14th October,2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,611 FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER, 2016

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Emotions high as Osinbajo receives 21 freed Chibok girls •No swap involved —FG •Buhari assures Nigerians on security, leaves for Germany •BBOG, Saraki, Atiku, Tinubu, Shettima, others laud FG —P2

NAMES OF THE GIRLS •Mary Usman Bulama •Jummai John •Blessing Abana •Luggwa Sanda •Comfort Habila •Maryam Basheer •Comfort Amos •Glory Mainta •Saratu Emmanuel •Deborah Ja'afaru •Rahab Ibrahim •Helin Musa •Maryamu Lawan •Rebecca Ibrahim •Asabe Goni •Deborah Andrawus •Agnes Gapani •Saratu Markus •Glory Dama •Pindah Nuhu •Rebecca Mallum

The freed girls with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, at the Presidential Villa, on Thursday.

Judges' arrest to cow judiciary —NJC Anti-grazing law: Fayose arrests cow —P38

•We are probing 8 judges, 3 registrars —EFCC •NJC didn't receive petitions against S/Court justices —NBA —Pp30&34

Senate bans Post-UTME, validates results for 3 years —P4

2 news Emotions high as Osinbajo receives 21 freed Chibok girls Friday, 14 October, 2016

•No swap involved —FG •Buhari assures Nigerians on security, leaves for Germany •BBOG, Saraki, Atiku, Tinubu, Shettima, others laud FG Stories by Taiwo Adisa, Chris Agbambu, Ayo Adesanmi Muhammad Sabiu, Christian Okeke, Kayode Bodunrin and Clement Idoko

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HE Presidency has confirmed that 21 of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls have been released to the Nigerian government by the Boko Haram sect.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, who confirmed this in a short message on Thursday, said those released to the government were in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He added that President Muhammadu Buhari had been briefed on the development by the Director-General of DSS, Malam Lawal Daura, before his departure to Germany on a three-day official visit.

The Boko Haram sect had, in April 2014, abducted over 200 girls from their dormitory at Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State.

President Buhari, on his way to Germany, joined by the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima and Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, in his address to newsmen said the negotiations would continue.

He said his administration would continue to secure the lives of all Nigerians in every part of the country.

Shortly before departing the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for security talks with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, Buhari said he was pleased by the development of the release of the girls.

“Well, I am very pleased about it. I expect you to get through to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. I believe he will be duly briefed by the Vice President so that he will give you the details. I have just been briefed about it.

“To Nigerians all over, it is our responsibility and we will continue to secure them wherever they are,” the president noted.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that government officials had assembled medical experts to examine the girls’ condition of health, before they could later be re-united with their families.

Report earlier on Thursday indicated that the 21 girls were picked up by military helicopter from Banki area of Borno State, where the terrorist group dropped

them off.

“It is confirmed that 21 of the missing Chibok girls have been released and are in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS. The Director-General of DSS, Malam Lawal Daura, just finished briefing the President.

“The release of the girls, in a limited number, is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and the Boko Haram, bro-

kered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. The negotiations will continue.

“The President welcomes the release of the girls but cautioned Nigerians to be mindful of the fact that more than 30,000 fellow citizens were killed via terrorism.

“Malam Lawal wants the girls to have some rest, with all of them very tired coming out of the process before

he hands them over to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. The President takes off shortly on a trip to Germany for a state visit.

The names of the released girls follows shortly.” Shehu was quoted to have said.

Meanwhile, the 21 girls were, after their release, flown to Kaduna as the Federal Government insisted that their freedom was not a product of swap deal.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who confirmed this in Abuja, said the moment the government had a credible lead, President Buhari gave the green-light to the DSS to pursue it.

He stated that the DSS pursued the lead in collaboration with a friendly European country and a renowned international humanitarian organisation.

He recalled that the gov-

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Aisha Alhassan, consoling some of the girls.

APC, MURIC, BMSG, NUJ laud FG THE All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts at securing the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped over two years ago.

National chairman of the party, Chief John OdigieOyegun, gave the commendation while speaking in a telephone interview with newsmen in Abuja.

According to OdigieOyegun, the release of the girls was an indication that the president and the party would keep to all the promises made to Nigeria people.

“It is a major achievement for the government and the party. I congratulate the president for keeping to his promise of rescuing the Chibok girls.

“We believe that in the next few months, more achievements will be made in this direction.

“This is an indication that the APC government and President Buhari will make do the party promises to Nigerians,’’ he said.

Also in a statement, a group under the aegis of

Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG), described the girls’ release as an affirmation of Buhari’s pragmatism.

In the statement signed by its chairman, Malam Muhammad Labo and secretary, Cassidy Madueke, it said “the release of 21 Chibok girls is not just cheering news, but a clear evidence of President Buhari’s pragmatic approach to resolving national challenges.

“The BMSG commends the administration of Buhari for the release of the 21 Chibok girls.

While congratulating the parents of the released girls, in particular, and Nigerians, on the cheery news of the release of the girls, the BMSG observes that the president should be appreciated.

“He should be appreciated for subjecting the dictates of sovereignty that limit negotiation of any sorts with terrorists, officially, to the empathy of parenthood and the soft emotions of a father.

“The president has, by this singular act, excited

the Nigerian masses by sacrificing the universal doctrine of no negotiation with terrorists for empathy.

“Under 16 months in government, Buhari has degraded the once dreaded Boko Haram terrorists off Nigerian territory and reduced the once seeming protracted rebellion into a whimper.”

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) commended the government for the successful negotiation which led to the freedom of 21 of the Chibok girls. The development, MURIC said, marked the beginning of the liberation of the girls in totality.

The group said the act also showcased the genuine commitment to the rescue of the Chibok girls, adding that “it is a plus for President Buhari.”

In a statement by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC said “although it is not yet Uhuru, we wish to congratulate President Buhari for bringing out 21 of the girls from captivity. It may be a small number, but it is a pointer

to better days ahead. A silver lining has appeared in the sky after cloudy and stormy days.”

The statement said the release of the 21 girls had effectively punctured the conspiracy theory of a few doubting Thomases who alleged that the abduction of the girls was a phantom.

“We are saddened by the fact that some of the girls came back with children of their own but we thank Allah that they are alive.

“We charge the Federal Government to come up with a programme for the full rehabilitation of the 21 girls, their kids and others still in captivity, whose release we are eagerly anticipating,” the statement read.

The release added that “while we commend the efforts of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group in putting pressure on governments of the day on the subject-matter, we appeal for decorum and rational behavior in the methods adopted.

“We, therefore, advise the Continues pg3

ernment had been working on the safe release of the girls and following all the leads available.

“This is the most glaring manifestation to date of the unwavering commitment of Mr President to secure the safe release of the girls and reunite them with their families.

“It is also a result of the round-the-clock efforts by the administration to put closure to the sad issue of the kidnap of the girls,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said the government expected the released girls to land in Abuja on Thursday, stating that a team of medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, trauma experts, among others, were assembled to properly examine them, especially because they had been in captivity for so long.

“They will also be adequately debriefed. We have the list of The 21 girls but we are now contacting their parents as part of the necessary verification exercise. As soon as that is concluded, we will release the names to the public.

“Please note that this is not a swap. It is a release, the product of painstaking negotiations and trust on both sides.

“We see this as a credible first step in the eventual release of all the Chibok girls in captivity. It is also a major step in confidence-building between us as a government and the Boko Haram leadership on the issue of the Chibok girls.

“We want to thank all Nigerians for their support and for never losing confidence in the ability of Mr President to secure the safe release of our girls,” he said.

Speaking further, the minister said the government would not do anything that would jeopardise future releases, bearing in mind that there were still other abducted girls in captivity.

It will be recalled that in May, one of the over 200 girls escaped with her baby.

Reacting, the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group commended the efforts of President Buhari and the Nigerian military in rescuing the 21 girls.

Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, the convener of the BBOG, on Thursday, expressed the group’s gratitude on her Twitter handle from London, United Kingdom “With tears of unspeakable joy at the release of 21 of our Chibok girls, we cry out and Continues pg3

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

Cross section of the girls.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, consoling one of the girls.

APC, MURIC, BMSG, NUJ laud FG Continued from pg2

BBOG group to stop public demonstrations henceforth. Public demonstrations are capable of being hijacked by hoodlums who may loot shops, attack innocent motorists and commit other atrocities.”

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Thursday, welcomed the release of 21 out of the over 200 Chibok girls held captive by the Boko Haram insurgents.

In a statement issued in Abuja by its national secretary, Shuaibu Leman, the union commended the Federal Government for its sustained efforts to secure the release of the girls.

“This development as we learned is as a result of the Federal Government’s determination to secure the release of the girls

through negotiations initiated by the Department of State Services (DSS) and a friendly foreign government as well as a renown International humanitarian organisation.

“The union believes that with this development, government will not relent in its resolve to secure the release of the remaining girls to enable them to reunite with their families,” the statement said.

According to the NUJ, all hands must be on deck to ensure the release of every single Nigerian in the insurgents’ captivity.

Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo, commended the efforts of President Buhari administration in securing the release of 21 Chibok girls.

Adeyemo said the de-

velopment showed that the administration placed premium on the lives of its citizens, particularly children, who are the future of this country.

“It gives credibility to this administration’s promise to ensure that Nigeria is a secured and peaceful country,” he added.

The speaker appealed to Nigerians not to be overtaken by emotions but to have faith in the government’s ability to exploit every available means to rescue the remaining girls from the insurgents.

“The Federal Government has taken a step in the right direction and Nigerians should be more supportive regarding the strategy of government in not releasing information of its every move,” he added.

Emotions high as Osinbajo receives 21 freed Chibok girls Continued from pg2

use them as point of contact for the rest 197.

“We BBOG are thanking our soldiers in the frontline of battle. You have given and keep giving us so much hope and sacrifices. We wait for the Federal Government for release of the remaining girls,” she said.

On his part, the BBOG spokesman, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, commended the efforts of government and security agencies for the release of the girls.

“We thank the government and people who have been on the negotiation team, security agencies and all those who are part of the release,” he said.

Former vice president and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji

Atiku Abubakar, in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, said “I am incredibly happy at this news. A lesson, hope always wins.

Prayers for the release of the remaining #ChibokGirls.”

Borno State governor, Shettima, said the release of girls strengthened ?determination to recover others still in captivity.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau and made available to journalists on Thursday.

Shettima said if any Nigerian had doubts about the sincerity and commitment of President Buhari ?to the rescue of the girls and other victims, as well as ending the Boko Haram insurgency, such doubts should be eliminated by the success of the negotia-

tion that led to the release of 21 schoolgirls.

“I am certain that the recovery of our 21 precious daughters from insurgency only strengthens the resolve of the Buhari-led administration to continue to work tirelessly until all the girls and all Nigerians abducted are freed and until the Boko Haram insurgency is brought to an end, to guarantee public safety.

“I must hasten to strongly commend the Nigerian Armed Forces and all those who worked towards the recovery of these 21 daughters of Borno State.

“We shall forever be grateful to those who contributed in any form towards this major feat that renews our hope to recover all our girls alive and in good health,” the statement read.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed sympathising with some of the girls.

4 news Senate outlaws Post-UTME, validates results for 3 years Friday, 14 October, 2016

Adopts 3% VAT to fund North-East Development Commission Taiwo Adisa - Abuja

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HE Senate, on Thursday, put a stop to the conduct of Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) in the Universities by ratifying an amendment to the Act setting up the Jont Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The JAMB amendment Act 2016, passed by the lawmakers, on Thursday, places the sole responsibility for conduct of admission, examinations into tertiary institutions on the examnation body.

Section 5(b) of the new bill places the sole responsibility of conducting admission examinations into tertiary institutions on the JAMB. The bill provides that: “The matriculation examinations conducted by the Board shall be the sole examinations required for admission and entry into all universities, polytechnics (by whatever name called) and colleges of education (by whatever name called) to the exclusion of any institution or body.”

It also provides that the placement of suitably qualified candidates in tertiary institutions in accordance with existing vacancies, guidelines approved by authorities of such institutions and preferences expressed by candidates shall be the exclusive preserve of JAMB The passage of the bill followed the adoption of the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND presented by to the lawmakers by the Committee Chairman, Senator Jibrin Barau.

The bill also provides

that the collection and dissemination of information on all matters in relation to admissions into tertiary institutions and related matters are the duties of JAMB. The newly-introduced

Section 6 (1) I of the new bill guarantees the validity of any admission offered by JAMB for three years from the date of offer.

Section 6 (2) and Section 6(3) of the bill, which also supports the validity of

admission for three years, also support the extension of admission validity period for three years.

Section 6(2) of the new bil states that: “A candidate meeting the requirement for admission and being

Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal (right), with the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, when the envoy visited the Sokoto Government House, on Thursday.

The emergence of Boko Haram terrorist group played an important role in strengthening of ties between Nigeria and France, the European nation’s ambassador in Abuja, Denys Gauer, has said.

Speaking in Sokoto, when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Gauer said relationship between the two countries had improved greatly in the last couple of years.

“We were good friends in the past, but the outbreak of the Boko Haram conflict has brought our two countries closer. We understood the

need to present a united front, in order to enhance regional stability and improve global peace.

“It may interest you to note that Nigeria is our biggest trading partner in Africa.

Your country is important in global politics and we are encouraging our companies to come here to invest.

“We have visible presence in the South of Nigeria and Abuja, but very minimal visibility in the North. So I’m here in Sokoto, a very historical city and state, to listen to you and explore how best we can work together for the progress of our peoples,” the envoy stated.

In his remarks, Tambuwal commended the efforts of the French government in bringing together Nigeria’s neighbours to establish the multinational joint task force, a move that ensured a coordinated onslaught against Boko Haram.

He urged the Ambassador to expand French

The committee, chaired

by Honourable Zakari Mohammed gave the query and the warning in Abuja, on Thursday, during a meeting with the management of the commission to appraise the 2016 budget performance, in line with its oversight responsibilities.

At the meeting, which also had the management of the Teacher Registration Council in attendance, the Director of Finance with the Commission, Mallam Mohammed Sambo, had, while responding to a question by a member of the committee, given the indication that the commission had received

almost 92 per cent of the 2016 budget allocation with 100 per cent utilisation.

Mallam Sambo told the committee that the commission started accessing funds for recurrent and other expenditures since March, 2016 from a budget that became operational in May. According to him, “We get our funding based on what was appropriated. If the appropriation is N77 billion, we get N6 billion every month and in the first quarter, we would have gotten N18 billion.

When probed further on the practice, Sambo explained that the

investment to Sokoto, saying the state had abundant opportunity in agriculture and mining.

“We are willing and ready to work closely with your investors to develop our agricultural and mining sectors. We intend to make use of French technology in the preservation of onions.

We also believe that we have enough tomato, wheat and sesame for French market.

“Sokoto is calm and peaceful, we have very accommodating populace and I want to assure you that should you decide to invest here, the return in your investment will be positive,” the governor added.

Illegal transfer of $13.9bn: MTN, Enelamah, others to appear before Senate committee October 20 Taiwo Adisa - Abuja THE Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions is to open

I met N300m imbalance in handing over note —UBEC boss The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education has queried the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) over pre-budgetary spending, saying it and other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the government indulging in the act to stop it forthwith.

It declared that such practice by the commission and other MDAs violated the Fiscal Responsibility Act for accessing and spending funds before the passage of the 2016 Appropriation Act.

only become eligible when backlog has been cleared.”

Also, on Thursday, the Senate approved the establishment of the North-East Development Commission, while approving three per cent of the entire value added tax (VAT) of the federation to fund the agency.

The lawmakers took the decision, following the adoption of a report of the Senate ad-hoc committee on North-East Development Commission Bill.

The senate, had, on June 14, 2016 constituted the committee to resolve controversies over the funding and location of the proposed commission.

While senators from the zone openly disagreed on the location of the commission, there were disagreements on the amount to be recommended for funding.

The committee had earlier recommended 5 per cent of VAT to fund the commission but the senate eventually agreed to three percent.

How Boko Haram strengthened Nigeria, France ties —Envoy

Pre-budgetary spending: Reps query UBEC Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel -Abuja

duly qualified shall remain so qualified for the period prescribed in sub-section (1) of this section. A candidate awaiting admission shall be given preference in the succeeding year over fresh applicants who shall

commission started accessing funds as early as March, 2016 even before the budget was passed.

However, in a swift reaction to the submission of the Director,, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Habib Bobboi, tried to exonerate himself from any complicity, as he said he came to UBEC on the August 4, and met a total of N300million imbalance, according to his handover note.

According to him, “There are a lot of contracts that were given under the matching grant with outstanding liabilities of over N800million.”

its probe into the money laundering allegation to the tune of $13.9bn against the Minister of Trade and Investment Dr. Okechukwu Enelama and the telecommunications giant, MTN, on Cotober 20.

A notice to that effect was served in the Senate on Thursday.

The investigation was consequent upon the adoption of a motion by Senator Dino Melaye, which alleged that the minister and MTN were involved in illegal transfer of about $13.9 billion out of Nigeria.

Senator Melaye had alleged that MTN had beat Nigeria’s financial regulations and moved the funds out of the country.

He also alleged that the transactions were done through through four banks, including Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Diamond Bank and Citi Bank.

The committee said,

on Thursday, that it had summoned MTN, Enelamah and others, including Colonel Sani Bello; Chairman of Diamond Bank, Dr. Pascal Dozie and Ahmed Dasuki.

Others expected at the hearing included Gbenga Oyebode, Babatunde Folawiyo and Victor Odili.

The Senate was told on September 27, during the debate on the motion that the banks and Enelamah had helped MTN repatriate different sums without following laid down regulations.

A breakdown of the alleged transfers included Stanbic IBTC – $4.87 billion; Standard Chartered Bank – $5.72 billion; Citi Bank – $2.98 billion and Diamond Bank – $0.35 billion.

Senator Melaye stated that the repatriation was done in violation of Memorandum 22 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring & Miscellaneous) Act, 1995.

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Metro...

Nigerian Tribune

crime, security, court SSS student commits suicide for failing promotion exam in Kwara Biola Azeez - Ilorin

The inmates, from left, Joseph Silvanus, Pilot Paul, Danjuma Dauda, Sadiq Garba, Abdullahi Usman and Christopher Sunday, who were granted pardon during the visit of the chief judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishak Bello to Suleja Prison in Niger, on Thursday.

Cynthia Osokogu’s murder case:

Court forecloses defendant’s right to file final address Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin Lagos with Agency Reports

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N Igbosere High Court sitting in Lagos has foreclosed the right of the second defendant, Olisaeloka Ezike, to file his final written address in the trial of the four men, who allegedly murdered Cynthia Osokogu in Lagos after being lured by a Facebook lover.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Osokogu, a 25-year-old lady, was allegedly murdered on July 22, 2012, at Cosmilla Hotel, Lakeview Estate, Festac Town, Lagos, by her Facebook lover.

Ezike, the second defendant, is standing trial alongside Okwumo Nwabufo (33) Olisaeloka Ezike (23), Orji Osita (33) and Ezike Nonso (25) over the murder.

They are facing trial on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, stealing, reckless negligence and possession of stolen goods.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Justice Olabisi Akinlade ordered the prosecutor, Mrs Bola Akinshete, a Lagos State senior counsel, to file her reply to the final written addresses of all the defendants.

The judge gave this order

following the delay by the second defendant’s counsel in filing his final written address after several adjournments had been given by the judge to file the address.

Justice Akinlade said: “I am not going to wait indefinitely for the second defendant’s counsel to file his final written address.

“It is on record that the court has given the second defendant several opportunities to file his written address.

“Since the defence closed its case, he has been unable to

file.

“It is obvious that the counsel is not ready to file his final written address. I, hereby, foreclose his right to file the final written address.

“The prosecution should, therefore, file her reply to the final addresses.’’

However, the judge adjourned the case till December 8 for adoption of the final written addresses.

Earlier, the prosecutor had urged the court to foreclose the right of the second defendant from filing his final writ-

ten address to enable her to file her reply on the addresses.

“Since the last adjournment on June 8, despite the order of your lordship for the second defendant to file his final written address, he has refused to comply.

“I, therefore, urge Your Lordship to foreclose his right to filing the address to enable us make progress in this case,’’ Akinshete said.

According to the judge, the defence counsel was delaying the case which was of interest to the public.

Vice principal shot in kidnap attempt in Warri Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

A vice principal of a secondary school in Warri escaped by the whiskers, the flaming swords of kidnappers in Warri, Delta State.

The mother of five, identified as Mrs Ati Bojor, was allegedly shot on Monday at Edjeba area of Warri in a futile attempt to abduct her.

The victim, Metro gathered, was shot at about 8.00 a.m. at the entrance of the school.

It was gathered that Mrs Bojor was in her Toyota Camry car and about entering the school gate when

the rampaging gunmen blocked her way.

The victim was dragged out of her car and bundled into a get-away car of the gunmen, but she was said to have resisted her attackers.

A security source disclosed that instead of the victim to allow herself to be bundled into the kidnappers’ car, she dashed to the bare ground and rolled to prevent her from being abducted by the hoodlums.

The victim, it was equally learnt, was shot in her leg and arm, as well as one of the tyres of her car by the hoodlums who ostensibly

became frustrated.

The victim was later rushed to Syracuse Hospital in Warri, for treatment.

It was learnt that the police from “B” Division arrived the scene shortly after and embarked on random arrest of young men around and whisked them away to the station.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) “B” Division, Eyoh Aniete (SP) could not be reached, just as Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, could not also respond to calls and text messages as of the time of filing the report.

A 20-year-old secondary school student, Moji Agboola, reportedly died on Wednesday in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, after she allegedly drank a poisonous substance.

Moji, an SS1 student in a community school in the area, was said to have been treated at a private hospital in the town where she was rushed to by her mother about three weeks ago.

Metro gathered that the deceased allegedly poisoned herself as a result of her failure to get promoted to the next class following her poor performance in the last promotion examination.

It was also gathered that trouble began when the effect of the poison she took started to manifest at about

5.00 p.m. on the fateful day.

The deceased, it was gathered, was also taken to Christ Apostolic Church, Ori-Oke Irapada on OmuAran-Ilofa Road for prayers and deliverance before she was returned to another private hospital in the town for further treatment.

It was in that private hospital that she was confirmed dead.

The mother of the deceased, identified as Abigael, said the younger brother of the deceased had earlier confronted her on the morning of the incident when he saw the bottle containing the poison in her hands.

“It was the boy who first gave us the clue to her sickness before she later confessed to the act at the hospital,” Abigael narrated.

Student electrocuted in school hostel in Benue Johnson Babajide - Makurdi

TRAGEDY struck at a college in Otukpo, Benue State, when an 18-year-old Senior Secondary School (SSS 3) student got electrocuted in the school hostel.

Metro gathered that the deceased, Godwin (surname withheld), died on Thursday, October 6, after he attempted to charge his phone with a naked wire in the school hostel.

The deceased was said to have climbed the double bunk bed without wearing slippers to charge his battery phone, but his hand touched naked wire, resulting to his electrocution.

Speaking on phone with newsmen, principal of the school, Mr Ella Samuel, said the incident happened when he was out of the school premises.

According to him, “I was in the bank when I received a distress call that one of our students was electrocuted and had been taken to hospital; I quickly rushed to the hospital and learnt from the doctor on duty that the boy was

brought in dead.

“It was after I left the hospital that I learnt that the boy climbed a double bunk bed in the hostel and wanted to connect the battery of his phone through a pigeon hole of the electrical installation on the wall without wearing slippers and mistakenly touched a naked wire and got electrocuted.

“As soon as he fell to the ground, instead of his colleagues alerting the teachers, they were pouring water on him and attempted to give him milk, but when they discovered that the condition was beyond their control, they then alerted one of the teachers, who promptly rushed him to a private hospital.

Mr Samuel disclosed that the school management had warned parents not to buy phone for their children, instead they should use the money to buy books for them.

“But many of the students still come into the hostel with phones and on several occasions, we have confiscated such phone,” the principal said.

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Nigerian Tribune

Edited By Oluwatoyin Malik

08116954633, 08078891950 e-mail: tribunecrimedesk@gmail.com

3 killed by suspected Customs officers in Lagos shooting Olalekan Olabulo - Lagos

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HREE people, including a pregnant woman, were early Thursday killed as suspected Customs officers went on rampage in the Alakuko area of Lagos State.

The police in the state confirmed the incident, but claimed that only one person had been confirmed dead.

The killings by the suspected officers sparked instant protest from commercial bus drivers and motorcyclists before they were dispersed by a team of policemen from Alakuko police station.

The incident also created serious gridlock at both sides of the Lagos- Abeokuta Expressway as the protesters took over the road.

The other two victims of the shooting spree by the Customs officers were an unidentified secondary school student and a commercial motorcyclist.

The Customs officer had reportedly chased a commercial bus loaded with bags of rice when the incident happened.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Ademola, told Metro that “the commercial bus was coming from Sango with many bags of rice.”

He added that “it appeared that the driver refused to stop for the Customs officers and they chased him to this area.

“We just heard serious

gunshots and everybody started running into different direction. It was around past 7 and the road was full with many people” the eyewitness said.

He also said “I only saw the okada rider, but other people said two other people, who included a pregnant woman and a second-

ary school girl also died.”

The eyewitness also said that the Customs officer also shot repeatedly to scare away policemen who were drafted to the scene before they escaped.

Residents of the area, who spoke with the Metro, urged Lagos and the Ogun state governments to find a

Badmos also said that “the patrol team, led by the DPO of Alakuko division moved to the area to douse the tension. They fired sporadically and escaped from the scene.

“The dead body was evacuated to the morgue while investigations are on going on the matter,” the police spokesperson also added.

Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

An accident victim who was probably a passenger of a commercial motorcycle being evacuated by sympathisers and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at the scene of an accident involving the motorcycle and a commuter bus on the University of Abuja Specialist Hospital road, Gwagwalada, Abuja on Wednesday. PHOTO: NAN

Cross River: Police inspector, cultists die in gun battle Anthony Ubong - Calabar

A Police Inspector, Edet Archibong, was Tuesday night shot dead in a gun battle between suspected cultists and the police on Nkwa Street,

Calabar South Local Government Area.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in the state, Tunde Gbolarumi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the police headquarters in

Fire ravages stores at Dangote Flour Mills in Lagos

STORES and goods at Dangote Flour Mills Ogolonto Ipakodo, Ikorodu, were lost to fire Thursday afternoon.

The fire which raged for hours affected the company’s store house, destroying cartons of goods, as well asbrand wrappers.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency

Dolapo Badmos, while speaking with the Metro on the incident, said “the report is that in the early hours of today at about 7 00 a. m. some Customs officials were on the trail of a vehicle.”

She continued that “in the process, they went berserk.

They started shooting. One passerby was shot to death.”

Gunmen kill 2 policemen, injured 2 in Kaduna

Mills

Gbemi Solaja - Lagos

lasting solution to the menace of Customs officers in the area.

The residents accused the Customs officers of abandoning the border to man illegal checkpoint between Sango Toll gate and Awori U-turn.

The image maker in charge of the state police command,

(LASEMA) disclosed that the agency received a distress call on Thursday at about 2.10 p.m. concerning a fire outbreak at the Dangote Flour Mills.

It was gathered that upon receipt of the distress call, the agency activated its emergency response plan and mobilised its team to the scene.

The agency, Metro learnt coordinated rescue and re-

covery operations in collaboration with Lagos State Fire Services, NPA fire services, dangote fire service department, NSCDC, NEMA, as well as the Nigeria Police.

Metro also gathered that no casualty was recorded and that the swift response of the emergency responders culminated in the salvaging of other buildings and the factory.

Calabar on Wednesday.

He said on Tuesday at about 9.30 p.m. suspected cultists engaged in a gun battle with policemen on routine patrol at Nkwa Street, killing one inspector while sergeant Awo Obongha sustained bullet wounds and presently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Gbolaruni said two patrol vehicles were set ablaze by the cultists.

The DCP also added that on the same day at about 9.00 p.m. another group of cult boys numbering more than 50 engaged Atakpa Division Patrol men in a serious gun battle along Bogobiri by Queen Duke Junction and in the process of exchange of gunfire, two cultists died

while one was arrested alive.

He said an English pistol, two locally-made pistols and two empty cartridges were found in their possession.

According to him, eight suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime and would soon be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

Reiterating the resolve of the police in stamping out crime in the state, he said “the command will leave no stone un-turn in her efforts towards riding the state of the activities of miscreants.

“I therefore want to use this medium to warn all criminals and perpetrators of heinous crimes to steer clear and they will not be spared.”

GUNMEN suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have killed two policemen and injured two other persons at a checkpoint on the Kagoro-Gidan Waya Road, in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Metro learnt that two of the six policemen who were manning the checkpoint, however, escaped unhurt.

The bandits, it was gathered, made away with two AK47 rifles belonging to their victims.

The deceased officers were of the rank of sergeant, deployed in the area to check the activities of bandits who had been raiding communities and killing people.

Eyewitness said the injured policemen were rushed to the General Hospital, Kafanchan, at about 9.30 a.m, when the gunmen swooped on the policemen and opened fire.

“This morning, around 9.30 a.m, two policemen were killed by gunmen on Kagoro-Gidan Waya Road. we strongly believe they are Fulani herdsmen who had been killing people in our communities.

“There were six policemen at the checkpoint, two of them were killed and their AK47 rifles were taken away by the herdsmen. Two others sustained serious injuries from gunshots, while the remaining two managed to escape unhurt. We took those wounded to the General Hospital, Kafanchan.

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

The president of NURTW paid a one day working visit to Kwara State where he paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, RT Hon. Alli Dodo Ahmad. He was also the special guest of honour at the decoration of newly promoted officers of Special Basic French Course, from Captain to Major, at the Nigerian Army School of Education,Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Honourable Ahmad Alli, welcoming Alhaji Yasin to the House of Assembly Complex, while Alhaji Isa Ore looks on.

Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin flanked by the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Honourable Ahmad Alli (left) and the Chairman, NURTW, Kwara State council, Alhaji Isa Ore, at the Speaker’s Office in Ilorin.

Alhaji Usman Yasin (middle), Alhaji Isa Ore (right) and some members of Kwara State House of Assembly.

Alhaji Yasin and Comptroller Nigerian Immigration Service, Kwara State Command, Mrs Abimbols Ojo, decorating one of the officers newly promoted from Captain to Major.

Alhaji Yasin (left), decorating another officer.

Alhaji Isa Ore, decorating one of the promoted officers.

Alhaji Sikiru Adeoye (left) decorating another officer.

Alhaji Najeem Yasin in a group photograph, with 18 officers of Nigerian Army School of Education, Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, who were recently promoted from Captain to Major.

Friday, 14 October, 2016 11 businessnews FG spends N1.353trn on travels, training, stationery in 3 years

Institutes monetary incentives on innovation Sanya Adejokun- Abuja

F

ACTS appeared in Abuja on Thursday that the Federal Government spent N1.353 trillion on five overhead expenditure items between 2012 and 201.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun who was at the Cost Management Workshop for senior government officials organised by the Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance said that heads of Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies would be held accountable for any management of public funds under their supervision She disclosed that travels, maintenance, training, office stationery and consumer consumables and welfare together gulped 60 per cent of overhead expenses, during the three years under consideration.

Adeosun said government was targeting aggressive reductions in costs, in order to do more with the same available funds.

“No economy has grown doing what we have been doing and therefore we need a really concerted effort to control our recurrent expenditure.

“You are accountable for how public funds are spent.

We are building systems to ensure that everybody that is in charge of a public budget is held accountable.

“Eliminating waste is a national duty for every public officer and as the president has told us, change begins with you and me,’’ she said.

Adeosun said that the Efficiency Unit identified some ways through which public funds were wasted and needed the collaboration of other agencies to see that the scarce funds were prudently used.

She said that the unit planned to cut costs in areas such as stationary and computer procurement, consumables, local and international training, publicity and adverts, refreshments and meals.

She said that the unit was working to create a standard rate for such activities and every government agency was expected to comply with it.

In her remarks, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita said from 2017, Federal Government would give financial rewards and incentives for innovative staff, ministries and departments.

Oyo-Ita disclosed that in its 2016-2019 Strategic Plan, her office has set developing enterprise culture and commercial orientation in the service as one of its goals.

“This will transform civil service from being perceived as a cost centre to revenue earners and enhance value for money in government expenditures.

“It will also eliminate leakages and wastages in the public financial procurement system and ensure less dependence on MDAs on subventions/appropriations from government.

“Other benefits of the ini-

tiative are ensuring that the civil service and MDAs become idea generation powerhouses, thus complementing the private sector in creating business opportunities.”

Oyo-Ita declared that the innovations will pivot around getting more value out of existing government assets while there shall be financial rewards and incentives for innovative staff and

MDAs. We have made provision for this in the 2017 budget proposal.”

In a presentation, Ms Patience Oniha, Head of Efficiency Unit, stated that government was on the way to saving N14 billion per annum from reduced spending on travel, sitting allowances and printing of various items.

“Secured air travel discounts of 7 per cent to 50

per cent from 19 local, regional and international airlines. This is expected to save the government over N5 billion per annum in air travel,” she added.

In addition, the unit made recommendations for the issuance of circulars on honorarium, meals and refreshments, advertising and publicity, welfare and training with an estimated annual savings of N6.5 billion.

Minister of finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun (left) and the head of the civil service of the federation, Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita , at a workshop on cost management on overhead for permanent secretaries and chief executive officers of departments and federal government agencies in Abuja on Thursday.

Adopt a school, promote financial literacy, Skye Bank urges lenders

By Chima Nwokoji THE Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Tokunbo Abiru has called on lenders to take on at least, two public schools in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country to promote financial literacy.

He also disclosed plans by the bankers’ committee to continuously improve the level of financial literacy among the youths.

Speaking at the bankers’ committee meeting held in Lagos, the bank chief said the committee unanimously agreed that the banking industry should act in unity to ensure that financial education is promoted in schools across the six geopolitical

zones.

He said the committee agreed that each of the commercial banks take at least, two schools in each of the six geopolitical zones.

“Part of what we discussed was the need to continuously improve on financial literacy.

And one of the resolutions is for the entire industry to act as one, to play an active role in the forthcoming World Savings Day Celebration on October 30,” Abiru said.

He explained that part of the role of the banks was to ensure that each of the lenders take on at least, two public schools in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country. “We suggested that at least 12 public schools will be taken up by each bank for

this years’ event,” he said.

Abiru also disclosed the committee’s commitment and plans to promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). “We also talked about Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), general commerce, general commerce, manufacturing, micro-finance bank and other banking-related products so as to create awareness as our nation gets older and stronger in banking services,” he said.

Skye Bank Plc has been at the forefront of mentoring of students in financial literacy as endorsed by the Bankers’ Committee. The lender has taken the financial inclusion message to different states within the

Epetimehin to deliver inaugural lecture on micro-insurance THE first Professor of Insurance and Risk Management in Nigeria, Professor Festus Epetimehin, will today deliver the 6th Joseph Ayo Babalola University’s inaugural lecture.

The event which is slated for Oba Oladele Olashore Auditorium within the campus will start at 2.00pm.

Professor Epetimehin, the Dean College of Management Sciences at the university who is also a former Managing Director of Worldwide Insurance Company Limited, will be speaking on the topic; Small But

Big: Micro Insurance and the Reduction of Social Risk of Poverty.

According to him, “Micro-insurance is considered as one of the most effective means of reducing the vulnerability of the poor from the impacts of disease, theft, violence, disability, fire and other hazards. Insurance protects against unexpected losses by pooling the resources of the many to compensate for the losses of the few, the more uncertain the event the more insurance becomes the most economical form of protection.”

He added that micro-insurance alleviates poverty by reducing the impact of hazard in rural areas. “It protects clients from risk, reduces micro-finance institution (MFI) loan default, earns additional income for the MFIs, and enhancing outreach and scalability.

It is thus a useful complement to, rather than a substitute for, savings and credit in protecting the poor against risk and allows them to retain and develop financial, social and human capital in the long term,” he said.

federation to underscore the imperatives of the savings culture among students.

The bank’s officials were recently at Biedomo Premier School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to teach the students the fundamentals of financial planning, investment instruments and the need for imbibing the savings culture at an early stage.

The bank said the exercise was meant to catch the students young and expose them to modern art of banking. “Our appeal goes to the parents. As they are operating different bank accounts, they should impress the habit of savings on their children by opening an account for them. At Skye Bank, we have Rainbow savings Account which is specifically designed for children,’’ the bank said in an earlier statement.

Last year, Skye Bank took the financial training programme to Osogbo. Phobestar Royalty School benefitted from the programme, with the pupils all exposed to the essence of savings.

Recently, Skye Bank Plc renovated three blocks of 12 classrooms at Government Day Secondary School, Wuse 11, Abuja, under its ‘School adoption’ and financial literacy mentorship series in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) ‘Adopt a school project.’

Nigerian Tribune

Smile Nigeria reiterates commitment to value creation Akin Adewakun— Lagos

SMILE Communications Nigeria limited, on Wednesday, reaffirmed its unflinching commitment to innovation, value creation and service excellence in the nation’s ICT market, as it unveiled a new television commercial, aimed at supporting its newly-introduced offering, the 0702SMIlLE 4G LTE range, in four local languages which include Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba and pidgin..

The company also unveiled Steve Onu, popularly known as Yaw, as the face of the brand.

Speaking at the event, the company’s Chairman, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, described the decision to introduce the 0702SMIlLE 4G LTE package as part of company’s decision to provide high-quality, reliable, superfast broadband access, voice and SMS using the 4G LTE technology, to Nigerians.

He added that the new package also represents Smile Nigeria’s determination to carve a niche for itself through innovation, value-creation and service excellence.

Staking Smile’s claim to innovative practices and pioneering efforts in 4G LTE, Azudialu-Obiejesi remarked that Smile, which was the first to introduce 4G LTE technology in Nigeria, came to redefine service quality and standard in the Nigerian telecommunication sector.

“Our goal is to make Nigerians get and gain more from telecommunication services. This inspired our deployment of the 4G LTE, which revolutionized the way Nigerians access the internet and communicate with families and friends, home and abroad”. Azudialu-Obiejesi stated.

He noted that, in just three years of opening its doors for business in Nigeria, the company had acquired a reputation as an innovative organisation, and one devoted to greater appreciation of its customers ‘pain points.”

The Smile Nigeria’s boss also explained that the choice of Yaw, as the face of the brand was informed by his attributes and values, in tune with that of the brand.

12

businessnews

Friday, 14 October, 2016

FirstBank now the sole FX Dealer to BDCs

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced FirstBank the sole authorized dealer for foreign exchange proceeds to licenced Bureau de Change (BDC) operators in Nigeria, just as the bank has promised sale of foreign exchange (FX) in a seamless manner for ease of distribution to end users.

The announcement is coming on the heels of the bank’s strengthened money transfer services as well as its strict compliance to CBN’s rules and directives on the sale of foreign exchange.

The bank had consistently sold dollars to over 500 BDCs as directed by the CBN to improve dollar liquidity and strengthen the Naira in line with the new flexible foreign exchange policy.

The CBN’s pronouncement is a testament to the bank’s strong financial base and its avowed support to the growth and development of a sustainable national economy.

In a recent statement, Patrick Iyamabo, the bank’s Chief Financial Officer noted that the bank will continue to strive to maintain its position as the safest and most re-

spected banking franchise in the country.

“We would continue to leverage our unique ability to grow and capitalise the institution, a testament to

our solid track record. Our highest priority remains meeting the financing and banking needs of our customers, by providing world class services, knowledge

PROMINENT business leaders, entrepreneurs and high ranking government officials from across Africa and beyond are billed to assemble at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for the African Institute for Leadership Excellence award.

According to the African Institute for Leadership excellence, the award, with theme; Building African Future for the Next Generation, is in collaboration with Fast Track Brand Communication & Strategy, publisher of the African Brands Journal.

The African Institute for Leadership excellence is hosting this event which is termed first annual African Prize for Leadership Excellence at the Sheraton Hotels & Towers Abuja, slated for October 29, 2016, starting from 4pm.

The purpose of the award is to honour personalities who have contributed immensely to the development of the Africa, the economic aspirations of its citizenry and the transformation of Africa’s image in the international market, while displaying high stan-

would continue to ensure that dollars sales to the BDCs continue in a seamless manner for ease of distribution to the end users.

Kaduna State deputy governor, Barnabas Bantex (left), presenting certificate to David Garba, at the graduation ceremony of Kaduna State Entrepreneurship Programme, in Kaduna, on Thursday. With them is the Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr Waheed Olagunju.

No Nigerian bank is undercapitalised – CBN THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that there is no truth in a report that seven Nigerian banks are undercapitalised.

The Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs Tokunbo Martins, told journalists at the end of the Bankers Committee Meeting in Lagos on

dard of good corporate citizenship, social and environmental responsibilities.

According to the organisers, “the award will bring together prominent business leaders, entrepreneurs and high ranking government officials from across Africa and beyond.”

The organising secretary, Bello Ibrahim said “Africa in the last decade has experienced significant eco-

nomic growth that has not only put it in the spotlight, but also attracted foreign investment inflows like never before.”

Bello further reiterated that the Africa new growth factor can be attributed to visionary leadership of some selected African leaders that have excelled and demonstrated uncommon initiative in African economy.

THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned telecommunication consumers against the usage of substandard handsets.

Mr Joseph Atoyebi, the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs of the commission gave the warning on Thursday in Abakaliki, during a consumer outreach programme .

According to him, such handsets are responsible for the various network and related problems they experience during dialing or receiving of calls.

“Consumers should use the handsets outlined in our manual as they have been certified to be effi-

cient for telecommunication usages,” he said.

Atoyebi also urged consumers who use smart phones to be aware of its complexities which are responsible for the difficulties experienced while using them.

“Many consumers complain that their data and credit are illegally deducted by service providers but they should understand that smart phones have various complex attributes.

“Smart phones should be switched-off when not in use as they automatically upgrade themselves and can deduct data in the process,” he said.

Business leaders, entrepreneurs set for African Leadership Excellence Award

By Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

and expertise to support them, even in very difficult times,” he stated.

The bank remains committed to corporate governance principles and

Wednesday that there was no truth in the report.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports a Dubai-based international investment bank, Arqaam Capital, had reported that seven Nigerian banks were undercapitalised to the tune of N1tn about 3.2 billion dollars.

The stress test by Arqaam Capital also reported that two banks were close to being insolvent.

Martins said that commercial banks were facing some challenges that were not peculiar to Nigeria, adding that Non Performing Loans (NPL) at 11 per cent was not the focus for now.

“As Director Banking Su-

pervision, I wish to state that the report that seven banks are undercapitalised is not true.

“That our banks have Non-Performing Loans at 11 per cent is not the focus for now. We should totally ignore such a story,’’ Martins said.

The director said that commercial banks in the country had huge capacity to generate income to absorb any losses that could arise from such loans.

“The fact that a country has non-performing loans at this period is expected.

So, I don’t think that any jurisdiction should be demonised because of NPL,’’ Martins said.

Nigerian Tribune

Lagos Assembly confirms Zubair as new LIRS boss

By Chima Nwokoji-Lagos

THE Lagos State House of Assembly has confirmed Ayodele Zubair as the Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).

The State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode had sent Ayodele’s name to the House for approval as the new LIRS boss.

Before his confirmation on Thursday, the new LIRS boss had told the lawmakers that he had worked as one of the pioneer directors at the Lagos State Lottery Board.

He promised to bring a new list of transformations to raise tax collection in the state, saying through computerisation and collaboration better results would be enhanced.

He added that his administration would beam its searchlight more on informal sector by incorporating them into the tax net of the state.

“Informal sector is very significant for effective tax collection. We shall, for a start, introduce presumptive tax at the informal sector and through this, we shall subsequently get additional information to raise more revenue.

“Through technology, computerisation and collaboration, there shall be coordination to have sufficient data about every prospective tax payer,” Ayodele disclosed.

Born in 1960, Ayodele emerged from a family of accountants, as grand father and father were professional accountants.

Ayodele who is a graduate of Accounting from Manchester Polytechnic worked for five years at Pricewater before he later became one of the directors at his father’s firm, Hamzat Zubair Folami & Co.

NCC warns telecom consumers over use of substandard handsets He also informed consumers that borrowing of credit from service providers is a business strategy which is not offered without costs.

“There are stipulated deductions from credit lent to consumers by service providers as nothing is free in the business parlance.

“Consumers are obligated to ensure the security of telecommunication installations such as masts and ensure they are not vandalised.

“They should also not buy ‘SIM’ cards that are already registered and not use their phone lines for criminal activities such as kidnapping,” he said.

Governor David Umahi in his remark said that telecommunication plays an important role in advancing the growth and development of any society.

Umahi represented by his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe noted that the nation would experience economic revitalisation if opportunities offered by telecommunication were properly harnessed.

“The NCC as the ombudsman can properly regulate unsolicited text messages, ring tones and illegal deductions by service providers and use it as a catalyst for economic growth.”

He said that the state

government has inaugurated the Ebonyi Telecommunication Infrastructure Compliance Agency to ensure legal and proper development of telecommunication infrastructure in the state.

Mr Temipope Ogunsola, a mobile telephone network (MTN) official informed the audience that most messages they claim to be unsolicited were actually for educational purposes.

The outreach programme which is the 79th edition in the NCC series has its theme as, ‘Information and education as a Catalyst for Consumer Protection.’

13

editorial The resurgence of kidnapping

Friday, 14 October, 2016

U

NARGUABLY a critical sign of the times, the Nigerian nation is confronted with the menace of kidnapping.

Almost on a daily basis, news of armed bandits forcefully picking Nigerians up on the streets, in their homes and virtually everywhere is the talk of the town.

The situation is becoming so alarming and the nation is in dire need of a solution.

Like virtually every other crime that has gone through mutations, kidnapping went through several phases before becoming what is in vogue today. In the 60s and 70s, kidnapping was few and far between, and basically targeted at money-making rituals. Social scientists of the time put its resurgence to the petro-dollar craze and the frenetic pace at which people wanted to belong to the new social ladder that the transformation from an agricultural economy to an oil economy brought. Thus, a metaphysical ingenuity of making money and thus getting on the same ladder as the new oilrich men and women of the then Nigerian society became the vogue. The mode of operation was to forcefully arrest the specified type of person, gouge out parts of their bodies and make these parts into potions that were believed to spill money.

In the 80s, the craze for money-making rituals seemed to have slowed down a bit with the advance of civilisation and modernity. Politics and its survival-of-the-fittest credentials replaced kidnapping for money-making rituals as access to government and the illicit money that came from it soon rivalled money made from human rituals. Unfortunately, this was also to be replaced by a greater evil as human sacrifice for positions became the vogue among politicians.

Thus, it was not a rare sight to behold decapitated corpses on the road after vital parts had been used for sacrifices to secure political offices. This variant of kidnapping was in vogue until recently when the kidnapping of expatriates replaced it.

Predominantly then in the oil-rich South-South states, Nigerians were daily inundated with news of foreign workers of oil companies who were kidnapped and ransom demanded from the oil companies. It was so rampant that many of the expatriates went about with fully armed escorts, while those who could not bear the heat simply exited the country. It was this variant of kidnapping that eventually gave birth to the current variant. In gangster fashion, Nigerians are abducted almost every day and hauled into secret locations while their abductors put calls through to their families demanding ransoms in multiples of millions. The menace has become so

common that it assaults the intelligence of the nation. What makes the situation even scarier is that it has no boundary; wealthy individuals are abducted and so are the not-so-rich and the underprivileged. The kidnappers bank on the fact that no one would wish their kin to be left in the hands of dare-devil criminals, with no assurance of their fate. As such, secret negotiations are entered into with them to secure the releases of the victims, even when the police advise otherwise.

Indeed, some of the abductions go awry as the victims die in the process. Many have been killed even after their families paid the agreed ransom.

Perhaps what has upped the recourse to kidnapping is the economic crisis in the country which has significantly altered the nature of property crimes. There is such a huge lack in the land that Nigerians hardly have enough money to keep in their homes, against what used to operate. Even in their cars, they seldom have the kind of huge cash that could attract the attention of burglars, nor do they have enough money that is worth the sweat of those who desire to live affluent lives by robbing them of their valuables. Again, bank robbery is becoming increasingly fraught with high risks, especially with the technological advancement that makes sophisticated security devices available at the tip of a finger. With these barrages of safeguards in the system, high hopelessness is attending hitherto fashionable crimes and making kidnapping the most attractive recourse.

This is why law enforcement agents should be abreast of this social dimension of crime, especially the gravitation towards kidnapping. Being abreast of it would mean getting armed with the necessary equipment that would make tracking of kidnappers easy and being proactive enough to tame kidnapping attempts at their gestation. Many of these crimes get incubated in brothels and hotels and where illicit drugs and alcohol are dispensed. What that means is that security agencies must be one step ahead of these nefarious individuals by spreading their dragnets wide. This can be done through an availability of plainclothes policemen in areas where they are ganging up to commit these crimes.

More fundamentally, governments at all tiers should take the issue of job creation very seriously. The truth of the matter is that many of the apprehended kidnappers have been found out to be young graduates of higher institutions who come out of school without a job to call their own. Only a concerted effort can discourage these young boys and girls who see it as a fast way of circumventing the drudgery of joblessness and acute lack that face them.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 14 October, 2016

editor

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

Why MKO Abiola lecture must not die

I

N 1992, the late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola gave some money to the largest and most prestigious umbrella organisation in the world for the study of Africa, the African Studies Association (ASA), based in the United States of America.

The money was to estab-

lish the annual “M.K.O. Abiola Lecture Award,” an award that sponsors a distinguished scholar based in Africa to travel to the annual conference of ASA in the United States to deliver a lecture of great significance about Africa.

MKO’s action was truly visionary and ahead of its time then, and the award

has since become one of ASA’s most treasured, and one that remains a source of great pride to Nigerian scholars in particular, and African scholars everywhere in general.

Eminent Nigerian scholars who have won the award include Professors Bolanle Awe, Jacob F. Ade Ajayi, Wande Abim-

bola, and Abiola Irele.

MKO did not get to the point of endowing the award before he died.

That is unfortunate, because given his foresight and knowledge of how philanthropy in academic works, it is clear that his goal was to ultimately endow the award.

An endowment would

President Buhari, state pensioners are suffering WHEN one looks at the way in which retired civil servants are being treated in this country, then one will see that there is no reason to be loyal to the country. After spending the productive part of their lives in service of their fatherland, our senior citizens go through their old age in pain, as they don’t get paid their gratuities for several years, while the monthly pension will also not be

paid on time.

While commending the Federal Government for how it is treating its retirees, those who served state governments go through hell before they can access their entitlements. Due to the fact that these retirees are no longer active, the state governments treat them with disdain, with some top government officials diverting their entitlements for other purposes; this is greatly unfair. It is

Forex crisis: Food importation partly to blame THERE is no doubt that our nation’s overdependence on food importation in feeding her citizens despite the availability of large cultivable expanse of fertile land spread across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has not only punctured the genuiness of our country’s sovereignty as a truly independent state, but the situation has further put a big question mark on the claim of Nigeria being the giant of Africa. In addition, the continued importation of rice has been putting unchecked pressure on the nation’s foreign reserves, but it is high time the people faced the reality that a nation that is unable to feed her citizens is not worth existing in the first place.

At this juncture, the question we should be asking ourselves as a sovereign nation is: Don’t we have all it takes to stop the unnecessary wastage of foreign reserves on food imports, particularly in the face of the present era of economic recession in our country, and can’t we suffi-

ciently feed ourselves without dependence on food importation? To be sincere to ourselves, we can. Nigeria, as revealed in a television programme on agriculture recently, is blessed with 98,000 hectares of cultivable fertile lands, but out of this figure, the entire cultivated land is around 30,000 hectares, leaving a balance of a whopping 68,000 hectares lying fallow.

Without mincing words, the ongoing serious attention being paid to agriculture as a means of diversification from the nation’s oil and import-dependent economy remains the panacea for the achievement of a stable and robust economy.

To this end, there is the need to salute a good number of visionary state governors who have taken the development of agriculture with seriousness, all in a bid at ensuring adequate provision of food in the country. Focusing on agriculture is the solution to our economic problems.

•Odunayo Joseph, Mopa, Kogi State.

no longer news that many retirees die before they can access their gratuities. Now, a country that treat its senior citizens in this manner should not expect loyalty from the upcoming generation. Do we now wonder why our youths are into various illegal schemes all in a bid to make money?

I, therefore, want to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari, to punish state governments that fail to pay retirees their gratu-

ities six months after they bow out of active service.

These senior citizens should also be paid their pensions not later than the 25th of every month, as they need their entitlements to make the rest of their lives more meaningful. We, therefore, need to criminalise the neglect of our retirees by state governments.

•Nugwa Joseph, nugwajosh@gmail. com

have guaranteed that the award is annually available permanently—in perpetuity—in his name.

The money he donated has since run out, and the ASA has been funding the award from other sources for a couple of years now, in great appreciation of Abiola’s pioneering visionary act.

But this cannot continue indefinitely, because the standard practice is for an association to rest an award when the fund attached to it no longer exists. The all-important MKO Abiola Lecture Award, the pride of Africans in the study of Africa, will soon die.

Because ending the MKO Lecture will be a big shame to all Nigerians everywhere, I took on the task of finding a solution when I was elected member of ASA Board of Directors.

I have since 2014 been seeking, with little headway, big donors to help

replenish the award and endow it permanently.

I have been in touch with representatives of the Abiola family and they are supportive of efforts to rescue the award.

The award costs $5000.00. The amount needed to endow it is $100,000, which, at stock market rates, will yield just enough to run the award annually in perpetuity.

I know this is a large amount of money, but I do not think it is too large to permanently entrench a shining, farsighted and pioneering example of African philanthropy in support of serious research and scholarship. It is an example for those of us living now, and for posterity.

•Tejumola Olaniyan, tolaniyan@wisc.edu University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.

opinion Nigerian schools and moral education 15

By Odimegwu Onwumere

A

PART from the immediate family setting, the school is the next most important agent of socialisaton. But with eroding family values as a result of ‘errant and absent’ parents, the school is fast becoming an indispensable character molder of children. The next in line after the school is the religious centres where children go for spiritual upbringing, but due to the fact that children spend so much time in school than in any other place, the school can be argued to be the most important socialising agent in a fast moving society. The early knowledge they get in the school prepares them to being what they become in the society. Research has shown that kids tend to believe their teachers even more than their biological parents. Thus, the influence of teachers in molding the school kids into adulthood cannot be glossed over.

There are many arguments that the school environment, with the attendant knowledge, has placed more emphasis on human and individual rights to the detriment of even the age-long societal norms. Where the society wants to put down its feet on the ground to enforce its unwritten behavioural code, the products of these institutions repudiate such moves.

This explains why, even with higher degrees and varying certificates, many of the recipients of these certificates lack the wherewithal to co-habit in a traditional society.

They do not apply the matrix that outside the home, there are rules and regulations. They behave the way they feel or like.

The ill-manners of many schooled persons call for concern. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a Baptist minister and social activist that led the civil rights movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968, saw the behaviours of some persons and warned that intelligence plus character is the goal of true education.

King de-emphasised on the acquisition of multiple university degrees, saying that the direct benefit of acquiring higher education is also the acquisition of expensive and expansive houses laced with costly cars, which according to him, does not improve the course of the society. It is obvious that the indoctrinations that are gotten from

school affect many negatively. Many did not know that the day they entered school, the process of total indoctrination had started.

Doris Lessing, in “The Golden Notebook,” warns that humanity has not yet evolved a system of education that is not a system of indoctrination. “We are sorry, but it is the best we can do. What you are being taught here is an amalgam of current prejudice and the choices of this particular culture. The slightest look at history will show how impermanent these must be.”

It is very sad that in the school, we are rarely taught to understand virtues and values, but physics, mathematics, English Language, religious studies, chemistry and so on.

These are the main influences that control our lives and not virtues and values, which many people in the modern times see as belonging to the primordial. They speak especially the English Language very well without character to show for their fluency.

It is imperative to state that schools in this country do not mold people to understanding their moral identity, character formation, and letting people understand who they are; instead, they are taught to believe in what they are.

Theodore Roosevelt, who was the 26th President of the United States, once said that ‘to educate a person in the mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society.’

Martha Graham, also an American, was a modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared with the influence Picasso had on the modern visual arts, was quoted as saying, “I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by prac-

Friday, 14 October, 2016

ticing dancing, or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one’s being, and a satisfaction of spirit.”

While school is supposed to invite the perfection desired in tandem with the virtues and morals of the society, it seems to be doing the contrary. It only functions as a facilitator of people into logics and not how people deal with the nuisance school aid them to create in the society.

Ray Bradbury, who was an American fantasy and horror author, reportedly rejected being categorised as a science fiction author, admonished: “I don’t believe in colleges and universities. I believe in libraries…”

Many graduates from different schools do not read as if they want to live forever; hence they do not develop fully as individuals with good character and high moral standard. Against this backdrop, it is left for the authorities to check if they would integrate character education and ethics into the country’s curriculum. The character to use the library sounds to many Nigerians as a tale from the moonlight. They prefer going to school and not using the library for extensive knowledge acquisition. How people imbibe global perspectives threatens the perseverance of character education.

Many people of higher learning today do not have character outside what they were taught in school. This is why Abigail Van Buren warns that the best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back.

We must accept and practice character, empowerment, love, pleasing, self-discovery, self-esteem, self-respect, truthfulness and wisdom.

We must stop struggling with the sensation of being schooled, whereas we are sipping through the cracks of disorderliness. We should know that being schooled is different from values; we should not eschew the fact that values are the foundations for character.

If the school cannot teach us first the values before teaching us Mathematics and English Language in the context of molding us, then the society is served menace to preserve.

•Onwumere is a public affairs analyst.

Inyang: Remembering a police officer par excellence

By Abayomi Akeremale

THE late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, in one of his books, “My Oddsey,” wrote: “The Igbo, from a lowly beginning, have reached the top.” I read this book in 1968, and ever since, I have seen in practical terms Dr Azikiwe’s assertion about the Igbo people generally.

Even though the man being celebrated in this write-up was not an Igbo by tribe, he displayed their endearing traits.

Around 1966 and 1973, we used to call Igbo people who we came in contact with “Oteku Mayan,” the meaning of this is, someone who sells palm wine, or someone who hawks drink. Why we called them was because Igbo people were never static; whatever they were doing, they were always advancing, and it is still the same today.

For example, if an Igbo man was a newspaper vendor, in less than a year, he would have ‘upgraded’ by selling electronics. This observation confirms Dr Azikiwe’s assertion that: From the lowest beginning, they have reached the top.

The late Owelle of Onitsha’s observation is also applicable to our father and elder statesman, the late Inspector General of Police, Chief Etim Inyang.

I recall as a young officer how I used to admire IGP Inyang whenever he was descending the balcony at Kam Salem House in Lagos, on his way home after a hard day’s job. He was always neat, especially with his starched uniform. I could recall he was always with his swagger cane, which he occasionally used to strike the side of his trouser.

The late IGP also had very warm relationship with his officers, and I can remember how he used to call one of his

able officers, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Adebowale Aboyade Cole of blessed memory, ‘Wale.’

From the lowliest beginning, IGP Inyang reached the pinnacle of his profession, and today, everybody can learn one or two things from his life, as his ascension to the peak of the police force was a rare feat.

Inyang started his professional career as a Police Constable, and he walked the tight ropes, rose through the

Your life served as an encouragement to several police officers who also went on to achieve great things in the Force.

ranks to become the number one police officer in the country in his time.

Chief Inyang spent the greatest part of his career at the Force CID, where he became a Commissioner in charge of Investigation, until General Muhammad Buhari, now our dear President, identified him as an incorruptible police officer, thereby appointing him as the IGP in 1983.

While IGP Inyang was at the helm of affairs, he policed with the fear of God, and that is why his death is a great loss to the country at a time when his experience is highly needed.

In a bid to curb extortion or bribe-taking by policemen at road-blocks, IGP Inyang ordered that no policeman should have more than N5.00 in his pocket while on duty; this order brought sanity to the rank and file of policemen.

Although IGP Inyang may have transited this world, the good he did while on this side of the planet will continue to live on, and as a result, our elder statesman is not dead. He has only shed his mortal body for an immortal one.

Adieu Papa! Adieu IGP Inyang. Your life served as an encouragement to several police officers who also went on to achieve great things in the Force.

IGP Inyang’s contribution to national development was recognised when a street was named after him in Lagos.

Now, from the lowliest beginning, the late Inyang reached the top of his profession; this is definitely a lesson for all under-privileged Nigerians. May IGP Inyang continue to rest in peace.

•Barrister Akeremale is a retired Commissioner of Police.

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

C

OMRADE Bari Adedeji Salau whose Muslim parents hailed from Okun-Owa (very near Ijebu-Ode and Odogbolu) will turn 70 on October 10, 2016. Bari’s history is, indeed, fascinating. When you start reading it, you will never want to be tired of such a beautiful literature.

Bari’s parents (who are now of blessed memory) were musicians in their early lives, while Bari’s father, Salau Rabiu, popularly known as Aiyelabowo, was an ‘Apala’ music exponent, his mother, Sarat Olawunmi Alebiosu Salau, was one of the pioneers of ‘Waka’ music in Ijebuland in those days. Bari’s parents were heavily political. Papa Aiyelabowo was a bricklayer in Lagos in the early 50s. He was fond of attending political meetings at the residence of the late Akanni Doherty in Lagos. It was at these meetings that Papa Salau met the Papa (Chief) Obafemi Awolowo, who at that time, was the pioneer secretary of the Action Group, then called Afenifere.

Bari’s father struck a relationship with Papa Awolowo that lasted till he transited It was quite easy for Papa Salau to embrace the leadership of the late Papa S. Onasanya of Aiyepe. They were both of the same constituency in Ijebuland.

Both Papa Onasanya and Papa Aiyelabowo contested the first local government elections after the formal announcement of Action Group as a political party. Papa Aiyelabowo remained on Action Group Councillor representing Okun-Owu until the Chief S.L. Akintola rebellion put paid to the Action Group politics of the time.

Papa Salau a.k.a “Aiyelabowo” never severed political association with Papa Onasaya of Aiyepe till both of them returned to the bosom of their Creator.

The two remained loyal to the politics and ideals of Papa Awolowo. Comrade Bari Adedeji Salau never gate-crashed into Awo’s politics. He met it at home and has remained consistently loyal up till today.

Bari Salau is a man of outstanding qualities. He is bold, courageous and strong. All who know him can attest to the fact that in whatever he believes in, he has always wanted to remain tenaciously committed. Just like his father Papa Aiyelabowo, Bari can never bend his principles because of any tyranny unleashed by his opponent. Despite all that the late Chief S.L. Akintola’s party (the NNDP) did to oppress Papa Aiyelabowo, including arbitrary imprisonment, he (Papa Aiyelabowo) remained committed to Papa Awolowo and the Action Group (AG) to the very end. As far as Bari is concerned, any compromise over principle is total abandonment of that principle.

I equally remember that Comrade Bari Salau was disqualified from contesting an election in the post 1983 military years for using Papa Awolowo’s picture to accompany his campaign leaflets. The disqualification never bothered Bari. He believes till this day that he could never surrender to the whims and caprices of the military electoral umpire by bowing down to instructions that would smear the name of his political hero – Awo. Comrade Bari Salau has always been a rebel with a cause.

He attended Odogbolu Grammar School, from Odogbolu, he, with his friends, now embarked on a long jour-

With

Ebenezer Babatope 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE)

As Comrade Bari Salau turns 70

•Comrade Bari Salau

ney to America to complete his education. He was admitted to the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Campus, U.S.A, where he did a degree in Political Science. Bari still remembers with warmth and gratitude people who assisted him to traverse successfully his Odogbolu and Minnesota years.

They include Oladimeji Okesanya, Oladimeji Onabanjo, Adebola Siwoniku, Tella Christopher Olusanya, Jackson Cole, Yemi Odumesu, Wemimo Sanyaolu, Christopher Umeadi, Leteef Saka, Dotun Osunkoya aka Janjala (now of blessed memory) Fatai Bakare a retired Major, Abayomi Amure, Kehinde Sonowo, Segun Aina, Bola Ayankoya, Olawewaju Sokoya, Kehinde Sulu, Olu Osibodu), Kehinde Oluwole, Tunji Awobadejo, Cyril Egbuniwe, Fatai Arobieke (now the Bashorun of Odogbolu, Olusola Travy, and Afolabi Ojabowale. Those senior to him at Odogbolu, include the late Yemi Osindero, Ademola Adenuga (a retired Federal Civil Servant), General Oladipo Diya, a former Nigeria’s Chief of General Staff and the number two man to the late General Sani Abacha and Aremu Odedina.

On his return from America, Bari joined the John West Publishing Company, owned by a veteran journalist and foremost Associate of Papa Awolowo, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande. Bari later rose to become an editor of the publishing company. It was from John West that Bari joined the Unity Party of Nigeria, which dictated the politics of the Second Republic from Papa Awolowo’s political

stable. Though Bari was an official of the Publicity and Research Department of the party, led by the late veteran journalist, Chief M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu, he served the UPN meritoriously in nearly all the departments of the party.

Bari was a result-oriented staff of the Directorate of Organisation of the party, then headed by me. Bari Salau performed many difficult assignments of my Directorate without receiving any kobo for such services. I simply cannot forget the combination of Bari and the late Comrade Yomi Olusanya, alongside the late Comrade Suru Apata in the activities of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). Bari Salau co-ordinated the delegates of the Lagos State wing of the UPN to the first National Congress of the party, held at the Mainland Hotel, Ebute-Metta, Lagos in 1978. Bari was assisted in that task by his close friend, Debo Olasoji, now the Baale of Owena in Ijesaland.

Bari Salau, late Comrade Olusanya and the late Comrade Apata will always be remembered for the formation of the Awo Concerned Corps that assisted us with the organisation of the UPN of the Second Republic.

Comrade Apata from Igarra, Akoko Edo in Edo State, was reported missing from his Akoko-Edo base one morning a few years ago by his family and his body has never been found till this day.

When the military once again disrupted the activities of the Civilian regime with the Buhari coup of December31, 1983, many politicians were sent to prison and political activities were reor-

ganized alongside the formation by the Ibrahim Babangida regime of two political parties – the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Comrade Bari Salau later emerged the Director of Organisation of the SDP then led by Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe. Baba Gana Kingibe and Bari Salau still remain very close till today.

Volumes and volumes of political literature can be written on the political activities of our Comrade Bari Salau. He later became the Presidential candidate of the SDP for Somolu Local Government. Bari later withdrew for Alhaji Kareem Giwa in the National contest that eventually led to the June 12, 1983 election of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola.

Bari Adedeji Salau became the Chairman of Somolu Local Government. Bari Salau was the last Chairman of Somolu Local Government before Kosofe was severed from the Council to stand as a new local government of its own.

In 2001, Comrade Bari Salau returned to America where he worked as Security Operative with the City of New York. He worked briefly as a staff of Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton when the famous woman was about to contest the New York Senatorial seat. He later obtained a Master of Public Administration degree (MPA).

He worked with me as my Personal Assistant between 1994 and 1995 when I served as the Minister of Transport and Aviation. He travelled to Mecca during that time and never regretted his services to Nigeria.

Bari keeps his friends. Though today, his close friends Adedolun Osunkoya, Lateef Saka, and Shansudeen Ojuroye aka ”Shamo” are now of blessed memory, Comrade Adetola Oseni remains very loyal to Bari. Comrade Adetola Oseni is from Ijebu Ife in Ogun State.

Comrade Bari Salau is currently a top leader and official of the resuscitated Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

On October 10, 2016, Bari, his dear wife, children and friends will gather at the Staten Island residence of the Salaus in New York to celebrate the 70th birthday of an Awoist who believes in Awo religiously and who believes that for Nigeria to succeed, it must permit her operations to be governed by Awoist ideals and aspirations.

Congratulations on your birthday our dear Comrade! May you for ever remain blessed!! Honestly, we all love Bari Adedeji Salau!!!!

•EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) NEXT WEEK: MAMA AKANDE OF IBADAN – EXIT OF A TITAN (BOOK YOUR COPY IN ADVANCE).

17

Friday, 14 October, 2016

eyesof islam

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

Islamic principles on da’wah

I

T is important for Muslims to realise that da’wah is an obligation upon them.

Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is best aware of those who are guided.” (Q16:125) The Prophet (P.B.U.H) has also said: “Convey from me even one verse.” (Al-Bukhari) Conveying the message, therefore, does not require a high level of scholarship; it is, in fact, a responsibility of every Muslim, according to their ability.

The obligation is further emphasised by the following verse which explains that not conveying the message – hiding one’s knowledge of Islam – is disobedience to Allah.

“Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidence and the guidance, which we have sent down, after we have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers.”

(Q2:159) The Prophet (SAW) also stated: “Whoever hides knowledge, Allah will brand him with the branding iron from the Hellfire” (Ahmed).

Calling people to Allah also means completing our worship, the reason for which we were created. It is one of the noblest acts that attract high rewards.

“And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah and does righteous deeds, and says; ‘I am one of the Muslims.’” (Q41: 33) Da’wah is an Arabic word which takes its root from da’a (to call). It has a series of interpretations in the religious and secular ramifications. In Islamic terminology, da’wah immediately implies invitation to the way of Allah.

Indeed, Muslims are very fortunate that Allah has guided us to the right path. It is imperative that we invite people to Islam as a way to show our gratitude to Almighty Allah. We should propagate Islam based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, purely for Allah’s pleasure. The reason is to call people to tahwid.

We must propagate Islam in order to let the laws of Allah prevail, instead of man-made laws. It is imperative that we do da’wah in order to revive the Sunnah of the Prophet and gain more rewards.

Da’wah is essentially a divine statement which the Creator has placed in the hands of his prophets and their successors (the ulama) so that His main objective of creating mankind would be accomplished. Since, from the perspective of Islam, Allah is the law giver, He has absolute authority over His creatures. The objectives of da’wah are, therefore, to direct people to live a life that agrees with the plan of the Creator.

Allah, in the Glorious Qur’an, orders his Prophet (P.B.U.H) to cling to the use of wisdom in calling the people.

“Invite (mankind) O Muhammad (SAW) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path and He is best knower of those who are guided.”

(Q16:125) May the immeasurable and countless pleasure of Allah be upon the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who said: “Convey (to others) from me even if it is a single verse.”

some Sunnah practitioners frown at drama, it has ways of propagating Islam.

Forms of da’wah There are various forms of da’wah, which range from specific to general. The specific forms are those relating to the basic teachings of Islam as the various modes of worship. The general forms are those relating to modern approach to invitation and teaching of Islam using modern technology. These forms of da’wah are very important if the concept is to be understood from a wider perspective. This probably explains why the option is kept open in the Qur’an.

As for the specific forms of da’wah, the following readily approach our minds: wa’z, irshad, tadhkirah and nasiha. Dhikr, nasihah, wa’z are related to Muslims, while for nonMuslims, tabliqh and tabshir are appropriate for da’wah. All these terms are integral parts of da’wah. They are carried out in enclosure of the mosque, Muslim festivals and programmes.

For the general forms, we have example such as open air, mass media, use of dialogue, video, drama, etc.

Open air: This is an individual effort aimed at inviting people to the way of Allah. The major objective is to invite people

to Islam and also convince the audience that shirk is the greatest crime in Islam. Open-air preaching is the early traditional mode of disseminating the message of Islam, which was used by the prophets of Allah, companions and itinerant scholars. It was one of the factors which contributed to the spread and consolidation of Islam.

Mass media: Mass media has been described as all of the communications media that reach a large audience, especially television, radio, newspapers and the internet.

Such media facilitate the transmission of education, enlightenment information and entertainment to the people.

Video and drama: Nowadays, video compact discs and drama are becoming a very good source of disseminating message to the public. Our interest in this regard is the surge in video CDs in the market today with a powerful influence on the socio-cultural attitude of the people, especially the youth. An Islamic drama has the potential of refocusing the attention of Muslims and to correct the erroneous messages brought by nonMuslims who are in the majority in this sector of the entertainment industry. Although

And who is better in speech than he who invites to Allah and does righteous deeds, and says; ‘I am one of the Muslims.

Etiquette of a da’i (propagator) Indeed, the Islamic ethics are explained by Almighty Allah in the Glorious Qur’an, exemplified by the Noble Prophet (P.B.U.H) and followed by the companions. It is necessary for an Islamic propagator to adopt some specific ethics in order to be successful in his field. These are some of the ethics or characteristics of da’i.

Faithfulness and sincerity: It is incumbent upon an Islamic propagator to be sincere in his words and actions. He must propagate the truth.

Patience: If patience is one of the prominent virtues required of all mankind so that they may be successful in all their endeavours, then it is more necessary for a da’i than others.

Humility: Arrogance is nothing but ignorance, stupidity and proof that a person does not know their worth. Pride belongs to Allah alone. A propagator needs to be humble because he associates with people, invites them to the straight path and teaches them Islamic ethics.

Good relations: The very nature of da’wah requires associating with people.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) spent his life relating with people, joining their gatherings and attending their festivals, calling them to the path of Allah, commanding good deeds and thinning evil. Relationship with people is vital on the field of da’wah because Islam cannot be fully practised alone – without associating with others. People are collective in nature and cannot live alone.

Faithfulness: A propagator’s faith should be unshakable, no matter how much distress he encounters, the strength and the resistance of unbelievers or adversaries. The faith of the propagator should not become frail due to the inattentiveness of the people.

Mercy: Propagators have to be merciful in all affairs of da’wah and those invited as well. He has to be cognizant always that he is inviting mankind to what Allah loves. As a Muslim, one has to be gentle, compassionate and affectionate to others.

Fear of God: A propagator should allow the presence of Allah in his mind always. As long as propagators continue assisting Allah, calling to His path, Allah will help them.

The task of da’wah is enormous and complex but important and essential. It should be emphasised that da’wah is an art which should be mastered before being embarked upon. There is no immediate solution to large-scale problems. In order to be taken seriously, those who propagate Islam should live according to the principles of Islam.

Da’wah workers should first and foremost endeavour to attain piety, sustain and strengthen it. It is an indispensable instrument that enables them to achieve their target as well as taqwa and al-iklas.

Knowledge is a vital instrument of da’wah.

Da’wah workers should seek knowledge and, in fact, make this a life-long endeavour. Islam is based on knowledge hence inviting people to the religion must also be based on knowledge.

Knowledge of the method of da’wah is as important as knowledge of the subject matter. Poor knowledge of the method of da’wah is detrimental to the work of da’wah.

•Miss Shomope presented this paper at one of the events that marked the graduation ceremony of Iqra College, Ilorin, recently.

18 islamicnews

Friday, 14 October, 2016

CESJET wants Shi’ite designated as terror group MMWG hails clampdown on judges Bola Badmus -Lagos

From left, guest lecturer and Chief Imam, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Oyo State, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju; representative of the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Dr Abdul Waheed Ahmad Rufai and former head of The Muslim Congress (TMC), Oyo State, Dr Zaynul Abideen Abdul Ganiy, at the annual Independence Day lecture of the TMC, in Ibadan, recently.

Nigeria’s challenges surmountable with faith, unity —TMC

T

HE challenges facing Nigeria are surmountable if Nigerians can work together irrespective of political, religious and ethnic divides to build a nation where every person is a friend to the other.

The Muslim Congress (TMC) took this position at its quarterly briefing on the state of the nation wherein it also congratulated Nigerians on the 56th Independence anniversary of the country and felicitated with Muslims as they witness another Hijrah year.

The chairman of the organisation’s Committee on Social Mobility, the Economy and Politics, Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem, who presented the address in Lagos, said the challenges of the present time required that Nigerians be united in thought and spirit and have firm faith in the country’s unity and progress.

“We are confident that by Allah’s grace, and our commitment to the principles of hard work, discipline, honesty and integrity, we are going to smile at the end of the day when our present challenges would have been

behind us.

“But the challenges of the present time require that we must be steadfast and united in forging a nation of people who are united in thought and spirit. We must work towards and also have firm faith in our unity and progress. There is every need for Nigeria to remain a strong and united entity that is able to withstand the problems of nation-building and one that forges a land of peace, prosperity and progress for everyone,” Dr AbdurRaheem said.

To get out recession, he said the government should

be ready to let the people know that everyone has got to roll up their sleeves for the task ahead since there is a lot of hard work to be done.

The government, he said, would need to pursue the diversification of the economy so as to have multiple revenue sources.

“The multiple revenue sources would include agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism. There is the need to motivate companies in these sectors by making loans easily available and supporting them to access technical know-how and managerial compe-

tence.

“International investors who are serious, willing and experienced should also be sought through the provision of an enabling environment that is conducive and mutually beneficial,” he added.

According to AbdurRaheem, it is also the suggestion of the TMC for the government “to fully embrace a dual financial system by adding Islamic finance to the conventional system.

This will enable us to have a robust economic system that is fully responsive and suitable to our needs as a nation.”

Muslim media practitioners urged to be ‘different’ Biola Azeez – Ilorin

MUSLIM media practitioners have been charged to be different in positive ways in the discharge of their professional duty.

Speaking at the maiden national conference of the Muslim Media-Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) with the theme, “Adoption of Media for Da’awah: Issues and Perspectives,” in

Ilorin last weekend, a legal icon, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), said Muslim media practitioners all over the world were in a disadvantaged position.

Mallam Ali, who said that Islam and Muslims were disadvantaged due to activities of some extremists and negative impression of some people against the religion and adherents, advised media practitioners to rise

above all considerations and show best professional performance.

He said they should always promote Islam as contained in the Qur’an, adding that they should avoid such a situation where Islam would be degraded.

“For those of you lucky to be in media practice today, you owe Nigerian society a service to be the best and surpass good and best prac-

‘Muslims’ unity tool for national progress’ MUSLIMS have been urged to close ranks and forge a common front in an effort to move Nigeria to an enviable height.

The Chief Imam of AnsarUd-Deen Society of Nigeria in Oyo State, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju, made the appeal recently at the annual Independence Day lecture of the state chapter of The Muslim Congress (TMC), held at NASFAT Ground, Samonda, Ibadan.

Speaking on the topic, “Repositioning the Um-

FOLLOWING scores of deaths recorded in several cities in the northern part of the country on Wednesday, occasioned by Wednesday’s violent protests by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a group, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has demanded tough responses from the federal and state governments against the outlawed sect.

CESJET made the call on Thursday in Lagos in a statement by its Executive Director, Joyce Adamu, in reaction to the mayhem, blaming the Shi’ites for daring the state and attempting to create a parallel government and constitution for themselves in the name of freedom of religion.

The centre urged security agencies and government at all levels to hold IMN responsible for the violence it was spreading across several cities, even as it called on the Federal Government in particular to recognise and designate the Shi’ite as a new front for terrorism and seek international support to prevent its funding by Iran.

“The Federal Government must on its part recognise IMN as the new front in the war against

mah: Muslims on Call,” the cleric noted that Muslims had for long been prevented from playing critical roles in matters of societal growth and development owing to lack of unity among them.

He called on the faithful to surmount the challenge of Islamophobia and its attendant consequences if indeed they would live up to the responsibility of providing direction for the human race.

To move the society forward, Muslims, he said,

must be at the forefront, a position that could only be reached under a common banner.

He noted that Islam had the effective antidote to all challenges while Muslims have to internalise teachings of the Qur’an and harmonise their efforts on nation building.

On his part, a Lagosbased cleric, Imam Abdul Lateef Sulayman, decried the tag of terrorism attached to Muslims, noting that the enemies of Islam

were only maximising loopholes occasioned by fractions within the Muslim community to present a wrong picture of the religion to the people.

While delivering a lecture on “Confronting the Challenge of Identity Theft and Terrorism: Muslims on Call,” Sulayman noted that Islam was being unnecessarily attacked by Western powers who saw the religion as a challenge to the seed of injustice and inequality being sowed across the world.

tices of your predecessors by rendering quality reportage of news items. You must be different in positive ways and Islam should not place second fiddle in all you do.

Once you do that, every other thing would become easy for you,” he said.

Also speaking, the Emir of Shonga, Alhaji Haliru Yahaya, called on media practitioners to discourage obscenity, which he said had been prevalent in the Nigeria media.

The Emir, who expressed worry over the development, argued that approach of political politeness to the issue by authorities concerned would not help the matter.

He said that God would fight sodomy with destruction as He did before, adding that children should be guided on the use of social media so that they are not lost to unreal world and cultural invasion.

He also said that young ones should be directed to right ways early in their life so that they were not misled by the unreal world.

terrorism and designate the movement as a terror group so that it can seek international support for preventing its funding from Iran,” the group demanded.

The CESJET described the IMN’s decision to attempt holding processions when it had been proscribed by an order of the Kaduna State government as provocative, saying it was intended to breach the peace, provoke confrontation with security agencies and cause the kind of violent response witnessed on Wednesday.

Also, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has described the investigation and proposed trial of judges of superior courts of record by the Department of State Services (DSS) as a welcome development.

In a statement by its National Co-ordinator, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, MMWG said since his assumption of office, President Muhammadu Buhari had not hidden his agenda to stamp out corruption in the Nigerian System and as such, the raid on the suspected judges’ quarters by the DSS was proper.

Noting that there was no report of manhandling of any of the suspected judges in the course of their arrests, the group urged the DSS to be aboveboard by executing its assignment professionally and diligently.

The MMWG also described Wednesday’s security problems in Kaduna and some other parts of the North, which resulted in loss of lives, as unfortunate.

“While members of Shi’ite trying to gather for their annual procession were wrong, the unguarded attack on them by the security agencies was also brutal and reckless. Since the police have announced a total ban on procession and rallies in Kaduna, the group ought to obey the lawful order.

“However, it is high time our security forces learned to regard sanctity of human lives and try to prevent causalities when they are called upon to carry out their assignment. Security agencies are to provide security to prevent loss of lives.

When such a duty results in loss of lives, then it is means our security agencies can no longer provide security,” the group said.

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

fridaytreat

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UESTS and worshipers at the 2016 edition of Camp meeting programmes of Christ Chapel International Churches coming up on October 22, will be treated to esoteric performance of gospel music from an eclectic selection of artistes.

Celebrity gospels singers like Sammie Okposo, Tim Godfrey and Xtreme as well as Emmanuel Banjaimn popularly known as Eben are all slated to perform at the CCIC musical jamz.

The Musical Jamz will also have on parade the mercurial and fascinating Christ Chapel choir known as the ‘Levites’, led by song minister, Andrew Eweka.

Ironically, the three guest artistes to Camp meeting 2016 have either performed with each other at concerts or in productions and will be coming together at this particular concert to evoke a synergy necessary for an evening of praise and worship.

For instance, the duo of Tim Godfrey and Sammie Okposo will ignite old memories capable of sending the congregation reeling with fullness of joy in the presence of the Lord. Tim Godfrey and Xtreme, earlier in the year, performed at the Ghana Music Awards alongside Sammie Okposo during the concert.

With his unique contemporary sound which is a fusion of western fills into African music, Tim Godfrey stands out among his peers while on the other hand, Eben, who has also performed alongside Sammie

Nigerian Tribune

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 Instagram: @roy_ige

, o s o p k O e i m m Sa n e b E , y e r f d o G Tim

z m a J l a c i s u M C I C C storm Okposo at one time or another has established an outstanding musical character which today enjoys a sizable following in Nigeria and abroad.

Perhaps the biggest act of the evening is Sammie Okposo, a multiple award winning international gospel artiste gifted with a phenomenal voice and electrifying stage presence.

Sammie never fails to thrill his audience.

Okposo’s foundation is in the choir, rooted in gospel singing and today he is flourishing in what he loves doing – singing to the praise of the Almighty. Unfortunately, most Nigerians only reckon Okposo with the numerous sound tracks he makes for the Nigeria Movie Industry.

However, Okposo’s breakthrough did not come until the year 2000 with his debut album: Unconditional Love. The hit track of the album ‘Welu Welu’ became an instant hit

Davidson, Omoh Win Aquafina Elite Model Contest THE Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria 2016 contest held recently in Lagos was a night of glamour and glitz as Lagos celebrities and fashionistas thronged the Grand Ball room of the upscale Oriental Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos to witness the event.

For the 20 finalists consisting of 10 males and 10 females, their eyes were set on winning the Aquafina Elite Model Look diadem and were eager to go on the ruway. After the’Meet the contestants’ which was the first appearance, the contestants had opportunity to showcase all they have been taught in the Booth Camp by modeling Kamsi Tcharles’ casual wear made up of a combination of Ankara and batik in the first passage.

They later appeared in other designs: swim suits, evening wears, corporate wears, designer glasses and more.

The contestants were pruned down to five each after the fourth passage: Ayeni, Ceejay, Chidera, Collins, and Davidson (male); Amarachi, Oma, Ruth, Omoh and Titi (female).

From the first passage, Davidson showed lots of gait and comportment and was clearly heads and shoulders above the rest. The ladies contest was not different as all the 10 contestants tried to outdo one another. At the end, the Head of Marketing Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Norden Thurston announced Davidson and Omoh winners in the male and female categories respectively based on the scoring of the Judges made up of Richard Mofe Damijo, Bola Balogun, Funke Babs Kuforiji and Norden Thurston. They received one million naira (N1m) each from Aquafina premium drinking water, from the makers of Pepsi. They will represent Nigeria at the Elite Model Look international contest taking place in Portugal later in the year.

Davidson Obennebo, a 400 level Economics student of Bells University, Ota, Ogun State said he was excited at winning the Aquafina Elite model contest. His mother Mrs. Ifeoma Obennebo who was part of the cheering audience with her husband said she was very happy that

locally and abroad such that by 2004, he was invited to perform at the Martin Luther King Day and July 4th Independence day Celebration respectively by the American ambassador to Nigeria.

Okposo combines singing with managing his business (Zamar Entertainment) and other talents the Lord has blessed him with. Currently he is a Globacom ambassador, United Nations Youth Ambassador for World Peace, vocal coach, music producer/director, entertainment consultant, and conducts the affairs of Sammie Okposo Hope Initiative, among other things.

As proof of his wealth of experience and illimitable skills, Sammie the gospel artiste has shared stage with world renowned artistes like Donnie Mcclurkin, Israel Houghton, Kirk Franklin and Don Moen.

their only child has brought such a huge honour to the family.

Miss Omoh Momoh one of the youngest on the Aquafina Elite Model Look runway said she hopes to make a great career out of modeling as that has always been her passion. The 2016 edition is the fifth time Aquafina premium drinking water, from the makers of Pepsi will be sponsoring the Elite Model contest. Nigeria music diva, Omawunmi led other artistes to perform at the event.

20 Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 IG: @roy_ige twitter: @fridaytreat

Live music still best option for real enthusiasts

Adeyeye Adesanmi Michael is a popular name in entertainment circles in Lagos as the head of the ‘Rockers Band’. Having serenaded audiences around Nigeria, ROTIMI IGE caught up with him recently and presents excerpts of their interaction.

T

ELL us a bit about yourself.

I am from Ifewara, Osun State, but raised in Lagos.

I am married and blessed with a lovely son. I love music and music is what I do for a living.

When and how did you discover your talent for music?

I have been singing since I was a kid. According to my mum, learning how to speak as a little child was through music, so I sang first before talking as a child, also joining the choir at a tender age helped a lot too.

Musical influences while growing up...

My dad was a musician and worked with musicians like Ebenezer Obey, his childhood friend, Yemi Kuti and lots of others. So listening to their live records and even seeing them perform live encouraged me a lot.

So you are not a recording artiste?

I love live music because it allows you to express yourself more. Meanwhile, I am also a recording artiste

too. I have an abulm to my credit already titled ‘Expression’.

Critics say live music is the best form of music?

Yes, live music is the best. It gives you more chance to express yourself the more and give room for creativity. It shows one’s originality and professionalism.

If not music?

If not music, I will probably be working in bank or something in the finance line because I actually studied accounting.

What genre of music do you do?

I do good music especially good

African music.

What other projects are you working on?

I am working on a lot of musical projects and will unfold to the public very soon.

Critics say most artistes rely only on good beats for hit songs not lyrics?

Good beat without good message always fades quickly because it won’t stand the test of a time. Good lyrics, good beats and good message that is well arranged is always ever green.

How do you relax?

I relax while listening to good music, most times I sleep off while listening.

fridaytreat

Ajibola Akande is a fashion entrepreneur who is passionate about children’s fashion and is the brain behind the African Teens and Kiddies Fashion Show/Exhibition.

He spoke to ROTIMI IGE about his passion for the fashion industry, among other things.

TELL us a bit about yourself?

My name is Ajibola Akande, I am a Nigerian with a passion to contribute my own quota to the growth of my country and that of my continent at large. This I am doing in my little way via the African Kids and Teens Fashion Week.

Why the interest in kids and Teens fashion?

For me, that is where fashion should start from. The fashion industry in Africa is not really contributing enough to the GDP of African countries. Why is this so? When our kids and teens are left out of the picture, the future of our fashion industry will still remain the same (dominated by the western designs). Imagine our children at the moment grow up wearing African fashion, the demand for African design in the future will increase because they would have been used to it. This I believe, will increase future patronage.

That is what I think the west-

African Kids and Teens Fashion industry, the next big thing ern world took advantage of by introducing their clothing to us while we were kids,automatically when we grew up wearing their designs, we will have no other option than to accept their clothing as the real deal. Apart from that, the revenue generated from the kids and teens fashion industry in Africa is quite huge and I can tell you that over 95 per cent of that revenue cross the border into western economies. I know that happens because of the standard they have, but with my little years of promoting African fashion for kids and teens, I can tell you that our designers have stepped up their game. So therefore, I believe it is time for Africa especially Nigeria to retain what is generated from that industry, this will create a lot of jobs and increase the GDP in African nations in no small measure.

Your fashion show is in what year?

It will be three years this December.

How has been the response of people to it?

The response has been fantastic. What we showcase are mostly ready to wear for children. Mostly what we see when it comes to African fashion on our children are actually adult designs and what we propagate is that our children should wear children’s designs. African ready-to-wear for kids and teens is very interesting to see. We had a hall packed full at the 2015 edition of the event and parents were really impressed at the designs showcased.

How do you source for content for your kids and teens fashion event?

We just announce our call to entry, and get designers show up to have their designs on our run way. I actually thought at the beginning that it would be difficult to get designers who specialize in the African kids and teens design. But I was shocked to discover that we have a lot of them around. We even had to cut down on the numbers of designers who signified interest to showcase their design at the 2015 edition.

Olatilewa Animashaun, C.E.O, Naijozi Media Productions is one of the Nigerians making movies outside the shores of the country.

In this interview, she reviews her journey in to the entertainment world, and the secret behind her soon to be premiered South African movie, ‘The Hearing’. Excerpts.

A

S an astute business tycoon and educationist, what exactly attracted you into entertainment business?

My artistic skills has always been in me because we grew up in an Anglican Church where I was part of the drama group. Even in the University and during my youth service, I was also part of the drama group.

Fortunately, my husband is also into drama and acting with vast experience. So, because of my desire for drama and entertainment I decided to take the plunge before testing the water. Though, the journey was rough, God has been so faithful, we give him all the glory.

How did you come up with concept for your soon to be premiered movie, ‘ The hear-

21

Friday, 14 October, 2016

ing’?

The concept of the movie’ is based on a real life events of the happenings in South Africa, the educational sector and the society at large.

As an educationist myself, I realized that a lot of rights and privileges are given to children here and the educational system seems to have a full backing of child’s protection. I single handedly carried out some investigation on teachers around and the challenges they are facing. I also conducted an investigation to know the challenges confronting the students.

And with my personal experience as a teacher, I was able to put all these together and come up with the movie. Basically, it is a real life event. Everything you find in the movie is the happenings in the South Africa’s educational sector.

It is not exaggerated, but on the account of different educators at different times, some of which they handled wrongly, some with good intentions but misjudged. ‘The Hearing’ is a representation of the happenings in South Africa.

How long did it take to make the movie?

It took us three months to make the movie, from the concept of the idea. My husband, Mr Olufisayo Animashaun wrote the script and we had script seminar where we were able to arrange it into the right concept.

Can you tell us some of the production challenges you faced while filming?

Finance was the first obstacle! To get a school to shoot the movie because many schools needed to seek

for permissions from their District Heads before they could allow us to use their infrastructures to shoot the movie.

Also, the students that we used in the movie took us time to put them together. We have to contact their parents, because it was during the holiday and assured them of safety.

The students are not professional actors/actresses, we had to mentor and teach them what was expected of them and being kids, organising them took time, it was a big challenge.

Another plight was bureaucracy.

We wrote the police that we needed some of the state resources and we have to go through a lot of processes before we got the bullet proof vests and guns that were used for the movie.

Very challenging, but exciting.

‘Why we shot movie

n a c i r f A h t u o S t u abo ’ r o t c e s l a n o i t a c edu

Day couples in Ibadan were treated to Olympic moments

How do you hope to erase the ‘foreign clothes are better than locally made ones’ syndrome in Nigeria?

When it comes to African fashion, our designers have stepped up their game like I earlier said. We have African designs now being worn by top celebrities all over the world. I am also impressed at the rate Africans are accepting their own products.

I can assure you that with time, that mindset will be a thing of the past because even the foreign citizens won’t be able to resist our products.

You were in partnership with the Bank of Industry last year. Can you shed more light on this partnership?

The Bank of Industry is really doing all it can to support the fashion industry via the fashion fund introduced by the Federal Government. The bank is using platforms like ours to educate those in the fashion industry on how to access the loan and also educate them on how the bank can be of help in making them successful in business.

The African fashion industry for kids and teens is an industry the bank of industry believes can contribute in no small measure to the GDP

fashion is contributing to the Nigerian economy right now which is around 0.47 per cent.

How do you intend to use your partnership to help fashion entrepreneurs to expand?

At this year’s event, we will be having a business meet-

ing/symposium with fashion stake holders. At the symposium, the bank of industry will be educating participants on how to access this funds.

Other speakers will also be speaking about the opportunities that abound in the African fashion industry for kids and teens here in Nigeria and all over the world.

Perfecta Ekpo scores new feat with US Rapper, Cassidy FAST rising US based musician, Perfecta Ekpo is always known for beating her last record. From mesmerizing her fans with her iconic lyrics and dance steps from her last single, ‘My darling’ she has once again sparked off a surprise for her fans.

This time around, the music maestro has dropped yet another hit track entitled BACK IT Up and to spice things up, she teamed up with ace Us rapper, Cassidy and Orion OP1 Peace who together made the song a masterpiece, as Perfecta thrilled with her sonorous voice’. The song

urges happy people who listen to it to pick up their dancing shoes. She again proved that she is here to stay as the songstress as well as the rappers who also rhymed their beats.

The musician who spoke exclusively to newsmen on her experience working with Cassidy stated “it was an amazing experience. I really can’t wait for my fans to listen to this new song from me. I always want to give my best and this is what I will keep doing” she stated.

According to Perfecta “The single is a well blended mix of dancehall Reggae and

American rap that produces a very danceable jam for one’s entertainment, which aims to keep fans on their feet till the very end”

From left, Category manager, Olympic brand, Mr Ralph Agbaje with the MD of Emory Green Limited, Mrs Tokunbo Nasamu

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

Mr Tokunbo Dagunduro, Vice President, Western Zone, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (third left); Member Board of Trustee, NANTA, Mr Jide Sarayi; Henry Aaron of Rwand Air; Mr Folabi Hezekiah, NANTA Secretary, western Zone and others at a forum jointly oganised by NANTA and Rwand Air for Travel Agents at the western Zone, held in Ibadan recently.

When Brooklyn Tourist Centre, Port Harcourt hosted SAT team

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ECENTLY, the Brooklyn Tourist Centre, Port Harcourt, played host to South Africa Tourism (SAT) trade team. The team was in the garden city in continuation of its workshop and road show in Nigeria’s key cities, which include Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

During the tour of Port Harcourt, the team also visited the Brooklyn Tourist Centre’s facilities which housed a zoo and Museum of African History and Culture.

The museum displayed a gallery of pictures of African leaders and kings, who include King Jaja of Opobo, Chaka Zulu, the late Julius Nyerere and many others, were on dispaly. There was also at the museum, the history of the evolution of the Nigeria leaders from Lord Lugard to the current government.

Speaking on the visit, the proprietor of the centre Chief Mike Amachree commended the South African trade delegation for the road show in Nigeria and urged greater cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa.

“South Africa and Nigeria are one and we are happy to work with you. I urged you to work and partner with our tour operators and travel agents to source for tourists to Nigeria also.”

Alabo Amachree also used the opportunity applaud the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike’s giant stride in developing the tourism potentials of the state.

He said Governor Wike has started erecting two magnificent edifices that would help attract tourist from within and outside the region to the state.

Speaking on behalf the team, Mr Mohammed Kwajaffa praised Chief Amachree for the initiative.

The South African Tourism Regional Manager for West Africa Mr Lehlohonolo Pitso said, “This is the first time South African tourism started expanding into other cities.

For the first time, we are actually doing five

Chief Amachree

cities in West Africa. In Ghana we are doing Kumasi and Accra. In Nigeria, we are doing Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja . This is good for us; it is time we expand because we have been promoting South Africa s the preferred destination in these two cities of Accra and Lagos for the past ten years. So, now

having a foot print in West Africa by having an office in Lagos, we realise that the potential for us to start infiltrating other markets as well.

The workshop is all about training and equipping travel agents from West Africa to package South Africa correctly.”

National Museum of Unity Ibadan educates students on Independence Day the curator called for sincerity of purpose in protecting, preserving and promoting national monument as legacy for the future of the Nigeria.

“Personally, I am worried at what legacy individual; particularly those at the top position in this country are leaving for the children yet unborn.

“Lagacy is building something that will outlive us. Our history is From right, Mrs Comfort Akinmeji, Chief Museum Education Officer; Curator, National Museum what we do and set in motion. No one can live of Unity, Ibadan, Dr Amos Olorunnipa and Mrs Feyisara Akinbiola, at the museum’s Independence Day celebration in Ibadan. forever, but what we creAS part of its primary aims of promoting ate and preserve can.”

Olorunnipa however encouraged the stuvalues and norms for national unity, development and promotion of tangibles and dents not to loose hope, charging them not intangible treasures of Nigeria, the National to allow themselves to be use by anyone to Museum of Unity Ibadan, join others across destroy the bright future that awaits them.

“You all have future, hence don’t allow anycountry to celebrate the 56 independence anbody to use you to destroy your future. We niversary of Nigeria.

The event which took place at the premises should all go back to our culture that is very of the Museum at Aleshinloye, Ibadan, rallied rich in moral uprightness.” students from Sacred Heart College, oke ado, Saint Catherine secondary school and Qiblah High School to an educative quiz session on LAGOS State Governor, Akinwunmi AmNigeria current affairs. bode will next weekend lead top dignitaries However, after an interesting video clicks to declare open Kayokayo Festival, the hison the pre and post independence history, the torical highly revered religious gathering of moderator of the event awarded gifts to the the Epe people. three winners of the quiz in the order of merit The one week festival, the traditional meltwith Saint Catherine secondary school, Qiblah ing pot of Epe Indigenes and a baby of Oba High School and Sacred Heart College coming Shafiu Olatunji Adewale, Bamgbopa Eshifirst, second and third respectively. lokun, the Olu Epe of Epe Kingdom, is an In his remark the Curator of the museum, Dr annual celebration of the historical arrival Amos Olorunnipa, commended the particiof Prince Kosoko, a famous Lagos King to pants for attending the event at a time schools Epe Kingdom in 1851. are on public holiday and also lauded the muThe festival which places a lot of religious seum’s six-man committee 56 independence importance on its tourism value chain is anniversary led by Mr Niyi Adegboola for creseen by the people of the town which inciating the platform to celebrate, encourage and dentally is the home town of Governor Ameducate the young at heart on national values. bode.

While frowning at the reckless display by Chairman, Kayokayo 2016 Organising Coma yet to be identified persons on the over mittee, Alhaji Shakiru Alade Okule explained 156 year old Ilojo Bar monument in Lagos, that the festival will be celebrated to open Epe

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

Institut Choiseul to host 100 African think tanks in Lagos LAGOS the commercial capital of Nigeria is set to host a meeting of select 100 Africans, who are key players in their countries and in the African continent.

The meeting, which is slated to hold from November 16 to 18, 2016 is organised by Institut Choiseul, an influential independent think tank chaired by Dr Pascal Lorot. Ahead of this year’s meeting, Dr Pascal Lorot, Chairman, Institut Choiseul, was in Nigeria for three days from Wednesday, September 28, 2016 to meet with business leaders and high ranking government officials.

Besides his commitment to the Institut Choiseul, Dr Lorot has been appointed by decision of the President of France François Hollande Commissioner General for France for the International Exposition Astana 2017.

After a keenly competitive bid to host the event, Lagos emerged as the selected city.

Pascal’s visit will set the stage ahead of the meeting in November.

The Lagos event will be the fourth edition, previous meetings were held in Paris, France and Marrakech, Morocco.

The 100 Africans who were selected by Institut Choiseul will play a major role in the Africa’s economic development in the near future. As part of event, Dr Lorot’s will also be hosted by the Nigerian Choiseul 100 Africa Laureates in an event tagged ‘An Evening with Dr Lorot.”

Dr Lorot, who is also the founding President of Institut Choiseul, had a research career (including the French Institute for International Relations), which led him to publish about 20 books on geopolitics and international relations before developing and deepen the concept of geoeconomics.

As a business man, Dr Lorot led the BNP’s representative office in the USSR before becoming advisor to the CEO of the London based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). He served as chief economist and director of institutional relations of the Group Total.

Dr Lorot has served France as advisor to the Minister of Economy and Finance (Edmond Alphandéry) and has been appointed by decision of the former President of France Jacques Chirac as a member of the college of the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) from 2004 to 2010.

Ambode to declare 2016 kayokayo Festival open historical kingdom to tourism dreams of Lagos State government adding that the weeklong event would keep tourists on their toes with Oganla exponent, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma to drive the entertainment content.

Other key content of the KayoKayo Festival include a replica of the water Voyage of King Kosoko, a youth rally, children’s party, royal visit by the Oba to the districts of Epe founding fathers, Royal procession on the Lagoon beach and the Kayokayo musical night.

A statement jointly issued by Alhaji Nabis Kaka and Alhaji Tunde Bello, Publicity Secretary and Kayokayo committee secretary respectively, noted that this year’s festival will herald the strategic link of Epe’s ocean economy to tourism, particularly the famous Epe fish market, which has the potentials to create and boost the export market of the people.

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Friday, 14 October, 2016 Editor: Kehinde Oyetimi featuresdesk@yahoo.com 08074626431

features

JUDE OSSAI examines the threats of death by accidents or that of being cut-off permanently which people living in the Southeast face due to the deplorable state of the Enugu-Onitsha Road.

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HE Enugu-Onitsha Express way is a major access road to commercial activities in the Southeast geo-political zone and to other parts of the country. It leads to the famous Niger Bridge and then to the northern and western parts of the country. It also links the southern part of the country through Enugu to Ogoja, Calabar, Uyo, Makurdi and some northern states.

For Okoye Anayo, a resident of Enugu, the Enugu State capital, he shuttles between Enugu and Onitsha Road almost on daily basis conveying travelers. He used to do this with joy and enthusiasm for over a decade as a commercial driver.

Today, Anayo sees his first love - driving business - as an unpleasant one and contemplated quitting driving for another field of endeavour just because of the deplorable condition of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway where he used to ply his 508 bus to eke a living.

Findings by this reporter showed that Anayo is not the only one facing the challenge of plying the Enugu-Onitsha Road as motorists and travelers alike complain of the poor state of the federal road as gully erosion has continued to eat deep into the highway.

Okeke Nweke, who travels Enugu-Onitsha daily, said it was amazing that the Federal Government decided to turn deaf ears to the road though people still perform their civic obligations by paying taxes other levies.

Another driver, Nnnna Okafor wondered why the Federal Government had abandoned it.

According to him, in the past, driving from Onitsha to Enugu was sweet, but today, it is no longer rosy as the Umunya -Awkuzu axis is terrible and indeed a driver’s nightmare.

“While people suffer the dust during the

Enugu-Onitsha Road:

A regional headache dry season, the rainy season appears to be even worse. It has also become customary to find mechanics hovering along the bad portions of the expressway because of their belief that vehicles must break down,” he added.

Indeed, erosion is a serious problem affecting not only Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, but other parts of Igboland.

For instance, the report of the Enugu State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project (EN-NEWMAP), a World Bank assisted project, made available to Nigerian Tribune in Enugu, showed that 9th Mile Corner and Ajali Water Works gully erosion sites were the first to be approved by the state government for NEWMAP intervention.

A visit by this reporter to the Ajali gully erosion site last week showed that work had reached advanced stage.

The Enugu State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Mrs. Lechukwu Agatha Uju,

during her quarterly media briefing on Friday, said that the two major gullies (Ajali and 9th Mile Corner) had posed serious threat to residential, agricultural and commercial lands, and the only source of potable water supply to Enugu metropolis and a bottling company situated along EnuguOnitsha Road.

Mrs. Okechukwu said that other sites approved by the World Bank included Umuavulu Abor gully erosion site, while sites under review are Enugu-Ngwo gully erosion site, Agbaja-Ngwo and Udi-Ozalla Road gully erosion.

She also noted that sites under design included Onuiyi-Nsukka-Alor Uno, ImilikiEtiti, Ngene Owelle-Ohaja and Ayazuru Ohom Orba gully erosion sites.

Perhaps, what is astonishing is that each year, the Enugu-Onitsha Road appears in the Federal budget, yet no successful project has been executed on the road, prompting many especially Easterners to perceive it as

The story of Onitsha-Enugu dual carriageway has changed from being a Federal road to farmland as people cultivate and harvest their crops on the main road every year

A section of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway part of marginalization against them by successive regimes.

It has been argued that there is no Federal road in the country that has claimed more lives of travelers than the Enugu-Onitsha road. As it is, the deplorable condition of the road has led to public outcry attracting national attention, even from the National Assembly.

For instance, the Senate recently urged the Federal Government through the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to begin rehabilitation work on the Onitsha-Enugu dual carriageway.

The Senate also called on its Committee on Works to as a matter of urgency, meet with the Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to fast-track the framework on concessionary matters so as to encourage the private sector to invest or participate in road construction.

Ex-Governor Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State while moving the motion at the Upper House recently noted, “Under normal circumstances, it takes approximately an hour to drive from Onitsha in Anambra State to Enugu, the capital city of old Eastern Region, but at the moment, it takes over five tortuous hours.”

Senator Sam Egwu was particularly worried that “the collapse of this road has virtually cut off the Southeastern states from other parts of the federation, with its attendant negative impact on trade and commerce.”

While seconding the motion, the Senator representing Enugu West and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, observed that “the story of Onitsha-Enugu dual carriageway has changed from being a Federal road to farmland as people cultivate and harvest their crops on the main road every year.”

Senator Ekweremadu lamented the abandonment of the road by past governments which had led to the state of disrepair and continues pg24

24 features

Friday, 14 October, 2016

Bringing succour to the needy the NAZAS way

By Yemisi Aofolaju

S

UNDAY October 2, 2016, could be tagged a life changing experience as 45 beneficiaries went home with various items and cash donations worth N8million at a disbursement of Zakat and Sadaqat ceremony organised by the NASFAT Agency for Zakat and Sadaqat (NAZAS), a non-governmental organisation saddled with the responsibility of taking care of the needy in the society. The agency was able to achieve this with the support and commitments of donors and kind-hearted Nigerians who volunteered to part with some of their yearly earnings in form of Zakat.

Committed to touching lives, the agency swung into action through empowerment and scholarship programmes. 235 beneficiaries who have earlier benefitted from NAZAS include 86 students on educational scholarship support, which cut across primary, secondary, tertiary, visually impaired, law school and prison inmates. It also embarked on empowerment and business support for 15 persons/ SMEs, debts bail-out for six people, medical support for 15, business and accommodation support for six converts to Islam while 42 students are still on regular annual scholarship list.

NAZAS’s benevolent act is not only limited to able individuals but also the vulnerable in the society. In March 2016, it sent the first batch of relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons camps in Borno, Yobe and Gombe states in conjunction with Muslim Public Affairs Centre, (MPAC). Also, through its public health initiative, the agency is collaborating with Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) to provide free medical services to the downtrodden in underserved location.

The Sunday event began with its maiden annual general meeting headed by the agency’s chairman board of directors and Managing Director of Accenture Nigeria, Mr Niyi Yusuf.

According to him, the agency doled out over N36 million on empowerment programmes in 2014 at the onset while in June 2016, it also gave out N6 million. The third intervention was N8 million which included items and cash donations. Some of the items given the beneficiaries were industrial machine, sewing machine, wiping machine, deep freezer.

Mrs Aisha Ogunbayo, a physically-challenged mother of three who was brought in a wheel chair could not hide her joy when she was called to receive a N200, 000 cheque to revive her chemical business. “Is this real?”

Taofeek Ahmed receiving a cheque from Alhaji Abdulraham Abdulwahab.

With them is Alhaja Bola Kupolati.

Ogunbayo asked rhetorically. “Nobody has ever done this to me.” In an interview with Nigerian Tribune, Ogunbayo who has been on the wheel chair since age eight couldn’t believe her fortune.

“My sister this is real. But at the initial stage, I was skeptical about it. I am into chemical business, but I have been having financial difficulty. I discussed with one of the members and my husband also persuaded me to apply for it. With this intervention, NAZAS has bailed me out of poverty. I would be grateful for ever.”

For Ashafa Amoke, a single mother and seamstress, she couldn’t have wished for a better Sunday. She got sewing machine, wiping machine and a cash donation to equip her business. “NAZAS is God-sent. I am a tailor. I finished my apprentice in 2005 with only one machine. Since then I have been struggling to make ends meet. I have not been able to raise

money to equip my shop. I pray to God to give me the enablement to be able to pay back. God will continue to bless them and their businesses and as God prospers the work of my hands, I will be able to pay my Zakat. And to the people out there NAZAS empowerment is real.”

NASFAT President Worldwide, Alhaji Yomi Bolarinwa said what the organisation is doing is not unusual as one of the pillars of Islam is Zakat: which simply means share whatever almighty has given you with the poor.

“People have given their Zakat and we have come to give those who are considered lessprivileged. As a Muslim, you are enjoined to pay ZAKAT that should be distributed to the sick, whose bills are beyond their reach.

People who cannot make ends meet, people who are supposed to work, but don’t have the means and assist people to be better Muslims.

If someone is gainfully employed he/she will be a better Muslim. It has been a rewarding

I discussed with one of the members and my husband also persuaded me to apply for it. With this intervention, NAZAS has bailed me out of poverty.

experience touching lives.”

Chairman, board of directors of NAZAS and Managing Director of Accenture Nigeria, Mr Yusuf said the inspiration to embark on such gesture is borne out of the five pillars of Islam which says ‘trust in the oneness of God, observe your Salat, pay your ZAKAT, fast during Ramadan and if you have the means go for Hajj’. “We realised that people try to observe all, but neglect the key one which is Zakat, the one pillar that can help reduce poverty in the land. This inspired NASFAT to establish the agency focusing on two goals of NASFAT which are education and welfare (empowerment or poverty alleviation). So far we have spent N50 million. These funds come through donations from both NASFAT and non-NASFAT members. For anybody to pay ZAKAT, he must be qualified with a value of N750, 000 a year.”

“I am grateful that one has been chosen to do this. It is also a sense of responsibility and trust. One has been entrusted with the wealth of others to cater for the needs of the less privileged. It is a sense of accomplishment and gratitude that the little one we are doing is helping others,” expressed Yusuf.

The agency is now poised to expand its operation beyond Lagos State to significantly increase the opportunity to make a difference and provide more succour to the needy.

Enugu-Onitsha Road: Cutting off Easterners from the rest of Nigeria? continued from pg23

advised the Federal Government to establish a road construction fund in addition to budgetary provisions to handle the construction and rehabilitation of Federal roads across the country.

Particularly, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of Enugu/Onitsha road.

Little wonder, Ugwuanyi, through his Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, told reporters in Enugu last week that even though it is a Federal road, his government will commence the rehabilitation of failed portions of the old Enugu-Onitsha road with the sum of N783 million, stressing that the move was due to the hardship commuters were facing on the road.

Dr Udeuhele said that the contract, which covered three kilometers of the 9th MileUdi-Oji River-Ugwuoba Road, was awarded to Anbeez Nig. Ltd, adding that several earth-moving machines were already on site. He said that the attention of the state government was drawn to the deplor-

able nature of the road, which he said, had threatened to cut the state off from Anambra.

He said that economic activities between the two sister states were brought to a halt due to the deplorable condition of the road.

“The complete failure of the dual carriage Enugu-Onitsha expressway has made commuters to ply the old road, thereby causing failure of many portions of the road. This is sequel to the hardship caused by the deplorable nature of the road arising from heavy traffic occasioned by the impassable nature of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway,” he said.

“The entire length of the road covers 9th Mile-Udi-Oji River-Ugwuoba, but we are working at the border between Enugu and Anambra states which has failed,” he said.

Dr Udeuhele said that the state government, had three years ago, invested N4.794 billion on the road, stressing that the state has never neglected its portion of the old road. “The state government did some work on that particular section, but it got bad again when the volume of traffic increased as a result of the complete failure of the Enugu-Onitsha express road,” he said.

He said that government was moved to commence work on the road in spite of its lean resources since that was the only road that linked traders from Enugu and Ebonyi to the main market in Onitsha.

The commissioner appealed to the Federal Government to listen to the cries of the masses and rehabilitate Enugu-Onitsha expressway, which he said, has been neglected for more than 15 years. “Our traders and indeed, other business people move their goods on daily basis through that road and we don’t want to hinder the commercial activities going on in Onitsha.

“The Federal Government should expedite action on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway because we understand the contract has been awarded. They should do their own part,” Udeuhele said.

Speaking at his hometown, Eke, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State during the Egwu Abia Festival, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, who is regarded in Igboland as a confidant of President Muhammed Buhari, also said the present government at the centre will soon commence work on the Second

Niger Bridge, as well as the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt expressways, which were captured in the 2016 budget.

He called on members of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for Actualization for Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) to sheathe their swords because their agitation was not in the interest of Ndigbo who are not only doing well in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria but have the high chance to produce Nigerian president of Igbo extraction in 2023.

Nigerian Tribune observed that of the about100 kilometres from Enugu to Onitsha, the worst stretch is the Awkuzu-Umunya axis.

Ironically, the presence of very important establishments along the about five kilometres stretch, including the orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), two major abattoirs, permanent site of Tansian University, among others, make it inevitable for motorists to ply the road.

The prayer of most respondents interviewed is that Federal Government should go beyond rhetoric on Enugu-Onitsha road and match its words with action.

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

Olanipekun’s gift excites Ajayi Crowther University

By Tunde Ogunesan

W

HEN a person offers a gift, normally what follows is expression of appreciation from the benefactor to the giver.

This exactly what the Anglican community, staff and management of Ajayi Crowther University and prominent personalities, including the number citizen in Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi bestowed on the family of Ikere-Ekiti born legal icon, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and his wife, Prince Lara.

The couple on behalf of their family donated a multi million naira Vice Chancellor’s lodge to the University.

To Chief Olanipekun, who also doubles as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the institution, this gesture was just one of his many ways of giving back to the society.

The legal icon’s gesture did not just start with Ajayi Crowther University; he proudly left a remarkable landmark as the pro-chancellor of University of Ibadan. Little wonder the management of the institution sent a powerful delegation led by the registrar of the institution to the occasion.

Though, the school was not in session, the entire university community was electrified as local drummers were around to welcome dignitaries to the venue of the ceremony, sings praises of the donor at the occasion.

The proprietors were represented from Anglican dioceses from Lagos, Badagry, Kwara, Oyo, Ibadan, Osun North East, Omu Aran, Ilesha North East, Ilesha West and others.

They all came to show appreciation to the family of a giver, who has led by example by bequeathing a befitting accommodation for the vice chancellor less than two years that

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi commissioning the ultra-modern Wole and Lara Olanipekun ViceChancellor’s Lodge, donated to Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, by legal icon, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN and his wife, Princess Lara (right), while the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and vice-chancellor of the university, Rt Rev. Dapo Asaju watch. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE. he became the pro-chancellor.

As a devoted Anglican, Chief Olanipekun recalled how he accepted the pro-chancellorship of the 11-year-old university in November 2014 when the proprietors beckoned on him to take up the challenge.

Chief Olanipekun gladly expressed his commitment to serve in that capacity and has led by example.

Before the rainfall of appreciation messages on the Olanipekuns in various languages beginning from proverbial Yoruba commendation from the Alaafin of Oyo to the Queen’s English and Latin expressions of the Bishop of Lagos, The Most Reverend Dr E. Adebola Ademowo and political angles by the governor of Oyo State, the donor and on behalf of his family revealed how the

“Wole and Lara Olanipekun Vice Chancellor’s Lodge” came about.

“Upon assumption of duty as pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of this citadel of knowledge, I set about familiarising myself with the university and its attendant issues, paying close and particular attention to its essential developmental needs, with a view to executing my stratagem for the institution.

“It was thus shocking and perplexing for me to discover that the vice-chancellor had not residence conducive for habitation, where he could receive guests, lay his head, commune with his family or even recuperate, while diligently applying himself to his duties. As a matter of fact, what was available to the vice-chancellor for the purposes

stated above was a rickety bungalow constructed for the principal of St Andrews College built over 100 years ago, consisting of a bedroom and one sitting room.

“It was as a result of this pitiable situation, which moved us to sympathise and empathise with the vice-chancellor in particular, and the university generally, that prompted the decision of my wife and my humble self to build, furnish and donate a befitting vice-chancellor’s lodge to the university.

“Our commitment to do this was communicated to the university at the last council meeting held in 2015. To the glory of God, the foundation laying ceremony was performed by the Primate Archbishop and Metropolitan Church of Nigeria, the Most Revd Nicholas D. Okoh on January 26, 2016. It has been exactly nine calendar months since then, less than three days,” Olanipekun stated.

He added that regardless of economic challenges within the nine months that the building was built, the Olanipekuns refused to be deterred.

His words, “Despite the economic landmines and inhibitions, we had to forge ahead to complete this project; not because we have excess resources or that we have any other means of income outside our legitimate legal practice earnings, but simply for the fact that the God Who ministered to us to donate this building to this university, is not limited by economic hindrances, inhibitions, nuances, afflictions and obstacles, but is One Who is able to provide for all our needs and genuine projections, according to His limitless riches in Jesus Christ.”

The building was commissioned by the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi after which it was dedicated by the Bishop of Lagos, The Most Reverend Adebola Ademowo.

NTIC Foundation: Giving lessons in charity Sanya Adejokun -Abuja ALTHOUGH marked out by the colour of their skin, thousands of Turks have been resident in Nigeria for scores of years, some with children who speak at least one Nigerian language fluently and see Nigeria as home. And their lifestyle is a lesson for many young Nigerians desperately seeking visas in search of the proverbial greener pasture in foreign lands. These citizens from foreign shores are enamoured with the warmth and possibilities that Nigeria offers.

Internationally, Turkish schools came like nurtured acorn seedlings and sprouted into mighty trees. For instance, the First Surat Group started its activities in Nigeria from a rented building with only 14 students in Abuja in 1998. Now, its huge investment in education and health, its consistent de-emphasis of material gain along with its strong support for charitable activities easily convinces parents about a commitment to enduring values.

Although the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC), with its 17 educational institutions located in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Yobe and Ogun states and some 5, 000 students focus on building knowledge based on core moral values, which our modern society is in dire need of; it dedicates much resources to humanitarian causes being carried out under the banner of the NTIC Foundation.

NTIC has been consistently awarded top rankings by National Mathematical Centre (NMC) and the Federal Ministry of Education in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Information Communication Technology (ICT) over the years. For instance, Chief Executive Officer NMC, Prof. Adewale Solarin along

Some public school pupils proudly display their package containing basic stationery materials donated by NTIF with the Minister of State for Education awarded NTIC best and top school of 2013 and 2014 in Science and Mathematics.

Beyond academics and of extreme importance in NTIC’s programmes is the humanitarian work that crosses the boundaries of religion, to help alleviate the plight of internally-displaced persons and other needy members of society. Coordinator of NTIC Foundation, Mr. Behlul Fatih Basaran, regards himself lucky for having a job that fulfils his personal passion for altruistic or humanitarian efforts.

“I actually came to Nigeria based on a study scholarship offered by the Hizmet Movement. It was here in Nigeria that I first learnt to speak English Language. I started from the very elementary level of

learning A, B, C because I did not even understand the alphabet back then.”

As someone whose personal life experiences ensure a deep understanding of what needy persons are passing through, the NTICF boss cherishes the opportunity of coordinating the drilling of 200 boreholes since 2014 in addition to distribution of relief packages to the needy especially, those doing the Ramadan fasting and Sallah. In collaboration with Nizamiye Hospital, NTICF has also done more than 300 eye cataract operations free of charge. The humanitarian body did 50 cataract surgeries in Kano in order to attend to those who needed it but could not afford the trip to Abuja.

Registered in June 2013, NTICF imple-

ments various social responsibility projects in collaboration with First Surat Group of Companies, the Turkish/Nigerian owned holding company of Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC), Nigerian Turkish Nile University (NTNU), Nigerian Turkish Nizamiye Hospital (NTNH), and Vefa Travel Tourism Limited. It also collaborates with Ufuk Dialoque Foundation and other willing partners in areas covering education, provision of health services and water, assistance for orphans. It also undertakes special humanitarian projects for the needy during Christian and Islamic festive periods.

Its unique children education support programme includes provision of writing materials such as note books, crayons, sharpener, pencils, geometric set, eraser and drawing book in packages for pupils in government-owned schools.

According to Mr. Behlul, the foundation also visits orphanages across the nation, providing free medical check-up, food items and clothing and other items in addition to organizing picnics and helping with renovation of such homes.

“Every year during sallah, NTIC Foundation sacrifices thousands of cows on behalf of its well-wishers. The meat is then packaged into polythene bags, which the team of volunteers then share among thousands of needy people in various states and Abuja. During Ramadan period, the foundation usually organizes Iftar dinner (hot meal) for thousands of needy people. And towards ending of fasting, the foundation provides raw food bags to needy families, each bag containing essential food items that lasts a family for a month. The same activities are carried out during Christmas when we distribute food items to the orphans and underprivileged people,” he explained.

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occasion

Friday, 14 October, 2016

Honour for High Chief Gbadamosi

By Bayo Alade

I

T was a gathering of international crème-de-la crème when High Chief Ambaliu Adewoga Gbadamosi, Baba Adinni and Balogun of Ilisan Remo in Ikenne Local Government of Ogun State, was recently honoured with awards.

He received two awards in his home town (Ilisan), thus negating the saying that a Prophet is not honoured in his hometown. For High Chief Gbadamosi, the reverse is the case, as the Ilisan Youth Movement Association, and an age group called Majority Age Group, honoured him in a ceremony characterised by pomp and pageantry.

The Chairman, Ilisan Youth Movement Association, Oyeledun Oladele Adebisi, said the association consists of youth clubs and age grades, stating that in the last three years, prominent indigenes who had contributed towards the development of Ilisan Remo had been honoured.

In his speech, Adebisi added that the criteria for giving the award is personal contribution to youth empowerment, and to the community as a whole. The awardee must also be a well-accepted personality in the community in order to be selected for the award.

This year, he said, “the awardee is a man of the people, lover of youths; here is a man who single-handedly donated a Doctors’ Quarters, a block of two-bedroom flats, tastefully furnished with modern facilities to Ilisan Community Hospital.”

Not only that, the awardee established two companies which employ no fewer than a 100 staff.

Ambaliu Gbadamosi, popularly known as King of boys, is said to have donated the Doctors’ Quarters to provide a conducive environment for resident doctors so that they could easily be available to their patients at anytime.

The awardee, High Chief Ambaliu Gbadamosi (fourth right) and others who came to celebrate with him.

High Chief and Chief (Mrs) Ambaliu Gbadamosi.

Chief Gbadamosi with well-wishers.

Chief Gbadamosi with Kunle Otemolu, Chairman IYM, Oyeledun Adebisi and another guest at the occasion.

Stakeholders propose ICT solutions for Nigeria’s security challenges

By Rita Okonoboh THE 10th International Conference on ICT Applications, which was a three-day event which held from Tuesday, October 4th till Thursday, October 6th, was a gathering of information technology experts at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, for the AICTTRA 2016 conference.

With the theme, “Towards National Security and Development – The ICT Perspective,” the conference, which held at the Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering, OAU, Ile-Ife, featured experts and delegates from across the country, who had plenary discussions on security challenges and ICT as the solution and tool for national development.

Speaking on the achievements of Application of ICT to Teaching, Research and Administration (AICCTRA), the General Chair, AICTTRA, Dr Ayodeji Oluwatope, stated that the organisation, in the past ten years, had been able to establish the conference within and outside Nigeria to bring to bear the interaction between the academia and the industry.

“We have been able to establish the fact that we can encourage and motivate colleagues to showcase their research output in the area of ICT in the last 10 years. We picked the theme because security is a major issue in the country at the moment, in terms of physical, health, job security, food security, among others. So, we want to look at the aspect of using ICT to address security challenges and to engender national development,” Oluwatope stated.

The keynote speaker, the Director, Information Technology and Media Services, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr Oluwaseyitanfunmi Osunade, in his view on how ICT has reshaped Nigeria, noted that “the first thing is to get knowledge and that has been consistent with AICTTRA over the past 10 years, which is quite commendable. They have been able to focus on application within the teaching and learning environment where most academics are. To rate technology in Nigeria, I would say we are still at 40 per cent, which, for me, is still a good thing, in spite of the challenges. For example epileptic electricity supply is a major challenge and there are no digital laws that tackle cybercrime. Also, we don’t take electronic evidence in

Participants at the event.

court. These are things affecting the development of ICT but with time, these things will change.”

On his take on how government can use ICT to tackle security challenges, Dr Osunade recommended “unique identification for each person. For instance, in other countries, when you want to open a bank account, all you need is a government-issued identity card. In Nigeria, it’s a different ball game. However, once you’re able to uniquely identify a person, it is easy to trace criminals and that will solve a lot of problems as regards security challenges.”

Addressing the issue of Nigeria’s ranking in cybercrime, Dr Oluwatope recommended “education and advocacy right from primary school all through to tertiary level, not forgetting the semi literate because they are also catching up with ICT and it is not impossible that they also contribute to Nigeria’s cybercrime rating. There is a need to enlighten, advocate and educate on the proper use of ICT in Nigeria. Technology in Nigeria, from the point of view of Information Technology, is making waves because Nigerians are finding it much easier to express themselves in ICT, compared to other aspects of technology. ICT contributed effectively to the national Gross Domestic Growth in the past two years. That is quite encouraging,

although there’s a lot more to be done.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Classic Systems Infotech Limited, Mr Solomon Akporkpokpor, highlighted some achievements of ICT over the years to include human capital development through training in various areas to prepare people for leadership positions in ICT industries across the country and boosting entrepreneurship skills among Nigerians.

In his recommendations for cybercrime, Akporkpokpor called for “moral value retraining, that is, teaching people the value of hard work. People, these days, are in a hurry.

Everything in life is a process and young Nigerians should understand this and the fact that it takes time to build skills and gather experience before money starts coming in. Also, we should develop capacity in network security – that is, not leave our network porous. People need to be aware of certain security tips while on the internet to prevent cybercrime; these security tips include: using strong passwords; changing passwords from time to time; protecting financial information, among other precautions.

It is insensitive to hand over ATM cards to friends to make withdrawals on your behalf. You may trust your friend, but don’t forget that your friend has other friends.”

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

arewa

Femi Olukunle Co-ordinating Editor 08158610216

Kwara CAN in crisis Biola Azeez - Ilorin

A component group within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara State is embroiled in a crisis of confidence over alleged plan by a faction to usurp a properly constituted leadership for the group.

Already, security agencies in the state have invited some leaders of the two factions while one has been told by the national leadership of the group to put the inauguration of its state executive committee on hold.

It was gathered that the crisis within the group, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), began over the non-recognition of a faction led by Superior Evangelist Funmi Babalola, who led a team of his own executive committee to denounce a proposed visit by leaders of the group in North Central region, Bishop Nwankwo R.B.C. In a strongly worded statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin, Evangelist Babalola, expressed concern that the visit was a ploy to impose leaders from just three out of the eight local government areas where the OAIC had presence on his own team without proper reconciliation.

He emphasised that his own executive was authentic.

Babalola explained that since he paraded huge membership of the OAIC, it was pertinent that any contact with fellowship leaders in the state be conducted with his involvement as he lamented that security agents had been monitoring his movements over the incident.

“We were called by the DSS three days ago after some people lodged complaint against us, but after we went there, the security personnel dismissed the allegations and told us to continue what we were doing because the truth is that we are on the side of the truth”, he said.

However, when contacted, Bishop Nwakwo claimed that Babalola had since ceased to be the chairman of OAIC in Kwara State.

Some patients being given orientation in the hospital.

Malaria epidemic hits Kaduna •1, 000 cases reported daily

Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna

M

ALARIA epidemic has hit some parts of Kaduna State as over 1,000 patients report in hospitals across the state on daily basis.

Findings by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that most people that were affected were children and women.

A visit to most of the hospitals in the state capital showed that there were not bed spaces because of the influx of patients.

Makeshift arrangements by hospitals to accommodate more patients were put in place.

Disturbed by the malaria epi-

Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai demic, the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has directed that free anti-malarial medication

be given to everybody requiring treatment in public hospitals.

The government has also

Land owners to get electronic Certificate of Occupancy in Kaduna Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna KADUNA State Government has called on land title owners to get the newly introduced electronic Certificate of Occupancy to guard against fraudulent land transactions and ensure uniformity of land titles.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who stated this when he visited the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) to convert the old CofO of his personal residence to the new electronic version, said the new digital CofO came with

security features to guard against fraudulent practices and land racketeering.

Speaking shortly after capturing his details, el-Rufai said the Kaduna master plan that came into being in 1917 was last reviewed in 1967 and which was also due for another review by 2017 did not cater for the excessive growth presently witnessed in the city.

The governor further explained the need for expansion of the Kaduna master plan.

In his words; “I got my CofO in Kaduna, but what I have come to

do today at KADGIS, is convert it to the new electronic CofO. They have taken my details after paying the required amount of N20,000.

So, in 30 days time, I will return here to pick the electronic CofO. “What we are trying to do is to ensure that everyone that owns land in Kaduna, whether residential or farmland has Certificate of Occupancy with evidence of payment. We don’t want duplication of certificate of occupancy, we want a cleaned-up process, so that everyone will have electronic copies.

“The new digital Certificate of Oc-

cupancy has security features that will reduce racketeering and can be used by land owners to obtain loans from the banks. Also, with a click of computer button, lawyers can google and verify your land details for any land transaction,” he said.

On the master plan, el-Rufai said: “The Kaduna master plan is to protect the integrity of Kaduna city. It was drawn up and signed in July in 1917 and was revised in 1967.

Kaduna is growing rapidly and we want to ensure that the growth is controlled and made more sensible and rational,” he added

launched an appeal for blood donation, and is expanding the distribution of mosquito nets.

Speaking with officials and patients during a visit to the Yusuf Dantsoho Hospital, el-Rufai expressed his sympathy to individuals and families affected by the malaria outbreak.

The governor said the state was treating the issue as an emergency and would therefore extend free treatment beyond children under five, pregnant women and the elderly.

Hospital officials disclosed that a lot of the affected children were also anaemic. The governor, therefore, appealed to the public to support the malaria containment effort by donating blood.

Dr. Paul Dogo, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, described the scale of the challenge. “Up to 1000 cases are reported at various government hospitals daily, but Yusuf Danstoho Hospital has the highest number of cases. For example, between Friday and Sunday, 2500 patients reported to Yusuf Dantsoho Hospital. Children constitute 1500 of these malaria patients.

“Last week, we distributed drugs in all government hospitals for free treatment of women and children.

But the governor has directed us to procure more drugs to treat all patients, including adults in all public hospitals

28 arewa

Friday, 14 October, 2016

Kwara generates N12.5b IGR in nine months Biola Azeez - Ilorin

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HE chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), Dr Awodun, has said that his team has been able to generate N12.5 billion in nine months as against a total sum of N7.2 billion generated by the defunct board of internal revenue in 2015.

Speaking during a quarterly media briefing in Ilorin at the weekend, Dr Awodun described the recorded improvement in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as 114 per cent increase.

The KWIRS boss, who said that the agency was determined to collect all due revenues in the state, assured that it would also see that generated revenues were used to work for the benefit of the people, particularly in infrastructural development.

The KWIRS boss said the determination of the revenue service had encouraged its monthly contribution of N500 million into infrastructural development programme of the state government so as to encourage people to continue to pay their taxes.

As part of the corporate social responsibilities to its community, the KWIRS boss said that a sum of N24 million earmarked for contribution to community growth was magnanimously increased to N48 million by the state House of Assembly in view of

Ahmed, Kwara gov possible impact of the community.

It is recalled that proceeds of the revenue collection had been used to augment payment of workers’ salary in the state, particularly when the state government

experienced low federal allocation, just as the agency said that it had contributed to health, education and environmental sanitation activities in various parts of the state.

Plateau government to set up agency for NHIS Isaac Shobayo - Jos ARRANGEMENTS have been concluded by the Plateau State Government for the establishment of Plateau State Health Agency in preparation for the National Health Insurance Scheme in the formal sector.

The State Commissioner for information and Communications , Muhammad Nazif who disclosed this during a monthly ministerial press briefing held at the state secretariat in Jos disclosed that already,Governor Simon Lalong had given approval for the take off of the agency adding that, that was in furtherance of the government commitment to the health sector.

According to the Commissioner ,the state government was committed to improving the condition of things in all the sectors disclosing further that five ambulances had been procured and distributed to five hospitals in the state ,adding that

Dalung, Plateau gov

funds had also been approved and released by the governor to offset surgery expenses for ten children with heart defects who were operated upon.

“We are also proud to say that one of the highpoint of our activities during this period was the containment of the recent lassa fever outbreak in which no casualty was recorded “.

Against the backdrop of lean resources, the commissioner said government priorities had been streamlined to cater for the basic necessities in line with the change philosophy of the administration, adding that workers salaries had been paid up to August while efforts

were being made to pay that of September.

He added that accumulated pensions inherited by the administration had been paid up to March 2016 adding that efforts were being made to clear the outstanding balance.

Mallam Nazif further disclosed that a memorandum of understanding had been signed between the state ministry of tourism and a reputable Chinesse company for the development of some selected tourism sites in the state” some of the tourist sites are ROC International Hotel, Plateau State Hotel, Jos Wild Life Park and Solomon Lar Amusement Park” .

Dr Awodun also said that wrong people had been the major factor in recording low IGR in the state.

He said that leakages in revenue collection at the state government level were worse than at local government level, particularly in the issuance of citizenship form and certificate, adding that the KWIRS had to automate the process to checkmate activities of fraudulent officials.

As a matter of fact, the idea of revenue generation to shore up development in any society in the country dates back to pre-independence era.

However, abuse inherent in revenue collection, particularly among government officials had brought about low revenue being generated into government coffers.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that many government officials in the states’ internal revenue boards and parastatals had become emergency millionaires as revenue meant for government purse had found ways into their individual pockets.

Dr Awodun said that wrong people had been the major factor in low IGR in Kwara State.

He also said that he had to weed out government officials he met as revenue collectors a year ago when he assumed office at KWIRS to achieve 80 per cent increase in revenue generation being witnessed.

Dr Awodun, who said that some of the people he met on ground had perfected process of collecting money meant for government for themselves, added that his team recorded low revenue generation in the first quarter due to uncooperative attitude of the people he met on ground.

“We met revenue generation of about N500 million, but alas! It was hovering between N300 and N348 million in the first quarter of our operation. The reason we discovered was not unconnected to the uncooperative attitude of the old staff of the revenue boars. We had to fully take charge with our staff until we stabilised to over N1 billion every month”, he said.

He, however, said that collection improved when about 528 staff were recruited by the revenue service as empowered by law establishing the KWIRS, thereby removing the government officials.

NCNE tasks nomadic teachers on insecurity Isaac Shobayo - Jos AS part of the efforts to tame the prevailing hostilities between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), Professor Bashir Usman, has tasked nomadic schools’ teachers to engage in conflict resolution in their communities.

Professor Usman gave the directive at the opening of a 5-day teacher training workshop for nomadic teachers in the North East, supported by the office of the Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goal at Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi State.

The executive secretary said it was the responsibility of nomadic teachers to promote peace among the nomadic youths, parents and the communities as part of awareness to reduce the rate of social vices such as rustling, banditry and insurgency.

He implored them to engage in conflict resolution by calming parents down whenever the need arose and sensitise parents on the need for education that would encourage them to bring their wards for learning,

adding that nomadic teachers must serve as role models in conflict resolution.

Professor Bashir said the purpose of the workshop was to update nomadic teachers on skills, knowledge and competencies as well class room management to expose teachers to varieties of innovative strategies and child - centered methodologies aimed at helping the nomadic teachers to deliver contents more effectively as professional teachers.

According to him, teachers would be trained on the use of curriculum guides, record keeping, guidance and counseling and multi grade teaching techniques by ringing into our schools conflict resolution curricula with tools such as social & emotional learning, to increase graduation rates and transform violence, bullying, truancy and other challenges facing nomadic youth.

The executive secretary said the Commission was worried about the state of affairs in the zone especially insecurity relating to insurgency in the zone that led to the destruction and displacement of schools, loss of teachers and pupils which has further complicated and deepened the already existing

challenges.

“Considering the importance of primary education as the foundation of any meaningful development in education that is why the Commission carefully selected your base on merit to take advantage of the rare opportunity of having to be trained by the caliber of experts for the purpose of capacity development of teachers that would engender the effective delivery of qualitative tuition in nomadic schools “ In his remark, the Bauchi State Deputy Governor ,who doubles as Commissioner of Education, Mr Nuhu Gidado, stated that providing functional education to nomads would greatly reduce the rate of clashes between farmers and herdsmen, as well as cases of cattle rustling and other social vices.

According to him, this is because functional education would enable the nomads have awareness on the need for peaceful coexistence within the society.

The deputy governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Education , Alhaji Nasiru Mohammed, commended NCNE for discharging its responsibilities effectively in the region.

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politicsnews

Friday, 14 October, 2016

Obaseki has nothing to settle with Ize-Iyamu, group tells Okunbor

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HE Benin Progressive Front says Edo State governorelect, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has no rift to settle with the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu, in the September 28 gubernatorial election.

The socio-cultural group, in a statement signed by Mr Osato Imadiyi was reacting

to a media report by a Biniborn billionaire, Captain Hosa Okunbor, in which he called on the Ize-Iyamu to close ranks in the interest of the Binis.

“Mr Hosa Okunbor should channel his energies at prevailing on Ize-Iyamu to withdraw from election petition tribunal because Obaseki has no personal rift to settle with him, except

electoral matters,” the body stated on Thursday.

It would be recalled that Hosa Okunbor had said, “Both candidates belong to me. Pastor Ize-Iyamu is my very good friend; Godwin Obaseki is my family, so both of them are my own. But, I will not want to speak much about the election because as you know, I am no longer into partisan

politics. I am now an elder statesman. So, I just want the best for the state and peace for the state.”

In the statement, however, the group claimed: “If that is the case, as an elder statesman Captain Hosa Okunbor should not be seen to be making political comments in the media.

“Rather, he should advise the PDP candidate to gal-

lantly accept defeat, as that is the honourable thing to do. There is nothing to reconcile! To close ranks, according to Hosa Okunbor, is to unite towards fighting a common course but IzeIyamu and Obaseki do not share any common course to pursue either as individuals or as representatives of their political parties.”

“Even the Bini interest in

APC not worried about Fayose’s acclaimed popularity —Chieftain Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Dr. Adebayo Orire, has dismissed the acclaimed popularity of Governor Ayodele Fayose in the state, saying APC would return to power in the state in 2018.

Dr Orire, who addressed newsmen in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state was losing its popularity and had played into the hands of the APC, which he claimed was ready to take over power.

According to him, the prospects of the APC in the state is “bright, and we are in a good stead to win election when the time comes.”

He added that all that the APC needed to do was to put its house in order and unite to be able to wrest power from the PDP. Ori’re said: “We don’t have opposition because of the current condition of the PDP in the country. With Fayose, I believe we are in a good stead to defeat his party and win the coming election in

the state, however, we have ourselves to work on because of the internal issues in our party in the state.

“Fayose’s popularity is a non-issue because the civil servants are unhappy; teachers are disgruntled while the artisans have been

abandoned. This development has given us the edge and we are ready to take advantage of the satiation.”

The medical doctor, who is eyeing the governorship ticket of the APC in the coming political dispensa-

tion, maintained that he remained the best for the state, saying his experience, his investments in Ekiti as well as his knowledge of the problems bedeviling the people of the state, stood him out.

“I am the best for Ekiti. I

say this because I know the issues. I studied here, I live here in Ekiti; I have my investments here, and I have remained steadfast in my political leaning as a progressive since the days of Action Congress of Democrats (ACD),” he stated.

Why we picked Mafo as Jegede’s running mate —PDP Hakeem GbadamosiAmkure

From right, Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; national president of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel; state president of NULGE, Comrade Bunmi Eniayewu, and national vice president (South-East) of NULGE, Comrade Patrick Igwe, at the 2nd special national delegates conference of NULGE, at the International Events Center - The Dome, in Akure, on Thursday.

...Stakeholders in Oyo restate confidence in Buhari

By Saheed Salawu STAKEHOLDERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo Central Senatorial district have expressed confidence in the ability of President Muhammadu Buhari to return the country to the path of abundance and prosperity.

They spoke at the district meeting held on Thursday at NULGE Hall, Afijio Local Government Council Secretariat, Jobele.

The district chairman, Chief Emmanuel Oyewusi, appealed to members of the party to embrace the task of enlightening the populace on the damage done to the country by the previous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration and also assure them on the resolve of the APC government at all levels to fix the problems.

Oyewusi, who acquensced to the submission of a former member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Abioye, expressed delight at the efforts of the

question can hardly be said to be a common denominator to them as the Lucky Igbinedion regime which Ize-Iyamu was an integral part of, did not only fail to execute any meaningful projects in any part of Bini land, but also continuously denied the Oba of his statutory allocations.”

“What then can be adjudged as Bini interest in a man whose regime perpetually rivaled the palace which stands as the foremost symbol of Bini glorious history and present interest? On the other hand, even the blind can see the giant developmental strides brought in to Bini land by the Adams Oshiomhole administration of which Godwin Obaseki was the brainbox. The same Oshiomhole regime restored to the palace, all the statutory allocations denied it by the rapacious Lucky Igbinedion/Ize-Iyamu administration.

state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

He noted that the governor was determined to consolidate on his achievements to ensure that the Pacesetter State, was placed among the best in the country.

In his remarks, the state chairman of APC, Chief Akin Oke, appreciated members for their patience and understanding since the last general election, assuring them of better days

ahead.

He used the opportunity to commend Governor Ajimobi on his courage to implement the law creating Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), which he stated was a bold step to facilitate rapid and even development of the state, as well as bring governance closer to the grassroots.

The caretaker chairman of Afijio Local Government Area, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues from other

10 councils, Hon. Lukman Anwo, commended the governor and the leadership of the APC in the state for working together to make life more meaningful for members and the people of the state generally.

The stakeholders reiterated the position of the APC state executive committee to prohibit its members at all levels from sponsoring, endorsing or supporting any prospective aspirants ahead of the 2019 general election.

They also emphasised the need for a greater sense of duty and commitment from the party members to enable the APC do well at future elections.

The meeting was attended by members of the state executive committee and the executive committees from the 11 local government councils in the state district, as well as party leaders, delegates across the district and new members from opposition parties were.

‘Don’t panic over transition committees’ Biola Azeez-Ilorin

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has allayed fears over nomination of members of Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) into the 16 local government areas of the state.

The tenure of the current chairmen of the local government areas in the state will lapse in November.

Speaking with Nigerian Tribune, the state APC

publicity secretary, Alhaji Suleiman Buahi, said each of the party chairmen in the 16 local government areas had been mandated to nominate three names for positions of chairman and Supervisory councillor for Works, Health and Education in each local council area.

He also said that criteria to be used to come up with the nominations were spelt out to the party chairmen

in order to avoid rancour or disagreement among APC faithful.

Buhari said that consideration would be given to areas that were yet to be considered for political appointments in each local government area in order to give everyone sense of belonging.

Buhari, who said that six out of the 16 local government areas had already submitted the list of their

own nominees for the TIC members, added that other local government areas would submit names before deadline of submission this weekend.

He also said that the state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, would announce names of the TIC members in each of the local government areas after the expiration of tenure of incumbent council chairmen in November.

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has explained why it picked a former commissioner in the state, Prince John Ola Mafo, as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Mr Eyitayo Jegede The party noted that having considered some key party members, it found that Mafo had an edge over the others during the selection process.

Speaking during a radio programme in Akure, the party’s Director of Publicity, Mr Ayo Fadaka, said the emergence of Mafo who is from the Ilaje ethnic stock in the South Senatorial district, was the result of a careful selection process undertaken by the party leaders.

He said of Mafo: “He’s been a steadfast party member, he’s capable, he has the psychological temperament that will complement our candidate and he is a loyal party member.”

He said it was normal for other party members to have shown interest in the position, but that the emergence of Mafo had come with widespread acceptance.

“It is not that the others who contested with him did not merit the exalted position, but the party elders considered some factors that gave him an edge,” Fadka stated.

30 news We are probing 8 judges, 3 registrars —EFCC

Friday, 14 October, 2016

Lanre Adewole -Lagos

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, said it was probing eight judges and three court registrars.

In a statement, its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed that they had been quizzed and those with prima facie case against them, would be arrested soon

and charged to court.

It also explained why the commission was supposedly by-passed by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in investigating petitions against some judges.

The AGF had sent the petitions received by his office, directly to the Department of State Security Service (DSS).

The statement read: “The

attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a story in the Thursday, October 13 edition of a newspaper, headlined, “Why AGF shuns EFCC, Sends Judges’ Cases to DSS.” The story, quoting some unnamed sources, tried to drive wedges between the commission and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on the one hand and the commission and

Lagos begins clean-up of waterways with new water hyacinth machines Bola Badmus -Lagos Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday, began the process of ridding the state’s waterways of debris and hyacinth, with the view to boosting water transportation and positively scaling up activities relating to the waterways.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the commissioning of two water hyacinth and debris removal machines, held at Ebute Ero Jetty, said for a long time, hyacinth, which was otherwise known as aquatic weed, had been a major source of concern with attendant challenges to the waterways sector.

Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr the Babatunde Adejare, said the machines were purchased by his administration to frontally address the challenges posed by water hyacinth, adding that same was in line with the strategic implementation of Lagos master plan for the waterways.

“We have bought the machines to take away debris and hyacinth from the lagoon. The machines will encourage water transportation and this initiative is necessary now that we are working towards clean-up of the waterways.

“It will also encourage fishery so that the water economy will be improved upon,” the governor said.

In her welcome remarks, Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr Abisola Kamson, said the commissioning was a dream come true, as the machines would go a long way in eradicating the menace of water hyacinth on marine ecosystems of the state, particularly the Ikorodu, Ajah, Badagry, Lagos Island, Oworonshoki, Mile 2 and Epe axis.

She said aside negatively affecting the socioeconomic activities of fishermen and inhabitants

of the riverine communities, water hyacinth, which was a seasonal threat, had brought about damages to propulsion system of boats thus affecting water transportation.

Giving technical insight as to the workings of the machine, Kamson said “it

acts like an underwater lawn mower and cuts the vegetation, as well as collects and store weeds and debris, while it is fitted with a pick up conveyor at the forward end which can be lowered up to six feet deep into the water for effective cleaning of the waterways.

the Department of State Services (DSS) on the other.

“It alleges, among others, that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, frustrated by the alleged tardiness of the EFCC in handling petitions forwarded to it, now sends the same cases to the DSS. “EFCC wishes to put on record that there is no friction with the office of the AGF and the commission is not involved in inter-agency squabbles with the DSS. Indeed, the commission, along with the DSS, ICPC, Police and the office of the AGF, is a member of a technical committee that meets at the highest level of government to collaborate and coordinate strategies against corruption.

The last of such meeting was as recently as today.

“Furthermore, it must be stated that of the seven

judges who are subject of the DSS raids, only one of them previously featured in a petition on alleged corruption to the EFCC. Investigation into the petition had reached an advanced stage, when one of the judges got a Federal High Court order to stop further investigation by the commission. EFCC is still trying to vacate that order for the investigation to proceed unfettered.

“However, Nigerians deserve to know that the nature of professional investigation of financial crimes is highly discrete and not given to theatre.

The subject usually does not know the commission is amassing evidences against him or her for several months before the strike.

Therefore, the notion that a petition is submitted today and the next things that

The two newly commissioned water hyacinth and debris removal machines, by the Lagos State government, at Ebute Ero, on Thursday.

NJC didn’t receive petition against S’Court Justices —NBA Faults presidency on judges’ arrest Sunday Ejike -Abuja The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Thursday, disclosed that there was no pending petition against any of the two Justices of the Supreme Court, who were last Saturday, arrested by the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) and reaffirmed its position that the arrests and detention of the judges was unlawful and unconstitutional.

The national president of the NBA, Abubakar Mahmoud, told newsmen in Abuja, that contrary to insinuations by members of the public that the NJC had declined to investigate allegations of corruption levelled against Justice Sylvester Ngwuta and Justice John Iyang Okoro, whose houses were raided by the DSS, at the weekend,

in Abuja, there was no such evidence against the judicial officers.

The NBA boss, while giving insights into what the crisis management committee he had set up to monitor the unfolding situation of the arrest of the Judges, said: “We have engaged with the NJC and there was no evidence that was made available to us that suggests that the two Justices of the Supreme Court were ever invited or indeed there was any complaint by anybody against them.

“This is the information we got from the NJC and we have no reason to doubt it. Where there was no complaints made by the DSS itself or any other citizen, and then this sort of drastic measures were taken, we don’t see any justification for that,”

Mahmoud declared.

Speaking on the allegation of lawyers colluding with Judges to perpetuate corruption in the Judiciary, the NBA president noted that the Bar had been in the vanguard of a clean and transparent Judiciary in the country.

“The impression being given that the Bar is tolerating corruption is not correct. Our members are at the forefront of the advocacy to fight corruption.

We struggle to build a clean Judiciary for Nigeria,” he said.

Supported by a former President of the NBA, Mr Olisa Agbakoba, Mahmoud reiterated the association’s position on the mode of the DSS’ arrest of the Judges, saying that, “We quarrel at the method adopted in raiding the houses of judges in the middle of the night by

armed masked men. These Judges are not terrorists and should not be subjected to that kind of treatment.”

He warned that the country’s judiciary should not be exposed to ridicule and disdain by security operatives under the guise of fighting corruption.

Mahmoud said the rule of law was compromised, in the way and manner the houses of the judges were invaded by the DSS operatives because under the constitution they have no power to dabble into economic matters as they did in the arrest.

According to him, under the constitution the DSS is empowered to look into issues of internal security and terrorism, adding that the judges were not terrorists as such the clamp down on them like terrorist was unlawful.

follow are instant arrests, prosecution and convictions is highly misleading.

“In this regard, EFCC is currently investigating eight judges and two court registrars.

Some of the suspects who have been invited have made useful statements that have been of great assistance to the investigations. In due course, those who have cases to answer would be arrested and charged to court.”

Coalition protests, passes vote of confidence on Buhari, Emefiele Clement Idoko, Sanya Adejokun and Adetola Bademosi -Abuja A Coalition of Civil of Society Groups, on Thursday, passed vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari on his genuine desire to transform Nigeria, and build a solid foundation for the growth and development of the nation.

The group also expressed satisfaction with the efforts and initiatives so far evolved by the Central Bank Governor (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, and other economic team of President Buhari to get the country out of the current recession.

President of the Coalition, comprising over 100 registered civil society organisations, Mr Bassey Etuk, led a protesters on the streets Abuja, in solidarity of President Buhari and his economic team.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions: “We are fully in support of President Buhari’s anti-corruption war,” “No country thrives on corruption;” “We support what DSS has done so far,” “We pass vote of confidence on President Buhari and CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele,” “We stand with Buhari and Emefiele,” “Give Change a chance,” among others.

Etuk, while fielding questions from newsmen, said the CSOs had to mobilise on the streets to protest to the president the incessant falsehood sponsored by detractors against Mr Godwin Emefiele and other members of his economic team as the proximate and remote causes of the present state of the Nigerian economy.

He criticised those calling for the sack of Emefiele and Minister of Finance, saying the duo had been working selflessly to see that Nigeria got out of “mess” the current administration inherited.

Friday, 14 October, 2016 31 news Appointment/recruitment: Reps to probe FG over federal character compliance Jacob Segun Olatunjii and Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

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HE House of Representatives, on Thursday, mandated its Committee on federal character to carry out a comprehensive overview of all Federal Government appoint-

ments/recruitments during this dispensation and report back to the House within four weeks on the level of compliance or otherwise with Section 14 (3) of the Constitution.

The House, however, urged the Federal Government to comply with the federal character prin-

Biim High Africa advocates SDGs education for Nigerian girls Chukwuma OkparaochaLagos

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Biim High Africa, has again stressed the need for the government and other stakeholders to educate the girl-child, as spelt out in the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Biim High made this known on Wednesday, at an event organised to commemorate the fourth Annual International Day of the Girl Child, at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Speaking with the media after the event, the Head of the NGO, Mrs Moriam Afolabi-Rufai, said that it was important to let the girl child know the reasons to pursue her goals and also educate others about the key things that could work for sustainable development.

“The programme is to celebrate the International Girls’ Day. We are taking the advocacy beyond the day. I realised that most times, people only focus on the day and they stop advocating after the day,” she said.

“I realised that we should take it to the next day so that the conversation could continue. It is about talking to the teenage girls and those in the university to make them understand the sustainable development goals.

“The SDG has 17 goals and we are making them to understand what the goals are and how they can key themselves into those goals and make them realistic by year 2030,” she added.

Moriam revealed that the theme of the event; “Teen Girls: Understand The Sustainable Development Goals,” was chosen because of this year’s theme of the International Day for Girls, which focuses on Adolescent Girls and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including gender equality to be achieved by Year 2030.

She stated that her NGO decided to organise the programme because if the girl child “understands her goals, she would be able to explain it to others.”

“If the girls understand

where they are going, they can explain to their brothers, sisters and others,” she further noted.

ciples in Section 14 (3) of the Constitution in all appointments/recruitments into public offices in the country.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by Honourable Kingsley Chinda, entitled “urgent need for the Federal Government to comply with the federal character principles in Appointments/Recruitments into Public Offices.”

While moving the motion, the lawmaker noted with concern, the failure of the Federal Government to comply with the federal

character principles in appointments/recruitments into public offices and government agencies.

According to him, “The concern and commentaries in the recent time about an apparent lopsidedness and imbalance in appointments and sharing of posts into public offices by the Federal Government and some of its agencies in favour of certain zones.

Quoting Section14 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, he said that “The Federal Re-

public of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice.”

According to him, “Section 14 (3) of the Constitution that the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty, thereby, ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a

few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.”

He pointed out that it was in order to achieve the above objectives that the Federal Character Commission (FCC) was established under the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc) Act, Cap. F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 “with responsibility to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of the proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic and political posts at all levels of government.”

Convention

From left, a student of Vivian Fowler Memorial Girls College, Lagos, Azeezat Yusuff; Chairman, Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mojisola Merenda Lawal; Convener, Girls Learn SDGs, Mrs Moriam Afolabi-Rufai; a student of Imaad Schools, Lekki, Ettu Aisha Anike and another student of Oregun Senior High School, Aminat Ogunremi, at the annual International Day of the Girl-Child Celebration 2016, at the Lagos House of Assembly Complex, on Wednesday. PHOTO: OVADJE ELLIOT

2016 Batch ‘B’: We’ll mobilise all eligible prospective corps members —NYSC Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

ALL eligible prospective corps members for the 2016 Batch ‘B’ service year will be mobilised, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has assured.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Sulaiman Kazaure, gave the assurance on Thursday, when he met with a delega-

tion of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), at the NYSC headquarters, in Abuja.

He said proactive efforts were being made to ensure that all prospective Corps members, eligible for the 2016 Batch ‘B’ service year, were mobilised.

The DG hinted that as part of measures to facilitate the mobilisation pro-

cess, all Corps Producing Institutions, have been requested to upload full list of their Senate - approved prospective corps members to the NYSC portal.

He appealed to the students’ umbrella body to cooperate with the scheme in its genuine efforts to resolve all issues relating to hitch-free mobilisation of prospective corps members for the 2016

Placing money inside brassiere can cause breast cancer, expert warns women DR Kike Adesina, the Technical Adviser to Life Empowers Anchors Hope (Leah) Foundation, has warned women against placing money inside brassiere, saying it could cause breast cancer.

Adesina gave the warning on Thursday, in Ilorin, at Al-Hikma University, Ilorin, as the foundation embarked on cancer awareness campaign across secondary and tertiary educational institutions in the state.

The gynaecologist said women should stop the

practice of saving money in their brassiere because the money had passed through numerous dirty hands, saying it was dangerous.

According to her, the mere chance that they are created females with breast has already predisposed them to having breast cancer.

She, therefore, urged women not to create problems for themselves, as placing money around the breast or any other part of the body was dangerous.

Adesina, who said that Nigeria still faced high

burden of breast and cervical cancer cases in women, listed the risk factors of breast cancer to include age, race, gene or family history and menstrual and reproductive history.

She said that the common types of cancer in the country included breast, cervix, ovary, colorectal and uterus.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme featured aerobics, self breast examination tutorials and questions and answers session for the students.

Batch ‘B’ service year.

Earlier in his remarks, the NANS President, Aruna Kadiri, said the union leaders were in the NYSC Headquarters to seek explanation on the earlier plan to get Corps Producing Institutions to submit partial list of their eligible graduates and to discuss the ways out.

The students’ leader however, lauded the Federal Government and the NYSC Management for the steps taken towards addressing the challenges.

In a related development, a delegation of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors, led by its Chairman, Professor Adebiyi Daramola, expressed worry over likely implications of not mobilising all eligible graduates in the 2016 Batch ‘B.’ The meeting agreed that the universities would upload full list of all prospective Corps members approved by their respective Senates while the NYSC would take the most appropriate decision in processing the lists.

CHRIST Apostolic Church, Gbaremu Centre, Leader’s House junction, Tribune Road, Imalefalafia, OkeAdo, Ibadan, Oyo State, will hold its first annual convention tagged: “Beyond the limits.”

Commencing from Thursday, October 13, from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., and on Friday, October 14, the programme will commence from 5.00 p.m. till the following morning.

On Sunday, October 16, there will be a thanksgiving service at the church auditorium, at 8.00 a.m. The programme will feature salvation, healing, breakthrough as well as deliverance.

Ministering are: Prophet and Evangelist Jacob Adebare, Prophet Olufemi John, Pastor S.A. Afolabi, Pastor Sam Adekagun, Evangelist J.O. Oriowo, Evangelist Joseph Olalekan, Evangelist O. Abass, Evangelist Bukola Akinade (Senwele), Sister Mobifoluwa, Evangelist Sola Adigun (Omode Ilu Ibadan), Evangelist Yemi David (Lat’Abule), Gbaremu Choir, among others.

Pastor and Evangelist C.A. Olaiya, is the host.

Pastor C.A. Olaiya

Meeting THE monthly meeting of Otan Ayegbaju Progressive Union (OAPU), Ring Road, Ibadan branch, will come up on Sunday, October 16, 2016.

According to the public relations officer/social secretary, Chief Rotimi Olagunju, the meeting will hold at Horizon Suites, Oluyole, Ibadan at 3.30p.m.

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

APC inaugurates campaign team Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday, inaugurated a 49-man campaign committee for the November governorship election in Ondo State, led by the Plateau State governor, Mr Simon Lalong.

The committee has Deputy Speaker of the House

of Representatives, Honourable Yusuf Lasun, nine governors and nine ministers as well as members of the National Assembly, former governors and others as members.

The campaign committee was inaugurated by the APC national chairman, Chief John Oyegun, who tasked the committee members to work for the

victory of the party in the election.

According to him, “I call it challenging because of the special circumstances that has brought us to this point today. Otherwise, Ondo State is ripe for the taking and added to the APC progressive family.

“The challenge I am passing on to you today is the obvious challenge that arose

at the primaries. But I trust that you and your team will overcome those difficulties and deliver Ondo to APC family,” he stated.

However, the candidate of the party, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, said the party is sure of victory in the election.

According to him, “we are sure footed in this election.

We are gaining grounds.

Virtually all our members have come back. The full leadership of the party remains in the APC and all of us are now working together.

“I want to believe that my chances are very bright.

We do not have any doubt that by the grace of God, we will win.

“We have the full support of our members who are members of the House of Representatives. All of them won elections. We can be sure that the victory is certain although we have a lot of work to do,” he stated.

Ondo professionals endorse Jegede

From left, national chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Ondo State governorship candidate, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu; chairman of the APC national campaign council for Ondo governorship election and Plateau State governor, Mr Simeon Lalong; APC national organising secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso and the APC national vice chairman (South-West), Chief Pius Akinyelure, during the inauguration of the campaign council, at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja, on Thursday.

Mimiko to Ondo NULGE: We’ll always ensure payment of salaries Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday, assured all local government workers in the state that his government will explore all avenues to ensure regular payment of salaries.

Mimiko stated this at the Special National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), held at the International Events Centre, in Akure, the state capital, yesterday.

The governor said his administration, since 2009, has always been prudent with funds accruing to local government in the state.

According to Mimiko, despite the economic recession being witnessed in the country and the lean purse, the state government will continue to grant loans to workers in the local government service at very low interest rates.

Mimiko said: “On the issue of salary arrears to local government workers and other public servants, government has always been prudent with funds accruing to local government in the state.

“In order to create more opportunities for upward mobility of local govern-

ment workers, government will continue to put in place measures that will ensure the enhancement of local government workers. Government has equally given approval for full implementation of the Local Government Scheme of Service, especially as it affects the position of the Head of Local Government Administration on grade level 17.

“In addition to all these, this administration has consistently ensured timely promotion of workers at due dates. I am aware that

the 2016 promotion exercise for all categories of workers has been carried out, while their promotion letters are ready for dispatch.

In his speech, the National Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, said, “we join our voice today to demand that local government workers salaries be made first line charge as that of primary school teachers. We are owners of the allocation that comes to the local government and should not be made to suf-

fer untold hardship.

“We shall continue to demand for financial autonomy for local governments while also advocating for more powers and democratisation of all local governments in Nigeria.”

Also speaking earlier, the state Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Bunmi Eniayewu, urged the governor to consider the payment of backlog of salary arrears of local government workers, saying the negative effect of non payment is seriously telling on the members.

We’ll bond govt, citizens in friendship —Jegede Gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, has assured the people of a bond of friendship between government and the people.

Jegede gave the assurance, on Thursday, at an award-giving ceremony organised in his honour by the Association of Akure Federal Workers at the Federal Secretariat, Akure, the state capital.

Jegede was decorated as the Omoluka of Akure land in recognition of purposeful lifestyle, humane

administrative skills and contributions to the development of the people.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Mrs Akinbamijo Olabisi explained that “We are doing this in recognition of his purposeful lifestyle and outstanding contributions to the development of the community and the people.”

Jegede said, “We are coming on board with bold and new daring ideas. We’ll run a system that will establish a bond of friendship between the people and the government, a system that will incrementally grow the economy and consequently

wear new look for the various facets of governance.

“I appreciate the distinguished sons and daughters of Akure land and indeed the entire federal workers who have deemed it fit to recognise merit and thereby spur enduring excellence.”

Present at the event included state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Honourable Clement Faboyede; Commissioner for Youths and Sport, Mr Dayo Awude; Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area, Honourable Alarapon, and Elder Soji Bello.

Ondo Professionals Coalition, an alliance of professionals in the state, has endorsed the candidature of Mr Eyitayo Jegede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the forthcoming elections in the state.

The coalition said Jegede was considered as the best option for the people of the state.

In a communique issued at its extra-ordinary meeting, held on Thursday, in Akure, signed by Mr Kunle Adedipe and Jide Atandeyi, the group said Mr Jegede “has demonstrated the calmness, integrity and administrative acumen of a true professional. This, we believe, our dear state desperately need at this time,” it added.

The communique read: “Having painstakingly assessed the candidates of the key political parties in the state, the meeting resolved that Mr Eyitayo Jegede’s experience at governance will be an asset at this time.

“Mr Eyitayo Jegede’s comments and actions over the years have shown him to be one who recognised the roles of professionals in national development and hence, will involve them in governance,” it stated.

The coalition said it considered it a duty to be the voice of reason to help the people of the state to “adopt decisions using evidence devoid of emotions, passions, wants, perceived needs and party sentiments but based on reasoning conducted according to strict principles of validity.”

“It is based on the foregoing that the Ondo State Professionals Coalition has declared support for the candidacy of Mr Eyitayo Jegede and we are already in talk with him in order to hold a town hall meeting with all professionals in the state at a date and venue to be announced.”

Nigerian Tribune

We never endorsed any candidate —YYC Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure Following the crisis rocking the Ondo State chapter of the Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) over the choice of political party and candidate to support in the forthcoming election in the state, the national leadership of the group has called on all members to suspend all action pending the directive from the national body.

The leadership of the YYC also called its members to disregard the rumour linking the council with endorsement of a candidate in the forthcoming governorship election.

The council stated this in a communique issued and jointly signed by the National President and the National Publicity Secretary, Eric Oluwole and Dare Oladeinde, respectively.

The group denied meeting with leader of a political party, saying “no meeting of such pedigree was held, but the regular monthly NWC meeting of the YYC.” Oluwole noted that the YYC in the state has been polarised over the election but said “we are appealing to the warring factions to guide their actions with the practice and belief of YYC on electoral issues and suspend actions pending the directive from the national apex body.”

OPC raises alarm over sponsorship of fake group Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure Ahead of the November governorship election in Ondo State, the state chapter of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), on Thursday, raised the alarm over the recruitment of political thugs and hoodlums by politicians to cause violence during the poll.

The state coordinator of OPC, Comrade Pius Ogunsanya, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Akure, the state capital, said some hoodlums have started parading themselves as members of the OPC, and soliciting financial assistance from politicians and political parties.

The coordinator, however, called on security operatives in the state to rise to the occasion by dislodging illegal group(s) before the peace of the state is breached through their unlawful activities.

He said the OPC in the state would not fold its hands when some unscrupulous elements, disguising under a pseudo group, unleash terror on innocent people on the pretence of playing politics.

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Friday, 14 October, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

We didn’t ask residents to drop refuse on medians, roadsides —Oyo govt

By Wale Akinselure

O

yo State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Isaac Ishola, on Thursday, said the state government never promulgated any policy to the effect that residents of the state were permitted to dump their refuse on median stripes or by

roadsides.

Stating this on Thursday, Ishola said there was no such policy, whether pronounced or written, describing such manner of disposing refuse as illegal and an aberration.

According to him, the state’s sanitation and waste control regulation 2013, No. 6 Vol 38, Section 4, prohibited anyone against drop-

ping litter anywhere expect as statutorily provided by the state government.

Ishola enjoined residents of the state to register with state accredited waste collectors for their waste disposal.

He said the state government was all out to ensure enforcement of sanitation regulations and would ar-

rest persons caught disposing refuse on median stripes, through the setting up of environmental mobile courts to try offenders.

“There is no policy either written or pronounced that people should drop litter on the street or on median stripes. Our sanitation and waste control regulation, 2013, No. 6 Vol 38, Section 4 captioned under prohibi-

tion, states that nobody is allowed to drop litter anywhere except where provided for by the government.

“This means that what you see on the street is illegal.

We have started and will fight it. In fact, it is an aberration. Government spends a lot to evacuate waste.

Whoever generates waste must account for its disposal. Residents of the state should register with particular waste collector for their waste disposal. We have accredited waste collectors.

We have urged waste collectors to register with the Oyo State Waste Management Authority.”

“However, we understand that there are illegal private waste collectors who collect waste and dispose at unapproved sites. We will ensure that we arrest such illegal collectors. We believe that we will ensure enforcement with the setting up of 10 environmental mobile courts and tribunal.”

Speaking on government’s measures at preventing the occurrence of flood disaster in Ibadan, the state capital, as forecasted by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), he praised residents of the state for yielding to warnings about proper waste disposal.

Education tax: Court strikes out Catholic Church’s suit against Ekiti govt Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

From left, Osun State deputy governor, Mrs Grace Titilaoye-Tomori; former governor, Chief Bisi Akande; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; another former governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; his wife, Omolola; Archbishop, Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Most Reverend Segun Okubadejo and the Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, during the official commissioning of a block of 10 classrooms with offices, built by the Diocese of Osun North East, Anglican Communion, in honour of Chief Akande, at Anglican Village, Diocesan Headquarters, Otan-Ayegbaju, on Wednesday.

Stopping subventions to tertiary institutions contravenes 2016 budget, Oyo Assembly tells Ajimobi JAFAS statement on Oyo tertiary institutions misleading—Govt

By Wale Akinselure Oyo State House of Assembly has described the resolve of the state government to stop giving subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions as contravening the 2016 budgetary allocation of 75 per cent subventions to the institutions.

The Assembly on a “Matter of Urgent Public Importance” raised by Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Honourable Afeez Adeleke, on Thursday, therefore, urged Governor Abiola Ajimobi to restore the allocation of 75 per cent subvention to tertiary institutions, as contained in the budget.

In his presentation, Adeleke said such review should rather be gradual so that government would not be regarded as shying away from its statutory responsibility of funding education.

While recognising the current financial crisis in the state, he said government had to be cautious in such review in view of the fact that some of those institutions were at their infancy state and not buoyant.

Contributing, Honourable Joshua Oyebamiji, representing Akinyele 1 constituency, urged the state executive council to consider the negative effect of such subvention removal on staff and students.

Chairman, Parliamentary council, Honourable Segun Ajanaku, noted that such decision would jeopardise the education sector, pointing out that some newly approved schools like College of Education, Lanlate, took off without grants.

Member representing Atiba constituency, Honour-

able Gbenga Oyekola, advocated an explanation from the Ministry of Finance and Budget, from which the circular to the heads of tertiary institutions on the stoppage of subventions emanated.

Meanwhile, Oyo State government has described statements credited to a group called Joint Ac-

Be catalyst of transformation, Amosun charges traditional rulers Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has urged traditional rulers in the state to be catalyst of transformation in their various domains.

He urged them not to be stumbling blocks, but provide enabling environment for would-be investors who may approach them for land to operate their businesses.

He said this at the inauguration of the Olu and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, as the new chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, held at the Conference Hall, Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

“We appreciate you for your roles as custodians of our rich cultural heritage and important catalysts and stimulants of socio-economic development in your respective communities.

“Many investors will soon be coming into our state to embark on laudable projects for development. They will be requiring your support in the area of access to land and I hereby urge you not to place too much demands on them so as not to discourage them,” he said.

Amosun promised to increase emoluments of traditional rulers despite the current economic realities in the country, while soliciting for the support of the council chairmen in moving the rural areas forward.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, appreciated Governor Amosun for supporting the well-being of traditional rulers in the state.

Oba Olugbenle, promised that the state traditional council would continue to support the government.

tion Forum of All Tertiary Institutions (JAFAS), as preemptive, stating that government has not made policy pronouncements on some of the issues raised.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, the state government said that reduction in subventions to tertiary institutions in the state was discussed with the head of the institutions, stressing that, government is still consulting with them to achieve a seamless education calendar for tertiary institutions in the state.

Arulogun said that it was surprising that the so-called group, JAFAS, condemned the report of the Education Reform Initiative Committee chaired by Professor Adeniyi Gbadegesin when the government was still examining the report and has not made its content a policy yet.

“Rather than going to the pages of newspapers to express displeasure on some of government actions in the education sector, JAFAS should have sent a memorandum to the Education Reform Committee when it called for such, instead of misleading the public about the contents of the yet to be made public report,” the government spokesman stated.

An Ekiti State high court sitting in Ado Ekiti has struck out a case instituted by the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti against the state government for introducing education levies on pupils of private and public primary and secondary schools.

Delivering judgement in the matter on Thursday, Justice Cornelius Akintayo held that although the claimant had a case, the suit had a “cause of action”, but agreed with the defendant that the claimant should have approached the court by way of writ of summons and not originating summons.

The church, through its counsel, Emmanuel Akingbade, had dragged the government to court saying introduction of education levy contradicted the 1979 Constitution as amended and the Universal Basic Education Commission Law of 2004 which guaranteed free education to all pupils and students in both primary and secondary schools across the country.

He claimed that the government could not impose any education levy without a validly passed law by the state House of Assembly and therefore urged the court to declare the action unconstitutional.

However, in a counter affidavit deposed to by the defendant, the government urged the court to strike out the suit saying it was statute barred since it was not filed within the three months stipulated by law.

The claimant said the collection of the levy took effect in December 2015 while the claimant went to court in April 2016, four months after.

Justice Akintayo said since the issue involved convocation of an education summit which the claimant participated, there is the need for both parties to have come to the court with witnesses for cross examination to determine the issue at stake.

Reacting to the judgment, Akingbade said there is hope since the motion was not dismissed, adding that “there is opportunity to come back.”

Lagos Assembly moves to prevent extinction of Yoruba Language Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos A move is being made by the Lagos State House of Assembly to prevent the extinction of Yoruba Language in the state.

This was the centre-point of a motion presented during plenary on Thursday by a member of the House, Honourable Olanrewaju Ogunyemi.

It was agreed that the state governor should direct the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture to set aside a day annually in Lagos State for the purpose of celebrating Yoruba arts and culture with a view to propagating the use of the language as

a means of communication and transaction.

The sponsor of the motion, added that the governor should direct the Commissioner/Attorney General for Justice to cause the State Law Reform Commission to commence the process of translating all existing laws of the state into Yoruba Language as stated in Section 9 (4) of the Laws of Lagos State 2015.

According to him, the commission will simplify and modify laws by making the laws clearer and more accessible by changing the language to enable the general public understand their rights and obligations.

34 news

Friday, 14 October, 2016

Judges’ arrest to cow judiciary —NJC

T

HE National Judicial Council (NJC) has reacted to the actions of the Department of State Security (DSS) against judges whose houses were raided last week across the country.

The position of the NJC came after two days of emergency meetings held to discuss the controversy generated by attacks on several judges.

In a press release issued by Soji Oye, the NJC berated the DSS, describing its actions as an attempt to ridicule, harass and intimidate judges.

The NJC also waved off allegations levelled against it that it made attempts to shield corrupt judges.

“The National Judicial Council is a creation, by virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, with its powers specified in Paragraph 21 of Part One of the Third Schedule whereof. That by virtue of Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution, Council fashioned out (i) Judicial Discipline Regulations (ii) Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record (iii) Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and (iv) National

Judicial Policy to inter-alia, regulate its own procedure while exercising its Constitutional Powers.”

It said Section 158 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, unequivocally provided for the independence of the NJC vis-à-vis directing or controlling it by any authority or person while exercising its powers.

It also reiterated its absolute confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari administration and its unwavering determination to uphold the principles of democracy, separation of powers and the rule of law enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and the United Nations Charter, which Nigeria is a Member.

It promised to continue to support the administration in its fight against corruption in all its ramifications in the federation; and in cleansing the judiciary of corrupt judicial officers.

It, however, expressed grave concern on the recent invasion of the residences and arrest of some serving and suspended judicial officers by the DSS and condemned the action in its entirety.

The statement said the NJC viewed the action as a threat to the independence

Kadunatomeet800MWelectricity demandby2020—el-rufai KADUNA State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has said that the state is committed to meet its current electricity demand by 2020.

He said this in his keynote address at the 5th Annual Powering Africa: Nigeria investment summit, held at the Transcorp Hilton hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The governor was represented at the event by the Managing Director of the Kaduna Power Supply Company, Dr Abdulkarim Mayere. He saidthat his administration had provided enabling environment for

prospective investors to parner with the government while promising that ease of doing business is assured.

He said that effective security and sustainable policies had been put in place to ensure electricity self sufficient by 2020.

He said: “Kaduna State current energy demand stands at 538 megawatt, while our current allocation is 196 megawatt.

“Now, we are having a deficit of 342 megawatt of power supply which is hampering the development of the state.

of the judiciary, a development, it said, portended great danger to the democracy.

It considered the action as a clear attempt by the DSS to humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the judiciary.

The statement added that contrary to the claim by the DSS and as published in the electronic and print media, the council had never received any petition against Justices Ngwuta and Okoro of the Supreme Court of Nigeria by the DSS. It, however, added that at its meeting of September 29, 2016, the council had found Justice Muhammed Ladan Tsamiya culpable of professional misconduct contrary to Code of Conduct for judicial officers and had, accordingly recommended him to Mr President for compulsory retirement from office.

This, it said, followed the petition written by one Mr Nnamdi Iro Oji for demanding the sum of N200 million bribe.

“It is to be stressed that from the evidence before the council, Justice Ladan Tsamiya did not receive N200 million bribe. The petitioner adduced evidence to support his allegation that Justice Tsamiya only demanded for the money,” it added.

The council said it had suspended Justice Tsamiya from office, pending when the president would act on the recommendation, adding that the president gave the approval and compulsorily retired him from office on October 12, 2016.

It added that Justice I. A. Umezulike, the Chief Judge of Enugu State, was recommended for compulsory retirement from office to Enugu State governor for gross misconduct, pursuant to the petition written against him

by Mr Peter Eze. It said for Justice A. F. A. Ademola, a committee of the council was currently investigating the allegations against him by Honourable Jenkins Duviegiane Gwebe

ADR is solution to judiciary weakness —ADR society

By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare

THE ADR society in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has said that the Alternative Dispute Resolution procedure is the only solution to decongesting the heavy case loads before the courts and speed up the slow pace of resolving disputes before courts.

The chairman of ADR society in Ibadan, Mr Kole Ojo, said this while sensitising people on the impor-

tance of adopting ADR in resolving conflicts and settling civil matters.

According to him, ADR is the answer to the weakness of the court system as it easily resolves issues without any lingering bitterness, adding that lawyers should embrace it and make it the first option in any matter.

Ojo said that it is time for people to see ADR as the Appropriate Dispute Resolution method and not an alternative since it has been estab-

lished that it is more efficient and time saving and called for more hands in spreading ADR gospel in the state.

He said that ADR is always a better option than going to court as there is no way litigation can beat ADR in terms of effectiveness, adding that ADR is better described as a practical mediation that eradicates the frustrating aspect of litigation and create a win-win situation with no victor and no vanquished.

bordering on corrupt practices.

For Justice Kabiru Auta, the council said he was investigated based on allegations of corrupt practices levelled against him in a petition forwarded by one Alhaji Kabiru Yakassai.

Also for Justice Muazu Pindiga of Gombe State and Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of Federal High Court, Abuja, the council said it was working on petitions against them.

In conclusion, the council said “it maintains its earlier decision that no judicial officer shall be invited by any institution including the

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DSS, without complying with the rule of law and due process. “the National Judicial Council has never shielded nor will it shield any judicial officer who has committed any misconduct.

“The Department of State Services is an agency in the Presidency and its functions as specified in the statute establishing it, is primarily concerned with the internal security of the country.

“The action of the DSS is a denigration of the entire judiciary, as an institution.

“By the act of the DSS, judicial officers are now being

subjected to insecurity, as criminals might take advantage of the recent incidents to invade their residences under the guise of being security agents.

“The council vehemently denounces a situation whereby the psyche of judicial officers in the federation is subjected to a level where they would be afraid to discharge their constitutional judicial functions, without fear or favour, intimidation, victimisation or suppression.

“The council will not compromise the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary.”

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I, formerly Sunoboro Mohammed Bawa now MOHAMMED BAWA SUNOBORO. All former documents remain valid.

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I, formerly Wasiu Raimi Olawale now RAHIMI WASIU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Nasiru Bio Aliyu now ALIYU NASIRUDEEN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akeula Ridwan Ajewale now RIDWAN RIDWAN AKEWULA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Metibemu Modupe Patience now OGEH MODUPE PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Agughara Catherine Kelechi now MRS. KATE KELECHI ONYEBUCHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oladipupo Abimbola Ruth now MRS. ADEDIJI ABIMBOLA RUTH. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Adeyeye Oluwaseun Temitope Favour now ADEYEYE OLUWASEUN TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Amao kemi Funmilola now MRS. BABAWALE KEMI FUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. GTB Plc., and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Bankole Damilola Esther now MRS. AWOSUNLE DAMILOLA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid.

Stanbic IBTC Plc., OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajise Funmilola Dorcas now MRS OLUBORODE FUNMILOLA DORCAS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oguntoye Modinat Olamide now MRS. ATOYEBI MODINAT OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fajoye Janet Omolara now MRS. AYENI JANET OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Adamoh Alaba Eunice, my name was mistakenly written as Adams Alaba Eunice instead of ADAMOH ALABA EUNICE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, Oni Abiodun Lawrence am the same person bearing Oni Abiodun Kingsley. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ONI ABIODUN LAWRENCE. Born on 23-12-1965. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Eco Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Yahaya Shakirat Omolola now MRS. ABDULRASAQ SHAKIRAT OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ajijolaoluwa Toyin Omonike now MRS. OLANRENWAJU TOYIN OMONIKE. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State University and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fadare Omolara Christianah now MRS. AMOSUN OMOLARA CHRISTIANAH. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State University and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Bello Ganiyat Bola now MRS. HAMMED GANIYAT BOLA. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

I, Awoniran Gbenga Sunday am the same person bearing Gbenga Awoniran. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as AWONIRAN GBENGA SUNDAY. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

Skye Bank Nig Plc and general public take note.

I, John Samuel formerly John Samuel Emmanson and also John Samuel Akpan. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as JOHN SAMUEL. All former documents remain valid.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Ogbolu Emeka am the same person bearing Ogbolu Jason Emeka. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OGBOLU JASON EMEKA. All former documents remain valid.

GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Mrs RaheemOlolade Modesola Islamiat now MRS AJALA MODESOLA ISLAMIAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Daniel Abiye Beatrice now MRS. SAM-ADEBAYO ABIYE BEATRICE. All former documents remain valid.

Kabba/Bunu LGEA, SUBEB Kogi State, UNN and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Nwagbo Margaret Ifeyinwa now MRS EMUKAI IFEYINWA MARGARET. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Miss Adijat Adenike Adeyemi now MRS ADIJAT ADENIKE BABALOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Raji Yetunde Victoria now MRS EMERUE YETUNDE VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alao Mary Oluwaseun now MRS TAIWO MARY OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Okpala Ogechi Sandra now IKEYINA SANDRA OGECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oyedepo Gbenga now MOYOFOLA GBENGA ALANI. My date of birth is 1st October, 1985. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Folashade Esther Akintola now FOLASHADE ESTHER BAYODE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Miss Agunloye Bukola Fausat am the same person bearing Ibrahim Bukola Fausat and Yunus Bukola Fausat.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS YUNUS BUKOLA FAUSAT AGUNLOYE. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Danladi Precious now SATYA TYEM. And my correct date of birth is 24/2/1993 and not 24/2/1995.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Felicia Isiguzo now MRS. OLAJIDE FELICIA EDOM. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc., Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Abubakar Jimoh Mohammed now MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR JIMOH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Nurudeen Akanji and date of birth is 21-07-1988 now WAHEED NURUDEEN AKANJI, born on 01-011987. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ahmend Fatimah now MRS. AHMED FATIMA MADAKI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adewuyi Fiwasaye Adewunmi now ISOLA FIWASAYE ADEWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, UNILORIN and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeyemo Oluwatomilayo Mary now MRS. OYEKUNLE OLUWATOMILAYO MARY. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Asaolu, Funmilayo Caroline now MRS. ONI, FUNMILAYO CAROLINE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Ogunnowo Oluwatoyin Taiwo (Miss) am the same person as Omolaja Taiwo Oluwatoyin (Mrs.).

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OGUNNOWO OLUWATOYIN TAIWO (MISS).

All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Egbekunle Ganiyat Omolola now MRS. ASHIRU GANIYAT OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Tajudeen Mosobalaje Bilawu now MR. OMOTOSO OLURODE BILAL. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc., First Bank of Nigeria Plc., IBTC and general public take note.

I, Esejuwon Folake Hellen am the same person bearing Ipenko Folake Hellen. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ESEJUWON FOLAKE HELLEN. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adewumi Oluwafunke Bunmi now MRS. AROWOSAYE OLUWAFUNKE BUNMI. All former documents remain valid. State Universal Basic Education Board and general public take note.

I, formerly Efeturi Mariam Ojanomare now EFETURI MARIAM EBERECHI-EKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Adebamiji Adeniran Abraham am the same person bearing Bamiji Ade. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADEBAMIJI ADENIRAN ABRAHAM. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Kehinde Adedigba now MRS. SALAMI FASILAT. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc., Atisbo LG., and general public take note.

I, formerly Amos Bulus now BULUS NUMSHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Asiru Aminat Opeyemi now MRS. ADELEKE AMINAT OPEYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

University of Ibadan (Ilesa Campus) NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Asimi Salaudeen Adekunle and Salaudeen Asimi Adekunle now SALAUDEEN ASIMIYU ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adediwura Kayode Esther Funmilayo now MRS. MODUPEONI ESTHER FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Lasisi Wasiu Amao am the same person as Abdulazeez Abdulwasiu Adebayo. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as LASISI WASIU AMAO. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Temilola Oluwatosin Omolola Ibimilua now MRS. TEMILOLA OLUWATOSIN OMOLOLA BALOGUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oladejo Abiodun Rosheedat now MRS. AKINROLUYO ABIODUN RASHEEDAT. All former documents remain valid.

Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Akinbolaji Fapohunda Oladunwon Christianah now MRS. OLALOYE CHRISTIANAH OLADUNWON. All former documents remain valid.

Ondo West Local Government and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olaosebikan Funso Adeola now OLAOSEBIKAN FOLAKEMI ANNE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adedeji Olaleye Tobiloba now DR. (MRS.) IKUGBAYIGBE TOBILOBA OLALEYE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adebayo Serah Adewumi now MRS ADERINOLA SERAH ADEWUMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs. Adams Cornelia Benjamin now MRS. OBOT CORNELIA BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Alade Funmilola Elizabeth now MRS. ISHEYEMI FUNMILOLA ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Olusola Ishola Ogundeyi that my name was wrongly written as Olusola Ishola Ogundeji.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OLUSOLA ISHOLA OGUNDEYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I hereby declared that my correct names are Alabere Nasimo Bolanle and not Aderemi Nasimo Bolanle.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ALABERE NASIMO BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Olowonusi Funmilayo Edith now AKPADIJA OMO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Adesokan Isaac Ayanniran now ADESOKAN ISAAC OLUNIRAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Titilayo Christana Ajamu now MRS TITILAYO CHRISTANA AJIMATI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Fatuya Omowunmi Temitope now MRS. OLADAPO OMOWUNMI TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeosun Taiwo Abake now MRS. OJEBOLA TAIWO DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aladejare Ayoyemi Aderemi now MRS. OLUWADAMILARE AYOYEMI ADEREMI. All former documents remain valid. OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Abiona Omotola Grace now MRS. ADEBOLA OMOTOLA GRACE. All former documents remain valid.

OAUTHC, Ile-Ife and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Hassan Kafayat Ololade Iyiola now MRS. IPADEOLA KAFAYAT OLOLADE. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc., UBA Plc., GTBank Plc., and general public take note.

I, Adesina Mariam Yetunde, hereby state that my name was mistakenly written as Adesina Yetundi Mariam.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADESINA MARIAM YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

I, formerly Alex Chinonso Anoliefo now ELIJAH CHINONSO ANOLIEFO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, John Ayodeji Abel am the same person bearing John Ayodeji Osungbawaye. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as JOHN AYODEJI ABEL OSUNGBAWAYE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Koko Iyuheni Bredget now JOSEPH BREDGET. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

36

CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, 14 October, 2016 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Abajesude Ruth Oluwatoyin now ABORISADE RUTH OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Adewale Adeyoriju Elizabeth now IDOWU ADEYORIJU ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adebowale Taiwo Rukayat now MRS SARUMI TAIWO RUKAYAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Kuye Olasumbo Olubukola now MOHAMMED OLASUMBO OLUBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Atanda Oluwafunmilola Opeyemi now MRS ONIWIDE ELIZABETH OLUWAFUNMILOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Badmus Lateef now BADMUS LATEEF OYEBAMIJI. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Akinshola Helen Tosin now AKINSOLA HELEN OLUWATOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Sobamowo Jumoke Omowunmi now MRS OMONIYI JUMOKE OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Mrs. Remilekun Abosede Adeniji (Nee Osunkoya) now MRS. RUKAYAT REMILEKUN SHOPEYIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ogedengbe Elizabeth A. now Mrs Peters Elizabeth Anuoluwapo. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Plc, UBA Plc, NYSC and general public take note.

I formerly Ogunremi Olusegun Abiola now OGUNREMI OLUSEGUN OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Dr (Miss) Ebubechukwu Uzoamaka Eboji now DR. (MRS) E B U B E C H U K W U UZOAMAKA EKISOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Aderinto Kazeem Olaitan now ADERINTO KAZEEM AMOO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alagbe Olubunmi Adepeju now MRS. OLUSANYA OLUBUNMI ADEPEJU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Sanni Ibrahim Arowojeka now SANNI IBRAHIM AKANJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Alaro Bosede Damilola now MRS OLANREWAJU BOSEDE DAMILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Waka Henry now AFARI SUNNY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Aderinto Oyeladun Racheal now MAKINDE OYELADUN RACHEAL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Olowoyo Folake Rukayat am the same person bearing Olowoyo Folakemi Rukayat. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OLOWOYO FOLAKE ATINUKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oguntola Yemisi Dolapo now MRS. OLUWOLE YEMISI DOLAPO. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc., EcoBank Plc., and general public take note

I, formerly Raimi Ganiyu Isola now RAIMI GANIYU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Bobby Ruth now HANNATU RUTH BOBBY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Friday Vrengle Kefas now RENGBUHAT VRENGLE KEFAS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Olapade Suliyat Yetunde now IDRIS SULIYAT IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Salaudeen Nafiu Olayiwola now SALAU NAFIU OLAYIWOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Omoniyi Azeez Ayo am the same person as Omoniyi Azeez Joy as it was mistakenly written on my WAEC result. Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as OMONIYI AZEEZ AYO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. WAEC, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Tirimisiyu Bukola Mariam now MRS MARY OYINADE EYEFIA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olaborode Abayomi Ayomikun now OLABAMIJI ABAYOMI AYOMIJUN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Oladayo Ayisat Oyinlola now OLADEJO AISHAT OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Arogunyo Funmilola Precious now MRS IPADEOLA FUNMILOLA PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Miss Modupe Atinuke Ojo now MRS MODUPE ATINUKE AJAYI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adeoye Seun now MRS OLADIMEJI MOFOLUWAKE. All former documents remain valid.

Sterling Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Kasali Daud Olanshile now ADEYEMO ADEGBOLA DAUD. All former documents remain valid. FCMB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ayaga Tosin Odunayo now AYAGA TOSIN ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Lawal Zainab Iyabo now MRS. ADEDAMOLA ZAINAB IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Qazim Muhammed Keulere now HAMZAT MUHAMMED KEWULERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Olatunde Olayinka now ADEMUJIMI OLAYINKA MARIA. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Nnodi Olivia now MRS IBE OLIVIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Rafiu Tajudeen Adio now TAJUDEEN ADETUNJI RAFIU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Joseph Motunrayo Elizabeth now MISS INALU-JOSEPH MOTUNRAYO ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

Authorities concerned and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Afolabi Olajumoke Grace now MRS ADEPOJU OLAJUMOKE GRACE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Osuolale Salome Yemisi Iyabo now MRS ADEKOLA OLUWAYEMISI SALOME. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Oluwagbenga Matthew Olawale now OLAWOLE OLUWAGBENGA MATHEW. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Miss Florence Gbenebitse am the same person as ARUGHA GBENEBITSE. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Rowine Ometan am the same person as DEMEYIN JONATHAN. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Muftau Selimot Titilayo that my name was wrongly written as Mufutau Titilayo.

Henceforth, I want to be known and addressed as MUFTAU SELIMOT TITILAYO. My correct date of birth is 14/8/1955 and not 3/4/1965. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Deborah Oluwafunmilayo Kilanko now MRS FALODUN DEBORAH OLUWAFUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Saka Kajoobola Qudus now SAKA SANUSI QUDUS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Omesi James now OLODI JAMES. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Augustine Oghenemene Christopher now AUGUSTINE OGHENEMENE EWUJAPO. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Sunday Nnaji Emmanuel now SUNDAY EMMANUEL BABATUNDE. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Adewoyin Adejoke Mary now MRS AREMU ADEJOKE MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oluwafolayemi Adesola Osunyomi now MRS OLUWAFOLAYEMI ADESOLA GEORGE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oni Tawa Labake now MRS AKINOLA TAWA LABAKE ONI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oyeranmi Oyenike Oluwaseun now MRS ADEBAYO OYENIKE OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid. Oyo SUBEB, Ibadan North-West Local Government and general public take note.

I, formerly Akintayo Blessing Olamide now OLANIPEKUN BLESSING OLAMIDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mmeka Grace Chizo now OKOCHA GRACE CHIZO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Federal Polytechnic, Offa and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyedeji Kafayat Oyebimpe now MRS ADELEKE KAFAYAT OYEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Sarafadeen Emmanuel Wasiu of Aganna Compound, AgoAre, Atisbo Local Government Area, Oyo State now ADENIJI EMMANUEL SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Husaina Omotola Kpaki now MRS HUSAINA OMOTOLA ADEYEMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Miss Olanrewaju Oluwabunmi Rachael now MRS ALUKO OLUWABUNMI RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Bashir Ololade Rukayat now OJEDIRAN LOLADE RUKAYAT. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Owoseni Tosin Olayinka now MRS AKINBILEJE TOSIN OLAYINKA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Shaibu Kasim Elvis formerly Richard Kazeem Shaibu now SHAIBU KASIM ELVIS. All former documents remain valid.First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Oyebanjo Temitope Rachael now MRS ILEYEMI TEMITOPE RACHAEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Rueben Osaro Bartles Guobadia am the same person as RUEBEN OSARO GUOBADIA. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as RUEBEN OSARO GUOBADIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Taiwo Olaitan Bilkis now MUSTAPHA OLAITAN BILQIS. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Mrs Guedes Mary Adenike now MRS DARE MARY ADENIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Christiana Oluwakemi Adeyina now CHRISTIANA OLUWAKEMI FOWOBAJE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Okoye Samuel Emmanuel now OKOYE SAMUEL UMUNNAKWE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Tewogbola Lydia Oluseyi now MRS ADENIJI LYDIA OLUSEYI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Egbedele Ayodele Abike now ADEDOYIN JUSTINA AYODELE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Osunderu Motunrayo now MRS ADESANYA MOTUNRAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Mrs Olayiwola Ojetunde now ADERIBIGBE YETUNDE ADEBOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Soneye Olubanke Modupe now MRS OYEWALE MODUPE OLUBANKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oke Oluwaseun Temilade now MRS OLAPADE OLUWASEUN TEMILADE. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

I, formerly Aderinto Dorcas Oyinade now ARO DORCAS OYINADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Amanfo DimEjimoleaka Ifeoma M. now DIM-EJIMOLEAKA IFEOMA MADONNA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Mrs Salau Omolola now MISS ONASANYA DAMILOLA RAMOTA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Taye Adebisi now TAYE GANIYU AZEEZ. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Esther Olukemi Adeniyi now MRS ESTHER OLUKEMI ADEFISOYE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Bamidele Bunmi Taibat now MRS FADAIRO BUNMI TAIBAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Alagbe Hannah Oluwatoyin now MRS AYORINDE HANNAH OLUWATOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Oladejo Funmilayo now MRS MAKINDE FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

37

news

Friday, 14 October, 2016

Goodie Ibru not on the run —Family

T

HE family of Mr Goodie M. Ibru has described the recent public notice issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), declaring Mr Ibru wanted on charges of “capital market fraud, money laundering and diversion of funds” as scandalous, misleading and unfortunate. In a statement signed by Akpofure Ibru, on behalf of the family, it said the October12 appeal to members of the public to furnish them with information on Mr Ibru’s whereabouts, created the unfortunate impression that he was on the run.

The statement, said the facts of the matter are at variance with the impression created by the EFCC public notice. “The truth of the matter,” said the statement, “is that the EFCC as recently as July 19, 2016,

invited Mr Ibru for an interview on July 25. Mr Ibru replied through the law firm of Babalakin & Co that he would not be able to honour the invitation until his planned return in the first week of November, 2016 as he was in the United Kingdom ,undergoing medical treatment.

The law firm in the said

THE grandmasters of data, Globacom, has concluded arrangements to unleash unlimited fun on the nation’s tertiary institutions as another season of its Glo Campus Storm concert begins today (Friday).

Announcing the commencement of the music show in a statement in Lagos ,on Thursday, Globacom disclosed that, for the next 24 weeks, several tertiary institutions across the

Hands them over to EFCC for investigation THE Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, on Thursday, said it has handed over some

Jehovah’s Witnesses holds convention THE second week of the series of Jehovah’s Witnesses regional convention for 2016 ,will commence on Friday (today) and end on Sunday, at Ifatumo Assembly Hall, along Lalupon Ejioku Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The three-day programme will feature 49 presentations, each exploring the theme “Remain loyal to Jehovah”.

As Jehovah,s Witnesses strongly believe that loyalty is an essential part of a healthy relationship.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have prepared 35 video segments specifically for the programme and two short films that will be shown tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday.

This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the media officer,Mr Olayinka Dada, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, on Thursday.

The morning and afternoon sessions will be introduced with music videos recorded for the convention daily while tomorrow’s (Saturday), programme will include baptism for those who have dedicated their lives to Jehovah

from the EFCC, the understanding was that the promise to keep the November date was a reasonable and acceptable gentleman’s agreement.

“It is, therefore, scandalous to read the EFCC notice of October 12, purporting that Mr Ibru was on the run. It decried what it regarded as creeping

bias into an investigation that in the main centres on family misunderstanding and boardroom politics and urged the EFCC to exercise professional restraint in its service delivery. Indeed, this issue of family dispute was at the heart of EFCC’s decision to file a notice of discontinuance on September 17,2015

to the suit ID/1711C/20 between Federal Republic of Nigeria and Goodie Minabo Ibru and three others.”

The statement reassured the public of Mr Ibru’s unflagging commitment to the rule of law and urged other parties in the dispute to exhibit the same commitment in their utterances and actions.

Glo unleashes unlimited fun on Nigerian universities with Campus Storm

Ministry uncovers criminal activities of some staffers Ademola Adegbite - Abuja

response, stressed that as their client, “is a law abiding citizen who has no interest in foiling the administration of justice, we assure you that he will appear before your commission as soon as he has recovered from his illness and returned to Nigeria.”

The statement said as there was no further word

staffers of the ministry to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), after uncovering criminal activities an underground taskforce team set up by the ministry for the purpose.

It, therefore, issued a warning to all concerned, especially, perpetrators of illegal mining activities and their collaborators, within the industry and outside, that acts capable of jeopardising the economic diversification efforts of the Federal Government, would be met with stiff penalties.

In a press statement by its permanent secretary, Mohammed Abass, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, in Abuja, also announced that the ministry was working closely with relevant security agencies to fish out fraudulent elements within its workforce.

The statement also reiterated its commitment and determination to plug all revenue leakages and improve revenue generation from the mining sector.

According to the statement, “the suspects have now been handed over to EFCC for further investigations”.

It further warned that criminal activities bordering on revenue diversion, underpayment, under-assessment and under- reporting, would be treated as economic sabotage and perpetrators would be made to incure the wrath of the law.

country would be treated to world -class entertainment and fun “as 17 of the country’s best artistes including Wizkid, Flavour, Timaya, MI, Omawumi, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Di’ja, Runtown, Basketmouth, Bovi and Gordons have been shortlisted to entertain our teeming youths in the nation’s tertiary institutions”.

“We have the pleasure of announcing that our rave youth concert, the Glo Campus Storm, will be hitting tertiary institutions across the country beginning with the University of Port Harcourt, which will host the maiden edition of the 24week show today, October 14”, Globacom said.

The statement said that

apart from providing entertainment, Glo will also “be using the Glo Campus Storm, to reward and empower Nigerian students as 240 of them, 10 from each institution, comprising five males and five females, will become campus ambassadors of the Glo brand across the 24 campuses.”

Globacom added that “The 10 winners in each campus, will receive up to N100,000 each, with all the 240 winners vying for the ‘Glo Data Dude’ and ‘Glo Data Diva’ coveted crowns at the grand finale. The two top winners in each category (male and female), will each have the chance of winning N1 million in scholarships in addition to being signed on

as Glo brand ambassadors.

They will also get special invitations to all Globacom organised events and shows such as the Glo-CAF Awards, Glo Laffta Fest and Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce concerts”, the statement added.

For the University of Port Harcourt edition of the show, Globacom listed the artistes that will perform to include the South-South don of entertainment, Timaya, ace rapper, Mr Incredible, MI, and Nigeria’s youngest hip hop sensation, Runtown. Popular comedian, Gordons, will anchor the show, while the most prolific female Disc Jockey, DJ Lambo, will take charge of the jukebox. The show will be held at the University

SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER, 2016

of Port Harcourt’s Gymnasium starting from 4.oo p.m.

Globacom explained that students on any of the campuses wishing to participate will be required to recharge their Glo SIMs with N500 worth of Glo campus booster data plan. This will enable them to gain entrance into the venue of the show and contest for the mouthwatering prizes.

Globacom explained that students on any of the campuses wishing to participate, will be required to recharge their Glo SIMs with N500 worth of Glo campus booster data plan. This will enable them to gain entrance into the venue of the show and contest for the mouthwatering prizes.

N150

entertainment

interview

To fight corruption, let’s set aside rule of law for one year

—Niyi Akintola (SAN)

To survive recession, monetise your hobbies

— Tampiri InimaghaAkamu, Managing Director, Sesema PR

xquisite I wonder

why I haven’t been arrested —Cossy Orjiakor

Weekend Lagos

Paternity leave mess:

The risks Lagos men take

Book your copy today

38

news

Friday, 14 October, 2016

Rape now attracts life imprisonment in Oyo

By Wale Akinselure

O

YO State House of Assembly, on Thursday, passed into law, Violence against Women bill, 2015.

As presented by chairperson of the special committee set up to consider the bill, Honourable Wumi Oladeji, the law would prohibit violence against women in public and private life, harmful traditional practice and prescribe punishment for the offenders.

The law stipulates that any person or group of persons convicted of rape is liable to life imprisonment, while anyone convicted of forcing a woman to have sex or cause her bodily harm, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine of N50,000.

Furthermore, the law states that any man convicted of deserting his wife, without any means of sustenance, is liable to

imprisonment not exceeding three years or fine of N150,000.

Adding, Oladeji hinted

that the House Committee on Women Affairs would partner with the Ministry of Information, Culture

From left, Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Executive Director, Int’l Centre for Energy, Environment and Development, Mr Ewah Otu Eleri; Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and other senators, during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Stakeholders in the Clean Cookstove subsector and polymer Institute, to the Senate President, in Abuja, on Thursday.

•Illegal grazing: 16 herdsmen arraigned in Abuja THE governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, interrupted his journey to inaugurate projects in the Ekiti North area of the state, late in the evening of Wednesday, to personally join in arresting herdsmen they saw as contravening the grazing law in the state.

The governor’s convoy was travelling through Ado-Afao road when the herdsmen and his cattle were sighted grazing at a time that the grazing law said was illegal.

The Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, to the governor, Mr Lere Olayinka, said in his online medium that “the two herdsmen grazing the cows ran into the bush, while youths

pursued the cows and got one of them arrested.”

Olayinka said: “Governor Fayose was going to Ikole Ekiti, he came across herdsmen along Afao-Ekiti road, Ado Ekiti. The governor demonstrated the seriousness of the state’s Anti-Grazing Law by personally seeing to it that one of the cows was “arrested” by youths, who chased the cows after the herdsmen ran into the bush upon seeing the governor’s security men. The remaining cows ran into the bush too.”

According to him, Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshalls (EGEM) would start work in few days’ time in the state.

Meanwhile, few weeks after Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Musa Bello, issued

directive to Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT taskteam on environment to stop cattle grazing in Abuja capital city, a total of 16

•36 cows, 38 sheep impounded herdsmen have been arraigned and convicted before the Abuja sanitation mobile court for grazing in the city.

The arrest and prosecu-

THE Federal Government, on Thursday, re-assured that the current administration was committed to taking concrete measures to boost all the sectors of the economy as efforts got intensified to pull the country out of the current recession.

This came as quantity surveyors in the country, under the auspices of Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN), said given the ugly economic scenario, it meant that the country needed to borrow to balance its annual budgets, especial-

ly, the capital expenditure.

Speaking at the 2016 annual conference of registered quantity surveyors in Abuja, the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, noted that the current administration, was committed to voting massive funds for construction projects in the road and housing sectors to take the country out of the recession.

The minister, who was represented by the director, Quantity Surveyors in the ministry, Dickson Onoja, said the Federal Government believed that massive government investment and expenditure in infra-

tion also came after the Senate Committee chairman on FCT, Dino Melaye, ordered the minister to slaughter any cow found grazing in the city.

Criminal investigations ongoing in Malabu oil deal —AGF conclusion was certain, sayJacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel-Abuja

THE Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, on Thursday, disclosed that the controversial Malabu Oil deal has been a hard nut to crack with many complexities, saying that criminal investigations were still ongoing on the matter.

The minister dropped the hint during the inves-

tigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on alleged corruption, malpractices and breach of due process in the award of OPL 245.

To crack the hard nut, he said that, requests had been made internationally for Mutual Legal Assistance from the United States, Italy and the United Kingdom in the Malabu case.

The minister also told the House panel that investigation was still ongoing and no

Recession: Again, FG reaffirms measures to boost economy Christian Okeke - Abuja

among other stakeholders, to sensitise the public about the new Violence against Women law.

Johnson BabajideMakurdi

Fayose, aides, youths arrest cow in Ekiti Sam Nwaoko, Ado Ekiti and Christian Okeke-Abuja

and Tourism, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, non-governmental organisations,

Again, 3 state officials arrested in Benue

structure, was one sure way of taking the country out of recession.

“This administration, more than any other in recent times, has taken concrete measures to bridge the infrastructure deficit in Nigeria in the belief that the development of a nation’s infrastructure impacts positively on its economy,” he said.

According to Fashola, a revitalised building and construction sector, was capable of not only increasing our national infrastructure stock but will also generate huge multiplier effects and in the process, and boost economic prosperity of the country.

“Government has, accordingly, voted massive funds for construction projects in the road and housing sectors. Funds have been released for the payment of debts owed contractors, which has seen the return of most of them to site, resulting in the re-engagement of workers, who had earlier been laid off.

“The current administration demands the involvement of professionals, especially, registered surveyors”, stressing, “With the current downturn in government revenues, there is the need to ensure that the little funds available are efficiently utilised.

ing that, “the field has not been covered. Investigation is ongoing nationally and internationally and what I say might alter the conclusion of the case.”

According to him, “I took steps to write to the international agencies and governments to consolidate on the available information,” warning that “We have to move with caution by allowing representations to be made.”

The Chairman of the panel, Honourable Razak Atunwa, while addressing the gathering said that “This is a highly controversial allocation of perhaps, the biggest oil bloc in Africa.”

According to him, “There is a lot at stake on this issue and the credibility and revenue for this country is at stake.

“However complex the situation may be, the law is able to deal with it. The House is also able to make enquiries and make recommendation on the matter,” the lawmaker stated.

However, Mohammed Abacha and Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, who are shareholders in Malabu withdrew their earlier submission to the committee and promised a detailed presentation.

POLICE in Benue have arrested three persons from Benue State Ministry of Agriculture over alleged fraud of N12 million.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt that the suspects were, early this week, picked up by state police command in connection with the petition against them.

The command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, confirmed the arrest of the trio.

It was also gathered that the three suspects were alleged to have engaged in a fertilizer scam and presently undergoing investigation at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police in the state.

God chose Africa, not me —MAC Corps world commandant

By Bolatito Abolade

THE World Commandant and founder of Mission for Africa Chaplaincy Corps, Edward Taylor, has said God chose Africa, not him for the chaplaincy programme.

He made this statement on Thursday, at the Carlton Gate Hotel, Ibadan, during an interview with some, on his first visit to Oyo State, Nigeria for the MAC Corps programme.

Edward explained the goals and aims of MAC Corps as to bind unity, to share love and discipline among men of God and church workers.

In his explanation, he said, the Mission for Africa Chaplaincy, being for Africa and not other continent, was a blessing to this continent because God chose Africa, not him and this shows that Africa is a great nation and a God-loving nation.

In this organisation, we bring different churches in and we are together in love, he said Edward Taylor, who was born in the United States of America in 1949, was a clergyman before God revealed the vision of the mission to him. As a man of God directed by the Holy Spirit, he started the mission in the year 2005 and with the help of God, the organisation has expanded and now in a lot of countries. MAC Corps is now in NIgeria, Sierra-Leone, Gambia, Ghana and a lot more and the work of God keeps moving on.

39

Friday, 14 October, 2016 Editor: Wale Emosu tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08111813054, 08055444383

Remains of ex-Commonwealth boxing champion, Fatai Ayinla, buried in Ibadan

By Nurudeen Alimi

Wives and children of fomer Commonwealth boxing champion , Fatai Ayinla, during his burial at their residence in Ibadan, on Thursday. Inset: The remains of Ayinla being lowered into the grave. PHOTO: NURUDEEN ALIMI

Nigeria’s Enosoregbe, Emmanuel crash out of Lagos Gov’s Tennis Cup

By Ganiyu Salman

T

he two surviving Nigerian players in the men’s singles of the ongoing 16th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis (Futures 5) on Thursday edged out of the competition.

Clifford Enosoregbe, who had on Wednesday created an upset when he sent tournament’s number eight seed, Maciej Smola of Poland packing, lost to Indian Sasi Kumar Mukund in a quarter-final match decided at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Enosoregbe lost the first set 1-6, before he came back to win the second set 6-3, but lost the final set 2-6.

“I feel great playing to the quarter-finals of the first leg of the Governor’s Cup this year. This is an achievement I will carry on to the second leg coming up next week.

“What I need now is a little bit of rest after which I will begin my training for the second leg.

“Mukund was a good player who I learnt has

been going round the world playing circuits, an opportunity that eludes many of us here in Nigeria despite the fact that we are equally good on court,” said Enosoregbe who entered the Governor’s Cup as a wildcard player.

Also, compatriot Syl-

vester Emmanuel was stopped by Egyptian Karim-Mohamed Maamoun in another quarterfinal match which ended 2-6, 7-5, 1-6.

Emmanuel too had on Wednesday stunned many bookmakers when he defeated tournament’s number six, Klegou Alexis 6-7,

6-1, 7-6 (1) in a match which lasted three hours and 15 minutes to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Christian Paul, it will be recalled, was the only Nigerian player who played in the quarter-final of the competition last year in Futures 3 before he crashed out.

The remains of former national, African and Commonwealth boxing champion, Fatai Ayinla, were laid to rest on Thursday at his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan at exactly 4:26pm.

The two-time Olympian, 77, died on Wednesday during illness.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Challenge Central mosque, Ibadan, Alhaji Musa Kolawole Najeemdeen, who described death as inevitable urged all to be good to one another.

Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Abayomi Oke; acting General Manager, Oyo State Sports Council, Adegboyega Makinde; former Nigeria table tennis star, Alhaji Waheed Ekun and former coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Mr Niyi Akande, among others were at the burial to pay tributes to the late boxing star.

Ayinla started his boxing career in the early 1960s with the Western State Sports Council. After emerging the national champion, he won silver medal for Nigeria at the 1966 Commonwealth Games held in Kingston, Jamaica in the light heavyweight class.

He also featured at the 1968 Olympic Games in

Army Games: Daramola predicts tough water sports contests

By Niyi Alebiosu

The coordinator of water sports at the ongoing biennial Nigerian Army Sports Festival, Tunde Giwa-Daramola a robust participation is expected today during the water sports exhibition.

“We are expecting all the divisions in the Army.

We are expecting about 30 participants from the Army from the various formations around the country, the Navy Sailing Club group and we have the federation athletes from different states of Nigeria,” he said.

According to Giwa Daramola, all logistics have been put in place to accommodate over 30 athletes expected from the Nigerian Army, the Navy sailing club

and the federation athletes coming from the different states of the federation.

He lauded the vision-

ary leadership of the Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Tukur Y. Buratai and for showing so much interest

in water sports as he expressed optimism over the future of the sport in Nigeria.

Ghana eliminated from fifa u-17 Women’s w-cup

By Ganiyu Salman

AFRICA’S surviving team at the ongoing fifth FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Ghana, on Thursday crashed out following a 1-2 loss to Korea DPR. The Black Maidens bowed to a 94th minute winner which came through substitute Ja Un-Yong, in a quarter-final game decided at Al Hassan International Stadium, Jordan.

Kim Po-Ui put the Koreans who battered Nigeria’s

Flamingoes 3-0 in a last group game ahead with a 33rdminute penalty, while the Africans battled spiritedly to level up and succeeded in the 81st minute through Gifty Acheampong’s header past goalkeeper Ok Kum-Ju after Philicity Asuako had lofted the ball into the box with an overhead kick.

Meanwhile, coach of the Black Maidens, Evans Adotey said his players did their best in the competition, adding that he

blamed no player for the loss to Korea DPR. “We managed to beat Korea DPR in Costa Rica two years ago and it was definitely my ambition to do so again. It was a tough game but I really thought we thought we had done enough to take it to penalties. In the end though, the Koreans had their revenge.

I’m down about what happened but I have accepted the defeat and I don’t blame any individuals players,” Adotey told FIFA.com.

Mexico where he made it to the quarter-finals.

Ayinla won gold medal for Nigeria at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland and also featured at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.

After moving to the heavyweight division, Ayinla clinched the gold at the second All-Africa Games held in 1973 in Lagos, Nigeria, while he won the silver at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.

He also won a bronze medal for Africa at the World Boxing Championship held in Havana, Cuba in 1974 in the heavyweight category.

He retired from the Oyo State Sports Council on November 5, 1998 as Director Sports and Training.

Ayinla, it will be recalled, was among the coaches who accompanied Bash Ali to Germany for his cruiserweight title fight with home boy Ralf Rochigianni in 1996, which the native won by points.

Mimiko rewards Ondo athletes THE Ondo State government has rewarded the 300 athletes who made the state proud at the 2012 National Sports Festival held in Lagos.

Each of the gold medallists received a cheque for N150,000, N100,000; silver medalist got while each bronze medallist got a cheque for N75,000. The coaches and the teams were also not left out in the largesse.

The state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, while presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries at the International Event Centre (Dome) in Akure, affirmed that his administration’s investment in sports had not been in vain, stressing that government will continue to promote sports development in the best interest of the athletes and the state.

Dr Mimiko noted that his administration’s investment in sports for youth empowerment was a deliberate effort to raise the standard of sporting activities and athletes in the state.

SIDELINES

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Friday, 14 OCTOBER, 2016

n0 16,611

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan, said on Tuesday that the Federal Government would organise a National Girls Summit to highlight the importance of the girl-child to national development. Very patriotic move, but what about a National Boys Summit? Or could it be that boys are not so important to national development that they don’t even require a summit? Should this be our priority at this time?

Enrique hunts for Nou camp traitor

Crew won’t alter team for Algeria —Salisu Yusuf Saliu Gbadamosi-Abuja

Nigeria’s Ogenyi Onazi (left) watching closely Rainford Kalaba of Zambia in last Sunday’s game.

SUPER Eagles chief coach, Salisu Yusuf, has informed that the technical crew of the national team will largely stick to the players who made the country proud in their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Zambia for the team’s next match against the Desert Warriors of Algeria.

The Gernot Rohr-tutored Eagles went to Ndola to pick a vital 2-1 away win last Sunday to begin their quest for a place at the 2018 World Cup on a cheerful note.

Yusuf told sports journalists in Abuja that there was no need to change a winning team, more so that the players had begun to understand one another better.

According to him, the decision to stick to the same set of players to execute the Algeria match was reached after the coaching crew met to appraise the performance of the team against the Chipolopolo of Zambia.

He added that the decision was meant to allow continuity, confidence and cohesion amongst the players.

“We don’t intend to change the team, not many changes will be made because the boys have begun to gel and understand one another,” he stated.

He, however, declared that the decision notwithstanding, the coaches would still invite two or three new players to strengthen the squad for the Match Day 2 tie billed for Uyo next month.

Rohr warns Eagles against Algeria

N

igeria coach Gernot Rohr has warned that the sensational dismissal of Serbian Milovan Rajevac could well work in favour of Algeria when they visit Uyo next month in continuation of the World Cup qualifiers.

Player-power has forced Rajevac out in Algeria, who tackle Nigeria on November 12 in a crucial World Cup clash after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home

by Cameroon.

Nigeria top the qualifying group with three points ahead of favourites Algeria and Cameroon, who are on a point each.

“This [sack] may be the motivation Algeria need to play against us,” warned the experienced Rohr, who led Nigeria to win 2-1 in Zambia at the weekend.

“It will be difficult for a new coach to put together a team in

three weeks for our match, but possibly the assistant coaches could manage it.”

The Algeria Football Federation (FAF) have already announced

that Rajevac assistants Nabil Neghiz and Yazid Mansouri are in temporary charge and will lead the team for next month’s trip to Nigeria.

Luis Enrique’s plans for the visit of Manchester City next week have been hit by a Nou Camp mole.

The Barcelona coach is furious that tactics for Barca’s last Champions League meeting against Borussia Monchengladbach were pasted all over the daily papers after the game and is worried the next step from there is that plans are leaked before a match.

Spanish moles are nothing new.

Jose Mourinho complained of one at the Santiago Bernabeu during his turbulent three years spell there and now the Barca coach is being forced to hunt down the person threatening confidentiality at the club.

Club insiders say the troubled boss called every single member of his backroom staff into a meeting during the international break urging them to ‘out’ the mole but as yet no one was has owned up or been outed.

Problems came to a head when Barcelona-based paper El Mundo Deportivo got hold of copies of detailed plans as to how Barca were planning to attack Gladbach from set plays and how they planned to defend against them.

Loose lips sink Champions League ships and Luis Enrique wants to find his mole and sack him before the visit of Manchester City next Wednesday.

FAF president Mohamed Raouraou has admitted it will be impossible to name a permanent coach before next year’s AFCON in Gabon.

Teammate declares war on Ighalo, Success

Ighalo (left) and Guedioura

Algeria star Adlene Guedioura has revealed he joked with his Nigeria teammates at Watford he will not talk to them until after next month’s World Cup qualifier because he considers them as “enemies”.

Nigeria hosts Algeria on November 12 in continuation of the World Cup qualifiers after they won 2-1 in Zambia and Algeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Cameroon.

“I said to them I won’t talk to them until next month because they are my enemies now,” the 30-year-old Algeria midfielder told the Watford official website.

“Of course it’s a joke, but it will be a pleasure to play against them. It’s special to meet teammates who you are used to training with every day and to play against them in one game, so it’s quite good and strange at the same time.

“It’s going to be an important game for us. I’m sure we’ll have a good welcome from the Nigerian people and from Ighalo and Isaac, but when we go into the pitch they’re not going to be my teammates or my friends any more.

“It’s going to be a tough game

Enrique

Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: editornigeriantribune@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: DEBO ABDULAI. All Correspondence to P.O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 14/10/2016.