15th July 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 16,546

FRIDAY, 15 JULY, 2016

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Gunmen rape 60-yr-old PDP sets August 17 for fresh national in kids' presence, loot convention home in Ikorodu

•Residents flee home over —P7 attack

•South to get national chairman slot •Search for permanent peace —P6 continues —BoT

Arms procurement scandal

Buhari approves probe of Ihejirika, Minimah, others —P5

•18 serving, retired military personnel; 12 serving, retired public officials; 24 CEOs also to be investigated Reps to probe bailout funds to states —P5 We have no —P5 plan to impeach Buhari —Senate

What transpired between Tinubu and I —Melaye —P5

President Muhammadu Buhari, with his children, in celebration of their graduation and call to bar, at the State House, on Thursday.

Suspected militants burst gas pipeline in Ogun —P7

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Alleged sex scandal: Absence of minister, US Ambassador stalls probe of 3 lawmakers Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel- Abuja

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HE absence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and the outgoing United States (US) Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, on Thursday, stalled the investigative hearing into the allegation of sexual misconduct levelled against three members

of the House of Representatives by the outgoing United States (US) Ambassador.

This led to the House of Representatives Committees on Ethics & Privileges and Foreign Affairs to adjourn the investigative hearing till July 20.

The three lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct are Honourable Mohammed Gololo, Samuel Ikon and Mark Gbillah.

The House had, after the allegation against the lawmakers was made public, promised to conduct an open investigative hearing on the matter.

The House committees mandated to probe the allegation had written to the ambassador through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking him to come and justify his action and as well invited the Minister of Foreign

Affairs, Mr Onyeama, but the duo failed to show up.

The co-chairman of the joint committee, Honourable Nicholas Ossai, in his opening remarks, explained that both the minister and the US ambassador were meant to appear together at the hearing.

To this end, the committee chairman read a letter from the minister, where he pleaded with the commit-

tee that he was away for an African Union (AU) summit holding in Kigali, Rwanda, hence his inability to make it for the investigative hearing.

He then asked the committee to put the hearing at a later date for which he would appear.

On his part, the Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Honourable Nnenna-Elendu Ukeje, said the diplomatic angle to the matter would be handled according to Vienna convention of 1961.

The lawmaker also faulted the outgoing US ambassador’s resolve to channel his letter on the alleged sexual misconduct to the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, instead of through the ministry, in line with Vienna convention of 1961.

Specifically, Honourable Ossai said the US ambassador had waived his right by routing the letter straight to the Speaker, instead of writing the letter through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Youths march to National Assembly to condemn restructuring Collins Nnabuife - Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

THOUSANDS of Nigerian youths on Thursday marched to the National Assembly to call for an end to the clamour for restructuring in the country.

The youths, under the aegis of coalition of patriotic Nigerians both at home and in diaspora in defence of democracy, described restructuring as a distraction to the fight against corruption.

The group also passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari on his fight against corruption and his performance in

Malpractice: Our exams can’t be computer-based for now —WAEC Clement Idoko - Abuja THE West African Examination Council has ruled out the possibility of adopting Computer-Based Test (CBT) in the conduct of its examinations for now because of the complex nature of the test administration.

The Abuja Zonal Coordinator of WAEC , Mr Yusuf Ari, spoke on Thursday, at the National Stakeholders Dialogue on Examination Malpractice in Abuja.

He, however, said the council was doing a lot in the area of curbing examination malpractices.

Mr Ari said candidates taking WAEC examinations cover over 80 subjects as a result of the recent addition of new subjects to the list of available subjects by the Federal Government, adding that a lot of logistics and infrastructure would also be required if such mode was to be introduced.

According to him, the fact that the council’s examinations held in both urban and rural schools had also made the deployment of ICT difficult in the conduct of the examination.

The WAEC Zonal Coordinator, however, disclosed that the council was leaving no stone unturned to reduce the incidence of examination malpractice during the conduct of its examination to the barest minimum.

He explained that the stakeholders dialogue was being conducted nationwide.

According to him, people of high integrity were being deployed to handle the conduct of examination, which he said had helped to address the problem of examination malpractice.

Mr Ari emphasised the need for parents, teachers and other stakeholders’ need to do more to finally stamp out the problem of examination malpractice.

He said: “Infact, WAEC is looking at the possibility of introducing the computerbased system, but adequate facilities like sufficient computer systems, steady power supply, and other infrastructural provisions must be guaranteed for that to come to reality.

“WAEC examination is a very complex one. It may interest you to know that WAEC does not conduct ex-

amination in urban centres only. It penetrates through government and WAEC accredited schools in remote areas to conduct the examinations unlike in the case of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

“The examination body would not contemplate assembling candidates at a particular place, either in the local government headquarters or elsewhere for the examination because of the obvious peculiar nature of the examination.

“WAEC conducts examinations in over 80 subjects

and many of them come in components. Infact, English Language comes in three components, consisting of practical, theory and oral as the case maybe.

“Moreover, experts in education assessment believe that removing somebody from his or her place of residence would psychologically and emotionally affect his or her performance, thus suggesting that the body maintain the mode of examination pending when adequate provisions are made for the successful take-off of the ComputerBased Test.”

the last one year.

Addressing journalists during a solidarity match for President Buhari, national coordinator of the group, Comrade Sunday Attah, said those calling for Nigeria’s restructuring were enemies of the country.

According to him, “anyone who continues with this hostility of using demand for restructuring or any other excuse to distract President Buhari are enemies of Nigeria.

“Protests, calls for break-up and violence against economic infrastructure may intensify, but we know we will overcome the enemies of Nigeria.”

Comrade Attah further said “these insurrections, separatists’ agenda, economic sabotage, terrorism, unbridled theft of public resources and other criminal acts are the planks that paid agents are using to canvass the restructuring of Nigeria.

“They call it restructuring, but enlightened people realise that it is a cover for negotiating the partitioning of Nigeria to feudal lords, who are waiting to rule enclaves in which they want to keep the rest of us as slaves.”

He said those calling for restructuring were the same people that sabotaged the economic growth of the country, adding that Nigeria must remain united.

Buhari’s daughter, 80-year-old man, 2,259 others called to Bar Sunday Ejike - Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Alima, a 80-year-old, Enebeli Pius Chuka and 2, 257 others were, on Thursday, called to the Nigerian Bar, following their success at the April 2016 Bar final examinations, conducted by the Nigerian Law School, under the supervision of the Council of Legal Education.

Wife of the president, Hajia Aisha Buhari and other dignitaries graced the ceremony, held at the Independent Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Olanrewaju Onadeko, said the 80-year-old man was the oldest new wig ever produced by the Nigerian Law School.

Onadeko said the classroom solution, a video conferencing platform linking all campuses of the Nigerian Law School, deployed by the Nigerian Commissions Satellite Limited (NICOMSAT) would soon be commissioned to enable members of the Bar and the Bench interact with students from any campus of the Law School.

He said violation of admis-

sion quota by some faculties of Law had remained a major challenge and reiterated the essence of strict adherence to allocated students’ numbers, by Law Faculties, adding that failure to keep to these numbers impacted negatively on the quality of the products.

The Director-General said some faculties of Law have had their accreditation withdrawn for violating

admission quota, because it disrupted the projection of the Nigerian Law School in the short and medium terms.

Onadeko added that the insistence on good character for eligibility for admission to the legal profession, to shield it from those with propensity to act at variance with the interest of their clients, the profession itself and the justice system.

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Arms procurement scandal: Buhari approves probe of Ihejirika, Minimah, others •18 serving, retired military personnel; 12 serving, retired public officials; 24 CEOs also to be investigated Chris Agbambu - Abuja

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has approved the recommendation of the committee charged with investigating the Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015 for further investigation of those involved, after the committee found a number of irregularities in the contract awards.

The approval followed the Third Interim Report of the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment, which was released on Thursday.

Among those to be investigated are 18 serving and retired military personnel, 12 serving and retired public officials and 24 Chief Executive Officers of companies involved in the procurement.

All were either accounting officers or played key roles in the procurement activities of the Nigerian Army during the period under review.

Those listed for further investigation were two former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General O.A. Ihejirika (retd); Lieutenant-General

K.T.J. Minimah (retd); former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed and three former permanent secretaries in the Ministry of Defence – Mr Bukar Goni Aji, Mr Haruna Sanusi and Mr E.O. Oyemomi.

Also, the CEOs to be investigated included Colonel Olu Bamgbose (retd) of Bamverde Ltd; Mr Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Ltd and DYI Global Services and Mr Edward Churchill of Westgate Global Trust Ltd. According to the committee, the total amount spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185,843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49.

It found that the Nigerian Army contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence for the period under review were often awarded without “significant input from enduser (Nigerian Army) and to vendors who lacked the necessary technical competence.

“As an example, three contracts with a total value of N5,940,000,000 were awarded to DYI Global Services Ltd and Doiyatec Comms Nig. Ltd (owned by

the same individuals) for the procurement of military hardware, including 20 units of KM-38 Twin Hull Boats and 6 Units of 4X4 Ambulances fitted with radios.

“The committee found that the two companies collected N5,103,500,000, representing 86 per cent of the total value of the three contracts worth N5,940,000,000, but only performed to the tune of N2,992,183,705.31,” the

report said.

The committee also found that a contract worth N169,916,849.77 for the procurement of 53 armoured vehicles spare parts, with 90 days completion time, is yet to be completed five years after.

With respect to contracts awarded directly by the Nigerian Army, the committee found that many of the contracts were characterised by “lack of due process, in

THE Senate has said it has no plan to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari as being peddled around by some online media.

This was as it expressed surprise that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) made comments on mere speculation and fabrication by an online publication on a purported plan to impeach the president, when it had all the opportunity to cross-check what actually happened at the executive session held on Tuesday from its members in attendance.

The lawmakers, in a statement by its spokesperson, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the comments credited to the national secretary of the party, Mai Bala Buni, on the falsehood being spread by the online medium would merely give credibility to a news item which members of the public had disregarded, knowing the reputation of the source.

According to him “we expected the party to, at least,

explore all the options open to it to verify that piece of fabrication which is only the figment of the imagination of the writers and their sponsors.

“It should be clear to the APC leadership that if there is any truth to that story, it should have been credited to a particular senator who was at the executive ses-

Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding.

“Though the committee found no credible evidence of delivery of the vehicles, the vendors were fully paid based on job completion certificate authenticated by the then Chief of Logistics.

“Also, analysis of the various bank accounts of the two companies showed transfers to individuals related to then Chief of Army Staff,” the report said.

Reps to probe bailout funds to states Jacob Segun Olatunji and Kolawole Daniel - Abuja THE House of Representatives, on Thursday, resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the utilisation of bailout funds and the terms and conditions for the disbursement and the level of compliance by the beneficiary states.

The House further expressed worry that the Public Enlightenment Department of Independent Corrupt Practices Offences Commission (ICPC), in a recent report, indicted several state governments on the non-utilisation of the funds.

It also observed that the lack of utilisation of thee funds for the desired purpose by beneficiary states justified criticisms of persons who were opposed to the Federal Government’s action to release the bailout.

The ad hoc committee is also to ascertain the necessity for further disbursement as being muted by the Federal Government and report back to the House The House equally frowned on non-utilisation of bailout received from Federal Government to pay workers’ salaries by some states.

The resolution was sequel

We have no plan to impeach Buhari —Senate Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja

breach of extant procurement regulations and tainted by corrupt practices.

“In this regard, a review of the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the two companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N3,000,000,000 for the

sion.

“It is evident from our proceedings of yesterday (Wednesday) that the Senate itself was shocked that such a fabrication which constitute a breach of the privileges of the senators was published and that was why we mandated our committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions

to investigate the source and circumstances leading to the emergence of such a fabrication.”

“We will like to assure the party that the Senate, as an institution, values the present democracy in our country and will not do anything that will undermine or weaken the system,” Abdullahi added.

to a motion of urgent national importance moved by Honourable Karimi Sunday Steve, calling on the House to investigate the disbursement and utilisation of bailout funds to state government.

According to him, since 2015, the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market had taken its toll on allocations from Federation Account to state governments, thereby causing the inability of several states to meet financial obligations, particularly to their employees.

He noted that “the Federal Government, in July 2015, approved the release and disbursement of bailout funds totaling N689.5 billion to 27 states while a further N20 billion was disbursed to Kogi State government four months ago, but noted that many of the states have refused to utilise the funds released for payment of workers’ salaries.”

To this end, he said a recent report by BudgIT, a private sector data company, revealed that as of April 30, 2016, about 13 states still

owed workers’ salaries.

According to him, “a recent report by BudgIT revealed that as of April 30, 2016, Abia and Osun states were owing two months’ salary each, whilst Bayelsa State is owing five months.

“Benue, Ekiti, Kwara and Plateau states were owing three months’ salary; Oyo State is reported to owe four months, while Delta, Niger, Nasarawa and Ogun states were all reported to be owing one month each. Kogi State is currently owing over seven months, despite bailout.”

Speaking further, he said “many of the states that have collected bailout from the Federal Government were reported to have stash the funds meant for staff salaries in interest-bearing accounts, while their employees continue to wallow in hunger, poverty and lack.

“Some of these workers have even lost their lives because of their inability to meet daily need.”

When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, it was unanimously supported by members.

What transpired between Remi Tinubu and I —Melaye Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi - Abuja CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye, hassaid he attacked the wife of national leader of APC, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because she called him names.

Melaye, who addressed newsmen in the Senate, said his attacks on Mrs Tinubu was in response to verbal assaults she had unleashed on him.

He stated that if he had used foul language against Mrs Tinubu, his colleagues would have descended on him before Tinubu rose to

speak on the matter.

According to the senator, he had made his statement at the closed session without referring to anyone, adding that he was surprised to see Mrs Tinubu rise to call him names.

Melaye also said his submission at the closed session was to ensure that those who filed suits against the Senate as regards the alleged forgery matter should withdraw it or risk suspension.

“When I stood up and I made my submissions that day in the Senate, all I did was to pacify my colleagues and asked that the case in court be withdrawn, because already, there is a

resolution of the Senate that the rules of the Senate were not forged.

“I said all those who have gone to court should withdraw their names from court and that, at the end of the day, those who refuse to withdraw their names from court should be penalised by suspending them.

“But I did not use any insolent, abusive, degrading or mannerless language. So there was no reaction from any of our colleagues as regards my presentation.

“After I spoke, so many other senators spoke and I did not mention the name of any senators while I was making my presentation.

Unfortunately Senator Oluremi Tinubu got up and was recognised to speak and immediately, she specifically mentioned my name.

“Because of reasons only known to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the first thing she said was that she’s being harrassed in this chamber by Senator Melaye. I kept quiet.

She went ahead to say that why will he come here and be threatening senators and there was a large chorus from senators how, when, where?

“At that point she got up again and said that this thug must be tamed. It was at that point that I got up and I told her that she was very stupid. The next statement

from her was that ‘you are a dog.’

“She called me a dog and when she called me a dog I stood up and I reacted and I told her that this is not Bourdillon and that she should look at my face, I am from Kogi and not Lagos and that there would never be a day that I will come to you for political assistance.

These were my words while she went on shouting dog, thug,” he said.

Melaye said if he had used foul languages, other senators would have reacted, adding that many of them would have even addressed the press that Dino insulted us.

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PDP sets August 17 for fresh national convention •South to get national chairman slot •Ekweremadu heads S/West peace committee Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe-Abuja

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ray of hope has appeared in the horizon for the embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as it has agreed on a date for a new national convention to resolve all lingering leadership problems.

The party has chosen August 17, 2016 to conduct a new national convention in Port Harcourt, barely three months after the controversial May 21 convention, which was also held in the Rivers State capital.

A meeting of stakeholders of the party was presided over by the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, held in Abuja, on Thursday, where certain agreements were reached, including the jettisoning of the previous zoning formula which had ceded the post of the national chairman to the North-East.

Claimant to the office of the national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, was conspicuously absent.

But Senator Buruji Kashamu, who was seen as his major backer in the effort to remain the national chairman of the party, was present at the stakeholders meeting to the delight of Makarfi.

The meeting agreed that since the 2019 presidential candidate of the PDP will be chosen from the North, the party boss must emerge from any part of the south.

Makarfi briefed journalists on the outcome at the end of the about four hours meeting at Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

He said nobody would be alienated from the party, including Sheriff and his supporters, as effort will continue to achieve peaceful resolution of all the contentious issues.

He similarly announced the setting up a reconciliation committee for the South-West headed by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

He said: “We discussed some programmes leading to the convention, meaning that the national convention will hold on August 17 where we will elect new national executive officers of the party.

“We have also discussed and agreed on a new amendment to the constitution in view of recent court judgments, in order to align the constitution to the judgments that have been delivered by court of competent jurisdiction.

“Equally, we received

reports of reconciliation.

You can see by yourself our brothers, friends and associates, Senator Buruji Kashamu.

“That is evidence of the reconciliation making progress and I can assure you that we will never foreclose full reconciliation with Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and another person that may still be associated with him.

“What we want is an all inclusive PDP, an equitable, fair and just system in the PDP, where the right of everyone commensurate with their own level is protected and preserved.

“We equally have set up a special committee led by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to further cement the reconciliation within the South-West so that all issues that must have led to the division in the South-West would be resolved accordingly.”

On zoning, Makarfi said: “We also discussed about zoning. Within the next few days, a committee will be set up on zoning.

“The convention set aside the previous zoning arrangement. So, a new zoning arrangement has to be made.

“We have agreed that within the next 48 hours, this committee should be put in place and given a week to come out with a new zoning arrangement.

“But of course, taking a cue from the decision

taken at the Port Harcourt convention that the president will come from the North, of course, it is incontrovertible that the chairman of the party will come from the South and it will be open to all and not consigned to any geopolitical zone or state in the South.”

Also addressing journalists, chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Walid Jibrin, said the stakeholders were working to ensure that all court cases by aggrieved persons were withdrawn.

He was confident that members of the Sheriff faction would eventually be integrated into the mainstream.

Jibrin stated: “If you see Kashamu coming to our side fully, embracing our national caretaker committee, whatever this group says will be acceptable to him.

“We have been meeting with Sheriff. Even yesterday, we spent time with him until 4.00a.m. And there is progress with Sheriff. He is human being and I am sure he will follow suit.

“We have been meeting with Sheriff up till this morning. At the appropriate time, Sheriff himself will be with us,” he added.

Sheriff kicks against Wike on new convention

Fresh move to reconcile the two factions of the PDP

to give room for its new national convention hit the rock again in Abuja, in the wee hours of Thursday.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt that this followed the rejection by the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the party of the offer of the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, to host the forthcoming new national convention of the party in Port-Hacourt.

According to an insider, through the efforts of the duo of Chief Edwin Clark, the foremost Ijaw leader and Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, the two factions, the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee and Senator Sheriff group met at Taraba Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro District of Abuja, at a meeting which started on Wednesday night till the wee hours of Thursday, when it became deadlocked.

It was gathered that the meeting attended by stakeholders from the two factions, including PDP state governors PDP caucus in the National Assembly, members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the party and others.

However, our source revealed that trouble started when Governor Wike allegedly offered to host the proposed convention of the party in Port-Harcourt, in order to resolve the lingering crisis in the party.

According to our source, “the offer easily raised suspicion among Senator Sheriff’s group which rejected the proposal outrightly.

“Sheriff’s group wondered why it must be Governor Wike, who hosted the last controversial convention, would again host the fresh convention.

“The group sensed that if not for personal interest, why should Wike be insisting on hosting the new convention barely few weeks after a similar gesture,” he added.

Our source continued: “Sheriff himself saw the offer as a Greek gift which should be turned down and allowed all the stakeholders to mobilise funds for the successful hosting of the convention rather than allowing an individual or group to do it.”

We’ll quit if asked —Makarfi

The chairman of the PDP national caretaker committee, Senator Makarfi, has expressed the readiness of the committee members to vacate their positions if asked by the party.

Receiving the leadership of a faction of the party from Kwara State, who had paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja, Makarfi assured the party faithful that his committee could not be a sit-tight leadership as it was only interested in accomplishing the mandate it had been given.

He said: “We are not a sittight caretaker committee.

We are given a mandate and we are determined to deliver that mandate within the time given to us.

“We don’t belong to sittight leaders. We have been saying that even if by today our services are no longer required, we will quit. Others left before us and others will leave after us.”

Makarfi said the committee would work towards reconciling all factions of the party to put it in a position not just to recapture power at the centre, but also to clinch more states around the country.

While assuring the delegation of his determination to reposition the party, Makarfi stated: “We want, not just in Kwara, but in Nigeria, to reconcile party men and women. In that way, we have the chance not only to regain many more states, but we will also regain power at the centre.”

He expressed delight over the willingness of the factions in Kwara State to reconcile and praised the leader of the delegation for not castigating his rivals, but recognising that all hands were required on deck to give the PDP the advantage.

In his earlier address, factional chairman of Kwara State PDP, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, said they were in Abuja on a solidarity visit to the caretaker committee and commended them for the work they had done so far.

HIV initiative: ILO finds over 85,000 workers positive Soji-Eze Fagbemi-Abuja

THE International Labour Organisation (ILO) has reached about five million workers in its initial phase of Voluntary Counselling and Testing for workers; the VCT at WORK Initiative.

However, out of the three million workers ear-

lier reached and tested of HIV between July 2013 and December 2015, over 85,000 of them were tested HIV positive.

The development, according to ILO, showed encouraging results; and demonstrated that workplaces were uniquely placed to reduce the HIV

testing gap.

According to the ILO report issued ahead the International AIDS Conference in Durban, the ILO’s VCT and work initiative had reached close to five million workers with face to face education on the benefits of HIV and AIDS testing in its initial phase.

“Following the outreach, between July 2013 and December 2015, almost three million workers were HIV tested; and over 85,000 found HIV positive were referred for treatment,” the report revealed.

The ILO, UNAIDS and partners will be presenting the results of the initiative

No building should collapse again, FG orders enforcement agencies Chrstian Okeke-Abuja

AGENCIES of government charged with enforcement of standards, professionalism, regulations and discipline in the building sector were, on Thursday, ordered to ensure that no single incidence of building collapse is witnessed anywhere in the country under the current Federal Government’s housing programme.

It emphasised government’s insistence on zero

tolerance for buildings collapse.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, gave the order in Abuja, while speaking at the sixth building and construction economic roundtable organised by Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria with the theme: “Professional Issues and Challenges in Building Collapse in Nigeria.”

He noted that agencies of government saddled with

the responsibility of stemming the tide of collapsed building in the country should see the alarming incidences as an indictment on their parts for falling short of societal expectations in their respective statutory mandates.

Fashola, who was represented by the Director in charge of Building and Quantity Surveying Department in the ministry, Salma Yusuf Mohammed, warned that government

had identified acts of commission and omission on the part of stakeholders as some of the causes for building collapses.

According to him, the current Federal Government was undertaking the most ambitious housing programme ever witnessed in the country and had already produced a national housing policy to guide the intervention of government in provision of housing in the country.

at several sessions during the AIDS conference in Durban, next week.

Welcoming the findings, Director-General of the ILO, Guy Ryder said: “For the first time, we have results that clearly demonstrate the impact of a workplace response to HIV and AIDS. When workers have timely knowledge of their HIV status, they can take the right treatment and continue to be healthy and productive members of the workforce.”

“The workplace offers a unique opportunity to expand HIV testing services,” he added.

The initiative, launched by the ILO and UNAIDS at the International Labour Conference in 2013, was implemented in 34 countries through strategic partnerships and alliances formed between the key world of work actors, the private sector, networks of people living with HIV and national AIDS programmes.

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Friday, 15 July, 2016

Lagosmetro

Nigerian Tribune

Edited By

Lanre Adewole

olanreade@yahoo.com

0811 695 4647

Gunmen rape 60-yearold in kids’ presence, loot homes in Ikorodu •Residents flee home Lanre Adewole and Tunde Busari SUSPECTED militants reportedly returned to Igbo-Olomu community in Ikorodu, Wednesday night, raping the ladies and looting invaded homes.

The community, close to a stream from which the militants always emerge, had become the hunting ground for the invaders in recent weeks.

The Wednesday raid, according to Adebukola (surname withheld), who spoke to Lagos Metro, saw a 60-year-old woman being raped in the presence of her three kids.

The husband was said to be away from home.

Save-Our-Souls calls from the community to Lagos Metro on Thursday night highlighted a series of atrocities allegedly committed by the suspected Ijaw militants.

A couple of young ladies were also reportedly “touched” by the invaders, who were also accused of looting homes and inflicting injuries on their victims.

Adebukola told Lagos Metro that his family had fled to safety, after the horror of Wednesday night.

With a terror-filled voice, she begged Lagos Metro passionately to help call on government to save lives in the community.

It was also learnt that another old mother that resisted her daughter being raped had her hair shaven with the knife of the marauders.

Lagos Metro gathered

that while security men had been keeping watch at the entrance of the community, the stream side, which is the main entry point for the gunmen, had remained unmanned.

“The police told us government didn’t ask them to go to the stream and it is from the stream the militants are coming into the community.

“Government should save us. The community isn’t well lit and even when they come, everybody at home will have to put off their light and pretend as if there is no one in the house.

“That was how my family members kept themselves safe all the night before they escaped today (Thursday). Landlords have abandoned their homes, to squat with people elsewhere” she said.

Another source alleged that the policemen only took position at Agric bus stop instead of taking the bull by the horn in the interior where the crime was being committed.

“They (the policemen) are behaving as if they were also scared of the gang. If they had entered the community, they would have restored peace. But everybody is afraid to move now because we don’t know where next those people would attack,” the source said.

Following the attacks, residents of Igbo-Olomu had deserted their homes.

It was learnt that the few residents left in the community live under fear and a self-imposed curfew, barring movement beyond 7.00 p.m.

TOMATOES ARE HERE AGAIN: Vehicles bringing in tomatoes to Lagos.

Suspected militants burst gas pipeline in Ogun Olayinka Olukoya

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OODLUMS suspected to be militants, on Tuesday, blew up a gas pipeline in Ogijo area of Ogun State.

Lagos Metro gathered that the hoodlums, parading as maintenance officers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), carried out the dastardly act around PZ Estate in the area.

It was learnt that a loud explosion occurred shortly after the hoodlums left the area, which led to the destruction of the gas pipeline Residents were said to have scampered to safety as the affected pipeline served distribution line for some companies in Ikorodu.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Of-

ficer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident, adding that men of the command had been dispatched to the scene.

He said repair work was being carried out on the affected section by the NNPC officials.

According to Adejobi, “some hoodlums, on Tuesday, burst a part of a gas pipe-

LAGOS State House of Assembly has called for the suspension of the head teacher and some teaching staff of the Lagos State College of Education (LACOED) International Staff School, Ijanikin.

This followed the presentation of a report by the Assembly committee on

education, which investigated the physical combats involving the school’s head teacher, one Mr Ogunmade and some teachers in the school.

Lagos Metro recalled that the assembly, at its plenary session on March 10, had mandated its committee on education, led by Honourable Olarenwaju Ogunyemi, to investigate the

matter and report findings.

The fracas, which occurred on March 8 between the head-teacher and the teachers, was said to have been caused by the non-payment of February salary of 74 out of 84 teachers of the school, following their refusal to perform an audit exercise.

The incident was said to have led to the alleged

ever they are.

“The command had deployed men in the area and we are working with other sister security agencies. The Divisional Police Officer, Ogijo, Mohammed Tijani and his team are also there. The Lagos State police command had also deployed men in the area.”

Clergyman, aide, driver shot dead over land dispute Olalekan Olabulo THREE people, a clergyman, his personal assistant and driver, were, on Wednesday, reportedly murdered over land dispute in Ikosi Ejirin area of Lagos.

The clergyman, Deacon Tayo Hassan; his personal

Assembly orders suspension of principal for stabbing teacher Chukwuma Okparaocha

line around PZ Area in Ogijo.

“We heard that they came as if they were officials of a company in charge of the maintenance of the gas pipeline and the residents were deceived by this ploy.

“We don’t want to conclude yet that they were militants, but we call them criminals and we will get them wher-

stabbing of one Mr Agboola with a household knife by the head teacher, Mr Ogunmade, who also solicited the help of other teachers to join him in giving Agboola a beating of his life.

It was recommended that the headteacher should face disciplinary action in line with extant rules guiding the conduct of teachers in the school.

assistant, Waidi Dada and the driver, Omobolanle Rashidi, were killed by suspected land speculators at Oriwu Igbodu town, Ikosi Ejirin.

It was gathered that the deceased clergyman and his people, on Wednesday afternoon, went to a parcel of land at Igbodu, when the yet-to-be-identified killers invaded the community and attacked them.

The assailants reportedly shot sporadically before picking on their targets and ensured that the three of them were dead before escaping from the scene of the crime.

A police source at Agbowa divisional police station told Lagos Metro that a certain Chief Ogunyemi Olaitan of Molajoye Village reported the incident at the

police station.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident to Lagos Metro and added that the case was reported at Agbowa divisional police station.

The police spokesperson also stated that policemen from Agbowa division had visited the scene of the murder, where expended cartridges and knives were recovered.

The police in Lagos also claimed that they had a clue that would help in unravelling the killers of the clergyman and the two others.

She also stated that the police in the state were on the trail of the assailants, adding that the bodies of the slain people had been deposited at Agbowa General Hospital.

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Friday, 15 July, 2016 12 businessnews Nigeria’s export drops from $3bn to $1.6bn —Awolowo Fitch affirms Tyavzua Saanyol-Abuja

C

hief Executive Officer, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Olusegun Awolowo, has lamented the drastic fall in the export value and volume of the country’s exports from $3 billion in 2014 to just about $1.6 billion currently.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the commencement of collaboration between the NEPC and the International Trade Centre (ITC) to improve Nigerian export capability, Awolowo warned that the dipping has not stopped unless something is done urgently to arrest the menace.

The CEO expressed sadness that manufacturing is almost dead in Nigeria, stating that, “you have to produce goods in order to be able to export. The quality of the product you produced also matters because quality is one of the determining factors that decide whether a product can be exported.

“We have been saying that Nigeria have to produce something in order for Nigeria to export something, so this is the drive, when we get our women and youths into small and medium enterprises, producing soap and butter of high quality and well packaged, surely, it will be exported” noted Awolowo.

He acknowledged that, the problem of small and medium enterprises over time has been financing.

The CEO explained that, “we are working with the private sector and banks so that these businesses can have access to finance with low interest rate” he stated.

In her discussion with

journalists, the Executive Director of International Trade Center, Arancha Gonzalez said her organization focus is to create trade opportunity to women and youth in the country.

She lamented that, discrimination against

women in some parts has hindered the growth of businesses in the country to a large extent. Arancha insisted that, there cannot be any reasonable small and medium enterprises boom in any country without women active participation.

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government’s drive for enhanced revenue generation would not be a burden to Nigerians.

Speaking at the opening of the two-day National Revenue Retreat 2016 in Kano, on Thursday, Adeosun said government was firmly committed to turning this economy around by mobilising capital for investment in the essential infrastructure which will drive our economic growth.

The retreat titled “Enhancing Revenue Generation for Sustainable National Development”; according to the Minister was a very important gath-

to be exporting their products will definitely turn around the economy of Nigeria’’ added the ED. International Trade Centre (ITC) has the goal of harnessing the potentials of one million women entrepreneurs into the global market by 2020.

The newly installed and 19th chairman of Ibadan and District Society of ICAN, Deacon Samson O. Ayansina (middle), being decorated by the ICAN president, Deacon Titus Alao Soetan (left) and past chairman, Ibadan and district society of ICAN, Alhaji Lukman Dauda at the Banquet Hall, Premier Hotel, Mokola, Ibadan.

PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

Ayansina installed 19th ICAN Ibadan district chairman

By Wale Akinselure Deacon Samson Ayansina has been installed as 19th Chairman of Ibadan and District Society of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

At the investiture ceremony held at Premier Hotel, Mokola, Ibadan, on Thursday, Ayansina received the mantle of leadership from Mr Ganiyu Adebayo for a term of two years.

Ayansina, in his acceptance speech, expressed commitment to the ensuring that the district, espe-

cially, constructed its own permanent building, estimated at about N60 million.

He therefore enlisted the support, especially financial support, of members of the society, in accomplishing the programmes of his administration.

52nd ICAN President, Deacon Titus Soetan, who did the ceremonial investiture, charged Ayansina and the new executive committee to defend the accountancy profession and serve in the overall interest of the district.

Soetan also urged ICAN

Revenue focus will not burden Nigerians —Adeosun Sanya Adejokun-Abuja

According her, “it’s about exporting and importing, what we want to do is to move from less value commodities into value added commodities. Small and medium enterprises are key in boosting the businesses of any country, pushing these companies

ering, which came up at a pivotal period in our nation’s economic history.

She said the revenue focus will not burden Nigerians but will ensure that all revenue due to Nigeria’s government, irrespective of the source, is collected with a high degree of efficiency, fully receipted and properly accounted for.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had in his speech disclosed that the state government had identified about 106 dormant revenue lines which it was working assiduously to activate.

However, Adeosun, in her remarks, said the Federal Government has also identified over 1000 dormant revenue lines, assuring however, that such huge dormant revenue op-

portunities will be maximised.

Ibadan district to come up with unique programmes and improve on the society’s “Catch Them Young” programme aimed at encouraging students to embrace accountancy.

The newly installed executive committee are Mr Ademola Ogunsesan (Vice Chairman), Mrs O.O. Oladipo (General Secretary); Mr Victor Oguntade (Treasurer); Mr A. O. Fagoroye (Financial Secretary); Mr T. M. Azeez (Technical Secretary).

Others are Mrs O. O. Omisore (Social and Publicity Secretary); Mr Olagoke Akanwo (Assistant General Secretary); Mr S. A. Akinbowale (Ex Officio); and, Mrs B. T. Babajide (Ex Officio).

Guest Speaker at the occasion, Mr Adetunji Ade-

peju, harped on the role of chartered accountants in curbing corruption.

He charged accountants to shun a culture of grandiosity, greed and rather uphold integrity, humility, transparency, accountability, contentment and moral values in the practice of the profession.

Adepeju bemoaned accountants’ susceptibility to receiving bribes, questionable gifts, questionable hospitality from host organisations.

Calling for a re-examination of our value system and change in sense of reasoning, he charged parents to ingrain in their children or wards the culture of hard work, perseverance and importance of possessing a good and trusted character.

Equities market dips further with N9.39bn loss Kehinde Akinseinde-JayeobaLagos

The Nigerian stocks market continued on a southward march as investors kept a cautious hand on trading on Thursday at -0.10 per cent.

Specifically, the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) closed at 28,703.09 basis points as against 28,730.40bp recorded at the beginning of trading. With the 0.10 decline, Year-to-Date (YTD) returns stands at +0.21 per cent.

Market capitalisation also lost N9.39 billion as N9.86 trillion was recorded at the end of trading

activities as against N9.87 trillion.

Market breadth closed negative as United Capital Plc led 16 gainers against 23 losers topped by Skye Bank Plc at the end of today’s session, an improved performance when compared with Wednesday outlook of 15 gainers and 25 losers.

Market turnover however closed positive as volume moved up by seven per cent against 8.30 per cent decline recorded in the previous session, as First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Transnational

Corporation of Nigeria Plc played the most active role to boost market turnover, Dangote Cement Plc and Zenith Bank Plc, top market value list.

On Thursday, Conoil Plc led the list of active stocks that recorded impressive volume spike at the end of trading as it staked 785,726 shares in 43 deals.

At the end of stock trading for the day, investors traded 203.6 million shares worth N2.5 billion in deals in contrast with 190 million shares worth N2.3 billion that exchanged hands in 4,578 deals on Wednesday.

Diamond Bank’s ‘BBB’+ rating with stable long term IDR Diamond Bank’s strong fundamentals have been reaffirmed by the global credit ratings and research agency, Fitch Ratings.

In the recently released 2016 Ratings Review of Nigerian Banks, Flitch affirmeda ‘B’ Rating, with Stable Outlook for Diamond Bank’s Short-term and Long-term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR).

The Bank’s National Long-term Rating was also affirmed at ‘BBB+ (nga)’; while the National Shortterm Rating was affirmed at ‘F2 (nga)’. Viability Rating was affirmed at ‘b’; Support Rating affirmed at ‘4’; Support Rating Floor: affirmed at ‘B’; while the Senior unsecured notes Rating was affirmed at ‘B’/’RR4’.

The ‘B’ IDR Rating indicates that Diamond Bank has the capacity to meet financial commitments, subject to the country’s business and economic environment; while the ‘BBB+ (nga)’ National Ratings denote a “moderate default risk relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country”.

Further, the ‘F2 (nga)’ National Short-term Rating “Indicates a good capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or obligations in the same country”. These ratings were premised partly on Fitch’s downgrade of Nigeria’s sovereign ratings (to ‘B+’) on 23 June 2016, in addition to the Bank’s strong capital, operational and liquidity positions.

Reacting to the report, the Bank’s spokesperson, Ayona Trimnell said, “These ratings affirms the precision of our corporate strategy in deploying new technologies and digital applications to drive financial inclusion, convenient banking, enhanced customer friendly services and our overall retail banking approach”.

Fitch noted that the strong regulatory capital ratios of the Bank have helped offset the one-off impact from the devaluation arising from Nigeria’s new FX regime. Nevertheless, the buffer between Nigerian banks’ capital ratios and the regulatory minimum is reducing.

Fitch expects foreign currency liquidity to remain tight in 2016, particularly as supply has not increased dramatically.

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editorial

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Friday, 15 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

FG’s clearance of Buratai

HE recent revelation that Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Tukur Buratai and his two wives are joint owners of properties worth $ 1.5 million in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), may not have made any desired impact, as the Federal Government has cleared the COAS of corruption in the case. According to it, after investigating the media report on the acquisitions, it discovered that Buratai and his wives invested in the properties as “shareholders”, like many other persons mentioned in the publication, and were not sole owners. But the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) stated that he declared the assets in his wife’s name.

The COAS was thus saved from the possible public opprobrium likely to have terminated his career and obliterated his relevance in the current administration.

What is more, the exculpation of the COAS was accomplished in a remarkably swift manner, with both the Army spokesman and the Ministry of Defence competing to save Buratai’s hide from the consequences of an offence alleged to have been committed in his capacity as a private citizen. Indeed, notable figures in the polity such as Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Dr Junaid Mohammed and Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), among others, have since urged President Muhammadu Buhari to either probe or relieve General Buratai of his job in the interest of national morality. According to Falana, “In view of the ban on the opening and operation of foreign accounts by public officers, the Code of Conduct Bureau should be involved in the investigation. How an army General managed to save $1.5m has not been disclosed to Nigerians.”

The fight against graft which signposts the current administration can only be successful to the extent that its procedures are credible. It is equally important for it to be mindful of the due process in dealing with such cases as the current one involving a high ranking official. If it is crucial for the people to believe in the government’s anticorruption posture, then the procedure of investigating its officials must be thorough and credible.

It is difficult to believe that in less than a week, a credible investigation into the alleged acquisition of properties worth $ 1.5 million had been dispensed with and the official involved given a clean bill of health. It strengthens the cynicism in the whole fight against corruption. For those who are truly interested in getting rid of graft and

corruption, the process of investigation should be more important than the people allegedly involved.

The government’s hurried exculpation of its COAS can only lend credence to the widespread suspicion that there is more to the allegation than meets the eye. We however believe that a crusading administration ought to be concerned with the way it is perceived. As it is no doubt aware, perception is crucial in politics. The impression should not be given that it has set a pattern of absolving its officials.

To be sure, such a process may even provide an alibi for those who may truly be guilty of malfeasance, only to become future heroes by making wild claims of political persecution, taking advantage of Nigeria’s very ethnically divided society. It is therefore important for the fight against corruption to be institutionalised by establishing procedures and rules and thereafter getting convictions against felons in competent courts. Indeed, any social process that does not enjoy the people’s confidence is futile, and the fight against corruption should not be allowed to suffer such a deficiency. If the EFCC as a statutory anti-graft body investigated others who are similarly circumstanced, why did it not also investigate the allegations made against the COAS? We are not saying that the COAS is guilty, but it would certainly have been better if he was given a clean bill of health by the relevant government agency instead of the self justification prised from the Ministry of Defence where he is a high ranking official. It makes a mess of the whole struggle against the forces preventing the country from evolving into a decent one that is governed by the due process. Since there are many others who are still being investigated by the EFCC for various alleged offences, including the top brass in the military, we are at a loss regarding what made the case of the COAS so different as to warrant such a presumptuous, dismissive and perfunctory handling. Elsewhere, the COAS would have been required to step aside pending the findings from an objective and non-partisan investigation conducted by the statutory agency.

Until the country learns to abide by the due process, its desire to evolve into a modern, egalitarian and liberal society will remain a pipe dream. The present administration has an opportunity to set this lofty process in motion. The dream must not be trounced by insincerity and loss of focus.

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14 LETTERS TO THE

Friday, 15 July, 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.

Tackling unemployment crisis in Nigeria

W

HEN the Federal Government anno u nc e d that it would be employing 500,000 teachers to reduce the unemployment rate in the country, the website through which the applications were to be made

crashed under 24 hours.

This was as a result of the huge traffic to the site. The meaning of this is that millions of people visited the site, trying to apply for the teaching jobs.

We should also not forget the over one million youths who applied to join the

police when the organisation only wanted to recruit 10,000 people.

The death of innocent Nigerian youths during the recruitment by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) two years ago is still fresh in our minds. All this tells us that youth unemployment is a big

How to make Nigeria prosperous SINCE President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office last year, he has been straining every nerve towards making Nigeria a great country. The former military Head of State has focused his attention on putting the economy on a sound footing, while getting rid of corruption, which has become a social malady among the poeple.

To achieve his dream for a new Nigeria, the president has been working hard towards recovering stolen monies by some people who had the opportunity of serving the country in one capacity or the other.

The fall of the naira against the dollar is, however, one area that is seriously affecting our economy, but we can capitalise

on it for our benefit.

First, we need to intensify efforts towards reviving agriculture, which has for long been moribund; this will particularly help our dependence on foreign food. We can then save enough foreign exchange through this.

Again, we can develop our extractive sector; minerals like coal, iron-ore, bauxite, tin-ore, bitumen, among others, should be harnessed for our economic prosperity.

We also need to improve our transport system, especially the rail, while making air transport affordable for all Nigerians.

In the transport sector, government will need to rehabilitate the roads so as to make the transport of agricultural produce from

Our unity not negotiable, but...

I want to support President Muhammadu Buhari when he declared that Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable.

After the 1967-1970 civil war, I don’t think it is right for some sections of the country to be clamouring for secession.

Nigeria is not like the United Kingdom that will allow citizens to vote on whether certain sections of the country can secede.

However, having said this, it is important that the groups in this union called Nigeria live comfortably.

Everybody must be given a sense of belonging if we truly want the country to unite. Why is it that the Igbo people have not produced the president in Nigeria? Is it true that other sections of the country still fear the Igbo man and will not trust him with power?

These are some of the issues fuelling the secession bid in the country.

President Buhari may say our unity is non-negotiable, but in the absence of trust, there will be no peace.

If other sections of the country will not vote for an Igbo president, then the Biafra secession bid in the South East will continue to be popular with the people.

President Buhari has a great opportunity to restructure Nigeria so that we can achieve the dreams of our founding fathers.

Decentralising Nigeria while empowering the regions is the only way to unite the country. Every region will now have its future in its hands under the Nigerian umbrella.

•Nonso Uchechukwu, Enugu State.

the rural areas to the urban areas easier.

Encouraging local manufacturers and entrepreneurs to produce quality goods, as well as the provision of uninterrupted power supply, will also go a long way in taking us to our promised land.

•Ola-Olaniyi Bamgbola, 53, Agbeni Quarters, Ibadan.

problem in the country, and I want to partly lay the blame at the feet of the youths.

It is unfortunate that the majority of Nigerian youths are not creative. Everybody knows the situation of the country as regards unemployment, and I feel some youths could have started something even while still in tertiary institutions.

Most enterpreneurial ventures need time to stabilise, and when someone starts a project when he is in 200 level in the university, for instance, by the time he graduates, he should have something to fall back on if he can’t secure paid employment after his service year.

Nobody should say this is impossible because I personally know a friend who passed through university rearing pigs. In fact, this friend admits that he would not have been a graduate without his pig farm, and to-

day, despite the fact that he works with a state government, he is still operating his pig farm. He believes with time, he can turn the farm into a big business.

One thing our youths need to know is that agriculture is the easiest sector to start something; the fact that people must eat makes the sector vibrant.

However, the federal and state governments should also share in this unemployment blame. Everyday, we hear that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has earmarked billions of naira to support farmers in the country, but at the end of the day, the farmers will not see the money.

This is also being used by some corrupt people to defraud poor farmers, as they make them pay some money in order to be able to access the released funds, but noth-

ing will be given at the end of the day.

The rates and conditions banks give to small-scale farmers are also not fair enough; how can a struggling farmer be asked to pay double digit interest rates for loans?

If we truly want to boost agriculture in the country, then banks will need to reduce the rates to single digits.

The Nigerian government should know that agriculture is big business all over the world, and it can use it to reduce unemployment drastically.

While believing that Nigerian youths will now start to look inward instead of searching for paid jobs, the government should also play its role by supporting agricultural start-ups.

•Dr Taju Alalade, Ilorin, Kwara State.

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opinion

Friday, 15 July, 2016

Of liberation and Brexit

By Karderinis Isidoros

T

HE result of the referendum of June 23, 2016 regarding Britain’s continued membership of the European Union is the first major defeat for the German-controlled European Union of banks and multinationals. It undoubtedly shook the dominant British and European political and economical system.

The British are not people who might have a slave mentality. They are the proud people of a great country that in the past was an empire and today is one of the world’s largest economies. The British therefore, winners of two world wars, have developed a highly dignified attitude and behavior.

British citizens who endured with unprecedented fortitude and bravery, the fierce bombardments of the Nazi air force in World War II, would not be able to accept, against any short-term negative economic impacts arising from Brexit, the German domination and leadership of the European Union. Thus, the incredible surprise of the German political leaders and bureaucrats in Brussels caused by this amazing, liberating (for the ordinary people) result on June 24, 2016, does not comply in any way with any historical knowledge and thorough data analysis.

Germany’s assiduous effort to put under its complete control the European people and level once again the continent –this time not by the use of military weapons as in the past, but the use of economic ones—presents similar, ahistorical characteristics. It is obvious that the Germans who cannot control their great political and economic power, are completely ignorant of history, and so now find themselves, by mathematical determinism, on the verge of a new defeat that will come through the imminent unraveling of the European Union.

The European Union, which in 1993 through the Maastricht treaty replaced the previous EEC, is basically a defective political and economic union of states with different political, legal, economic, military and cultural levels. It is a union of people who feel like strangers to each other, without any mutual and brotherly feelings of solidarity. Thus, the grandiose pronouncements and unrealistic visions for a democratic and prosperous European Union could not but be bitterly ruled out.

Germany, taking advantage of the impacts of the crisis which erupted in September 2008 through the grandiose collapse of the banks (Lehman Brothers) and invoking of course the Maastricht Stability Pact and the need for

reform packages so that the negative effects of the crisis can be confronted, has been implementing since then with exaggerated dominance, a kind of economic totalitarianism, mostly against the weak member states of the European periphery.

The anti- grass roots economic plans of the strictest neoliberal austerity imposed by Berlin have indeed levelled the societies of southern Europe. In Greece, which is certainly the most typical example of the pilot implementation of these incredibly absurd and economically irrational policies, unemployment has increased dramatically to 26.8 per cent of the workforce, while 36 per cent of the Greek population lives below the poverty line. In Italy, 24.4 per cent of the population is facing the risk of poverty and social exclusion.

In Spain, 22.2 per cent of the households live below the poverty line and more than one in three children, -that means 2.6 million, – are facing the risk of poverty and social exclusion. In Portugal, one in four children lives below the poverty line and a total of about two million people – 20 per cent of its population live amid poverty and destitution.

At the same time, Germany has clearly received unprecedented economic benefits. Its extremely big profits arise from the transfer of investors’ money to low risk German bonds due to the crisis plaguing the eurozone.

Especially after 2009, yields on German bonds have reached the bottom of the barrel, while in some cases (eg 5-year German bonds) reached negative interest rates. That means that Germany not only does not pay to borrow, but on the contrary, investors -given the insecurity in the euro zone- pay it in order to safeguard their money. Thus, in five years time (2010-2015), Germany has managed to save a total of EUR 100 billion, equivalent to three per cent of its GDP, precisely because of the dramatic reduction in borrowing costs.

So, it is more than obvious to every benevolent observer that the European Union, and surely the extremely neoliberal

eurozone, operates in the interests of the dominant Germany at the expense of other member states and mainly at the expense of the southern European countries. The extremely high trade surpluses achieved by Germany— in 2013, it had a trade surplus of 200 billion thus remaining a highly competitive state—are certainly due to the great German economic machine. At the same time, they are scandalously increased by the unfair eurozone monetary system.

Germany for the first time in many years, apart from its economic boom, has become a first rate international player, given that its political leadership has found itself at a key position. It has been able to represent the other European countries without being asked to. So, the exit of Great Britain, the first military power, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the country with the third largest contribution to the EU budget from the European Union represents a fatal blow to the international status of the European Union and to the status of Germany.

In the same time, the European Union institutions and decision-making processes lack democratic legitimacy and are distant and inaccessible to the ordinary European citizen. Thus, a deep democratic deficit directly opposing the founding treaties of the European Union and grossly violating the original declaratory core of values, is clearly visible. The people of Europe do not exert any direct influence on the important European Union decision-making institutions, for instance the European Council with its strong centralized role and the European Commission with its highly bureaucratic and technocratic nature, while these institutions have absolutely no accountability to the citizens. On the other hand, the directly elected European Parliament, which is based in Strasbourg, does not possess sufficient powers and continues to be a weak link.

In conclusion, the European Union which has been reduced into a type of German colony despite the illusions cultivated by certain political circles is not willing to change or improve, or even acquire a democratic, social role. Thus, the time has come came for the enslaved countries within the European Union and the eurozone to follow the shining example of Great Britain and the proud British people, to break their steel shackles and get liberated, looking forward with widespread hope and optimism.

•Isidoros, a global affairs analyst, can be reached via skarderinis@hotmail.gr

Kanu Agabi at 70

By Victor Ndoma-Egba

IN my tribute to Senator Uche Chukwumerije, I had posited that “Every age, every generation produces an iconoclast, an eclectic eccentric, a quirky and unusual figure who ironically represents the measure, the values and indeed the essence of that age or generation and becomes the icon of that age or generation .They are not conventional persons, they are peculiar odd, aberrant, curious, capricious ,quaint,queer and even erratic. Somehow, in spite of their unusualness, they remain unusually lovable. They are unusually unobtrusive yet their presence is forceful.” These words are as true for Chukwumerije as they are for Kanu Godwin Agabi who turned 70 on July 9, 2016.

Kanu or KGA as he is fondly known to all first came into my consciousness in 1969. He was a lanky law undergraduate at the University of Lagos and President, Ogoja Provincial Students Union. In spite of the Nigerian Civil War and his studies, he and his friend, Mathew Ojong of blessed memory, went round the secondary schools in old Ogoja Province comprising the six local governments of today’s Cross River Central Senatorial District and the five of today’s Cross River North, mobilizing and motivating students for their future. His passion, energy, physical presence and oratory were captivating. I was among the young secondary students he impressed deeply.

After those tours, he became unmistakable and etched on the consciousness of my generation. He was imitated in speech, in gait and in manners. He had become an idol to many of us.

He went on to become a lawyer, having been called to the Nigeria Bar along with Fidelis Ikogo Nnang inJune, 1972 and both chose to set up their law practice in their native Ogoja, in the foot steps of E.T. Ndoma-Egba, who was to become one of the early Justices of the Court of Appeal; Etowah Arikpo who became Attorney General of the old Cross River State and laterChief Judge, and Ochikry Idagbo who became a High Court Judge.

Fidelis Nnang briefly became Deputy Governor of the old Cross River State under the short lived Gov-

regime of General Yakubu Gowon and Chief Effiom Ekong, Minister (then called Federal Commissioner) for Trade under General Muritala Mohammed’s administration and under whom Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, now an eminent Justice of the Supreme Court, practised and cut his professional teeth.

I joined Kanu in his practice in Ogoja immediately after my National Youth Service in July 1979.Paul Erokoro soon joined, followed by Greg Ngaji . Soon, the practice opened offices in Ikom with Paul running it, and Calabar with me at that end. Many many others were to join. The alumni of that practice would conveniently form a school. Kanu and I were commissioners in the Old Cross River State quickly followed

by Paul and Greg. Kanu, Greg and I were to become senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Kanu became a two-time Attorney General of the Federation under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s civilian Presidency, the only Nigerian with that record to my knowledge, and held other portfolios.

Kanu, myself and Paul became Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

He has since produced many more Senior Advocates, judges of various jurisdictions, including the current Chief Justice of The Gambia, commissioners, top public servants, including a founding Executive Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), corporate executives, politicians, lawyers of note, etc. His professional children have since begotten their own children. Biologically and professionally he has become a grandfather; a very proud one too.

As he turns 70, he is not getting old though the joints rebel and refuse to take his orders, he is just getting better and wiser. We celebrate Kanu, we thank God for who and what he has been to too many of us, for his generosity, and pray that God grants him many more peaceful years in good health of body and mind. Happy birthday, Kanu. Congratulations!

ernorship of Senator Donald Etiebet who succeeded Dr.Clement Isong in 1983, and later High Court Judge.

In his law practice he demonstrated brilliance, hardwork and spartan discipline .Justice Niki Tobi, of blessed memory, then of the Court of Appeal, Enugu once approvingly described Kanu as a ‘ display case’. When Ndoma-Egba, Arikpo and Idagbo left for their various elevations, Kanu took over the legal market in that part of the world, dominated and defined it. He vigorously pursued social causes on the side of the oppressed and did more of pro bono work. Philanthropy is ingrained in his DNA. It was not a surprise that he became the third Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Cross River State, having been elevated to the rank in September 1997, thus keeping the eminent company of Dr.Okoi Arikpo, Foreign Minister through out the

•Ndoma-Egba (SAN), ator, was Leader of

a the

three-term senSeventh Senate.

16

Friday, 15 July, 2016

I

T is painful, very painful that our dear friend Ojo Maduekwe (the only OJO SOUTH OF THE NIGER) has finally bowed out of the world orbit. Ojo is a name peculiar to the Yorubas. It is therefore a major news when an Igbo from one of the South-Eastern States is named and called Ojo. Ojo Maduekwe was a pleasant man throughout his stay on earth. Ojo was from Ohafia very near Abriba. Ohafia and Abriba are two Igbo towns that are regarded as the Lagos of Igbo heartland.

Ojo was from Asaga town in Ohafia.

Ojo Maduekwe was born well and was a great Ambassador of his people anywhere he found himself in his sojourn on earth.

Ojo’s death was conveyed to me by one of our journalist friends in Abuja. Segun Olatunji was brief in his message to me “Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe is dead”.

While shouting my disbelief on the news, I however knew inside me that ‘Segun Olatunji, the Tribune Bureau Chief in Abuja was not a Nigerian Journalist to be associated with dissemination of false and alarmist stories. I went ahead to call on Senator Anosike for confirmation of the Ojo Maduekwe’s story. Senator Anosike is quite close to Ojo Maduekwe. Anosike confirmed it to me. He added some details that vividly told me that our Ojo Maduekwe was really dead. How I had wished that the story on Ojo’s death was indeed false. It was true and Ojo Maduekwe has gone to the world beyond forever.

Myself and Ojo are children of two former Christian Priests. While Ojo’s father was an Anglican Priest, my father was of the Methodist Church of Nigeria.

Ojo Maduekwe loved adventures during his lifetime. He was during the second republic, an NPN Senator in the country’s Upper Chambers. Ojo Maduekwe was never apologetic about his membership of the NPN then considered a right wing party in Nigerian politics. Ojo was however left inclined in his ideological orientation.

All political parties in Nigeria’s second republic treated Ojo Maduekwe with respect. His political views were largely those of a moderate right wing opposition politician. My friend was never pretentious about his membership of the Conservative NPN in those days when right politics came to the fore in Nigeria between 1979 and 1983. Ojo’s liberal politics was not swallowed or doused by his membership of the NPN. I say it with the fear of God that Ojo Maduekwe never lost the ideals of the NPN which he carried on his body till party politics was disbanded by the Military during the second republic.

Our political paths crossed during our SDP days. Ojo Maduekwe was easily admired by me when we both met during the SDP days. Ojo was then very close to smooth talking Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe who was then the National Chairman of the SDP. Ojo operated a successful partnership with Kingibe those days.

Ojo Maduekwe later joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he rose up to become the Foreign Minister for Nigeria under the President Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo regime.

Ojo Maduekwe was an excellent delight as Foreign Minister. During the second term of Olusegun Obasanjo as President, Ojo Maduekwe was moved to the

With

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

Ojo Maduekwe bids the world goodbye

Ojo Maduekwe

Transport Ministry. He served Nigeria well in that Ministry. Ojo during his tenure as Transport Minister organized the

first ever Conference of former Transport Ministers. It will be difficult for me to forget what Ojo did for me as Trans-

port Minister. Where his predecessor in office had attempted to destroy my name; Ojo was unrelenting in his resolve to ensure that I was properly understood as Transport and Aviation Minister during the late Sani Abacha regime. I say it, with pride that Ojo Maduekwe means a lot to me and I will not forget it.

Ojo Maduekwe took all that happened to him in life with equal minds after the elections of 2011, many observers of Nigerian politics were stunned when Ojo Maduekwe was not announced as the Secretary to the Federal Government.

He was the Co-ordinating Secretary of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation.

Unfortunately, a conspiracy had developed within the Igbo Association that virtually worked against the interest of Ojo’s emergence as Secretary of the Government. This is a long story that has to be shelved for another day. Even many of us (Ojo’s friends) were largely bruised by the events. Ojo took the news very calmly and never allowed his emotions to betray his political frustrations.

Ojo Maduekwe was however appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada, Ojo Maduekwe made a great success of the appointment. It was the last duty post he held in Nigeria before his demise.

As General Secretary of the PDP, Ojo was a great success. As member of the PDP’s BOT, Ojo was a superstar. As an intellectual, Ojo was wonderful. Nigerians will remember Ojo’s flirtation with bicycle riding as a Federal Minister.

He believed in all that he did. He never made himself a subject of pity for all his activities.

We will surely miss Ojo Maduekwe. He was a brilliant star who fought for all social rights of his fellow countrymen and women until he breathed his last.

Ojo, thank you for all your exploits!

Ohafia will not forget you. We will remember you for all you have been to our country’s history - A patriot, nationalist, builder and social crusader.

Ojo, GOOD-NIGHT and GOODBYE!

All political parties in Nigeria’s second republic treated Ojo Maduekwe with respect. His political views were largely those of a moderate right wing opposition politician.

EBINO TOPSY – 0805-500-1735 (SMS ONLY PLEASE) NEXT WEEK REMEMBERING PAPA OONI SIJUWADE (BOOK VANCE)

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17

Friday, 15 July, 2016

eyesof islam

Saheed Salawu yinkadejavu@yahoo.com 0811 695 4643

Virtues of fasting six days in this month of Shawwal

A

BU Ayyub al-Ansari relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) says: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he had fasted the year through.” [Sahîh Muslim (1163)] The month of Shawwal is singled out for the observance of extra fasts, since this month follows immediately after Ramadan. The six days of voluntary fasting are to the obligatory fast of Ramadan what the Sunnah prayers are to the obligatory prayers.

It is related from Thawban that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The fast of Ramadan is like observing 10 months of fasting. Fasting six days of Shawwal is like observing two months of fasting. This together is like fasting throughout the year.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah (2115) and Sunan al-Nasa’i al-Kubra (2860) – and authenticated by al-Albani] Scholars have explained that it is like observing a year of fasting because the rewards of one’s good deeds are multiplied tenfold. Therefore, fasting the month of Ramadan is like fasting for 10 months and fasting six days in the month of Shawwal is like fasting for two months.

Fasting six days in Shawwal after observing the Ramadan fast gives the person

the reward of fasting throughout the year.

The fasts of Sha’ban and Shawwal are like the Sunnah prayers that accompany the five obligatory prayers. Like the Sunnah prayers, these extra fasts cover up for the deficiencies in our performance of our obligatory worship. On the Day of Judge-

The month of Shawwal is singled out for the observance of extra fasts, since this month follows immediately after Ramadan. The six days of voluntary fasting are to the obligatory fast of Ramadan what the Sunnah prayers are to the obligatory prayers.

ment, our voluntary acts of worship will compensate for the shortcomings in how we carried out our duties. Most of us have deficiencies in our observance of our Ramadan fasts and we need something to cover up for those deficiencies. It should be noted, however, the deficiencies being discussed here are not missing days of fasting. Rather, they are the deficiencies in our conduct that detract from the value of our worship.

Our return to the habit of fasting right after Ramadan is a sign that our Ramadan fasts were accepted. When Allah accepts our worship, He blesses us to engage in further acts of piety. The saying goes: The reward of virtue is further virtue. Therefore, following one good deed with others like it is a sign that the first deed had been accepted by Allah. By contrast, if a person’s good deed is followed by a sinful one, it is an indication that the first good deed might not have been accepted.

Those who observe the fast of Ramadan are given their recompense of the day of Eid-el-Fitr, the day when the fast is rewarded. Getting into the habit of fasting again soon thereafter is a means of giving thanks to Allah for the blessings that we have received. There is no blessing greater than forgiveness for one’s sins, and we know that fast of Ramadan is recompensed with forgiveness of one’s previous sins.

Indeed, Allah has commanded us to give thanks for the blessings of the Ramadan fast and to do so by making mention of Him and through other means of giving thanks. Allah says: “(He wants you) to complete the number of days, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance you may give thanks.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 185] Fasting these days in Shawwal is one way for us to express our thanks for Allah blessing us in our observance of the Ramadan fast.

It is known that some of the pious predecessors would try to get up at night to pray the Tahajjud prayer. When Allah blessed them to wake up and do so, they would fast the next day in thanks to Allah for blessing them to observe that prayer.

Once Wuhayb b. al-Ward was asked about the blessings of various acts of devotion and he replied: “Do not ask about the blessings that can be earned by performing these acts of worship. Rather, ask how you can show your thanks to Allah if He blesses you to perform them, for he is the one who assists us in doing so.”

Every blessing that Allah gives us is something that we have to be thankful about. Moreover, when Allah blesses us to show thanks, this is a further blessing from Allah that deserves further thanks from us. If we show further thanks, this in turn is another blessing deserving our gratitude. There is no end to this and we can never be thankful enough. When we recognise that our gratitude is never enough, this is the highest expression of gratitude we can give.

How we should fast the six days in Shawwal There are various opinions about this question: Some scholars hold the view that it is preferable to fast the six days in consecutive order, starting from the second day of Shawwal. This is the view of al-Shafi’i and Ibn al-Mubarak.

Others are of the opinion that it is preferable to fast the six days intermittently, spreading them out throughout the month of Shawwal. This is the position of Ahmad b. Hanbal and Waki’.

Then there are those who hold the view that the days should all be postponed until later in the month and not close to the day of Eid, which is a time of celebration and feasting. They prefer fasting the three days in the middle of the month (ayyam al-bid) along with the three days right before or after. This is the opinion of Ma’mar and ‘Abd al-Razzaq.

There is considerable flexibility in all of this. We can choose to follow any of these approaches that we wish.

And Allah knows best.

Source: en.islamtoday.net — Sheikh Salman al-Oadah.

18 islamicnews

Friday, 15 July, 2016

Stop drifting from democratic course, MURIC tells lawmakers

T

HE Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged lawmakers to avoid widening the gap between them and the electorate by adhering to international best practices in parliamentary matters.

MURIC gave the advice in a reaction to Tuesday’s debate of the House of Representatives of a bill seeking immunity for principal officers of the House.

The group, in a statement by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, condemned the bill which it tagged an attempt to shield lawmakers from the law made by them.

Describing it as despicable, MURIC said the bill, coming at a time when the leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) is facing trial over criminal charges, was suspect.

“The proposed bill is self-

serving and politically motivated. Its authors seek to gain from the bend what they could not get from the straight. This bill belongs to the dustbin of history.

“The NASS is taking Nigerians for a ride. We will not allow that to happen.

The bill is a reactionary measure. It is designed to take Nigeria back to the Stone Age. Bothered by the concentration of too much power being wielded by presidents, democracies around the world are seeking to remove immunity even from the executive.

“The supreme court of Guatemala successfully stripped its president of immunity in September 2015. How can Nigerian legislators turn themselves into tin gods at a time like this? It had better not be.

Whoever wants to enjoy the immunity clause should go to his state and

contest for governorship,” the group said.

Stating that it was aware that in 2013, a committee of the House recommended the expunging of the immunity clause for the president and the vice president, the group won-

dered what had changed between then and now in the disposition of the lawmakers to checking lawlessness.

“It is a calculated assault on two of the basic principles of democracy, namely, probity and accountabil-

ity. The masses are being skinned alive. First, we cannot hold the executive arm of government accountable until after the end of its tenure and now, the legislature wants to dig in deep.

“It is not only daylight

robbery but also an attempt to subject the citizenry to the tyranny of Draconian legislation.

Those who make the law must submit themselves to the same law. Only thus can they have a taste of the pudding,” MURIC added.

Chief (Mrs) Rasheedat Olanrewaju Otiti (second left) with members of the Ibadul Rahman Assalat group, led by the Iya Adinni of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, during the celebration of her birthday with Qur’an recitation at her Jericho, Ibadan residence, recently.

Eid-el Fitr holiday extension:

NACOMYO calls for understanding, tolerance

THE National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has appealed to Nigerians to be guided by the teachings and tenets of their religions by coexisting for the advancement of the country and humanity.

NACOMYO made the appeal in a statement by its National President, Alhaji Kamal’deen Akintunde, against the background of the furore generated by the Federal Government’s one day extension of the public holiday to mark Eid-el-Fitr signalling the end of Ramadan fast.

It underlined the need for understanding and cooperation in the matter as the festival, it said, “is subject to moon sighting which, of course, is beyond human logic or calculation in determining.”

According to apex Muslim youth group, the fact is that the global Muslim world had calculated that Ramadan would terminate by the 29th day but it proved otherwise as the moon of Shawwal was not sighted and fasting had to continue the next day and as directed by the leadership of the international and Nigerian Muslim Ummah (community).

NACOMYO said Islam recognises the existence of

other faiths and encourages interfaith cooperation and collaboration for “the sustainable progress of human race.”

Given Nigeria’s heterogeneity, the group implored Nigerians to eschew sentiments, religious bigotry and ethnic hostilities and work together to build a prosperous and united country.

It noted that the socioeconomic and security challenges bedevilling the nation required a collective effort to tackle and as such, people of faiths must join hands together to ensure “the Nigeria of our dream.”

NACOMYO called for attitudinal change among Muslims and Christians in order to stem the seemingly rivalry and tendencies that might undermine interfaith cooperation.

The organisation stated that if He had wished, the Creator of the universe would have made Nigeria a Christian or Muslim state, just as it emphasised that Nigeria’s diversity must be seen as an opportunity for advancement.

The Muslim group counselled Nigerian leaders to uphold the truth and ensure fairness, justice, equity and rule of law as best practices and imperative for good governance.

Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Pastor Kola Oluwawole (second right), making a presentation to the Chief Imam of Osan-Ekiti Central Mosque, Alhaji Tiamiyu Abdulraheem, during the presentation of food items to Muslims in parts of Moba Local Government Area of the state in commemoration of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebrations in the state. With him are the chairman of the local government, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo; the Olosan of Osan-Ekiti, Oba (Alhaji) Tajudeen Jimoh; and others.

Ibadan Chief Imam urges Ajimobi to end rift with labour THE Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdul Ganiyy Abubakri Agbotomokekere, has appealed to the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to ensure the resolution of the dispute between the government and the labour movement.

Sheikh Agbotomokekere made the appeal on behalf of the Imam-in-Council and the League of Imams and Alfas in Oyo State, in a statement signed by the Grand Mufti of Ibadanland, Alhaji Abdul Fatahi Alaga.

The spiritual leader also

urged labour leaders to tread the path of peace and understanding in pressing home their demands from the government in the interest of the state.

Sheikh Agbotomokekere urged the two parties to give room for further negotiations and be ready to make compromises in order to allow the government to tackle other development challenges, triggered by the unfavourable economic situation in the country, for the well-being of the people.

He prayed Allah to guide

the governor and those around him in steering the ship of the state, just as he beseeched Him to show

mercy and restore the state and, indeed, the country to the path of economic sufficiency.

Ansar Ud-Deen begins 3-day congress today in Jos THE Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria will hold its northern states congress between today and Sunday in Jos, Plateau State.

The chairman of the planning committee, Alhaji Musa Sambo, disclosed that more than 700 delegates are expected to attend the congress where new officers

will be elected and merit awards presented to deserving members.

Alhaji Sambo said the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, will be the royal father at the event where Professor M. T. Yahya will speak on the “The Global Effects of Corruption and Insecurity on Islam.”

19

Friday, 15 July, 2016

fridaytreat

Nigerian Tribune

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636

SolidStar

Artiste of the week

S

OLIDSTAR is a Nigerian Hip hop, RnB, dancehall, Afro-Pop singer, producer and songwriter.

He sings in English, Pidgin English and other Nigerian languages. He achieved national fame on the basis of his hit single, “One in a Million” featuring superstar, 2face.

Born Joshua Iniyezo on 8 November, 1988, Solidstar hails from the Isoko minority ethnic group in Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, his village is Aviara in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state. He was born and bred in Ajegunle.

Solidstar is an RnB singer who started singing and playing instruments, such as drums at the age of eight in his church choir and took to singing professionally in 2004.

He attended Goriola Primary and Oshodi Secondary School, Tolu Complex, Olodi Apapa for both his primary and secondary school education. He is looking to further his education soon.

SolidStar has previously mentioned 2face as a mentor and has also cited artistes like R. Kelly and Kelvin Little as having had a strong influence on his personality and music. He claims to also be inspired by God to write inspirational songs and is especially grateful to the African Queen crooner for all his contributions and fatherly advice being a senior colleague in the music industry.

The songwriter believes that ‘the greatest songs tell the best stories and come straight from the heart to heal the people

who listen.’ This has affected him and thus shaped his distinct style. He calls his brand of music afro-pop.

Solidstar is officially signed onto Achievas Entertainment Co Nig. Ltd., based in Festac Town for a period of three years to produce two albums.

Solidstar is the first debutant in West to Africa to release an Enhanced Audio CD. His debut album (with enhanced CD+2videos+Wallpapers+Ringtone) is a 14-tracker featuring some of Nigeria’s finest producers and artistes, the likes of 2-Face Idibia, W4, Ill Bliss (that Igbo boy), Clever Jay, Cartiair, Jacuzi and a very young African-American rapper, Breeze who is also signed to the same label. The album was mixed and mastered

by Foster Zheeno for Zane Pros Studio.

Solidstar’s single and video, “One in a Million” featuring 2-face Idibia enjoyed massive airplay on radio and television stations globally, and the video was number one for three weeks on Trace TV top 10 for Africa. It is the first homemade Nigerian video to go on Trace TV. He has since released many other hit songs with several other musical videos on air.

The hiphop and dancehall star has also worked with major acts like Tiwa Savage, Pantoranking, Davido, Ycee etc and rappers like Ill Bliss aka Dat Ibo Boy, Cartiair, W4, Buchwyla, etc.

His latest song, a refix of ‘Wait’, featuring Tiwa Savage and Patoranking is a song, which entertainment watchers say should put him on another level as one of the most consistent artistes in Nigeria.

Reverie: Short horror flick debuts

THE producers of the new short horror flick ‘Reverie’ said they are almost ready to present the film to the public for private viewing and submission to different international festivals.

The flick, which is basically a short horror film was produced by Grey Lotus Studio, Eagles House Global Resources and Bobbyflex Studios.

According to the Director of the flick, Ikenna Oguike, he said, “Reverie is a movie created by minds and hands that are super talented and simply out of this world. It is a collective effort of Grey Lotus, Eagles House and Bobflex Studios. Filled with blurry echoes of ghostly choruses from fears of the unknown, Reverie is a must see movie”, he averred.

In the words of Alayande Stephen T., one of the producers of the movie, “It is a new undertaking for me for I have been more involved with sitcoms and soap series within and outside the shores of the country in the last few years but producing a short film came with its own attendant challenges and we could only hope for the best. This movie will be presented for a private screening and submitted to different international film festivals all things being equal.

After this, we will trail the blaze of being the first producers of mind gripping full fledge feature length horror film and soap series” he posited.

20

trending

fridaytreat The rage of local sexual enhancers...

•Use of Pokriyon, Sobotone, others illegal —Doctors •It makes us real men —Artistes, respondents

By Rotimi Ige

T

Eniola Badmus selling ‘paraga’ in a movie.

HE link between entertainment and alcohol/ drug abuse is becoming increasingly connected in recent times, a worrying trend for medical personnel especially as the cases of complications from addiction have been on a constant rise across the country and worldwide. In Nigeria, the increased popularity and indiscriminate usage of local enhancement drinks like Opa Eyin, Afato, Ponkriyon, Burantashi, among others have become a major concern for many. In fact, so popular is Ponkriyon that Olamide, one of the biggest names in the Nigerian music scene, sang about it recently.

‘E funmi l’eja e je ki n yan’, t’ori mo ti mu pokriyon, (please give me fish to roast, because I have taken pokriyon), were the lyrics of his lines in the song.

Another Nigerian musician, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said that the importance of alcohol, drugs, and ‘enhancement’ herbal mixtures to his colleagues could not be over emphasised.

“You people do not understand the enormous responsibilities we shoulder. As artistes or entertainers, we have

to ‘appear’ happy at all times to our fans and keep them happy. Most of the most sought after artistes are depressed or undergoing one form of challenge or the other but we must appear to be ‘living our dreams’ to our fans.

Yes, it may be a façade but that is why it is called ‘show business’.

“Let me give you an example. In a typical month, I travel out of Lagos like five or six times. During such trips, in between flight delays, locating hotels, sound checks and media tours, most of the time, one rarely finds time to eat.

At the same time, our fans always want the best performance. To achieve this, we find solace in alcohol and spirits. Also, we cannot be said to be lacking in sex, since in most of our songs, we portray the alpha male status. This is where Ponkriyon, Fodo, Afato and the likes come in. It has never failed me”, he said.

Renowned Nigerian trumpeter and music act, Victor Abimbola Olaiya, in an interview with YES magazine, shared his opinion on why most male musicians cannot stay away from women and alcohol. He said most musicians believe that they need alcohol, sex with women or hard drugs to put them in the mood during performance.

The legend said, “It’s a question of habit. It’s a very bad habit which they copied from somewhere, which I cannot describe.

“Musicians believe that for you to be able to be in the mood, you must have to do certain things, but it’s a wrong belief. I do not take anything to put me in the mood for recording or performing. Not marijuana or cigarette. I don’t take anything. I go to the studio solo. Over the years, I did not drink. It’s only nowadays that I started taking some shots of wine. I don’t smoke, but I am with the company of the opposite sex,” he said.

Another artiste, who simply identified himself as ‘Mike’, said, “Though I am against indiscriminate drinking, it is an occupational norm to be predisposed to alcohol, drugs, women and sex in this business. Most of today’s new era music glorifies the aforementioned. However, controlled drinking is the key. For a mainstream Nigerian artiste, club gigs are a regular occasion and such artistes are normally entitled to some free drinks. Over time, one gets used to this lifestyle and if care isn’t taken, it shapes one’s behaviour. Our female fans are also in awe of our

Recently, a Nigerian musician who spoke under condition of anonymity, said that the importance of alcohol, drugs, and ‘enhancement’ herbal mixtures to his colleagues could not be over emphasised.

A typical ‘paraga’ seller set for the day’s business

21

Friday, 15 July, 2016

status and want to be seen with or around us whenever the opportunity presents itself. In order to ‘perform’, one must rise to the occasion. However, like I said earlier, moderation is the key word”.

Last week, a young man in his late thirties, popularly known as Oluaye at the Odo Ona Elewe area of Ibadan, apparently trying to ‘rise’ to the occasion, allegedly died from a supposed herbal mixture overdose. He was said to be addicted to Afato, Opa Eyin and other mixtures of the like which, according to residents in his area, he claimed helped him dominate his women in bed.

Oluaye was said to always rely on the enhancement mixtures and was often seen with numerous women. In fact, respondents claimed that his sexual prowess was a generally discussed topic. His death, last week, came as a shocker to as many who heard about it because, as claimed, he looked healthy. Friday Treat’s investigations however revealed that Oluaye had collapsed during one of his many sexual bouts. Sadly, he was said to have died while been rushed to the hospital.

While the enhancement drugs could not be verified at press time to be responsible for Oluaye’s death, medical personnel have at various times, warned about the indiscriminate usage of unlicensed nor clinically tested herbal enhancers which have become very popular.

Doctor Tope Akinola, who practices at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in a chat with Friday Treat said that the daily usage of such herbal purifiers/enhancers could be potentially dangerous to human health.

According to him, “The pharmacokinetics and dynamics of such mixtures are not known nor quantified. Most of these people take it every day and at the end of the day, the kidneys and liver are overworked. At the end of the day, the organs fail. Many people are affected today but only the cases of prominent people or entertainers get to the media.

Recently, one of my patients, who liked all these mixtures suddenly discovered his skin was turning pale white. After thorough medical examinations, it was discovered that the sexual enhancer/herbal mixture that he mixed with a certain energy drink had affected his blood and bone marrow.

People must really be careful with all these mixtures being peddled by women who claim to be herbal experts.”

Another fertility doctor in Abuja who spoke under condition of anonymity said, “Recently, I have had more patients who complain of being unable to achieve erection.

Many of these patients, after cross examination, reveal that they had, at one point, relied on Agbo Jedi, or Opa Eyin or whatever they are called to impress their women. Little did they know that after years of such use, the body gets used to such mixtures and would need even stronger mixture to do what was achieved before. So when they fail to achieve erection, we discover varying degrees of penile blood vessel damage among others. I have also discovered that our Nollywood movies and music videos encourage the use of such drugs to withstand multiple sexual partners. It is a dangerous trend that must be addressed.”

While doctors may be discouraging the use of herbal performance enhancers/flushers, many of its sellers are smiling to the bank. Iya Abass, as she is called in the Ring Road area of Ibadan where she sells her wares in front of a popular club, told Friday Treat that her herbal mixtures were ‘traditionally certified’ to cure and enhance its user.

“My grandmother taught my mother and my mother taught me”, she said excitedly. “I sell Okpa Eyin, Afato, Eruku flusher, Fodo, among others depending on what the customer wants. I have been selling this for years with no complaints. Men constitute 95 per cent of our customers and most times, they want to flush their systems or enhance sexual prowess.

In fact, I have a mixture which can make a man perform for two hours. My mixtures cost from around N50 to N1000. Even bankers, lawyers buy from me in bottles because they don’t like to sit by the road side. But my major patrons are club boys and fun seekers. In fact, some women now buy for their men when they hear the testimonies of their female friends who feel our impact from their boyfriends”.

She also said she makes about N5,000 to N10,000 on a daily basis.

Rotimi Ige rotimiige@yahoo.com 0811 695 4636 twitter: @rotifizzle twitter: @fridaytreat

Nairabox unveils Yemi Alade and Genuizz as brand ambassadors

AWARD winning artiste, Yemi Alade, and Geniuzz of Effyzzie Music Group have been officially unveiled as the brand ambassadors for the social digital wallet, Nairabox. Announced at the official press conference on the 12th July 2016 at the the Nairabox headquarters in Lagos the two musicians will be the face of the Nairabox brand.

Speaking at the event, Yemi Alade said, “Everything is happening online right now, technology is the future and Nairabox is the future, you don’t need physical cash, you can buy movie tickets, purchase airtime, make bill payments and transfer cash to your kids in school…The best part about it is that it operates all over the country and

Fuji t’o Bam quarter final: Goldberg team to visit Alaafin GOLDBERG Lager Beer, a brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc has concluded arrangements to storm the ancient city of Oyo for the quarter final of the 2016 edition of its talent hunt competition, Fuji t’o Bam. As part of the plan for the concert scheduled for Friday, the Goldberg team will visit the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III in the morning before the event is flagged off.

Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager & Stout Brands, Nigerian Breweries, explained that Goldberg recognizes and respects the rich culture of Yorubas; hence the need for the team’s homage to the Alaafin .

Agu disclosed that Goldberg is expecting no fewer than 5,000 Fuji lovers, enthusiasts and potential Fuji musicians to grace the event that would hold at Durbar Stadium, where 40 Fuji artistes would compete for a slot to proceed to the next stage of the annual competition.

you don’t need data. Plus it doesn’t take a lot of space when you download, its just 2MB.” Giving his own thoughts, Geniuzz said, “The first and coolest thing about this app is that it is very easy to use, user friendly and needs no data. Because it’s a wallet you can take it everywhere with you. It enables you go cashless. Each one of us should have it and I encourage you all to get it.”

Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Nairabox, Mr Jay Chikezie said, “We are glad that Yemi Alade and Geniuzz were able to see our vision and we are glad to have them on board, and look forward to a fruitful relationship.”

MUSIC BUSINESS 101

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Friday, 15 July, 2016

travelpulse&m.i.c.e

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

Southland to set new standard for hotels in Ibadan

Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines, Mr Tewolde Gebremarian (middle) and the Airlines family at Skytrax award, England, recently.

Africans decide on way forward for seamless travel in Accra today

W

ITH the recently Launched Visa on Arrival programme for all Africans by Ghana, there would still be need for 14 Visa stickers on travellers passport visiting West Africa. This is one of the clogs that have contributed to low Number of Tourists arrivals in Africa, despite the long beaches and great cultures.

Today here at the Accra Weizo, this issue and others will be addressed by a leading tourism and travel expert in the private sector in West Africa at the 2nd Accra Weizo. Carmen Nigibira the Coordinator of the East Africa tourism platform. East Africa had launched an ambitious project of Schengen style joint single visa to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda to integrate the tourism offerings in the region. They have gone further to integrate joint marketing at trade shows and events.

West Africa needs to learn from these experiments at Joint marketing and regional branding. Accra Weizo is an event put together by the organisers of Akwaaba African Travel Market with the support of Ghana Ministry of Tourism Culture and Creative Arts to foster the African dream. It debuted last year.

This edition themed: “Seamless Travels in West Africa” has gathered an expert in the industry to a discussion session on West Africa as a single destination holding right away at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel with supports from

Ethiopian Airlines, Accra city hotel and Kempinski Gold City Hotel, Accra.

Also, the Weizo session will take a critical look at ways to improve travel and tourism growth in West Africa through easy access to towns and cities in West Africa.

Improving and simplifying airport and border processes; Standardising hotel and facilities for tourism through shared vision.

The organiser, Mr Ikechi Uko, in a release to Travelpulse&MICE, said, “The tourism session will be on the Prospect of West Africa as a Single Tourism Destination.

“There will be a case study on the South African Tourism experience in West Africa to be anchored by Hloni Pitso, the Regional Manager of South Africa Tourism in West Africa. The session will have as discussants the President of Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Tour Operators Union of Ghana

(TOUGHA), National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) and heads of the tourism associations from Benin and Togo. It will be moderated by a leading Ghanaian journalist, Abeku Santana.”

Carmen Nibigira

THE service of welcoming, receiving, hosting or entertaining guests in the hotel business in developed countries is a key factor in sustaining customers’ confidence in the hospitality industry.

Again, 21st century hotel, has gone beyond the contemporary offers to something more trendy, standard and leisure friendly Those unique qualities cannot be ruled out for anyone wanting to invest in the hotel business, and to boost patronages, one must follow a model.

This is the trend adopted by Otunba Olayiwola Fadairo, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Southland Concept Hotel and Suites, who is bringing an uncommon hospitality experience to the people of Ibadan with the sighting of SouthLand at the Oba Adetokun Road, off Ologuneru, Ibadan.

The new entrant to the hospitality sector of Oyo State is accessible and exclusive in all ramification as it displays a range of boutique services.

Southland Hotel has 39 well apportioned service accommodation, leisure zones, fitness and conference facilities that create an ambience to merge work and play in one environment without conflict of interest.

Speaking on why he decided to go into hotel business, Fadairo explained, “I am a versatile traveller and when it comes to good hotel, I know one when I see it.

And what actually prompted me to embark on SouthLand came up when I visited a certain hotel in Durban, South Africa for Lion’s Congress, five years ago.

The hotel, Durban Internation-

Fadairo

al Hotel was a model I saw and fell in love with the state-of-theart facilities, beautifications and aesthetics.

“And right there, I said to myself, I will do something close to it, if not replica for people at home to enjoy.

According to Fadairo, “Southland Concept Hotel and Suites which is set for opening in first week in August is bringing hotel innovation and comfort to Oyo State.

“I have travelled wide and near, and I have patronised different international hotels during my trips to over 20 countries; from Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond.

And the drive to give the best will continue to push us to attract our intending customers with newer offerings that are pocket-friendly and service driven.

Ethiopian Airlines wins Best Airline Staff in Africa ETHIOPIAN Airlines, the fastest growing, most profitable and a technology pioneer African airline, has won SKYTRAX World Airline Award for Best Airline Staff in Africa, for the second time, on July 12, 2016 at Farnborough Airshow event held in Hampshire, England.

SkyTrax awards are solely based on customer survey and customer

satisfaction measurement for their experience; from check-in to boarding, onboard comfort, cabin cleanness, food, beverages, inflight entertainment, staff service and associated travel items.

While receiving the award, Ethiopian Group CEO Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked, “We are proud that SKYTRAX, the

most reputed customer-service tracking organisation in the airline industry, has recognised our service delivery for the second time. “We thank SkyTrax for this recognition and we promised our customers to work even harder to meet their high expectations.

“We also thank our valued customers for the strong vote of con-

When Sheraton Lagos Hotel treated guests to Paired menu

RECENTLY, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel hosted their loyal clients, SPG members and inhouse guests to a cocktail event where ‘Sheraton Paired’ was reactivated.

Paired is a re invented lobby bar food and beverage programme which builds on the global trends in the world of cuisine. It brings small plates or side dishes alongside premium wines to create unexpected pairing zone, but are paired perfectly.

The event kicked off with Deputy General Manager, Mr Damian Cooper, who welcomed and encouraged guests to enjoy the

yummy-menu specially selected and prepared for them. He then handed over to Chef Eunice who then took the guests through each pairing delights explaining to them why they were perfectly paired.

“To show the global nature of the paired menu, there was a swap with Sheraton Abuja where two items from their menu were picked and added to ours. The paired menu consisted of delicious delicacies like spicy chicken gizzard with onions and tomatoes, spicy Calabar snail with sautéed mushrooms and spinach, traditional baked mini beef

pies, fried fish with tartar sauce, Ugba salad with garden egg and Spicy coconut suya prawns which were all paired with premium red and white wines such as Del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon. 2012 Central Valley Chile, Torres Gran Coronas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pendes 2008 Spain among others.

A special twist was added as guests watched the spicy chicken gizzard being made in front of them at the live cooking station.

It was truly a night of fun, mingling and networking amongst all who were invited.

fidence in our services and for choosing ETHIOPIAN as their preferred travel partner.

“I also thank and appreciate the hard work of my 12,000 strong men and women at The ETHIOPIAN family who have made the airline a global winner.”

It is to be recalled that, Ethiopian has received in the past an accolade in the same category from SkyTrax. Ethiopian is above all a customer-focused Airline with global standard service and superior delivery through its hallmark Ethiopian flavored African hospitality. Ethiopian Airlines is implementing a 15-year strategic plan, Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading Aviation Group in Africa, offering its passengers’ international standard product with five star service delivery and which has a strong mission of ensuring being an airline of choice to its employees.

23

Friday,15 July, 2016

Taiwo Adisa - 08072000046 Group Politics Editor taiadis@yahoo.com

There is nothing to negotiate about Nigeria’s unity —Sani Anthony N Z Sani, is the spokesman of Northern delegates in the 2014 National Conference and immediate past national publicity secretary of the pan-Northern umbrella organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). Against the backdrop of raging debate on the status of the Nigerian federation, he bares his mind on the clamour for re-negotiation of Nigeria’s unity, perceived marginalisation of the Southern part of the country in federal appointments, among other issues. KUNLE ODEREMI brings some excerpts of the interview:

T

HERE has been hue and cry over appointments made so far by the Buhari administration. How do you see the whole issues surrounding the appointments, especially in view of allegations of favouring the North?

When a party wins election based on its manifesto, it is often a mandate given to it to deliver on its promises, considering each political party represents distinct methods of solving the national problems in a multi party democracy where there is national consensus on problems confronting the nation, but there is no similar consensus on method of solution. It is therefore left for the political party to use its judgment and appoints into government ministers whom it believes can deliver on the promise of its mandate. And in doing so, our constitution demands that each state must have at least one minister for the purpose of carrying every state of the federation along.

And I believe this regime has not breached that constitutional provision in its appointments into cabinet of ministers that make up the government.

As to the hue and cry by the South-East and the SouthSouth, as well as the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that they have been marginalised in other appointments, I believe there is undue emphasis on distribution of appointments as means to achieving the aim of government at the expense of the real purpose of goverment. I have noticed the South-East and the SouthSouth do not see the chairman of NNPC and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, the Head of Service, the Adviser on NASS and the Director General of Budget as from the South-East/South-South. This is not correct and amounts to fault finding.

The Northern CAN may be right in saying Northern Christians should be included in the government for purpose of promoting a sense of belonging among constituent parts of Nigeria. But, they cannot cry too loud because both the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Speaker of House of Representatives, who are their buddies, are seminal members of the government, who should remind the government about the need for such inclusion as internal matter instead of allowing for the exclusion that attracts the attention of CAN. A situation that would make CAN to go public with their complaints despite presence of SGF and Speaker conveys an impression that both the SGF and the Speaker are not mindful of the need to shoo-in Northern Christians for national unity. Such impression is avoidable.

Why does the president favour the North as the appointments are skewed against the South more than a year after the general elections in the

Sani country?

I am not sure the appointments have favoured the North unduly. Some people may be right when they say the heads of security apparatus are skewed in favour of the North, considering the fact that only the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff are from the Southern part of Nigeria. But when you consider the portfolios of the ministries that manage the socio-economy, you would

Those who clamour for restructuring for each section to develop at their own pace, are asking Nigerians to live as if they are in different countries where some citizens can be in cutting edge, while some others would live on knife edge of survival. That would be a harbinger for split.

see they are skewed towards the South, since only Agriculture and Education are headed by Northerners. Yes, there may be elements of imbalance in some areas, but I do not see any perceived imbalance as deliberately designed to put any region on the short end of the lever.

Is the trend not at variance with Mr President’s oath of office to uphold and respect the Nigerian Constitution, coupled with his promise to be fair and just to all?

Mr President said he would be fair and just to all sections. Yes, he said so. But can appointments alone vitiate his claim? That should not be so, since distributions of major projects and major contracts are also access to state resources. What is more, development concerns ordinary Nigerians more than appointments. It may therefore be more helpful if we can also assume real responsibility for real issues of real concern to ordinary Nigerians by looking at the distribution of development projects and major contracts by zones instead of undue emphasis on appointments that are not of real value to ordinary Nigerians beyond the fact they help make things happen.

Matter of distribution of appointments by zones, religion and ethnicity are actually for the elite and not one and the same with development. Take for example, the complaints by the Igbo of marginalisation despite the trite

Continues on page 24

24

politics&policy

Friday, 15 July, 2016

‘North is not afraid of restructuring’ Continued from page 23 that the Igbo have been part of the Federal Governments-since after the war from 1970- in positions such as the Vice President, Senate Presidents, Speaker of House of Representatives, SGF, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governors, Service Chiefs, Coordinating Minister of the economy and chairman of the ruling party. Also consider how the South-East and the SouthSouth held sway in the immediate past regime yet they cry of marginalisation the most. This shows appointments and development are not one and the same thing.

Is it fair that most of those retired in the military and police top hierarchies are from the South?

I read that the military and the police officers who were recently retired paid the price of their engagement in partisan politics. That many of them happen to be from the South may be because the political leadership was from the South and the officers thought they could play partisan roles and still get away with it. You would recall how President Olusegun Obasanjo retired many military officers perceived to be politically exposed in 1999 and many of them were of Northern extractions for obvious reasons. Somehow, I share the view that military and police officers should not be involved in partisan politics, and retiring those who become partisan is for the larger interest of the nation. We should therefore not read ethnic, religious, regional and partisan colouration to all actions of government. Reading such meaning is divisive and unhelpful. I believe the retirement of military officers, who are partisan or politically exposed, is for larger national interest. Partisan politics, by its nature, is very divisive, especially in a diverse country like Nigeria. And since the military is expected to be the symbol of unity and save guard the country, allowing the military and police officers to engage in partisan politics cannot reasonably be for oneness of the country.

Don’t you see the perceived marginalisation of the South as capable of compounding existing animosity, suspicion and bigotry among the ethnic groups in the land?

Surely, any perceived marginalisation of any constituent part of this country cannot further the cause of national unity precisely because it breeds suspicion and mistrust. But as I have explained earlier, I have not seen any deliberate design by the government to marginalise any part of the country through appointments that are not development by themselves, and, therefore, not of direct concerns to ordinary Nigerians. Even though I support governance as an art of balancing competing demands among constituent parts of a diverse country and among socioeconomic sectors, my aspiration is for a nation where it would not matter the colour of the cat provided it can catch the rats.

It may be helpful to note that the politics of identity called power shift, rotation and zoning are manifestations of failure of leadership which has made communities to come to believe that unless one of their own is in government, they cannot have fair and just access to state resources.

Such a zeitgeist is insular and promotes a republic of cloistered communities with strong historical ties to places and particularism as against promotion of relative pluralism. I hope we would get a leadership who would work hard and make the clamour of politics of identity irrelevant. I am sure President Buhari will not be ac-

Sani

We have also tried the parliamentary system; we have tried the military command and unitary systems and are now trying the presidential system... Our challenges are on how best to work hard ceaselessly for order, justice, peace, common decency and prosperity for all, since they are never natural order of things.

cused of favoritism if at the end of his tenure, his development strides will be seen to be fair and just.

Following the anger over the perceived marginalisation of the South by the present administration, don’t you think it will be proper to re-negotiate the terms of Nigeria’s unity, restructure the federation and implement the final reports of the 2014 National Conference?

As regards the reports of the National Conference of 2014, I have said it over and over again that it is a contradiction for those, who inveigh the 1979/1999 Constitution as not decisions of people of Nigeria despite the fact that an elected Constituent Assembly brought it about, would be the ones who would clamour that recommendations by a conference of unelected delegates be implemented in a democratic setting that has elected legislature in place.

This is undemocratic. But, there is nothing wrong in the National Assembly to study the reports, with a view to improving the quality of their deliberations in the course of any attempt to amend the constitution, especially when regard is paid to the fact

that many issues were brought into the open which cannot be ignored or forgotten. I therefore share the view of those who posit that no group has the right to compel an elected government to implement a report by a conference of unelected delegates.

But, you would agree with me that restructuring the federation now is capable of eliminating the ugly situations prevalent in the Niger Delta, ethnic agitation in the South-East, and the crises in other troubled spots in the country?

I agree that terrorism; agitations by Biafrans and Niger Delta militants are challenges. But, we cannot allow such challenges by a minority to make us reconsider our togetherness and set our national agenda.

That would be defeatist and unacceptable.

We better make the most of our diversity by working hard to overcome what divides our people, and in favour of core value of humanity that divide our people.

I have stated my views about the perceived marginalisation. I am not sure the South-West would tell you that the zone

is marginalised by way of appointments. I want activists to concentrate on real issues of real concern to real ordinary Nigerians.

What is there to renegotiate about restructuring of Nigeria?

I have submitted that the problem of Nigeria has nothing to do with the structure of the country’s structure and form of government, but due to collapse of our national ideals and moral values. I do not know a structure that is universally accepted as “true federalism.” This is because there are no two federal systems that are clones of one another. A federal system has a lot to do with circumstance of its emergence. For example, 13 American colonies came together and formed the United States of America (USA) while in the case of Nigeria, the centre created the states as the federating units. But all federal systems have the same mantra, to wit, a national government that is appropriately balanced by state level power without tilting the country towards a unitary system.

What is more, America tried confederation before evolving into the current status of their federalism. Nigeria has also tried the confederation when it had strong regions with a weak centre during the First Republic. This was abolished by Aguiyi-Ironsi in favour of unitary system that was later supplanted by states as the federating units. So, we have tried all the structures.

We have also tried the parliamentary system; we have tried the military command and unitary systems and are now trying the presidential system. All these systems have worked in other places, including France which operates a combination of presidential and parliamentary systems. So, our challenges are on how best to work hard ceaselessly for order, justice, peace, common decency and prosperity for all, since they are never natural order of things. There is nothing too strong with our centre which share is 52 per cent and there is nothing too weak for states which collectively share is48 per cent.

Why is the North opposed, or afraid of calls for re-negotiation of Nigeria’s unity and indeed restructuring?

The North is not afraid of any restructuring but is saying there is nothing to restructure beyond change of attitudes that can promote peaceful co-existence in a society that is socially diverse, economically empowered and politically active.

Those, who clamour for restructuring for each section to develop at their own pace, are asking Nigerians to live as if they are in different countries where some citizens can be in cutting edge while some others would live on knife edge of survival. That would be harbinger for split. Most of us believe the certain benefits of one United Nigeria are more than uncertain gains of split. We cannot allow challenges posed by Minority to redefine our destiny and set our agenda for the worst.

Why do you think the government has remained ambivalent over complaints concerning the list of ambassadorial nominees, as some stakeholders in a couple of states believe the non-inclusion or representation of their states negates the principle of federal character?

I have not bothered to look at the list of the ambassadorial nominees, precisely because I do not see how ambassadors would not promote national interest and instead promote sectional interests. To what end?

25 politics&policy

Ekweremadu

Friday, 15 July, 2016

Okorocha

Umahi

PDP, APC’s battle for the soul of S/East A

T the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the people of the zone pitched their tents with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with all the governors of the five states that make up the zone: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, emerging on its platform. While Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, took control of Abia State, Dr Chinwoke Mbadiniuju was in charge of Anambra State. For Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, Dr Sam Egwu , Dr Chimaroke Nnamani and Achike Udenwa held sway, respectively.

In that era, the Conference of South-East Governors which had previously gone into oblivion shortly after the still defunct Third Republic, tried to come alive with the then governors meeting at regular intervals in Enugu to review national issues as they affected the Igbo nation.

But between 1999 and now, many things have occurred, changing the political landscape of Ndigbo with just three states: Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu, now remaining in PDP. Indeed, the first south-Eastern governor to opt out of the PDP umbrella was ex-Governor Kalu, who went to form the Peoples Progressives Party (PPA), a move many believed he made to free himself from the grip of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, and to pursue the Igbo presidency project.

Unfortunately, the political atmosphere in God’s Own State is still uneasy because, the battle raged over the coveted seat of governor of Abia. But head or tail, the PDP still holds the fort in the troubled state as both Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and Uche Ogah are from the PDP stable, the legal tussle notwithstanding. As a matter of fact, the crisis in Abia is not new to political watchers, as the first battle fought in the state was said to have started by Kalu and his estranged deputy, Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe, over alleged forged rate receipts which Enyinnaya denied. Kalu also had skirmishes with other political gladiators that included Chime Nwafor, Onyema Ugochukwu, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, at different periods. How he defeated Chief Ogbulafor in 1999 to emerge as governor when he (Ogbulafor) was in the then All Peoples Party (APP) is now history. Suffice it to also recall that Ogbulafor later defected to PDP, where he was nominated as minister and subsequently national secretary and chairman of the party.

Today, the two dominant parties: PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in an intense battle for the

soul of Igboland, unlike in the past when PDP had all the structures in the zone in its hands. Already, in Enugu, where the deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, hails from, there is fear in some quarters that the PDP may lose to APC in 2019. The theory stems from the fact that the body language of the incumbent governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, is titling towards the APC, as the PDP on whose crest he rode to power, is no longer controlling the government at the centre. The trial of the deputy senate president over alleged forgery of Senate Standing Rules is not helping matters, as APC had capitalised on the development to have an in-road into the state.

Little wonder then that, precisely on July 9, 2016, both PDP and APC stalwarts and their supporters held different rallies simultaneously at Awgu, the headquarters of Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. While PDP faithful, under the auspices of Enugu-West Senatorial District, held a protest rally against the trial of their son (Ekweremadu), the APC officially opened their constituency office in the town. Supporters of both parties used the occasions to woo the people of the area.

For the spokesman of the pro-Ekweremadu rally, Professor Sam Ukpabi, the group had reviewed the state of the nation, especially the politics of bitterness, nepotism, hate and crushing economic hardship, which a narrow cabal in the APC had unleashed on Nigerians since assuming power at the centre. The former Secretary to Enugu State Government (SSG) said: “We reviewed the recent politically-moti-

Today, the two dominant parties: PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in an intense battle for the soul of Igboland, unlike in the past when PDP had all the structures in the zone in its hands.

Southeast Bureau Chief, JUDE OSSAI, looks at the battle of wits between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the zone ahead of the 2019 polls.

vated trial of the deputy President of the Senate and former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, PhD, CFR, on a trumped-up charge of forgery, which has added yet another disturbing dimension to the APC-led Federal Government’s unabashed determination to continually harass and overrun our illustrious son and representative.

“We noted, with dismay, that since the re-election of Senator Ekweremadu as the deputy President of the 8th Senate on 9th June 2015, the APC has neither hidden its hatred and disgust for the revered Senator nor its declared intention to get rid of him by “all means,” not minding that the process, which produced him and, which was watched live by Nigerians on television, was credible and transparent.”

The group called on the APC government to refrain from an alleged culture of political persecution and take immediate steps to arrest the unprecedented hardship faced by Nigerians in the past 13 months, the nosedive of the Naira, menace of herdsmen who have turned every part of the South and the Middle Belt of Nigeria to a war zone of restiveness in various parts of the country; rising culture of inconclusive and poorly conducted elections; and the undermining of human rights and political freedoms.

But former spokesman of the South-East APC caucus, Osita Okechukwu, thinks differently, as he wants the people of Enugu and the entire South-East to bond with the APC government. He urged the people to negotiate for critical physical and social infrastructure with President Muhammadu Buhari, rather than the current agitation for restructuring or outright secession.

“For the avoidance of doubt, one is not against the trimming of the Exclusive Legislative List in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, so as to shed some federal powers to the states and local government councils. I am on the same page with the age long adage of our great ancestors, which interalia, ‘if you don’t know where the rain started, you may not find a solution to the drench’!

Therefore, with hindsight, the causative factor which regrettably simulated the current heightened agitation for restructuring or secession is crass and unbridled corruption. Let’s join Mr President to kill corruption.”

Okechukwu, now the Director-General of the Voice of Continues on pg 26

26 politics&policy

Friday, 15 July, 2016

E

VER since former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, lent his considerable weight to the call for the restructuring of the country, the agitation has advanced in leaps and bounds to the point where both President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice have weighed in. Buhari seems to think that the movement towards the nation’s restructuring is akin to edging towards nation’s disintegration and has consequently foreclosed any discussion on the matter.

Buhari is adamant that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable, drawing angry responses from people like Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Afenifere, who see nothing wrong with discussing the manner of relationship the constituent units should share possibly within the context of an indissoluble entity.

On a number of occasions, Buhari had maintained this stance against the background of heightening secessionist agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and more recently, the disparate militant groups in the Nigeria Delta region with the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) as arguably the flagship.

Oftentimes, the president drives home his point against any form of talk of a review of the nation’s co-existence by conjuring up the gory images of the Nigerian Civil War, hammering on the fact that over two million people perished in it. He believes that if those currently campaigning for separation had witnessed the consequences of that war, they would not question their region’s continued stay within the Nigerian geographic expression. But beyond the issuance of veiled threats, not even once, as far as I can recall, has Buhari attempted to address the issues behind the rising decibel of separatism or restructuring.

For instance, the South-Eeast complains of wanton neglect under his administration and every single government action so far tends to validate their suspicion. I will not bore readers with details but suffice it to say that the South-East has apparently been shut out in the scheme of things. This hurts.

As for the agitators in the South-South, the case of un-

inside

aso rock WITH LEON USIGBE

08078891838 leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk

Osinbajo and the restructuring confusion s bridled exploitation of their resources for the benefit of others whereas they themselves wallow in abject poverty, remains a sore point. They want the country to be restructured so that the presently over-centralised control of resources is out in the hands of the constituent regions with predetermined contributions made to the Federal Government. Even though the president has not specifically addressed this point, his numerous threats to Niger Delta militants suggest that he is in no mood to hear them out. It is reassuring though to see that lately, he has toned down his angry rhetoric in favour of pleas for understanding as he promises to ameliorate the perceived injustice.

Individuals in the South-West have been the leading lights in the restructuring campaign. No wonder some of the most important voices to tackle Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, when he appeared to put down the debate emanated from the region. The vice-president had been reported to kick against the calls for restructuring during a lecture at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, over the weekend. In response to a question, he had said: “Even if states are given half of the resources of the federal government, the situation will not change.”

Afenifere, which alongside the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, had earlier praised Atiku for openly backing restructuring, came after Osinbajo for appearing to walk the opposite

direction. The group thought that Osinbajo missed the point and reminded him that the issue goes beyond more allocation from the federal government to the states.

Hear Yinka Odumakin, who spoke for the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group: “While we understand that the learned 08078891838 LEONis from the Professor,WITH who zone that has been loudest on leonusigbe@ yahoo. co.uk this call may have come under pressure to lend his voice to the upholders of the status quo that has brought Nigeria to this sorry pass, we would like to respectfully admonish him to be sure footed on the subject before he speaks next time.”

Afenifere caused quite a rumpus in Osinbajo’s office where his spokesman, Laolu Akande, scrambled to do damage control by going to the unprecedented length of publishing the full transcript of the vice president’s remarks at the lecture just to keep the record straight.

Without necessarily retracting his alleged opposition to restructuring, Osinbajo sought to clarify that all he advocated was the need for a deeper understanding of the debate issue, including regionalism, fiscal federalism, devolution of power and state police which, to him, are at the moment confusing.

For me, the whole essence of the restructuring debate is to clear up the confusion that the Nigerian state has been.

Therefore, rather be seen to lampoon the calls, perhaps all Osinbajo needs to do is to encourage more discussion for the clearer understanding he craves.

aso rock

What happens in 2019?

Continued from pg 25

Nigeria (VON), added: “Let’s not forget the common knowledge that if the successive regimes had revamped our decayed physical and social infrastructure, if they had not squandered our commonwealth and if they had not promoted ethnicity and religion; today, no Nigerian could have been bothered on who is Chief of Army Staff or Inspector General of Police.

“To be specific, if the erstwhile presidents, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, and ex-president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, had utilised the unprecedented oil windfall to fix our power sector, erect modern rail lines, build or update our refineries, the 2nd Niger Bridge and our school and health institutions, nobody today will have anything to avenge for. In sum, the painful wind of hunger, despair, despondency and gross unemployment is blowing in the North-West, South-West, South-South, North-Central, South-East and North-East. No ethnic or religious group is immune to hunger ravaging the land, which believe it or not it is the outcome of crass and unbridled corruption, not per se creation of more states, regions or outright secession.”

To Okechukwu, “it is sane; and pragmatic that Ohaneze, Afenifere, Ijaw National Congress and indeed all sundry separatist groups should channel their agitation to total war against corruption, in league with President Buhari.”

There is no doubt that the ranks of APC has continued to swell in Enugu, even as many dismissed some of the “decampees” as spent forces. Some of the high-profile figures that shifted to APC ground recently in the state included Senator Jim Nwobodo, the erstwhile god-father of Dr Chimaroke Nnamani and Dr (Mrs) Dorothy Nwodo.

Ogbonnaya Both Nwobodo and Dr Nnamani, founder of the Peoples Democratic Change (PDC), represented EnuguEast Senatorial zone at different times, while Dr Dorothy, wife of a former governor of old Enugu State, Dr Okwesilieze, is still influential, particularly among the women folk in Enugu North Senatorial Zone.

In Anambra State, the APC stalwarts are not leaving anything to chance ahead of the 2017 gubernatorial poll, which many consider will determine the road to 2019 general election. Expectedly, the stake is high as the three major parties-All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) PDP and APC — have continued to woo members to their respective parties.

Recently, Tony Nwoye, a former Anambra State chairman of PDP, told his bewildered supporters that he would contest the

Stella 2017 governorship election on the platform of APC, adding that serious consultations towards that end were already ongoing in and outside Anambra State.

He told a gathering of stakeholders from Anambra East and Anambra West in his country home at Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area during a cash empowerment programme that he would soon declare officially for the APC. The former National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) leader was quoted to have said that many people in the state had lost confidence in PDP., arguing that their best alternative was APC, which, he added, was striving to correct the mistakes of the past federal administration. , “I am no longer satisfied with what is happening in PDP. I no longer have anything to do with the party and I will soon

officially declare for APC. I won’t force my followers to follow me, but they are free to join me in the movement to APC because politics is a matter of choice,” he added.

Checks showed that fresh alignment had since begun in Anambra, especially with the senator representing Anambra South, Andy Ubah and his Anambra Central counterpart, Stella Oduah, as among the leading gladiators. But, will they have the muzzle to upstage winners like Chris Ubah and Annie Okonkwo in the politics of the state?

Coincidentally, the third senator from the state, Uche Ekwunife, had earlier been removed by the Court of Appeal. All the three senators were elected on the platform of the PDP. However, how Ekwunife’s sojourn to APC will enhance the fortunes of the party in Anambra viz –avis the 2019 elections will be determined with time, particularly as she lost the APC ticket to Sharon Ikeazor.

The story of Imo State, where Governor Rochas Okorocha holds sway, is another kettle of tea, as the APC state chief executive has continued to suppress dissenting voices, including labour leaders and civil society groups in the state. Reports, said that the issue of bailout fund and irregular payment of workers’ salaries had since pitched the governor against union leaders in the state, a development many contend might put APC in stiff opposition in 2019.

In Ebonyi State, it is a story of conflict between the immediate past governor, Martin Elechi and the incumbent, Dave Umahi. The eroding of confidence is so pronounced in the Salt of the Nation State that the former governor had to wonder why the same government which had refused to pay his entitlements and severance package would dole out enough money to buy an exorbitant car for him.

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Friday, 15 July, 2016

hers

Editor: Yemisi Aofolaju yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com 08055001741 dous than those in business. They said it, I am not the one saying it . This is probably because Nigeria is a country culturally male-dominated which makes it very hard for women to really succeed in politics unless they have a lot of money and support from the major parties and the push to make things happen. To me, education is important, hence the need to educate women and girls about politics. You can correct me if I am wrong there are more women in Nigeria than men. Question is: why are women not active politicians? And women are voting for men? If women are educated about the importance of public service, young women would run for various offices. The issue is not only about women voting for women, but with a very good agenda/platform and campaign, there is no reason why the contest will not be competitive. But this will take some time.

Mrs Dehab Ghebreab, is the outgoing Public Affairs Officer of the United States Consulate in Nigeria. In this interview with YEMISI AOFOLAJU, she speaks on her time in Nigeria, and how she has contributed in empowering the womenfolk in the country. EXCERPTS:

W

HEN you heard about your posting to Nigeria, what was your immediate reaction?

The fact is that we choose where we want to serve. When it was time for me to select where I wanted my next assignment, because we do this a year in advance, I included Lagos because I knew this would be my last assignment. I felt Lagos would be good because I love Nigeria so much, though I knew coming to Lagos would be very hectic and exhaustive, but it turned out to be probably one of the best assignments that I have had so far.

Why is your Lagos assignment one of the best?

The experience has been wonderful.

I have accomplished a lot. My staff were very supportive of my assignment especially educational and cultural programmes and my work with the media. During the 2015 general elections and the Ebola virus crisis, we worked to support the Nigerian leadership in order to contain the virus. We advocated a free and fair election and it turned out to be peaceful. We feel good about this. At that time, I didn’t want to get engaged in any tiring job. But the fact that I came to Lagos and I had great time has left me with an experience that I would never forget. By the time I go into retirement, I will miss the job.

Your description of a Nigerian woman Whaooo! This is actually your best question.

Nigerian women are amazing and very determined. They are resolute, and they are fighters.

I thought Nigerian men are very aggressive, determined and engaged, but Nigerian women are the same.

Education, key to women empowerment —Ghebreab

What was the most challenging experience you had?

I am not deterred or concerned much about challenges. It is the way one handles challenges that matters. Some people will view a challenge and say, ‘this is too challenging for me, I don’t want to do it, I want to stay away from it’ while others will say ‘challenges are opportunities; this is an opportunity for me, I will go for it’. Yes, there are challenges, but therein lie opportunities. I think if you invest time and energy, one gets good results.

How were you able to combine your roles as a mother, wife and careerist?

Really, when my children were very young, it was very tough. In the US, I had no house help, because one cannot easily hire one.

Only wealthy people do. As a result, I wake up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for my children and husband and thereafter sending them off to school. I would then go to work, come back home to prepare dinner while also helping the kids with their homework. By 10 pm, one is exhausted! So, this was the type of life I had. But as the children were growing up, we taught them how to be independent and take care of the home. The kids then were responsible for taking care of their bedrooms and laundry during weekends.

In all, we shared the responsibilities evenly with my husband.

What is your general perception of Nigeria?

Based on my service and working and living in Nigeria, I make bold to say that Nigeria is the giant of Africa in terms of its population, economy and natural endowments and resources. However, there have been chal-

lenges in terms of development and poverty in some parts of the country. Furthermore, there were opportunities that were lost in the past when resources were not used to develop the country and grow the economy so that the people can have a better life. But the struggle still continues. I have seen that Nigerians are very entrepreneur-conscious. All of these at one point are coming together to make this country a leader not only in Africa, but in the rest of the world.

What sacrifices should a woman make to get to the top of her career?

There are challenges and in some cases very serious ones, to me it starts in the home. I have three children -two sons and a daughter, who is the eldest. Generally speaking, the eldest is the most responsible. Sometimes intentionally, I burden her with so much responsibilities than the boys not because she is a girl but because she is responsible. With the benefit of hindsight now, I think I burdened her too much. But in the process, she developed a lot of skills that are necessary to make her succeed in life.

Now to your question, from early childhood, the girl-child carries a burden of responsibility in the home. It is true that women carry the heaviest burden in any family even in developed countries. But it is also hard to generalise, it is more of stereotyping to do that because there are responsible men who take on equal responsibility with their spouses like my husband. The challenges are huge, but what I believe in is that every woman should strive to develop herself so that she is financially independent. Education is key to achieving this.

If you are financially independent, no matter what happens in life, you will be in a position to help your children and move on with life. It is hard, especially in rural areas. Rural women face quite a lot of challenges globally. The more reason the US foreign policy is targeted at women/girls empowerment. In some cases, it is deliberate that this policy is prioritised. A few weeks ago, we had a pre-departure orientation for Nigerians selected to participate in our exchange programme. When I took census

of participants, we had 50 per cent women in attendance which is highly commendable. We have been trying to select qualified women based on merit which is hard sometimes because women don’t apply or that they do not know how to present a very strong application which made us to scramble to get the best we can. Most of the time, it is difficult to get 50 per cent women participants which is always our goal in whatever we do. For instance, for the Mandela Washington Fellowship Programme, we received close to 14,000 applications, but women were not well represented. It was really hard to get the number of women because we wanted to make it 50-50. Though we managed to do this, but it was very difficult.

What is your assessment of the series of empowerment workshops that your department organised while your tenure lasted?

Yes, I am satisfied because we were able to engage in capacity building. We organised workshops, seminars on entrepreneurship which involved mainly women participants addressed by speakers from overseas. It is not that one is satisfied with what we have done because there is still much to be done. Such is never enough, because the capacity was limited as well. We can only make efforts to do the best we can to be gender inclusive. Annually, we announce opportunities for small grants for community engagement. Last year June/ July, we received 300 applications from Non Governmental Organisations. Of this figure, 30 proposals that focused on helping women to acquire skills, generate income, develop IT skills or encouraged to study Mathematics and Science Technology were selected.

What is your rating of Nigerian women in politics?

During our Women History Month when we focused on women accomplishments and what can be done to elevate women, the last edition had Professor Remi Sonaya, presidential flag-bearer of KOWA party as the speaker among other speakers. We discovered that the challenges for women in politics are tremen-

What are you going to miss about Nigeria?

Quite a lot actually, because I have spent almost eight years in Nigeria altogether; three years in Abuja, almost four in Lagos and I was in Nigeria many years ago as a little girl. First and foremost, the team I worked with here is amazing with a lot of competence and work ethics. I will miss also all the friends I have made. I will also miss all the people who supported me to make my stay here successful.

For me, I have affinity with Nigeria. I see good people, I see the ingenuity and creativity of Nigerians and how hard they work. You see a young man going to college and at the same time, he is working and there are non government organisations contributing to the growth of communities. It is incredible because I have not seen this kind of ingenuity and drive in other places. But I know that I will stay in touch and in tune with happenings in Nigeria.

What would you loved changed in Nigeria?

The change will come and it is coming though these are difficult times because of the economy, insurgency, conflict in the Niger Delta. For all of these reasons, it is not the best of times, but if all Nigerians come together and really work together for a purpose, there will be a change. It is a matter of time.

Now that you are retiring, how are you going to keep yourself busy?

I wish I could continue to work for at least five years, but the system here at the State Department calls for retirement at a certain age. But it does not mean that I would not be doing something really meaningful.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I will like to be remembered for my leadership and work ethics and those I mentored and developed to unleash their potential. I think in my career, I have had opportunity. I was mentored and helped by quite a lot of people and I have given back the same way.

If you are asked to come back to Nigeria, will you welcome the offer?

I will again and again.

Will you say you are fulfilled?

Yes, absolutely. I am content with my accomplishment.

What is next for you?

I am going back to Washington.

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features

Friday, 15 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Leadership tussle: I am the authentic Igbo leader —Obi For decades, there has been a tussle over the leadership of Igbos in Ibadan and Oyo State as a whole. TUNDE OGUNESAN spoke with key players involved on issues fuelling the protracted imbroglio.

IGA conducted it through a committee it set up to supervise it. I got 98 votes and Isaac got 21. Even at that time, the South East council of traditional rulers approved me as Onyendu which means a leader. That is how I became the leader of all Igbos. This election was what Anozie challenged in court. He applied for an injunction which the court refused to grant him.

HEN were you installed as Balogun of Ndigbo in Ibadan?

In October, 1996 by late Oba Emmanuel Adeyemo Operinde.

After the 1996 election, you became Balogun of Igbo in 2010. Since then was there any factional arrangement that produced another leader?

There is none. I told you the two associations became Igbo General Assembly (IGA), so, there is no division or faction among us.

But in every 12 disciples, there must be a Judas and Anozie and his sympathizers are our own Judas. He doesn’t even have one local government that he is controlling, but we still call them opposition.

W

What happened recently when Olubadan Oba Adetunji hosted you?

When the new Olubadan ascended the throne, some people were troubling him on the issue of leadership. So, we were invited to the palace where the high chiefs and the Olubadan were present. We were to report at the palace by 11.00am; I and Anozie were there with our people. Around 2.00pm on that day, they invited both of us inside where Olubadan and the council read a letter from a resolution from the South East Council of traditional rulers in 2008. That was the first letter they read to our hearing in that meeting. Anozie was asked if he was aware of the letter before that moment, but he denied ever seeing it. I brought out my own and told the council that the letter was circulated to everybody, he still denied but later accepted it.

The second letter was the one where his title “Atojuse” was revoked because he sued Olubadan, that was the reason cited for the revocation of his title. The council also read the letter to him and he accepted that he got the letter. From there, they warned him to no longer answer the Eze Ndigbo title any more, and that they didn’t want to hear about Eze Ndigbo in Ibadan. That was all that happened that day and we all left the palace.

What happened thereafter?

After that day, I and my people went to greet Olubadan for the decision he took with the council. The Olubadan asked me to come back with my people. When we got there, the Kabiyesi reaffirmed my leadership as Igbo leader-Balogun, given to me by Oba Adeyemo, which was recorded in black and white. The title, according to Oba Adeyemo, was due to my contribution to the development of town.

Chief Alloy Obi (third right), during the affirmation of his title as the Igbo leader in Oyo State.

deputy governor, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja received the delegation and may I tell you that Anozie was also present at that meeting.

Olubadan said he has been expecting the traditional rulers for a very long time, saying Anozie had been troubling him for long, to the extent that he wrote him a letter asking for him to be made a member of Olubadanin-council, a non-indigene for that matter!

Oba Odulana said that if not the fact that he had worked with late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, he would have banished Anozie from Ibadan.

We were all there live.

Let me also inform you that he contributed N30,000 to the hosting of South East Council of traditional rulers led by C.Y. Onwuamaya.

Fourteen of the leaders and the governors were aware of their mission to Ibadan.

After informing the deputy governor of their mission, I remember vivdly, that he said that the oracle had spoken. From there, we went for a town hall meeting at St Gabriel’s Mokola, from there they banned Igbo Community Oyo State (ICOS) which produced Oramadike and Igbo Community Development Association (ICDA) on July 14, 2009, which produced Anozie. Even Oramadike was there in 1996

and joined our meeting. He even told Anozie to come over. It will also interest you that Anozie said the closing prayer that very day.

They handed over the affairs to the six presidents of Igbo states to manage the affairs of the Igbos till the time it would be conducive for them to conduct fresh election.

When was the election conducted?

The election was held May 8, 1996 at the Olubadan Stadium, Iyaganku. It was well attended as all Igbo traders closed their shops that day. They threw the competition open and called on everybody that was interested to come and obtain forms. One late retired police officer, Isaac Ozeze, a Deputy Superintendent Police, and I obtained forms.

They gave us one month to campaign in all the Igbo states and gave us some conditions which the two of us met.

The election was based on delegates and we had 20 delegates each from the states, Delta Igbo inclusive, that is six states, making 120 delegates.

Which group conducted that election?

But he took you to High Court and won?

Yes, he won. But when I was not satisfied with the judgment, I proceeded to the Court of Appeal. The first motion we filed was asking the court to rule that he did not participate in the election; he is not a member of IGA, and that the judge should not have entertained that case at all. That was what my counsel, Sanusi’s motion and the Appeal court ruled in my favour, awarding me N10,000 against him.

What else happened?

After my election, he wrote a letter to Ohaneze Ndigbo national. The late president of the union, Ambassador Ralph Oweke set up a committee to look into the allegation that the election was not approved. He invited me and Anozie with our groups to Enugu. The president-general of Ohaneze was the chairman of the committee. Both sides stated their claims. They then asked us to go and promised to get back to us.

After studying the matter, they wrote to the governor saying that my election was justified, and that Dr Anozie had no case at all.

I am not equating myself with Olubadan —Anozie

But Dr Anozie alleged that his title is legal and that he took you to court and won. Why are you flouting court order?

Yes. He took me to court over the title at the High Court and he won, but I appealed against the judgment.

Dr Alex Anoxie is one of the claimants to the stool of Igbo leadership in the state. The opthamologist affirmed that he was made a leader by his people and said that he was never at anytime rude to the Olubadan.

What was the outcome of the appeal?

My lawyer filed a motion that Anozie was not a member of Igbo General Assembly (IGA) and that he never participated in the election and the Court of Appeal ruled on that motion in my favour and even awarded me N10,000 against him. That is the first leg of the appeal. Again, while the court ruled on that motion, it declared that he had no locus standi to take me to court in the first instance because he was not a member of the IGA. It was the members of IGA that produced me when royal fathers came from the South East and met late Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade in 2009 and told him that they didn’t want anybody to answer Eze Ndigbo, His Royal Majesty or his Royal Highness in Ibadan any more. And the Olubadan gave them his word in that respect. The two of us were present there. From there, we moved to Government House where the then

WHAT happened when you visited the Olubadan of Ibadan recently?

Let me say that I was not informed that I was invited with any other person/faction.

In fact, we don’t have any faction any more in Ibadan and Oyo State, as far as Igbo leadership is concerned.

Igbo have chosen me to be their leader since December 1997 and they gave me whatever Igbo title of their choice, not a Yoruba title. When we were invited that day, I thought I was being invited for something good because I was expecting to be appreciated for the good job I’ve been doing with my leadership of Igbos. Since 1997, despite all the confusion, I have maintained peace in Ibadan and Oyo State. So, I was coming on that day for something good, but when I got there, to my surprise I saw Alloy Obi and Baale Ekotedo. Nobody informed me they were coming. If I knew we were all being invited together, maybe I could have taken

Dr Alex Anozie

another decision entirely.

When I saw them there, I just felt I should respect the Olubadan and the Council.

These are people I respect so much. So I came there as the leader of my people in

Ibadan and Oyo State. The only thing they told us was that they do not want the title, Eze. It was a briefing but they didn’t allow us to argue, and we left. I didn’t make any comment because it is not a title by me alone.

My people, Ndigbo, gave me that title, not anybody. Ndigbo in Ibadan and Oyo State, collectively gave me that Igbo title, not an Ibadan chieftaincy title. I repeat once again, there is no way we are equating ourselves with Olubadan. He is our royal majesty and father of all of us residing in Ibadan, and we should be free to reach him anytime we wish. And we will never reach him for bad.

We will continue to reach him for good.

We were communicating with the past Olubadan peacefully, there was no problem.

We left and that was all. I didn’t make any reply because the association that brought us together which owns that title will make their pronouncement over that very soon.

And whatever they say should be binding to everybody.

We are in country called Nigeria and there is a constitution that guides the country, Nigeria. We are not yet in a separate country maybe a Republic of Igboland or Ohaneze or Arewa, Oduduwa or what have you, we are still in Federal Republic of Nigeria. Truth is bitter and we are to tell ourselves the truth.

Continued on pg29

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Friday, 15 July, 2016

I am only protecting Ibadan tradition —Baale Ekotedo

Elder Tayo Oyerinde

Elder Tayo Ayorinde, Baale Ekotedo is the traditional chief in charge of the jurisdiction of Igbo community in Ibadan, Oyo state. He shares his view on the long rivalry between the two personalities in the Igbo leadership tussle in Ibadan.

Y

riority and felt that he should not be given a mere Atojuse where Oramadike has been given Agbaakin and later Asaaju (the pall bearer), thinking that the Asaaju title mean the same as Asiwaju. At that point, he took Olubadan to court.

The matter got to the point of going to court when Alozie refused to be bound by the conclusions of the committee set up by the Olubadan-incouncil. I make bold to say that Alozie was wrong to challenge the authority and decisions of the Olubadan-incouncil. He became too proud and had to be corrected. Though he and his group took Olubadan and Oramadike to court, the case, heard by Honourable Justice Bolaji Yusuf was struck out with a cost of N1,000 against his boys - Chief Akabueje and Evangelist Amanze.

His audacity to have taken Olubadan to court on Oramadike’s installation as a chief made the Olubadan to strip him of the title Atojuse of Ibadan.

Thereafter, he took laws into his hand. He got some of the Igbos to make him the Eze Ndigbo of Ibadanland with a certificate designed by him and not Olubadan’s certificate.

OU are alleged to have taken side with Chief Alloy Obi on the issue of leadership of Ndigbo in Ibadanland?

Taken side? Whoever says that is ignorant of the chieftaincy traditional council in Ibadanland. I am a recognized member of Ibadan Northwest traditional council as the Baale of Ekotedo for over 21 years. And as a bona fide son of the soil of Ibadan, I was installed as the seventh Baale of Ekotedo on April 14, 1994. But my nomination was made to Olubadan of Ibadan who is the legal prescribed and consenting authority to accept or reject the nomination of anybody, be it honorary and or traditional, for chieftaincy. As the Baale (Duke in English) of Ekotedo, I have, among my duties, to represent the interest of the Olubadan of Ibadan and that of the government of Oyo But he said his people according to their tradition made him State and Nigeria in general.

Eze Ndigbo?

When did you come into Igbo No, he challenged the decision of the Olubadan-in-council and in a foxy leadership tussle in Ibadan?

In June 1996, the Olubadan-in-Coun- way to became the Eze, which means cil summoned me to join the other a king in Ibadan without any authorchiefs to look into the problems be- ity of Olubadan who has the power to tween the Igbo communities, who and make anybody a chief of his choice. what caused the problem. Among those It will interest you to know that the in the committee were the secretary to Olubadan of Ibadan wrote a letter to the council, Chief Oladimeji, Chief Du- Anozie and deprived him of the chiefrosaro and Chief Lanlehin. We found taincy title of Atojuse. The letter also out that it was a matter of jealousy contained the directive that he must and power hungry instinct from Alex never be a chief of any sort in Ibadan Anozie. It was a matter between one again. The letter is dated July 14, 1997 Chief James Oramadike who Olubadan with Ref: EAA3/132/ vol.1/97. first installed as Agbaakin, but was later changed to Asaaju of Igbos of Ibadan Aside making himself an Eze, and Dr Alex Anozie was installed as the which he said was authorised Atojuse of Ibadan. Alozie was found by his people which you said guilty of power mongering. He took the should have come from Olmatter too personal by claiming supe- ubadan, did he commit any sin

against the council?

Let me site a portion of the chieftaincy law to you. With the reference to Cap 21 Section 21(2) which states that any person who instals or purports to instal a person as a recognized chief other than approved person by the executive accordant with the law or anybody who not being the person approved by the council in accordance with the pact permitting the installation of himself as a chief shall be liable to a conviction not less than two years imprisonment. Then, Section 3 says that any person who has been approved as a chief in accordance with the law and holds himself as such or wears any regalia of such who is not approved or challenges anybody that has been approved, shall be guilty of an offense and shall be liable on conviction of imprisonment of two years. In the case of Oramadike and Aloy Obi as Balogun, didn’t he? He is now saying that he didn’t take Olubadan to court but he challenged the person that Olubadan installed. For him to be wearing a crown, who gave him a staff of office? Which executive past or present gave him the authority to become a king in Ibadan? An Eze Ndigbo means a King of Igbo in Ibadan, what he claims is not what it is.

There was another allegation that current Olubadan installed Alloy Obi as Balogun recently?

Let me clear something first. Olubadan Oba Saliu Adetunji did not install Alloy Obi as Balogun. He had been decorated by a preceding Olubadan. What was done on that day was affirmation of his title. You can see that he displayed a picture where Oba Adeyemo Operinde installed him as Balogun.

I am not making a stand against Anozie because of Alloy Obi, I am defending the right and traditions and customs of Ibadan. And I stand to be challenged by any Ibadan man dead or alive or any Igbo man with blood in his veins that I am wrong to defend Ibadan culture, tradition and history.

Let me tell you another thing, Oramadike was installed in 1996 as Asaaju not Asiwaju. He thought the title Asaaju means the leader, that is where he made mistake by taking Olubadan to court.

But Dr Anozie said the title was conferred on him by the Igbos?

At this point, let me tell you that members of Ohaneze from South Eastern Nigeria came to the governor, Olubadan and also went to the police to affirm that they have abolished the use of Eze Ndigbo as a title by non-resident Igbos outside Igbo states. There is a document dated year 2008 that backed it up.

Their association Igbo General Assembly (IGA) ordered that there should be an election by all the Igbos in the state to elect a new leader to lead them. He went to High Court to challenge Alloy Obi because of the election.

‘I am not equating myself with Olubadan’ Continued from pg28

As far as I am concerned, there is no problem but some people are trying to create problem. But I thank God for the wisdom Kabiyesi has used now to clear the air about the whole thing.

So the Olubadan-in-council’s concern was the title Eze? Yes. They said they were informed by the Council of South East traditional rulers that Eze means ‘king’ and that they don’t want to have two kings in Ibadanland. But if you go to Salvation Army Road in Ibadan, you will see so many Ezes: Eze Enterprises, Eze this, Eze that. Eze is a commonly used name in Igboland. Anybody can bear Eze. But when this matter between me and Obi got to the court, the Oyo State High Court ruled on February 18, 2016, that all those actions of the traditional rulers, even when Obi arranged and brought them to Ibadan, were null and void and of no effect; that I, Dr Alex Anozie remain the only Igbo head or leader in Ibadan and Oyo State. The court also ruled that they had no right whatsoever to even leave their domain, stating that they should be concerned with what was happening in their domain and not outside.

The court also ordered Chief Alloy Obi and his group to stop parading themselves in the same capacity. That ruling flushed the whole thing away. Every member of that association is bearing this title. Why is that of Ibadan in a fix? It is the opposition and somebody in the person of Baale Ayorinde that are taking up the issue and pushing it forward. But I am appealing to Ibadan people because they are wise, they should not allow anybody to deceive them.

Maybe the difference is when it means Eze Ndigbo?

The meaning of Eze is somebody who is a leader or exalted who is looked upon by his people; and it is a name commonly given by Igbos right from birth. In fact, my family’s real surname is Eze Umeh Anozie. There is no way I am equating myself with Olubadan, in any manner. Since 1997, have you ever heard that there was anytime I challenged the Olubadan in anyway? We’ve been living very peacefully. In everything the previous Olubadan was doing, we were always invited; I went there with my people.

We were well received, we’ve contributed our own quota to the development of Ibadan. When we go there, they recognised us properly. They recognized me as Eze Ndigbo of Ibadanland and Oyo State. That did not stop me from giving Olubadan all his due respect and honour he deserved as the royal father of all Nigerians residing in Ibadan.

So when we got there, I saw these people - Baale Ekotedo (Elder Taiwo Ayorinde) and Obi - and they said they didn’t want the title Eze again. I know that some people manufactured those things. All the Igbo leaders in Diaspora chose that title Eze Ndigbo in Diaspora. In fact, the title and our association have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, which is still in operation till today.

But I learnt that you operate from a palace in Ibadan, especially on a chair with an inscription ‘HRM’?

I got the information that some people were displaying a picture where I was with my people holding our meeting and was sitting on my chair. Let me state clearly, no matter how gigantic the chair is or which ever way I design it, is there any law in Nigeria that stipulates the kind of chair anybody should have in his house? Is there anything like that? I design any chair and put it in my house? That does not mean I am equating myself with the Olubadan; not at all. I am only exercising my constitutional right as a citizen of Nigeria. I have been to homes of leaders of other ethnic groups in Ibadan here, both Hausa and others and even outside Ibadan, and I see how these residences are decorated.

In our culture as Igbos, we can prepare anything that will look like our cultural homes away from home. We are still Igbos even when we are living in Ibadan, which is still within the four walls of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and which belongs to all of us. There is nothing we are doing that is against the authority of Olubadan; some people are just out to make trouble from no trouble.

So, the title my people gave me is Eze Ndigbo nala Ibadan Oyo State. Not Oba Ndigbo, not Olu of Ndigbo, but Eze Ndigbo. We are not in any way equating ourselves with Olubadan.

We will never ever give the Olubadan any problem and they should not allow anybody to deceive them into creating problems which are not supposed to be. Yorubas that are residing in Igboland are many, Igbos in Oyo State are in millions and not thousands.

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Friday, 15 July, 2016

Osun uncovers irregularities in tertiary institutions finances Oluwole Ige-Osogbo

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SUN State government, on Thursday, hinted that it has discovered irregularities in the financial records of its four tertiary institutions, including the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo.

Making this disclosure while presenting financial report on the income and expenditure of government for the year 2014 at a forum held in Osogbo, the state’s Auditor-General, Alhaji Folorunsho Adesina, listed the affected institutions to inlcude Osun State colleges of Education in Ila and Ilesa, Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

He howver did not give details of the irregularities.

Quoting the report, Adesina said the government received balance of N10 billion as at December 2014, describing projects and programmes executed in the year under review as

‘90% of street hawkers are females’ Oluwole Ige - Osogbo THE Osun State Director of National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Mike Sangodapo, has lamented that 90 per cent of children involved in street hawking in Nigeria are females, saying such development had culminated in early and forceful marriage for underaged girls.

He chided some people, criticising Governor Akinwumi Ambode for banning street hawking in Lagos State, just as he tasked other states in the country to emulate Lagos State government, with a view to tackling the menace of street hawking and its accompanying dangers on the future of children hawkers.

Addressing a press conference as part of the activities commemorating World Population Day in Osogbo, Osun State capital, Sangodapo maintained that the vulnerability of the female teenagers to early marriage had been on the increase, emphasising that it contributed significantly to vaginal infection and infertility.

According to him, “teenage girls who are under puberty are usually forced into early marriage by their parents. This is too harmful for their health and the country’s economy.

“satisfactory,” considering the available revenue.

He stated that a total sum of N86,350,297,421.53 revenue was received from all sources by government, while the total recurrent and capital expenditure stood at N91,609,161,623.98.

Adesina further main-

tained that a sum of N36,161,401,369.83 representing 42 per cent was received as statutory allocation while excess crude oil money got by the state stood at N15,483,131.64 representing 0 per cent.

Also, during the year under review, Value Added Tax (VAT) was

N8,462,390,580.46 representing 10 per cent and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) N11,290,953,507.23 representing 13 per cent were received by government.

Other cash receipts during the period, Adesina said included; capital receipt amounting

to N8,389.903.657.82 representing 10 per cent; Exchange Rate Gains N34,284,226.53 representing 0 per cent; Internal loan N17,751,365,735.28 representing 20 per cent and other incomes amounting to N4,244,515,212.74 representing 5 per cent.

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Mr Edward Dickson (right), presenting a copy of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Tribune to the Chairman of the League of Veteran Journalists, Alhaji Wale Adele, at the boardroom, during a visit to the Nigerian Tribune at Imalefalafia, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. PHOTO: D’TOYIN

3 docked in Ogun over alleged cult membership THREE men — Seun Ogunmakinwa, David Adeleye and Yemi Adefabi — were on Thursday brought before an Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly belonging to a cult — `Aiye’ confraternity.

The accused — Ogunmakinwa 29; Adeleye 26; and Adefabi, 30 — whose addresses were unknown, were standing trial for belonging to an unlawful society.

According to Prosecutor Abdulkareem Mustapha, the accused assembled and engaged in activities similar to cult members on June 29 at about 9.00

p. m. at Oju-Ore in Ota. The offence, he noted, contravened Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The trio pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the men jointly filed an oral application for their bails which was not objected to by the prosecutor.

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.I. Adelaja, admitted them to bails in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdic-

tion and show evidence of tax payment to Ogun Government, she added.

Ondo guber: 7 aspirants pay APC development levy Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

DESPITE the large number of people that have indicated interest in the gubernatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, only seven out of the over 50 have paid the N2 million development levy requested by the party.

The chairman of the

Reverend sisters’ kidnap: Court orders remand of 8 in prison custody Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure

A Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, on Thursday, has ordered the remand of eight suspected kidnappers in prison over alleged robbery and kidnapping of two Reverend Sisters and their driver.

The accused were said to be behind the abduction of the Reverend Sisters and their driver at Onipetesi village in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state in May, 2016.

The suspects, included

a couple, Reuben Akinbehinje and his wife, Abimbola, and Saheed Oyewo, Seun Lajuwomi, John Imoleayo, Seun Iseoluwa Akintan, Damilare Akundasa and Lateef Fayemi.

The accused were arraigned on a seven-count charge bothering on kidnap, robbery and conspiracy contrary to the relevant laws of the state.

According to the prosecution led by John Olowokere, the accused alleg-

Further hearing in the case has been fixed for August 9.

edly conspired to kidnap and rob Perpetual Apo, Yohana Zibai and Bukola Roseline Familade who are Reverend Sisters, on May 12, 2016 but were later apprehended by the police in the state.

Olowookere, however, sought the order of the court to remand the eighth accused in the prison, saying the accused had been in custody of the State Security Service for over a month due to the industrial action in the state.

party in the state, Honourable Isaccs Kekemeke, disclosed this at the party’s secretariat in Akure, Ondo State capital, while one of the party’s aspirants, Abiodun Adesida, came to submit his letter of notification and pay the development levy.

Kekemeke, who said the development levy would be kept in a special account of the party assured that the party would be fair to all the aspirants seeking the party’s ticket to contest the November 26 governorship election in the state.

He, however, emphasised on the need for unity to win the forthcoming election, warning against anything that can cause rancour among the aspirants.

According to the rules of conduct of the party, issued by the leadership of the party in the state, any aspirant who does not pay the development levy before July 25 would not be allowed to participate in the party’s primaries.

Let’s pray fervently for Nigeria, says Osun cleric A cleric from Erin-Osun in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, Reverend Rufus A. Akande, has called on Nigerians to all rise and pray fervently to avert economic woes and security challenges that we are presently facing.

According to Reverend Akande, instead of condemning a particular government, what we need is serious prayer to seek the face of God so that what has eluded us could come back.

Reverend Akande who recently celebrated the fifth year anniversary of the establishment of his church, however, used the medium to express his appreciation and profound gratitude to all those who came to celebrate with him.

He urged government to try and create employment opportunity for the youths who are just graduating from higher institutions of learning, saying that was another way of reducing the crime rate as well as unemployment in the society.

Muslim cleric empowers less privileged AN Ede, Osun State-based Muslim cleric and business tycoon, Alhaji Ajani Bello Monyasau, has recently put smile on the faces of the less privileged people in the society by empowering and assisting them in various ways.

While some beneficiaries who were sick were taken to the hospital and their bills paid immediately, some got between N50, 000 and N100,000 each to start small scale businesses.

Said he, “I decided to embark on this as a way of giving back to my society out of what God has blessed me with and I am promising that I shall continue in assisting the needy in my society.”

The event, which took place at Ede, Osun State, witnessed the presence of many dignitaries, while a sum of N800, 000 was realised and was immediately added to millions of naira that was given out to the needies by Alhaji Ajani Bello Monyasau.

Dignitaries present at the occasion included the representative of Timi of Edeland, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, and many Muslim preachers.

Alhaji Monyasau used the medium to call on all well meaning Nigerians to also cultivate the habit of assisting the needy so as to eradicate poverty and crime rate in the society.

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Friday, 15 July, 2016

Friday, 15 July, 2016 32 news Suspected thieves burgled Osun State High Court

•Cart away undisclosed sums of cash Oluwole Ige-Osogbo

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uspected thieves in the early hours of Thursday burgled six offices in Osun State High Court, Osogbo, carting away undisclosed amount of money after their operation.

Credible sources informed the Nigerian Tribune that suspected burglars, after ransacking the cashier’s office, also attacked maintenance department and four other offices located within the premises of the court.

Inside sources in the ju-

diciary informed Nigerian Tribune that some amount of money was stolen during the incident, but they could not confirm if the hoodlums made away with documents during the incident.

Security guards on night duty when the hoodlums

burgled the court were said to have been arrested by the police as part of the efforts to carry out investigation and get to the root of the matter.

Another source, however, hinted that a similar incident of burglary occurred in an Ilesa High

Ekiti govt writes IGP, seeks arrest of APC chairman, ex-lawmaker, others for alleged murder Sam Nwaoko-Ado Ekiti

The Ekiti State government has written to the

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, and called for the arrest

Driver dies, 2 Oyo LG chairmen injured in car crash

By Wale Akinselure

Caretaker Chairman, Ogo Oluwa Local government, Mr Yinka Jesutoye and his Ogbomoso South counterpart, Mr Sunday Adedeji were on Wednesday involved in a car crash, in which the driver of the vehicle died on the spot.

The incident occurred when the two local government chairmen, who were in the same vehicle, were en route Ibadan from Ogbomoso area of the state.

The vehicle in which the chairmen were had a head on collision with an oncom-

ing who was overtaking another vehicle.

The two Chairmen who survived the accident are currently receiving treatment at Bowen Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, while the corpse of the deceased driver has been deposited at a mortuary.

Member representing OgoOluwa/Surulere state constituency, Honourable Peter Oyetunji and his Ogbomoso South counterpart, Honourable Olukayode Akande, who confirmed the incident to Nigerian Tribune said the chairmen were responding to treatment.

of the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief Jide Awe, a former member of the state’s House of Assembly, Mr Kehinde Boluwade, and 13 others that it said were wanted for alleged murder.

The state government alleged that Chief Awe and four other members of the APC namely: Faboro John, Aniramu Basiru, Falayi Busuyi and Owonifari Sefiu were wanted for their alleged involvement in the murder of Ayo Murphy Jeje and mother of the deputy speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Mrs Julianah Adewumi.

The government had also alleged in a letter by the state’s Attorney Gen-

eral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Owoseni Ajayi, that the accused had also attempted to murder Chief Clement Awoyelu, Gbenga Ogundana Adewumi and Chief Boluwaji Adewumi (aka Oba Odo) in ErinjiyanEkiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state, on March 30, 2013.

The government also listed Boluwade, Ilesanmi Peter, Adedayo Kehinde, Afolabi Bayo Isola, Babalola Olomi, Malomo Alaba, Saidi Yinusa, Ayo Famoduro and Olawumi Fagborila as being wanted for alleged involvement in the murder of Foluso Ogundare on November 3, 2013 at Emure Ekiti in Emure Local Government Area of the state.

Court recently, but the perpetrators were later apprehended.

According to the source, who pleaded anonymity, “we believe those involved in this act will be arrested also. But I can assure you nothing apart from money was lost during the incident.”

Confirming the incident, the acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO)

of Osun Command of the Nigeria Police, Egbedele Ajibade, said some people have already been arrested in connection with the development, but could not give details on the actual number of people apprehended.

He, however, added that those arrested have been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

news Students’ protest grounds Kogi 33

We are worried but not rattled —Govt Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

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OKOJA, the Kogi State capital, was locked down on Thursday as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) protested the continued closure of the Kogi State University, Anyigba.

The students, who were mobilised by the national secretariat of the body gathered at the popular Ganaja junction, Lokoja, as early as 7:00a.m. blocking major roads that pass through the town.

Travellers going to the eastern part of the country from Abuja and those returning to the capital city were stranded as there was no vehicular movement on the road. The students blocked the road with various objects including their vehicles, blocks, wooden materials among others.

The protesters, who carried placards were said to be demonstrating against the non payment of their lecturers’ salaries which had led to the strike by the lecturers.

The protesters, who vowed not to vacate the roads until the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, addressed them and assured them of the time the school will be reopened, paralysed commercial activities in parts of the state capital.

Shops and financial institutions around the venue of the protest were closed to avoid being caught in the web of the crisis.

Government officials including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Folasade Ayoade; the administrator of Lokoja Local Government Area and top security chiefs in the state that came to the venue

of the demonstration were rebuffed.

The Lokoja local government administrator was said to have almost been lynched by the irate students but for the protection from his orderly.

The students lamented that they have over stayed at home because of the strike

embarked upon by their lecturers, lamenting that those who are expected to graduate this year would miss the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

The irate students were chanting war song “we want to see Bello. We want see ASUU Chairman. We do not have anything to do with

THREE people were killed in Lokoja and Okene in Kogi State in different murder attacks carried out by gunmen.

Two brothers of the same mother were shot dead at about 8:30p.m. on Wednesday in front of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), while driving out of the hospital after a visit to their ailing mother.

A 32-year-old man, Victor Sadiq, was also killed by gunmen that invaded his residence in Zango, OkeneLokoja road, Okene.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the Lokoja incident involved one Ogwu Achim, a graduate of the Kogi State University, popularly known as “Ogwu Araka” and his younger

graduating.”

It will be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) have been at loggerheads with the state government over unpaid salary and eventually embarked on strike.

The state government has however paid four months, but the ASUU insisted that

From left, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Miss Adedoyin Sotonwa of May Flower Secondary School, Ikenne (second position); Master Friday Zacheaus of Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode (third position); Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Miss Naomi Akinremi of St. Peter College, Olomore, Abeokuta (first position), at the grand finale of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange programme, held at Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Thursday.

Corrupt persons should be jailed outright —Soyinka Olayinka Olukoya - Abeokuta NOBEL Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, on Thursday, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, recommended outright imprisonment for anyone found guilty of corrupt practices.

He said this during the presentation of awards to 82 students, who participated in the 2016 edition of Wole Soyinka Cultural Exchange programme to

mark his 82nd birthday anniversary, held at the Obas Complex, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan.

The celebrant, who spoke on the theme “Corruption: A battle for the Arts”, admonished artistes and creative writers to use their works of arts in fighting corruption which had been endemic in the country.

He stated that the fight against corruption must be a collective responsibility

3 killed in separate murder cases in Kogi Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

government now.”

The students stated “We want immediate resolution to the lingering crisis. We have over stayed at home.

When it started, we thought it would be addressed immediately. Now we have spent three months at home while all other institutions in neighbouring states are

Friday, 15 July, 2016

brother.

Eyewitness accounts said the duo was driving out of the hospital when a car that had laid siege for hours at the entrance deliberately hit their car to halt their movement.

The occupants of the car, who included a woman were said to have immediately alighted and shot the victims at close range.

Sources alleged that the main target of the attack was a “youth leader” in the Eastern senatorial district of the state who had allegedly enjoyed political patronages from various governments in the state.

Also, sources said Sadiq was killed in the early hours of Thursday by unknown gunmen that scaled the fence of his residence and shot him in the presence of

his wife and sisters.

It was learnt that the young man popularly called ‘Mr White’ was killed by the men who brought him from the first floor of his house to the living room downstairs and interrogated him.

They were said to have asked if he was the owner of the building and the cars parked inside and that when he responded in the affirmative, he was shot.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Williams Anya, who confirmed the incidents, however said the students’ unrest had not enabled the command to have the detail of the Okene assassination.

He said two people were killed in Lokoja, while police had already commenced investigation into the matter.

which must be encouraged by all and sundry in making the society a better place to be.

Soyinka said, “It is a battle for everybody and definitely the arts must be in the front as usual. Not just the arts, the theologians, the moralists, the philosophers, the architects, builders, it’s everybody’s work.”

He urged Nigerians to shun any act of corruption, describing it as an endemic that had eaten deep into the fabrics of the nation, adding that the country must be returned to the path of honour and integrity.

Soyinka insisted that anyone found guilty of corrup-

tion must not be allowed to walk freely in the society.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in his remarks, challenged students and indeed the youth population in Nigeria to emulate the life of heroes like Professor Soyinka.

While addressing students who participated in the competition, he said the nation’s youth should not give up on Nigeria, in spite of the many challenges facing the nation.

He said, “Just like Professor Soyinka is doing, you must continue to show love and support for the country irrespective of the challenges facing the nation.”

Nigerian Tribune

the government must pay all before returning to school.

However, reacting to the protest, the state government said it was disturbed by the demonstration but not rattled.

The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said “we are worried but not rattled. We are worried that commuters were disturbed. We are worried that students failed to know why the lecturers have refused to resume. We are worried about the possibility of hoodlums hijacking the ill-informed protest.

“Governor Yahaya Bello has shown commitment to ending the strike by meeting 80 per cent of the lecturers’ demands. The one he may not accede to is the demand to be exempted from paying tax. That the previous government assented to such illegality and economic jeopardy doesn’t make it right.

“The lecturers have received six months salaries from the present administration that is barely six months old. That should be assuring. What we expect is for the students to pressurise ASUU to call off the strike. Coming to the street wasn’t a good choice.”

On what government is doing to protect lives and property, he said, “measures are in place to protect Kogites. The people of Lokoja are not used to chaos. It is a peaceful town and I can assure that everything will soon come to normal. Governor Yahaya Bello will defend the people and ensure they are protected. Nobody can occupy Lokoja. They should occupy the right places.”

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State command, Yakubu Usman, said security chiefs in the state had met with the students, but they refused to shift ground.

He, however, said the police would not use force on the students.

Tariff hike reversal: Electricity distributors appeal judgment THE Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) on Thursday said that it has appealed against the judgment of a Lagos Federal High Court annulling the 45 per cent electricity tariff hike.

Mr Sunday Oduntan, the Executive Director of ANED, announced the decision in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

ANED is the association of the 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) operating in Nigeria.

NAN reported that on July 13, a Federal High Court in

Lagos annulled the recent increase in electricity tariff announced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Justice Mohammed Idris made the pronouncement while delivering judgment in a suit filed by a human rights lawyer, Mr Toluwani Adebiyi, challenging the increment.

The judge described NERC’s action as being ultra vires, irrational, irregular and illegal.

Oduntan said the association had appealed against the ruling and would pursue the judgment to the Supreme Court for justice to be

done.

“We have appealed against the ruling and asked for a stay of execution now.

“I can assure you that as a legal luminary, we will not stop until we get justice.

“If the Appeal Court judgment is not favourable, we will pursue the case to the Supreme Court which is the highest court in the land, so there is no cause for alarm,” he said.

NAN reported that on December 15, 2015, NERC announced a new regime of electricity tariffs for all class of consumers, which became effective on February 1, 2016.

news EFCC opposes Omisore’s bail application 34

Friday, Friday,15 15July, July,2016 2016 Friday, 15 July, 2016

Court fixes today for ruling Sunday Ejike - Abuja

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ORMER deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for alleged fraud of N60 billion, has asked an Abuja

High Court to grant him bail pending the determination of his motion on notice filed against the anti-graft agency.

Omisore, who was the former chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, claimed that EFCC had detained him beyond the period allowed in law.

In the suit instituted by his counsel, Chris Uche, for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, Omisore claimed that his rights was being trampled upon by EFCC with his arrest without trial.

In his bail application, Omisore claimed that he was entitled to bail pend-

ing the determination of his suit.

Uche also said the warrant of arrest obtained by EFCC to arrest and detain Omisore was a mere authority.

He said that the remand order can not rob the court of its statutory jurisdiction to entertain application and to exercise jurisdiction in

rights to freedom of liberty, human dignity and the right to acquire and own property in line with provisions of the 1999 constitution.

He claimed that unless and except the high court comes to his rescue, his rights to freedom of liberty would continue to be trampled upon by the anti-graft agency.

However, when the matter came up, on Thursday, counsel to EFCC, Mr Raymond Ezekiel, prayed the judge to adjourn hearing of the suit till today( Friday ) , to enable him file his counter affidavit.

The counsel claimed that the case file was handed over to him on Wednesday

afternoon and hence, he could not respond to the constitutional issues raised by the applicant in the suit.

Justice Adeniyi in his brief ruling, held that the request of EFCC was in good faith and granted it accordingly and fixed today (Friday), for hearing of the matter.

Detention: Agbele, Fayose’s aide, slams N500m suit on EFCC Sunday Ejike -Abuja

AN aide to governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Abiodun Agbele, has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to court to challenge his detention without trial since last month by the anti-graft agency.

Agbele claimed that he had been dumped into the EFCC custody since June 27, 2016, in respect of an alleged N1.3billion reportedly traced to the personal account of Governor Fayose.

In the suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome and Olalekan Ojo, Fayose’s aide prayed the Abuja High Court to award him a sum of N500million as compensatory damages for his unlawful arrest and detention

by EFCC. In the motion on notice filed along with his originating summon, Agbele asked Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, to order his immediate release from EFCC detention.

The suit seeks enforcement of his fundamental

Population Day: UNFPA tasks leaders on marginalised teenage girls

By Joseph Ajayi UNITED Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has tasked community leaders across the globe to focus on and stand up for the human rights of the most marginalised teenage girls, particularly, those who are poor, out of school, exploited or subjected to harmful traditional practices and child marriage.

The charge was given by UNFPA executive director, Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, in a statement to mark the 2016 World Population Day, with the theme “Investing in teenage girls”.

IITA, AfDB to host project pre-appraisal meeting for TAAT THE International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State and the African Development Bank (AfDB), will host a project pre-appraisal meeting for the bank’s new initiative tagged; “Feeding Africa or Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme,” this month.

The programme would hold between July 18 and 30, at the IITA headquarters, Ibadan.

The TAAT programme is a critical strategy for transforming agriculture on the continent that would ensure that Africa is able to feed itself through agriculture.

The pre-appraisal meeting is taking place almost three months after the successful preparation workshop of the TAAT programmme initiative in April, 2016, which was attended by various stakeholders and potential partners from national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES), CGIAR centres international or-

ganisations, including developmental partners and the private sector.

The appraisal mission will bring together all TAAT participating CGIAR centres and non-CGIAR institutions as well as NARES partners that have submitted technologies that are ready to be scaled up/out for consideration under the programme.

They will jointly review and finalise activity plans and budgets to undertake the scaling out of the proven technologies.

The appraisal meeting will take place in batches to allow for closer interactions.

The first leg of the meeting will take place between July 18-23, involving all participants within the following Priority Intervention Areas (PIAs): Sahel, Savannah, cassava, and rice, while second meeting will take place between July 25-30, involving all participants within the following PIAs: Tree plantations, horticulture, wheat, and inland fish aquaculture.

While submitting that this year’s theme drew attention to the numerous challenges faced by teenage girls around the world who were forced by their families and communities into marriage, with resultant early pregnancy and debilitating condition from childbirth, the UNFPA executive director lamented that many of the children were forced to leave school, damaging their future prospects and denying them of their human rights.

“Studies have found that around the world, 10 per cent of girls have initiated sex before the age of 15, about 3.2 million girls have gone through unsafe abortion and the second leading

CONFIRMATIONOF OFNAME NAME CONFIRMATION Abdulmumin Quadijat Quadijat am am the the I,I, Abdulmumin same person person bearing bearing Sulaiman Sulaiman same Hadiza. Henceforth, Henceforth, II wish wish to to Hadiza. be known known and and addressed addressed as as be SULAIMAN HADIZA. HADIZA. All All SULAIMAN documents bearing bearing these these names names documents remain valid. valid. General General public public take take remain note. note.

CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATIONOF OFNAME NAME I,I, Oluwatoni Oluwatoni Anthony, Anthony, Oluwatoni Oluwatoni Temitope Temitope am am the the same same person person bearing bearing ANTHONY ANTHONY OLUWATONI OLUWATONI TEMITOPE TEMITOPE AKINJIOLA. AKINJIOLA. All All documents documents bearing bearingthese thesenames namesremain remainvalid. valid.

General Generalpublic publictake takenote. note.

cause of death among girls between the ages of 15 and 19 is complication from pregnancy and child birth.

Despite prohibitions, child marriage remains widespread around the world, as about 37,000 child marriages take place each day”, he said .

While suggesting that policies and investments in education and health that would empower teenage girls and create economic conditions that led to jobs, were particularly important in countries with large emerging youths population, Osotimehin said teenage girls, when empowered, knew their rights and given the tools to succeed, were more likely to realise their full potential.

favour of the applicant.

Specifically, Uche informed the court that Omisore was arrested on July3, while the warrant to arrest and detain him, was obtained on July 8, a clear five days after his detention without court order.

The applicant counsel cited section 35 of the constitution which prescribed a maximum of two days to detain a suspect and charge him to court if found to have committed any offence.

He, therefore, urged the court to admit Omisore on bail pending his arraignment and the court to order his production in court anytime his matter comes up.

However, EFCC counsel, Takon Ezekiel, vehemently opposed the bail request on the ground that the warrant

of arrest and the detention obtained from court permitted his detention for 14 days to enable EFCC complete investigation into the allegations.

The EFCC also told the court that Omisore was lawfully arrested because section 35 of the constitution allows the liberty of individuals to be deprived where there is a good suspicion that a crime has been committed.

In the instance matter, EFCC submitted that hundreds of millions of naira were paid into the account of Omisore through UBA and Diamond banks by the office of the National Security Advicer (NSA), without just cause.

Ruling will be delivered on Friday (today).

35

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Kehinde Olayemi Adebayo now Kajopaiye Adebayo Kehinde.

All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, 15 July, 2016 I formerly Miss Anthonia Oyemidun Opaleye now MRS ANTHONIA OYEMIDUN KOLARIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Miss Ekundayo Oluwayemi Christiana now MRS OGUNLADE OLUWAYEMI CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Omotosho Olajuwon Enoch now OMOTOSHO ABIOLA ENOCH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Sogunro Folashade Titilayo now MRS HUNGBO FOLASHADE TITILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Miss Ejiro Atagana now MRS EJIRO EYETAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Uga Soya Fortune now UGA IWOWARI SOYA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Tobore Botu now FRANCIS ORUGBO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Franca Efe Omasan now MRS FRANCA EFE ELLU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly Gbolagade Tirimisiyu now ADEYEMO TAIWO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Ohere Nas Alli am the same person bearing Nas Oiza Alli and Aliu Abdulmalik. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OHERE NAS ALLI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Ekoh Bridget Oke now EKOH BRIDGET DIATACHEKO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Oluwanifemi Ojo Ojo now TEMIDIRERICHARD OLUWANIFEMI OJO. All former documents remain valid. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Abiodun Olajide Ayobami now ABIODUN OLAJIDE SULAIMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Mrs Titilola Fatimo Gbadeyanka now MISS BASHORUN AMOPE TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Lawal Oluwatobiloba Adekunle now LAWAL OLUWATOBILOBA SULAIMON. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Veronica Udofa Emem now MRS VERONICA UDOFA OYENIYI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Ekpo Ogadinma now RICHARD OGADINMA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Alao Oluwakemi Florence now OLUWAKEMI ALAO DAVIES. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Esther Tanko now MRS ESTHER TANKO HAPPY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Shuaib Abidat Ajoke now MRS YUSUFF ABIDAT AJOKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Badepade Ekundayo Gbemisola now MRS OJELABI EKUNDAYO GBEMISOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Funmilayo Olaronke Olaitan now MRS AKINTOLA OLARONKE OLAITAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, James Makinde Ogunshola am the same person bearing Ogunshola James. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OGUNSHOLA JAMES MAKINDE. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly Miss Taoff Mariam Olatundun now MRS OLADIMEJI MARIAM OLATUNDUN. All former documents remain valid. FCMB Plc GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I, Ramon Rasidat Omolara am the same person bearing Ramon Omolara Abake and Ramon, Rasidat Abake.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as RAMON RASIDAT OMOLARA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Wema Bank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Makanjuola Wemimo Christianah now MRS OJO WEMIMO CHRISTIANAH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Abdul Jamiu Oluwatola now ABDUL JAMES OLUWATOLA. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Taiwo Ayobami Ayoola now TAIWO AYOBAMI AYOOLA OPEOLUWA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Laditi Titilola Fatima, My name was erroneously written as Tolorunloju Esther Titilola instead of Laditi Titilola Fatima. Now, I wish to be known, called and addressed as LADITI TITILOLA FATIMA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Adewale Aderonke am the same person bearing MRS AKINTOYE ELIZABETH ADERONKE ABISOLA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Oluwafunmilayo Elizabeth Fadeyi now MRS AJIBOYE O L U WA F U N M I L A Y O ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Irrifere Friday now STEPHEN FRIDAY IRRIFERE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Oki Obokparo Victory now EGHAGHARE OBOKPARO VICTORY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Raufu Balogun now RICHARD BALDWIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Rasheed Ajao Arowolo now RASHEED AJAO BADMUS. All former documents remain valid.

Diamond Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I Fatsuma Ibrahim Abdullahi hereby declare that I am not Ibrahim Fatima. Henceforth, My correct name is FATSUMA IBRAHIM ABDULLAHI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

I formerly Leticia Richard now LETICIA CHIKA OBIETO. All former documents remain valid. Commercial Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Faith Ede now MRS FAITH BEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Ekata Endurance now EKPOMA IYOBOR GIFT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Okpara Nnamdi Enderson am the same person bearing Okpara Endy Enderson as it appears on other documents. Now, I want to be known and addressed as OKPARA NNAMDI ENDERSON. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Thomas Abiodun Bolanle and Vorosne Abiodun Bolanle now MRS KOMJATI ABIODUN BOLANLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME My name was wrongly written as Bello Beli instead of Bello Bilikisu.

Henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as BELLO BILIKISU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Busari Alimot Adewumi now MRS SAMUEL ALIMOT ADEWUMI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Bamiyo Peter Mosebolatan now BAMIYO PETER MOYO. All former documents remain valid.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Stanley Chidindu Obi am the same person bearing Nwosu Stanley Chidi. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as STANLEY CHIDINDU OBI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Ojo Damilola Titilope now MRS. ADEYEYE DAMILOLA TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid. IBEDC, Skye Bank Plc., Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I formerly Mrs. Adedayo Grace Ayodele now MRS. AKINYEMI GRACE AYODELE. All former documents remain valid.

EcoBank Plc., and general public take note.

I, formerly Odo Sunday Oliver now ODO SUNDAY UGWUOKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Yekinni Saheed now SAHEED BAMIDELE ALESHE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Doris Ada Orji now EMERALD ORJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Mrs. Gospel Esther Odufuwa am the same person bearing Mrs. Odufuwa Gospel Oghale. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as MRS. GOSPEL ESTHER ODUFUWA. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Jimoh Bolatito Mariam now BUSARI MARIAM BOLATITO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Oludina Omowumi Titilola now OYEDOTUN OMOWUMI TITILOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Osifo Irene Egbebalor Adeyemo now MRS. ADEYEMO IRENE EGBEBALOR. All former documents remain valid. Coscharis Motors Limited, Keystone Bank Plc., (BVN), GTB Plc., Heritage Bank Plc., FCMB and general public take note.

I, formerly Mr. Adeshina Muideen Adeyemo now MR. ADESHINA MICHEAL ADEYEMO. All former documents remain valid. Great Gee Nigeria Limited, Ladicon Partners, Access Bank Plc., (BVN), Zenith Bank Plc., FBN Plc., Oceanic Bank Plc., FCMB and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Ifeoluwa Omodele Oyedepo now MRS. IFEOLUWA OMODELE FALAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Miss Aderoyeke Demilade Ibukun now MRS. ADEBAYO DEMILADE IBUKUN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Omomoh Cynthia Osiayemie now MRS T I M O T H Y- E N O N U YA GREGCYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Moronkeji Omotunde Felicia now OLUWOLE TINUOLA OMOTUNDE. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and general public take note.

I, Ajeigbe Funke wish to correct my name which was wrongly written as Ajagbe Funke Grace.

Now, I wish my name to be corrected as AJEIGBE FUNKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Banks and general public take note

I, formerly Miss Blessing Chinenye Udensi now MRS. BLESSING CHINENYE OHIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Raji Saheed am the same person bearing Tunde Saheed. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as TUNDE SAHEED and my correct date of birth is 16/01/1985.

All documents bearing these names remain valid. FCMB, Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Bankole Taofikat Olanike now OLUDIRAN TAOFIKAT OLANIKE. All former documents remain valid. Access Bank Plc., and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Opebiyi Olajumoke Evelyn now EHIKHASE OLAJUMOKE EVELYN. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and general public take note.

I, Adeleke Adenike Omotoke am the same person as Adeleke Adenike Ashabi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as ADELEKE ADENIKE ASHABI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluwatoyin Arinola Olamiju now MRS. OLUWATOYIN ARINOLA ERIYO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Akinrole Victoria Odunayo now MRS OLADEPO VICTORIA ODUNAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Oluwole Oluwadare Olaniyi am the same person bearing Olaniyan Olaniyi Oluwadare. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as OLUWOLE OLUWADARE OLANIYI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Akindele Odunayo Tinuola now MRS AREGBESOLA ODUNAYO TINUOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Raji Ajani Ademola now ADEYEMO DAUDA OLAWALE. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Fatai Lateefat Titilope now MRS MUSLIM LATEEFAT TITILOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Olejiya-YetundeOlapeju now AKINYEDEO L E J I YA - Y E T U N D E OLAPEJU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Taofeek Salami Aderemi now TAOFEEK SALAMI KAYODE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Adebayo Esther Arike now ADEBAYO MULIKAT ARIKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Asogba Temitope Elizabeth am the same person bearing Wesu Temitope Elizabeth. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as WESU TEMITOPE ELIZABETH. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

I, formerly Abdul -Azeez Abdul Majeed Adelowo and Aezze Majeed of date of birth as 5th June, 1987 now AZEEZ MAJEED and 8th Feb., 1989 as date of birth. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc., and general public take note.

I, Obetoh Janet Ejiasharenel am the same person as Janet Ejub Obetoh as was wrongly spelt in some documents. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OBETOH JANET EJIASHARENEL with 26/05/1975 and not 26/05/1974 as correct date of birth. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Ogunbayo Aminat Temitope now ADEKUNLE AMINAT TEMITOPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Miss Maureen Okeoghenemaro Ododo now MRS MAUREEN OKEOGHENEMARO ODODO ERHIAKPORE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Mrs Muideen Lola Lomi now MRS MUIDEEN BOLA OMOLOLA. All former documents remain valid. Skye Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Odugbemi Peter Oluwaseun now BABAYEMI PETER OLUWASEUN. All former documents remain valid.

Heritage Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Ajadi Saka Obadare now AJADI SAKA OBADARE OKOH. My correct date of birth is 2/1/1966 and not 2/1/1963.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Dibie Doris Elizabeth now MRS. OLADAPO DORIS ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Police Force and general public take note.

36 CHANGE OF NAME

Friday, 15 July, 2016 CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly Olatunji Fatimoh Odunola now OLATUNJI ODUNOLA GRACE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Mrs Adeyeye Olufunke wish to confirm that am the same person as MRS ADEYEYE OLUFUNKE OYEBUNMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Abdulganeey Suliyat Iyabo now MRS MUKAILA SULIYAT IYABO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I, Raimi Foyinsola Mary am the same person bearing Raimi Foyinsola Esther. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as RAIMI FOYINSOLA ESTHER. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Skye Bank Plc, EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Adalike Foster Nkemkanma now IDABUEKE FOSTER NKEMKANMA. All former documents remain valid. RCCG National Headquarters and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Any-James Chinemme Annah now ANYAIRO ANNAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Hamzat Alimi Adekunle now AMZAT ALIMI ADEKUNLE. All former documents remain valid.

TESCOM and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Ekundayo Oladapo Mutiu now OLANIYI TAIWO SAKIRU. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Semiu Funsho now SEMIU HUZAMAT. F. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Ojo Olalekan Adeboye am the same person bearing Ojo Olamilekan Adeboye Gabriel. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as OJO OLAMILEKAN ADEBOYE GABRIEL. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly Miss Akinbola Bukola Ruth now MRS OLAWOYE BUKOLA RUTH. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Gbadebo Fausat Romoke am the same person as Gbadebo Fausat, Gbadebo Romoke. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as GBADEBO FAUSAT ROMOKE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. EcoBank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Kadejo Olaitan Adebanke now MRS LAWAL OLAITAN ADEBANKE. All former documents remain valid.

Olorunda Local Government, Osogbo and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Odusanya Oluwatobiloba Adedayo now MRS SODADE O L U WAT O B I L O B A ADEDAYO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Raheem Hamed Ajadi now HAMMED RAHEEM KOLAWOLE. All former documents remain valid. EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

I formerly Ayoola Bolade Segun now AYOOLA SEGUN JOEL. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc, Oyo State TESCOM and general public take note.

I formerly Miss Olajumoke Mobolanle Olaleye now MRS OLAJUMOKE MOBOLANLE ENUFO. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Miss Osobase Francisca Gift now MRS OKEOWO FRANCISCA GIFT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Akanji Taye Egun now AKANJI TAIWO APEJA. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH I formerly Adegbola Jamiu now AKANDE JAMIU ADEGBOLA. My correct date of birth is 8/4/1987 and not 8/4/1984. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Ajayi Oluwabukunmi Isaac now ILESANMI EMMANUEL OLUSAYO. All former documents remain valid.

Fidson Health Care Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Omiyinka Christianah Folasade now MRS ADISA CHRISTIANAH FOLASADE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Joy Maria Isreal now MRS JOY MARIA SOWANDE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Mrs Sanni Adeola Adewumi Taiwo now MRS FANIMO ADEOLA ADEWUMI TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Alex Oluwabunmi now MRS ADEBAYO OLUWABUNMI MARIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly Miss Oyedepo Adedayo Victoria now MRS ADEKOLA ADEDAYO VICTORIA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Yusuff Ademola Olarewaju now YUSUFF YAYA ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid. Wema Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Mohammed Ramotu Cynthia now MRS SALAKO RAMOT CYNTHIA. All former documents remain valid.

Guaranty Trust Bank and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Olaniyan Abiola now ADEBAYO SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Lawal Bose Olubunmi now MRS OMOLE BOSE OLUBUNMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Yetunde Romoke Agbaje now MRS TEMIDAYO ROMOKE ASHIPA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Lateef Saidat Olaide now MRS OYEKUNLE SAIDAT OLAIDE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Bamgbala Mojeed Ademola now MR BAMGBALA MICHEAL ADEMOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Sabi Musa am the same person bearing Sahabi Musa Abass. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as SAHABI MUSA ABASS. All documents bearing these names remain valid. GTBank Plc, First Bank Plc and general public take note.

I, formerly Ebireri Emmanuel now OLAMIPOSI EMMANUEL RICHARD and my correct date of birth is 25/12/1989. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, Reuben Ejike Enedouwa am the same person as Reuben Enedouwa.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as REUBEN EJIKE ENEDOUWA. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly Adegoke Alimotu now ADEGOKE ALIMOTU OLAWUMI. All former documents remain valid.

EcoBank Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Mrs Oduola Fatimo Tayo now MRS ODUOLA FATIMO OMOTAYO. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Miss Oluwadamilola Idayat Aderemi now MRS O L U W A D A M I L O L A AYANFEOLUWA PIKUDA. All former documents remain valid. OAU, Ile-Ife, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Abu-Dhabi UAE and general public take note.

I, formerly Miss Oyedele Serifat Amoke now MRS EBERE SERIFAT AMOKE. All former documents remain valid. OAUTHC, EcoBank Plc, Union Bank Plc, College of Technology, Esa-Oke, Osun State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Asanga Iniobong Offiong now EDIDIONG INIOBONG EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Dickinson Odikayor now DICKINSON CHUKS ODIKAYOR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Akinyosoye Folashade Wuraola now AKINTOYE TOPE OLADUNNI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Eniola Oriowo now AZEEZ KOLAWOLE HAPPINESS. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Mukaila Badmus now SALI MUKAILA AREMU. All former documents remain valid.

GTBank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Catherine Aduke Adewumi now MRS IYABO ADUKE ADEWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Okonkwo Vivian Adaeze now MRS OMOBOWALE VIVIAN ADAEZE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Mrs Ogundina Omotunde Morufat now MRS AJAYI OMOTUNDE MORUFAT. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Olayiwola Mukaila Adisa now OLAYIWOLA BOLAJI ADISA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Adedokun Temitayo Oduntan now MRS OLAIFA TEMITAYO ODUNTAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Agbaogun Idayat Bukola now MUSTAPHA IDAYAT BUKOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly Emitomo Tunmise Abayomi now EMITOMO ISRAEL OLUWATUNMISE. All former documents remain valid. GTBank Plc, First Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Adebayo Musibau Ola now ADEBAYO MUSIBAU WALE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Olagunju Nurudeen Olaniyi now MURITALA NURUDEEN JAYEOLA. All former documents remain valid.

Diamond Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Fadairo Richard Ayodeji now AYO-DAIRO RICHARD AYODEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Nwadilimkpa Okwadili now NWADILIMKPA OKWUDILI CHUKWU BASIL. That all documents bearing my former names remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Mr Adetona Dare now MR ADETONA OLADAYO SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Raji Babatunde Jubril now RAJI BABATOMIWA JUBRIL. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Dauda Oladele Muheed am the same person bearing Akinwale Muideen Oladele. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as AKINWALE MUIDEEN OLADELE. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Ekoni Victor now IKONI RICHARD. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Basirat Omolabake Okunlola now IDRIS BASIRAT OMOLABAKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Akanmu Saliu Atoyebi now LIASU SALIU ATOYEBI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Salami Azeez Ayobami am the same person bearing Salami Azeez.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as SALAMI AZEEZ AYOBAMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Abdaziz Akinade Olaide now AZIZ OLAIDE AKINADE. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Ganiyu Nafisat Omolara now MRS ADEBOYE NAFISAT OMOLARA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Bamisaye Omowande Mary now MRS TAIWO MARY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Arogundade Bukola Abiola now MRS ALABI BUKOLA ABIOLA. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, NYSC, Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Okereke Oworo now OGBONNAYA OKEREKE OWORO. My correct date of birth is 22/5/1971 and not 15/2/1971.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME I, Ven Peter Ufuomanefe mistakenly wrote my name as Ven Peter Owhetu Ufuomanefe during BVN registration with UBA Plc. Henceforth, I wish to be known, called and addressed as VEN PETER UFUOMANEFE. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, Tele Blessing Seimiyenkumo am the same person as Tele Blessing, Tele Blessing S. and Blessing Seimiyehkumo.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as TELE BLESSING SEIMIYENKUMO. All documents bearing these names remain valid. Zenith Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Miss Adebayo Abosede Adeola now MRS BAMGBALA ABOSEDE ADEOLA. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Sonmori Bukky Aderonke now MRS ONASANYA BUKKY ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Akinloye Oluwasayo Tosin now MRS ADEBOWALE OLUWASAYO TOSIN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADDITION OF NAME

I formerly Muhammed Babanyaya now MUHAMMED BABANYAYA UMAR and my correct date of birth is 9th December, 1991. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Owolabi Kafilat Christianah now AKINBAMI KAFILAT CHRISTIANAH. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Olapade Martha Morolake now MRS ADEYANJU MARTHA MOROLAKE. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State Local Government Service Commission and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Okeowo Opeyemi Taoreed am the same person bearing Okeowo Opeyemi Ayinde. Now, I wish to be known and addressed as Okeowo Opeyemi Taoreed. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Okunbor Onyeisi Vivian am the same person bearing Okunbor Onyeisi. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as Okunbor Onyeisi Vivian. All documents bearing these names remain valid.

Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, Fakayode Mariam Omowumi am the same person bearing Onigbogi Mariam Omowumi.

Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as FAKAYODE MARIAM OMOWUMI. All documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Mrs Aina Motunrayo Cecilia now MISS BOLAJI MOTUNRAYO CECILIA. All former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Miss Awotunde Ajibade Iyabo Omowumi now MRS OLUSINA OMOWUMI RACHEAL. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Mr Muritala Kehinde now MR MURITALA KEHINDE OSENI. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Grace Omolayo Olorundare now GRACE OMOTAYO ALABI. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly Ibiwumi Salamat Adepoju now IBIWUMI SALAMAT OWOYALE. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

37

news

Friday, 15 July, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

Nigerians may not enjoy uninterrupted power supply unless... —FG Ademola Adegbite - Abuja

T

HE Federal Government, on Thursday, said Nigerians might not enjoy uninterrupted power supply, if the government continued to rely essentially on natural gas for the generation of electricity.

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who made this known in Abuja, therefore, restated the urgent need by the Federal Government to diversify the source of energy needs of the country before meaningful industrialisation of the country could be realised.

Onu, while declaring open a two-day National Technical Validation Workshop on Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), organised

by Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in collabora-

tion with the New Partnership for Africa‘s Development (NEPAD) Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), noted that it has become urgent for the government to diversify its sources of energy, so that if one source has a problem, the other could make up for it.

He said the ministry would embark on research on how coal fire plant could be made more friendly to the environment.

According to him, “we have relied essentially on natural gas for the generation of electricity. This has created a lot of problems for the nation, particularly when gas supply is interrupted.

“The geographical location of Nigeria in the tropics gives us great advantage in utilising solar energy and also wind energy. We will

also look at other renewable sources of energy.

“Virtually all the developed and emerging countries including the United States of America (USA), China, as well as Germany and Russia rely heavily on coal for electricity generation.”

Earlier, the Director-General of the ECN, Professor Eli Bala, stated that energy was essential in driving and growing national econo-

MEN of the Department of State Security (DSS), on Thursday, stormed the Ikoyi residence of former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, picked up his wife, Moroofat, and whisked her away.

The operatives were said to have ransacked the house for hours, apparently in search for possible evidence that could help in their investigations on the embattled former minister, who was said to been linked with alleged payment of a huge sum from the office of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Alhaja Obanikoro, who was said to have been

kept in the DSS custody at the Lagos office of the DSS on CMD Road, Shangisha, was later learnt to have been released to the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where she was said to have eventually been released.

A close family friend and aide of the former minister, who confirmed the development, said the family was shocked with the arrest of Obanikoro’s wife.

“There is a development and we will brief media soon,” a source said.

“We know the EFCC was on the matter and had been there at their homes some weeks ago, although without any warrant. But we cannot understand the

IGP orders audit of police investments, subsidiaries Chris Agbambu - Abuja THE acting InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has engaged the services of two professional audit firms, Messers Nsebot William & Co and Gbenga Abimbola & Co, to undertake the audit of Police investments and subsidiaries.

He said the measure was in line with the Federal Government’s agenda to institutionalise fiscal discipline, transparency, probity and accountability in the management of public funds.

Idris made the disclosure while addressing the board and management of police investments bodies and subsidiaries, at the Police Headquar-

ters, Abuja.

He said that the exercise was aimed at carrying out due diligence to ascertain the true financial position, assets and liabilities, challenges and recommendations on how to restructure and reposition the subsidiaries for efficient services, profitability and return of investment to shareholders and Nigeria Police Community at large.

According to the IGP, fighting corruption at all levels is part of his vision for the police, which is in tandem with the cardinal point of the present dispensation.

IGP Idris disclosed that the firms are to carry out the special assignment which would be completed in six weeks.

society, private, government, civil society and the academia to support the three interlinked objectives of ensuring universal access to modern energy services by 2030,” he added.

The UNDP Country director, PA Lamin Beyai, said the action plan was an articulated strategies and activities for the promotion of sustainable energy which Nigeria really needed.

He noted that once validated, the action plan would be a viable instrument to help coordinate strategies and activities to meet the objectives of Sustainable Energy for All Action plan.

In his keynote address, the lead consultant, ECOWAS Commission, Professor Ken Ife, called on all stakeholders to support the project which would put an end to energy poverty in Nigeria.

FG’s policy direction guard against insurgency —Ngige Dapo Falade - Port Harcourt

MINISTER of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has said the policy direction of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is aimed at securing the country from misguided insurgents and other criminal elements.

This was as he appealed to

DSS storms Obanikoro’s home, arrests, quizzes wife Bola Badmus- Lagos

mies, as well as improvement in standard of living of mankind.

“However, secured, available and affordable as well as sustainable energy has eluded many economies including Nigeria. It is against this background that UN Secretary General, in September 2011, pronounced the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative, with a view to bringing all sectors of the

involvement of the DSS. They were in the house earlier today and after hours of searching everywhere without laying their hands on anything, they insisted the woman must come with them,’’ the source added.

militants bombing oil facilities in the Niger Delta region to cease fire, retrace their steps and embrace peace in the national interest.

He said this in his goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the 40th Conference and Expo of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), held in Port Harcourt, on Thursday.

He said the various programmes of the Federal Government were also geared towards ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.

Ngige, represented by the Rivers State coordinator of the National Directorate for Employment (NDE), Mr Nnamdi Asomogha, also as-

serted that the government sought to promote economic growth and wealth creation, through a vigorous war against corruption.

The minister emphasised the fact the Niger Delta region contributes significantly to the wealth of the country, but expressed worries about the renewed militancy in the region.

“The rise in militancy, which goal is to disrupt the nation’s oil industry, is a negative development to the region and the country in general. I call on those involved in this condemnable path to please retrace their steps and embrace peace,” he said.

Speaking on the programmes of the Buhari-led

administration, Ngige said, “The Federal Government has put in place a regime of prudent and transparent management of the national resources, through the elimination of waste and leakages.

“But we must take cognisance of the fact that the general improvement in the affairs of the country requires the support of good people of the country, rather than the disruptive activities of some elements,” he said.

It was in this regard that the minister called on the National Optometric Association (NOA) to key into the national objectives by partnering with the government to bring about a robust health care delivery system.

38

news

Friday, 15 July, 2016

Lagos, Ekiti to begin tree planting B ola B admus and C hukwuma O kparaocha

T

HE Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has said his administration will ensure that the state meets its target of 10 million trees by 2020.

Governor Ambode made the promise on Thursday, at a ceremony to mark the 2016 Tree Planting Day, themed: “Lend a Hand to Save Trees,” held in Ikorodu, adding that the state government would enforce planting of trees along all new roads being constructed and to create more parks in the metropolis.

The governor was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule.

Ambode, while enjoining residents of Lagos to plant more trees, contended that it was the most reliable and cheapest means to combat the effect of global warming and climate change, adding such approach could help to reduce the rate of ocean surge and erosion with its attendant problem of displacement of homes and communities.

Ambode, while reminding the citizens that the state was a coastal city-state that was prone to several environmental challenges, urged developers to adhere to all town planning and greening regulations in order not to jeopardize the environment when providing infrastructural development.

Earlier, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, said planting of trees besides beautifying the environment, had

helped to convert criminal hideouts and open spaces into orchids and woodlands.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State government would henceforth plant trees along newly constructed roads in the state to meet the target of 10 million trees by 2020 and com-

bat environmental changes.

Speaker of Lagos Assembly, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, dropped the hint at the 9th annual Tree Planting Day, at the Green Area on WEMPCO Road in Ogba, Lagos with the theme; “Lend A Hand To

Save Leaves.”

The Speaker also urged residents of sub-urban areas of the state to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees for the protection of all.

In a related development, Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose will, on

Representative of the Lagos State governor and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello, planting a tree at the Year 2016 Tree Planting exercise, at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp, Iyana Ipaja, on Thursday. With him are the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Samuel Adejare; General Manager, Lagos State Parks and Garden, Mr Abimbola Jijoho-Ogun and others.

Monday, kick start the planting of 250,000 trees as part of the programme of his administration to fortify the already depleted forests in the state.

Speaking on a Television programme in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, the state Head of Service and chairman of the state Forest Regeneration Committee, Dr Olugbenga Faseluka, and the state Commissioner for Environment, Chief Bisi Kolawole, said the forest regeneration and tree planting programme which would be flagged off at Ayo Babalola Memorial Grammar school, Efon Alaaye, would begin with tree planting in all secondary schools in the state.

Dr Faseluka explained that schools were co-opted not only to help protect them from windstorm but also inculcate the tree planting culture in the younger generation students so as to ensure environmental sustainability.

In his remarks, Chief Kolawole stated that the state government had taken steps to stop illegal felling of trees in the state, stressing that the newly signed Ekiti State Forest Protection law provides a six-month jail term without fine option for anyone caught in the illegal activity.

He commended Governor Fayose for initiating the regeneration of the forests, saying that Fayose remains the only governor in the history of the state to fortify the state forestry, having carried out a similar exercise in his first tenure as governor.

Robbery: Consul-General counsels Nigerians travelling to South Africa NIGERIA’S Consul-General in South Africa, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, on Thursday urged Nigerians travelling to South Africa to be wary of taxis they board on arrival in that country.

Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, that the Consulate had received reports from 17 Nigerians robbed on arrival at the Oliver Thambo

International Airport since the beginning of the year.

“These robbery attacks have put the mission in a lot of problems.

“The president`s aide on NEPAD arrived in South Af-

Communication minister restates need for ICT university found Mr Shittu worthy of THE Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, has restated the need for the establishment of an ICT University in Nigeria, the first of its kind in Africa.

The ICT University according to Shittu, would provide manpower, and also train human capital development for a fledging ICT in Nigeria.

The minister said this while receiving members of the Editorial Board of Kakaaki Magazine, who were in his office to present him the Democracy Man of the Year 2016 award.

“We are working on an ICT University which will be the first in Africa. It will train high caliber personnel that will service the ICT industry,” the Minister said, just as he disclosed that the recently

compiled ICT Road map 2016 would soon become operational.

Shittu stated that as part of the implementation of the ICT Road map, some activities, seminars and sensitisation programmes would be rolled out in the next few weeks. ”By the time the Road map must have been in operation before the end of next month, most of what we are doing here will be known to Nigerians. Every Nigerian is affected by what the telecoms industry is doing,” rthe minister stated.

Presenting the award and magazine to the minister, the Group Chairman/ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Chief Tai Olusoccer said the selection committee of the magazine

this year’s award because of his unprecedented achievements in the sector within a short period of time despite being a non-ICT expert.

rica, boarded a taxi recommended by the NEPAD Secretariat and was robbed at gun point a few meters away from the airport,” she said.

She also cited the robbing of a top Nigerian cosmetologist who recently arrived in South Africa to show case the use of traditional Nigerian cosmetics and improved local value of Shea Butter.

The ambassador stated that another Nigerian couple robbed few metres from the airport became traumatised when they got to the mission.

Ajulu-Okeke said the rob-

bers often carted away everything from their victims and dump the passengers on the way.

He urged Nigerians coming to South Africa to make arrangements for people to receive them.

“Do not enter the local airport taxis because some of them are into unholy alliance with hoodlums to rob people who come to South Africa for legitimate business,” she said.

Ajulu -Okeke urged security agencies in South Africa to check the activities of the hoodlums.

sided over by Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar.

The Information Commissioner noted that the state government had withdrawn unmerited allowances payment to administrative and financial staff in the ministry of health and general hospitals.

Alhaji Ibrahim explained that the allowances included hazard, shifting and call duty, saying “this is in line with present government’s efforts

to reduce the cost on governance.”

“The state government got to know that the sum of N64 million is going to some staff in the ministry of health, who did not merit the allowances.

That is why the government resolved to withdrawn all the allowances being enjoyed by all those staff in the ministry of health other than those whose duty is associated with medical department and treatment of diseases.”

Jigawa uncovers N768m illegal wage payment in health ministry Adamu Amadu-Dutse

THE Jigawa State government said it has discovered and stopped illegal wage payment to the tune of over N768 million annually in the state Ministry of Health.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting pre-

PRNigeria emerges winner of 2016 Global PR award on crisis management THE International Public Relations Association (IPRA), London, has announced the counter- insurgency campaigns by PRNigeria as the winner of this year’s Golden World Award (GWA) on Crisis Management Category.

The campaigns were carried out by PRNigeria for the Nigeria military and other security forces, at a very critical period in the nation’s war against terrorism.

The IPRA is the world’s highest PR body. Its members included public relations bodies across the world. The Golden World Awards, often dubbed the ‘Oscars of PR’ are the world’s most prestigious PR awards.

An email to the Publisher of PRNigeria from Member Services Manager of IPRA, Janice Hills, states that “I am delighted to inform you that your entry on ‘Managing Security Information on War on Terror in Nigeria’ in the Crisis Management Category is a winner in the 2016 IPRA GWA Awards… Please make a note in the diary for Saturday 5, November, 2016 for the IPRA GWA Gala Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar.”

Through its parent body, Image Merchants Promotions Limited, PRNigeria has been actively engaged in changing the media narratives from Boko Haram propaganda to PR approach strategies of security agencies in Nigeria. It has also remained the major source of official information from military, security, intelligence and response agencies.

The nomination for the award which was screened and judged by a panel of communication scholars and top PR practitioners in Brussel, Belgium, at the weekend, considered PRNigeria’s campaigns as one of the most unique innovations in collaborative efforts in crisis management.

Reacting to the award in Abuja, the Founder and Publisher of PRNigeria, Yushau Abdulhameed Shuaib, disclosed that the award could not have been possible without the excellent relationship established and sustained between spokespersons of major security agencies and the media in Nigeria.

“To us this is not an individual or personal award but an award for all participants in a project that reports Nigeria positively to local and international audiences …

“It is an award for exemplary leadership qualities and inter-agency collaborations of 17 agencies that form the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA) which gives birth to Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC).”

39 news

Friday, 15 July, 2016

Sam Amuka’s security men opened gate for us —Suspected Chadian robbers Olalekan Olabulo

T

HREE nationals of Republic of Chad who were arrested for the robbery attack on the home of the publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka, have accused security men in the building of complicity.

The arrested robbers and one other person still at large, had, on June 5, raided the Anthony home of the newspaper publisher, where valuables were carted away.

The arrested suspects were identified as Atim Abubakar, Mohammed Musa and Razaq Hassan (driver) and they were arrested at different locations in Lagos, on Wednesday.

One of the arrested suspects, Abubakar, insisted that two security men attached to the publisher’s home were part of the plan to rob the building.

The suspect also said he was contacted by Muhammed who, according to him, had only said they were going to pick cash somewhere in Anthony area.

The suspect narrated that “during our interaction, Mohammed told me that it was one Gambo who has the contact of the house we are going to rob.”

He added that “Mohammed said Gambo had assured him that they are not going to encounter any problem during the operation, since the security men attached to the house were in the know of the attack.

On the day of the operation, we stormed the house around 3.00 a.m.

“On arrival, we met the gate to the house open.

The security men were already expecting us. We had no difficulty accessing the place.”

Atim also claimed that “the two security men on duty advised us to tie them down. They also said we should not tie them too hard. Based on their instruction, we tied them and left them inside the gate house.”

He further confessed that “we entered the main house through the ceiling.

We met only the owner of the house at home sleeping in one of the rooms upstairs. I stayed downstairs while Hassan and Musa went upstairs. As I ransacked the cabinet in the siting room, I saw two pieces of foreign currency on the floor.

“At the end of the operation, I got N100,000 as my own share of the stolen money and a wristwatch” the suspect claimed.

The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, while speaking with newsmen on the arrest of the suspects, said the police in the

state were on the trail of the fourth member of the gang.

“Based on the account Chief Sam Amuka gave us, three persons out of the four suspects that robbed the Vanguard Publisher have been arrested. From their confessional statement, it is certain that

the three suspects actually participated in the robbery,” he said.

“A Mitsubishi salon car used by the robbers, one sledge hammer and one iron cutter were recovered from the suspects. The three arrested suspects are Chadians who are mem-

bers of a notorious crossborder armed bandit.

“Investigation is presently ongoing. At the end of the investigation, we believe that we will get to the root of the matter, since it was not the first attack on Chief Sam Amuka,” Owoseni added.

From right, a former Editor, Sunday Sketch and groom’s father, Mr Femi Oredein; bride’s mother, Mrs Maryanne Maku; the couple, Mr and Mrs Gbenga Oredein; groom’s mother, Mrs Bisola Oredein and the bride’s father, Reverend Samuel Maku, with the groom’s siblings, Messrs Abayomi and Oladipo Oredein, during the wedding at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Yemetu, Ibadan, at the weekend.

Economy: We are managing –Buhari Leon Usigbe -Abuja PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has, again, bemoaned the effects of the fall in the international price of oil, stressing that the country was managing.

Buhari, who made the

statement when he received a Special Envoy of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Ambassador Nasser Bourita, on Thursday, said managing the country this time was like starting afresh.

He acknowledged that Nigerians were in a hurry to

see projects take off in the nation’s agricultural sector, to enhance food security and create jobs for teeming unemployed youths.

“For us in Nigeria, it is like starting all over again.

There was a time we had so much money and took

Troops ambush Boko Haram terrorists, capture gun truck Chris Agbambu -Abuja FOLLOWING reliable information about movement of remnants of suspected Boko Haram terrorists, troops of 118 Task Force Battalion, 7 Brigade, laid an ambush for the terrorists on Thursday morning.

The troops laid the ambush about 3 kilometres away from Goneri town, South West of Kukawa Local Government Area, of Borno State, where they encountered the unsuspecting terrorists in two gun trucks and on motorcycles and they engaged them.

An unconfirmed number of the terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Buffalo Land Cruiser gun truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun, 1,600 rounds of 12.7mm armour

piercing incendiary (API) ammunition, 563 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition for General Purpose Machine Guns and 57 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

The troops further recovered one motorcycle, seven jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO), a pair of Nigerien Army uniform, two Cameroonian telecommunication service providers SIM cards, as well as a pair of the Boko Haram terrorists special forces uniform.

They also recovered one Samsung Galaxy Tablet and assorted drugs, such as Climax Oxytocin, Tetracyclic HC1 Ointment, Drips and Springe, amongst others.

Consolidating on this success, the troops further ex-

ploited the situation while troops of 157 Task Force Battalion blocked likely escape routes of remnants of the terrorists in Mile 90, Yoyo, Barwati and Kekeno villages.

things for granted. But with the fall in the international price of oil, we are now managing,” he said.

The president welcomed the plan by Morocco to establish a fertiliser plant in Nigeria, which would not only serve the country, but the entire West African sub-region.

The envoy, who is also Minister-delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said his country had developed strategy to deal with religious extremism and had largely been successful in fighting terrorism.

Again, fuel queues resurface in Abuja Adetola Bademosi-Abuja

FUEL queues have, again, resurfaced in some filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for reasons yet to be ascertained.

This is even as black marketers siezed the opportunity to flood the highways with their 10-litre fuel-filled jerry cans.

Nigerian Tribune, on Thursday, gathered that the queues suddenly started building up at the Area 11 and Area 3 Total filling stations, NNPC mega station central area and some other

independent marketers in Abuja.

It was gathered that some filling stations in the vicinity were not selling.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( PENGASSAN) had, in a memo dated July 4, threatened to embark on nationwide strike against the Federal Government FG. The association, however, suspended the six-day strike to allow the government as well as International Oil Companies (IOCs) implement the agreement reached by involved parties.

Senate receives Magu’s confirmation as EFCC chairman Taiwo Adisa and Ayodele Adesanmi -Abuja SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, read a letter from the Presidency, which presented the names of Mr Ibrahim Magu and other members of the management team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Senate for confirmation.

The letter, dated June 17, 2016, was received in the Senate on June 22, but read to the senators on July 14.

The letter was written when the Vice President was serving as acting president during President Muhammadu Buhari’s 10-day leave.

In the letter dated June 17, the Presidency asked the Senate to consider the nominees for positions on the management team of the EFCC. Besides the name of Magu, who was nominated as chairman, other members whose names are on the list included Ndasule Moses, Lawan Mamman, Galadanci Imam Naji and Adeleke Adebayo Rafiu.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act of 2004 established the commission and makes it responsible among other things for the coordination and enforcement of all Economic and Financial Crime Laws and Enforcement functions conferred on any person or authority.

“In view of the following, I hereby draw Your Excellency’s attention to the vacancy that existed in the EFCC. Having carefully considered eminently suitable qualified Nigerians for the vacant position. I am pleased to inform you of the appointment of the following and to propose them for confirmation of the Senate as provided by the EFCC Act. “The curriculum vitae of the appointees are attached for the information of the distinguished senators. I hope the screening will, as usual, be carried out expeditiously by the distinguished Senate,” the letter read.

SIDELINES

Friday, 15 JULY, 2016

n0 16,546

Super Eagles keeper, Carl Ikeme

n150

Less than six hours after she became British Prime Minister, Theresa May named key cabinet members. That is a lesson in leadership and signposts what differentiates a developed society from a developing one.

Nigeria slips to 70th spot on FIFA rankings

By Oluwabunmi Ajayi

N

igeria’s Super Eagles slipped nine places on the ladder to occupy 70th spot in the latest FIFA world rankings released on

Thursday.

It will be recalled, that the Super Eagles were rated 61st and 12th on the continent in the last rankings.

However, the latest rankings showed that the Eagles have dropped to the 70th spot and 17th on the continent having amassed 514 points, while Algeria maintained its number one spot on the continent and 32nd in the world with 781 points.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast are second in Africa and 35th in the world, while Ghana’s Black Stars are third best in Africa and 36th in the world, as Senegal placed fourth in Africa and 41st in the world.

Other better rated African countries above Nigeria are Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon, Morocco, Congo DR, Mali, Cape Verde Island, Guinea and South Africa in the fifth to 13th

position respectively.

Nigeria once rated fifth best in the world in 1994, on the latest rankings is also trailing behind Benin Republic (14th), Uganda (15th) and Congo (16th) on the continent.

Meanwhile, Argentina remains at the summit of the rankings with 1585 points.

Belgium occupies the number two spot and Colombia, Germany, Chile and Euro 2016 champions, Portugal occupy the number three – six positions.

The Euro 2016 runners-up, France, Spain, Brazil and Italy make up the top 10 spots in the world.

A total of 228 ‘A’ internationals contributed to the new order with those big events in Oceania, Europe and the Americas especially important in propelling nations upwards.

New Zealand emerged as the month’s biggest climbers moving up a whopping 54 places to 93rd on the back of an OFC Nations Cup victory that both qualified the All Whites for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and furthered their FIFA World Cup qualifying ambitions.

Keshi’s Illah house wears new look ahead July 29 burial Alphonson Agborh-Asaba

Dallas Cowboys displace Real Madrid as world’s richest club with $4bn Real Madrid for the first time in three years, has slipped to second spot as National Football League (NFL) team, the Dallas Cowboys now become the world’s richest team according to Forbes.

The La Liga giants could not top the Forbes World’s Most Valuable Sports Team List for the first time since 2011, losing the title to the professional American football team located in the Dallas– Fort Worth metroplex.

The Cowboys moved up one place with an estimated value of $4bn (£3.02bn), from $3.2bn (£2.4bn) last year, with Real - top of the list for the last three years - in second position, despite their value rising by almost 12.5 per cent to $3.65bn (£2.75bn).

FC Barcelona is up one spot

to third at $3.55bn (£2.68bn), Manchester United - ranked first in 2011 and 2012 - stay fifth at $3.32bn (£2.5bn), and NFL team the San Francisco 49ers at $2.7bn (£2.04bn) rise 22 places to take 10th spot.

The average current value of the top 50 most valuable teams is $2.2 billion (£1.66bn), which is the highest to date and a 25 per cent increase from last year. Cost of admission to the 2016 list is also the highest ever at $1.48bn (£1.12bn), up from $1.15bn a year ago.

Major League Baseball team, the New York Yankees at $3.4bn (£2.56bn) and basketball franchise, the New York Knicks at $3bn (£2.26bn) are the only nonsoccer and non-NFL teams in the top 10.

The personal building of the late former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, is undergoing renovation ahead of his burial in Illah, Delta State on July 29 this year.

This development initiated by his family members has put an end to the rumour doing the rounds that the former Nigeria captain, Keshi, had no building in his home town.

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, who led journalists on a visit to assess the ongoing renovation works on Thursday, was conducted round the building and other parts of the compound by the eldest brother of deceased, Mr Sylvester Keshi, and a nephew, Mr Eboka Ofuonye.

According to Ukah, the visit was to assess the level of renovation done on the building of Keshi ahead of the burial cer-

emonies in that sleepy town.

Ukah said that the state government was assisting the family to see that the compound is put in proper shape considering the number and calibre of important persons who will come to pay their last respect to the fallen soccer hero.

The burial ceremonies of the former coach of Togo and Mali will begin in Abuja, on July 26 with interment scheduled to take place in Illah on the 29th of this month and outing service on July 31.

Keshi, who coached Nigeria to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, was the second person after Egyptian Mahmoud El-Gohary, to have won the AFCON title both as a player and a coach.

It will be recalled, that Keshi, died in Benin City, Edo State on June 8 this year at 54.

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. 15/7/2016.

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