the zoning arrangement?

I think in 2002, when the party zoned the presidency to the South, we had an incumbent president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, but Dr Alex Ekwueme contested the primary with him. The late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi from the northern part of the country also contested. We didn’t stop them from running. Am I right? I just gave you an analogy. I am not a member of the screening committee and I have not seen the publication. But I am sure the screening committee will do justice to all those issues. But what I am saying is that the party has pronounced zoning. You may choose to respect it and you may choose

sure you know that we have inaugurated a high-powered National Convention Committee of which, incidentally by the grace of the party, I am a member. On Friday [last week], we also are going for meeting of various sub-committees of the convention. I am heading the Committee on Constitution Amendment.

So, we are working because we believe that we must move our party forward. We know there are agents sent to destabilise our party and it is very easy for them to offer themselves to be agents. I will leave you to fill the blank spaces. But we cannot be distracted every day, bothering ourselves about those who have decided to be agents; you cannot stop a man from an agent, agent of whatever, agent of parties and interests opposed to our party. That is why I asked: what ideals Sheriff represents? Does he represent any of the positive ideals of PDP? He does not and so?

You should be able to fill the blank spaces.

Ihedioha

not to respect it. It is not for me, as a party member, to tell you want will happen; it is a free contest. Zoning is supposed to be a guide.

You just said Ali Modu is a distraction...

What does he represent? Can you tell me one ideal of PDP that he represents?

You, as a reporter who has been covering the activities of PDP, can you tell me one ideal of the party that Ali Modu Sheriff represents? What is he preaching? What is his message? I will only refer you to the PDP Constitution, pertaining to the powers and functions of the party. The questions you people should ask is: was there a national convention? Has there been any other convention apart from the one held in Port Harcourt? What did we do in Port Harcourt?

But the man went to court to challenge his removal...

We had elected the national executive members before and we removed them, through a due motion; I was the seconder of that motion, moved by former Deputy Speaker Austin Opara. A motion was moved in line and in conformity with the PDP Constitution and it was supported overwhelmingly by the ayes and so we removed all the national officers. So, when you say the man was challenging his removal, did the party’s constitution give him room to be jumping up and down as he is doing? We told him come to the national convention. The PDP Constitution says only a national convention can annul the action of a convention and we are yet to have another one after the one we had in Port Harcourt on May 21, 2016.

But if the distraction continues, what is the party going to do?

The party is a deliberate party, just like this ward congress is a deliberate action.

Congresses are taking place across the country, ward-by-ward and which you too noticed. I am here now; it is not like somebody will say, ‘Emeka Iheodia is not here and that what we are doing is just a ‘wayo.’ I am here live and also members of my committee. It is taking place but some people will sit somewhere and say, ‘don’t mind them, there is no convention.’ Sheriff will tell you no congress is taking place but is he participating in the congress? Is he doing a congress?

There is a process that leads to a convention. We had a convention and that convention was convened by the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), as provided for in our constitution. No one man has the authority to say he has cancelled and suspended the convention. He is ignorant of the provisions of our constitution. That was why I asked: does he represent our ideals? The ideals of the founding fathers of our party are very clear. Sheriff is an interloper; he jumped into the party.

With the spate of court injunctions, the fear is that another injunction may spring up a day to the convention stopping its conduct. Are you prepared for this?

Just be focused and be confident. We have gotten this far because we remained focused. We will not be distracted and we shall not be distracted. If we had been distracted, we shall not be planning for the convention. You can see that everything and everybody is on, speed gear. I am

But you people brought him into the party in the first instance...

He came in and if indeed he is a man of honour, he told us he would spend only three months. He told us at the party caucus and I was there. He pledged to spend three months, which was to terminate in May. That was why we fixed the national convention for May 21, 2016. He presided over that national caucus meeting and caused every member of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to pledge to leave before May 21.

Even, if we had said we wanted him, don’t we have the right to change our mind? So, to say that we brought him, what does that mean? We brought a man and we now saw his true colour and we said, ‘man, please go and sit down; we want to build our party.’ That is what we are doing. By the way, you have to be the chairman of a people because the party is about people and the same people said they don’t want you as the chairman. Is it by force? So, I don’t understand what you people are saying about court. The court is not the people. PDP is on course to electing a new national chairman come August 17, 2016.

What does PDP stand for in the current dispensation?

What we are doing and we should be very conscious of this is to try to build and sustain our democracy. It is not about outsmarting each other. Whatever we do today counts. I say this to everybody who cares to listen and this is obvious. I am sure you have an idea of my national trajectories. When I was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, we had a situation where some persons wanted to do things that were wrong and I said to them, ‘be very mindful’; I was presiding that day. I said then that the problem some people are creating today at the national scene was never part of the processes that led us to where we are. What do I mean? continues

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‘It’s political lunacy to say I’m an ex-convict’ Continued from pg 27 them delegates and of course they know my pedigree and track record. I have served at the national headquarters of the party for 10 years as one of the managers of the party. The position of national chairman is not something we can do as a tea party. This is a serious issue. And if it is the wish of the Almighty God, so be it.

With or without you as chairman, where do you see the PDP in the 2019 contest?

As PDP, we held the government for 16 years and we lost it because of certain things. The party set up a postmortem committee that looked at why we lost and the committee made adequate recommendations. PDP needs an experienced driver, a tested captain to drive it to our destination going back to the Villa. Now that we are not in government, the style must change. What we are going to sell to Nigerians is that they must see us that we are serious and we have learnt a lesson about being selfconfident and self-conceited. We must move away from it and make a centerpiece of all our policies the people of Nigeria. That is what we can do that will lead us back to the Villa. I am not afraid to face the public. I can’t say we will play God. But we will be extremely committed to the cause of our people in this country. And that will deliver us. The final decision will be with the people. Nigerians will compare us with the APC and see who can do better.

The Yoruba say if a wife has not tested two husbands she won’t know which is better. Nigerians now know which is better between APC and PDP. We have learnt a lesson and are making amends to re-situate the party along democratic principles. Our party has foundational principles of justice, fairness and equity. As chairman, I will re-stabilise these three tripods on which our party stands. Under my watch, all those who left in annoyance will return. They left as landlords to a party where they are tenants. Which one will they prefer between being landlords and being tenants? They will come back as landlords to the house they built. We will reach out to them and open the doors for their return. The principle which we have lost is discipline and we must restore it.

We must obey the tenets and the rules as stated in the constitution of the party because it is where there are no laws that there are no sins. Where there are laws, we must follow our laws and that is what we need now.

How many delegates are you expecting at the convention and how many of those have you reached out to?

One should not jump the gun. Delegates are just emerging this week [last week] from the various states.

That is why we are meeting the North-West, NorthEast and North-Central, South-East and South-South delegates between now [Friday] and Monday. You don’t jump and start running around when zoning has not been done and where positions will be zone to and especially when your zone has not even chosen the person it prefers.

I am going around to show myself to the delegates, who already know me, that I am still as strong, mentally and physically to take the mantle of leadership. From the first hour of my being elected, I will begin to manage the affairs of the party.

has quashed your conviction, it will be difficult for the party to erase the incident from the minds of Nigerians who will ultimately decide if your party should return to power or not.

That to me is complete lunacy and idiocy. What were the charges levelled against me? Do you know what they call convoluted conspiracy? Did the judge who judged the case say I stole money? He even wrote in his judgment that I didn’t take money but that I only spilt contracts.

We were railroaded to a judge in Lagos State under Bola Tinubu. I have the judgment of the Supreme Court and you can go and look at it yourself. The concluding part was that our trial was a charade that we ought not to have gone to trial in the first place. What else would you call it if not political persecution? If anybody is using that against me, that person has political lunacy. Have you seen any leader who is unique that has not gone to prison? I didn’t get a pardon, you know. The highest court in the land said the trial was a mis-trial. There was no iota of evidence to suggest that we took money throughout that trial. Even the contract they said we spilt was never awarded. So, what did we benefit from it? If people want to talk in a lunatic way because of this contest, Bode George is not a pushover. The consequence of the mis-trial will haunt the young boy who took the decision at that court. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was arraigned on a trumped up charge of treasonable felony, what did they do to him? If you read Papa Awo’s submission in The Allocutus, you will know that great leaders have always been convolutedly conspired against. My trial was nothing but a complete charade. Who says you won’t have tribulation? But if you trust your God, you will come out tribulation like a shining gold. The people who thronged the prison where I was released, did I invite them? Did you see the crowd there?

Millions of people turned out. Remember that when Papa Awolowo came back from prison, there was a standstill in Lagos. The justices of the Supreme Court dismissed the verdict of the lower court as a charade. Those who sent Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to jail thought they were going to punish him. But what happened? He came out and got above them as president. I come from a political family the great grandpa of which was Pa Herbert Macaulay. Go and find out. He went to jail several times, fighting along with others, for the liberation of Nigeria from the clutches of the British colonial masters. Today, the history of politics

If you read Papa Awo’s submission in The Allocutus, you will know that great leaders have always been convolutedly conspired against. My trial was nothing but a complete charade. Who says you won’t have tribulation? But if you trust your God, you will come out tribulation like a shining gold.

Part of the concerns being raised about your candidature is that though the Supreme Court

Bode George cannot be complete without mentioning him as one of the fathers of Nigerian politics. That is the stock I come from. In fact, I see a reincarnation of him in me. Anybody who hopes to use my fraudulent conviction for political purpose is wishing the Supreme Court away. Anyone saying that is suffering from political lunacy and idiocy.

The laws are the laws and the courts are the courts. Who gave them the hardest fight in Lagos? This was why they said Bode George must be punished. I thank God that I was discharged and acquitted. So, is that an issue? I am even more emboldened now because I have seen the top of the mountain and I have seen the worst of the valley.

That has therefore become experience for me. I have seen the people in the doldrums of life and I have dined with those who are at the topmost mountain of life. So, what is it that is coming that I will not be able to handle? We don’t need any J.J. Green who does not know whether to turn left or right as PDP national chairman. I have garnered so much experience in my traversing the path of life.

Are you not worried about what Ali Modu Sheriff may come up with, something like an injunction stopping the convention? He has refused to accept the olive branch being waved at him by the party leadership.

I don’t think he will get any injunction. If the court of jurisdiction gives us a ruling and a court of the same jurisdiction gives another ruling, the judge who gave the second ruling doesn’t have the right to cancel our own ruling. It is only a higher court, Court of Appeal, which can nullify the judgment by the three other judges that confirmed Senator Ahmed Makarfi and chairman.

Once we have a new set of managers in the party, the first assignment will be to resolve this crisis. There are still so many meetings that are ongoing to ensure that everybody comes on board. And if at the last minute, we can’t still achieve that, it will be the responsibility of the new managers to broker peace and stabilise the party. I don’t think Sheriff will be a problem. Collectively, we will sit back and resolve our problems. It is not a structural disagreement. It is not a fundamental disagreement.

Egos, people’s ambitions have got into it. These are issues we can deal with in a just manner.

Zoning is a guide in PDP, but... continued from

pg 30

When the late General Sani Abacha was the Head of State, people never knew that there could be any day Nigerians could go and freely vote because he had been endorsed by all the five political parties then and was waiting for coronation. But God intervened and we began again when a new Head of State came in. By circumstances of the time, an agenda was set for a quick transition and we got to where we are.

I was privileged to be the Director of Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) that time and we were one movement in the country that was fighting the military. Clearly, we never compromised; we didn’t be-

lieve in the Abacha transition and so, we were vindicated.

PDM quickly formed amalgamation with other political associations to form the PDP. So, I was a foundation member of PDP from inception. I followed all the processes, having served in the publicity committee to put together our publicity blueprint. I was relatively young then. We began the process of saying the presidency must go back to the South and in the South, the preference was the South-West. We got Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to become the president and the rest is now history.

What am I saying? A lot of persons jump into issues and they don’t know where we are. People who believe that you will provoke the people and revoke people’s mandate blatantly because you never suffer to get to where you are

or because you deceived people to get to power. If PDP had behaved like this, of course, we would have been in power up till now. I am very convinced that all these shall come to nothing eventually. I can tell you, from what I know and from what history will tell you, all these actions that are meant to mitigate the growth of the party shall fail. They will fail; they cannot be sustained because the people will obviously speak. You can see now that there is a graveyard silence in Nigeria. There is abject poverty and pervading hunger across the land. It is not about PDP; it is not about inciting the people. The people will speak and ask appropriately. And so, if there are desires to truncate the will of the people, for how long will it be sustained?

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Sunday Tribune

The hoopla over the NDDC board appointment

By Festus Adedayo

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PACE, geography and ethnicity combined are muzzling one another in Ondo State at the moment. The subject matter is the appointment of Tokunbo Ajasin, son of the first civilian governor of the state and into the board of the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC) to fill the state’s quota. Ondo, you will recall, is one of the oil-producing states in the federation, so bestowed by the fact of the oil deposit discovered in its riverine community of Ilaje almost four decades ago. Younger Ajasin, book publisher and accountant, urbane, cerebral and a chip of the old order, had been nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari into the board and this appointment has generated quakes akin to a storm in a tea cup.

The riverine community has raised a deafening resentment since the last few weeks of the announcement and the gruff of its shout has attracted some measure of empathy from systems persons. Their argument appears so lush and fascinating from the perspective of a system that has, since the establishment of the corporation and even its predecessor, OMPADEC, pandered to space and geography of the oilproducing community. Since the system had always been run on appointment of board members of the corporation based on a particular reading of the NDDC Act 2000, long years of this practice and unrelenting adherence to status quo had probably given leave to the systems advocate who see abnormalities in Ajasin’s appointment to the board.

Let us begin from its legal fundament.

Section 2(b) and (c) of the Act says “There is hereby established for the Commission a governing Board (in this Act referred to as “the Board”), which shall consist of(a) a Chairman; (b) one person who shall be an indigene of an oil producing area to represent each of the following member States…(c) three persons to represent nonOil mineral producing States provided that such membership should be drawn from the remaining geo-political zones which are not represented in the Commission.”

The {b} part of the Act has become a subject of consideration and intense exploration for advantage by the systems advocates since the arguments erupted.

What is the correct interpretation of “who shall be an indigene of an oil producing area to represent each of the following member States…”? Is the Act referring to state indigeneship or community indigeneship? In other words, should the NDDC appointee hail from the state, in this case Ondo, or Ilaje community? Again, Section 2(c) of the Act recognizes the powers of the president to choose “persons to represent non-Oil mineral producing States” and said that that such membership should be drawn from the remaining geopolitical zones which are not represented in the Commission,” so why the hoopla?

Barring legal interpretation of this portion of the Act, a deeper reflection on it would suggest that the systems advocate would be goofing serially in inputting or arrogating finality to their submission that the portion of the Act refers to a communal indigeneship. This is because, “an oil producing area” could as well have been referring to the state in general as an oil producing area and not necessarily

the community in particular as they aver.

The latter rationalization, in the light of the state resource as a collective resource, may not really make any sense. The sense in this argument is that the Act could not have envisaged that whatever accruals from the oil producing fund would cater for the interest of only the oil producing area, as against the state in general. Ondo State, as an oil-producing area and Ilaje as an oil producing area are justifiable, logical and reasonable arguments that an ordinary man of passable intelligence will proffer as a correct interpretation of that section of the NDDC Act. Upon the recommendation of the Justice Ayo Irikefe Panel for a further splintering of the earlier Western State into Ogun, Oyo and Ondo States which was accomplished by the proclamation of the 3rd of February 1976 by the late Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, an area known historically as the Ondo Province that comprised nine Administrative Divisions of the Western State viz Akoko, Akure, Ekiti Central, Ekiti North, Ekiti South, Ekiti West, Okitipupa, Ondo and Owo were meshed into a state known as Ondo.

Geographically, the nine Divisions were the hub of a contiguous territory that was bounded in the north by the old Kwara State, on the eastern flank by the former Midwest State, in the south by the Atlantic seaboard and in the west by the Oyo and Ijebu provinces. While the Lord Lugardian colonial era persisted, the geographic territory that is now known as Ondo State was under a singular administration, under a single Province, placed in the firm grip of a suzerain then known as a Residency, with

its administrative headquarters located in Akure.

For a moment, let us leave the legal purport of the NDDC board appointment arguments and deviate into a far more instructive corpus of our humanity as Yoruba people. It is the humanity that binds us as a people. The Yoruba always tarry, at the pain of self injury, to recompense evil to any man who has ever deigned to do them good. They have a number of aphorisms, wise-sayings, wisecracks, lore, mores and proverbs to back up this worldview of theirs. Self-styled Queen of a genre of Yoruba Fuji music called Waka, Salawatu Abeni, had encapsulated it in its rawest form in one of her vinyl. According to her, she had received monetary favour from the person under consideration and could thus never be part of those who would pillory him. Appreciating that favour is a symbiotic necessity, both the favour dispenser and the recipient of his favour, Yoruba believe, are bound by an unwritten code to be good to the unseen chord that binds them. A journey into recent history will suffice to explain how this Yoruba aphorism speaks to the Ondo NDDC appointment under discourse.

The father of the board appointee, Tokunbo, was the first civilian governor of our state, Ondo. The elder Ajasin easily evokes effusive nostalgia from the people of the state whenever selflessness as an administration credo and performance as condition for the immortality of political office holders is on the discourse. Ajasin, taking over from David Ita Ikpeme as the first civilian Governor of the state, continued in the strides of Ikpeme.

More fundamental to this discourse is the pioneering role that Ajasin and his government played in the inclusion of Ondo State as a member of the oil-producing states in Nigeria.

One of the first things he did was the construction of the first dual carriage way in the state that is now known as the Oba Adesida and Oyemekun Roads in Akure, complementing them with a road architecture of street lights even in those days when such was a rarity in many parts of Nigeria. This, among others, gave Akure the fillip it needed as a State Capital. He followed this up with the building of a superstructure for the state development and its industrial take-off by establishing the Ile Oluji Cocoa Processing factory and Oluwa Glass Industry at Igbokoda, the riverrine area of the state, Ifon Ceramic Company, Okitipupa Oil Palm, Premier Metal Works, as well as building the Ire and the Owo Block-making factories. For him, these industries were needed to serve as engines to drive the State economy that was hitherto largely agrarian. Ajasin also followed this up by establishing sizeable number of educational institutions like polytechnics, Advanced Teachers Colleges and the Ondo State University, then at Ado Ekiti which is now located in Akungba Akoko. He also established a number of commercial ventures like the Owena Bank, refusing to be cowed by the dictatorial and political shenanigans of the Shagari federal government which placed diverse obstacles on his way.

More fundamental to this discourse is the pioneering role that Ajasin and his government played in the inclusion of Ondo State as a member of the oilproducing states in Nigeria. Before Ajasin, Ondo’s coastal waters where oil was being exploited, was not categorized as belonging to the state. Bothered by how the exploration accruals from its contiguous coastal waters were appropriated by the then Bendel State, the Ajasin government not only established claim to the territorial waters, but sent a powerful protest letter to the Shagari government through one of its commissioners, Mrs. Osomo. Bendel was forced to pay some royalties to Ajasin’s old Ondo state until it got its Oil Minerals Licence (OML). It was not until the Ernest Shonekan era that the state was finally activated as an oil producing state.

In a piece entitled “40 years of Ondo State: The journey of statehood” Taoheed Ajao said of the vision of the state founders who wangled through establishment opposition to its creation: “The emergence of the State was catalysed by our legends, the visionary men and women, who worked assiduously behind the scene to make it happen. The dream of the founding fathers and mothers of the State was that of a land of the brave and industrious; a land of opportunities where no one would be marginalized or left behind but (one)… that fosters fast-paced growth and development unfettered by binding constraints of rigidity.” The elder Ajasin was a major factor in that regard.

Never could anyone of these founders of the state have imagined that a day would come when any of their children would be peremptorily spiked off accruals from the sweats of their labour.

Law leaves the appointment of Ajasin subject to debates and its vagaries; history and Yoruba humanity make opposition to it unfeeling and a departure from the essence of a people reputed to be one of the strongest mirrors of the essence of culture and humanity. *Dr. Adedayo writes from Ibadan, Oyo State.

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I

N June, the governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom led the state’s executive council to announce the approval of Fridays, the last working day of each week as a work-fee day. The explanation by the state government was that the measure taken at the 16th session of the council would enable as many workers as possible to produce food to feed their families in view of the current economic downturn in the country.

The government announced that the work free day would commence from Friday, 10th June, and last till the end of July, 2016. The governor himself also volunteered to take a two-week vacation from Monday, June 13th to enable him work on his farm.

Barely a month after that unique decision was taken, Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, followed the same footsteps but in a largely modified manner. Okorocha, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, announced the declaration of Thursdays and Fridays as holidays to enable civil servants to return to the farm.

The Imo State government, which announcing its “Back To Land For Agriculture” policy said that the measure would enable the state “engage and invest heavily in agriculture for self-sustenance since from all indications the state can no longer depend on monthly allocation for survival.”

According to the government, from August 1, 2016, civil servants in the state will only work from Mondays to Wednesdays, in line with the “Back To Land For Agriculture” policy. They are expected to utilise Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to work on their farms, in an apparent bid to shore up the state’s agricultural yields.

The governor, who further elaborated on the policy while playing host to some traditional rulers in the state said: “We shall try this programme for the period of one year, starting from 1st of August 2016 and hopefully this will help. Let me make this emphasis before it is misconstrued or misrepresented, that this does not in any way affect the salaries of the workers. Workers will get their full salaries as has been the practice. So the policy does not mean that there will be a cut in salary rather let us now find a way for our workers to supplement their salaries.”

The steps taken by Benue and Imo above are all part of the diversification talks that have taken the central stage of economic discourse since the coming of the incumbent administration. True, everyone recognises the important space agriculture occupies in the being much-talked about economic diversification agenda, but a state and the nation at large can only reap the benefit of economic diversification TWO Sundays ago, I shared the following thoughts: “Lagos and Ogun states have been subjected to series of brazen attacks by so-called militants in the past couple of weeks. Communities have been attacked and ransacked for no just cause, with scores of people killed, women raped and several families rendered homeless. Indeed the lawlessness was so sudden that one could rightly say that the two states were caught napping. Residents were kidnapped with reckless abandon including a traditional ruler and a pastor.

It was thus a welcome relief last Thursday when the military bombarded the base of suspected militants in the Arepo area of Ogun State and some parts of Lagos State in a joint military operation, which lasted for more than one hour and which left some of the “militants” dead.

The way I see it, these people have nothing legitimate for which they are fighting; they simply want to continue their brigandage, which has been seriously curtailed in the delta region and which has also been curtailed by the sudden availability of fuel; a situation that has effectively truncated oil bunkering. Thus, they are into other “lucrative” businesses as abductions and armed robbery.

Many people have wondered how these non-Yoruba speaking vandals got to the South-West and how they were able to penetrate their host communities to the extent that they have become so powerful and so dangerous to these communities. One should not forget that our constitution allows free movement; and also allows bona fide Nigerians to reside wherever they wished. Apart from this, generations of non-Yorubaspeaking Nigerians have always lived amicably with the Yoruba. These ones are just strange ones and could easily have come from any of the many ethnic groups that make up Nigeria.”

BELOW ARE READERS’ COMMENTS ON THE ABOVE THOUGHTS If the militants could invade the South-West the way they did, may God help us from Boko Haram. We should

14 August, 2016

the lynxeye with Taiwo adisa

08072000046

Okorocha, Ortom and the queer agricultural revolution

by going about it the right way.

As far as one can see, the steps taken by these governors largely play to the gallery, rather than seeking to achieve crucial goals. In what way would chasing everyone to the farm yield results in the quest to boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? Obviously, the governors are still living in the past as far as these decisions are concerned.

frontrow with Toyin Willoughby Muyi 0805 500 1769 toyeenz@yahoo.com

Re: Operation Awatse look inwards for the solutions and possibly hostile hosts who are informants of the militants. Our elders say, “It is impossible for a stranger to identify the grave of an albino except he (the stranger) has an insider as his informant.”

Dayo Oladeji, Saki, Oke Ogun 08027278748 The various militia groups and avengers should embrace dialogue with the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari who has shown enough commitment. They should embrace dialogue and lay down their arms; they should not fail to realise that no wise, responsible and serious minded investors would invest his or her business or money on projects, which would be destroyed in the wake of hostilities. Those that are presently here will give up or withdraw if the trouble and insecurity continues. The trouble makers should know that history and posterity would not forgive them for denying the country the gains investors would have brought to the country.

Femi Dada, Abuja 08183920427 I can say it buoyantly that the most peaceful geopolitical zone in Nigeria is the South-West but it appears

Sunday Tribune

They are calling on their civil servants to return to the farmlands behind their houses and till the ground, whereas the key issues that would enhance agricultural growth are left untouched.

In 2012, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan announced a federal budget that contained palliatives and incentives for importation of agricultural machinery into the country. None of the state governments was able to take advantage of that to import the needed machines that would aid agricultural production and practice in the states and today the states are wallowing in debts once the season of financial bliss is over. Had any of the states taken advantage of Federal Government’s policies in the past to make real inroads in its areas of comparative advantage, many of them should be in position to pay living wages today.

Rather than jump into the bandwagon and tell the people what they want to hear. The time is now for the governors to do the right thing as far as the search for agricultural revolution is concerned. You want to wonder whether before they declare work free days, the governors have secured farm lands for the teeming civil servants being pushed out of work on the work-free days.

You also want to wonder whether the governments have address the problem of food storage, which is a perennial problem faced by fruit farmers in Benue and other parts of the country.

If all the governors are asking the civil servants to embark on is just subsistence farming, how would that help the states pay salaries and enhance the economy?

It has to be said that without embarking on machinepowered agriculture, this country cannot get out of its challenges of food imports and food security. Indeed, the major issues afflicting our agriculture sector are easy to identify; unavailability of land, lack of reliable credit schemes; failure to mechanise and the failure of the powers that be to restructure the value chain.

Governments would do well by securing farmlands that would be distributed among willing and not forced farmers, help the farmers procure machines and then enhance the storage system.

Our governors must know that multitudes won’t feed the nation. If only three percent of Americans are involved in Agric, and can readily feed the world, why do we need all Nigerian civil servants on the farms? Rather than merely dramatising economic diversification, only careful planning and execution of the much needed agricultural revolution will bring the desired results.

like the saboteurs and the sycophants are combat-ready to throw the area into trauma and tatters and destroy the very fabric that holds the region together. An adage says, “If a certain society is witnessing no peace, we must blame the elderly people in that society or community for the unsavoury situation.” Where are the elderly people of the South-West? Where are the movers and shakers in this region who wield power and authority as governors, senators and Federal ministers? Where are the security agents? Are these people in the country or on exile?

All hands must be on deck to curb the activities of these enemies of progress before their activities result in everything finally falling apart in the country. I am appealing to the incumbent administration of President Buhari to ensure that these people (the militants and the terrorists) are completely immobilised and uprooted so that they wouldn’t have further foothold. President Buhari should remember that democracy without adequate security is like a tree without the roots.

Taiwo Sangotikun Iseyin, Oyo State 08056309372 The civil wartime slogan “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done” should be paramount in the mind of the average Nigerian. It is unfortunate that the government is not paying the needed attention to the issue of security. Otherwise, prompt and appropriate action would have been taken against the perpetrators of the ill-wind of violence and threats of secession blowing across the country. At the risk of repeating the obvious, the on-going atrocity, with the attendant destruction of life and properties is to say the least, most unwelcome.

It is a development that we don’t need with the current economic travails facing everybody. The Federal Government should not just savour the temporary success of dislodging the pipeline vandals in Lagos and Ogun states. There should be concerted efforts to ensure that they are permanently incapacitated. This issue should be urgently addressed before it gets out of hand.

Lekan Oladeji, Ilora 08053049443.

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14 August, 2016

ON THE

Sunday Tribune

With Bolanle Bolawole turnpot@gmail.com 07052631058

lord’sday A game of mutual assured destruction

I “

T is difficult to say which is more responsible of the two leading political parties.” “Why did you say so? The fact that one is ruling and the other is out in the cold is enough difference.”

“Both are hopelessly divided; whacked by irreconcilable differences.” “You are correct, but I think PDP is in a worse situation. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently called it a dying party.”

“Don’t mind OBJ; he contributed the most to PDP’s problems.” “How do you mean?

He left office since 2007.” “As the first president produced by the party, he failed to give it a solid foundation; instead, he erected it on quicksand.” “I see! So, when storms and winds blew upon that house, great was its ruin.” “I am sure OBJ will not agree with me. In fact, he will abuse or even box me if I get close to him.” “Like he did to the musician who sang ‘Nigeria jaga-jaga; Nigeria scatter-scatter.”

“Thank God he is no longer in power; or else, many of those causing kata-kata all over the place would have heard ‘win’.” “I agree. Imagine if OBJ were still president; what do you think he would have done to Ali Modu Sheriff?” “Simple. He would have told the man he was coming to his house for dinner. ‘Tell your wife to prepare pounded yam with egusi soup and bush meat,’ he would have directed.” “And you think that one would have obeyed?” “It is interesting they always all complied; and after having his fill and belching like a typical farmer, he would draw out a resignation letter and order them to sign.” “What if they refused?”

“None dared to. Even someone everyone thought was very bold crumbled without a whimper when confronted with a similar situation” “Was he also PDP chairman?”

“No, I heard he was a minister; up in the air in a military helicopter; the man was told, “O ya, sign this” “And what did he do?” “If you were in his shoes, what would you have done? The man looked down from the dizzying height of the copter and quickly appended his signature, smiling!”

“He should have frowned; if only to show his displeasure.” “That was pointless; it was also dangerous.

In that situation, you can sign and still...”

“I understand; but do you think OBJ could have easily unravelled Sheriff?” “Easily, my brother” “The man has a lot of court judgments in his pockets; I don’t think checkmating him would be that easy.”

“Court judgment, my foot. If he likes, let him have judges in his pockets; he would still have been no match for OBJ.” “You have so much confidence in OBJ.” “I can swear with Ogun, the god of iron.” “O ti o!

That is a serious matter, then. People are always eager to swear with the Bible and Quran; not with Ogun.” “To tell you I am sure of my onion. I can count nine or ten methods OBJ would have used to neutralise Sheriff without batting an eyelid.”

“Could that be the reason why PDP leaders rushed to go and embarrass the Ota farmer at a function in Abuja recently?” “Point of correction; they went to greet him. ‘To pay courtesy’, it is called.” “But the man said they embarrassed him.” “Those guys are to blame; they were not bold enough.” “What

would they have done?” “They should have dragged OBJ from the nonsense meeting he was attending to come and clean the mess he fathered in PDP. It is his unfinished business.” “You mean it? They should have put the ball right in his court?”

“Exactly, that is where it belongs. It is his cup of tea and they should have forced it down his throat.” “But he was forced out of the party by Jonathan. It is Jonathan that should carry the PDP’s shit now, not OBJ.” “And who imposed Jonathan – and the one before him who died? Jonathan merely copied the scripts of OBJ. Unfortunately,he was a poor copy-cat.” “I understand! There was nothing Jonathan tried that OBJ did not do a thousand times over.” “Exactly.I heard even the late Yar’Adua tried to bite the fingers that fed him.” “He not only tried, he actually did; they are always doing that. OBJ did same to his own kingmakers just asMuhahammadu Buhari is doing right now; but let’s leave Umaru out of it.

Say no evil of the dead.”

“In Nigeria, we stand William Shakespeare on his head. The good that men do lives after them; the evil is interred with their bones.” “You are talking! We are black, not white. Even where they did no good, we can always invent some!” “And now that OBJ won’t play ball with PDP leaders, who will bell the Sheriff cat?” “It is better if the cat is not belled. Let the bull continue to run riot in PDP’s china shop.” “I didn’t know you hate PDP this much. When did you become an APC sympathiser?” “I don’t hate PDP; neither do I sympathise with APC.” “But you sounded like a cardcarrying APC member.” “If ever I carry any political party’s card, I will wait for a serious party.” “How do you mean? The ruling party is not a better party?” “Can’t you see it is also hopelessly divided as the PDP? Is it because they are in power that you have failed to see that?” “It is true there are rumblings in the party...” “It is more than rumblings. The only reason why the party has not collapsed is because it is the party in power.”

“You think it is that serious?Federal largesse is powerful glue, mind you.” “You are correct but the economic crunch has

seriously shrunk the largesse. The major distributor is also hopelessly biased in the way he has been distributing the largesse.”

“It has been too obvious for everyone to see.

A particular region and religion get the beef while the others get bones and crumbs.”

“When dogs who get crumbs grumble and prowl, the centre will find it difficult to hold.” “But we cannot afford to have the two leading parties in turmoil at one and same time.” “That is exactly what we will have. APC is standing on one leg at the moment.” “No one who stands on one leg runs fast or makes much progress.” “That is why their government is not making progress. The only leg they are standing on right now is Muslim/North. Their other leg in the South-West has been cut off.”

“That will be disaster waiting to happen, considering they never had a foothold in the South-East and South-South to start with.” “APC is a party for the moment; it has no bright future at all. How can it win future elections with the support of only the Muslim/North?” “Trust the politicians; they know both PDP and APC are doomed.

There is bound to be realignment of forces.”

“You mean new parties will emerge?”

“Yes! The realignment of forces is already playing out before our eyes. Some PDP plus some APC will merge and gosomewhere else or adopt a new name. Some APC will also drag along with some PDP and berth somewhere else.”

“Don’t you think the APC has a better chance than the PDP to iron out its differences and still remain a formidable party?” “Can’t you understand? The party is broken already! It has shrunk to one of its legacy parties – the Congress for Progressive Change.” “I now understand!

They were the real owners of CHANGE?” “Correct! The others were mere tenants.

Who owns the land owns the edifice erected on it.” “It is logical, then, that the others will find their level at the appropriate time.”

“You are right. They will, in the interim, pretend to get along. The journey ahead is still far.” “With the way EFCC, DSS, ICPC and CCT are being unleashed on people, dissidents have got to watch it.” “They will.

Politicians are smart guys; they know what

to do. Did you not see how the New PDP played hide-and-seek with PDP/Jonathan until the eleventh hour?” “When eventually they pulled the carpet from under the feet of PDP/Jonathan, maximum damage that could not be easily ameliorated had been done.” “I am certain we are in for an encore.”

“We have on our hands what is called mutual assured destruction. It is a strategy of deterrence adopted by the superpowers during the Cold War era.” “You mean we are in our own Cold War era at the moment and the two leading parties are bent on destroying each other?” “There is real-politik playing out before our very eyes; the crisis in the two parties will go down the wire up to the next election in 2019.” “Somewhere close to 2019, we must begin to see light at the end of the tunnel – if our democracy survives up till then.” “You want to introduce a new but dangerous dimension to the whole equation.” “Politics in itself is a dangerous game. With the way politicians on both sides have carried themselves, can’t you see that Nigerians are losing interest in democracy?” “Alexander Pope must be right, after all.” “Which of the Popes is that?” “Not any Pope but an illustrious thinker who said the best government is the one that is best administered.”

“He is right. Transformation Agenda gave way to Change; yet, nothing changed for the better.”“There can be no good administration when nepotism, cronyism, tribalism, religion, and sex determineappointments.” “The country never had it this bad. Sex for appointment was never heard of during Jonathan’s time.” “I knew it would get to this; ideologues, be they Marxists, Islamists or Anarchists always treat women as lubricants of the struggle.” “But isn’t that corruption?” “No one knows for sure what corruption is again. Jonathan said stealing is not corruption” “And APC has now said budget padding is not corruption.”“In other words, what they say is corruption is what is corruptionand who they say is corrupt is who is corrupt.” “Wonders never cease!”

35

14 August, 2016

tribunechurch

Sunday Tribune

With Rita Okonoboh tribunechurch@gmail.com tribunechurch@yahoo.com 08053789087

The scene of a Boko Haram bombing taken outside St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Nigeria. PHOTO: REUTERS

Christian leaders proffer ways to rebuild North-East after insurgency

The church goes beyond structures. The church, they say, is the people. From time immemorial, Christianity has always been faced with persecution, with Nigeria’s Christendom in recent times, threatened by insurgency. However, with the onslaught of the military against insurgents, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are returning home. RITA OKONOBOH examines the ongoing efforts and measures that can be taken to rebuild churches affected by insurgency and the Christian call for forgiveness of terrorists.

W

HEN in March 2016, the news made the headlines that violent killing of Christians in northern Nigeria had increased by 62 per cent in just one year, according to a report released by Open Doors and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), entitled ‘Crushed but not defeated, the impact of persistent violence on the church in northern Nigeria,’ it was proof that persecution of Christians had long moved from mere statements to a sad reality, with many incidents remaining unreported.

According to the report published by Open Doors, an organisation dedicated to issues as it affects Christians worldwide, a partner director for West Africa was quoted as stating that “This report shows that extent and impact of the persistent violence on the church in northern Nigeria is much more serious than previously expected. Once Boko Haram is defeated, the problem will not be solved. Christians living under Sharia law are facing discrimination and marginalisation and have limited to no access to federal rights. We hope that this report will prompt the Nigerian government and international community to take the real suffering of persecuted Christians seriously and act on their behalf. Next to that, I hope that Nigerian Christians will become more involved with their brothers and sisters; that they will stand in the gap for them.”

According to Open Doors, “In 2015, there were 4,028 killings and 198 church attacks that Open Doors was able to record. The figures recorded for the previous year were 2,484 killings and 108 church attacks. An estimated 30 million Christians in northern Nigeria form the largest minority in a mainly Muslim environment. They are at risk of violent persecution, as the report states: ‘For decades, Christians in the region have

suffered marginalisation and discrimination as well as targeted violence.’”

While the military continues its attacks against members of the Boko Haram sect, in order to bring lasting peace and unity in Nigeria, with many IDPs returning home, the Christian community is contributing, in no small quota, to ensuring that the churches affected by insurgency are rebuilt, in structure and by improving the welfare of the people. There have been major moves in terms of material donations and encouragement by orthodox churches as well as pentecostal churches, Christian organisations, non-governmental organisations, government, well meaning individuals, among others. Efforts have been ongoing to restore normalcy to these areas and ways have been suggested to further the spread of the gospel among these communities.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) under the leadership of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor undertook intense efforts at ensuring that the message of the gospel, especially for persons displaced by insurgency, is not affected negatively. Even with the fact that positions in CAN are strictly for service as they are not paid positions, major donations running into millions of naira, and establishment of Christian centres and groups to further the spread of the gospel were made, and the new CAN administration, under the leadership of Reverend (Dr) Olasupo Ayokunle, has also taken major steps to better the lot of Christians and churches affected by insurgency.

I will not rest until IDPs are adequately taken care of –Ayokunle, CAN President Speaking with TribuneChurch, Reverend Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), stated that, “in terms of what Pastor Oritse-

jafor has done, God gave him resources and he spent them for the church. It is very difficult to have another Christian leader that will have that advantage and that kind of spirit. Although the NBC as an established organisation also has commitments, including to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), running into several millions, this CAN administration will do its best, but it would be better not to compare because areas of ministry differ. I can assure you that I will not keep my mouth shut until all those who are passing through hard times and victims of insurgency are properly taken care of, either through CAN, the government, or nongovernmental organisations. At the World Council of Churches (WCC), I presented a strong position on the need for IDPs in Nigeria to be attended to and by the grace of God, in February or March 2017, the WCC will lay the foundation for an international inter-faith religious centre in Kaduna, so that what led to the Boko Haram insurgency will not repeat itself in our nation.

That is part of our success story already. I also spoke at the Baptist World Alliance in Vancouver for IDPs and the BWA adopted a resolution which has been passed to President Barack Obama, to employ an envoy to take care of the IDPs in Nigeria. So, we will build on what Pastor Oritsejafor has done, but the style may be different.”

Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, in a recent interview stated that “Not much had been done to restructure or review the trend. In Damaturu, Yobe State, we have not been able to do much because if you go there; even the bishop himself is on exile in Jos. He lives in Jos and only goes there to see how things are. A lot was damaged in Mubi area under Yola diocese and Maiduguri. These things take time, and we

hope that the efforts being made by government to rebuild the North-East will also include rehabilitating the religious facilities that have been damaged by the Boko Haram insurgency. So it is not just their houses or farms that were affected, there are certain other facilities that were destroyed.” However, the Anglican Communion has not rested on its oars to ensure that churches affected on insurgency are given a chance at new beginnings.

Over 100,000 Catholic faithful, priests displaced —Fr Obasogie Reverend Father Gideon Obasogie, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri, also told TribuneChurch how insurgency has affected churches and steps taken to improve the condition of things.

“Insurgency has really crippled the church in Maiduguri, and the North-East because we have a lot of churches burnt down and lots of churches destroyed, including rectories, that is, where parish priests stay. A lot of priests fled and have been displaced because of terror attacks. We have about 26 priests and over 100,000 Catholic faithful displaced but we thank God now that people are gradually coming back to their communities.

“The bishop, priests and the Catholic faithful are still on ground. Recently, we had ordination of priests and also four priests marked their silver jubilee in the priesthood and we had bishops from various dioceses, including the Catholic bishop of Enugu, who came not just for the ordination, but also as a solidarity visit to the church here in Maiduguri. The fact is that our people are strong in the faith and we are struggling to begin life anew. Our people are not ready to run Continues on pg38

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14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

With Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 08074497425

churchnews

Christian pilgrimage, strongest instrument to recover Nigeria —NCPC boss

By Seyi Sokoya

T

HE executive secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC), Reverend Tor Uja, has charged all Christians and clerics in all denominations, to make it a duty to collectively rise and heal Nigeria and the entire world through prayers, diligence, planning and spiritual engagements.

He added that Nigeria has what it takes to restore the country and some other countries where the gospel is gradually fading away.

Uja, during his keynote address at the first official meeting with the Christian Pilgrimage Private Tour Operators (PTOs), at Methodist Cathedral, Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos State, on Thursday, also stated that the commission doesn’t need the Federal Government’s patronage.

He said that the church as a body in Nigeria is competent to take care of its responsibilities as well as take charge of its position in the country.

He added that he was

currently making plans to change people’s orientation about the pilgrim exercise, adding that, “I want to charge Christians and PTOs not to see the

pilgrimage exercise as tourism, but as a way to impact spiritual engagements, focus on the Nigeria of our dreams and be productive.

“We will have a blueprint of the guidelines and we will arrange trainings for the PTOs before the end of the year. The commission will also initiate a policy

will no longer guide our pilgrims. However, we will make provision to guide ourselves.”

The Chairperson of PTOs, Mrs Adekola Adola, on behalf of the association, congratulated Reverend Uja on his appointment, while she assured of the support and cooperation of the association for the executive secretary.

Bishop advises Christians on benefits of virtuous lives

By Rita Okonoboh

From left, Bishop James Afolabi Popoola of Osun Anglican Diocese; Bishop Samuel Ogundeji of Egba West Anglican Diocese and other bishops, praying for the children of late Chief David Agboola Farohunbi, father of Bishop Michael Oluwarohunbi of Yewa Anglican Diocese, at the funeral service of the deceased, held at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Ororuwo, Osun State.

Cleric urges Nigerians to have hope WITH the state of the economy, Nigerians have been urged not to lose hope in God’s promises.

In a message by Evangelist Tunde Odeyemo of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Iranti, Ibadan, Oyo State, made available to TribuneChurch, the cleric called on Christians and Nigerians in general to trust God for a better tomorrow.

According to him, “This is one of the darkest periods of our history as a nation, but after darkness comes a glorious light, in which we will all have the opportunity for a fresh start with Jesus Christ. The only hope we have for a better tomorrow is Jesus Christ.”

He called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their faith, noting that a season of glorious dawn was at hand.

to ban any PTO operating outside the association,” he said.

Uja also noted that plans were in the pipeline to reorganise the sites pilgrims visited during the exercise, saying that “I want to replace some sites people visit with places that will affect people’s lives spiritually and positively. I will also ensure that tourists

From left, Chief Executive Officer, Pasture Travel and Tours, Mrs Jumoke Adeniyi; Chairperson, Christian Pilgrimage Private Tour Operators (PTOs), Mrs Adekola Adeola; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Reverend Tor Uja, with the General Secretary of PTOs, Reverend Julius Akinrinade, during a presentation of gifts to the Executive Secretary, at meeting with PTOs at Methodist Cathedral, Mushin, Lagos State on Thursday. PHOTO: SEYI SOKOYA.

CHRISTIANS and Nigerians in general have been advised on the benefits of living righteously, as this is the only way to enjoy life on earth and beyond.

This was contained in the sermon of the bishop of the Osun Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend James Afolabi Popoola, who ministered at the funeral service of Chief David Agboola Farohunbi, held at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Ororuwo, Osun State.

The new archbishop of Lagos Anglican Province, Most Reverend Michael Fape, twenty of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, represented by his chiefs and well meaning individuals graced the occasion.

Speaking on the importance of living virtuously, Bishop Popoola urged

Christians to embrace the gospel as the ultimate gateway to enjoying eternity.

He called on Christians to see challenges as a necessity for blessings and be always prepared for the last day, especially as no one knew when that would be.

While extolling the virtues of late Chief Farohunbi, who is the father of Bishop Michael Oluwarohunbi of Yewa Anglican diocese, he described him as an exemplary Christian who dedicated his life to the spread of the gospel.

The late Chief Farohunbi was described as an epitome of Christ-like life, which was characterised by the spirit of love joy, peace, patience, kindness, among other virtues, who left a positive legacy in Ororowu community in Osun State.

Described as a noble statesman and worthy leader, Chief Farohunbi was installed as the first Agba Akin of Ororowu community.

Apostle Popoola urges Christians to trust God

From right, President, Catholic Brothers United, Mr Emmanuel Uwukhor, with awardees, Mr Mark K.B. Anthony; Mr Ignatius Adegunle and his wife, Bolatito, during the 17th annual lecture organised by the Catholic Brothers United, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos State. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

The Senior Pastor of Word Communication Ministries (WOCOM), Apostle Sunday Popoola, has called on Christians to trust God, even as the nation faces trying times in its economy.

He stated this in a message, as part of activities to mark this year’s Power of Faith Convention of the Word Communication Ministries (WOCOM), set to hold from Tuesday August 16th till August 21st.

Speaking on the conven-

tion, Apostle Popoola said that the 2016 edition of the convention promises to be a turning point in the lives of attendees this year.

The convention which has been drawing large numbers of people for many years will draw major conference speakers like American radio host and pastor, Don Kroah; Pastor Kelvin Olorunnisola and a host of others including Reverend (Mrs) Omowumi Popoola.

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Our ministry stopped incessant strife in a community in Ghana

problems adequately. They need wisdom to govern and we pray for them regularly.

—Apostle Lawon

Apostle Isaiah Lawon is the International Missions Director of Fullstature Missions International (FMI), with presence worldwide and a global dedication to the spread of the gospel. He speaks with RITA OKONOBOH on how Christians can evangelise effectively, how clerics can realign their messages towards salvation, the annual Advancing World Missions Conference, among other issues. Excerpts:

T

HE FMI is all about missions and active evangelism.

A female preacher was murdered recently in the course of evangelism. How would you react to that?

There is no safety in this world. Someone would die one way or the other. Jesus Christ, as good as he was, was murdered.

To many ministers of God and Christians, it would seem like nothing strange.

From the human point of view, one may react with anger. I think what those who planned that thought that Christians would react and there would be civil unrest. However, I think Christians are more informed and understand that such violent responses are unnecessary. It’s obvious from the way the husband reacted as well as the denomination. The reaction eventually became news. If people were to react negatively, Nigeria would not have been in peace.

The Christian Association of Nigeria has declared that Christianity is under siege. In the face of proposed licences by some Northern governors, attacks on Christians in various parts of the country, among others, how would you advise Christians on pushing the faith forward?

From time immemorial, the natural has never been at peace with the supernatural; the devil has never been at peace with God’s ways. Like it is today, people may be politically correct but they may not be serving God. They may also not be the public. That is why the language and manner with which we react to one another is what causes a lot of problems. For true believers, there are many ways to preach the gospel without causing mayhem. However, we cannot prevent persecution. It will certainly come. People who are upright are usually faced with challenges. I believe Nigeria will get better.

The FMI has presence in various countries. Even with the proliferation of Christianity worldwide, and

especially in Nigeria, moral standards seem to be on the decline. Are churches not doing enough?

It is not that the church is not doing enough. People talk about proliferation of churches but they don’t talk about population explosion. There may be concentration of churches in some place but it is not like that in most nations. In China, we still have underground churches. In Russia, a decree was published recently banning certain things about the faith. Even in America, churches are faced with problems. So, it is not strange at all because that is what is supposed to be. In fact, if as a Christian, you never faced challenges, then, your Christianity is suspect.

There are concerns that more and more Christian leaders are spreading prosperity messages, rather than salvation. What is the focus of the FMI and how would you advise such clerics on realigning their messages so that the people can aim for heaven?

The message of the FMI is ‘missions’; for people to go into the world and preach the gospel, but the gospel does not spread poverty. In fact, the gospel says, ‘in Him, there was light,’ and wherever there is light, there is development. Christianity brought a lot of the development to the South-West, South-East and the South-South of Nigeria.

I would advise Christian leaders to put emphasis where it is due. And it is that character matters. You can’t spread the gospel by falsehood or excessive lifestyle because people would misunderstand.

What is the purpose of the annual Advancing World Missions Conference?

The basic purpose is that we want to mobilise the church into action so that they will evangelise the lost. The theme this year is Kingdom Force: Invading the Nations and the message from the theme is to mobilise the body of Christ so that they can rise up to the call they have to take the gospel, which is not powerless, to reach those who are in serious need, especially those who have never heard about the good news of Jesus Christ. To put it more concretely, it is to say that we need that type of determination that can break grounds that have been resistant to the gospel. The 2016 edition is ongoing and will also take place today at 9:00 a.m.

What would be your advice for the

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President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration?

My advice is that it should lead well.

Governance is a tough issue in Nigeria and Nigeria is a complicated place. To lead Nigerians requires adequate preparation.

You can’t have one agenda and say fighting that problem is the source of all other problems. We have ethnic problems, the problem of corruption and even religious challenges, among others. For those in governance, they should address these

What is your greatest testimony as a missionary?

It is to see people recovered; that is when God has helped us to penetrate tribes who haven’t ever had contact with the gospel.

That is what keeps us going. Our joy is that we took the light to where it doesn’t exist and that light endures. Also, we are happy when we see the hand of God in what we do. For instance, we took the gospel to the people of Konkomba in Ghana. The Konkombas are known for war and that has been a problem for the Ghanaian government and every year, they send troops to keep the peace in that area. We took the gospel to them and suddenly, the strife ceased. Now, government no longer sends soldiers there to keep the peace. What happened was that the man who used to make charms for them for violence and even charms to ensure that they were not killed by bullets became sick and couldn’t cure himself. He had a sore that seemed incurable. Our missionaries prayed a simple prayer for him and in three days, the sore dried up. When that happened, he refused to continue making those charms.

There have also been testimonies with establishment of schools. There are so many special testimonies.

With over 35 years as a preacher, do you have any regrets?

It gets better and better everyday. Sometimes, I wish I could live the life again, doing the same thing all over because if I knew what I know now when I was 25, this world would have been some other place.

livingword

By Bishop David Oyedepo Call 7747546-8; or e-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Engaging the miracle power of praise! (2) LAST week, we established that the sacrifice of praise is a scriptural requirement for taking delivery of any of our investments in God’s Kingdom. This is because, just as every seed must be watered before harvest can be experienced, we must water our seeds with the sacrifice of praise or there would be no harvest. In this week’s edition, we shall examine some benefits that accrued to us in praise and they include: • God silences our enemies through praise: As it is written: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger (Psalms 8:2).

The phrase “ordained strength” from the above scripture was interpreted as “perfected praise” or fearful praise in Matthew 21:16. That means, when we offer violent praise to God, the enemies would see our breakthroughs and gnash their teeth.

Scriptures further validates this when God set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir and they all died as the children of Israel sang and praised God fearfully. Therefore, to silence our enemies permanently, praise must become our lifestyle (2 Chronicles 20:22; Psalms 112:10).

• We receive instant answers to prayers: The more intense our praises are the faster God answers our prayers. For instance, the Bible says that David praised God seven times daily. No wonder he received instant answers whenever he prayed (1 Samuel 30:6-9; 2 Samuel 5:18-25; Psalms 119:164).

All through scriptures, David was never

stranded because he understood the hotline of praise. Therefore, no matter what is happening around us, we must never disconnect from the flow of the virtue in praise. This is because as long as we are in praise, we would always be favoured by God. However, it is important to know that favour is an exclusive reserve of God’s children. In other words, until we become God’s children by accepting Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are not entitled to His favour.

This is what being born again implies. Are you born again? If you haven’t, you can do so by saying this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

For further reading, please get my books: Understanding the Power of Praise, Walking in the Miraculous, Operating in the Supernatural, Releasing the Supernatural and Commanding the Supernatural.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you.

Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or Email: feedback@lfcww.org

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result of what I was taught at home. The family altar and the home front were very strong.

My mother was very committed to the family altar and the raising up of the children. My father too is very awesome. A lot of people just see Obey the musician, but they don’t have full insight of Obey the man of God, the teacher and a person who does not seek the face of God through any prophet. He is a man that works with God and God talks to. He carries the gift of prophecy. There is a difference between when you know God for yourself and when people deliver God’s messages to you. My apologies but I must say this, some people have missed the call because somebody else is directing their lives. This boils down to the fact that some people are very lazy because they cannot stay in a place of prayer and pray for themselves, that is why people go to some prophets and in the process, many homes and lives have been destroyed.

I am fortunate to toe this path which has given me solid foundation about the knowledge of the word and solidified my relationship with God through personal encounter.

Christians need vigilance during public evangelism

—Pastor Bukky Obey-Olaiya

Pastor Bukky Obey-Olaiya is the eldest daughter of the music legend, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi. She speaks with SEYI SOKOYA on why female pastors are important, how Christians can evangelise effectively, among other issues. Excerpts:

H

OW have you been able to combine being a pastor, wife and mother?

The calling of God is what gives me fulfillment and joy. To do the work of the father and also have influence over the church, I mean the body of Christ as a whole, is a privilege. This has made me see all other aspects of my life, even as a wife and mother, as a privilege. The way I manage all these tasks is beyond what I can explain. All I know is that God has been the reason behind our success as a family and ministry.

Some people have frowned upon women becoming pastors, saying that it is against biblical injunction.

As a female pastor, how would you react to that?

We have all been called by God to minister and one ought not to compromise in whatever way one can serve the Lord or minister as a child of God, whether male or female.

Some are gifted with songs, while some have the grace to teach. In fact, some people would be called to full-time ministration, while others would be part-time. However, we are all ministers. God has called many ministries. So, we all have a place at the feet of the father. He is calling everyone, including men and women and it is our obligation to obey the call. We cannot exempt women because we are all in the body of Christ and it is all about relationship. I can confidently tell you that some women have better relationship with God and the only thing that connects God and humans is relationship. The fact still remains that by the order of God that men are the head and

women are helpmates, we are all working together for the greater good and service to God. Above all, we are all expected to fulfill God’s purpose. Women are just dynamic; they are there everywhere you go, and they even take the larger number in any house of God. They do so many things at once. They take care of the home, children and are instrumental at work place as well as always willing to do the work of God either as a worker in the church or supporting their husbands as clerics.

A female evangelist was killed in Abuja recently. What safer methods would you suggest for Christians in propagating the gospel?

I just pray that such will not occur again.

This is Nigeria where we have freedom of worship of whatever religion we choose.

Jesus Christ was all about love and rather than push a person to accept Christianity, he preached acceptance. We have freedom of religion here and it is uncalled for to harass or kill anyone involved in evangelism. I pray God will touch every heart. We should continue to pray that God will give us more inspired ideas and dynamic ways to evangelise. However, there are other mediums that can be explored for evangelism, such as through phones, social media platforms and other new technologies, but

Sunday Tribune

that doesn’t mean the old way of evangelism, especially the door-to-door should die. It is proper to set boundaries than to kill anyone preaching on the street. And for Christians, I want to advise them to be vigilant, and take caution where there are boundaries regarding public evangelism.

What does it take to be eldest daughter in the Obey dynasty?

Actually, I am surrounded by a lot of siblings; especially my brothers and they treat me like a princess. It has been that way for a very long time and I am very close to every one of them. We had fun growing up and there were always pranks growing up with a lot of brothers; sometimes, I am even the object of the pranks. However, I am extremely close to my father. It is not easy for me to fill the vacuum my mum left behind, but I have been able to do my best to make sure everyone is happy. I ensure I see my father every week, except when he is not in the country. Aside that, we talk heart-to-heart and it has been wonderful.

Would you say that your parents influenced your becoming a pastor?

Definitely. Everything I became was as a

What do you think people don’t know about you?

I am a very private person and the lines have been falling unto me in pleasant places; I have a good heritage, especially being brought up in a Christian home and being taught the word of God early in life. I am privilege to be a mother. Unlike most women, I was not privileged to have my child early. I was in my mid-40s before I had my son and you can imagine what I would have gone through. Though I was into audio cassette business, the CD technology made it obsolete and in that process, I had my son and I decided to be a stay-at-home mum to bring up my son because he is a miracle baby. This has really given me a lot of joy and also changed my life. Now that he is coming of age, I now have the opportunity to venture into some businesses.

forgive them.”

Continuing, he stated that at all the masses the bishop celebrated during that visit, he called for the need for victims to keep to the Christian identity by not taking up arms, seeking vengeance but by letting the past be forgotten. He not only called for forgiveness, but also called for reconciliation and letting peace reign. The fact that the Catholic Church is in the Jubilee Year of Mercy is instructive, meaningful and practical for the people in Maiduguri. The church has called on those affected to be merciful not only to those that hurt them, but to themselves as well. If Christians take up arms against those perceived as terrorists, we will end up in a vicious cycle of war, so there has to be a stop, according to the bishop.

For the Secretary, Christian Youth Network for a Better Nigeria, Kaduna, Mr Simon Topa Ozigagu, “we should identify with the leaders of these churches that have problems and ascertain the damage made so that assistance will be provided

on rebuilding. It is not the churches that matter, seeing as we make up the church.

The churches may be rebuilt and people will refuse to attend because people are not yet fully assured. So, there needs to be a re-orientation on why people need to fellowship as a Christian body, even before the churches are rebuilt. Government can set up a task force, headed by religious persons that can go round and ascertain the extent of the damage so that they can provide support. Some of the churches affected are small churches and may not be able to rebuild without assistance from government and well meaning individuals, especially in the face of the state of the economy.

“To the Christians going back home, we should have it at the back of our mind that these are trying times. Even Christ talked about persecution. We have faced persecution but we shouldn’t despair. We should see it as a trial that should make us stronger. We should forgive the terrorists and find the strength in God to move ahead.”

How did you receive the call to become a minister?

I was privileged to grow up in a Christian background and at a very early age, 13 precisely, I gave my life to Christ and it really affected how I lived my life. I later rededicated my life to God in 1994 and I have been working with and for Him since then.

I went to a Bible school and eventually got married to a pastor. I had already been ordained as a pastor at Obey’s church before I got married and it has been awesome working with my husband at the Universal Evangelical Church Tabernacle of Praise Ministry, at Abule Egba in Lagos State.

Forgiveness for terrorists?

Continued from pg35

away and have shown a dogged determination to the faith, and God has always been on our side. Before now, even if there was a bomb blast on a Sunday morning, you’ll still see people struggling to find their way to church for mass. Even if there is a curfew, people still trek to the churches, even if it’s to thank God that they’re still alive till now. The fact that our people are still faithful means that we have a hope for a better tomorrow and I think the church in its little way is on ground and is praying as well as trying to rebuild the structures. We only hope that the government and well meaning Nigerians would come to the aid of the church in this regard. Beyond having places of worship such as churches and mosques, other facilities are also required on ground such as hospitals, schools and the like.”

While commending the military for their efforts at stamping out insurgency, Fr Obasogie noted that people were coming back but some people were still hanging around

Yola, Jos, because they were not yet assured of better lives and proper security. He called on government and Nigerians to step in to ensure that schools, clinics, hospitals and other structures that were burnt down were rebuilt.

Forgiveness for terrorists?

People have lost wives, husbands, children, limbs, properties, and for some, they have even lost hope. With such amount of losses, the question of forgiveness of terrorists comes in. While the Christian faith encourages forgiveness, no matter what the situation, IDPs are only human after all.

In his message on forgiveness, Fr Obasogie stated that “our message has been very clearly presented. A few months ago, the Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri, Most Reverend Oliver Dashe Doeme, embarked on a solidarity visit to communities affected by insurgency and his key message was that the people must forgive the terrorists. For us to become real Christians, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, we have to

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Sunday Tribune

dawnofanewera sundaysermon

with Most Revd J.O. Akinfenwa

with Pastor Sunday Adelaja

Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese

Senior Pastor of the Ukraine based Embassy of God Church

The priesthood of all believers

e-mail: pastor@godembassy.org

The laws of money (V)

L

AST week, I told you how to keep money working for you and not the other way round. I mentioned the first two laws of money. The discourse continues today.

The ability to retain money enables you to become the master of money and mammon. You stop being its slave and you assume the rulership over him. Ladies and gentlemen let me tell you why this is important. It is only the man that has mastered the act of retaining money that can calmly dispense that money to judicious use. When you already have victory over money, only after that you could begin to hear the voice of God, the leading of the Spirit, because when the voices and dictates of money stop coming to your ear, another voice comes, the voice of the Holy Spirit that begins to lead you to where you can judiciously spend that money because God only speaks in stillness and calmness.

You must stop listening to the voices and dictates of mammon before you can begin to distinctly differentiate and hear the voice and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

He will lead you to where to invest; He will lead you to where to save; He will lead you to the right people and the understanding of the right area of business to invest in, etc.

You must be able to prove to mammon that you have the will power to ignore it, bypass it and disregard its dictates. Only the person who has been able to do this can dominate and subdue money. Once you stop taking its order, it now begins to take your orders. When you stop being at its service, money now begins to come to your service.

3. The third law of money that I will like to share with you today out of about 25 that I have is – Any Amount of Money That Comes To Your Hand Must Not Be Spent Until A Significant Part Of It Is Invested.

The lesson of the parable of the talents as told by Jesus in Matthew 25:13-30, is that any person that spends all that comes to his hands either on bills or pleasure is

You must be able to prove to mammon that you have the will power to ignore it, bypass it and disregard its dictates. Only the person who has been able to do this can dominate and subdue money. Once you stop taking its order, it now begins to take your orders

both wicked and lazy. The servant that Jesus condemned in that story was condemned because he did not invest the primary capital that was entrusted into his hand. I think I will not be exaggerating if I say most of the people reading this article fall into the same category as this servant. Most of us don’t even consider investing the money that is entrusted into our hands. The reason is because we are mostly not aware of the first two laws of money I mentioned last week.

Before my own personal encounter with the Lord in this regard, I lived like everybody else. At that point our church was making 20,000 US dollars a month, yet before the end of the month we were already in the red. It was catastrophic, until the lord pointed out to me to read this story again. While reading the story, I kept on comforting myself that I was a good servant, because I had a big church at that time and people were grateful to me for the changes and differences God has used me to make in their lives.

What a shock it was to me when God told me that in this story I wasn’t the good servant, I was not even the second servant that got two talents. What totally devastated me was when the Lord told me that I was worse than the last servant whom He condemned in that parable. My sense of pride and self-worth was so much offended that I was angry with God momentarily. I felt it was by all means unfair to have compared me to a wicked and lazy servant. But to now say I was worse than him totally shattered and ruined my day. I needed a proof and an explanation. Then God began to take me to school.

He said, at least in the case of the wicked and lazy servant, he was smart enough not to spend everything that his master trusted into his hand. In my case however, I was spending over 20,000 thousand US dollars on needs and bills, thinking I had excuses. I could not get myself to save, not to mention multiplying. The Lord also reminded me that there was a time I was making only 2,000 US dollars in a month.

At that time I had prayed to God that He should increase me. My belief was that if God could only help me make 5,000 US dollars in a month, I was going to be grateful and that would be more than enough for me. Guess what? God answered that prayer, but once we started making 5,000 US dollars, the needs were already overwhelming, so much that that amount was again not enough, because I was not following the laws of money. When you don’t abide by the laws of money and like in my case you don’t even know them, this means that caterpillars and cankerworms are always standing by to consume the little that you make.

Here I was again rushing to God in prayers to increase our income to 10,000 US dollars. I was sure that if we could earn 10,000 US dollars we would never be in need again. Well, you can guess what happened.

(To be continued next week.)

Words are powerful. Human beings and human institutions use words to codify thought and describe things. Many of these words are unique to the group in question. For example, an institution like the church has a unique or peculiar vocabulary. One of the dangers of our register of terms, however, is that they tend to create mental fixation, and stereotypes of behaviour. Sometimes, in fact, these words can create dichotomy. For example, we use the terms clergy and laity. And those who have been Christians long enough can tell what harm that division - clergy and laity hasdone to the institutional churches.

The division created in our minds by those two words (clergy and laity) made the clergy think that they were the only ones called (or qualified) to do the work of the ministry. They claimed exclusive rights to certain acts of worship and rites of the church - the laity were not allowed to participate, or at best they must only participate as observers. So, the laity left the clergy to do the work of the ministry, and just came to church as “consumers” of spiritual service. If the laity must do anything, they only felt obliged to “pay” for the service they had enjoyed by contributing financially to the church. Meanwhile, money alone cannot drive the Gospel enterprise. In fact, the Gospel needs human beings more than it needs money. So, in many places the church began to go down, and laity who wished to serve God with-

out wearing the cassock started looking for other places to do so.

Church membership started to decrease.

This example shows that words are very powerful in shaping societies and institutions. To prove the point further, great recovery happened when the Church began to re-emphasize the priesthood of all believers. Yes, it is true that some persons must dedicate themselves formally to the service of the church, but all of us who believe have been enlisted into the service of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each one of us is a minister of the Gospel. To say it as it is, we have all been called. Apostle Paul writing to his son in the Lord, Timothy, said, 2 Timothy 1:8-9 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

What is that call about? It is about the ministry of reconciliation; of bringing lost men back to God. Of establishing Christ’s standard of righteousness and holiness in the conduct of all human affairs. Of shining the light of Christ so that darkness may be dispelled in our world.

To be continued next week

theapostolicmessage

By Pastor (Dr) G.O. Olutola JP.

Solution to unpleasant situations Continued from last week Your well-being: The Lord is with you where you are, He has been awaiting you and he is changing your name (song -- a tun itan mi ko….) These are the solutions to your problem. Your wellbeing, some people are looking at you. This is the day, the Lord has finalized your battle; your well-being has been prepared, finished and handed over to you, because you are before the Lord. Satan has made it difficult for you to feed your children in your family but today that chapter is closed. The Lord that provided for that widow of old is alive; he is the same that fed thousands with five loaves of bread and two fishes, and they gathered fragments at the end of the day in baskets.

You will be eating well and to satisfaction.

You only need prayer, you need prayer to overcome all the problems that Satan has created.

Your Pattern: The Lord has changed your pattern (song – a tun itan mi ko…..) He will change your situation for the better and you are going to give testimony. I remember I was in Britain in September, last year, a man of God brought a brother and he left him with me in the Elder’s room to pray for him. He can’t speak Yoruba, because he is from Cote d’voire. And we were talking, he said to me that the Doctor said it remained only four months for him to live. He could eat whatever things he wanted; he can’t live more than four months! I asked him a question; do you believe in God? If I preach Christ to

you, can you believe Him? He said he will, then I prayed with him, and told him that he would write a letter of thanksgiving. To the glory of God till now the cancer does not worry him again. He didn’t want to go to the hospital again. He was persuaded. He went to the same Doctor that told him that he was going to die in four months’ time, and after testing him, no cancer was found again. What is your problem? From where?

How did you observe it? What did the medical doctor tell you? I am telling you the message of God; rather than the message of the doctor. The Lord is capable of delivering you from all the problems; that is why He brought you to read me now. There is no disease that God cannot heal: the poverty in that family, the Lord is removing it now; you are no longer poor, nobody will be poor in that family in the name of Jesus. The Lord is visiting your homes, your work, your children, hearken unto the voice of the Lord; you are healed in the name of Jesus.

Whatever situation you find yourself the Lord God expects you to bring it before Him. The circumstances you are passing through does not mean God is no aware. He Knows about it and is already with the solution. It does not mean that is His purpose for you, He will bring you to the expected end. That is why you need to give your life to Jesus.

Remember the men of the city submit themselves to Elisha before the get the right solution to the problem of their city. Come to Jesus Christ today, He will receive you and give you rest.

Concluded

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language&style

14 August, 2016

by Samson Dare 0805 500 1770 samsonadare@yahoo.co.uk

Of potable water and portable bag

B

dictionaries. 5) Portable bags of all types are now EFORE considering another excerpt for analysis today, available in the market. 6) Portable blackboards let’s pay attention to one or two issues yet to be discussed are used for educating nomads. 7) Referring jocularly in the excerpt that has served us in the past three weeks to the diminutive size of his wife, he told the audience or so. Let’s take that excerpt as the first sample for today. that his wife was portable. 8) Stethoscope and allied Sample 1: “The president, in his remark, said over six decades, medical instruments are portable. 9) The idea of a oil exploration in the region had caused the rural communities portable radio set was unknown in the country until their sources of livelihood in the face of acute degradation of many decades after the novelty was introduced. 10) their land and water among other damaged biodiversity in the What you need at this level is a portable fridge and region…It smirks of attempts to gain recognition and position not a family-sized one. individuals for possible negotiations with the FG…The preferential When we use the adjective potable to qualify water, treatment got by Tompolo, Atake, Boyloaf, Asari and other ‘Generals’ we mean the water in question is drinkable. Please at the detriment of ‘Commanders’ and foot soldiers have been a cause read the following sentences: 1) It is paradoxical that, of friction…They are hiding under a platform of underdevelopment to although we are surrounded by water, we lack potable perpetuate these evils…He said there are 45 communities around the water. 2) Governments at all levels should endeavour Benin River without portable drinking water…Gory tales of inhuman to make potable water available to all the citizens. treatment and human rights abuses allegedly carried out by the 3) Non-availability of potable water is the bane of military from the creeks is further alienating the Federal Government our rural areas. 4) The best way to and the military in the region…”(Ogoni Clean ward off water-borne diseases is up, the Struggle and the UNEP Report, The to make potable water available Nation, Sunday June 5, 2016) in abundance. 5) There are big The expression that interests us is at the hospitals in this country without detriment of which occurs in the following regular supply of potable water. context: “The preferential treatment got by 6) Food should be prepared with Tompolo, Atake…at the detriment of potable water. 7) The challenge ‘Commander’ …’ Let us note the particle at There is a major difference of provision of potable water can immediately preceding the expressionthe between the words portable be as severe in the littoral regions detriment of.Some Nigerians habitually it is in the deserts. 8) Billions of attach the particle at to the word (please note the letter r) and as naira borrowed for the purpose of detriment in confusion with the usage of providing potable water allegedly the word expense. It is proper to allow the potable, both of which are went into private pockets. 9) The particle at to collocate with expense, but adjectives. The confusion public and private sectors should it is certainly wrong to attach that particle collaborate in providing potable to detriment. The following sentences is obviously facilitated by water for Nigerians. 10) Like other involving the use of the word detriment similarities in spellings and utilities the provision of potable are erroneous precisely because the particle water requires huge investments. at is attached to that noun in each of them: pronunciations.

We are back to the phrase that (1) He spends many hours reading during prompted the discussion so the night *at the detriment of his health. far:portable drinking water.

(2) Huge sums of money are stashed away Following the discussion, we now in foreign banks *at the detriment of the have: potable drinking water.

Nigerian economy. (3) Many youths take Even this phrase, as it stands, has a drugs *at the detriment of their health. problem. One of the two modifiers, (4) Some workers were sacked *at the potable and drinking, should be detriment of the company. (5) Dangerous deleted since they are synonymous. We should have fumes are being released *at the detriment of our health. (6) either: potable water or drinking water.

Justice is both delayed and denied *at the detriment of the Sample 2: “Although all efforts to get official military society. confirmation were unsuccessful, a very reliable military Of course the particle to should replace at in the context in source in Delta confirmed that seven suspects were which the word detriment appears. In addition, in each of arrested in the early-hour operation, adding that the sentences, the word expense could conveniently replace recovery of explosives, arms and ammunition were also detriment: (1) (b) He spends many hours reading during the made.”(Pipeline Bombings: Tompolo on Fire,Sunday night to the detriment of his health. Or: (1) (c) He spends Sun, May 29, 2016) many hours reading during the night at the expense of his Let’s examine the grammatical status of the verb-form health. (2) (b) Huge sums of money are stashed away in foreign were which occurs in the following stretch: “recovery banks to the detriment of the Nigerian economy. Or: (2) of explosives, arms and ammunition were also made.” (c) Huge sums of money are stashed away in foreign banks at The verb (were) is obviously in the plural (its singular the expense of the Nigerian economy. (3) (b) Many youths past form being was). We need to find out the noun take drugs to the detriment of their health. Or: (3) (c) Many whose plural status has influenced the reporter’s choice youths take drugs at the expense of their health. (4) (b) Some of the plural verb-form. Of course there are three nouns to workers were sacked to the detriment of the company. Or: (4) the immediate left of the verb slot which almost certainly (c) Some workers were sacked at the expense of the company. influenced the reporter’s decision. The nouns are: (5) (b) Dangerous fumes are being released to the detriment explosives, arms and ammunition. On the strength of our health. Or: (5) (c) Dangerous fumes are being released at the expense of our health. of the noun explosives alone, if these nouns were Next we consider the phrase: portable drinking water. relevant to the conjugation of the verb, the verb could be considered for inflection for plurality. Unfortunately, these There are two issues with this phrase. The first has to do with nouns, severally and/or collectively, have no influence on the the word portable. Given the fact that this word collocates status of the verb---singular or plural. with drinking water, it should be noted that a wrong word Guided by good grammar and sound logic, we feel has been selected here. compelled to look in the direction of the noun recovery There is a major difference between the words portable for the word that should influence grammatical (please note the letter r) and potable, both of which are agreement. Please look at that structure again and tell me adjectives. The confusion is obviously facilitated by similarities if you disagree with the idea that recovery is the key word in spellings and pronunciations. The adjective portable is used for the purpose of concord. That noun being singular, the to qualify nouns with the meaning: easy to be carried from place verb should be changed to its singular form: was. to place; of the size that can be easily carried or transported.

It seems the reporter has been misled by the long 1) Portable phones are now widely used by distance between the noun discovery and the verb Nigerians at all levels. 2) I need not just a portable slot on the one hand and the short distance between Bible but a pocket-sized one. 3) Portable computers the nouns he has wrongly allowed to influence the are fast replacing the bigger ones used by sedentary conjugation of the verb and the verb slot on the other. workers. 4) All students, particularly users of English A good writer must know more than that… as a second language, should have and use portable

Sunday Tribune

line

life with

Niyi Osundare

Random Blues (Otolorin Blues) Dare to be different Stop stomping on the beaten path Say, dare to be different Stop stomping on the beaten path Count Life’s manifold mysteries In the book of uncommon math Look up the sunny sky And count the teeth of absent clouds Yes, look up the sunny sky And count the teeth of absent clouds Earn your stripe, embrace your Song And stand straight up in motley crowds Don’t squeeze your dream In the shell of petty nights Hear? Don’t squeeze your dream In the shell of petty nights Choose your battle with infinite care Leave the mean to their fecklessfights There is something in the uniform That de-forms the substance of the self Yes, something in the uniform Which de-forms the substance of the self Ever so hard, isn’t it?

To spot the bee in the swarm Dare to be different Dare to dream Yes, dare to be different Dare to dream A fresh, new song, a personal touch A long-sought tonic to the ailing team

41

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14 August, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Kidnapping: Bello, AIG read Riot Act Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

From right, Oorelope Local Government caretaker chairman, Honourable Samuel Okunlade (Ododo); former Nigeria’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Chief Layi Iyanda; Chief Olawuwo Oni; Oyo State deputy governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo and the Special Adviser to the Oyo State governor on Solid Minerals, Honourable Mathew Oyedokun, during the funeral ceremony of the late Alepata of Igboholand, Oba (Dr) Johnson Oyeyiola, recently. PHOTO: MOSES ALAO

Poly teachers lament non-implementation of agreement, threaten strike Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

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HE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has lamented the non-implementation of the agreement reached with the Federal Government in 2013, threatening to embark on strike in the next two weeks if their demands are not met.

The stance was made known by the coordinator ASUP, Zone A, Kabir Yunusa, during a press conference in Kaduna at the weekend.

Yunusa, while going down memory lane, said the union went on an industrial action that lasted for nine months, in 2013, because the sector had suffered undue neglect like poor funding, discrimination and violation of signed agreement.

According to him, the strike was suspended because of the pleas of wellmeaning Nigerians.

He noted that since then, the Federal Government had not deemed it fit to address some of the challenges

being faced by polytechnics in the country.

‘With the new administration in the country, our union had made several and sustained efforts since December 2015 to draw their attention to these outstanding issues.”

According to Yunusa, the major grouse of the union with the federal and state governments was the non-

implementation of the NEEDS Assessment report.

“As we speak, our members in the following states; Edo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Benue, Imo, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ondo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun and Nassarawa, are owed salaries,” he said.

He also stated that some of their members were unjustifiably sacked or suspended by their polytech-

Navy arrests 2 alleged members of ND Avengers Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri IN a bid to further curtail oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region, operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS DELTA) have arrested two suspected members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, at an undisclosed location.

The suspects’ names were given as Felix Miyenminiya, 53 and Stanley Tongha, 35.

They were allegedly behind attacks on some facilities belonging to Chevron

Nigerian Limited (CNL) in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State between May and July.

Commander, NNS Delta, Warri Naval Command, Commodore Joseph Dzunve, while parading the suspects on Saturday in Warri, said the Navy and other agencies were doing their best to curb further attacks on pipeline installations at different locations in the Niger Delta axis.

“You are aware of the recent series of attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta and Delta State in particular, for which some groups of people claimed

Black marketers in focus as Glo’s Professor Johnbull enters Episode 4

By Rotimi Ige ACTIVITIES of ‘Black Marketers’ who hoard and sell petroleum products at exorbitant prices during fuel scarcity period was the focus of the fourth episode of Professor Johnbull, the Glo-sponsored TV comedy series.

Tagged Foreign Petrol, the programme highlighted the effect of economic hardship on the people and how millions of Nigerians suffer in the hands of individuals and groups who capitalised on constant fuel scarcity in

nics, lamenting that the alleged inaction of the regulatory body, the National Board for Technical Education, as well as Ministry of Labour and Productivity, had compounded their woes.

‘Failure to address some of these issues might force the union to embark on strike from August 22, 2016,” he added.

the country to enrich themselves.

In the episode which used humour extensively to treat different issues, Etuk (Ime Bishop), the shylock hotelier faced hard economic challenges in his hotel business. Patronage to the hotel dropped drastically as there was no fuel to power the generating set in the hotel.

Worried by this, he resorted to open marketing activities by ringing bell to attract customers.

He said: “This is an advertising announcement,

everybody come to Udom Meridian Hotel, there is room and security, come one, come all.”

Similarly, Stephen Odimgba (Flash) in a bid to get rich quickly became an emergency ‘black marketer’ and was questioned by Professor Johnbull’s son, Churchill on who authorised him to sell black market petrol, adding that “it was a crime and you could be arrested.” The business, however did not last for long as predicted by Churchill as Flash was arrested shortly after that.

responsibilities.

“You will also recall that the Nigerian Navy and security agencies under Operation Delta Safe have been doing their best to stop these attacks.

“Today, I am pleased to inform you that after several efforts, NNS Delta has arrested two suspects responsible for the attacks on Chevron Nigeria Ltd facilities witnessed between May and July 2016, around Warri North Local Government Area of Delta state,” the naval boss disclosed.

He said the two suspects had provided useful information, adding that the navy and other security agencies are on the trail of other fleeing members of the dreaded militant group.

Meanwhile, one of the suspects, Felix Miyenminiya, who is a beneficiary of the Amnesty Programme, said “I don’t know any Avengers, na my house I dey when dem come arrest me; them say gun and dynamite dey my house.

“I tell them say I never set my eyes on that kind thing since when I accept my Amnesty I never try such thing in my life; I tell them make them check my house, my car, everywhere; I am totally innocent.”

THE Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has restated his administration’s resolve to continue to partner with the police and other security agencies in combating kidnapping and other crimes in the state.

Governor Bello gave the assurance when the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 8, comprising Kogi, Kwara and Ekiti states, Tijani Baba, paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Lokoja on Saturday.

According to Governor Bello, “the state government will not relent in its commmitment to tackle the problem of insecurity in the state. We will derive maximum benefits hosting the AIG, with the other states under the zone. My government will assist the zone to deliver on its services.”

Bello expressed delight that the crime rate in the state had reduced.

Only entrepreneurship can take Nigerians out of recession —Don Biola Azeez - Ilorin A professor of Accounting at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Professor Taiwo Ashaolu, has tasked Nigerians eager to end current economic gloom to embrace entrepreneurship.

Ashaolu also asked existing business owners to embrace creative problem-solving approach to deal with daunting challenges of their organisations.

Ashaolu, who is also a council member, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and board member, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, while lamenting the continued woes of the national currency, said only entrepreneurship could stem the tide of youth unemployment.

Police parade rape syndicate in Taraba Sylvanus Viashima - Jalingo TARABA State Police Command on Saturday paraded four persons for conspiring, kidnapping and raping underage girls.

Mr Yakubu Babas, the Commissioner of Police in the state, who paraded the suspects, said they were arrested by a team of SARS at their den in Tudun Wada area of Jalingo.

Babas explained that Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi reported to SARS office in Jalingo that his daughter, who got missing on July 22, called to inform him that a group of persons, numbering 10 forcefully took her inside a tricycle to one Dickson Zadin’s room and took turns to rape her.

According to him, the police swung into action immediately by raiding their den, where Abdullahi’s daughter and two other minors were rescued, four of the rapists arrested while six of them are on the run.

Brief

Power of Resurrection holds 8th anniversary THE 8th anniversary of Power of Resurrection Christian church holds on Monday, August 15 to Tuesday, August 16 between 5:00 – 7:00pm at the church auditorium No 71/73 Olaleye Ogunsola Villa off Agbamu road, Power City, Sanyo, Ibadan.

The theme of the anniversary is: who is like our God, psalm 113: 5.

Praise night will take place on August 17, 2016 by 10:00pm till dawn and the grand finale of event holds on August 21, 2016, at 8:00am.

Ministering at event are; Pastor and Prophetss D.O. Adebowale and other men of God, while featuring singspiration, deliverance and breakthrough.

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Sunday Tribune

Give us new oba, Ijebu Igbo indigenes appeal to Amosun Members of Ijebu Igbo Parapo Association have sent a Save-our-Soul appeal to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State to help the town in ensuring the installation of a new Orimolusi and the rehabilitation of its township roads.

In a communique signed by the Secretary General and coordinator of the association, Mr Adeniyi Lawal and Prince Adeyemi Adekoya respectively, the association expressed its regrets of not having a paramount ruler for the past two decades. The association also stated that the absence of an Oba in the town was affecting its socio-economic development.

The association therefore appealed to Governor Amosun to fulfil his electoral promise of ensuring the installation of the Orimolusi, while also appealing to him to complete the overhead bridge at the centre of the town, including the rehabilitation of township roads.

PDP chairmanship: Yoruba youths support Adeniran Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (middle), former acting National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus (left) and Special Adviser to the governor on Special Projects, Mr Cyril Dum Wite, during the inspection of the Port Harcourt, Pleasure Park on Saturday.

Gunmen attack Ekiti PDP spokesman •Says APC after his life •He should stop night crawling —APC Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

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he publicity secretary, Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jackson Adebayo suffered an attack by unknown assailants on Friday night on his way to church, just as he claimed that the assailants were sent after him by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Adebayo said on Saturday that he suspected the attack to be politically motivated.

According to him, he received threats from some unknown people recently.

Adebayo said: “I was going to vigil in the church when three armed men on a motorbike accosted me.

Two of them came down with their guns and started shooting sporadically.

They seized me and hit my head against the asphalted road and the man on the bike ordered them to shoot me, but the men said they should leave me.

“I wouldn’t describe it as a robbery because apart from my phone and tablet that they took, the money they found on me was returned.

Few days ago, I had issued a press release on the purported trip of Mrs Aisha Buhari to America on behalf of our party and I started receiving threat calls on my phones afterwards.

“The callers were threatening me to leave the woman alone and few days after, this happened. We are in a democracy and we have the right to speak as a party. If anybody thinks that by engaging in violence, they can silence us and our party, they are mistaken. We are for the

people and the voice of the people is the voice of God.” Adebayo, who was treated at a private hospital in Ado Ekiti, said his assailants hit his head with their guns several times, adding that the incident occurred at the Oke Ila Housing area of the state capital at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday.

But the APC in the state denied involvement in the attack, saying it was wrong to ascribe the attack to either politics or the opposition party in the state.

The publicity secretary of the APC in the state, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, who reacted to the allegation, said: “I don’t want to join issues with Adebayo. But Is it President Buhari or his wife, Aisha that would send hoodlums to attack him? He is taking politics to a ridiculous and embarrassing level. If Governor

60 arraigned over military/civilians clash in Niger Adelowo OladipoMinna

SIXTY suspects, who were said to have attacked some military men in Kpaidna, Lagbe and Kopa communities in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, were on Friday, arraigned before a Minna Chief Magistrates’ Court One. Twenty-eight of the villagers were brought to the court from the General Hospital, Minna as a result of injuries they sustained during the clash with some officers from the 31st Artillery Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army in Minna recently.

They were brought into

the court premises with two buses marked NG65GH and NG67GH. The accused persons were arraigned on sevencount charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, mischief, failure to give notice of information to public servants, being in unlawful possession of dangerous weapons and unlawful possession of fire arms.

According to the police report made available in court and obtained by Sunday Tribune on Friday, the offences are punishable under sections 97, 22, 327, 238, and 107 of the Penal Code Law and sections 27(1) (A)(I) Firearms

act, capF28, LFL 2004.

When the charges were read to the accused persons by the presiding Chief Magistrate, who doubles as the Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) in the Niger State Judiciary, Alhaji Hammed Bimah, they pleaded not guilty.

The villagers were represented by 25 lawyers on human rights grounds led by Barrister Usman Isiaku, the Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Minna branch.

He requested the court to consider the health and physical conditions in which the accused persons were brought to court.

Fayose and the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP are walking on the streets, nobody would attack them.

“Let Jackson (Adebayo) stop night crawling. That is not an issue that he should politicise. We have to sympathise with him. We as a party are not identified with violence and we’ll not be violent with the opposition. He’s just trying to attract attention to himself.

I’ll advise Adebayo to report the incident to security agencies to investigate.

He should not drag us into what we know nothing about. President Buhari and his wife would not do such a thing.”

Commenting on the development, the Chairman of PDP in the state, Mr. Gboyega Oguntuase, accused APC of fomenting violence in the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State Police Command, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, said the incident had been reported to the police in the state, saying “we are still investigating the incident.”

By Dare Adekanmbi The National Committee of Yoruba Youths (NCYY) has declared support for a Nigeria’s ex-ambassador to Germany and former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran, for the position of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on account of his track record in the economic and intellectual development of the country.

In a statement by its president, Oladimeji Odeyemi, NCYY, which described itself as an ardent subscriber to the socio-economic programmes and manifesto of the PDP, said it would amount to incalculable damage if it kept quiet over the leadership process of the party.

The group, which said it took the decision after a “sober reflection and with every sense of responsibility”, noted that the PDP “needs an experienced, mature and stable leadership that does not have godfathers, but is ready to reunite and reposition the party for greatness.”

“We have been under considerable pressure from wellmeaning Nigerians and teeming youths on the country to contribute to the development of the PDP and advise its leadership on who should be the new national chairman,” it added.

4 states to meet over HYPADEC on Tuesday Adelowo Oladipo-Minna Niger State Government has said arrangements have been concluded for the meeting of stakeholders of Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC).

The meeting is slated for Tuesday at the Government House in Minna.

The government said this in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Honourable Ibrahim Isa Ladan, adding that participants expected at the meeting include Governors of Plateau, Kogi, Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states as well as senators from these states and officials from Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

The meeting would be preceded by a technical session, which would be attended by the Secretaries to the State Government of HYPPADEC states.

The statement further explained that the meeting would address the developmental challenges facing communities’ hydro dams in their respective states as well as discuss the establishment of the HYPPADEC.

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Sunday Tribune

APGA praises FG over release of IPOB members

An official of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), demanding boarding ticket from the Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr Fidet Okhiria (right), during a ride from Abuja-Kaduna on Saturday. With them is the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga.

PHOTO: NAN

NEMA warns Ibadan residents over flooding

By Tunde Ogunesan

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HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), SouthWest zone chapter on Friday in Ibadan, urged residents of the city to adhere strictly to environmental laws to prevent impending flood disaster.

This was stated by the South-West zonal coordinator, NEMA, Mr Suleiman Yakubu, during a road show. The show was aimed at sensitising the public on the need to prevent impending flooding as it had been severally announced.

It will be recalled that on July 25, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and Nigeria Meteorological Agency(NIMET) raised the alarm over an impending flood disaster in the country this year.

NIHSA warned of a probability of rising levels of water along the nation’s course, especially in the Niger Republic axis, stating that there was a very high tendency of it resulting in flooding.

Oyo State is one of the many states listed by the agency likely to be affected by flood, identifying Ibadan to be highly proned to flash flooding.

The road show commenced from Ibadan North council secretariat and moved through the government secretariat, Bodija, Agbowo and Orogun areas. On the road show train were members of NEMA, Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), enviromental sanitation Department and others.

Mr Yakubu said that the programme was to create

awareness among locals on the danger of flooding and that the agency had embarked on the programme as a shift of emphasis from reacting to preventing disaster.

“We have an alert already of impending flood disaster across the some states in the country, including Oyo. This is why we are warning people now to desist from all activities that enhance flooding such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse to block water ways,” he said.

He also listed non-adherence to 30 metres setback law, indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and building on flood prone areas as factors responsible

for flooding.

Yakubu, who observed that residents still dump refuse in drainages, forgetting the havoc of the 2011 flood disaster in the state, warned them against such habit.

The OYSEMA Secretary, Mr Akin Makinde, urged the people to adhere to environmental and sanitation laws, saying they were for the protection of lives.

The caretaker Chairman, Ibadan North Local Government, Mr Oluyinka Akinbode, explained that the council had set up a committee and mobile court to prosecute offenders. Akinbode said that in the last few months, the

state government had been dredging rivers; sensitising stakeholders and implement regular environment sanitation.

He also said refuse disposal in the state had been contracted to a private company by the state government and the company had been very proactive.

Alhaji Abdul-Wahab Odusina, a community leader in the Agbowo area, told newsmen that they had been giving their best in sensitising the people on the disaster.

Odusina said that the area lost many lives to the 2011 flood disaster in the state, saying they would continue to educate the people on it.

Newly-launched Abuja-Kaduna train service made N5m in 2 weeks —NRC THE Abuja-Kaduna train service recorded N5 million income within the first two weeks of operation, Mr Fidet Ikhiria, acting Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has said.

Ikhiria made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while travelling on the train from Abuja to Kaduna on Saturday.

The Managing Director of NAN, Mr Bayo Onanuga, and the Editor-inChief, NAN, Mr Ado Lawal, were also on board.

Ikhiria said, “in the first week of operation, we made N2.2 million and in the second week, we made N2.9 million. This is the third week of operation.

Last week’s report showed that we had almost 5,000 passengers in six days, but we have capacity for 320 passengers per trip; for

now, the maximum. For a day, the maximum number of passengers we have is 1000,’’ he said.

Ikhiria said that fencing of the tracks would commence before the end of August, just as he acknowledged that there were some operational lapses on the route, which the management would address.

He also said that some of the staff had yet to get used to the seat numbering as it was different from what was obtainable in the old trains.

According to the managing director, the coaches are overwhelmed by the number of people coming on board.

“Some passengers with economy class tickets are coming to sit on the first class coach because the economy class is filled up.

We are going to do more

enlightenment on this at the station and community levels.’’

On the speed of the train, he said that the parameter for speed was not the coach, but track which, according to him, was designed according to specification. He said the train moved at 90 kilometres per hour from the initial 70 kilometres per hour, but would get to 150 kilometres per hour in due course.

Okhiria also said that efforts were being made to beef up security at the stations and on board the train. “By next week, our scanners will be in place; I am also discussing with Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to deploy more men. We have armed policemen on board and some security personnel without uniform,’’ he said

THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Victor Oye, has commended the Federal Government for granting freedom to some detained supporters of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group.

Oye described the gesture as bold, patriotic and surest way to peace and unity of Nigeria, which he said, was non-negotiable.

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Saturday, he thanked everyone who was instrumental to ensuring freedom for the persons.

He, however, called on the government to release the acclaimed leader of IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him to go home and take care of his young family.

“I commend the Federal Government for the bold and patriotic step taken in the release of some of the members and supporters IPOB detained in Aba. “I thank all the men and women of goodwill who facilitated the release and urge them not to relent until absolute peace and harmony is achieved in Nigeria.

“The government should also extend this gesture to Kanu, who has been in detention for a while,” Oye said.

He urged the Federal Government to open more avenues and channels of discussion with all agitating group, who were protesting the political and economic structure of Nigeria for amicable resolution of issues.

Oke Ogun people extol qualities of Ojerinde, ex-JAMB’s boss OKE Ogun people, under the auspices of Oke Ogun Development Council, (ODC), have congratulated the immediate past Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde for being a good ambassador of Oke-Ogun during the period of his service to the nation.

In a press release by the organisation, the ODC disclosed that Ojerinde gave a good account of himself when he served as chief executive officer of three national educational bodies in the country; the National Board for Educational Measurement, (NBEM), National Educational Council, (NECO) and Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, (JAMB).

In the release signed by the organisation’s acting President, Mr. Oladoja Oladele, the General Secretary, Jare Ajayi and protem Publicity Secretary, Comrade Remi Adegbola, the ODC recalled that it was NBEM that transformed into (NECO).

“The good work done by Ojerinde at NBEM convinced the government of the need to set up a national examination body besides the regional one, West African Examinations Council, (WAEC), which is for about six countries in West Africa. Since, its establishment, NECO has been doing well, thus justifying the rationale behind its creation – thanks to people like Ojerinde and others and particularly the government that provided the enabling environment”.

We’ve taken measures to ensure hitch-free oil exploration in Lake Chad —Army THE Nigerian Army has said that it has taken proactive steps to ensure hitch-free oil exploration in the Lake Chad in line with the presidential directive.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Victor Ezugwu, made this known in Maiduguri on Saturday.

Ezugwu spoke at the graduation of 93 personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) trained by the Army on arms proficiency in Maiduguri.

He said that the training was to prepare ground for the personnel to play their constitutional roles of safeguarding machines and other facilities at the exploration ground, as well as oil pipeline.

“The President and Commander-In-Chief has given a directive that the Lake Chad be explored for oil reserve and other natural resources that will enhance the economy of the country.

“Thinking ahead, we organised this training for the Civil Defenders because their duty is to police oil pipelines and also provide security for vital equipment that will be used in the exploration,’’ he said.

opinion Consolidating Oshiomhole’s achievements: The Obaseki way 44

14 August, 2016

By David Ibekwe

T

HERE is no doubting the fact that since the coming on board of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Edo State has never had it so good.

Oshiomhole, who took over the governance of the state after 10 years of Peoples Democratic Party PDP’s misrule, did has not disappointed both his critics and admirers in his drive to bring change to Edo. Five years down the road, Oshiomhole stands out shining as an example of what a political leadership could do in turning around the fortunes of a people.

One major achievement of the administration, led by the former labour leader, is the support to security agencies with the aim of combating insecurity in the state.

Prior to his assumption of office, crime rate in Edo was high. The administration has continued to support the Nigeria Police, the Army, the Air Force, the Department of State Security, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as Neighborhood Watch massively to discharge their duties. However, we are not unaware of the sabotage efforts of the opposition party, the PDP, to fuel insecurity in the state. It will only take a short while before all those involved will have justice delivered to their doorsteps.

The health sector has witnessed massive transformation as well. Hospitals are being upgraded across the state. The Central Hospital, along Sapele Road in Benin, is home to a multi-million Naira project, which, when completed, would compare to any modern hospital in the world. It targets bringing an end to Edo people traveling overseas for medical attention.

Realising the importance of education, which is one of the biggest industries of his people, Oshiomhole has made educational revolution in the state a cardinal objective of his administration. One of the greatest achievements of the APC-led administration in the education sector is “the red roof revolution” as it is now being referred to, even by the worst critics of government which is an open acknowledgement of the transformation of public schools in the state.

Though he has been criticised for using red aluminium roofing sheets in place of the zinc used by previous governments, the formerly neglected public schools in

the state have received a boost.

Tertiary education institutions under the administrations are also doing well. Subventions to the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, College of Education, Ekiadolor and Igueben have been consciously jerked up while the Institute of Management and Technology as well as College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi have been upgraded and accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Efforts are continuing to keep education at pace with what obtains in developed societies.

What is evident everywhere is that strong institutions are being built so that generations to come in Edo will have a very solid foundation to contribute their quota to societal development. This is evident in the enactment of the Public Procurement Law in Edo, the pursuit of the Criminal Justice Reforms, and the strengthening of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, BIR, among others.

Water has been roundly provided for the people. Edo South, North and Central now have water flowing from boreholes provided by the Oshiomhole government.

This has drastically reduced water borne diseases which used to be prevalent in Edo North and Central.

Perhaps what needs to be done now is for a consolidation of Oshiomhole’s achievements as a means of sustaining the gains of democracy in the state and this is where the need to support Mr

Sunday Tribune

Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the September 10 election in Edo, to succeed the Comrade Governor comes to the fore.

Obaseki, who has been part of the Oshiomhole team for the past seven years, helping, as the head of the Economic Team, to mobilise funds for the state government infrastructural development, cannot be said to be less qualified to succeed his boss.

He recently spoke on his accomplishments and why Edo needs somebody like him to be in the saddle at the Government House after Oshiomhole’s tenure: “Because the future is going to be more challenging than where we are coming from, we run a huge risk of losing the gains of what we have accomplished. What are those things that we have accomplished? First, we had to restore effects of governance by ensuring a sense of accountability, professionalism in the civil service, planning which helped us to earn the trust of people and getting money to execute projects. After going through all these, I realised that we have done the easy part, because we had a plan and money to build infrastructure and now created that expectation from the people that if government can, then it should continue to do it, but we are going into an era where oil prices have dropped drastically and those expectations are real and can still be accomplished, but with a different mind-set and management style.”

The governorship hopeful went further: “Looking around, I felt that it can’t just be politics only, it has to be politics mixed with some capacity to manage resources in difficult times and I think that I am more than qualified. If there is anybody in the race today, who has the experience in terms of managing resources and government, I am that person. I agree that I don’t have 30 years of political experience behind me, but I have more than seven years’ experience of monitoring political activities in Edo State. What we need at this point in time is not just someone who is adept to politics alone. We need someone who has managerial ability. So, I feel that I have that advantage of being able to handle both.”

I can’t agree less with him.

Ibekwe, an accountant, is based in Furgar, Edo State

Edo poll: The reconciliation that made a difference

By Shedrak Imokhuede THE political differences that had existed between Edo State governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, and his deputy, Mr. Pius Odubu were such that created fears over its likely effect on the forthcoming governorship elections.

People were so concerned that they feared it may sway voters considering that such crisis easily has devastating impacts. One of such effects is that it had presented an easy avenue for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other centrifugal forces to exploit. And the prospects of such is something Edo people couldn’t have imagined given PDP’s notorious antecedents in the state.

It was this notion that nudged well-meaning individuals to beckon on the principal actors to realise that the gains of the last eight years must not be traded for political differences.

This was in respective of the merits or demerits of the issue which was even a ‘’family affair’’ because the future of the state towers above any other interest.

For me, it was one of the periods I nearly got frustrated about my state like because so many vaulting interests were waiting in the wings. The thinking that the promising prospects that Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s candidacy holds for the state may be jeopardised added to my misery. Certainly, I was not alone in this, as most people hoped that things would never fall apart in the state to allow our continuity dream come true.

That the dramatis personae in that scenario, hearkened to the voice of wisdom, showed that truly,

Edo is currently in a right hand and would hopefully transit to another capable hand.

For us, the news about the imminent fence mending reawakened our dampened spirit because it was not just about Oshiomhole and Odubu, but Obaseki-a man whose vision would consolidate and uplift the state.

It was this significance inherent in the reconciliation, that got every Edo indigene interested even across party lines. Even most of my kinsmen in local government, who are known PDP foot soldiers attested to the goodness of the move which had further endeared the governor, his deputy and Obaseki to prospective voters.

Interestingly, the crisis brought out the discipline in those concerned and their supporters, as one hardly noticed any aspect of brinkmanship beyond familiar tirades.

That was quite unlike Nigeria’s political scene where leaders and followers throw caution to the wind during periods like that.

For those, who don’t know, the contestation was simply a political disagreement among like minds which interestingly brought to fore the actors’ commitment to internal democracy. Indeed, that is an important take away for politicians and their followers in the country.

In fact, the lessons imbued in it was better explained

by Oshiomhole thus: ‘’ Some times when we joke, we don’t relate as boss- subordinate but as brothers. But we went through an electoral primary to celebrate internal democracy that distinguishes the APC from the rest. ‘’Pius and I fought many battles, political battles as well as battles to reposition this government and together we can effortlessly point out what our stewardship accomplished for the benefit of the

people of Edo. Which I believe necessarily formed the foundation for the electioneering campaign that is about to begin. Having worked so hard and related so closely, there is no question Pius and I in and outside government will remain friends and comrades. ‘’As part of my own atonement and to demonstrate my commitment to our friendship, some of the people who were affected in the cause of this contestation I have decided to reinstate them to their former positions.

I believe that when a leader shows compassion and demonstrate spirit of forgiveness and calls his younger ones, pat them on the back and say ‘return home’, it is not a mark of weakness, it simply shows that we are ever conscious that as humans there are times to make mistakes and times to correct them. So I have taken those steps in the interest of our great party and my honesty of purpose. The primary has come and gone, we all knew that even if all twelve were angels, only one angel was required and, in choosing that one angel, no body requires to give reasons he preferred one angel to the other and that is simply what has played out in our party”.

Odubu’s position also provided more enlightenment in a society with a political culture that is far from being a model. He said ‘’I am now back home. Yesterday belongs to the past and we have decided to put the past behind us. I want to reaffirm my commitment to APC and to each victory at all elections.”

The summary of the reconciliation narrative is that it further brightened the prospects of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the polls. *Imokhuede, a teacher, writes from Ikpoba Okha, Edo State.

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opinion

14 August, 2016

Welcome to Mai Chanji

By Femi Fani-Kayode “Their hate for President Goodluck Jonathan justifies the suffering in the land. Recession matters not.

Hunger matters not. Loss of jobs matter not. Polio matters not. Making a mess of the naira matters not.

Fulani herdsmen matter not. High cost of foodstuffs matters not. Chibok matters not. We have men consumed by their hate for Jonathan and it matters not if Nigeria burns” - Prince Henry Nwazuruahu Shield, Facebook, August 11th, 2016.

H

OW right Mr Shield is. His contribution is not only courageous but also insightful and profound. The Buharists and the “lying liars” are blinded by their hate for Jonathan and for those of us that have chosen to stand by him.

It is so bad that if their wives were made pregnant by another man they would say that it was Jonathan that was responsible. Yet their record of governance is clear and there for all to see.In one year and two months of President Buhari and his APC’s “Mai Chanji,” Nigeria has become a very different place to what it was before.

Our nation has really been ‘’transformed.”

A few examples will suffice. One year two months ago we were the largest producer of oil in Africa, but thanks to “Mai Chanji” that is no longer the case. One year and two months ago we were the number one destination for foreign investment in Africa, but thanks to “Mai Chanji” that is no longer the case.One year and two months ago we were the largest economy in Africa but thanks to “Mai Chanji” that is no longer the case.

Sadly it gets worse. In the space of one year and two months the naira has depreciated from N160 to $1 to N410 to $1. If there is no change in fiscal and monetary policy anytime soon, there is a consensus amongst economic and fiscal experts that by Christmas, the naira will have depreciated to, at best, N500 to $1. One year and two months ago, Nigerians could buy a bag of rice for N8,000, but today they are paying N20,000 for that same bag of rice. As Pastor Reno Omokri, a former aide to President Jonathan said, if the minimum wage is N18,000 where are the people meant to get the money to buy rice and other basic food commodities for their families?

In one year and two months, graduate and nongraduate unemployment has soared; banks and companies are retrenching; manufacturers are closing their factories and plants; industries are collapsing, farmers are complaining and businessmen and traders are crying. That is “Mai Chanji” for you. Yet it gets worse. One year and two months ago we were generating 5,000 megawatts of power for the electrical grid but today we are generating less than 2,000 megawatts.

Again, one year and two months ago we were making large sums of money from the export of our crude oil, but today oil production has been reduced by one third and we are importing crude oil and refined products from the neighbouring nations of Niger and the Republic of Chad. One year and two months ago, the Nigerian Stock Exchange was recovering and on the rise and our banking sector was flourishing and liquid.

Today, the Stock Exchange has lost N1.6 trillion in the last 14 months and our banks have become nothing but weak and barren money-lender stalls and pawn shops.

That is “Mai Chanji” for you.

In one year and two months, our Air Force, once the pride of African skies, has been reduced to nothing but a cow and sheep recovery agency. In one year and two months our army, once one of the most professional, feared, disciplined and respected in Africa, has been turned into a civilian-killing machine which has unleashed on the very people that they are paid to be protecting. For the record, they slaughtered 1,000 innocent Shiite Muslims in the streets of Zaria, according to the group, simply because they blocked a road, worshipped their god in a different way to others and they are not Sunni Muslims. That is real “Mai Chanji” for you.

It doesn’t stop there. In one year, Boko Haram has redefined itself, resurrected from the dead, acquired new, more dangerous and more sophisticated weapons

If there is no change in fiscal and monetary policy anytime soon, there is a consensus amongst economic and fiscal experts that by Christmas the naira will have depreciated to, at best, N500 to $1. and leaders, established two equally ruthless factions and come back bigger, stronger and more deadly than ever before. In one year and two months wellarmed government-protected Fulani militias, who pose as herdsmen, are raping and killing innocent and defenceless Nigerians in the farms and towns of the Middle Belt and the south. In one year and two months the majority of Nigerians have been cowered into silence out of fear of persecution and trepidation of being locked up indefinitely by Buhari’s Gestapo.

That is “Mai Chanji” for you.

In one year and two months we have been turned from a democracy where the freedom of speech once reigned and where the criticism of the president and the government was welcome and even encouraged, into a totalitarian police state where the press is muzzled, judges are muscled and legislators are threatened and docked.

One year and two months ago, judges were revered, court orders were honored and respected in the land and the rule of law prevailed. Today, court orders are violated and treated with contempt and impunity; the rule of law has been reduced to an inconsequential and empty mantra and members of the Judiciary are threatened with criminal investigation, media trial

Sunday Tribune

and witchunt, childish probes and baseless criminal prosecutions if they do not play ball and do the bidding of the security agencies and the executive. That is real “Mai Chanji” for you.

Four years ago our sports men and women went to the London Olympics with their heads held up high and with all the kit and resources that they needed. But today, our sports men and women at the Rio Olympics have been begging foreigners and Nigerians alike on the Internet for transportation, food, clothes and their allowances. That is what “Mai Chanji” has done to us.

Yet, one wonders just how low we can go and how bad it can get. Is this not evidence of a curse? Is it not God’s judgment? Is this not a change or “chanji” from light to darkness? Is this not what we warned Nigerians about?

Is this not what we told them would happen if they gave the Haramites power? Did we not tell them that the APC broom was nothing but a symbol of witchcraft and that their fanatical supporters had been put under a terrible sorcerer’s spell?

Many of those that once supported President Buhari and his party are now lamenting and publicly recanting in bitter pain. They are asking the nation to forgive them for their ignorance and short-sightedness. Some of them have even been locked up simply for having the courage to criticise the government and party that they once worked for and swore by. Yet the suffering has only just begun.

Things will get far worse before they get any better.

This is because the darkest part of the night always comes just before the morning. The truth is that this government is a plague. They have brought nothing but sickness, poverty and hardship. They are an affliction that thrives on the suffering of the people. They are the incubus and succubus spirits that feed on the nation’s glory and that suck life out of the people.

Their motivation is pure and unadulterated hate and their objective is to impoverish Nigeria, to silence the opposition, to intimidate and enslave the people, to satisfy their insatiable lust for power and to impose a hideous and ungodly ethnic and religious agenda.

Wickedness is their forte, the abuse of power is their modus, brute force is their language and lies, deceit and propaganda are their weapons of warfare. They are nothing but bullies and fascists and like all bullies and fascists their time will soon come to an end.

Permit me to conclude this contribution with a profound question. Does anyone remember the following submissions and have they not proved to be prophetic? The first came from the embattled IPOB leader Mr. Nnamdi Kanu who has been in illegal detention for the better part of the last one year. He said the following on Radio Biafra on the 6th of February 2014:”They campaign vigorously for elections. You would think they are coming to grow the economy, enthrone justice, breed unity and tolerance, love for one another.

“No, they are coming to enthrone Hausa-Fulani supremacy, to reposition the security agencies by sacking all competent hands and replacing them with their kinsmen in order to drive their ethnic domination of the Biafrans, the Fulani herdsmen will be armed and encouraged to slaughter us with impunity and their masters will protect them. They are coming to ensure that my people are enslaved forever. Those who do not believe me will soon see it happen before their very own eyes.”

These are interesting words which have proved to be true. With what is happening in Nigeria today, it is clear that Mr Kanu has not only been proved right but he has also been vindicated.

The second came from none other than President Jonathan himself. In Abuja, on Saturday, 10th December 2014 he said: the following:” The choice before Nigerians in the coming elections is simple:a choice between going forward or going backwards, between the old ways and the new ways; between freedom and repression; between a record of visible achievements and beneficial reforms and desperate power-seekers with empty promises.”

Can anyone dispute the fact that both President Jonathan and Mr Kanu are amongst the prophets?

Fani-Kayode is a former minister of Aviation.

46

14 August, 2016

SUNDAY

Sunday Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman 08053789060 tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com

Rio 2016 delays Sadiq Umar’s loan move at AS Roma REPORTS in Italy have emerged that AS Roma is keen on farming out their Nigeria striker, Sadiq Umar, on loan to FC Crotone for the 2016/17 season.

The snag, however, is the Serie A side are waiting for the 19-year-old to finish international duties with Nigeria at the ongoing Rio Olympics before discus-

sions commence.

Umar has put in outstanding displays at the Rio 2016 which has seen him notch up two goals his second the only goal as Nigeria defeated Sweden to qualify for the quarterfinals of the football event in Brazil.

The lanky striker broke into the AS Roma first team last season notch-

Murray goes for gold BRITAIN’S Andy Murray remains on course to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals after seeing off Japanese fourth seed Kei Nishikori in the semifinals.

The Scot, 29, won 6-1, 6-4 and will play Spain’s Rafael Nadal or Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the gold-medal match today.

Murray, assured of at least a silver medal, hopes to become the first player to win two Olympic singles titles.

He won his second Wimbledon - and third Grand Slam - title last month.

After coming through two gruelling matches to reach the last four in Rio, Murray dominated against Nishikori, breaking serve for a second time to win the first set in 30 minutes.

The Briton was unhappy to receive a code violation in the second set as he argued with umpire Carlos Ramos, but he remained in control of the action on court.

Nishikori appeared to visibly wilt in the Rio heat as he dropped serve midway through the second set with a dreadful game.

Murray served his way to an unexpectedly straight-

Nadal (left) with Murray

forward victory, winning arguably the point of the tournament, a 23-shot rally, to set up a third match point.

, ring a race ith Bolt duday in Rio. w ) ft e (l Gatlin clash again to both will

T

HE battle to be crowned world’s fastest man takes centre stage at the Rio Olympics today with

ing up two goals from six matches which made Roma make his loan move permanent alongside another talented Nigerian youngster, Nura Abdullahi.

Roma snapped the two teenagers from AC Spezia for a combined fee of €5 million and tied them to long-term deals convinced their talent will come good at the Estadio Olympico.

It is believed that Roma want to give him Serie A experience and they feel Crotone will be perfect for the youthful striker who is tipped for great things in the future.

Sadiq Umar (left) on duty for Nigeria.

Rio Olympics:

Usain Bolt facing another showdown with Justin Gatlin where the image of athletics will be on the line.

Twelve months ago, when Bolt vanquished Gatlin in the World Championship

100m final, many suggested the Jamaican sprint king had “saved” his sport from a bruising reputational body blow.

The prospect of 2004 Olympic champion Gatlin -twice found guilty of doping during his career -- was too much to stomach for many

Abuljadayel turns first Saudi woman to run in 100m SPRINTER Kariman Abuljadayel became the first woman from Saudi Arabia to compete in the Olympic 100m.

The 22-year-old sprinter, dressed in a full-body kit and hijab, was unable to qualify, finishing seventh in her preliminary heat in a time of 14.61 seconds at the ongoing Rio Olympics.

Afghanistan’s Kamia Yousufi also raced in a hijab and full bodysuit, finishing last in her heat in 14.02secs.

Middle distance runner

Sarah Attar was the first female track athlete to run for Saudi Arabia, at London 2012.

Aged 19, she wore full clothing and a hijab as she finished last in her 800m heat in London, clocking two minutes 44.95 seconds in London - more than 43 seconds behind heat winner Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei of Kenya.

Attar is due to compete in the women’s marathon today.

The Saudis lifted their ban on women competing

in the Olympics in 2012.

Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani competed without a hijab in the judo competition at London 2012, aged 16.

Abuljadayel

Bolt, Gatlin set for another showdown

in athletics.

Yet the notion that Bolt’s victory in Beijing had set track and field on a road to redemption turned out to be woefully premature.

In the 12 months since, athletics has been left reeling by a corruption scandal involving top-level administrators and revelations over Russian doping that plunged the sport into the worst crisis in its history.

It means that today’s 100m final at Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Stadium, set for 10.25pm local time (0125 GMT Monday) will inevitably once more be framed as a battle of “good versus evil” -- Bolt vs Gatlin.

In a global audience of hundreds of millions, many fans, including International Association of Athletics Federations chief Sebastian Coe, may be tempted to watch through their fingers.

Gatlin, 34, wearily rejects a narrative he sees as unfair, adamant that his story is far more nuanced than the bald,

oft-applied label -- “two-time dope cheat” -- implies.

His first doping suspension in 2001 arose from the use of a drug to treat attention deficit disorder that he had been prescribed since childhood.

The US panel hearing that case found he “was certainly not a doper.”

A second positive in 2006 -- for excessive levels of testosterone -- was more problematic.

Gatlin blamed the results on sabotage by a therapist but was banned for eight years, later reduced to four on appeal.

“It’s hurtful, it’s hurtful to be looked at as a villain because that’s not how I portray myself, that’s not how my son portrays me or my family,” said Gatlin, who booked his ticket to Rio with the fastest 100m time in the world this year last month, 9.80sec.

Gatlin may find it hard to escape the opprobrium, however, if he defeats Bolt on Sunday to deny a fairytale swansong for the sport’s greatest showman.

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sport

14 August , 2016

Sunday Tribune

Musa’s Leicester loses EPL season’s opener

By Oluwabunmi Ajayi

L

EICESTER CITY’S English Premier League title defence began on Saturday with a shock 1-2 loss to newly-promoted and managerless Hull City at KCOM Stadium.

The Foxes paraded Nigerian international and £18m record signing, Ahmed Musa, who however, in his EPL debut, fired blank while the game lasted.

Manager Claudio Ranieri also played the second summer signing and Spanish defender, Luis Hernandez in the starting line up, as the Spanish defender was featured in the central defence in place of Robert Huth who was suspended.

Following the defeat, City became the first reigning champions since 1989 to lose their first game of the season, after Arsenal lost to Manchester United.

Playing under caretaker boss, Mike Phelan, Hull City took the lead in the 45th minute when Adama Diomande and Abel Hernandez combined acrobatically and the former brilliantly finished the effort.

Riyad Mahrez replied from the penalty spot barely two minutes into the second half after Demarai Gray had been fouled.

Danny Simpson’s clearance from Ahmed Elmohamady’s ball into the area only found Robert Snodgrass on the edge of the box, and he drilled home in the 52nd minute to give the Tigers maximum points.

Mertesacker

Mertesacker turns captain as Arsenal faces Liverpool today ARSENAL has named defender, Per Mertesacker as its new club captain following the departure of Mikel Arteta this summer, the club said on its website on Saturday.

The Gunners will begin their English Premier League campaign this season today against Liverpool and the game at The Emirates is expected to be Mertesacker’s first outing as official captain of the London side.

“Per is a very respect-

ed figure in the dressing room, is loved as well and is also a very demanding figure,” Arsene Wenger told Arsenal Player on Saturday. “I think it is absolutely natural to be (him).”

The 31-year-old Mertesacker, who signed for Arsenal in 2011, helped the club to FA Cup victories in 2014 and 2015 but will be missing for the first four months of this season after picking up a knee injury in a friendly against Lens in July.

Musa

Guardiola wins debut game with city MANCHESTER City’s new manager, Pep Guardiola needed a late Paddy McNair own goal to make a winning start (2-1) in the English Premier League as David Moyes lost his first game as Sunderland manager.

Sergio Aguero’s penalty in the fourth minute, after Raheem Sterling was fouled by Patrick van Aanholt, gave City an early lead at Etihad Stadium.

But Guardiola, who left England keeper Joe Hart out of his starting XI, saw his new side concede to Jermain Defoe in the 71st minute.

City made few chances, but snatched an 87thminute winner when debutant McNair put into his own net.

Rio Olympics: Russia’s

lone athlete, Darya banned again by IAAF

Darya

THE only Russian due to compete in the athletics at Rio has been banned.

The IAAF has put a blanket ban on the Russia team but Darya Klishina had been cleared to take part as the governing body was satisfied she was clean.

However, the IAAF has now revoked the long jumper’s eligibility based on new - but unspecified - information.

The 25-year-old insisted “I am a clean athlete”, and will

appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Russian track and field athletes were banned en masse from the Olympics following claims the country ran a state-sponsored doping programme.

“I have proved that [I am clean] already many times and beyond any doubt,” Klishina wrote on her Facebook page.

“I am falling victim to those who created a system

of manipulating our beautiful sport and is guilty of using it for political purposes.

“I will take every possible effort to protect my clean image.”

Klishina had been cleared to compete as her drugstesting record was established in the United States, where she is based, rather than in Russia, She was scheduled to compete in the long jump, which begins at the Olympic Games on Tuesday.

SIDELINES NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

14 AUGUST, 2016

NO 2,059

www.tribuneonlineng.com

N200

The new IGP has asked all policemen to declare their assets, saying it is part of efforts to rid the force of bad eggs. Good move, but will the declaration take into account oga-wetin-you-carry tips, come-and-go checkpoints’ collections, ‘bailouts’ received from suspects’ guarantors that never make it into official quarters, among other numerous sources of ‘assets’?

Yoruba nation: Heed this trumpet call

T

ODAY, danger threatens the Yoruba nation from various directions – from Boko Haram, from murderous Fulani herdsmen reinforced with foreign Libyan killers, and from Ijaw criminal gangs along our coasts.

As we can all see, all these attacks on the peace and security of the Yoruba Southwest are from outside the Yoruba Southwest, from other parts of Nigeria. And we do not know when and from where other attacks will come.

In this column in recent weeks, the call has been made repeatedly for various measures for the protection of our people and the defence of our communities. Happily, there are reports that suchmeasures are being adopted in several places in our homeland.

But now, it has become critically important thatthe leaders of the Yoruba Southwest should turn to responding in a new way – a new way bigger, strongerand fundamental, designed to demonstrate emphatically the true character of the Yoruba nation and to establish the appropriate level of respect for the Yoruba nation in Nigeria. This is therefore a trumpet call– a trumpet call to all leading citizens among the Yoruba nation.

Some other Nigerian peoplesare invading our homeland because there is a general feeling in Nigeria that our homelandis wide open to attack, because people don’t fear that invading our homeland can cause them any pains or lead to any far-reaching consequences, because many of our neighbours in Nigeria now tend to think that we Yoruba don’t deserve respect.

For instance, when one of the most prominent elders of our nation, Chief OluFalae, was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen late last year, our outrage produced some meetings and conferences of Yoruba leaders, at which Yoruba national solidarity was demonstrated and very serious messages were sent to Nigeria. But what was the result? What response did we get? No significant result. The best we got was that a few Hausa-Fulani leaders did us the favour of telling us that we were not sure of our facts – that we were accusing the wrong persons of kidnapping Chief Falae.

And, as if to rebuke us for our impudence, the Fulani herdsmen and their Libyan support killers descended more widely on the Yoruba Southwest, destroying, killing, raping and maiming, while some Fulani notables told us point-blank that there is nothing we can do to keep the murderous Fulani herdsmen out of our homeland.At the same time, the Ijaw criminal gangs

came in mass, and Boko Haram terrorists showed up again in Lagos.

The reason for all this disrespect is obvious. It is this – that in our participation in the affairs of Nigeria, we Yoruba no longer uphold and show up the true character of our nation and culture. We came into Nigeria in 1914 as a nation well known for ourhigh quality of governance and highly disciplined and dignified leadership, a na-

bling or, at best, speaking out ineffectively. Some from among our elite still continue to be the leading voices in defence of freedom and due process in Nigeria, and we continue to be frontline promoters of rational restructuring of the Nigerian federation. But, in general, in these matters, we as a nation no longer show the kind of resoluteness that the world has a right to expect of us. Consequently, talk

tion with exalted principles of freedom and societal morality, a nation strongly committed to modern transformations and especially modern education, a nation marked by religious tolerance and accommodation, a nation culturally ready and happy to welcome and include immigrants from all directions. As Nigeria advanced towards independence, we became the nation promoting education for all Nigerian children, equity in the distribution of opportunities in Nigeria, and high integrity of governance and governmental processes. Our leaders stepped forth as dedicated defenders of the interests of the ‘minority’ peoples of Nigeria.

Today, we still obviously make great contributions toNigeria, in order to make Nigeria a much better ordered, stable, progressive and prosperous country.

However, we seem to be no longer aware that the best way we can meaningfully make our kind of contributions to Nigeria is to be seriously true to our own national character. We tend to appear these days as fellow travellers with other peoples’ standards and agendas; we seem ever ready to make compromises without limit. For instance, as the peoples of the Niger Delta have struggled for survival against the degradation of their homeland environment and the loss of their traditional economic base, as various peoples of the Middle Belt have been repeatedly brutalized, and as Southerners (especially the Igbo, and especially Christians) have suffered massacres in parts of the North, we have contented ourselves with merely grum-

to any Igbo advocate of Biafra or any Ijaw militant youth, and you will hear him say that if Nigeria were to decide to invade the Igbo or Ijaw homeland, the Yoruba would almost certainly arise again and give their great strength to such an invasion – even as most Yoruba citizens proclaim their rejection of assaults on any Nigerian people.

What should our answer be? It should be totake stock and retool our responses to the Nigerian situation – that is, to change and elevate the level of our responses to Nigerian situations, and the level of our attention to our own interests and our own conditions in Nigeria. We must cease merely reacting to the outrages that Nigerian rulers are forever inflicting on our Yoruba nation and on most other Nigerian nations. We must take steps to affirm unmistakably the national and moral character of our nation in the management of Nigeria. We must show very definitively that we are too morally strong to be manipulated any further in the service of goals, agendas and objectives that we regard as unworthy of the country to which we belong, agendas and objectives that we know to be injurious to the well-being of Nigeria’s many peoples and the 180 millions of Nigerian citizens. We must courageously and effectivelyassert our unique kind of impact in Nigeria’s affairs.

We must show emphatically that we as a nation reject the way in which Nigeria has been treating us and most other Nigerian peoples. Nigerianfederal rulers, in theirwrong-headed attempt to promote an aggressive integration of Nigerian peo-

Rio Olympics: Dream Team beats Denmark 2-0

Faces Germany in semi-final

By Ganiyu Salman TWO goals in each half by Nigeria’s Dream Team on Saturday night at the Fonte Nova Arena, Salvador, ensured the defeat of Denmark in a quarter-final clash at the ongoing Rio Olympics.

It was a sweet revenge for the Samson Siasia-men who prior to Rio 2016 were spanked 6-2 by the Danes during an invita-

tional tournament in South Korea in June this year.

Captain John Mikel Obi put the Dream Team ahead in the 16th when he clinically finished a brilliant sole move by Ezekiel Imoh.

Four minutes on, Imoh’s effort missed the target with only the Danes goalkeeper, Jeppe Hojbjerg to beat.

Turkey-based Aminu Umar on resumption sealed victory for the reigning African U-23 champions when he scored with a header in the 60th minute off a corner by Mikel.

The Danes were almost gifted a goal in the dying minutes after goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel had misjudged a loose ball, but the defence line saved the situation.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will now face Germany in the semi-finals on August 17 in Sao Paolo, after the Germans had dumped Portugal 4-0 in the game decided earlier in the day.

ples, usually run roughshod over various peoples, trying to enforce a uniform pace of development, seizing and often destroying the achievements and assets of various peoples, and forcefully and dictatorially resisting, and even countermanding, outstanding development initiativesof various peoples. In these ways, the controllers of Nigeria’s federal power have often generated pain and provoked anger and revolt in Nigeria. And then, if anypeople react, Nigeria mobilizes the military and other security forces, and proceeds to threaten, conquerand subdue the said people. We must let the world know that we rejectthe constant use of threats, invasions and conquests for keeping Nigeria together as one country.We must serve clear notice that we, the Yoruba nation in Nigeria, will never again consent to, or be dragged into, any war whose objective is to intimidate or conquer or subdue any Nigerian people.

We must also make clear to the world our position over the vexed issue of resource control in Nigeria. We must make it unmistakeably clear that, from our own cultural and moral foundations, our position is that each Nigerian nationality is the primary owner, and should be the primary developer and primary beneficiary, of its own God-given resources; the rest of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Federal Government, should be secondary developer through federal rules and regulations and federal management of necessary foreign negotiations, and secondary beneficiary through federal taxation and the allocation of distributable funds.

Even more importantly, we must resolutely, powerfully and competently return to our position as leaders in development and modernization in Nigeria. We must revamp our education, and enhance its quality withthe teaching of the sciences, mathematics, technology, our language and our nation’s history. We must revive our spirit of enterprise, promote modern farming and a virile entrepreneurship, and end the massive unemployment of our educated youths by turning them into modern farmers, entrepreneurs, business owners, proudly efficient managers, teachers, community workers, etc.

When a person, a group or a nation let their innate moral quality slip away from them, and tolerate imposition by others on their lives and actions, theyrisk losing their strength, integrity and respect. We Yoruba must now courageously stop the slippage of our moral fibrein Nigeria. We must courageously recover our true self. This message will be continued next Sunday.

EPL results:

Hull City Burnley C/Palace Everton M/brough S/hampton Man City

2 Leicester 0 Swansea 0 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Stoke City 1 Watford 2 Sunderland

Pools result:

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

6, 9, 10, 19, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 34, 38, 39, 42, 43, 45, 47. Today’s matches: 1, 2, 16, 24.

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