NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 1,147
SATURDAY, 16 APRIL, 2016
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Saraki loses at China visit ’ll yield billion-dollar pg3 High Court again investments —Presidency pg4
Boko Haram still potent threat —US
America sends envoy to Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad Ghana beefs up security over terrorist threats pg3 US slams FG over human rights abuses
“The government and its agents committed numerous arbitrary and unlawful killings... Authorities generally did not hold police, military, or other security force personnel accountable for the use of excessive or deadly force or for the deaths of persons in custody. ”
pg28
How my husband helped me curb sexual harassment —Tiwa Savage
Six boys rape SSS 1 girl in Kaduna pg8 Thugs clash with police, take over Edo council pg7
Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with the Coordinator, Study Group Committee, Research Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, Professor Aminu Mohammed Dorayi (right); Special Adviser, Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, Professor Ademola Abass (left) and other participants of the institute, during a courtesy visit to the governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Friday.
NDLEA discovers 193 wraps of cocaine in passenger’s socks pg7
2 entertainment
16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe popularly known as Kiss Daniel is a Nigerian born recording artiste and entertainer. His music career kicked off after being signed by his present record label, G-Worldwide Entertainment. Known for his monster hit, ‘Woju’, released in 2014, Kiss Daniel is regarded as the hope of the next generation. Born of Ogun State parents, the graduate of Water Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, who spoke to NEWTONRAY UKWUOMA and other journalists in this interview, tells of his motivations, trying moments and his forthcoming album.
H
OW did you come to answer Kiss Dan-
iel? It was actually given to me when I was in secondary school. Some girls, for no reason, maybe because of my lips, started calling me ‘Kiss’. It kind of stuck with me for a long time so that when it was time to get a name for my brand, ‘Kiss Daniel’ came in naturally. You started music at the university, at what point did you know you could earn a living from it? I was doing music while I was in school. I think it was when I got signed. I got signed during my service year. It seemed that God planned everything because when I was in school I didn’t get a record label and it was like there was no way for me. But immediately I left school, I got signed. I actually told myself that if after I left school I didn’t get signed that I would go to the UK, get my master’s and focus on white-collar jobs. But fortunately for me, right after I finished school, I got signed and in that same year I released a song that took the whole of Africa by surprise. It all happened very fast.
I sacrificed engineering for music —Kiss Daniel
People have said you have been in the industry for long, but got your breakthrough ‘Woju’. How would you clarify this? Though the flair for music was there in my school days, I couldn’t do much on my own at that time. Everything was low key then. It wasn’t until G-Worldwide Entertainment signed me in 2014 that I started professionally. I dropped ‘Shoye’ that year and then ‘Woju’. So, professionally, music career started the same year I released ‘Woju’. Was ‘Woju’ inspired by any personal experience? What I sang about in ‘Woju’ is what people experience daily. It’s a personal thing in everyone’s life. There is usually that one person you love but couldn’t walk up to. Would you say you haven’t seen any woman that catches
your fancy, but you didn’t approach? Was there a time you wanted to give up? Yes, even till now, some people are still discouraging me. There were times when I wanted to give up, but if
It is not that I have a special attraction for women. I actually notice other things in the society, but then it just happens that the songs I drop happen to be that kind of songs.
I give up I will be losing sight of my purpose. My purpose is to use my music to correct some societal ills. First you have to look at the way I drop my songs. When I dropped ‘Woju’, you would see a flirty kind of person. But ‘Laye’ is talking about a loving person, somebody that will give you everything even if you jilt him. ‘Raba’ and ‘Good Time’ address club life with a different touch. Talking about the underlying structure of your songs, people say you sing about women most of the times, what social ill would you be addressing with your kind of music? It is not that I have a special attraction for women. I actually notice other things in the society, but then it just happens that the songs I drop happen to be that kind of songs. It’s like shopping. Before you go shopping, you already have a list of what you want, but once you enter and begin to see other fancy things, you abandon what you really came to buy. But somehow you get the needed stuff. That is the way it is with my music. But everyone will get Continues on pg26
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16 April, 2016
Boko Haram still potent threat —US warns
America sends envoy to Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad Ghana beefs up security over terrorist threats US accuses Buhari’s govt of human rights abuses
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HE Boko Haram insurgency is still a major threat in Nigeria, the United States has said. “The threat still remains and it is quite serious, and it is why the United States continues to be committed to supporting them as they counter that threat,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters at a daily press briefing. Earnest said though Nigeria had made progress in combating Boko Haram, the Islamist militant group is still a threat. He added that the United States has assisted the Nigerian authorities in trying to secure the release of schoolgirls kidnapped by the militants. US Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, is to visit Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad from today to April 20, to highlight the growing threat Boko Haram poses to the Lake Chad Basin region. This is contained in a statement issued by the U.S. State Department on Friday in New York. It said that in Nigeria, Power would engage with the Nigerian leadership and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja before travelling to the North East region to visit a settlement camp for civilians displaced by Boko Haram’s violence. She would also host a town hall meeting with students and would participate in a Peace through Sports event with young Nigerians. According to the statement, Boko Haram is one of the deadliest terrorist groups in the world. It added that the group posed an acute threat to civilians across the Lake Chad Basin, and the group’s increasing lethality and relationship with ISIL was a cause for alarm. The U.S. reiterated its pledge to work with partners in the region to develop a comprehensive counter-Boko Haram effort that includes a more coordinated military campaign, improved humanitarian access and response. It noted that the U.S would also work with partners to ensure a well-resourced stabilisation and governance strategy, and expanded efforts to combat violent extremism. In Cameroon, it said, Power would meet with government officials and CSOs in
its capital, Yaoundé. She would also travel internally to meet with refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and Cameroonian forces on the front lines of the regional effort to combat Boko Haram. She would also participate in a public destruction of confiscated ivory and pangolin scales, demonstrating the strong U.S.-Cameroonian partnership to counter wildlife trafficking. While in Chad, Power would meet with government officials in N’Djamena and visit the headquarters for the Multinational Joint Task Force, a regional military effort composed of Boko Haram-affected states in the Lake Chad Basin. Power is also expected to meet with Chadian CSOs and civilians affected by the violence. Ghana beefs up security Meanwhile, Ghana is stepping up security measures, immigration officials said Friday, following reports that Islamist terrorists could target the country after attacks in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. The country is increasing border patrols and cooperation among security agencies, said Francis Palmdeti, director of public affairs for Ghana Immigration Service.
Immigration authorities are also stepping up collaboration with managers of hotels, lodges and guest houses to obtain information on foreigners coming to the country, Palmdeti said. The spokesman did not comment on an intelligence memo allegedly leaked to the media that warned Ghana and Togo could be Islamist terrorists’ next targets. The memo reportedly referred to the confessions of a Malian terrorist suspect who was interrogated by Ivorian authorities after an attack last month on GrandBassam, a popular tourist destination, that killed 22 people. In January, about 30 people were killed in an attack on a cafeteria in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou. Ghana could be targeted to show that the Islamists do not attack only Frenchspeaking countries, the website citifmonline quoted the memo as saying. President John Dramani Mahama expressed disappointment in the country’s national security apparatus for circulating detailed intelligence on possible terrorist attacks, asking Ghanaians to stay calm. “I think that we must deal with this without creating panic among our people, and that is why the stories
that we see in the papers are most unfortunate,” the website quoted the president as saying. The statement came on the heels of a United States report which accused the Nigerian government and the security forces of committing numerous acts of human rights violations against Nigerian citizens. In its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015 released on Thursday, the US specifically accused the government of violating the rights of Nigerians to life through unlawful killings while it has refused to hold security forces accountable for their alleged acts of human rights abuses. It also condemned the activities of Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists who continue to kill, maim and kidnap innocent people. “The government and its agents committed numerous arbitrary and unlawful killings. The national police, army, and other security services committed extrajudicial killings and used lethal and excessive force to apprehend criminals and suspects as well as to disperse protesters. “Authorities generally did not hold police, military, or other security force personnel accountable for the use
of excessive or deadly force or for the deaths of persons in custody. State and federal panels of inquiry investigating suspicious deaths did not make their findings public. “Security forces’ use of excessive force, including live ammunition, to disperse demonstrators resulted in numerous killings during the year. For example, on December 12, army troops killed an undetermined number--possibly hundreds according to some credible reports-of members of the Shia group Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) in Zaria, Kaduna State, following an altercation at a roadblock that disrupted the convoy of the chief of army staff. IMN leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, remained in government custody, while institutions, including the Kaduna State government, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Assembly, and the NA launched or pledged to launch inquiries into the incident. “Security forces were allegedly responsible for extrajudicial killings, often arbitrarily executing many individuals at one time. In May following the killing and mutilation of six soldiers by cattle rustlers, army troops killed dozens of civilians and razed scores of houses in Wase District, Plateau State. Community leaders accused the military of storming several villages at night and firing indiscriminately. They also
Saturday Tribune
alleged government forces had previously killed more than 80 persons in similar attacks. While acknowledging it had carried out an operation against militants, the military denied killing any civilians and promised to investigate. There were no reports of any investigations as of December. “There were reports of arbitrary and unlawful killings related to internal conflicts in the Northeast and other areas. “Criminal groups continued to abduct civilians in the Niger Delta and Southeast. On February 5, suspected pirates abducted four employees of Agip Oil in the waters of the southern Ijaw council area, in Bayelsa State. In June gunmen in speedboats abducted two Lebanese citizens working for a construction company in Bayelsa State and killed their two police bodyguards,” the US said. It also condemned, among others, the activities of kidnappers and Fulani herdsmen who have been staging attacks across the country. “Other parts of the country continued to experience a significant number of abductions. Prominent and wealthy figures were often targets of abduction. Kidnappers rarely announced political motives for abductions. For example, on September 21, kidnappers abducted former minister of finance, Olu Falae, from his farm in Ondo State and demanded 100 million naira ($500,000) for his release,” the US said.
China visit to yield billion-dollar investments —Presidency
Says urgent steps coming to diversify economy Leon Usigbe- Abuja THE presidency, on Friday, gave the assurance that President Muhammadu Buhari’s working visit to China will yield billions of dollars in new investments to Nigeria. A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, observed that the trip had already yielded additional investments in the country exceeding $6 billion. It said President Buhari believed that the several agreements concluded with China during the visit will have a huge and positive impact on key sectors of the Nigerian economy, including power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail transportation. The statement outlined the achievements of the visit saying, “in the power sector,
North South Power Company Limited and Sinohydro Corporation Limited signed an agreement valued at $478,657,941.28 for the construction of 300 Mega Watts solar power in Shiroro, Niger State. “In the solid minerals sector, Granite and Marble Nigeria Limited and Shanghai Shibang signed an agreement valued at $55 million for the construction and equipping of granite mining plant in Nigeria. “A total of $1 billion is to be invested in the development of a greenfield expressway for Abuja-Ibadan-Lagos under an agreement reached by the Infrastructure Bank and Sinohydro Corporation Limited. “For the housing sector, both companies also sealed a $250 million deal to develop an ultramodern 27-storey high rise complex and a $2.5
billion agreement for the development of the Lagos Metro Rail Transit Red Line project. “Other agreements announced and signed during the visit include a $1 billion for the establishment of a Hi-tech industrial park in Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa, Ogun State. “Furthermore, the OgunGuangdong Free Trade Zone and CNG (Nigeria) Investment Limited also signed an agreement valued at $200million for the construction of two 500MT/day float gas facilities. “An agreement valued at $363 million for the establishment of a comprehensive farm and downstream industrial park in Kogi state was also announced at the Nigeria-China business forum. “Other agreements undergoing negotiations include a $500 million project for the provision of television broad-
cast equipment and a $25 million facility for production of pre-paid smart meters between Mojec International Limited and Microstar Company Limited.” It said about 100 Nigerian businesses and 300 Chinese firms participated in the Nigeria-China business forum during the president’s visit to China. In a related development, President Buhari, in Guangzhou, China, said that his administration would take urgent steps to restructure Nigeria’s economy by encouraging new investments in mining, agriculture and manufacturing. Speaking at a reception in his honour by the Communist Party of China, he said that Nigeria would welcome the support of the Chinese government, foreign investors and local businesses for efforts to diversify the nation’s
economy. The president noted that the diversification of the Nigerian economy was long overdue as continued reliance on crude oil exports had always made the economy vulnerable to shocks. “This time we will be more deliberate. The government and businesses will be involved,” President Buhari said. In his remarks, the Secretary of the Communist Party, who is also the governor of the Guangdong Province, Mr. Hu Chinhua, pledged that the region would support the implementation of all the bilateral agreements reached with the Chinese government during President Buhari’s visit. President Buhari also visited the Sino-Singapore Knowledge City in Guangzhou, which showcases advancements by China in medical, scientific and technological inventions.
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16 April, 2016
Assets declaration: Saraki fails to stop trial at tribunal Sunday Ejike - Abuja
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ENATE President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday, lost in his bid to stop his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), as Justice Abdul Kafarati of a Federal High Court in Abuja said the CCT has the powers to try him. Justice Kafarati, in his judgement, also held that Saraki’s trial is not in any way a breach of his fundamental human rights and consequently dismissed his application seeking the nullification of the trial. The Senate President, who
is standing trial for alleged false assets declaration and fraud at the CCT since September last year, had approached the court seeking to enforce his fundamental human rights as provided for by Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution. Saraki had sought to stop the trial on the grounds that the CCT lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. He had also asked the court to quash the charge against him before the tribunal. Justice Kafarati held that after careful perusal of Saraki’s application, the court
found the tribunal competent to preside over his prosecution regarding assets declaration-related issues. The judge noted that the applicant had earlier taken the same application to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court and the judgements there were against him. He added that Saraki also argued the same issue before the tribunal and it was dismissed. Justice Kafarati held that if he decided otherwise, his judgement would be in conflict with the earlier decision
of the tribunal. On the breach of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution, the court held that the trial had not in anyway breached the provision of the chapter and that the applicant could raise a no-case submission after the prosecution has closed his trial. According to the judge, the reliefs sought by Saraki were not available under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution. He held that the application constituted an abuse of court process and consequently dismissed it. Justice Kafarati held that
2019: PDP to adopt A4 to elect presidential candidate Members defecting to avoid persecution, hunger —Metuh
Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji- Abuja THE next presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be chosen through popular vote in an election to be conducted nationwide rather than through the usual national convention. This is part of the reforms planned by the former ruling party in its bid to recapture power in the 2019 presidential election. The party plans to adopt Option A4 which will require voters to line up behind their preferred candidates or their pictures reminiscent of the process adopted by the General Ibrahim Babangida military regime. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, confirmed this in Abuja on Friday while receiving former chairman of Ghana’s former ruling party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Mac Manu, at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja. He noted that the proposal was part of the recommendations by the Senator Ike Ekweremadu committee which reviewed the performance of the party in the last general election. Metuh said: “We are going to change our system to be that our presidential candidate would be voted for by all party members in the country. It would be done at the ward level. We would no longer elect presidential candidates at the national convention. “It would now be for every party member to vote for whoever would be our presidential candidate. Whoever would vie for our presidential ticket would have to tour the entire country before he can be elected. “This is part of the reform we are coming up with. Basically, this (May convention) would be the last convention where we would have people to be elected at the national convention. We are taking
the party back to the Nigerian people. “This is part of the reforms that were contained in the Ike Ekweremadu committee‘s recommendation.” The PDP spokesman said that the Option A4 would be adopted, just as candidates for other positions would be elected through similar process. According to him, “we intend to elect our presidential candidate starting from ward level. We are going to apply Option A4 in electing our presidential candidate. “It is not going to be restricted to presidential election but others like governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and all, everybody would be elected from the ward level. “People would have to queue up behind the candidates of their choice. These proposed amendments have been sent to the state chapters for their inputs in line with our desire to have people’s opinion.” Metuh explained why people were defecting from the party, saying that they were joining the ruling party to escape persecution or hunger. He said: “In Nigeria, people defect for various reasons. Some people defect because they are hungry, or they are not well treated, while others defect because they want to be part of the cake from the ruling government or the party in power, whereas others defect because they are afraid of persecution in the belief that once they belong to the ruling party, they are safe from all manner of embarrassments.” Speaking earlier, Mac Manu spoke of the reforms his party undertook to regain power after being voted out. He said: “When we lost election, there was the need to review and make amends and these amends led to some critical reforms in the party structure and organisation. “We realised, for example,
that the modus operandi of how our presidential candidate was elected had a hand in why we lost the general election.” He called for Presidential Transition Act in Nigeria which would determine how any party in power behaved towards the opposition and protect the rights of such opposition. Using change of power in
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Ghana as an example, he said: “Because when we got power in 2000, our opponents said we were harassing them and when they got power back in 2008, we also said they were harassing us. “So, there was the need to sit down and fashion out a presidential transition bill or act that would design how power should go from one party to the other.”
the CCT is a constitutional body, whose legal obligation should not be interfered with by a court of law. “I find that none of the claims falls within chapter four of the constitution. This court cannot interfere with the proceedings before the tribunal. It cannot also interfere with the duties of the respondents which have been imposed on them by law,” Kafarati stated. Justice Kafarati had earlier intended to withdraw from delivering judgement in the suit on the grounds that an online report alleged that money was paid into his account in order to favour the applicant. The judge had then expressed his displeasure at the report and consequently returned the case file to the Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court. The CJ, Justice Ibrahim Auta, however, on Tuesday, mandated Justice Kafarati to go ahead with the delivery of the judgement. The Federal Government is prosecuting Saraki before the CCT on a 13-count charge bordering on false declaration of assets.
Saturday Tribune
Saraki had traversed all the hierarchy of courts in the land to stop the trial, but the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, in their separate rulings, held that the Senate President should go back and face his trial. Saraki had also challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try him and the chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, but dismissed the request and consequently assumed jurisdiction. The prosecution has since opened its case by calling the first witness, Michael Watkas, who told the tribunal how Saraki operated three different accounts in Guarantee Trust Bank Plc, namely naira account, dollar account and pound sterling account. He also told the tribunal how Saraki made about 70 lodgements into the account in a single day through one his personal assistants. The witness also told the tribunal that the Kwara State government was still paying salary to Saraki four years after he ceased to be the governor of the state. The tribunal had adjourned till April 18.
Weathering the hot weather
NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER
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COWing excesses of Fulani herdsmen
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Why I married my producer
How my boyfriend almost used me for ritual —17-yr-old SS2 student
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Why my music career has been silent —Babanwaka
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16 April, 2016
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2016 hajj: Lagos begins sensitisation Bola Badmus- Lagos
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo speaking at Osubi Airstrip on Friday after returning with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa from the inspection of bombed pipelines at Forcados Terminal at Burutu LGA, Delta State. PHOTO: EBENEZER ADUROKIYA
FG ’ll deploy sophisticated weapons to fight pipeline vandals —Osinbajo Ebenezer Adurokiya- Warri
V
ice-President Yemi Osinbajo has restated the commitment of the Federal Government to fight pipeline vandalism to a standstill by deploying sophisticated weapons to achieve this. Speaking on Friday, Osinbajo said the Federal Government would also likely set
up a permanent pipeline special security force to stamp out the economic menace. The vice-president said this on Friday at Osubi Airstrip shortly after his return aboard Nigerian Air force chopper 5N-CHM from inspecting the January 14 bombed oil and gas pipeline at Forcados Terminal in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. Osinbajo also described the economic saboteurs as
bad as terrorists. “We would have to deploy even sophisticated weapons to ensure we contain vandalism; we may have to set up a permanent pipeline security force as an option to look at stamping out the menace. “As you know, pipeline vandals are probably as bad as any type of terrorists or saboteurs and the danger posed to lives caused by pipelines vandals.
Current challenges, opportunity to reform economy —Finance minister Sulaimon Olanrewaju – Washington DC THE Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, on Friday, said the current economic crisis of the country is an opportunity to embark on economic reforms that would reposition the country. She said this just as the International Monetary Fund reiterated the need for the country to have a policy reset. Adeosun, who said this while participating as a member of a panel that discussed the topic “Sub-Saharan Africa: Just a Rough Patch,” on the sideline of the 2016 World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings holding in Washington DC, United States of America, stated that reform would be difficult in an era of boom. She said: “Different from the impression of the outside world, the current situation is not all gloom for Nigeria. It is an opportunity for Nigeria to embark on economic reforms. “It is difficult to have financial discipline when oil price is above $100 because oil introduces fiscal indiscipline.” She added that the government was determined to inculcate a culture of discipline in the country as a way of building a virile economy. The minister also said that the government was looking at making the most of other sources of revenue available
•Nigeria needs policy reset —IMF
to it. She said, “We are looking at revenue from non-oil sector. We want to generate more from corporate taxes and duties. We also want to pay attention to other areas that we hitherto had not paid attention to because if we didn’t have oil these are areas that we would be depending on.” Adeosun, who said that the 2016 budget would impact positively on the poor, added that N500 billion had been set aside as cash transfer to the poor. She also said that the government planned to improve the country’s infrastructure using the budget “because we are trying to grow through economic crisis.” Adeosun stated that Nigeria is not looking in the direction of the International Monetary Fund for loan to fund the 2016 budget because of the stigma associated with the organisation by Nigerians. The minister, who said Nigeria was in discussion with the World Bank and other multi-lateral institutions about getting loans to bridge the gap in the 2016 budget, said the government would have considered the IMF but for its not so good image. “I am sorry I am not a politician so I am going to say it as it is. In Nigeria, IMF does not enjoy a good reputation. There is a stigma associated with the organisation. So,
going to IMF to take a loan will be counter-productive because we may not enjoy the support of the people,” she said. Nigeria had planned to take an IMF loan during the regime of President Ibrahim Babangida but when it was subjected to debate, Nigerians kicked against the move, forcing the government to abandon the plan. Earlier, while addressing journalists on the African situation, Director, African Department, IMF, Dr Antoinette Sayeh, said it was incumbent on Nigeria to have a policy reset to beat the current economic challenges. “Nigeria needs to take another look at her policies. The current policy is inhibiting the progress that could be made by the country. “The government needs to eliminate the foreign exchange restrictions currently in place,” she said. She also said that the government should work towards having a coherent package to address the challenges. “What we have currently is fiscal and monetary policies that are working at crosspurposes. That is not helpful to the economy,” she said. Sayeh stated that the leaders should focus on governance and reduce corruption so as to unleash the growth potential of the country.
“All of us must agree with the president that the vandals must be treated in the most severe manner and should not be tolerated at all. “So, I agree with Mr President entirely that pipeline vandals should not be tolerated under any circumstance,” Osinbajo vowed. According to him, a lot of efforts are being made by the Federal Government and state governments as well as communal help to repair the damaged pipelines, meet the current vandalism challenges as well as ascertain what can be done in the future to arrest the trend. Osinbajo, who left Osubi Airstrip aboard Nigerian Air Force 5N-CHM airline, bemoaned effects of the sabotage on power generation and the over 250,000 barrels of crude oil lost per day by the Federal Government. He commended the NNPC on steps so far taken to ameliorate the damage done and the problem associated with getting gas supply to power gas plants in the country. Meanwhile, Delta State governor, Chief Ifeanyi Okowa, who accompanied the vice-president to inspect the Forcados terminal, said the repairs being carried out by NNPC would likely be concluded by end of May. Okowa, while fielding questions from journalists after Professor Osinbajo had left, said the bombed gas pipelines were responsible for the meagre 3,000mw of power supply in the country. “The gas component is also a huge problem. There is a lot of shortage of gas and the power situation in the country is already getting very bad. It has dropped remarkably to 3,000 megawatt which is not just enough at the moment,” he noted. It will be recalled that VP Osinbajo’s visit came on the heels of similar ones by relevant committees of the National Assembly and Federal Government’s delegation led by the Minister of Environment.
THE Lagos State government, through the state pilgrims welfare board, has said it has concluded arrangement to commence sensitisation and enlightenment programmes for intending hajj pilgrims today as part of plans for a successful 2016 hajj exercise. This is just as the Board announced that it would commence disbursement of the N50million refund to 3,047 pilgrims of the 2015 hajj from Monday as from 10 am at its office, 22/23 Oba Akinjobi Way, Old Secretariat, Ikeja. Executive Secretary of the state pilgrims welfare board, Mr. Muftau Okoya, stated this in his office while speaking on the latest development with regards to the 2016 hajj. Okoya added that part of the programmes include a lecture which is scheduled to come up on Saturdays and Sundays between 2p.m. and 5p.m. till the middle of July. He explained that the enlightenment programmes were designed to teach the pilgrims basic tenets of Islam, expectations and rights of Hajj, right attitude and conventional practices during the 2016 hajj operation. According to him, the programmes have been structured to take place simultaneously in 18 local government areas, divided into three zones.
Bribery charge: EFCC urges court to
quash Ricky Tarfa’s suit
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere that the embattled Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa, lacked the right to challenge the prosecutorial powers of the agency. The commission made the submission while opposing the application to quash the charge against Tarfa. Tarfa was arraigned on March 9, by EFCC on a 27-count charge bordering on refusal to declare assets, making false statement, offering gratification to public officer, failure to declare his assets in the assets declaration Form. The SAN had through his counsel, Mr Anthony Idigbe, filed an application seeking to quash the charge against him. At the resumed hearing on Friday, Idigbe told the court that it was against the rule of law for the EFCC to be the complainant, the investigator and prosecutor in a case. “We submit that this is contrary to natural justice, equity and good science. “This is also in breach of Section 36 of the Constitution which requires that every citizen should have fair hearing in order to guarantee independence and impartiality in every proceedings.”
Witch-hunt: Fayose hails US govt Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has hailed the international community, especially the United States of America and the United Kingdom for joining lovers of democracy in Nigeria to speak out against the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Muhammadu Buhari’s use of state security apparatus to oppress opposition. He called on the British government to investigate the allegation of the use of British foreign aid given to Nigeria to help combat Boko Haram terrorists to fund a witch-hunt against opposition politicians with a view to preventing continuous use of funds belonging to the country wrongly. Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said the international community must focus attention on Nigeria under President Buhari, saying, “rights of Nigerians are now being trampled upon with impunity.”
New Navy Commander pledges to fight kidnapping, oil theft in Niger Delta Rear Adm. Tarioworio Dick, the new Flag Officer Commanding, (FOC), Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, has pledged to fight kidnapping, oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. Dick made the promise on Friday in Yenagoa when Rear Adm. Apochi Suleiman the outgoing FOC of the command handed over to him. He said that the command would synergise with other security agencies in the area to tackle the menace of kidnapping and oil theft. He solicited the cooperation of the people of the region by providing useful information that could aid the efforts of the command to check illegal activities in the marital domain in the region. The new FOC said that those who perpetrate illegal activities in the area live in the community. He said that the people owe it a responsibility to report suspicious movement to the security agencies for prompt action. He commended his successor for the inauguration of various projects in the command.
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Nasarawa: 5 filling station owners arraigned for operating in residential area
A telecom mast at Ikeja which collapsed after Friday morning rainstorm in Lagos. PHOTO : SYLVESTER OKORUWA
Gov’s aide, one other sentenced to 11 years imprisonment for employment scam
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Jalingo chief magistrates’ court on Friday sentenced Dominic Bukuni, 59, a Special Adviser to Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State to two years imprisonment for criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reportedd that Bebeto Haruna, 32, who was arraigned along with Bukuni, was also sentenced to nine years in jail. The chief magistrate, Mr Yusuf Babasoro, in a threehour judgement, said that the prosecution had proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt that the two accused were guilty of the offences as charged. Babasoro said that Haruna was guilty as charged on the first and second counts for impersonation and cheating which were contrary to sections 132 and 322 of the Penal Code. He said that the offences attracted a fine of N5, 000 and N10, 000 or jail terms of six months and one year respectively.
The magistrate also convicted Haruna on a threecount charge of fraud to the tune of N3.5million and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine. According to Babasoro, Haruna defrauded 28 unsuspecting victims of the amount on the pretext that he would assist them to secure employment at the Taraba State University, Jalingo.
The magistrate, delivering his judgement on Bukuni, found him guilty of criminal conspiracy, impersonation and cheating. He sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine of N20,000. Babasoro said that the offences contravened Section 597 of the Penal Code. Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Mohammed Ibrahim, in his First Information Re-
Serving as Rivers REC isn’t my choice —Ikoiwak
Says allegations by PDP, APC are against his office DapoFalade-PortHarcourt RESIDENT Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak, has said he would not have served in the state if he had a choice. He said this in an exclusive interview with Saturday Tribune in Port Harcourt, on Friday, declaring that politicians in the state deliberately planned to ensure
that INEC failed in conducting elections in the state. Ikoiwak, who had previously served in the same capacity in the state, also described the series of verbal attack on him and the national electoral umpire over the last legislative rerun election in the state as an attack not against his person but his office. The state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Felix Obuah, had
Environmental sustainability: NIWA reads riot Act to Lagos sand dredgers Tola Adenubi -Lagos THE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as part of its statutory regulatory role on sand dredging activities in Lagos, has read a list of guidelines for dredging operations in Lagos State. According to the Area Manager, NIWA-Lagos, Muazu Sambo, henceforth, dredging machines must be spaced at a minimum distance of 500m away from each other.
port (FIR) filed before the court on March 20, 2013, said that Haruna and Bukuni committed the offences sometime between June and December 2013. Ibrahim said that the two men criminally conspired between themselves and impersonated Senator Emmanuel Bwacha and the vice chancellor of the Taraba State University, Professor Sani Yahaya, respectively.
According to him, “the guidelines are coming into effect from 14 April, 2016. Amongst the new guidelines are that, henceforth, permissible distance of dredge machines from the shoreline must not be less than 500m. “Also, the Chinese dredge system shall consist of one master dredge machine, three transporters and one booster pump device.” The NIWA topshot also revealed that permit granted to a particular company
in a specified location is non-transferable to another location or to any other individual. Some of the new guidelines say penalty shall be imposed on any dredging company that does not maintain access road to its stockpiling site; penalty shall be imposed on dredging company for non-installation of water/ sedimentation box at an appropriate position for control of turbidity during dredging operation.
accused him of lying over the disqualification of one of the party’s candidates in the inconclusive election, Mr Tonye Alalibo, from AkukuToru State Constituency 2. In the same vein, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Davies Ikanya, accused the Rivers REC and INEC of merely awarding votes to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the rerun exercise. Expressing regrets over his second coming as the REC in the state, Ikoiwak said if he was given a choice, he would not want to come back to the state again. “I am sitting here because I was so directed by the commission to come here. I believe that there must be something that they had seen. “So, I decided to come; I tried to do the work, not to disappoint those who sent me. But if I was given a chance to decide whether I should come to Rivers or to go away from the state, I think the choice may not really be to stay,” he said.
THE Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDP) on Friday arraigned two filling station owners at Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lafia for operating in residential areas. The defendants were MM Nigeria Ltd. and Chibo Oil Investment Limited. Representatives of the two stations Adamu Usman and Mamman Maji, applied for out-of-court settlement. Juliana Haruna, the Acting General Manager, Development Control of NUDP, told newsmen that the board instituted a legal action against them because they had not complied with set down rules. “Everyone knows the degree of hazards posed by citing filling stations close to people’s houses. So, we are out to ensure that things are done properly. “If anything occurs today, which we do not pray for that to happen, only God knows the level of damage it would cause. “Filling stations are allowed to only be cited in commercial areas, so owners of filling stations in residential areas, most especially the ones under construction, should stop work immediately,’’ she said. She promised the board would soon drag many others who failed to stop work after being served with notices of court. The chief magistrate, Patrick Ekpo, adjourned the matter till May 2 for hearing.
There is light at the end of tunnel —Gov aspirant Hakeem Gbadamosi -Akure A gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mr Akinyinka Akinnola, on Friday assured Nigerians that there is light at the end of the tunnel and should be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari for a total overhaul of Nigeria. Akinnola, who stated this while declaring his intention to contest the forthcoming election in the state, said the challenges confronting the country were not caused by the present administration, but said the Buhari administration is taking some steps to bring smiles to the faces of the people. He urged Nigerians to be patient with the present administration, saying that the Federal Government had an intention to tackle all the problems, noting that there are structural changes ongoing in the country with the anti-corruption crusade of the president. He urged Nigerians to support the present administration of Buhari for a complete transformation of the country polity.
Ex-commissioner joins Ondo gov race By Yinka Oladoyinbo
A former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in Ondo State, Alhaji Yekini Olanipekun, has joined the governorship race in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Olanipekun, announcing his intention to contest the election in his hometown, Arigidi-Akoko, Akoko Northwest Local Government Area, said continued delivery of good governance was the major drive of his ambition. The former commissioner, who was also a member of the state House of Assembly, said with his experience in public offices, he was poised to deliver good governance and dividends of democracy to the people. Having headed the ministry saddled with the affairs of the youth who constitute a major part of the society, he said he was well placed to formulate and implement policies and programmes that would be beneficial to the young people.
OUR ERROR
In the Saturday Tribune edition of April 9, 2016, we erroneously said that former Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Bode Olowoporoku was born in 1935, but we have since discovered that he was born in 1945. The error is regretted.—Editor
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Navy impounds stolen petrol
Director General/Chief Executive Officer, National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), Dr Mohammed Jibrin (left), exchanging pleasantries with the governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom, during a courtesy visit to the governor in his office in Makurdi, recently.
NDLEA recovers 193 wraps of cocaine in passenger’s socks Shola Adekola - Lagos
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peratives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, have discovered one hundred and ninety-three (193) wraps of cocaine inside a passenger’s socks. The drug, with a total weight of 3.4kgs, was detected during a routine screening of passengers on an Emirates flight from Dubai. The suspect who is a commercial bus driver in Lagos has also been arrested. Following the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd,) has called for stringent monitoring of the Dubai-Lagos route by officers. According to Abdallah, “This is an interesting arrest and I commend the officers for the discovery. the Dubai-Lagos route is gradually gaining notoriety and we are monitoring it closely. Let me assure members of the public that
the NDLEA is working very hard to prevent illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse in the country.” NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba who gave the name of the suspect as Maduewesi Ugochukwu Samuel, declared: “During screening of passengers at the arrival hall, officers noticed that he had some items attached to his legs. It was cleverly done but not good enough to escape our notice. When his socks were pulled down, suspected wraps of narcotics found to be cocaine fell on the floor. He was immediately
arrested and taken for further investigation.” The suspect told narcotic investigators that he wanted to quit driving for supply of electrical appliances saying: “I am a commercial bus driver in Lagos. I am from Anambra State. My friend who lives outside the country introduced me to drug trafficking. He promised to help me with capital to start my business but after sponsoring my trip to Dubai, he told me to smuggle drugs into Nigeria. I was instructed to conceal the drug in my socks and that it will not be detected. “They also offered to pay
Thugs take over Edo council, clash with police Banji Aluko- Benin City In order to prevent reinstated chairman of Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr Osaro Obazee from assuming office, thugs on Friday sealed off the secretariat of the council. A Benin High Court had on Thursday declared as il-
legal, null and void, the suspension and sacking from office of Obazee by Governor Adams Oshiomhole and ordered his reinstatement to office forthwith. Sensing that Obazee may attempt to take charge of activities of the council secretariat on Friday, thugs arrived at the secretariat as early as 7:00 a.m. and took control of the entrances to
‘Okonjo-Iweala did not indict Jonathan on low savings’ FORMER Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has denied describing former President Goodluck Jonathan as lacking political will while he was in government. She said contrary to the media reports, she did not indict the Jonathan administration in which she served. “Rather, she was referring to what many Nigerians already know: the strong opposition by some governors to the Jonathan
me the sum of eight hundred thousand naira for safe delivery of the drug. I had wanted to start a supply business in electrical appliances but I am regretting my action because my pregnant wife is all alone while I am in NDLEA custody.” This is her first pregnancy and she needs my attention. This is my greatest concern” Samuel stated. According to the NDLEA, the suspect who completed his secondary education in 1998 at Onitsha before coming to Lagos in search of greener pastures, will be charged to court soon.
government’s efforts to save in the Excess Crude Account and the Sovereign Wealth Fund sabotaged this important national priority. “The governors’ criticism of Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s many calls for the country to save for the rainy day are still fresh in the minds of Nigerians. “It will be recalled that this opposition culminated in the Governors taking the Jonathan government to the Supreme Court in
furtherance of their position that the Federal Government had no right to “compel” them to save. “Several knowledgeable persons including former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi have confirmed these facts. “So the issue of OkonjoIweala indicting the Jonathan administration over this very public issue simply does not arise,” she said in a statement signed by her media adviser, Paul Nwabuikwu.
the secretariat. They prevented workers of the council and intending couples who wanted to sign marriage register, from gaining entrance into the secretariat for hours. They also disregarded pleas by the police to allow the local government council workers enter the secretariat and it took the intervention of the soldiers to restore order to the secretariat. In a reaction, the council’s acting chairman and Obazee’s former vice chairman, Mrs Sweet Ikponwmosa, denied hiring those who disrupted activities at the secretariat. She said they were concerned Edo people who were out to prevent the destruction of government installations at the secretariat, adding that she could only leave office 21 days after receiving notification from the court. On his part, the reinstated chairman, Osaro Obazee, said he will resume at his desk after receiving a certified true copy of the judgment.
The Nigerian Navy on Friday said it had impounded a wooden boat laden with 27 jerry cans of stolen petrol from suspected pipeline vandals at the Atlas Cove area of Lagos. The authorities said that the seizure was made on Thursday night after the vandals abandoned the boat on sighting a naval team and fled into the bush to evade arrest. Commodore Abraham Adaji, Commander of NNS BEECROFT, which carried out the operation, told journalists that the navy was determined to rid the country’s waterways of oil thieves and vandals. “We are also in partnership with local authorities that are closest to where these assets are and who are the first to know if anything is going on,” he said. Adaji said that the navy was “fully equipped and ready to fight to an end, pipeline vandalism and oil theft’’, adding that the Chief of Naval Staff had zero tolerance for maritime offences. He warned perpetrators of illegal acts to seek legitimate means of livelihood.
NAFDAC arraigns travel agent over fake drugs The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arraigned a travel agent, Okechukwu Tony Maduegbunam before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged importation of fake drugs. The suspect was arraigned before Justice Abdulazeez Anka on a three count charge bordering on the alleged offence. After the charges were read to him, Maduegbunam pleaded not guilty. As a result, the prosecution counsel, Umar Shamaki prayed the court to remand him in prison custody. “In view of the plea of the accused, my lord, we ask for a date for trial.We are also asking for a remand order,” Shamaki stated. But the defence counsel, Samuel Ejeke made an oral application for the bail of his client. He said: “My lord, I ask for his bail orally. I was briefed this afternoon by his sister,” he quipped. Trial judge, Anka, however, said he is more disposed to written bail application. He advised the defence to take a trial date and file their written bail application. He stated that the accused can bring a motion for bail within the adjourned period, adding that a hearing date would be given to him before the adjourned date.
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College provost enjoins students to shun vices THE College of Education, Lanlate, Oyo State, matriculated its 2015/2016 newly admitted students into various departments at the college’s sports pavilion last week. The acting Provost of the school, Dr. Joseph Olusegun Adeagbo while addressing the matriculating students, admonished them to shun vices such as cultism, alcoholism, rape and other misconducts that could bring the names of their families, communities and the college into disrepute. He emphasised that there were appropriate sanctions for all misconducts, which the management had zero tolerance for. Dr Adeagbo advised the new students to remember at all times that they are ambassadors of their families and communities and they should endeavor not to bring shame to them. The fresh students were enjoined to take a cue from the other students who had recently received accolades for conducting the affairs of the students union in a peaceful manner.
Acting Provost, College of Education Lanlate, Oyo State, Dr Joseph Olusegun Adegbo (middle), with the managment staff of the school during the 2015/2016 matriculation ceremony of the newly admitted students of the school, at the college sports pavillion, recently.
SSS1 student raped by 6 boys in Kaduna muhammad sabiu- kaduna
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17-year -old Senior Secondary School I student has been gang raped at Ungwan BawaSaminaka in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The victim (name withheld), it was gathered, was with her cousin when six boys attacked the duo. Her cousin escaped but the victim was unlucky as she was dragged to a riverside where the assailants took turns to rape her. Two suspects’ names have been given as Abubakar Abdul Danjuma, 18; Jamilu Moh’d, 14; Shamsideen Moh’d, 20; Garba Hamisu, 13; Isah Dauda, 17 and Abdul Rasheed Dahiru, 17. It was gathered that the police have taken the two arrested suspects to the Mohammed Dabo Lere Memorial General Hospital, Saminaka to ascertain their health status. It was also learnt that the State Police Commissioner, Adamu Ibrahim, has asked the Divisional Police Officer in Saminaka to produce the boys and bring them to Kaduna. Narrating her ordeal, the victim said: “On Tuesday, April 5, 2016, I was with my cousin, aged 14, a JSS1 student. We were sent to
go and buy vegetables for lunch at about 1.00 p.m. On our way, some boys from Unguwan Jumare appeared and started molesting us by touching our breasts forcefully. “After we put up resistance, my cousin escaped but I was dragged to the bank of a river. They pushed me inside and followed me. I wrestled with them as they struggled to rape me. They closed my mouth in order to prevent me from shouting so as not attract passers-by. Then, they took turns to rape me,” she said. “Seeing what was happening to me from a distance, my cousin ran home to alert my parents. Some of the boys later left me and stood by the bank of the river. As
I managed to go out of the river, they pursued me, tore my clothes and raped me again.” “On sighting someone who was approaching the scene, they took to their heels. As I managed to walk back home, two of them followed me. One of them raped me while his partner watched out for passersby. As my cousin got home, she narrated the incident to one of our elders, Baba Isa. Baba Isa followed my cousin to the scene and when the boys saw him, they made attempts to flee but he stopped them. Upon interrogation, the boys told the elder that they were only begging me over what they did to me. “I could not recognise any of them. It was Baba Isa that
Fuel crisis: IPMAN factions embrace Kachikwu’s peace move THE two factions of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have given their support to the reconciliation moves already set in motion by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu and the national body of the association. IPMAN leadership had
broken into two factions for about two years from the national headquarters to the zonal and depot levels, a development that had hampered petroleum distribution between the contending factions. But Kachikwu, as part of efforts at addressing the current fuel crisis, set up an interim committee to look into the problem and bring the factions to an agreement
comes with 1.4Gb data bundle for the next 12 months, giving subscribers a cumulative of approximately 17Gb at the end of the plan period. In addition, the subscriber gets a free handset worth N15, 000. In the same vein, any subscriber who buys a data plan worth N18, 000 gets 1.7Gb data per month for the next 12 months, making a cumulative data of approximately 21Gb, and a free smart phone worth N18, 000. The network disclosed
that the promo is for those seeking to upgrade their phones and for first time data users. Globacom said the promo is particularly attractive to young professionals who seek to enhance their occupational efficiency while also boosting their social lifestyles. The company advised its subscribers wishing to take advantage of the extraordinary offer to visit any of the Gloworld outlets spread across the country, adding that the promo will create huge excitements, particularly at these austere times.
by dare adekanmbi
Glo gives data subscribers free smartphones NIGERIA’S next generation network, Globacom, has launched a special promo that will enable telecoms subscribers who buy the company’s data plans to get free smartphones worth the value of the data plans. In a press statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, Globacom said that when a subscriber buys a data plan for either N15, 000 or N18, 000, he will receive a smartphone worth the same value at no extra cost. According to the company, the N15,000 data plan
recognised them. My dad and Baba Isa reported the case to the vigilante men but they advised that the matter be discussed at their office. “The boys were arrested and taken to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Saminaka,” the victim added. It was gathered that the parents of the boys are requesting that the matter be settled outside the police station, but the victim, who claims to be traumatised and stigmatised by her friends, is asking the police to ensure that justice is done. “I cannot walk freely,” she said, adding: “I have no one to speak for me. They are putting pressure on my parents to forgive them, but I am the victim, not my parents.”
in the interest of Nigerians. In a communiqué made available to newsmen after a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday, the SouthWest executives of IPMAN urged Kachikwu to ensure that the reconciliation does not end at the national level but allowed to permeate to the zonal and depot leadership. Chairman and secretaries of all the depots in the South-West zone, zonal secretary and chairman, past chairmen of the zone and some elders of the association attended the meeting. Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, chairman of the Ibadan depot, Alhaji Kunle Busari, said with the peace move, IPMAN was set to take its place of pride and fully participate in the government’s quest to find a lasting solution to the lingering fuel crisis. Busari also stressed the need for parties concerned to work with the government to ensure that peace is achieved for the sake of Nigerians.
Wike commences modernisation of marine transport in Rivers Dapo Falade-Port Harcourt IN a move to develop and modernise the marine transport sector, the Rivers State government has commenced the reconstruction of the ATC Jetty in Okrika. This is just as the government is also reconstructing the Bille and Bonny Jetties, both in Port Harcourt, in line with the development blueprint of Governor Nyesom Wike to create a safe and secure marine transportation system across the riverine communities of the state. According to a statement issued by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, on Friday, Governor Wike, during an inspection visit to the Bille Jetty in Borikiri, directed the state Ministry of Transport to work with relevant technocrats to revive dilapidated jetties across the state. The governor noted that his administration remained committed to ensuring that Rivers people travel in safety to their respective communities, even as they engage in their socio-economic activities. In line with the vision of the governor, the state Commissioner for Transport, Deacon Akie Fubara, recently inspected the ATC jetty reconstruction project at Okrika and expressed satisfaction that the contract had commenced.
Fulani attacks: Council boss raises the alarm over influx of IDPs Sylvanus Viashima- Jalingo THE caretaker chairman of Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba, Mr Stephen Agya, on Friday, raised the alarm over the continued influx of Internally displaced Persons (IDPS) into the council following attacks on communities in the Gassaka axis of the state by suspected Fulani terrorists. Agya, at a press conference in Jalingo, noted that 84,000 IDPS were currently camping in Kurmi and more were still coming in on a daily basis. The chairman said the IDPS had run for their lives without any means of livihood and needed urgent intervention to survive, since the local government was already overwhelmed. “I want to appeal to all relevant government agencies, NGOs, public-spirited organisation’s and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of kurmi council by providing assistance in any way to the IDPS,’’ he said. “We began to assist in our little way as a council but the number has now overwhelmed us,” he added. Agya, who is also the state chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), urged security agents to redouble their efforts at securing lives and property of the citizens.
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Currency swap:
Issues in Buhari’s Chinese deal
Olatunde Dodondawa and Naza Okoli - Lagos
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IGERIANS are divided over the recent currency swap arrangement between China and Nigeria which culminated in the approval of $2billion loan for Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari had secured loan facility aimed at financing two major rail projects which are LagosCalabar and Lagos-Kano rail projects. Speaking with the Saturday Tribune on the implications of the arrangement to the Nigerian economy, Rotimi Adebiyi, a financial analyst and Chief Executive Officer, Hip Investment and Trust Ltd, said the implications of currency swap on the economy is that it will help reduce pressure in naira due to dollar demand. According to him, “the Nigerian government took a loan from China in yuan. It deposited the yuan in Chinese banks with interest for a term period of seven years. The Chinese government will provide dollar equivalent of the yuan to Nigeria at a spot rate for a term of seven years. At maturity, the Nigerian government will raise dollar to repay the Chinese government and liquidate its term deposit at Chinese banks too. It is a win-win situation because it will afford Nigerian importers easy access to yuan which is also a convertible currency. It is acceptable in the US and other advanced countries. The decision to also help build our infrastructures like rails fulfil the law of comparative advantage which underlies the principle of currency swap.” Associate Professor of Economics, Nasarawa State University, Wale Coker, stated that currency swap is the exchange of one currency with the other. “It is going to reduce pressure on the naira because Nigeria imports a lot from China and since 2011, we have added the yuan as part of currency in our foreign reserves. “We expect that the yuan in our reserves will increase together with dollar, pound sterling and euro in our reserves. It means it is better to trade with China because of numerous importation from China. “You will recall that 2016 budget will be financed largely by borrowings. Nigeria importers will access yuan easily
President Muhammadu Buhari with President Xi Jinpeng of China
It is a policy that can suit this government, because China does not care about our human rights records. For a government like Buhari’s government, which has been criticised by some for some human rights violation issues, China does not care. So, it pays us to deal more with China, where the relationship would be purely economical rather than personal.
to finance importation from China. Nigeria can also raise a standard bond which is dominated in yuan. “Although, we are in a weaker position. Currency swap is best done when countries have comparative advantages in one area or the other. We are at a disadvantage because it is like China has come to bail us out. But in the long run, it is a good development for the country.”
In his own comment, the Head of Reserach at Afrinvest Ltd, Ayodeji Eboh, stated that “although we are yet to get the details of the agreement from the government, I feel if the policy is properly implemented, it will reduce pressure on the naira against the dollar. “A lot of goods are being imported from China. The larger proportion of Nigerians tend to consume Chinese goods due
Chinese Yuan as alternative to the Dollar? CHINA is playing a long term-game in the hopes of creating an alternative to the U.S. dollar. Currently, the dollar is the world’s reserve currency. This means that major transactions around the world are conducted using the dollar. For example, oil prices and transactions are set in dollars. The American economy reaps several benefits, such as access to cheap credit and a high percentage of government debt, from the world’s trust in its currency. There are no competitors or alternatives to the dollar’s status presently. But China is making efforts to popularise the yuan. The nation has already signed currency swap-line agreements with 28 other countries. This will increase the currency’s circulation in international trade. In addition, it provides a market for Chinese goods and services at a time when China’s manufacturing prowess is under threat from a number of other countries. But China’s efforts may not be successful for some time. This is because the dollar is backed by political, economic and legal infrastructure – such as free markets, democratic principles and rule of law – that may be difficult to replicate in China. The U.S. also holds an enormous technological and economic advantage over the rest of the world. This, coupled with a favourable demographic outlook, makes its future growth prospects bright. Furthermore, the trade relationship between Russia and China is a
small fraction of international trade. China would need to replicate or better the U.S.’s economic, military and political clout to have the yuan replace the dollar. The Bottom Line The yuan can help Russia stabilize its currency and mit-
igate the consequences of its current economic crisis. But the Chinese currency has a long way to go before it can provide serious competition to the dollar as the world’s preferred reserve currency. Courtesy: Investopedia
There are no competitors or alternatives to the dollar’s status presently. But China is making efforts to popularize the yuan. The nation has already signed currency swap-line agreements with 28 other countries.
to their affordability. An average trader will look out for yuan rather that dollars. “It will reduce foreign exchange rates for both importer and exporter. It will boost business activities. “Our major challenge in this country is implementation. Currency swap has worked for other countries that partnered China in the past on this, hopefully it will work for Nigeria. “Nigeria is a peculiar country and if well implemented, it will boost activities. Demand for dollar has affected trades from China because our importers sourced for dollars to import from China and there won’t be any news to get dollars on the black market for importation from China. “ On the criticism by the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, who advised the Chinese government against granting of such loans, Eboh argued that people should focus on revenue ratio rather than debt to GDP ratio. “You can have huge balance sheet but little revenue and your interest cover will be low. But the focus should be in total debt to revenue. What has happened in the past is that borrowing was used to finance recurrent expenditures. But this is to be used for infrastructures which will boost productivity and repayment won’t be a problem. Take as much loan to fill the infrastructural gap and the you will increase revenues and pay back the loans.,” he said. According to Professor Ndubuisi Nwokoma, a specialist in financial markets and lecturer at the Department of Economics, University of Lagos, the pact with China could not have come at a better time. “Basically, it’s when there is a transaction between two
countries. For example, trying to avoid the problem of exchange control. You know Nigeria has a very tight capital control right now. We have a very wide gap between the official and the parallel market. So businesses in Nigeria have difficulty procuring foreign exchange... Manufacturing and other industrial activities have suffered great loss in the recent past because of the very tight exchange control. The price of oil has gone down. “If we need to begin to move the economy forward, then there is need to deal with a currency that is not dollar, because dollar is very tight. We want to deal with China. We need Chinese goods to continue to come in but our money is largely tied to the dollar. China also needs us; they need to tap into our natural resources and our large market. The agreement of swap makes it possible for them (China) to do business for Nigeria using their currency, while we do their business for them in Nigeria using our naira. We would buy for them here and send to them, and vice versa. That means they would have been able to do business in Nigeria without having the naira. My bank would then be able to handle that kind of transaction. We would avoid exchange control; we would avoid going through our Central Bank. “It is a policy that can suit this government, because China does not care about our human rights records. For a government like Buhari’s government, which has been criticised by some for some human rights violation issues, China does not care. So, it pays us to deal more with China, where the relationship would be purely economical rather than personal. Critics of the new policy have based their argument mostly on the fact that the agreement fails to address an issue gen-
erally believed to be Nigeria’s greatest economic challenge, namely inadequate local manufacturing industries. However, while speaking with Saturday Tribune on Friday, Ayodeji Ebo, Head, Investment Research, Afrinvest Securities Limited, contended that Nigeria’s current financial crisis was one that required immediate intervention. “I think it’s an interesting development, though we are yet to see further details in terms of the conditions around the loan,” he said. “But I think what that portends for Nigeria is that it would reduce the demand for the greenback. As you know Nigeria is an import dependent nation. And because of how the economy is structured, we have a very large base of the middle-low income earners who prefer to buy “inferior” goods from China. So in terms of the demand that comes from China, it is very massive. “With this, you don’t need to convert the yuan to dollar, as well as the naira to dollar, before you transact. It would boost business activities. But pending when we would be able to ascertain the conditions around this currency swap, I feel in terms of the demand for commodities from China, it would help boost the naira and reduce the pressure on the dollar.” Asked if it would not have been more productive if the government had channelled its time and resources to the development of local industries, Ebo said: “I’m aware that there are plans to boost local industries. But that’s a long-term project. It takes time to set up industries. It is about solving the current situation. It is favourable to everybody. It will reduce the burden of buying dollars N320 at the parallel market.”
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ayinla mukaiba ayinlamukaiba@yahoo.com
Killing cheetah for our senate’s dinner
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O many things happen in Nigeria which, in ordinary circumstances, every sane person who knows the practices elsewhere will conclude that it could only have happened here. The list is endless, from governmental insincerity to the gale of corruption that sweeps across the length and breadth of Nigeria and the implication of the high and mighty in the roulette. Take for instance the Panama papers whose revelation has caused jitters in saner climes. Heads are on the brink of rolling, haemoglobin of malefactors are boiling up to their crescendo but here in Nigeria, as that ancient story epilogue goes, we live happily ever after. The corruption scenario in Nigeria, which comprises social, economic and political corruption, even decades after the postulation of the theory of the two publics by Professor Peter Ekeh, seems to be evergreen and an imperishable understanding of why we have grown thick skin to corruption and the stories of corruption. This makes one to almost want to conclude, frighteningly, that corruption – of whatever kind – can never exit Nigeria or the Nigerian. Look at the drama of the most obtuse kind that is going on in the Senate at the moment. A few days ago, the upper parliament began moves to review the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by initiating amendment to the Act “to ensure fair hearing for the accused” as well as restricting the CCT from adjudicating on criminal matters. Like the maniacal speed of a cheetah in the hunt for an impala, the second reading of the bill was done on Thursday and, barring any unforeseen circumstance, the bill would become an Act presently. The review, on its surface, is a good one for the country. Under normal circumstance, the judiciary or the legislature ought to be saddled with the appointment of the CCB Chairman and ancillary offices
and not the executive which, mostly, is the offending party and should not be seen to be the accused and the judge in its own case. This could be confirmed from the fact that, if you take a census of all the cases that have been brought to the tribunal in the last years of its creation, they have always involved members of the executive. However, take away the veil that covers the face of an ordinarily beneficial legislative endeavour, this attempt by the senate to review the CCB and CCT has no other name than a monumental disaster, wrapped in self-serving attire. Indeed, if there is a worse name to be given it, it would stick. The journey currently being undertaken by the upper parliament is bereft of a collective logic and is diffident of Nigeria and Nigerians. President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has been going through one of the greatest storms of his life in recent times. He is enmeshed in palpably moral questions that have struggled to, like a tempest, sweep him off his imperial seat at the parliament. They are charges of violating the CCB laws that border on concealment of acquisitions while he was governor. Another ancillary one to this charge but which, as it
stands at present, is a moral not strictly legal issue, is the allegation of his possession of investments offshore by the Panama papers leak. It is to the knowledge of Nigerians that Saraki has been struggling to stave off this naughty CCB gale that is seeking to sweep him into the Atlantic of history. Another notorious fact that is available to the Nigerian public is that either through charismatic leadership or inducement via the prebends of the office of the senate president, Saraki is highly beloved by his colleagues in the parliament. With these at the back of one’s mind, it would then be unsettling to have the senate, with the acuity of a judge of righteousness and the assumed patriotism of an ancient man, seek to review that same organization in which Saraki is under its review. It smacks of legislative waywardness and selfishness that Eurocentric historians have always averred are lodged in the gene of the black man. It is insensitive, barbaric and a miniaturization of the Nigerian people who voted the members of parliament into office. Indeed, you can liken what the legislators are doing to shifting the goal post in a keenly contested game in which they are a party. What is more baffling and alarming is the speed of cheetah with which an otherwise lethargy-encrusted upper parliament was known by, has been using to prosecute this review. At the rate it is going, this review would be one of the fastest from the Nigerian parliament and would undoubtedly enter the Nigerian Guinness Book of Records. No other thing underscores the insensitivity of the upper Nigerian parliament to our collective feelings other than this. We just don’t count in their estimation, so far as they are able to rescue a prebendal system that gives the man who allows the prebends to percolate down the ladder his due offering.
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12
Saturday Tribune
16 April, 2016
With Aunty Yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com
What interests
Tongue Twister
you in
a book?
Respondents are pupils of Ikhlas Group of Schools, Olodo, Ibadan, Oyo State. 1. Fatia Abdwlahi, Pry 4
2
1
The books I enjoy reading include English and Yoruba story books. What I like most in them are parts where there are funny scenes that make me laugh. Sometimes I feel like not taking a break from reading.
2. Ridwan Adebayo, JSS 3
What interests me in a book is the order in which a book is written (step by step) which aids my understanding sometimes without any assistance. Another thing is the use of language for each level of education for easy assimilation.
3. Usman Olom, Pry 2
When I read books, the kind of imagination I get with illustrations interests me. For example, the picture of an aeroplane in the air makes me see it as if it is real.
3
4. Tawfiq Tawfiq, Pry 3
4
What attracts me to a book are pictures which are used to illustrate texts. They help me to have a good understanding of the whole book.
Get Inspired
5. Ajara Idowu, JSS 2
The most interesting thing about a book is when I read and it seems I’m in a dialogue with the writer or the book. I don’t get bored when that happens.
6. Mujeeb Safiu, Pry 5
I like reading anything in papers because I learn different things. For example, in my Social Studies textbook, the morals I learn make me stick to it most of the time. As I read, I memorise. In Basic Science, what appeals to me are discoveries about nature and everything God created.
C
ATTENTION! This page is open to all schools. Children are encouraged to send in articles, jokes, riddles, etc.
a r t o o n
wo rd s
At dinner with friends and family, Johnny was asked to say the prayer. “But I don’t know how to pray,” he replied. “Just pray for your family, friends and neighbors, the poor, etc,” said his father. “Okay,” the boy said. “Dear Lord,.. Thank you for our visitors and their children, who finished all my cookies and ice cream. Bless them so they won’t come again. Forgive our neighbours’ son, who removed my sister’s clothes and wrestled with her on the bed. This coming Christmas, please send clothes to all those poor ladies on my Daddy’s Blackberry who do not have any clothes. And provide shelter for the homeless man who uses Mom’s room when Daddy is at work....AMEN”. The dinner was cancelled.
mb le d
ke
Ju
J
5
Answer
13
16 April, 2016
food&drink
Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639
Why amala with abula is king in Ibadan Dr (Mrs) Ayoyinka Babatunde is an educationist and publisher. Speaking with BLESSING EKUM, she busts some myths surrounding the preparation of some native dishes and shares why the typical Ibadan person can’t do without eating amala with abula.
flour of which you can’t ascertain its source.
WHAT did meal times mean to you as a child? grew up in the polygamous setting and my father always insisted we all ate together, so we had a common pot. He had four wives, so, I didn’t really have the opportunity to go to the kitchen. However, my mum found ways of making sure we were trained in the art of cooking. My dad would also ask any of the children to prepare certain meals sometimes. By the time I went to the boarding school, I had more opportunities to learn how to cook from the Home Economics classes.
I
Can you recall your first unsupervised cooking experience ? I prepared beans and it was very good. I had always loved to learn how to do new things, so I used to watch how my step mother, who was a beans vendor, prepared it. Beans was my favourite food back then and she actually gave me the beans I first prepared. After cooking it, I took it back to her for assessment and she commended my efforts considering that I prepared bean porridge which was different from what she sold (plain beans eaten with stew). Most times, children don’t enjoy beans. Was there a way it was prepared that made you enjoy it? Not really. I just loved it. And now? It’s still my favourite. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t eat beans. I enjoy it as moinmoin, akara
or a n y other derivative. But I don’t really enjoy gbegiri as much, probably because of its look. Which would you say is the best variety of beans to cook? I’d say the oloyin variety. In fact, I use it for all bean meals. It’s sweet without even adding too many ingredients and the colour is attractive. However, it’s more expensive. Is there any dish that was popular back then but no longer is? I am from Ibadan, Oyo State and one of such is egbo. It is made from corn grit. It used to be quite popular but probably because it takes time to prepare and cook, it is no longer as common. Back then, I’d place it on fire and go to work; after some hours, I would come back home and it’s ready. What’s the most celebrated dish in Ibadan? It’s gbegiri and ewedu with stew known as abula. This is served alongside amala, whether the white or brown variety. The white variety, known as lafun, is made from dried cassava while the brown is made from dried yam. In some parts of the country, yam peels are used to prepare the flour. Does this make any difference? It’s neither ideal nor hygienic but some people use the peel instead of the yam. This is why it is advisable to buy dried yam from the market and mill yourself rather than buy the already milled
How do you prepare abula and amala? You would need beans, ewedu leaves, potash (kaun), egusi, iru (locust beans), seasoning, stew ingredients. Prepare beans by picking and removing the chaff. Cook till it becomes mushy with a slightly runny consistency. When beans is ready, decant to remove sediment. Place on fire and mix for about two minutes. It’s ready to serve. While beans is cooking, prepare stew. Any type of meat can be used but fish is most preferable as beans agrees better with fish. For the ewedu, bring water to boil and add a little potash to improve viscosity. Add already picked, cleaned and slightly chopped ewedu leaves. Add little egusi and locust beans. Beat with special broom. Serve with gbegiri and stew. How true is the belief that ewedu leaves, if washed before cooking, will lose viscosity? It is not true. It is just one of those cultural beliefs that need to be reviewed. It’s just like the belief that moinmoin leaves shouldn’t be washed else the moinmoin would get spoilt quickly. It is not hygienic and should be discouraged. Why is this dish celebrated? Ibadan people love foods that are viscose such as ewedu. Gbegiri is also a cultural food; so when you add a viscose soup to a cultural one, it makes the day. I can’t imagine any Ibadan party without amala with abula. In fact, rice is just take-away at parties; the main dish in a good party is amala. What’s the most surprising food you have seen someone eat? I think it’s esunsun (termites) and munumunu (caterpillar).
14
16 April, 2016
intimacy
Saturday Tribune
With Bosede Ola-Samuel 08112658560 bosedeola_samuel@yahoo.com
STRICTLY FOR ADULTS
Secret of long-lasting marriages her any longer. This is a sin many couples are guilty of and it is one thing that can kill our love for each other. You must learn to appreciate your spouse. Husband and wife must value each other. That he/she is your spouse should make him/her deserve an honour you should accord to no one else.
H
USBAND and wife must consciously do things that will sustain their love for ech another and enable them to stay married “till death do them part.’’ I met a couple during the week who have been married for 34 years, and throughout our being together, I could not but marvel at the kind of relationship they have cultivated over the years. I am not surprised they have been together for so long, and I’m convinced their being together will last forever. This is as a result of things they do together to sustain their love. Permit me to let you into some of the secrets that have sustained them for so long. Don’t neglect your spouse. To neglect something is to fail to pay attention to that thing. And whatever we refuse to pay attention to, we lose. When a couple fails to pay attention to each other, with time they lose their feelings for each other. Atten-
tion is something everyone looks forward to from their spouse because it is one of the attributes of love. When you love a person, you give him/her your attention. When you love a thing, you cannot take your eyes off it. Even when you are not where it is, your mind can’t get away from it. Many men pay more attention to their cars than their wives, and many women pay more attention to their looks and children than their husbands. When that is the case, you are simply revealing to your spouse that your car/ children/looks come before her/him in your order of priority. And many times, that is not what we are saying, we are only wrong in our order of priority. Don’t take your spouse for granted. To take your spouse for granted is to be so used to him/her that you do not recognise his/her true value anymore and, as a result, do not show that you are grateful for him/
Cultivate friendship with your spouse. Love between a couple is promoted when they cultivate friendship with each other. Do things that friends do: Friends respect each other’s opinion, gist together, spend time with each other, laugh with each other, share things with each other, relax in each other’s presence, protect each other, feel safe with each other, are open to each other etc. The moment a man and a woman are married, they should have no one else as their best friend other than their spouse. Communicate with your spouse. Communication is one of the bedrocks of a good marriage. Communication promotes love. Every divorce in the law court begins with a breakdown in communication between the couple. Whatever that is going on between a couple, as long as they can still sit down and talk it over, there will always be a way out of it. But the moment there is a breakdown in communication and it is not addressed on time, divorce or separation is inevitable. It is important husbands and wives allow for free communication in the marriage. Spouses must cultivate a relationship in which there is nothing they will not
conversewithyemisi
be able to tell each other. Leave no conflict unresolved. Conflict resolution between couples is one thing that cannot be overlooked. Couples that will stay in love must learn to resolve every conflict that arises in their home and resolve it the right way. Ignoring or overlooking conflicts, or leaving them to time to resolve is like sitting on a time bomb that is bound to explode with time. Unresolved conflicts will often result in marriage dissolution. Make lovemaking something you both look forward to. Your sexual relationship with your spouse plays a very important role in your love life. Sex is God’s own gift to married couple for the consummation of their love for each other. A couple that will remain in love with each other after several years of being married must enjoy great sex. This is because sex serves as a lubricator. It helps to lubricate the marriage against friction. It helps to strengthen the bond between husband and wife. The absence of great sexual relationship between a couple can generate enough friction that can put them apart. That is why it is important you do whatever it will take to make you and your spouse enjoy great sex at all times. Marriage is meant to be enjoyed and not endured. Keeping to the above will go a long way in ensuring that you enjoy your spouse and stay happily married forever. In response to my readers’ request, I have packaged some of my previous articles into a book. You can call me for details.
08055001741 (sms only) yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com
Help! I can’t sustain erection! Dear Yemisi, I have a complaint about my wife so as to save my young marriage. We got married four months ago. I was the one who deflowered her. Initially, I was good sexually, but I have noticed in the last one month that I have not been myself. My wife is always complaining whenever we make love. I can go for many rounds, but I cannot sustain erection. I ejaculate early. I am getting troubled by her complaints and I don’t want her to start to think otherwise that she married a weak man. There has not been peace in the house for some time now. Kindly save me from this embarrassment. What do you think is wrong with me? Worried Man, 08035002118. Dear Worried Man, What you have explained in your letter is not an issue that can be handled by a novice. You don’t have to see your wife as being troublesome. She is only expressing her feelings the way she knows how to. Your predicament is not something that is abnormal, neither is it unheard of, it is a normal thing that can occur at any age. You claimed that you were more
active initially until you observed recently that you could no longer sustain erection. Your having to cry out now is commendable so as nip in the bud a crisis that could consume your marital bliss. Man, do not fret as what you are going through is not beyond remedy. So many things might have been responsible for the state of your sexual activity. One of such might have been anxiety-induced or you are suffering from depression occasioned by stress bordering on your quest to make ends meet. I want to believe that you are not diabetic. Do you smoke or drink? You need to cast your mind back to when you were enhancing your sexual performance by taking enhancers, if you at any time did, this might be the source of your problem. Hope you did not injure any of your nerves when growing up that could have affected the flow of blood into the penis? All these are mere possible causes of your predicament which I believe can be detected in an established hospital. You need to consult your doctor so as to carry out total examination of your health. It is only an expert who can do this.
You need not hide what is going on from your wife because this can be very dangerous as she begins to doubt your integrity/status. Now that you have observed where you are not being fulfilled as a man,
For Him Tope, 43, engineer, Christian, from Ekiti State, based in Lagos, needs a godly lady aged between 35 and 42 for marriage. Call 08148841653. Johnson Kayode, 54, divorcee, painter by profession, from Ikeji Ile, Osun State, needs a fair-skinned, Christian working class lady aged between 35 and 40 as wife. Contact 07039616295. Dare, 40, from Oyo State, needs a Godfearing lady from either Oyo or Lagos State for an affair. Call or text 07063116267. Olafisayo, 32, a security officer, single, from Oyo State, needs a Yoruba lady aged between 24 and 30 for marriage. Contact 08156402462. Prince Adebisi, 40, Osun-based businessman, needs a God-fearing, busty, working class lady for a relationship. Call 08055983767.
it is better you seek medical intervention for diagnosis and treatment as quick as possible. Ensure you adhere to instructions given and avoid tobacco, counter drugs and tobacco to regain your agility. Stop working yourself up unnecessarily as this will further compound your worries. Keep assuring your wife that all will be well as she cooperates with you while the treatment and counselling last. Relax so as to enjoy your marriage.
For Her Tima, Yoruba, 49, widow, Master’s degree holder, needs a kind-hearted elderly man for a relationship. Contact 08077019610. Lady, needs a God-fearing, responsible man for a relationship. Call 09093947457. Yva, 28, fair-skinned, needs a God-fearing man aged between 38 and 42 from any tribe for a relationship. Call 09020866838. Shade, 27, from Kwara State, needs a serious guy aged 30 or above for a relationship. Call 08133812848.
15
16 April, 2016
health&fitness
Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM
ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639
By Blessing Ekum
R
ECENTLY, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) issued a warning to Nigerians to brace up for more hot days, warm night and heat waves. The reason for this was attributed to drastic climatic and environmental changes. With the hot weather comes the need for more attention to be paid to one’s health and the first area of caution is in ensuring the body does not lose too much water to the heat. It is well known that the human body has a large composition of water; in fact, it is estimated that two-thirds of a healthy human’s body is made up of water. As a result, adequate fluid intake and homeostasis of total body water is essential for optimal health and survival, including maintaining brain function. Some of these health functions include lubricating the joints and eyes, aiding indigestion, flushing waste and toxins and keeping the hair and skin healthy. According to researcher Michael Sawka, a daily water intake of 3.7 litres for adult men and 2.7 litres for adult women meets the needs of the vast majority of persons. He however adds that environmental temperature, level of exertion, sweating, body size or other types of fluid loss from diarrhoea, vomiting or blood loss can greatly increase daily water needs. He also stated that sources of hydration need not be only water but can also include fluid from beverages, fruits and food. As living beings, we tend to lose water from the body either through sweat, our breath, urine and defecation, but where one needs to pay attention is when one is losing more water than is replaced. This situation, known as dehydration, can have mild to severe and even life-threatening consequences, depending on the extent of water loss. Dehydration is most usually caused by sweating from too much exercise and work-related activity, vomiting, diarrhea, fever as well as situations that expose someone to heat. Certain illnesses such as diabetes also increase the risk of one suffering from dehydration. It has also been established that infant, the elderly are people with certain health conditions are more vulnerable to being dehydrated. Besides depriving the body of water needed for the smooth running of bodily functions, dehydration has been discovered to affect the body in other ways. In fact, experts say quite a number of the illnesses, both physical and mental, many suffer can be traced to poor hydration. Some of these include increased risk of infections, heart diseases, fatigue, sleep disorders. According to a 2012 study published in the journal American Society for Nutrition entitled Mild Dehydration Affects Mood in Healthy Young Women, it was discovered that, in healthy young women, mild levels of dehydration
You may not be sick; water could be the problem
result in adverse changes in key mood states such as vigour and fatigue as well as increased headaches and difficulty concentrating, without substantially altering key aspects of cognitive performance. When you begin to observe the following, you should take immediate steps to hydrate most preferably with water as some beverages can contribute to dehydration.
sible for fatigue, Dr Bassey says. Some of them are hormonal, psychological, illnesses and the use of certain medication. But one overlooked cause of fatigue, she adds, is dehydration. If you are also finding it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, your body might also be signaling a lack of hydration. “When one is dehydrated, headaches are most likely to occur and this can also disrupt sleep,” she said.
Change in the colour of your urine: Dr. Irene Bassey, a medical practitioner said, “urine should normally be clear and light yellow or colourless. However when one is dehydrated, there would be a significant change in the colour. When a person gets dehydrated, the body’s first response is to increase water retention and reduce urine output so as to conserve water. This would result in concentrated urine which is yellow in colour.”
Constipation: According to nutrition scientist, Maurice Arnaud, dehydration is one of the most common causes of constipation with others causes being reduced physical activity and inadequate dietary intake of fibres, carbohydrates and fluids. “Inadequate fluid intake or excessive fluid loss from diarrhoea, vomiting or febrile illness may cause hardening of the stool and is considered to be an important cause of constipation. Simply increasing intake of fluids such as water can prevent and also treat constipation.” Though the above listed signs and symptoms are associated with mild dehydration, with severe dehydration, experts say confusion and weakness will occur as the brain and other body organs receive less blood flow. Finally, coma, organ failure, and death eventually will occur if the dehydration remains untreated. To prevent dehydration, the United States national library of medicine recommends that one should: •Drink plenty of fluids every day, even when you are well. Drink more when the weather is hot or you are exercising. •If anyone in your family is ill, pay attention to how much they are able to drink. Pay close attention to children and older adults. •Anyone with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea should drink plenty of fluids. DO NOT wait for signs of dehydration. •If you think you or someone in your family may become dehydrated, call your provider. Do this before the person becomes dehydrated.
Thirst: A dry mouth and parched throat is most times a sign of dehydration. In fact, experts say when you start to feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. In other words, do not wait until you are thirsty before you take some gulps of water. Cracked lips can also signify onset of dehydration. Volume of urine passed: Decrease in volume of urine passed is also a sign of dehydration. Because the body is trying to conserve water, in a healthy person there would be a significant decrease in the frequency and volume of urine passed. Headaches: Tension headaches which are the most common type of headache are triggered by a variety of factors and one of them is dehydration. These headaches feel like a constant ache that affects both sides of the head, as though a tight band is stretched around it. Simply hydrating has been discovered to relieve these headaches some times. Fatigue and sleeplessness: Several factors can be respon-
16 healthandfitness
16 April, 2016
My daughter’s neck pain
Dr. Wale Okediran
MY 14 -year -old daughter woke up one day with a very painful neck. Even though she can swallow, the pain makes the turning of her head and eating difficult. I have used local rub and pain tablets. What else should I do as the pain is still there? Olawale (by SMS)
08055069356 (sms only)
GOOD day sir. I am fat and I have tried every possible means to trim down but to no avail. What can I do? Chiamaka (by SMS)
Am I pregnant? pregnancy test which will confirm or rule out the pregnancy.
Although you did not state your age, being fat could be due to hereditary factors, excessive food intake or lack of exercise. Sometimes, a combination of the three reasons could be responsible for the problem. In some instances, medications for some ailments could also lead to weight gain. Whatever may be the reason, the most important solution is to reduce your intake of starchy and fried foods as well as carbonated drinks (soft drinks). Instead, you should increase your intake of fruits, vegetables and cereals. In addition, you should also endeavour to increase your physical exercise such as walking, tennis or aerobics. If you are on medica-
tions and you suspect that it is making you to gain weight, you need to talk to your doctor on how the drug dosage can be reduced.
Can masturbation lead to stroke? I am now 50 years old and have been masturbating for the past 30 years. Although both my parents died of stroke, I don’t know the actual cause of the stroke. Kindly advise me. Mr Ekwueme (by SMS)
I am busty
M
mean I am pregnant? Amina (by SMS) You are very likely to be pregnant since a drop of semen is enough to lead to conception. Kindly go to a well established laboratory on how to carry out a
ARRIAGE stress can have adverse effect on the heart. Homes were meant by God to be happy but one way or the other devil distorted the original plan. While some homes are enjoying their relationships, others are enduring it. Both sides of the relationship have effect on the heart as evidenced by various studies. A happy home maintains a healthy heart and is not likely to develop heart attack while the reverse is with a home full of conflicts. Just as job stress has been linked to heart damage and high blood pressure, the study shows that people who reported problems with their live-in relationships had decreased heart function three years later, and some had increases in blood pressure. “The reverse is also the case. In three-quarters of the sample, if they had a good marriage, it was better to be with their spouse.” The researcher concluded. From this submission, maintaining peace in that home is not only because of your spouse but also for you to have a healthy heart. The researchers studied more than 100 people who were living with a partner and had mild hypertension, or high blood pressure, at the start of the study. The participants, whose average age was 47, filled out a detailed questionnaire on their marriages. Blood pressure was measured and heart function was examined using a device called an echocardiogram. Three years later, the quality of marriage and amount of contact with spouses were linked to either an increase or decrease in blood pressure. For example, those with happy marriages who had high contact with spouses were better off. Troubled spouses, however, had a thickening of the left ventricle, one of the chambers of the heart. This thickening is associated with decreased heart function and other heart-related problems. “It’s thought that because the blood pressure is raised for a period of time, the heart has to pump harder and so it becomes thicker,” “In other words, if your marriage was good, your left ventricle was thinner. If it was bad, it was thicker.
waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk
I am fat, please help
From your description, it is obvious that the neck pain is coming from the neck muscles and not from the throat. This means that she most probably ‘slept on her neck’ thereby twisting the neck muscles. You have done the right thing and don’t need anything extra. Just continue to apply the liniment and let her take the pain tablets until the pain subsides.
PLEASE I don’t know what to do. I was about to have sex with my boyfriend when the condom he was using tore and he released a little inside me. I took a pill to flush my tummy but I have not seen my period. Please, does it
Saturday Tribune
I am a 20-year-old undergraduate in one of Nigeria’s universities. Although my friends consider me to be a very beautiful lady, my problem is my breast. They are so big that I have had to place special order for my brassieres. Kindly let me know if there are drugs I can take or any kind of surgical operation I can do to reduce the size of my breasts. The embarrassment is just too much.
Obiageli (by SMS) Since your friends have already confirmed that you a very beautiful lady, I don’t see why you should worry again about your
bust. Using drugs to reduce your bust may have some unpleasant side effects which may be injurious to your health as such, I will not advise that you use drugs. I will also not recommend surgery. Apart from the high expense, surgery may also affect you negatively. Every individual has been created by God in a special way and my advice is for you to enjoy your natural endow-
Masturbation on its own cannot lead to stroke. To avoid having stroke, it is important for you to see your doctor to regularly check your vital signs such as your blood pressure, blood sugar level and the condition of your heart muscles. Apart from keeping the above vital signs under control, you need to develop a healthy lifestyle to include regular exercises, balanced diet and regular sleeping patterns. In addition, you should avoid stress, excessive use of alcohol and medically unprescribed drugs. You should also find a way to stop masturbating.
Dr. Abiodun Adeoye adeoyemoshood@yahoo.com
08056564360, 08072000017 (sms only)
A happy home, a healthy heart
Women are the worse hit. Men’s heart health seemed to be less affected by bad marriages, perhaps because men generally don’t internalise problems the way women do, theorises lead investigator . On a lighter mood but serious, the more trouble you make in that house, the bigger the heart of your spouse becomes. Enlarged heart can lead to stroke and heart failure. Recently, the wife of an ever busy husband summoned
courage to inform the husband that if the ongoing conflicts at home are not resolved, the man will come one day and find the wife to have committed suicide. When he realised she meant it, the husband settled for resolution of the crisis. Daddy, sir, divorce is not the answer try and settle the conflict now! In general, women behave differently when it comes to stress and the heart. A phenomenon called takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as broken-heart syndrome, is much more common among women than in men. The syndrome, brought on by acute stress — like a sudden, shocking event — can mimic a heart attack, but isn’t actually a heart attack. “The heart function suddenly diminishes,” says a researcher. Knowing that, it’s not surprising that there may be differences in how any kind of stress can affect men’s and women’s hearts differently. We can deduce from the foregoing that marriage conflicts bring stress which is not good for the heart. If you are having problem with your spouse, rather from allowing it to damage your heart, consult counsellors. Do not suffer in silence consult your spiritual leaders if you do not trust just any external marriage counsellor. Let me conclude by saying, couples who argued for decades are more likely to develop heart disease and this is especially true for wives who internalise negative feelings. Experts advise relationship counseling should be offered to older couples. As I wish you a blissful home, remember that heart is fragile, do not break one!
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16 April, 2016
The South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga | 08111813056
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My journey to stardom at 70 is divine —Lanre Rasaq A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Lanre Rasak, recently joined the league of Septuagenarians and gathered society heavyweights at his birthday ceremony in Lagos. He was focused right from childhood, winning manager of the year award for two consecutive years as an employee of the BritishAmerican Insurance in the 70s. TUNDE BUSARI examines his life voyage.
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OR a son of fisherman to have won the prestigious Best Manager of The Year twice in a multi-national company, where hard work and innovation are the only language of communication, then the son was created to take a place at the top. Though the trip up the ladder of life required strength and enduring stamina, the determined Lanre Rasak forged ahead and reached his destination safely and in record time. Indeed, the enviable award, an approximation of best manager in Africa due to the size of the company operation in Nigeria, ignited the self-confidence in Rasak and the rest is history. The modestly ambitious Rasak could not have waited any longer to take his destiny into his hand having breasted the tape ahead of his equally hardworking colleagues and seniors at the insurance giant. According to him, his set goal right from Abomiti Local Government Primary School, Epe through Anglican Commercial College, Ijebu-Ode, to the University of Lagos, has always been to be the best he can with hard work, commitment and discipline, hence his self-made personality as a holder of Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Public Affairs management. “I don’t compete with anybody but with myself alone. This affords me the opportunity to be at ease with myself at all times and also to manage my available resources well. And to God is the glory for taking me thus far and attaining 70 years. “It is my principle to accept result as they come. If I succeed, I am okay, If otherwise, I sit down and reflect on why I failed and how to avoid another failure,” he stated. The year 1977 remains a catalyst in Rasak’s life voyage with the registration of his private business, which has today grown beyond his imagination. Naturally, the vocation on which he won medal should be his preference. However, Rasak had another area to explore, a business interest he was confident of making a difference within a short time. His arrival into building and construction of houses and roads indeed signaled a challenge even to the established names in the sector. Rasak entered with a mindset of changing certain negative impression about indigenous contractors. And with his natural attribute, he set a new standard with which his contemporaries in the business could not but comply. It was, therefore, a matter of time to warm himself into the heart of the officials that mattered at Lagos State and federal government ministries where he later became their favourite and won contracts based strictly on best ethic practices. “I can beat my chest that the works we did
Rasak turned out to be the best. From 2004 till date, the Itokin bridge to Ajebo on Ikorodu-Itokin-Epe road, constructed by Rasak’s firm, is still in better shape with no repair work ever done on it,” he stressed. One good turn deserves another, this maxim explains the award of yet another contract to Rasak’s company by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in 2007. The firm did the frontage of PZ on Ikorodu-Sagamu road and delivered as scheduled. “In actual fact, God has been kind to me. That is why my firm is noted for high quality jobs. High rise school buildings in Epe and political parties’ secretariats are all our jobs that speak of the high quality of our firm. “We just completed the network roads in Ilupeju Industrial Area backing Ikeja Cantonment. It is a job that also speaks of quality. I believe in the saying that anything that is worth doing at all is worth doing well. That is our guiding principle. So, we have succeeded in all jobs awarded to our firm and we never ever abandoned any government
project,” he recalled. KLM, as he is admirably called by his close friends and political associates, is fulfilled as a private man. Coming from a humble background with appreciation of the pains endured by the downtrodden of the society, he threw himself to the field of public service and got elected as councilor, a position which later earned him substantive chairman of Epe Local Government Council in 1994. His sterling performance at the local government council deservedly sold him to the then Military Administrator of Lagos State, then Colonel Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who, in 1995, offered him an appointment as Commissioner for Public Transportation. Oyinlola’s successor, then Colonel Buba Marwa also found Rasak useful and retained him in his cabinet. “I was able to contribute my own quota because I was determined to make a difference in public service. Without sounding immodest, if the little I did at the local government was sustained by successive administrations; we should not be talking of expensive
I realized early that I would need a stable income because without it the marriage might not stand the test of time.
rice in this country. “There is a community called Igbokun Obada, rice grower people. They said they needed N10000 to produce rice and I approached People’s Bank Chairperson, Mrs Maria Shokenu who facilitated a loan which I shared with the farmers. “The harvest of that year was fantastic. I bought all the rice at market value and sold back to them at 50 percent subsidy. All of them were able to pay Shokenu’s money back. I also designed a housing unit which was also successful to the extent that it attracted the Abuja. “A workshop was put together in Abuja and I was invited as a resource person to share my experience with fellow local government chairmen across the country. I think Colonel Oyinlola was impressed and brought me into his cabinet. Oyinlola left a great impression in me as a listening administrator. We did not find it difficult to offer him quality advice and he showed that truly he is a prince.” With the ‘baby’ of the house gradually winding up at the Law School, preparatory to a career in what lawyers brand noble profession, Rasak is undoubtedly a fulfilled family man worthy of emulation by young men. To him, credit of his happy and fruitful marriage first goes to God without whom, he stressed, the success story could have been a mirage. “I must also say that my preparation for marriage helped me. I had the picture of the kind of family I wanted to build and I took my time before I started. I realized early that I would need a stable income because without it the marriage might not stand the test of time. “I did not want my wife and children to suffer and God answered my prayer. I am fortunate to have a wife who also identifies with my vision and built the family in a way we are all appreciating today and giving thanks to God with the products of that union,” he remarked. Rasak is not only a community leader, he is also the Balogun of Epe, a generalismo of sorts, always working in defence of the interest of the community. The significance of this title was seen during his 70th birthday when Rasak presented a book he commissioned on the role of Balogun. Titled The Balogun Institution in Yorubaland: Changing Fortunes of a Military Institution and edited by the duo of two historians, Philip Oloruntola and Oluwasegun Jimoh, the book drew a large number of personalities at the MUSON centre, Lagos. At the event, Rasak said, “future generation would know one Balogun chose to collate record; history of what Balogun was, what Balogun should be and what the future should look like.” In time immemorial, he added, Obas were in government while Baloguns were the military, a contrast of what is operative in contemporary society where the president holds executive power and ministry of defence and the generals operate from the rear. “What the Balogun should be doing is in the book, it is good for scholars and students of History,” he said. Rasaq promised that by the grace of God, before he clocks 80, he would have made housing issue a thing of the past for the struggling Nigerians with his new housing project just leaving the drawing board.
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16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
crimeandcourt
He is so promiscuous he infected me with stds —Wife
Somebody somewhere is luring her —Husband By Ayomide Owonibi-Odekanye with Agency Reports
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housewife, Kehinde Oladipo, has begged a Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, to dissolve her 10-year-old marriage to her husband, Oladipo, for allegedly infecting her with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) several times. Kehinde, 38, a mother of three, who accused her husband of infidelity, said that her husband always beat her and violated her modesty. “My husband has been irresponsible, he cheats on me and has on several occasions infected me with STD due to his wayward behaviours. “He often comes back home late in the night and sometimes fails to come back home for days leaving me and the children to worry about his absence.” She further told the court her husband is in the habit of beating and insulting her whenever she tries to talk to him. “He has resorted to threats that he will kill me whenever he beats me and that scares me a lot.” The respondent, Oladipo, 42, a civil servant, denied all the allegations. “I still love my wife, I don’t want dissolution of this marriage, if not for anything but for the sake of our three wonderful children. “I don’t know who is deceiving her to leave me, I know I can be temperamental sometimes but I am changing for the good of my family. “I am begging this court to give us some time to try and settle our differences,’’ he said. The presiding officer, Mr Albert Maga, told the couple to maintain the peace, and adjourned the case till April 28 for the report of settlement or continuation of the case.
A 32-year-old man, Aliu Olagunju, has pleaded with an Agege customary court to dissolve his 11 years old marriage to his wife, Adijat, over alleged threat to his life. Olagunju told the court that there was no more love between him and his wife. According to Olagunju, his wife is arrogant, does not take corrections and as well does not take care of the children. “She neglects the children and there is no motherly love for them,” the petitioner said. Olagunju told the court that two years ago he sought the dissolution of the marriage, but due to several mediations, he accepted to withdraw the suit. He said he had moved out of the house to a friend’s place due to his wife trouble. “She threatened my life, saying she will kill me and that she is ready to become a widow,” he said. The petitioner begged the court to separate them, because he did not want to die now as his wife always threatened to kill him. He also prayed the court for the custody of the first two children, adding that the last child, who is nine months old, can live with his wife. Defending the allegations, Adijat, a final
A petitioner in a divorce suit, Mr Olusola Ogunleye, has told an Akure customary court that his wife’s siblings advised him to divorce her because of her stubborn nature. Olusola, who had been married to his wife, Funmilayo, for 13 years, and the marriage blessed with four children, accused the respondent of always threatening him with knives and broken bottles whenever they had misunderstandings. He said that whenever there was any misunderstanding between them, his wife was also fond of destroying his property. The petitioner also said that Funmilayo had no respect for either him or the members of his family; in addition to keeping late nights. Olusola alleged that his stepdaughter was the genesis of his problem between him and his wife, whom he claimed bewitched her mother and turned her
She is acting to gain sympathy —Husband Suicide is not the solution —Judge
“I have changed jobs three times; if I fetch water for people to make a living, he would complain. “I stopped fetching water and started working at building sites, he still complained. I started selling food and he is still complaining. “Anytime I go out to fend for myself and the children, he complains about the kind of job, yet he is unable to take care of us properly. “None of my children is in school because he says he has no money. “I have reached a breaking point; I can do anything drastic or commit suicide if this marriage is not dissolved immediately,’’ she threatened.
She also told the court that they were always fighting and he beats her all the time. According to her, her husband had never allowed her to support her own family all these years. In his defence, Mohammed Isah dismissed all the allegations as lies, saying she is only crying in order to gain sympathy. “She is very cunning and clever, she is only crying in order to gain sympathy. “She is lying. I only complain due to the long hours and lateness in returning home to cater for the children due to the nature of jobs,’’ he said. He told the court that they only fought once in all their years of marriage. Isah added that he still loved his wife very much, and that not being financially buoyant lately caused a strain in their marriage. “I have been financially handicapped lately and this has led
to lots of issues. “I want to plead with her to be patient and not leave me, let the court intervene and help us to sort out our issues because I still love her,’’ he said. The presiding officer, Judge Ibrahim Walliyullahi, pleaded with the petitioner not to commit suicide over domestic issues. “The court is pleading with you not to commit suicide or carry out any action you will later live to regret, please. “You have a lot of reasons to remain alive, especially for the sake of your children. “The court is pleading with you to maintain peace and let’s try our best,’’ he said. He adjourned the case till today for the parties to present their parents so that the court can help resolve their issues. “Please come to court on the next adjourned date with your parents to see if the court can help resolve your issues or not,’’ the judge said.
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‘She threatens to kill me, says she won’t mind being a widow’
‘He has turned me into a punching bag’ year student of the Lagos State University and mother of three, denied the allegations. She said that her husband was irresponsible and does not provide for her and the children. “My husband beats me constantly whenever we had any misunderstanding and he does not have any respect for me,”
she said. The respondent, however, begged the court not to grant her husband’s request, saying that she still loves him. President of the court, Phillip Williams, adjourned the case till April 21 for mediation and urged the couple to come with their family members.
He wants me to do ritual to ascertain if another man has slept with me It’s a family tradition she must comply with —Man A 29-year-old sales representative, Yetunde Oma, told an Igando customary court, Lagos, that her husband, James, asked her to go to his village to make sacrifice. “My husband asked me to travel to his village in Benue State to make a sacrifice to know if a man slept with me while he was away. “James told me that he always sees a man making love to me in his dreams. “Their family is nothing to write home about, his elder
‘She fights me with knives, broken bottles’
I will commit suicide if this marriage is not dissolved —Housewife Suwaiba Isah of Masaka, Nasarawa State has told an Upper Area Court in Karu that she would commit suicide if her request for divorce is not granted. The mother of four got emotional during the court proceedings and said that she had decided to end the marriage. “I have made up my mind before coming to the court and I will never change my mind. “If my request for divorce is rejected on whatever grounds, I will commit suicide,’’ she threatened. She told the court that she had been through hardship and had been unhappy in the marriage for a long time. In her testimony, she told the court that her husband was in the habit of complaining whenever she found a job to do.
Saturday Tribune
against him. However, Funmilayo in her testimony denied all the allegations leveled against her by Olusola. Funmilayo said that her marriage had known no single day of peace since it was contracted 13 years ago. It had been characterised with incessant beatings, she said. “My husband was always beating me all through the periods of my four pregnancies as if he wanted to take my life,’’ she said. The respondent also alleged that her husband was irresponsible as he failed to pay their children’s school fees for the past three years, and neither provided their feeding allowances. The court’s president, Mr Ayodele Omotola, cautioned both parties not to toy with their children’s future and admonished them to maintain the peace. Omotola ordered Ogunleye to pay N8,000 into the court’s registry’s account for the feeding of the children on or before April 22, pending the determination of the suit. He asked each of them to bring two elderly witnesses on May 9, the next hearing date.
Man chops off wife’s ear for accusing him of incest A 40-year-old trader, Madam Konadu is struggling for her life with an ear chopped off by her husband after she accused him of dating and sleeping with their biological daughter. The suspect, Mr. Amoah lives with his family at Kumso in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. According to sources close to rainbowradioonline. com Madam Konadu once caught the husband in bed with their daughter but had to keep it a secret to save her marriage and family from embarrassment. She added that she still suspected her husband, although he promised not repeat his adulterous act after he was caught. The couple fought on Thursday where the victim reportedly confronted the suspect and accused him of still sleeping with their daughter. The suspect allegedly chopped off his wife’s ear for accusing him falsely. The victim is currently on admission while the suspect is on the run.
brother is a herbalist and his wife is currently mad, while his second brother’s wife has been sick for years without solution. “His third brother’s wife who they cast spell on is now a prostitute and I don’t want to be a victim,’’ she said. The mother of one said that her husband “goes out at will and comes back at will. “My husband left the house without my knowledge, when his phone number was not reachable and he did not bother to call, I went to stay in my parents’ house.’’ The petitioner urged the court to dissolve the two-year-old marriage because she was no longer in love. James, 41, said that his wife left her matrimonial home for a month to unknown destination. “In my tradition, when a woman leaves her matrimonial home and wants to come back, she must first go to our village to swear that no man has slept with her. “But my wife left my house without my consent and when she returned, she refused to go to my village,’’ James said. He described his wife as an ingrate, saying “I sponsored Yetunde from her 100 level to final year. “And after her graduation, I lost my banking job and she told me she was not interested in the marriage again.’’ The respondent urged the court to grant his wife’s wish that he also was no longer interested in the marriage. The President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, after listening to the estranged couple adjourned the case till May 17 for judgement.
Man, 32, seeks divorce over wife’s abusive nature
‘He always returns home drunk’ A 32-year-old man, Babatunde Tijani, on Thursday asked an Agege customary court to dissolve his three-year-old marriage because of the abusive nature of his wife, Adetola. Tijani, who resides at No. 160, Iyana Ipaja, Abeokuta Expressway, told the court that his wife was in the habit of fighting him and using foul language on him. “My wife is too troublesome, whenever we have a misunderstanding, she threatens to kill me. “It got to the stage where she used a knife and broken bottle to injure me and accused me of having extramarital affairs. “Adetola is fond of embarrassing me at my place of work and she does not have any regard for my parents. “My lord, I want to end this marriage because I cannot cope with my wife’s disrespect and irresponsible lifestyle anymore,” he said. The respondent, 26, who is a fashion designer and a mother of a 10-month-old child, denied the allegations. She told the court that she was in support of the dissolution of the marriage because she was fed up with her husband’s attitude. “My husband is irresponsible and keeps late nights; he is always hanging out with friends and comes home drunk. “He does not love and care for me and our child anymore,” she said. The court’s president, Mr Philip Williams, adjourned the case till April 28 for judgement.
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16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
Private educators hold summit, tell parents to listen to their children Naza Okoli - Lagos
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hen, last weekend, the Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN), a group of leading private schools in Nigeria, organised a summit for parents from their member schools, it was to discuss the all-important subject of “communication”. It was not, however, the usual husband-wife communication; it was the often-neglected topic of parentchild communication. According to speakers at the event which was held at S.T & T Regency Schools, Ikeja, Lagos, the choice of the theme for the summit was apt, particularly at this time when parents spend too much time at work, and their children on gadgets. The chairperson of the association, Dr Olufemi Ogunsanya, in her address, observed that for a parent to build a longlasting relationship with their child, they must first work hard to win and keep the child’s trust. “A lot of times, parents do not understand what is going on in their children’s lives,” she said. “There could be times a child would want to share something with his or her parent; there are times the child would want to hold a conversation; if at that point in time, a parent dismisses the child, then that is an opportunity the parent has lost forever. The child would then turn to their friends who are just as clueless as they are, but who seem to know and are offering counsel” As for the role of parents in determining their children’s career choice, Ogunsanya has a word of advice: “We should ask our children: ‘What problem do you want to solve; and in trying to solve that problem, what do you need to do?’” she said. ‘Private job, personal face’ The keynote speaker at the event was Mrs Iyabo Ladipo, a well-known parenting coach who was trained as lawyer. According to Ladipo, parenting should be seen by parents as a real job. Indeed, she likened it to the teaching profession, complete with its own methodology and syllabus. “Life skills, culture, the native tongue, cooking, social values, dress sense, table manners, hygiene, and time management” were some of the items she listed as parts of the content of the “syllabus”. She said even though parenting could be described as “a private job”, its impact could be felt publicly. “It is a private job, with a public face,” she said. Ladipo, however, regretted that most of the parents who attend PTA meetings and other programmes designed by schools for parents are usually the “good ones”. “That is why as a parenting coach I meet them everywhere – I meet them at work, I meet them at home, I talk to them anywhere I find them, because they won’t come. They won’t come because they know that the school knows them; the school knows that their child is ‘bad’. So it is usually the parents of the good children that come, and not the ones you are really trying to reach.”
From left, Director-General, Office of Quality Assurance, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, Chairperson, Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) Dr. Olufemi Ogunsanya, Parenting Coach and Public Speaker, Mrs. Iyabo Ladipo and the Head, Nursery and Primary School Supervision Unit Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Adeyinka Adeniji, at an APEN Parent Workshop, held at ST & T Regency College, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, last weekend. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA
There are times the child would want to hold a conversation; if at that point in time, a parent dismisses the child, then that is an opportunity the parent has lost forever. The child would then turn to their friends who are just as clueless as they are. iPad generation The Director General, Office of Quality Assurance, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, who was a special guest at the programme, praised APEN for its “deep commitment to the positioning of quality education, particularly in Lagos State.” Soyombo challenged parents to be involved not only in the personal and social development of their children, but also in the activities that go on in the schools that their children attend. She said: “The theme of this summit is very apt. we are in the 21st century and children are already losing it. They are always glued to their mobile phones, iPads, and so on. I want parents to be more involved in the lives of their children. They should learn to communicate with them. Communication can improve their performance at school. From communicating with them, parents learn what their
challenges are. “At the Office of Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, we try to encourage parents to get more involved in their children’s education; we support schools to ensure that this happens. A lot of parents have been writing us to complain about various things that go in their children’s schools.” From the parents Each of the participating APEN schools nominated five parents to represent it at the summit. According to the organisers, the parents who attended the summit would later present their reports at PTA meetings in their individual schools. For most of the parents who spoke at the forum, parenting cannot be undertaken by the parents or the child’s teacher alone; it is a collective task. It is for this reason that a regular gathering of parents and teachers should be encouraged. Mr Akinyemi Amidu, a parent from
Landmark College, Ikorodu, in addition, listed areas where schools would be of further help to the parents. Amidu wondered if it was not counterproductive to completely jettison the use of canes, as has become the case in most private schools. “It seems, these days, that what we do is to give them (children) what we lacked when were young and withhold from them what we had,” he said. He further sought the help of schools in the teaching of Nigerian languages, stressing that many children today cannot speak their native languages. Doing it right The summit ended with an interactive session, facilitated by a parent, a representative of APEN and a student. Very many refreshing ideas emerged from this session – from speeches by members of the panel, responses to questions, and suggestions from other members of the audience. It was agreed, by all, that a parent should know when to speak with their child as a friend and when to do so as a stern teacher. It was agreed that listening should be done with great care and patience. On no account should the child be hushed. Every parent should have direct access to their children – a father, for example, should not be content to hear it all from his wife; he should encourage his children to speak with him directly too. A parent should laugh when humour is intended; they should likewise scream or shout or nod their head. The idea should always be this: to create the kind of atmosphere that would make effective communication between a parent and their child possible.
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16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
style
Saturday Tribune With Kate Ani 08071080888 anikate92@yahoo.com
Having a bad hair day? Baseball, beanie, bowler, fedora to the rescue! Bowler
Baseball
Soraya Carvalho
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s ladies, there are definitely times we need to dash off to an event or outing but there is little or no time to brush, curl or straighten our hair extensions. There are also times that hair covering the front extensions begin to have undergrowth. Stylish hats such as fedora, fez caps, beanie and snap backs or even berets are quick ways of adding a touch of edginess to your style, instead of tying a scarf round it. With options
Beret
Ashley Hutchinson
for every style, these head accessories can rescue you from a bad hair day, and still have you look stylish. On the other hand, you might be considering appearing not ‘too dressy’ for a causal outing. Hats certainly are perfect ways of dressing down a body-con dress, thereby, making your outfit choice look much more relaxed, but still just as fabulous. Hats are never out of vogue. They have been around since Godknows-when and are still in trend today.
Fedora Tinuola Ayanniyi tayanniyi@yahoo.com 08055069379
Do-it-yourself
Frill earrings
Beanie
Tonye Sole
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Kiki Johnson
Stella J’adore
I love to take care of my skin —Kim Kardashian There’s no doubt that American reality television star, Kim Kardashian, indulges in makeup and beauty routine to achieve her high-end glam look. In an interview with Into The Gloss magazine, the 35-year-old wife of Kanye West speaks on her beauty tips and how she achieves a flawless look. What are your beauty secrets? I have so many friends who don’t wear makeup and hardly ever do their hair. I feel really blessed because I genuinely love the process of getting my hair and makeup done. Even beyond that, I just love to take care of my skin. I’m always researching different products, and I always try so many different things. I don’t just stick to one face wash or moisturiser.
They take off everything but really gently— even mascara! How do you keep your skin glowing? My skin is more on the dry side, so I need a really thick moisturiser all the time.
Do you give your little sisters makeup advice? No, they give me makeup advice! [Kylie] has it down: She has her mirror and her tweeHow do you remove your makeup, zers, and she’s putting on her lashes... She just with wipes or water? knows exactly how to do the lashes and the I always need a makeup wipe. I find that I lips, and she looks beautiful. And, I love being can’t really take my makeup off without it. inspired by her and her love for makeup.
Chinyere Alfred
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16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
views.com
Buhari, deification and the threat of humbug By Yemi Davies
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HE election that ushered in President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) could be described as some kind of a revolution. APC stalwarts had even described their campaign as a movement; and their theme – ‘change’ – as an idea whose time had come. On the whole, this writer thinks APC presented a more organised (please note, not circumspect) campaign and they (justifiably perhaps) won the presidential election against the PDP. But a more interesting dimension to the emergence of PMB is the deification of his person and the ‘messianic’ sensation that heralded his advent. For one, PMB has always enjoyed a near-fanatical following, especially among the underprivileged in the northern part of the country. Perhaps due to the efficacy of APC’s campaign machinery however, that mystique element also caught up with many of his would-be supporters in other parts of the country. The feeling was that then candidate Muhammadu Buhari was the long-awaited messiah who had come to save Nigeria from the pangs of PDP-induced misery. Or for those who would prefer a fairytale perspective, he was the Prince Charming who had come to save the Nigerian sleeping beauty from her 100-year slumber with a magical kiss. It is not an exaggeration to conclude that majority of Nigerians are unrepentantly religious, which may thus explain why they have always sought a god who would come to perform a miracle and turn the country into El Dorado. Well, they probably saw that god-like nature in PMB. Owing to his modest appearance, the touted ‘War Against Indiscipline’ that defined his first time as head of state, and his lack of friendship with the ‘who is who in Nigeria’ class, many people have always regarded him as an honest man, with an appreciable level of reputation for integrity and one who has absolutely good intentions for Nigeria. He thus attained office with an enviable capital of goodwill, domestically and internationally. But a very profound reality is that there is a big gulf between good intentions and good works. It is sad to admit that magic has not happened. And even if we admit that one year in office is too short to objectively assess the performance of an administration elected for a four-year tenure, one can still safely say that we have not even seen the tiniest speck of magic. Any objective assessment will clearly show that the first year of the PMB administration has been characterized by an absence of a grand vision, a dangerous fixation on the past, denial of almost all campaign promises, and a below-the-par perception of his team. Although, I would be the first to admit that he is making good efforts on the fight against Boko Haram. Having a god-like status comes with a corollary of extremely high expectations. That is the current situation with PMB. The APC campaign also did not help matters. Like a man desperate to lay a woman who is already in his room (pardon my ill manners), they promised Nigerians heaven. But presently, the APC’s honeymoon is over. No thanks especially to the current debilitating fuel scarcity that has crippled economic
activities and the massive drop in public power supply. The poor state of the economy is also agitating many folks. Many states are owing months of salaries, prices of food items, daily needs and other goods have doubled, the naira is exchanging at ridiculous rates against the pound sterling and the dollar and economic activities have been generally stifled. One must admit that the massive drop in the price of the nation’s major export, crude oil, is a major factor in the current situation. But to absolve the Buhari administration of any blame is also disingenuous. If the argument is that the government cannot really do anything about Nigeria’s current situation, well perhaps we can also argue that we do not have a need for the government then. It is not unusual for countries to face major economic challenges, what is unusual and totally inconceivable is the government not having a firm response plan. That is the problem with the Buhari administration; and that is where the threat of a humbug becomes very real. It is, however, more dangerous personally for PMB if his government is seen as a failure after his tenure. Regardless of APC’s illogical and deceptive campaign promises, only a novice will expect Buhari to change Nigeria in four years. Still, the current abysmal performance of his administration to date, especially on the economy, is unacceptable. A government that cannot improve the situation of things should at least make efforts to maintain what it inherited. Nigerians are worse off than they were pre-June 2015 and that is not a credit to PMB’s reputation. The problem with PMB is his absolute disposition to statism and an overrated belief in his own abilities. His government also suffers from the negative effect of the African social etiquette of absolute deference to elders. Perhaps they do it subconsciously, but one can tell that there is nobody in the President’s team who is bold enough to present counter arguments to the President’s or to even suggest to him that he is wrong on some issues. PMB needs to know that statism is no longer practicable. Or is the President confusing the welfare state with an absolute state? The president also needs to know that when there is a contest between regulation and market forces, market forces
prevail. The naira versus the dollar debacle is a case in point. The President also needs to know that in developing economies, government must never do anything to discourage economic activities. The PMB administration has not done enough to show it is business-friendly. It is very bad that in one year of his administration the President has not held a deliberate meeting with leaders of the organised private sector. My point is that the current situation is more of a failure on the part of the PMB administration to adequately implement a response plan to the country’s economic challenges. In fact, it is a struggle to believe that the administration even attained office with any plan at all. For the sake of the country, however, we will continue to pray for PMB and his team. But on his part, the President needs to take some decisive decisions going forward. First, he needs to appoint an intelligent National Economic Adviser or maybe set up a small team of Presidential Advisory Committee on the Economy and he must be ready to listen to him or them. The adviser or committee will be charged with advising the President on how to respond to our current economic challenges. (We cannot resign to fate or continue to lament; when there is a will there is a way). The President is not the only one to inherit a pitiable situation; that is if he did. Lee Kuan Yew and Paul Kagame inherited worse situations in Singapore and Rwanda respectively. PMB can borrow leaves from their books. Secondly, the President should be bold enough to separate Ministry of Power from Ministry of Works and Housing and Mr Babatunde Fashola should be left with the works and housing brief. It was wrong on the part of the President to think that someone was qualified to manage the power ministry just because he told senators that he does not sign cheques. I think our power issue is more of a technical problem and as such we need someone with technical competence in this area to manage the power ministry. Thirdly, the President should simply deregulate the PMS market. That, I think, will guarantee regular availability of PMS and we can save ourselves and the economy from incessant fuel shortages and embarrassing queues. The current situation where the petroleum ministry has become a trader, distributor and retailer of fuel products is not efficient. If we are not careful Minister Ibe Kachikwu would even turn to a petrol station attendant. The business of government is regulation and enacting policies that will enable the right environment to promote economic activities. The minister has no business buying and selling. I will be the first to admit that my propositions may be pedestrian and impractical. But I am also sure that the President’s current economic plan is not working. If it were, things would not be this bad. Nigerians have begun to complain a lot about his failings. My greatest fear is that the man may never have another opportunity to redeem himself should his turn out to be a failed tenure. “My intentions were good” will never be a strong alibi. •Davies contributed this article from Lagos
Federal Government and remunerations for public school teachers By Rotimi Makinde IT is a globally acclaimed fact that education is the bedrock of any serious nation’s development; hence it is incumbent on such country’s government and relevant stakeholders to take the issues of education with utmost seriousness. In clear terms, education is fundamental to growth and development, and serves as critical indices to measure progress of development agenda. There is no gainsaying that it is the most powerful driving instrument of reducing poverty, improving health care services and ensuring peace and stability. Sadly, in Nigeria it is heartaching to see that our education sector is being confronted with a myriad of challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure and funding, which, no doubt, impede proper implementation of ICT programmes in schools, colleges and other learning centres. In most public and private schools, basic ICT infrastructures are grossly inadequate, and where they are available, epileptic power supply makes it difficult, if not impossible, for them to function properly or be put to good use. However, it would be uncharitable for anyone not to commend states like Lagos, Osun, Ondo and few other states in the country who place high premium on qualitative education and ultimately human capital development in line with Millennium Development Goals, until recently when Ni-
gerian states now witness economic downturn due to drop in oil revenue globally. Great is the agenda to see that brighter future are sustained for our youths, but have we ever looked inwards genuinely to see how teachers in Nigerian schools are faring? It is pathetic and worrisome to know that the welfare package of the Nigerian teachers is among the worst in the country. They operate from not too friendly work environments with meagre and irregular salaries. For these reasons most of them lack the passion for the profession and in some instances are not bothered being properly trained on what it takes to be a 21st century teacher and when they are trained, lack the necessary instructional materials to carry out their jobs and yet they are the first to be blamed for poor students’ performance. The plight of Nigerian teachers is pitiful as many of them have died of hunger, diseases and out of frustration. The system has turned a good number of them into beggars and destitute such that the younger generations dread the idea of becoming teachers in the future. If our teachers are not appreciated and recognized, they would be forced to turn their noble job of inspiring the youth to higher academic excellence into positions of becoming menace to the society. However, as a true progressive who champions the course of building great and sound future for our nation through formal education, I think our government needs to do more
for the teachers who truly are the architects and vehicles through which the dreams of our nation’s future leaders can be achieved. Government should consider increasing salaries and other remunerations for teachers to put them at par with their counterparts in other sectors. Moreover the remunerations of teachers in all public schools should be made the sole responsibility of the Federal Government, even as I understand that education is under concurrent list in the constitution, but to every patriotic Nigerian like myself, this step should be seen as an emergency or special intervention initiative meant to rescue our decaying educational sector and motivate our teachers to do more for our children in schools. Moreover, this will essentially reduce existing financial burdens on the various states of the federation which can no longer pay salaries of workers, including teachers due to current credit crunch that is biting the nation. It is an open secret that Nigerian states are still defaulting in their financial obligations to their workers in spite of bailout funds by the Federal Government to assist them to pay outstanding salaries and allowances. We cannot afford to toy with the future of our children, the call for this special intervention has no political colouration, it is in the interest of our country and the future of our children, stakeholders across board should please act fast and turn the tide. •Makinde is a former member of the House of Representatives.
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16 April, 2016
outofthisworld
Saturday Tribune WITH FEMI OSINUSI
osfem2@yahoo.com 08055069292
Bloody Art! Shocking story of man who draws, paints using his own BLOOD
A
N artist from Western Sydney, Australia, Rev Mayers, is into a business that is not only frightening but also dangerous. He paints regularly using his own blood. In fact, according to odditycentral.com, Mayers, when doing his painting, is said to always connect an airbrush machine to his own vein and draw out his blood to do the craft and since taking up the job 11 years ago, he has used gallons of blood in the name of painting. Ha has used his blood to paint animals, imaginary creatures and also families and had sold them at very good prices. He even used his own blood to draw tattoos on those who requested for them.
How the brush is connected to his vein to get blood
The man using his blood to draw a tattoo on a lady’s bottom
Mayers painting with his blood
Vials of his blood kept for future paintings
Rev Mayers
Some of his paintings
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16 April, 2016
ntertainment
News
Gist
Saturday Tribune J
with oan
Omionawele
jistwtjoan@yahoo.com Twitter:@joanbajojo 08054682201
Newton-Ray Ukwuoma
newtray2002@yahoo.com 08052271251
Celebrity Interviews
INSIDE
Stella Damasus delves into music
—P28
Omoni Oboli, Uche Jombo, Chioma Chukwuka set new records with ‘Wives on strike’ —P27
Ali Baba headlines new play
—P28
How my hubby helped me curb sexual harassment —Tiwa Savage
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16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
‘Though dad is dead, I will fulfill all my promises to him’ He was very supportive of my music career. He was the one that gave me my first money to record a song. He did not force me to do anything.
Continued from pg2
the whole message in my album. How long did it take you to compose the album? Two years, between 2014 and 2015. How many tracks? Seventeen tracks with three bonus tracks. That’s twenty all together. Can you tell us about your forthcoming album? The album is titled ‘New Era’. Nigeria is currently in a new era and I want to pass that same message to my fans. There are no collaborations in the 17-track album. The collaborations I had is with my label mate called Sugarboy. I featured him in three tracks. The album is a story and the best person that can interpret the story is Sugarboy. He knew me when I was hustling and suffered with me. I can’t feature someone in an album that won’t understand what I am trying to achieve. That is why there are no known collaborations in the album.
force me to do anything. I told him I wanted to do music when I was in school. He only told me to finish my education first. Sorry for losing your dad, we learnt you had a list of things you wanted to do for him. Thank you. Yes. And all the things I said I would do for him, I would still do them even though he is dead. Like the car I said I was going to get him, I have gotten it. I said I was going to get him a Prado. Who will ride it? Don’t worry about that. Everything I said I was going to get for him, I will get them.
Questions have been asked why you dropped ‘Woju’ remix featuring Davido and Tiwa Savage from your album, would you reiterate your stand on this? The truth is, it is not only my stand alone that matters. I have a record label. The record label has a team of industry stakeholders and critics, who selected songs for the album. So, they made their positions known on the songs, including the ‘Woju’ remix. Personally, I got Davido and Tiwa Savage on the ‘Woju’ remix to help push the song. They did a fantastic job. As for getting the song for the album, or not collaborating with any big artistes for the new album, it was deliberate. The album is a personal thing for me. I think I am more than capable to pass the message on my own. New Era is a message coming from me to the fans. I don’t think I need anyone now to help pass the message, except Sugarboy. Hopefully in other albums I will feature other artistes. For instance, I have already featured Wizkid in a song. And I intend to have many more collaborations during the year. While the release of your album is anticipated, can you tell us the one thing you hope to achieve with ‘New Era’? I want to correct the impression that good music doesn’t sell. I heard a lot of that when I was starting. I was advised to, you know, shout, say nasty things and all what not if I wanted to blow. But I felt that good music still stands a chance in our industry. Recently I went to a club, when suddenly ‘Woju’ was played and people were screaming. But I was like, “It’s been two years or so now”. Then I realised that a good song is not bound by time. Good songs last long. It cuts across all age groups and gender. In a nutshell, good songs are universal. I want my songs to be good, clean and free of unpleasant words or expressions. You have successfully released three hit singles, would you say you are getting it right?
The greatest principle he bequeathed to you? He told me to be patient while doing the right thing. He said that it might seem like it is not working, that it is not the right thing, keep doing it. One day, people will start paying attention. Patience, for him was key. How does that apply to your music specifically? I dropped ‘Woju’ in October, but I was patient until December before it became big. A lot of artistes are not patient. If they drop a song and it is not moving, they drop another one. The new song would just take the vibe away from the other song. That’s why artistes are advised to space out their songs. I was in Uganda last week for a show, it was sold out. People were begging for space. I performed five songs. And people loved it. The same thing happened in Rwanda. My point is, whether you have fifteen songs or three songs, it really doesn’t matter as long as you make sure to have massive acceptance of your songs –and as far as I am concerned, timing is important in releasing songs.
Well, yes, but three hit songs are not all I am going to do. In fact, I am not even close to what I want to accomplish. I’m still working. What would you regard as your greatest sacrifice for music? My five years in school. I wanted to become a great engineer. I studied Water Engineering, similar to Civil Engineering and I finished with a 4.32 CGPA. For you to know that I actually studied. But after spending five years studying the course of my dream, I left it for music. That is my greatest sacrifice for music. Does it make you feel bad some-
times? Yes, I feel bad sometimes. My mates are already established in their fields. Some of them call me. Some of them are doing all right for themselves. Now, it seems my five years is gone to waste. But it is because I love music that I am here. I am not a fan of corporate wears. Maybe that contributed to the reason I dumped engineering for music. Who motivated you the most to do music? My dad. He was a very caring and loving person. He was very supportive of my music career. He was the one that gave me my first money to record a song. He did not
What is that thing you do before your performance? I pray before my performance and commit it into God’s hands. Has there been a particular social media comment that made you sad? Yes. It happened when I just lost my dad. Someone said on Twitter that my dead father would be disappointed in me if he listened to my song. I was sad. I had to munch that tweet. He mentioned me in that tweet. It got me crying for three days. I just lost my dad at that time and it was still very fresh. When things get better, I pray the person lives long so that I can tweet at that person and say, “Thank you for uttering that statement years back. You motivated me to become great”.
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Saturday Tribune
Oboli, Jombo, Akpotha
set new record with tour for ‘Wives on Strike’
Stories By Joan Omionawele and Newton Ray Ukwuoma
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OLLYWOOD stars, Omoni Oboli, Uche Jombo, Chioma Akpotha, Kehinde Bankole and Ufuoma McDermott are leaving no stone unturned in promoting their new movie. During a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Tribune, Imalefalafia Street, Ibadan, during the week, Omoni Oboli and Uche Jumbo urged Nigerians to troop out, watch the movie and join their movement. Meanwhile, Filmhouse cinemas announced that the movie has grossed 15 million in three days. An excited Uche Jombo posted on Instagram: “We are breaking records and on our way to make history, You all came out this past weekend en masse to make #Wivesonstrike the highest grossing opening weekend Nollywood movie, for this, we are forever grateful! You have proven that Nigerians have not given up on Nollywood#GodblessNigeria. The support from our colleagues in the industry has been overwhelming, we couldn’t have done this without you! “You have once again reiterated one of the bold morals of#Wivesonstrike - “together
Fan forces Caroline Danjuma into seclusion From left, Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli, Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and Uche Jumbo, at the premiere of their movie in Ondo State during the week.
we can achieve more”. There is still so much work to be done, let’s work together to make history, by making #Wivesonstrikethe highest grossing movie in Nigeria#supportNigeria.” Also during the week, the actresses toured states such as Delta, Oyo, Rivers and Ondo.
#Wivesonstrike is not just a movie, it is a movement; a movement preaching the Girl Child cause, the power of solidarity, one Nigeria, the power of women in our society and how we can together move mountains. You all have been amazing! GOD bless you and the work of your hands.
Fred Amata assumes office as DGN president FOLLOWING the recent election of the executive committee of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, Nollywood actor cum director, Fred Amata has taken oath and assumed office as DGN President.
Asa to hold first live concert in Nigeria on May 1 ONE of Africa’s greatest music exporters, Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Asa, has announced her first live concert in Nigeria tagged Asa Live in Lagos concert. The Nigerian-born French singer will be holding her maiden concert in Nigeria on Sunday, May 1 at the Eko Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos. Asa, who recently headlined the Etisalat Prize For Literature Grand Finale in Lagos, where she delivered sensational p e r formances, made
In Akure, Ondo State, they were received by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who has, through the years, shown his support for Nollywood when they got to the state. Thus, in appreciation of all their fans the wives on strike crew Jombo posted on Instagram: “Remember-
the disclosure of her concert in Nigeria through her media agent, BukiHQ, during the week. Having been on many tours around the world performing at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, Asa is set to make her homecoming concert a worthwhile experience for her fans and music connoisseurs. She also said she will be bringing the #BOSTOUR to Lagos to her tour moment at home. ‘The Jailer’ singer will be performing some of her chart-topping singles as well as hit singles from three internationally released studio albums. Synonymous with quality music since she began her music career in 2004, Asa has performed in different cities and countries around the world, winning acclaim for her breath-taking live performances. Her most recent tour, Bed of Stone Tour, was heralded as one of last year’s must-see tours by critics and fans.
The swearing-in of Amata as president of DGN at Ojez Lounge, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, penultimate Friday attracted top-notch players in the film industry, was anchored by pioneer president of the Guild, Mathias Obahiagbon, who was head of the inauguration committee. The valedictory speech was by immediate past president, Andy Amenechi, who chronicled the achievements of his administration to include the establishment of an effective banking system, creation of members’ database and capacity building initiatives. “We have run a race and set the pace. It is now time for someone else to take up our place to continue and improve on our modest milestones,” Amenechi said. He challenged the incoming executive to brace up to the challenges of new times, saying, “…please be informed that DGN can never be the same again. There is just too much awareness and accountability is the new mantra. Members will ask you questions and you must have plausible and progressive answers.” Thereafter, Amata took the oath of office, followed by his cabinet which
include Mike Ogundu as vicepresident; Ugezu Ugezu as national secretary; Uchenna Agbo as assistant secretary, Oduala Taiwo as P.R.O and Daniel Chukwueze as welfare officer. The oath of allegiance was administered by Hon. Babatunde Ogala, a Lagos lawyer and former chairman, House Committee on Justice, Lagos State House of Assembly. Before reading his acceptance speech, Amata urged the DGN electoral committee, headed by Fidelis Duker to, as a matter of urgency, conduct elections into the two vacant offices of the Guild: offices of Director of Finance and Provost. Amata, who got the backing of initial co-contender, Dickson Iroegbu, defeated Lancelot Imasuen and Kingsley Omoefe at the elections which took place on February 26 at the Tourist Garden Hotels and Resort, Asaba, Delta State. Unlike other elections in the film industry, most of the contenders drank together after the results were announced.
ACTRESS Caroline Danjuma has shut down her Instagram account, after making the handle private. This followed an unflattering response made by a fan on her account Danjuma, who is known to use her Instagram handle to review her marriage, was forced to change her name and restrict the handle to private after a fan attacked one of her heartfelt messages on marriage and relationship. The fan, who is possibly a female, did not agree with Caroline’s position that “all men cheat,” and went on to advise the actress not to further taint the minds of young ladies with the notion. The message of the fan, whose Instagram account is, thequeentonie, reads in part: “My dear, I’m sorry, but how does one say, “All men cheat” and “marriage is the most beautiful institution” in one sentence? I am trying to understand. Can one possibly have been with ALL men to know that ALL men cheat? I don’t know
what this story is about, but I think we need to stop spilling this nonsense “all men cheat” talk already and stop using it an excuse to stay in purposeless relationships, feeding it to the younger generation, who then go ahead to accept it as the status quo.” She added: “All men (or women) don’t cheat. We all have the tendency to because by nature, our flesh is flawed but not everyone does! And people (women especially) need to start evaluating themselves and their relationships correctly”. Caroline, who has been receiving pacific and consolatory comments on her failed marriage to billionaire husband, Musa Danjuma, on the grounds of infidelity, shut down her page after reacting to the fan, stating that her comment was judgemental. Meanwhile, Caroline recently made her return to acting with a new movie, titled ‘Stalker’ after ten years of absence.
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16 April, 2016
Korede Bello, Basketmouth, others thrill at MC Abbey’s comedy show Stories By Joan Omionawele
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HE bustling city of Lagos last Sunday played host to the crème de la crème of the Nigerian entertainment industry as several stars, including Korede Bello, IK Osakioduwa, Basketmouth, Humble Smith and Gordons performed at the Muson Centre during the second edition of MC Abbey’s show tagged #ILaffWithMCAbbey. The conventional show which was produced by Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu kicked off at 5pm with a green carpet hosted by the talented duo of Denrele & Ariyike. In-hall was a thrilling DJ set by DJ Alex as well as several exciting warm up performances from up-and-coming talents in Lagos. The show kicked off proper as Seyi Law took the stage and immediately launched into performances of his hilarious jokes. He later introduced several comedians and musicians on stage, including Young MC, Odogwu, Laugh Doctor, Toby Grey & MVP who performed to the delight of the audience. Then came a highlight on the night as a visibly excited MC Abbey made his grand entrance on stage after the introduction by veteran actor
Patrick Doyle. Guests cheered as soon as they caught sight of the comedian. Quickly he got down to business, making the crowd ecstatic with a 20-minute set. The talk show segment was the next on cue as MC Abbey, Tee A, Lepacious Bose, Basket mouth and IK Osakioduwa shared their funniest experiences ever, which also thrilled guests present. Nikki Laoye then stepped out for a performance of her breakthrough hit123, which was well received by the crowd. Immediately after came Splash, De-Don, Gordons and Forever for backback performances. Korede Bello was the next to perform and the Mavin Record artiste delighted guests with hit songs such as ‘Somebody Great’, ‘Mungo Park’, ‘Godwin’, ‘Romantic,’ amongst others. Korede bowed out for Humble Smith to wrap up the night with an energetic four- minute set of his major hit Osinachi. Guests present at the event include wife of former governor of Lagos State Dame Abimbola Fashola, ‘veteran gospel musician Sammie Okposo, director, Heritage Bank, Mary Akpobome, Ali Baba, AY, Gbenga Adeyinka, Oscar and Titi Oyinsan.
unconventional investment banker- cum theatre enthusiast. ‘Loud Whispers’ is scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 1, at the Muson Centre, Lagos. Speaking to journalists at a press conference, Ali Baba described the new project as exciting and a revelation of the Nigerian society. According to him, “Every story has their own version and this is going to be a walk in the park for me.” Ali Baba and a 20-man cast, featuring other talented thespians such as Patrick Diabuah, Paul Alomona, Tony Okuyeme, Tony Offiong, and Joy Ogbekene, will be performing a series of monologues through a mixture of dance and song. Ali Baba, in a genre crossing role, will address current issues, throw light jabs at political and social actors, give advice and pass commentaries while entertaining and holding the crowd spell-bound in the typical fashion that he is known for. The MD of Katunga Media, organisers of the play, Betty Abang, chatting with newsmen, said: “Edgar’s book has elicited so much laughter and attention through its acerbic
How my husband helped me curb sexual harassment —Tiwa Savage
MAVIN Records first lady, Tiwa Savage has stated that her husband and manager, Tunji Balogun, aka Tee Billz helped her curb sexual harassment in the movie industry. This, she said in a recent speech in Lagos during the Youth Enterprise Conference 2016, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, “A lot of times, they said that they wanted to help me but actually they wanted me to do ‘something’ with them. Luckily I had a crazy boyfriend who ended up being my husband. He just shot them down.” “If you are really talented and good at what you do and you have God behind you, don’t give in to that kind of temptation. I guarantee you that your talent will make a way for you. The same people will be the ones calling and you will even get more than you ever imagined if you don’t give in”, the NETng quoted Tiwa as saying.
Stella Damasus’ gospel album out on April 24 NOLLYWOOD actress, Stella Damasus has revealed plans to release her gospel album, entitled “The Alternative’. According to her, the al-
Ali Baba set to headlines ‘Loud Whispers’ POPULAR Nigerian comedian, Ali Baba, is billed to headline a new stage play as Katunga Media unveiled its plans to bring Loud Whispers – The Play, to theatre lovers in Nigeria. The play is an adaptation of the similar-named book, written by Joseph Edgar,
Saturday Tribune
but comical banter on very topical issues. The play takes a light-hearted look at otherwise critical issues in Nigeria with a bid to relieve tension and build positive discourse on their resolutions. The event, which coincides with Workers’ Day also aims to present workers with an enjoyable entertainment alternative for unwinding and we would like to thank all our sponsors and partners for making the play a reality.” The play is produced by popular broadcaster, Olisa Adibua, Shina Peller of Quilox and Mofoluwake Edgar, and adapted and directed by the veteran thespian, scriptwriter and artistic director behind Quebic 4 Productions, William Benson. William has successfully directed many critically acclaimed plays, including The Sisters, Trials of Oba Ovonramwen, The Meeting, Yoruba Romance, and Private Lies. The play which will be shown on 1 May, has garnered huge support from various organisations which include AIICO, AXA Mansard, Bank of Industry, Uber, Rain Oil, and Quilox.
bum will be released on her birthday. She revealed on Instagram “Finally, The Alternative album will be released on April 24 which is also my birthday, Wow! I’m excited about this and I know this album will change your
life. Thanks for all the love and support so far. Let’s do this people. I’ve got the best team in the world & I can’t wait for you guys to hear what we’ve done with this one.” The much-anticipated album is produced by her
lover, Daniel Ademinokan, and will be released worldwide after April 24. Damasus joins other actress, Genevieve Nnaji and Omotola Jalade- Ekeinde who have all tried out a career in the music industry.
Lai Mohammed inaugurates commitee to review MOPICON Bill MINISTER of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has inaugurated a 29-man committee to review the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) draft document. The inauguration of the Ministerial Committee on the review of the (MOPICON) draft document took place at the Conference Hall, National Theatre Lagos, on Wednesday. The minister, while delivering his speech at the MOPICON Committee inauguration said “I am delighted to be here today to inaugurate the ministerial committee on the Review of the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) draft document. This event was earlier slated for Friday, April 8, 2016, but we were forced to postpone it because of the emergency Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on April 7, on the 2016 budget. Let me therefore use this opportunity to apologise for the postponement. “Today’s inauguration is a fulfillment of the promise
I made at the third edition of the Kannywood Awards in Abuja on March 12, 2016 to set up a ministerial committee to review the MOPICON document with a view to fast-tracking its passage into law. ‘I have heard all the arguments for and against MOPICON. Some have argued that government has no business in helping Nollywood to set up a self-regulatory structure. I want to state here that in line with our overall responsibility for the nation’s information, culture and tourism policies, our role in helping to set up MOPICON is simply to enable Nollywood to play meaningful role in national development. Mohammed further stated that “One of the ways we think we can tackle frontally the many challenges militating against professional and career fulfilment in the movie industry is to have a central body we can always refer to in decisions aimed at improving and modernising the motion picture industry. Also, government’s interest
in the setting up of MOPICON is driven by the fact that we at the supervising ministry need to work with a formidable representative group that is empanelled to lobby for the growth, development and welfare of the industry and its practitioners as well as make for a better organiSed and more visible and vibrant Nollywood industry. We have no hidden agenda and we will not be part of anything that will stifle the growth of the burgeoning industry.”
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16 April, 2016
voxpop
Saturday Tribune
With Kate Ani
08071080888 anikate92@yahoo.com
Should tribal marks be an issue in a relationship? A cultural practice that is gradually going extinct is the wearing of tribal marks. Rukayat Odewale went to town to know if tribal marks could be an issue in a relationship.
Gbemi
Peter
Rose
Hammed
Omale
Herry
H
Rose Disu a! Yes o, it is. I can’t date a guy with tribal marks. I believe in good looks. I don’t like seeing people wearing tribal marks not to mention dating one. Hammed Oluwamayokun No, it shouldn’t. I believe love covers all things. If you love someone you won’t bother yourself about what opinion people hold about him or her. Omale Toke Hum! This life is all about choices. What Mr. A likes may quite differ from that of Mr. B For me having tribal marks shouldn’t be a barrier in a relationship which is bound by love. Bisodun Lope Tribal marks could be a determining factor for a relationship to hold or not. You might probably not want to introduce someone with tribal mark to your friends because they could ask if he or she had just fought with a lion. Some people who have these marks do have accents which I find quite disgusting. Akinpelu Omowumi It shouldn’t be a barrier if the guy is presentable and caring. Abimbola Olasebi Having tribal marks shouldn’t stall a relationship because to me, love matters most. I can go for a guy with tribal marks if I really love him. Oladele Having tribal marks should actually not be a hindrance to a relationship but to be frank with you, I can’t marry a guy with one. But if it is the will of God, then I don’t have a choice. Niyi Taiwo I once dated a lady for two weeks and didn’t know she had tribal marks. She used to cover her marks with foundation make up and when she sleeps
over at my house; her face is always full of makeup even while she sleeps. Her little secret was blown open when one day, I walked in on her while she was having her bath and got the shock of my life. It was actually the ‘I fight lion’ type of tribal mark. She tried to hide her face with soap foams but I had too late for her, I had already seen it but pretended not to. Days later, I broke up with her via text that we were not compatible. So, to answer your question, it is definitely a huge issue for me, and a relationship deal breaker. Laide Okebukola Its only ladies that still have age on their side that would say ‘No-No’... If a thirty-something year old lady received
marriage offer from a tribalmarked guy with other ‘ingredients’ in place, she no go jump? I am asking you… Peter Ajayi If it is the ‘ojuelegba’ or ‘oju loro wa’ kind of tribal mark, it will definitely be an issue for me. Although I am not being tribalistic because some of the smaller ones - Edo, Urhobo, Igbo ones can be quite attractive though. Gbemi Sobowale I have actually seen rather attractive people with tribal marks; it shouldn’t be an issue in a relationship. What that matters are his values and inner beauty. I can date and marry a guy with tribal marks, if that is your question.
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16 April, 2016
weekend cartoons
Saturday Tribune
Adeeko Olusegun adeeko.olusegun@yahoo.com 0811 695 4638
Just a Laffing Mata
POLITICO
Benin medicine
One day Segeluulu boarded a bus to Lagos from Warri. He told the driver, ‘Oga driver, when you reach Benin, abeg tell me o!’ The driver nodded. He shouted again, ‘Everybody in this bus, una hear wetin I tell the driver?’ They responded, yes. On the journey to Lagos, everyone slept off, but Segeluulu never blinked, they never knew he didn’t know Benin. After several hours of driving, they were already very close to Lagos, then Segeluulu asked: ‘Driver, you never reach Benin?’ The driver shouted, ‘Oh my God, Benin is about five hours behind us!’ Angrily, Segeluulu started yelling, ‘take me back to Benin or I will cause trouble in this bus.’ After several minutes of argument, everyone in the bus agreed that the driver should make a u-turn and head to Benin. On getting to Benin, the driver came down, opened the door and asked Segeluulu to alight since they were already in Benin. Segeluulu smiled, opened his bag, brought out two tablets and swallowed it with water, then said, ‘My mummy said when I reach Benin, make I take two tablets. Oya, make we dey go Lagos straight!
Ex aminat ion hal l
FUNOLOGY
Segeluulu came into the examination hall with a rope. His teacher was surprised and asked him. Teacher: Why did you bring a rope into the examination hall? Segeluulu: My dad told me to skip the question I don’t know.
Dream
Segeluulu was eating bread in his dream, after he finished eating it, he saw a coconut and decided to eat it too. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get a knife to cut it so he decided to use his teeth. Suddenly, he had a slap from his dad, ‘You have finished my pillow, now my head is your next target. Idiot!’
Jenifa confirms relationship with rapper JJC
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16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
33
16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
With Seyi Gesinde seyigesinde@yahoo.com 08116954632
motoring
Honda drops hint on 2017 Civic model
2017 Kia Sportage receives safety top rating
D
EMONSTRATING Kia Motors’ ongoing commitment to safety and continuous improvement, the all-new 2017 Kia Sportage has earned the highest designation possible – Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) – from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when equipped with optional front crash prevention. The rating reflects top scores in each of five crashworthiness tests as well as the integration of driver assistance technologies to aid in crash prevention. “The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is one of the most recognized and respected organizations in the industry when it comes to evaluating vehicle safety, and as such, the Top Safety Pick Plus designation is a significant achievement,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning, KMA. “We are especially proud to have our all-new Sportage earn that TSP+ rating in light of IIHS’ new, more challenging standards, validating the efforts of our engineers and the priority we place on safety.” IIHS testing parameters were changed for 2016, requiring each vehicle to earn “good” ratings in five crashworthiness tests – small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength
and head restraints – as well as an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention in order to qualify for a TSP+. The 2017 Sportage is available with a wide range of driving-assistance systems and safety features including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)1, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS)1,
Blind Spot Detection (BSD)1 with Lane Change Assist (LCA)1, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)1, and Bi-HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Light (DBL)1 technology, highbeam assist (HBA)1, and front and rear parking assist1. Furthermore, the structure of the all-new Sportage is significantly
improved due to the extensive use of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS). With 51 percent of the Sportage’s body-in-white consisting of AHSS, versus the outgoing model’s 18 percent, torsional rigidity has improved 39 percent. In addition, the Sportage utilizes more than a football field’s length (338 feet) of structural adhesives.
HONDA has revealed information about the 2017 Honda Civic model, which it said would be lower and wider than today’s car. The car looks a lot more dramatic, with Honda admitting that the current car actually looks older than its predecessor, a mistake Honda is keen to rectify. The automaker said the central exhausts are likely to be reserved for the range-topping Type R version Despite the new emphasis on style, Honda claims the Civic will be as practi-
cal as ever, the designers apparently paid particular attention to ensuring entry and exit wasn’t compromised. Honda said while the concept doesn’t feature an interior, not one we can see, anyway, it’s likely to be designed to offer a similar blend of drama and ease of use. The new Honda Civic concept is just one of the exciting cars debuting at the 2016 Geneva motor show, and you can keep up to date will all the other reveals via the Telegraph Cars live blog.
Ssangyong reveals Tivoli XLV A new extended Ssangyong model, Tivoli XLV has been revealed. The all-new Tivoli XLV, which Ssangyong has just unveiled at the Geneva motor show, is a stretched version of the Tivoli which keeps the same wheelbase, but adds extra bodywork behind the rear wheels, in much the same way as the now-defunct Nissan Qashqai +2. However, unlike the Qashqai +2, the Tivoli XLV, The Telegraph in its review said the new model doesn’t actually feature any extra seats. Instead, the extra room translates to more
luggage space, making this, to all intents and purposes, a Tivoli estate. Giving reason for not adding extra seats to the vehicle, the automaker said another row would put a dent in the XLV’s whopping 720 cubic litre luggage capacity, and Ssangyong reckons its customers will appreciate the extra space more than the extra seats. The XLV will keep the same engine range as the tiddlier Tivoli, which means it gets a pair of 1.6-litre engines, one petrol and one diesel, and a choice between automatic and manual
gearboxes and two- or four-wheel drive. That vast boot will also get a smattering of useful extras, such as luggage hooks, nets, and a false floor beneath which smaller items of luggage can be hidden. The Tivoli XLV wasn’t the only new car to have been revealed by Ssangyong at Geneva, however. The Korean company also unveiled its new SIV-2 concept car, which is thought to preview the next iteration of the Korando, Ssangyong’s Tiguan-sized 4x4.
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politics&policy
Ondo 2016:
HAKEEM GBADAMOSI looks at the current tempo of politics in Ondo State ahead of the November 26 governorship election.
Saturday Tribune With Saheed Salawu
0811 695 4643
yinkadejavu@yahoo.com
As the drumbeats of war begin One thing that is increasingly proving certain in the state is that the forthcoming governorship election is not going to be a two-horse race. Surprises that will change the state’s political landscape... are being expected.
P
OLITICAL stakeholders in Ondo State are already strategising on outwitting one another, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having announced the schedule and fixed November 26 for the governorship election in the state. While many consider the election as a straight contest between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), a school of thought holds that a “third force” may spring surprise in the race to the Alagbaka House at the end of the day. In the meantime, no fewer than 45 aspirants have indicated interest in flying the APC’s flag in the election, while the camp of the PDP seems quiet as regards those rearing to succeed the incumbent governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko. Although about six members of the party are believed to have shown interest in the race, none of them has openly declared his ambition. It was gathered, however, that these interested party faithful have begun mobilisation at the grassroots level. The aspirants to the coveted seat cut across the three senatorial districts of the state even though the political arrangement does not favour the central senatorial district, where Governor Mimiko, who will be completing his two terms in February 2017, hails from. Some politicians from the governor’s district have nevertheless thrown their hats in the ring. The argument among political stakeholders in the state is that power should shift to either the northern senatorial district or southern senatorial district in the spirit of fairness and equity, Mimiko having spent back-to-back terms of eight years as governor, a first in the history of the state. This appears responsible for the large number of aspirants across the parties from the northern and southern senatorial districts of the state. But the APC chairman in the state, Mr Isaacs Kekemeke, has insisted that the party’s ticket would not be zoned to any part of the state but the best candidate will represent the party in the election. However, taking the last election into consideration, the strength of the opposition APC lies in the North while the South is predominantly for the PDP. Pundits see the Central as a battle ground split between the two parties and warn that any wrong choice by any of the parties in the election may spell doom for such a party. Other political parties are not left out in the preparation for the election. While all eyes are on the two leading political parties in the state, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Accord Party (AP) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) are also working towards making an impact in the governorship election. The SDP appears to be making an inroad into the state’s political firmament after absorbing the Omoluabi group’s structure, spearheaded by a former Minister of Power, Dr Olu Agunloye. The former minister is now the sole aspirant of the party in the governorship race. Agunloye, who was a governorship aspirant
16 April, 2016
Governor Olusegun Mimiko
on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2012 election, lost the ticket to Rotimi Akeredolu. He soon defected to the Labour Party and was there until the marriage between the LP and the PDP in the state. After plans went awry with the LP and PDP merger, Agunloye pulled his Omoluabi group’s structure and joined the SDP to achieve his dream of ruling the state. The politician is already mobilising for the party, which was relatively unknown in the state before now. His door-to-door campaign is said to be yielding dividend with pockets of defection from the two major parties to the SDP across the three senatorial districts. The AP had been considered to be another force to reckon but the party has gone underground. However, information currently doing the rounds has it that businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, is aiming to use the party’s platform to contest the governorship elec-
tion. Although Ibrahim is thought to have the wherewithal to finance the AP and his aspiration, he and his party seem to have yet to gain a firm footing on the political ground in the state. A popular belief around the Sunshine State is that politicians with constant presence in the state stand a better chance in the race than “visiting politicians” that are now taking a shot at the governorship seat. Eighty percent of the APC faithful currently jostling for the party’s ticket are believed to be based outside the state with no political structures on the ground to back up their aspiration. The reverse argument is that 90 percent of the PDP’s aspirants reside in the state and understand the politics therein. The SDP also stands a good chance in this regard if the analysis of pundits is anything to go by. Agunloye is based in the state and his political structure is spread across the 18
local government areas. Political analysts argue that since the beginning of the current political dispensation, those who have been ruling the state have been politicians with structures entrenched in the state and not outside. This consideration is, therefore, considered to be an albatross for many aspirants of the APC who are believed to have inadequate understanding of the politics of the state. A political commentator, Ade Ayeni, opined that the candidate of the defunct ACN in the state, Akeredolu, would have already wormed himself into the hearts of the electorate by now but he left the scene after losing out in the last governorship election only to reappear for this year’s contest. The analyst noted, however, that most of the PDP aspirants have stayed put in the state and, therefore, would know better where the shoe pinches. The SDP aspirant is also said to have remained in the state with over 80,000 members of his Omoluabi group coming with him into his new party. The Omoluabi group has existed for more than five years and its new mother platform, SDP, has been described as a formidable third force. The rising profile of the SDP, it is believed, stands it in a good position to benefit from any disgruntlement that may arise from primaries of the two major contending political parties – the APC and the PDP – which have been adjudged as being incapable of organising rancour-free primaries. According to the calculation in some quarters, things may fall apart after the big parties’ primaries with aggrieved members now conditioned to work against the parties with most of them likely to pitch their tents with a third-option party. One thing that is increasingly proving certain in the state is that the forthcoming governorship election is not going to be a two-horse race. Surprises that will change the state’s political landscape, according to some analysts, are being expected. For the time being, political stakeholders in the state, according to sources, are determined to disallow external forces from deciding the outcome of the next election, vowing to make sure that the people of the state take their destiny in their own hands this time.
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politics&policy
16 April, 2016
Kogi assembly crisis is a proxy war
Saturday Tribune
—Imam, factional Speaker
Factional Speaker of the crisis-ridden Kogi State House of Assembly, Honourable Umar Imam, in this interview by YINKA OLADOYINBO, speaks on the lingering imbroglio, the performance of the assembly under his leadership, among other things.
crisis, but the more advancement we made to those members out there, the more emboldened they got. They cannot make this state become stagnate as it is more than any individual. The only way we found that we could go ahead without being distracted is to have some of them that were found culpable suspended. The committee found out that 10 of them were fuelling the crisis and they were suspended indefinitely The first major assignment under your leadership was the consideration and passage of the 2016 budget, how did it go? There were necessary adjustments to the budget draft. As we passed the budget, the total figure stood at N99 billion plus. The adjustments were necessary, given the new government that will implement it, because the budget proposal was not prepared by the present administration. This is a state that needs development. We have suffered lack of development. There has not been infrastructural development and that is why the budget was increased to N99 billion.
T
HINGS are not at ease in the House of Assembly with your faction being accused of sitting without forming quorum... Presently, we are a 23-member House of Assembly. We are supposed to be 25 but we are waiting for the elections in Ofu and Idah constituencies to be concluded to make up that number. The quorum is simple - one third of the total number. So, with the assembly presently comprising 23 members, we have put the number at eight to form quorum. During our last sitting, we had to adjourn because we were seven and could not form quorum. Those of us that sit are 10 in number but on Tuesday, nine of us sat, because one of us from Dekina was far away in America attending to the health challenges of his wife.
With the House now polarised, what is your feeling towards other members not belonging in your group? Since the inauguration of the sixth assembly 10 months ago, on June 3, 2015, we have been inundated with resentments and they have not abated. We have been having uneasy calm and the House has not stabilised since its inauguration. We pride ourselves as the sixth assembly and we want to serve as vehicle for the progress of this state. Some of us were never politicians; we came into politics to change the way things are done - to do things differently. We have better ideas. We have sat back for a very long term but we felt it should not be like that. We needed to get involved and we are here. Many of us are newbie in politics as well as in the assembly. We had thought we could turn around the fortune of the state easily but little did we know that the House was going to be in this turmoil. So far, we have had internal problems. What is going on in the Kogi assembly is a kind of proxy war. They found a war field in the assembly. It is quite unfortunate. Some of us who know this have been making efforts to ensure that this sixth assembly does not fail. We thought that it is a normal thing to have wrangles in the assembly - one thing or another would bring about that - but we are concerned that since February, the contending issues have not been resolved. We are mature gentlemen and honourable members at that, we expected that we would have sat down and settled this by now. But it [the situation] has lingered because of the centripetal forces that are involved in this matter. We thought that with all the overtures that we have made to our members out there, they would
Now that the budget is passed, what should the people of the state expect in terms of implementation and oversight function from the assembly? If you visited the venue of our budget defence, you would have discovered that a thorough job was done. Before this sixth assembly, you hardly saw such thoroughness in terms of budget defence and appraisal, but the agenda of the assembly is to push development; we want to move the state out of the woods. We had the adjustments made to the budget so as to ensure the even development that this state has craved for a long time. It is hoped that the assembly will do the needful in terms of oversight so that aside from the passage of the budget, we are going to monitor the performance of the budget. Possibly, we are going to do this quarterly. This assembly promised at our inauguration to live up to expectation.
We are mature gentlemen and honourable members at that, we expected that we would have sat down and settled this by now. But it [the situation] has lingered because of the centripetal forces that are involved in this matter. see reason. This state has stagnated for a very long time and if we must move the state out of the stagnation, we have to make some sacrifices. And if some of us have agreed to make sacrifices to ensure that the state moves forward, it behoves our members out there to come in. Since they have allowed themselves to be taken away by the tide, we have no choice but to
remain here and do what we have to do. Do you think the suspension of some of your colleagues will not stand in the way of a lasting solution to the problem? Before we did that, we formed a committee to investigate those that were behind the crisis because we wanted to end the
What is the wisdom behind the increase in the budget when some other states are asking their House of Assembly for slash of their budgets in the face of current economic realities in the country? You can be sure that even the national budget doesn’t perform 100 percent and I do not see any state that has 100 percent budget performance. We want to advance. The government that prepared the budget proposed N74 billion but now we have N99 billion plus. A careful look at the budget will reveal details of how the government wants to source money to implement the budget. This government has come up with initiatives to ensure that we get more money and the budget proposal did not capture this. The government is already blocking loopholes; it has started ‘killing’ the ghost workers. The state has saved more money to finance the budget. After the screening exercise, we will know how much the state has saved, the TSA regime is also going to start. So, we will ensure that it is a workable budget.
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16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
The moment I saw Chibok girls in video, I started crying —Classmate UN bemoans their fate
A
schoolmate says she cried with joy when she saw a Boko Haram video appearing to show some of Nigeria’s kidnapped Chibok girls, with images of tearful mothers recognizing their daughters who have not been heard from since the mass abduction by the Islamic extremists two years ago. “The moment I saw them and recognized their faces — Saratu Ayuba, Jummai Mutah, and Kwazigu Hamman — I started crying, with tears of joy rolling down from my eyes, thanking God for their lives,” she told the Associated Press. The young woman, who now calls herself Saa and is going to college in the United States, was among several dozen who escaped, jumping down from the back of an open truck after Boko Haram had kidnapped them. The extremists seized 276 girls who had gathered for science exams at the Government Girls Secondary School in the northeast town of Chibok. There are 219 missing. Saa spoke in a statement through the Education Must Continue Initiative, a Washington-based project started by Nigerian Emmanuel Ogede, which is sponsoring the education of Saa and nine other students who escaped. “Seeing them gives me the courage to tell the world today that we should not lose hope,” Saa said. “Let’s keep praying and campaigning for #BringBackOurGirls. I want the world to raise their voice. Let’s not stop until the government hears us and does something about it.” CNN on Wednesday aired the video, believed made in December, of girls wearing the Islamic hijab, and of one mother reaching out to a computer screen as she recognizes her daughter. “My Saratu,” she wails, before breaking down in sobs. She says Saratu was 15 when she was kidnapped and now is 17. The video shows 15 of the girls — one with a mischievous grin, one looking uncompromising, downright defiant, and one downcast. One can feel the pain that shows in the eyes of many of them. They give the date as Christmas, Dec. 25, 2015. Meanwhile, the United Nations on Friday said the plight of the Chibok schoolgirls is a major conflict that is affecting the North-
Eastern communities, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported. Fatma Samoura, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria said that up to 7,000 women and girls might be living in abduction and sex slavery. “Humanitarian agencies are concerned that two years have passed, and still the fate of the Chibok girls and the many, many other abductees is unknown,” she said. The statement quoted Samoura as saying that the abducted girls had suffered so much at the hands of their captors as they had been on forced recruitment, forced marriage, sexual slavery and rape, and have been used to carry bombs. “Between 2,000 and 7,000 women and girls are living in abduction and sex slavery,” said Jean Gough, Country Representative of the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF. Women and girls, who have escaped Boko Haram have reported undergoing a systematic training programme to train them as bombers, according to UNICEF. It said that 85 per cent of the suicide attacks by women globally in 2014 were in Nigeria. In May 2015, it was reported that children had been used to perpetrate three-quarters of all suicide attacks in Nigeria since 2014. Many of the bombers had been brainwashed or coerced. As the Nigerian military recaptures territory from Boko Haram, abducted women and girls are being recovered. Over and above the horrific trauma of sexual violence these girls experienced during their captivity, many are now facing rejection by their families and communities, because of their association with Boko
Haram. “You are a Boko Haram wife, don’t come near us,” one girl reported being told. “Effective rehabilitation for these women and girls is vital, as they rebuild their lives,’’ the statement said. The UN notes that children have suffered disproportionately as a result of the conflict. The Chibok abduction was not an isolated incident. In November 2014, 300 children were abducted from a school in Damasak, Borno, and are still missing. A UNICEF report, released earlier this week, stated that 1.3 million children have been displaced by the conflict across the Lake Chad Basin, almost a million of whom are in Nigeria. Similarly, Human Rights Watch House reported that 1 million children had lost access to education. “The abducted Chibok girls have become a symbol for every girl that has gone missing at the hands of Boko Haram, and every girl who insists on practising her right to education,” said Munir Safieldin, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria. The UN says more need to be done by the Nigerian government and the international community to keep them safe from the horrors other women and girls have endured. Safe schools are a good start, but safe roads and safe homes are also needed, it says. While Boko Haram is thought to have abducted thousands of people over the years, the mass abduction brought the extremist group to the world’s attention. The campaign hashtag #BringBackOurGirls went as
The abducted Chibok girls have become a symbol for every girl that has gone missing at the hands of Boko Haram, and every girl who insists on practising her right to education.
far as the White House, used by U.S. first lady Michelle Obama. The failure of Nigerian officials and the military to rescue the girls brought international condemnation and contributed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss in elections last year. Jonathan at first had denied there had been a mass abduction, but international pressure soon forced him to accept help from other countries. The United States, Britain and France were among those that sent advisers, including hostage negotiators. U.S. and British drones located at least one group of about 80 of the girls, which was reported to Nigeria’s government and military, but nothing was done. Andrew Pocock, who was British high commissioner to Nigeria until his retirement last year, told The Sunday Times magazine last month that it was considered too dangerous to the other girls to attempt a ground or air rescue. “You might have rescued a few, but many would have been killed. ... You were damned if you do and damned if you don’t,” the magazine quoted him as saying. Nigeria’s military has cited the same fears. Yet that has not stopped them from attacking towns and villages where Boko Haram has held thousands of civilians captive. The military boasted last week that soldiers have rescued 11,595 civilian hostages since Feb. 26. But none has been from Chibok. CNN reported that the “proof of life” video was sent in December to negotiators trying to free the girls. It shows an interview with Information Minister Lai Mohammed saying the government is reviewing and assessing the video. Senator Shehu Sani, who has been involved in past negotiations with Boko Haram about the Chibok girls, told The Associated Press he found the video credible. Yakubu Nkeki, leader of a support group of parents of the kidnapped girls, said he briefly saw part of the CNN video, in between power blackouts frequent in Nigeria, and recognized some of the girls. “We are all well,” one of the girls says in the video, emphasizing the “all.” There have been fears that Boko Haram’s increasing use of female children and adults to carry out suicide bombings indicates they are turning captives into weapons, including the Chibok girls. The video ends with one of the girls appealing to Nigeria’s government to meet unspecified promises. There’s been no word of the girls since May 2014, when Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said they had converted to Islam and threatened to sell them into slavery or forced marriage with his fighters. Many recently freed girls are pregnant. Two mothers and 16 fathers have died since the mass abduction, some of them victims of Boko Haram attacks. Others died from illnesses blamed on stress, according to Nkeki, who spoke to the AP by phone from Chibok. Some 20,000 children in the town and its surroundings have no school to attend, he said on Thursday as parents started gathering at the school to pray for the safe return of their daughters. “Boko Haram has achieved its aim. They say they don’t want us to have Western education and our children don’t,” Nkeki said.
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sport
16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060
Ex-3SC boss gives FIFA 14 days to beg Nigeria By Oluwabunmi Ajayi
F
ORMER General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Nat Adewole, has given the world soccer governing body, FIFA 14 days to apologise to Nigeria. This came on the heels of the letter written by FIFA to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), where it indicated that Nigeria will be sanctioned if the case before the law court initiated by the Chris Giwa faction concerning the removal of the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF board is not withdrawn. FIFA had hinged its submission on the grounds that football matter is not resolved by a court of law but by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). However, the former Nigerian international, Adewole, stated that FIFA has been selective in handling issues concerning member nations adding that why should Nigeria be an exception? “If, immediately after the 2010 World Cup, the French president personally threatened to and, in fact, eventually sacked the French Football Federation and France was not banned; the Liverpool ownership tussle in 2011 or so was settled in British courts and Britain was not banned; seven FIFA officials were indicted in US courts in what began the tsunami that eventually swept Sepp Blatter away from the world football throne and the United States was never banned; and an Egyptian court sacked the Egyptian Football Federation a few days ago to her crucial AFCON 2017 qualifers against Nigeria in Alexandria and Egypt has not been banned, what further evidence and proof does anyone
require to know and confirm that Nigeria has merely suffered 16 years or so fraudulent “FIFA bans” in the hands of some football-jackers, crooks, impostors and cabal that have systematically (over the years) totally destroyed the great football legacy that we built and laid with our youth lives in this country,” Adewole, a member of the then IICC Shooting Stars FC which won the 1976 first continental trophy for Nigeria said in a statement.
He noted that Nigeria also deserves to be compensated FIFA given the prevailing circumstances saying “I have instructed my lawyers to give FIFA a maximum of 14 days to profusely apologise to, and handsomely compensate, Nigeria for her unlawful, illegal, fraudulent and contrary-to-football rules “banning and unbanning “ (on account of football litigation in the country’s courts for some 16 years now or else...”
Rangers will fall in Jos —Shittu
Izu Joseph (left) and Wasiu Jimoh of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), celebrate after scoring during a Nigeria Premier League game this season. 3SC will today host Heartland in a match day 12 game at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. FC Giwa defender, Shittu Lawal believes that he and his team-mates will be looking forward to having three points in the bag as they were able to do against the likes of Sunshine Stars and Kano Pillars when Nigeria Premier League current leaders, Enugu Rangers come visiting tomorrow in the Tin City.
The Jos Elephants welcome Imama Amakpakabo’s Flying Antelopes to the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos and Shittu hopes that his team employs the same determination that brought success to them against big teams in the past. “This season when we got six points at home against Sunshine and Pillars the
I’m ready for unification title fight with Hammer —Afonja Warrior
By Ganiyu Salman REIGNING West African Boxing Union (WABU) middleweight champion, Rasheed ‘Afonja Warrior’ Abolaji has said he is looking forward to having a unification title fight with Sunny King Hammer, the current national title holder. Afonja Warrior, it will be recalled, made Nigeria proud, recently at the sixth GOtv Boxing Night when he stopped Ghanaian Adjei Sowah in the third round of their 12-round WABU title bout staged at the National Stadium, Lagos. “I give glory to God for winning the WABU title and I thank Nigerians for their support especially my fans who were at the stadium. I was well prepared for the fight and I knew
what it meant to face a Ghanaian. My first professional loss was to a Ghanaian in Accra, Obodai Sai (in May 2014), and that experience helped me a lot this time to subdue Sowah. “In fact, I was surprised that he was able to continue when he went down in the first round and I had to put in everything into the fight because I didn’t want it to last the distance,” the Kwara Stateborn boxer told Tribunesport. The dark skinned pugilist stated that the unification title fight remains his immediate target. “My next fight would have been on May 1 but it was cancelled because the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control has sanctioned that I should face Hammer in a unification title fight
in August and I am happy about this development. He will bring his national belt while I will bring my WABU belt to the ring. It has been my dream to become a national champion first but thank God that the hope is now bright. “I moved to the middleweight class and moving up is a source of joy to me and I have stepped up training too. “I had wanted to fight Hammer before now after I defeated Sunday Ajuwa last December, but the bout did not materialise yet. I just pray God will keep us alive and I pray Hammer and I will eventually meet in the ring this time as scheduled,” said Afonja Warrior who lost the national light middleweight belt last year to Sule
‘Tyson Olagbade. Meanwhile, ‘Afonja Warrior’ sent the Ghanaian opponent to the canvas right from the first round, continued the dominance in the second round and finished up in the third round when a straight blow to the head of Sowah led to the stoppage of the bout. Meanwhile, Another Nigerian, Olaide ‘Fijaborn’ Fijabi also became the West African light welterweight champion on the night, when he pummelled Djamiou Ekekpo of the Republic of Benin via a technical knockout in the sixth of their 12-round title fight. ‘Fijaborn’ also went home with the N1million cash prize for the GOtv best boxer of the night.
2016 NPFL MATCH DAY 12 FIXTURES Saturday, April 16, 2016
Rasheed ‘Afonja Warrior’ Abolaji
Nasarawa United Shooting Stars
vs vs
Plateau United Heartland
Sunday, April 17 Sunshine Stars vs El-Kanemi Rivers United vs Kano Pillars FC Giwa vs Rangers FC IfeanyiUbah vs Warri Wolves Enyimba vs Abia Warriors Lobi Stars vs Akwa United Niger Tornadoes vs Ikorodu United
tempo was really up there,” Shittu told Goal. “We were in their faces and picked up some really good points against the really big teams and we’ll look to do that again. Even though we are all professionals, everyone loves playing against big teams in the big games. “As a player, I can tell you first hand that when you get games like Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Rangers, Shooting Stars and Heartland, you enjoy it a lot more.”
Kano SWAN begs Ganduje to begin preparation for Calabar 2016 Kola Oyelere-Kano THE Kano State branch of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has appealed to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to make funds available to the state’s athletes to enable them to commence preparation for the 2016 National Sports Festival billed for Calabar, later this year. In a communique signed by Abdulgafar Oladimeji on behalf of Kano SWAN at the end of its congress, the body commended Ganduje administration for the establishment of the state Sports Commission, which it noted would boost the standard of sports in the state. Kano SWAN also applauded the appointment of former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima to oversee the running of the commission. “Performance in sports is all about timely preparation, which hinges on the availability of the right training atmosphere and equipment, test competitions and motivation.”
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Dipo Ogunsola 081 169 54 641
Son holds Carroll’s prize
Blackwell
ANDY Carroll celebrated his hat-trick heroics by spending time with his partner and young child following the sixgoal thriller against Arsenal last Saturday. Helping his West Ham side battle back to eventually claim a point, the towering front-man became the fifth fastest person in Premier League history to notch a treble, with his over-head finish the pick of the bunch at Upton Park. A brilliant performance, Carroll earned the man-of-the-match award and as is customary, was given a signed match ball - much to the delight of his son, who held his dad’s prize in a shared Instagram pictured which was captioned: ‘at least I made someone happy.’
Boxer celebrates comeback from coma BOXER Nick Blackwell has been pictured smiling and giving a thumbs up from his hospital bed as he recovers from an induced coma. The 25-year-old suffered bleeding on his skull following his bruising fight with Chris Eubank Jnr for the British middleweight title. He spoke his first words last Sunday having been in a coma for almost a week. And in a picture posted to Twitter, the boxer was seen grinning and holding two thumbs up as he continues his recovery. The swelling on his left eye - that was forced shut during the fight - has also receded.
Carroll and son
HECTOR Bellerin quickly put the disappointment of Arsenal’s draw with West Ham behind him as he soaked up the sun with his girlfriend. The pacy defender was all smiles as he and his stunning partner Berta Requeno, grinned for the camera wearing sunglasses, which she shared on her Instagram account, with the caption: ‘Enjoying a bit of sun #Miamor @hectorbellerin.’ Leading by two goals thanks to Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, the Gunners threw away their commanding position, as Andy Carroll stole the show with a impressive hat-trick to deal Arsene Wenger’s side’s already slim hopes of the title a damming blow.
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AMIE Vardy seemed in a relaxed mood when he appeared with girlfriend Rebekah Nicholson at the 2016 British Asian Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Vardy’s mind seemed to
Bellerin, girlfriend soak up sun
More tattoo for Deeney
AFTER watching close friend Anthony Joshua administer two rounds of pain on Charles Martin to win the IBF heavyweight title, Troy Deeney sought to test his own threshold in a slightly different way. Rather than a leather-clad right hand, the Watford striker was on the receiving end of a tattooists’ needle, as he continued to get more work done on a gigantic back piece. The image, which appeared to look very much like a Roman centurion, is not the first bit of artwork to cover the forward’s body, with this most recent inking among a number of others - including a Birmingham City badge on his calf. Sharing the painful procedure with his 55,000 Twitter followers, Deeney posted a picture along with the caption: ‘Back at it with @bobbalicious85 catching jokes with @Fontanoz for the next 6 hours.’ Prior to taking his ringside seat at the O2 on Saturday, the Hornets captain helped his side to a 1-1 draw with Everton at Deeney (right) Vicarage Road.
Saturday Tribune
Vardy, girlfriend catch fun at British Awards be a long way away from football as he posed for photographs at the awards ceremony. Leicester fan and TV presenter Manish Bhasin posted a picture on Twitter of himself and Vardy as the pair settled in for
the night. The star-studded event was held to benefit charity partner Global Citizen and conversation wouldn’t have been far away from Leicester’s remarkable challenge for their first Premier League title.
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Super Eagles need a foreign coach to forge ahead
16 April, 2016
Saturday Tribune
An Egyptian player (left) takes on Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho and Mikel Obi during their AFCON 2017 qualifier in Alexandria, Egypt.
—Brunks
Warwick Brunks, a Delta State-born UEFA (A) licensed coach in this interview with OLAWALE OLANIYAN, speaks on the state of Nigerian football. The former Bendel Insurance and FC Porto player declared that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should go for a foreign coach at this point in time to improve the standard of the game in the country. Excerpts: WHAT is your assessment of the Nigerian football league so far? If I should assess the Nigerian football league, the system now has gone political compared to the days when a number of individuals and philanthropists owned clubs such as Abiola Babes, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Flash Flamingoes etc. So, what we have now is a case where political parties are trying to show their subjects that they care and by so doing are damaging the league due to their selfish aims. Even now, I think many Nigerians especially youths are no more interested in the Nigerian league, instead, they prefer foreign leagues and they have their favourite clubs which they follow religiously. In fact, some of our philanthropists even prefer to invest in foreign clubs now than the clubs here in Nigeria. What do you think the League Management Company (LMC) can do to bring glamour back to Nigerian league as a product of domestic league too? The best thing now to do to bring glamour back to our league venues is to involve the private sector. If you notice, since all working environments have been privatised why not that of the football sector as it was from the beginning. Then the game was fine, good developmental process and fans were increasing then on a daily basis, but it is a different story today. People running the game are so selfish and those saddled with the responsibility of running even government-owned clubs are not transparent and we are also battling with nepotism. How did you see the inability of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2017
Africa Nations Cup, what do you think is responsible for this? As far as I am concerned, Nigeria not going to the 2017 AFC O N i s a blessi n g in disguise from the perspective I am looking at it. We need to get our act together so as to move forward, the damage has been done. Since Nigeria did not qualified to be at Gabon 2017, we have to do our homework and reclaim our lost fame in football. What is the way forward? The way forward to me is that we need a foreign and competent coach or foreign consultant or adviser to help guide us out of the mess we are in without us knowing it. We need somebody who has the technical know how to develop our youth teams so that we can benefit from these age-grade competitions in the near future. More importantly, we have to stop going after laurels at the youth level with improper age-bypass which has not manifested in our football at the senior level. Some Nigerians are clamouring for the resignation of the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF board, what is your take on this issue?
I am not in support of sacking the Pinnick-led board as that will not be the solution. Even if the NFF board is making mistakes, it should be advised by experts as no man is an island. Why is that Nigeria always like to sack? We like to celebrate the downfall of others to cover up our problems. But I still hope that the board should work more for the improvement of the game in this country. How will you assess the attitude of Nigerian players to national assignments? Our players’ attitude is nothing to write
I am not in support of sacking the Pinnick-led board as that will not be the solution. Even if the NFF board is making mistakes, it should be advised by experts as no man is an island. Brunks
home about, we have a bunch of unprofessionals in the national team these days, if we want to ensure professionalism in our football, it’s not too late. Ghana did it and got better, why not Nigeria? Remember, a patient dog eats the fattest bone. Let us get our homework done properly. Our last match (against Egypt) was a mess without any penetrative pass, breakaway pass, shooting or overall possessiveness to determine if the Eagles intended to win or are we to say the coach at hand had no structure given to them or he didn’t give them on how to play to win or the players are doomed? What is your opinion on the fresh case emanating from the Chris Giwa faction? It is bad to open up old wound, that means, the wound will never heal. We, Nigerians are not interested in the power tussle between Amaju Pinnick and Giwa on who should lead the nation’s football governing body. All that matters to Nigerians in the diaspora, is how we can move forward in football and I think it is high time the Federal Government intervened through the appropriate authorities by ensuring fair play. The interest of the nation must supersede that of an individual and all the parties must play by the rules because we are talking about football this time and not any ordinary matter. There are set rules guiding football and they must be respected.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES (Saturday, April 16 ) Norwich Everton Man Utd Newcastle West Brom Chelsea
NO 1,147
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SATURDAY, 16 APRIL, 2016
Bournemouth Leicester Arsenal Stoke City
Victor Osimhen
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2015 Eaglets get World Cup bonus, allowances FIVE months after they won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, the Golden Eaglets could now heave a sigh of relief after they were paid their outstanding bonuses and allowances this week. Nigeria, coached by Emmanuel Amunike, it will be recalled, last November in Chile, outscored fellow Africans Mali 2-0 with goals from Victor Osimhen and Funsho Bamgboye to win a record fifth U-17 World Cup. A top official told AfricanFootball.com: “Both players and officials have received their outstanding entitlements now. “Government approved the funds for the competition, but the release was delayed. The NFF had to borrow to ensure the Eaglets featured at the tournament and it was only when the funds were released that they got their dues.” The payment included daily allowances for the entire period they were out of the country, first in Argentina for preWorld Cup and then in Chile for the competition proper.
The win bonuses for the semifinal and final matches were also paid. It is estimated that each player received a total of about $8,000.
Guardiola warns Bayern BAYERN Munich coach, Pep Guardiola has urged his players to take note of Barcelona’s collapse in La Liga and told them to focus on retaining the Bundesliga crown. The Catalans appeared to be cruising to the Spanish title but have collected just one point from their last three games to open the door for Madrid rivals Real and Atletico. Bayern is seven points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with five games to go, but Guardiola is not getting carried away and has stressed this weekend’s match versus Schalke is a must-win. “We need two more wins and a draw to secure the Bundesliga title. That is my ultimate goal,” Guardiola said at a media conference.
vs vs vs vs vs vs
Sunderland Southampton Aston Villa Swansea Watford Man City Sunday, April. 17 vs Liverpool vs West Ham vs C/Palace Monday, April 18 vs Tottenham
12:45pm 3:00pm 3:00pm 3:00pm 3:00pm 5:30pm 1:30pm 1:30pm 4:00pm 8:00pm
Rio 2016: Dream Team won’t underrate any team —Siasia
IGERIA’S U-23 coach, Samson Siasia, said on Friday that the Dream Team VI will not underrate any opponents in the group stage at the Rio 2016 Olympic men’s soccer event scheduled to hold in August. In the draws made on Thursday, the African U-23 champions are drawn in group B with Sweden, the European U-21 champions; Japan, the Asian champions; and Colombia, runners up to Argentina in the South American tournament.
The man who coached Nigeria to win the silver at the Beijing 2008 Olympic said with adequate preparation, the Dream Team VI would advance to the knockout stage from the group. “The group will be difficult but it is fair enough for us to qualify from if we prepare very well for the competition. “I am confident we will qualify from the group; all the teams are tough there are no more easy teams to beat. “It’s all about good prepa-
ration; we will rate all teams equally with respect and map out our programmes and strategy. “I am sure of qualification from the group with hard work from us,” Siasia said after attending the draws in Rio de Janeiro. Nigeria will open its campaign against Japan on August 4 at the 41,000-seater Arena da Amazonia in Manaus after the group opener between Sweden and Colombia.
Champions League: City won’t be an easy prey for Real Madrid —Zidane Zidane REAL Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane has dismissed suggestions from the Spanish media that facing Man City represents another favourable draw for his wards after they avoided Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich in the semi-final pairings. The 10-time European champions knocked out Italian side Roma in the last 16, before beat-
ing Wolfsburg - currently eighth in the German Bundesliga - to reach the last four. “I don’t agree that our knockout ties are always the easiest,” said Zidane. “You’ve already seen us lose 2-0 in the first leg against Wolfsburg, so I don’t want to hear this. “Everyone we’ve faced so far have been strong: Roma, Wolfs-
burg and Manchester City. “It will be a very difficult knockout tie. The only positive is that we play the second leg at home. I’m certain that it will be a real battle.” City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, however, admits that facing the Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired squad is a difficult game for the Citizens.
Printed and Published by the African Newspapers of Nigeria PLC, Imalefalafia Street, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. E mail: saturdaytribuneeditor@yahoo.com Website: www.tribuneonlineng.com MANAGING DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: EDWARD DICKSON. EDITOR: LASISI OLAGUNJU. All Correspondence to P. O. Box 78, Ibadan. ISSN 2712. ABC Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation. 16/4/2016.