16th July 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 1,160

SATURDAY, 16 JULY, 2016

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Nigerian Tribune

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Nigerian Tribune

N150

Arms probe:

Documents on Dambazau’s tenure not available —FG pg6

N5.7bn discrepancies found in FG’s monthly payroll pg6

Criminal Sharia bill for states in House of Reps

pg5

Weekend Lagos

Bold men get my attention pg3 —Actress Ade Laoye

10,000 electricity workers ’ll lose jobs over court order pg6 on tariff —EKEDC boss

84 killed in France pg5 terror attack Student murdered in pg7 Offa cult clash

Tales from Lagos street where the dead feed the living

pgs19,20,21&22

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is on air, Twitter goes crazy. And we try to engage fans on social media whenever it’s airing. I believe my character is an audience favourite.

Adejoke Laoye is an actress, who is currently on the MNETsponsored Africa Magic popular TV series,‘Hush’. Her character, Oye, an assistant to a governorship aspirant, has continued to impress her audience and growing fan base. However, Ade, who is a Philadelphia State University-groomed actress, comes from a lineage of singers. The former Ebony Life TV presenter, who told NEWTON-RAY UKWUOMA in this interview that she chose acting over music because of the fascination also says, among other things, that she admires authenticity in men.

But it seems a lot of people misjudge your character, do you share that view?

Yes. A lot of people still haven’t gotten a firm grip of the personal motivation and struggle of my character. I don’t think they know who she is.

Do you want to enlighten us here?

No! You’ve got to watch it through. In the next few months, people would get to know who she is and not get to define her by what she does.

H

OW long have you been acting?

I have been acting for a long time. I studied acting in the university at the Pennsylvania State University where I majored in Theatre Arts. I have been acting professionally ever since I graduated in 2006.

What is Oye’s personal motivation?

I think she has defined herself a lot by what she does. I think her goal is to be number one. She sees herself as a leader. I think all the decisions that she makes were to put herself in a position of power.

She is someone who is attracted to power. I think she is a fighter. She can do anything to get to the top.

Did you start acting in Nigeria or in the US? Professionally, I started in the USA. But I have always had a flair for drama before I went to the US. I come from a very artistic family: the Laoye family.

My grand uncle, just to clarify, Oba John Adetoyese Laoye, the Timi Agbale of Ede, was popularly known as “The Drummer King”. Art is in my blood.

Nikki Laoye, the gospel singer, is my cousin. We all sing. We all love music.

Is she planning any strategic move that you want to share?

[Laughs] I can’t tell you that! Just keep watching.

But in choosing a career path, why did you choose acting instead of singing?

Well, I have always loved to sing. I sing, in fact. But being able to embody different personalities has always fascinated me. I chose to study Theatre Arts out of curiosity. Growing up in Nigeria, my parents wanted me to study medicine. It was either Medicine or Engineering, you know, the usual. But when it was time to go to the university, after looking at the courses available, the fascination led me to Theatre Arts. It was something I felt I would do for the rest of my life because the fascination was strong.

After your graduation, how long did you stay before coming back?

I stayed five years before coming back. I was working. I lived in Philadelphia and later New York, where I worked as a professional actor. I majored in stage plays in Philadelphia and New York. I went on tour. I taught acting in some schools and summer camps.

Why did you decide to return to Nigeria?

I made the decision based on a couple of factors. First, I am a restless person. It’s probably the reason I chose acting. I was feeling restless and bored. I realised I needed a change of environment. I was working in the States, but I felt lost. It’s easy to lose yourself in the US. Though it was a much larger industry, the competition was really fierce. I knew I was talented, but I wasn’t being fully utilised.

I was feeling that there weren’t as many opportunities to do what I could do. Secondly, a year before I moved, I had been in Nigeria for Christmas and I remembered not wanting to go back. A lot of my friends had started moving back. I heard of how things were happening in Nigeria. That was in 2011. I started meeting people in the entertainment industry. I started networking and asking questions. It was also great to be home and close to family. I had been away for a long time, being back was kind of a new feeling. I weighed my options. Nigeria started seeming like a viable opportunity. I moved back for all of these reasons.

Bold men get my attention —Actress, Ade Laoye

You major in TV series more than the movies.

No and yes. No, because I have a lot of experience in stage performance, only just recently did I start doing TV. And yes because I haven’t done as much film as I have done TV. However, people recognise me in stage performances such as ‘Carol’, the musical. I played the character of Jane. I was also in ‘Waka’, the musical as Ngozi. Both stage plays were produced by Bolanle Austin-Peters. In terms of movies, I had a small role in EmemIsong’s ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ and I played a teacher; Uche, in Seyi Babatope’s ‘Launch Time Heroes’. Two movies. But I have done a number of TV series.

I was in ‘Dowry’, a series that was aired on EbonyLife TV. I also did another series called Studio that one was aired on AIT and I am currently working on ‘Hush’, airing on African Magic.

Having been adequately immersed in two cultures and industries, what would you say are the noticeable distinctions?

In my experience, I think a certain level of seriousness of the craft is needed here. People invest a lot of time, resources and money in developing themselves, whether it is taking classes or attending seminars in the US. I find that there aren’t many of such opportunities here. Sometimes I feel rusty and

Saturday Tribune

What are the challenges you have encountered playing Oye? First, it is a long series. I don’t know how the story is going to end. We get our scripts in chunks. I don’t know what will happen to my character along the way. Your character evolves with the story. I sort of try to keep in mind what my driving force is, what my character wants, while also anticipating changes.

Secondly, we shoot out of sequence. Today’s scene and next week’s can be shot today. Sometimes the timeline might get mixed up, but you have to be careful to track your emotional states so that you don’t laugh where you are supposed to cry. Switching emotions is another challenge. Not carrying the baggage of an emotional scene into another is one heck of a job. Again, never losing sight of what your character was is important. Every character wants something. Making sure that your objective this minute contributes to the objective of the movie from point A to B is important.

We seem to know who Oye is, who is Ade Laoye?

My real name is Adejoke Laoye. My friends call me Ade. So, professionally I am called Ade Laoye.

I am from Ibadan, Oyo State. I come from a closely knit family. I come from a family of five. We are five girls. I am the third of five children. My sisters are my best friends.We share everything. I like to think I am a loyal friend. I love my friends fiercely. I am someone who feels extremely grateful and blessed to live the kind of life that I live. I haven’t done anything to deserve it. I am grateful to family and to God. I feel lucky in a lot of ways. I don’t take anything for granted. I love ice cream. It makes me happy. I love food. I don’t like to cook. Note, I didn’t say I can’t cook. I think I am curious and adventurous. I love learning things. I love travelling. I love to learn about cultures and fascinating things about the world.

want to take an acting class or a voice lesson. We don’t have a lot of these training environments in Nigeria. We have some, but they are not enough. It’s easy to take a quick audition class, capital development class or voice lesson in New York. There are so many resources, too many, it is hard to choose. I find that it is hard to find a training centre here. I also think that a lot of people kind of wake up to want to act without realising how much work goes into the craft. I think I miss being in an environment where everyone is itching to learn, to be better, to challenge themselves. It is not always about being famous How do you assess men who come around or being recognised. Feeling fulfilled as an artiste is important you? to me. It is hard to get that feeling here.

Ultimately, I am attracted to authenticity. I believe who you are is more interesting than who you are Tell us about your role as Oye in ‘Hush’ trying to be. I hear a lot of people say a guy must Yes. I play the character of Oye. Oye is a campaign manager be rich and handsome and God-fearing. I think of a woman running for governor. Oye is sort of a fixer. Her who a person is, is more valuable than money. I job is to get things done – you know, find solutions. She does am also attracted to people who are courageous. it quite well and sometimes a little too well, gets herself into If you want to talk to me, do it boldly. What is the trouble sometimes. She is very sassy and she gets to play with worst that could happen? The people who get my the big boys. She lives with her sister. This is the first time I am attention are those who are bold about it. So if you in a long running series. are brave and courageous you will get my attention.

Otherwise, be you. If we click we click. If we don’t, How long has ‘Hush’ been on air? we don’t. A foundation of friendship is the basis for For a year now. It is interesting to see how Oye is evolving. any relationship.

What has been the feedback from fans?

So far, the feedback has been amazing. Whenever the show

Are you in a relationship right now?

No.

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Criminal Sharia bill for states in House of Reps Bill sponsored by Sokoto Rep member Taiwo Adisa and Kolawole Daniels

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HE House of Representatives is already in possession of a bill that is seeking to introduce criminal Sharia law in the constitution making it applicable all over the country, Saturday Tribune can reveal.

The bill titled An Act to Alter the Provisions of the

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and for related Matters sponsored by Hon Abdullahi Balarabe Salame, is seeking to introduce the criminal aspect of Sharia in the states of the country.

Former Zamfara State governor, Senator Ahmed Sani, in 1999, without recourse to the constitution which recognised the application of Sharia only in

civil matters, kickstarted the introduction of criminal Sharia when he implemented the ruling of a Sharia court on a case of stealing and amputated the right wrist of the culprit.

The bill, introduced to the House, marked HB.16.04.530, which appears on page C1753 to 1755 of the National Assembly Journal No 22 of April 29, 2016, seeks to amend and

in some cases repeal aspects of the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for implementation of Sharia in civil and criminal matters across the country.

It seeks to amend Sections 262(1) and delete Section 262(2) of the 1999 Constitution. It also seeks to alter Section 277(1) of the constitution, while seeking to delete Section 277 (2) of the constitution.

NLC pickets NECA over ‘anti-labour activities’ Olatunde Dodondawa and Segun Kasali - Lagos THE Comrade Joe Ajaeroled Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) picketed the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) on Friday to protest alleged anti-worker activities by the association.

Speaking at a press con-

ference on Friday, Comrade Ajaero said “it has become important that we address you at this time to explain the unfortunate events that happened today in our campaign to liberate Nigerian workers from further enslavement and oppression by the overlords in the banking and other sectors of the

economy as led by NECA under the leadership of Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo.

“Nigerian workers led by NLC went on a peaceful protest to NECA to draw attention of the public to the continued enslavement of workers in Nigeria, especially in the banking sector by employers.”

Explaining the scenar-

Osinbajo leads Nigeria’s delegation to AU summit Leon Usigbe - Abuja VICE-President Yemi Osinbajo will represent President Muhammadu Buhari at the African Union (AU) Summit formally opening on Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda.

The 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) is scheduled to hold from 17 to 18 July, 2016, while a retreat of African Heads of State and Governments has been scheduled for July 16 ahead of the formal summit opening on Sunday.

The session has been preceded by the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) and the 28th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the Union at the ministerial level ending today.

The AU summit’s theme is African Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on the rights of women.

2016 is also being celebrated by the Union as the year of Human Rights with the aim of raising awareness on human and peoples’ rights, particularly women’s rights, on the continent and taking stock of progress or efforts made, including major challenges and/or obstacles encountered.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice

President, Laolu Akande, in Abuja on Friday, Osinbajo, who is being accompanied

by Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Ambas-

sador Babagana Kingibe, among other functionaries, leaves for Kigali today and is expected back on Monday.

MEMBERS of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, the body of Shiites in the country, on Friday, blocked the Zaria-Kaduna Expressway to protest against the prolonged detention of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, Premium times has reported.

Mr. Zakzaky has been in detention since December 2015.

He was arrested by the Nigerian Army after troops clashed with Shi’a members, reportedly killing over 300 of them.

The victims were allegedly secretly buried in a mass grave in Kaduna.

The army has denied the attack.

It, however, admitted using force, saying the Shiites had blocked the road in an attempt to assassinate its chief, Tukur Buratai, a Lieutenant General.

A source told premiumtimes.com that “thousands” of Shiites blocked the expressway on Friday, denying road users passage.

The source said security operatives were deployed to the scene.

A spokesperson for the Shi’as, Musa Ibrahim, confirmed to Premium Times that he had received report that “some of our members” embarked on procession today (Friday) and were attacked by thugs.”

“A report just reached my desk,” said Mr. Ibrahim.

“Some of members embarked on peaceful proces-

io, he alleged that NECA brought in armed thugs who beat up journalists, inflicted injuries on workers and onlookers and stole cameras, phones, money and other personal belongings.

“We want Nigerians and employers to note that we decided not to respond to NECA’s violence not out of weakness or incapacity for violence but because we operate from a higher moral pedestal.

“To have done otherwise would have detracted from the purpose of our engagement and played into hands of traducers of labour,” he said.

The bill indicated in its explanatory memorandum that it “seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to increase the jurisdiction of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory and the Sharia Court of Appeal of a state by including criminal matters of hudud and qisas.”

Section 262(1) of the 1999 Constitution indicates that: “The Sharia Court of appeal shall in addition to such other jurisdiction as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly, exercise such appellate and supervisory jurisdiction in civil proceedings involving questions of Islamic personal law.”

Section 262(2) of the constitution which the new bill is seeking to delete gives details of the jurisdictions of the Sharia Court as contained in subsections a,b,c,d and e.

The bill is also seeking to alter Sections 277(1) and also delete Section 277(2) which highlights the jurisdiction of the Sharia Court of Appeal in a state.

The sponsor, Honourable Abdullahi Balarabe Salame,

is a former Speaker and former acting governor of Sokoto State.

He was acting governor between April 11 and May 28, 2008, when former governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko had his election annulled.

He has also served as treasurer of the 19-member Northern States Speakers’ Forum.

He is the member representing Gwadabawa/Illela Federal Constituency of Sokoto State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In 1999, former governor of Zamfara State, now a serving senator, Ahmad Sani, spearheaded the introduction of criminal aspect of Sharia in his state and was subsequently followed by some other states in the North.

By 2012, nine states had instituted full (criminal and civil) Sharia. They include: Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi and Yobe.

Three other states that institutionalised partial Sharia are Kaduna, Niger and Gombe.

Shiite members block highway, demand El-Zakzaky’s release sion today. But they were attacked by thugs at Maraban Jos (along KadunaZaria Expressway.”

He added that he was informed that the police intervened in the fight “but I don’t know whether there is

casualty.”

He said the “procession” was to demand the release of Sheik Zakzaky.”

Truck attacker kills 84 celebrating France’s Bastille Day AN attacker plowed a truck into crowds celebrating Bastille Day on the French Riviera, killing at least 84 people in what President Francois Hollande called a terrorist act by an enemy determined to strike all nations that share France’s values.

The driver, identified by police sources as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a 31-year-old Tunisian resident in France, also appeared to open fire before officers shot him dead. He was known to the police in connection with common crimes such as theft and violence but was not on the watch list of French intelligence services, the sources said.

The third mass killing in Western Europe in eight months caused more fear across an already anxious continent struggling with security challenges from mass immigration, open borders and pockets of Islamist radicalism.

The truck zigzagged along the seafront Promenade des Anglais in the city of Nice as

a fireworks display marking the French national day ended on Thursday night.

It careered into families and friends listening to an orchestra or strolling above the beach on the Mediterranean Sea toward the grand, century-old Hotel Negresco.

Bystander Franck Sidoli

said he had seen people go down. “Then the truck stopped, we were just five meters away. A woman was there, she lost her son.

Her son was on the ground, bleeding,” he told Reuters at the scene.

Dawn broke on Friday with pavements smeared with dried blood. Smashed chil-

dren’s strollers, an uneaten baguette and other debris strewn about the promenade.

Small areas were screened off and what appeared to be bodies covered in blankets were visible through the gaps.

The truck was still where it had come to rest, its windscreen riddled with bullets.

Chieftancy tussle: Court declares Akinfala as eligible for Olowu stool AN Osun State High Court in Osogbo on Friday declared Prince Dauda Akinfala as an eligible candidate to fill the vacant stool of Olowu of Orile Owu, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.

Akinfala is of Lagbedo ruling house in Orile Owu kingdom.

Justice Olubukola Ayoola granted order of perpetual injunction restraining Prince Bayo Aderinle and other members of the Apina family from being nominated for the vacant stool.

The court also restrained the state government from accepting any such nomination.

The judge gave the orders while delivering judgement in a suit filed by Akinfala challenging the eligibility of Aderinle to occupy the stool of Olowu.

The suit was filed in 2011

by Mr Olusegun Olatoye, the lawyer to the plaintiff.

The judge held that the evidence of the defendants during cross examinations were inconsistent and did not corroborate the content and facts of the case.

She held that the Lagbedo ruling house was the next to occupy the vacant stool from the six ruling houses.

The judge said that since the creation of Orile Owu, ascension to the throne has been by rotation among the ruling houses where vacancy existed.

“After the death of Oba Afelele, justice has shown that it is the turn of Lagbedo ruling house to present the candidate,” she said.

She urged all parties to respect the rule of law and to allow peace to reign in Orile Owu kingdom.

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10,000 electricity workers ’ll lose jobs over court order —EKEDC boss

NERC adamant, heads for appeal court Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos and Adetola Bademosi - Abuja

Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and civil society groups during a protest rally against mass sack of bankers, on Friday in Lagos. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

Arms probe: Documents on Dambazau’s tenure not available —FG Christian Okeke - Abuja

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HE Federal Government has said that the report of the Presidential Committee on the Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement in the Armed Forces between 2007 and 2015 submitted on Thursday to President Muhammadu Buhari did not cover the period when the Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau was Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

According to the government, what has been released so far is the report of the audit covering the period 2011 to 2015.

The current Minister of Interior, Lt.-General Dambazau was Chief of Army Staff between August 2008 and September 2010. He was preceded by Lt.-General Luka Yusuf who was COAS from June 2007 to August 2008.

The report submitted on Thursday indicted two exchiefs of Army Staff, Lt.-Generals Azubuike Ihejirika and Kenneth Minimah. Ihejirika was COAS between September 2010 and January 2014 while Minimah held the post from January 2014 till July 2015.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday morning, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the committee that handled the probe would commence audit of procurement from 2007 to 2010 as soon as the necessary documents are available.

“When the documents regarding procurement from 2007 to 2010 are available and scrutinized, the committee will then issue its report on that.

“The audit is being done in phases and the report that was released on Thursday is the third of such,” he said.

The minister assured that the Federal Government’s anti-corruption fight is nondiscriminatory and urged Nigerians to keep an open mind as events unfold.

He said, “No one should attempt to distract from the seriousness of the issues involved in this audit of defence equipment procurement.

“It is important to note that even though the total amount spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185,843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49, the irregularities in the awards ensured that the military did not get value for money, with very serious consequences President Buhari had approved the further investigation of those involved in defence equipment procurement from 2007 to 2015 following recommendation of the committee charged with the investigation which found a number of irregularities in the contract awards.

The Third Interim Report of the Committee was released on Thursday and among those listed to be investigated are 18 serving and retired military personnel, 12 serving and retired public officials and 24 chief executive officers of companies involved in the procurement.

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

Specifically those listed for further investigation include two former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika (retd) and Lt.-Gen. K.T.J. Minimah (retd); former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs II, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed and three former Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Defence - Mr. Bukar Goni Aji, Mr. Haruna Sanusi and Mr E.O. Oyemomi.

Also, the CEOs to be in-

vestigated include Col. Olu Bamgbose (retd) of Bamverde Ltd; Mr. Amity Sade of Doiyatec Comms Ltd and DYI Global Services and Mr. Edward Churchill, of Westgate Global Trust Ltd. According to AVM Jon Ode (retd) who is the chairman of the presidential committee, the total amounts spent for procurement and operations within the period were N185,843,052,564.30 and $685,349,692.49.

He said the committee found out that the Nigerian Army contracts awarded by the Ministry of Defence for the period under review were often awarded without significant input from end-user (Nigerian Army) and to vendors who lacked the necessary technical competence.

“As an example, three contracts with a total value of N5,940,000,000.00 were awarded to DYI Global Services Ltd and Doiyatec Comms Nig. Ltd (owned by the same individuals) for the procurement of military hardware, including 20 units of KM-38 Twin Hull Boats and six Units of 4X4 ambulances fitted with radios.

The committee found that the two companies collected N5,103,500,000.00, representing 86% of the total value of the three contracts worth N5,940,000,000.00, but

only performed to the tune of N2,992,183,705.31,’’ he said.

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

With respect to contracts awarded directly by the Nigerian Army, the committee found that many of the contracts were characterised by “lack of due process, in breach of extant procurement regulations and tainted by corrupt practices.”

He said, “In this regard, a review of the procurement carried out by Chok Ventures Ltd and Integrated Equipment Services Ltd established that between March 2011 and December 2013, the two companies exclusively procured various types of Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles worth over N3,000,000,000.00 for the Nigerian Army without any competitive bidding.

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

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

ELECTRICITY distribution companies (DISCOs) have warned that if the court order which directed the discos to revert to the old tariff before the 45 per cent increase was introduced is obeyed, over 10,000 people would lose their jobs in the power sector.

Speaking to Saturday Tribune on Friday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC), Engr. Oladele Amoda stated that, that order will affect the power sector negatively. He said over 10,000 workers may be sacked while investors will not just shy away from investing in the sector, international donors will also be discouraged from participating in the sector.

According to him, “on the court order on tariff reversal, we have appealed the court order for stay of execution. Meanwhile, that singular singular act will affect the power sector negatively.

Investors will be discouraged from further investment in the sector, donor agencies may have a rethink.

“But the biggest one is that it may lead to job loss. More than 10,000 workers may lose their jobs if that judgement stands.

Company cannot continue to run a business at a loss. If we are not making profit, at least we try to cover our cost.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC) on Friday said it would appeal against court ruling on reversal of the initial 45 per cent electricity tariff increase.

This is as the regulatory commission insisted that it would retain its planned 45 per cent increase in electricity in the country.

In a press conference addressed by the acting chairman, NERC, Mr. Anthony Akah in Abuja at the commission’s headquarters, he noted that the commission was aware of the judgement which declared the electricity tariff regime that became operational on February 1, 2016 as illegal, adding that its reversal may not be possible.

According to him,“the commission respects this decision of the court but we are dissatisfied because it represents the reversal of the commercial foundation upon which contracts for gas, hydro, coal and solar feedstock for the production of electricity have been predicated.”

Tambuwal asks Bill Gates to partner Sokoto on agric THE Sokoto state government has sought for a partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the development of agriculture and related sectors in the state.

“We appreciate your efforts in improving healthcare delivery in Sokoto state in particular and in Nigeria as a whole. I want to inform that the potential agric sector holds in Sokoto is enormous. We seek partnership with you to modernise the sector and improve the earnings of our farmers,” the state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said during a video conference with Mr. Gates to assess the progress of routine immunisation in Sokoto.

The immunisation programme is funded by the Gates, Dangote Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to Tambuwal, with more than 85 percent of Sokoto’s population engaged in one form of agricultural activity or another, the partnership will create value for all parties and ensure rapid development of local farmers in the state.

Agricultural development is one of the largest initiatives of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. To date, the Foundation has committed more than US$2 billion to agric development efforts in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

In June this year, Gates launched a campaign to help extremely poor families in sub-Saharan Africa by giving them 100,000 chickens.

According to him, raising and selling the birds can be efficient to tackle extreme poverty.

Presidential audit team finds N5.7 billion discrepancies in FG’s monthly payroll THE Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit has found discrepancies in the payroll of the Federal Governmment’s Ministries, Agencies and Departments to the tune of N5.7 billion monthly.

The Head of the Continuous Audit Team, Mr Mohammed Dikwa, made this known in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Kano on the sideline of the two-day

National Revenue Retreat, organised by the Ministry of Finance.

He said that the amount was the true state of their findings as of June 30, 2016, and as a result, the Federal Government had been saved from paying that amount monthly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari had set up the Continuous Audit Team to look

into the finance of Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

This is meant to address issue of ghost workers, over payment of allowances, fraud and embezzlement in MDAs. “The Continuous Audit Team plans to conduct regular checks on the control and risk assessment of MDAs. We look at the records that are being kept to ensure transparency and account-

ability of the financial transactions carried over time.

“In terms of ghost workers, we have found about 43,000 ghost workers so far and as of May 30, we had N4.2 billion that is saved on a monthly basis.

“But as of June, 30, we were able to make more recoveries of N2.2 billion which has led to an additional savings of N6.4 billion monthly,” he said.

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School feeding: Other states to use Osun as template

From left, Application architect, Nigerite Limited, Jesse Onovre; Brand Ambassador, Nigerite Limited, Mr Lanre Ashaolu; lecturer in architecture, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ifeoluwa Akande and Senior Lecturer and postgraduate coordinator, Bells University of Technology, Ade Adewolu, during the factory tour of Nigerite Ltd. by the final year architecture students of the University in Lagos, on Friday.

Militant attacks: Residents of Ikorodu communities in Lagos flee homes

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ANY residents of the communities in Ikorodu in Lagos State have fled their homes for fear of being attacked by militants who have taken over the area.

The fleeing residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that life had become unbearable for them following the activities of the group.

According to them, the militants have laid siege to the community for consecutive two weeks, robbing, vandalising, kidnapping, raping and maiming their victims.

They also steal domestic animals and raw food stuffs.

They told NAN that the militants were armed with dangerous weapons in carrying out the incessant nefarious activities on the unsuspecting victims.

The fleeing residents of Igboolowu community told NAN that they had sent an SOS to the Lagos State Po-

lice command over the development.

Full of fright, the residents added that many of them had to vacate their abode for fear of further attacks and molestations.

Mr Mike Faleke, one the fleeing residents told NAN that he had left the area with his family due to the criminals’ increased activities.

“The hoodlums are pipeline vandals who have resorted to going to people’s

homes to dispossess them of whatever they could find, including foodstuffs, goats, chicken, pigs and other domestic animals.

“They have now moved to Isawo community where they take over their houses.

“These criminals now ask the occupants to identify the wealthy people within the community after which they proceed to attack them.

“There is a robbery attack by the militants in our neighbourhood during

Offa poly student dies in cult clash Biola Azeez-Ilorin A student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State has been reported killed during a cult clash in Ilorin, on Wednesday.

Saturday Tribune gathered that the victim of the clash identified as Kazeem Adedolapo Oloto, was killed on Wednesday, the day the Students’ Union election was held at the polytechnic’s mini

campus.

It was also gathered that the victim was said to have been shot dead by suspected cultists around Hamdalat International School, Atari Area of Offa.

Meanwhile, the authorities of the school, in a statement signed by its Head, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Ladi Badmos and made available to journalists on Friday said that the killing was not

Poverty, product of unused brain capacity —Bishop Oyedepo Biola Azeez-Ilorin FOUNDER and chancellor, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said that what African nations need for sustainable growth and development is a generation of indigenous solutions, particularly in the field of agriculture.

Speaking at the third convocation ceremony of the agric-oriented university on Friday, Bishop Oyedepo said that Africans should not allow Western education to destroy native intelligence that they are divinely endowed with.

The university chancellor, who said that forefathers in Africa started

which a resident escaped to inform the police about the activity of the gang.

“But to the dismay of the residents, the police informed him that their schedule does not extend to the inroad but only on the main road,” he said.

A school teacher, who simply gave his name as Ayo, claimed that with the nonchalant attitude of the police toward their plight, the militant were now on the loose, ravaging the community.

farming, identification of edible plants and crops before the advent of colonialists, added that poverty among blackmen was a product of unused brain and capacity to think solution.

A total number of 51 graduates bagged First Class grade, 233 had second class upper grade, 229 secured second class lower grade, while 19 were in Third Class division out of a grand total of 532 graduating students in the third convocation ceremony.

In his keynote address at the ceremony, the pioneer vice chancellor, Michael Okpara (Federal) University of Agriculture, Umudike,

Professor Placid Njoku, said that the Federal Government, through Ministry of Education, should direct the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) to “totally revise their curriculum for the agriculture discipline to formally integrate entrepreneurship, approve agripreneurship as a full degree/diploma/NCE programme in all faculties, colleges and universities of agriculture, and approve a mandatory agripreneurship immersion period for all students of agriculture.”

connected to the student union election.

The statement reads: The attention of the Polytechnic Authority (sic) has been drawn by Offa Divisional Police Office to the death of a student of the polytechnic, identified as Kazeem Adedolapo Oloto, who was said to have been shot dead by suspected cultists around Hamdalat International School, Atari Area of Offa.

“The management has ensured the release of his body to his family after they have fulfilled necessary conditions laid down by the Divisional Police Office, Offa.

“The management wishes to state categorically that the death of Kazeem Adedolapo Oloto is not in any way connected to the just concluded Student’ Union election, held at the polytechnic mini campus on 13 June, 2016.

“It is, therefore, important to allay the fears of the general public, especially parents and guardians, that the sad event is not a fall-out of the election.

“As always, the polytechnic campuses remain absolutely calm and peaceful just as staff and students go about their respective duties unhindered”.

A three-day study by the representatives of various states of the country of the Osun school feeding programme has ended with a vow to follow the template set by the state.

The representatives concluded that Osun State government has set a good template for the implementation of the nationwide school feeding programme. The school feeding programme started in Osun State in 2006 and has been sustained since then.

Speaker after speaker commended the governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for identifying school feeding as one huge opportunity for social welfare and an instrument of economic strength for Nigeria.

The coordinator of the National Home Grown School Feeding programme, Mrs. Abimbola Adesanya, had led a team, which came to understudy Osun school feeding programme (O’ Meal) to Osun state.

Adesanya commended Osun State for what she described as the ingenious way it has moved the programme from what it was originally to an enviable one.

“National Home Grown School Feeding programme is part of government’s effort to uplift indigent out of poverty in the country.

“Our coming to Osun was basically to have insight into the synergy within the government structure in running the programme, the strength and challenges involved.

“The programme is for the people and it has transformed the state’s education and economic activities,” Adesanmi said.

The representative of Oyo State, Mrs. Folashade Adekunle, giving her commendation on the feeding programme said, “We have learnt so many things sir and we are going back to our state to implement; we going to see how this thing can fit into our state, we are not saying totally but we will sit down to see how this thing will work in our state.

The trip to Osun has helped us, we are grateful for this and we want to say thank you to the national team.”

Associates celebrate ex-Gov Osoba at 77 Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta POLITICAL associates and well-meaning Nigerians on Friday morning converged on the Abeokuta home of two -time governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, as he clocked 77 years.

An interdenominational service was conducted in his honour and the ceremony was well-attended by politicians from different political parties and followers of the celebrant from the 20 local government areas of the state.

Although, the celebrant, Saturday Tribune gathered, is currently outside the country, the attendance at the ceremony was massive.

No member of Osoba’s family was present as religious leaders from the Christian, Islamic and traditional circles offered prayers for him.

Eulogising the celebrant, former chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Agemo, described Osoba as an astute grass-roots politician and a leader par excellence.

He said the celebrant was not a corrupt politician unlike many politicians in the country.

Shiite /Army clash: Commission of inquiry receives 3,500 memoranda Muhammad SabiuKaduna THE Commission of Inquiry set of by the Kaduna State government to look into the recent clash involving the Shiite and the army in Zarias, has disclosed that it has received 3,500 memoranda within and outside the state during its sittings.

The chairman of the panel, Justice Lawal Mohammed Garba, stated this while submitting its report to the state governor, Mallam Nasir elRufai at the Government House, Kaduna, on Friday.

He said one of the par-

ties, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) had failed to appear before the panel for reasons best known to them even as a counsel for the sect had participated at the commencement of its sitting.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly Awokoya Babatunde Kolawole now ISRAEL OLATUNDE KOLAWOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. and I, Awokoya Modupe Grace am the same person bearing Obisesan Modupe Grace.

Now, I wish to be known and addressed as ISRAEL All MODUPE GRACE. documents bearing these names remain valid. General public take note.

8

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

9 feature

By Adedara S. Oduguwa

S

TRUGGLE to free Nigerians and Africans from foreign profiteers, the gruesome imperialists and suckling economic bourgeoisies left no one out in the colonial regime. The quest for self-government and independence became a common priority for the rich in the West who traded in cocoa; the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen in the North and Aba women in the East, who believed their husbands, must not be taxed. It further became a goal later to be pursued by the well-to-do; poor, illiterates, politicians, artists, writers, lawyers, educationists and clergies. In fact, the area called Nigeria was at its best in terms of unity as a colony than after October 1st, 1960.

Those factors that unified us were unequivocally more than those that divide us.

The degree of unity to rise against a common enemy found in the colonial masters cannot but be respected. Moreover, before 1897, there was no country or area called Nigeria until it came into being as a result of an article sponsored by Flora Shaw (later Mrs Lugard) in The Times of January 8, 1897, who argued that since all the towns and villages or protectorates in this area consists of many ethnic nationalities, the area therefore should be called ‘Nigeria’ (Ajayi, 2009).

Of course, this argument might not represent the view of many, but then, that was what was said by Mrs. Luggard, wife of Nigeria’s Chief Administrator in the colonial Nigeria.

“By May 1906, Sir Lugard had become high commissioner in Northern Nigeria.

Before this period, Britain had been ruling the three groups or countries (Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo) separately, independently and indirectly through the use of the existing local chiefs who were responsible to the Queen of England. However, because of difficulties in administration and the cost of maintaining these protectorates, his wife named the three conglomerates territories ‘Nigeria’... _ (Culled from the book Chief Obafemi Awolowo: The Political Moses,

by Adedara Oduguwa; 144-145).

But shortly after the amalgam procedures were concluded, Nigeria witnessed massive exploitation in terms of raw material and manpower under the colonial regime which was only an attempt to milk Nigeria dry alive. Abuse on Nigerians by foreigners made many Nigerian families to adopt English names like Johnson, Jones, Anthony, Simpson, George, Thompson, Macaulay, Ebenezer, Clark, Ransome, Thomas, the list is endless. The purpose of adopting these foreign names was to give themselves face in a country owned by their forebears in the hand of ruthless but diplomatic business negotiators.

Crusade for independence became heightened in the mid forties through activities of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), an offshoot of Lagos Youth Movement (LYM). Apart from the Trade Union, Market Women Association, traditional institutions, politicians, and the Student Unions that added their voices in fighting against this mordant and mercenary regime. There was this man, out of his devotion and commitment to seeing a free Nigeria, echoed ‘freedom’ through the fearless and adroit acts of art. He was Chief (Dr.) Hubert Adedeji Ogunde.

Ogunde was born on Monday, 10th of July, 1916 in a small town of Ososa (Ogun State) to Elder Jeremiah Dehinbo Ogunde and Mrs. Eunice Owotunsan Ogunde. Elder Jeremiah Ogunde was a convert of Baptist Church, Ijebu Ife and a strict disciplinarian. At the age of nine, young Ogunde entered Saint John’s Primary School, Ososa for his elementary education and left the school in 1928 for

16 July, 2016

Hubert Ogunde:

Nationalism and retrospect

Saint Peter’s Faji School, Lagos State where he was until 1930. Between 1931 and 1932, Ogunde was at Wasimi African School, Ijebu-Ode. His graduation from Wasimi African School actually marked the end of his entire formal education.

He altogether spent approximately seven years.

Despite few years spent acquiring formal education, Ogunde’s command of English was not only superlative but much better than many university graduates of his time. More so, in Ogunde’s personal submission, his limited formal education might have contributed to his successes as a playwright. According to him, “I thank God today that I didn’t go to that college or university at all. Because, possibly, I could have been exposed to some classical way of life or some classical way of doing drama that I could not have been able to do what I am doing today.”

Ogunde grandfather’s influence was great on him throughout his lifetime. As a young man, he adopted him by providence as his early mentor. His forebears were committed Ifa worshippers and founders of Ososa township. According to Chief Ogunde, “My grandfather was an Ifa priest. My grandmother too was an Idol worshipper and in our house, we have several Idols - the Ifa, Sango and all these. And so, as a result there were ritual ceremonies taking place every day. So being born into all these, drumming,

Ogunde grandfather’s influence was great on him throughout his lifetime. As a young man, he adopted him by providence as his early mentor. His forebears were committed Ifa worshippers and founders of Ososa township. dancing, incantations and then these rituals ceremonies, I think might have had some influence on me. My father was a Baptist missionary. In fact, he became a pastor. He was a pastor, an organist and a disciplinarian. And so, I think I might have been influenced by both.” (Culled from the manuscript, Hubert Ogunde: Odyssey of Renowned Nationalist

by Adedara Oduguwa).

Between the ages of 17 and 25 (19331941) young Ogunde was a school teacher

Saturday Tribune

at Saint John’s Primary School, Ososa and a dedicated church organist. However, in December 1941, Ogunde joined the Nigeria Police Force in a bid to better serve his mother land. By March 1945, approximately four years in the Force, Ogunde resigned in order to pay full attention to his passion — acting, since his passion for opera was mindboggling. His resignation was spurred by reckless and gross misconduct of the colonial regime, which was demonstrated by Ogunde in his much talk about 1945 opera entitled ‘Worse Than Crime.’ The opera was a political satire on the colonial masters which set to establish that ‘Colonialism in any shape or form is worse than crime.’ This earned Ogunde and Mr. G.B. Kuyinu (His co-director) two days in the police custody.

According to Oxford Dictionary, nationalism can be defined as “patriotic feelings, principles, or efforts; policy of national independence.” Similarly, James Coleman in Nigeria: Background to Nationalism describes nationalism as: “Broadly, a consciousness of belonging to a nation (existent or in the realm of aspiration) or a nationality and a desire, as manifest in sentiment and activity, to secure or maintain its welfare, prosperity, and integrity and to maximise its political autonomy. Nationalism is directed towards the attainment, maintenance or restoration of its political independence as a nationstate in the international state system.”

However, with my terms of reference, Ogunde is more qualified to be called a nationalist, having fought rigorously alongside others to secure independence for Nigeria. Ogunde, unlike many other nationalists, was a determined dramatist who believed in freedom for all and life more abundance (Awolowo, 1959). His nationalism struggle originally started in 1944, when Ogunde added his voice to the agitation for Western Nigeria’s self-rule by writing operas that are thought-provoking and colonial masters anger infuriating, such as Israel in Egypt (1944), Strike and Hunger (1945), Nebuchadnezzar’s Reign and Belshazzar’s Feast (1945), Worse than Crime (1945), Tiger’s Empire (1945), Bread and Bullet (1950), among many other similar titles (Clark, 1979).

However, for these titles, Ogunde was not only arrested, jailed, humiliated or intimidated; he earned himself series of bans for standing for truth and what is right — an act which is extremely rare in modern-day Nigeria. A point in reference was on September 24, 1978 when the veteran television presenter, Mr. Mike Akiode asked Chief Ogunde to comment on Strike and Hunger (1945), an opera that led to 1945 workers’ strike. On this, Ogunde enunciated: “...Yes, I wrote the play on the strike of the workers of 1945. The play was very successful in Lagos here. But then, it was trouble for me in the North. Not only ‘Strike and Hunger.’ I was detained in the police cell for one week for writing ‘Worse than Crime.’ And then, another three days again for writing my play ‘the Tigre’s Empire.’ Because I likened the colonial government to a Tigre’s government — the government of Tigers.” (Culled from the manuscript, Hubert Ogunde: Odyssey of a Renowned Nationalist, by Adedara Oduguwa).

Moreover, Ogunde was culture and tradition enthusiast, who was ready to die for the preservation of African beliefs. Between 1968 and 1969, he took his group on tour of Europe and Britain for a full year. Then, his group was chosen to perform at the International Musical Architecture they called it ‘Wales 1969’, so after the performance, he had an interview with the world press.

A Briton BBC interviewer asked him questions on polygamy, the extract is below: Continues pg36

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16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

style with Kate Ani

Theresa May: Her impeccable fashion taste

T

HERESA May is among the most senior politicians in Britain: one of the country’s longest-ever serving Home Secretaries and has now taken over from David Cameron as Prime Minister.

A quick Google search of May brings up pictures of a woman with a clear appreciation for excellent tailoring and a statement necklace. With her signature sleek, lowlighted blonde bob, alongside her shoes, May has a dedicated online page which documents her penchant for vivacious footwears and knee-high leather boots.

May uses her wardrobe to be seen and heard against the banal sea of navy and black suits and even has Tumblr and Twitter accounts and blogs dedicated to her outfit choices.

While STYLE must admit that it’s unusual to see a conservative female politician in the Conservative Party demonstrate such enthusiasm for fashion – as well as independent in her garment choices – we certainly applaud her!

Saturday Tribune

31

08071080888 anikate92@yahoo.com

11

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday With

S

INCE the alleged recent decapitation in Kano of a woman over her decision not to allow an Hausa man perform ablution in front of her shop, as well as the stabbing of another man whose infraction in the eyes of his traducers, was that he dared to eat publicly while the Islamic fasting was ongoing, the grisly murder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) woman evangelist last week is yet establishing a profile. And a scary one at that.

The traffic on Facebook was the first to be apprised with this horrendous murder. An apparently zealous woman of the RCCG sect of Nigerian Christian Pentecostals, had, in obedience to the injunction which is said to be the decree in RCCG today called ‘doubling’ (which in marketing is called one for two, i.e. one markets two, all translating, for Redeemed, enhanced evangelism with the aim that the population of the RCCG quadruples if possible) made it a point of duty to evangelize the people of Kubwa in Abuja. So early in the morning, the woman, with a megaphone, went out to tell the residents that they were treading the path of ruination unless they repented. So this early morning, her assailants waylaid her in same Kubwa and apparently shrouded by dark, matchetted her to death so callously.

The world, nay Nigerians, have not stopped mourning her death since that fateful morning.

Trust Nigerians, perhaps due to the uncertainty of the day of their own deaths too or the uncertainty of its cause and nature, they elected – as they have always done in matters pertaining to the departure of anyone from this earth – to be chief mourners of Mrs Eunice Olawale’s death.

In the absence of police autopsy and investigation reports of the cause and motive of the murder of the evangelist, it would be safe to conclude that her assailants were uncomfortable with either or both the fact of her evangelism or the searing cudgel of her preaching. If it is established that she had been earlier threatened before the murder, this will even substantiate this conclusion.

The RCCG, through its leader and General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, did extremely well by not exploiting the religious division in Nigeria to the advantage of the church. The deceased’s husband, true to the perspective of religionists in the southern part of Nigeria, also helped rein in the prospective retaliation

ayinla mukaiba ayinlamukaiba@yahoo.com

Kubwa murder: Of God and law

that could have come from the corpus of Christian worshippers in Nigeria. He had said that his family was not interested in either revenge or the arrest of the murderers of the woman.

Pastor Adeboye even went a notch further by saying that the church was not interested in justice but the repentance and conversion of the alleged murderers. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), however, elected to tow the activist line: every Christian must be prepared to defend themselves in the face of this alleged rampaging zealotry and intolerance of the other faith(s) in Nigeria.

The apparent course that runs through many of the comments on the murder of the RCCG woman is that she must have been taken out by those whose religion or faith was contra to hers. Which, to my mind, may be completely off tangent. For all you care, it could jolly well be an intolerant irredentist who could not put up with the nuisance of the preacher’s megaphone. I will explain presently.

We all have to be careful. Nuisances of different kinds are rarely noted, talk more of being given credence of existence,

by Nigerians. Nigerians stomp on the rights of the other person to enjoy quiet living, with abandon. Churches and mosques are serially guilty of this. In the name of religion,

many people daily suffer in quiet due to the disturbance and selfishness of religionists in Nigeria. On a daily basis, the muezzin wakes quietly sleeping Nigerians up through his unconscionable megaphone.

It was worse during the period of Muslim fasting when Nigerians were daily bayoneted by pestles of shouts calling faithful to prayers. Woe betide you if you live in an environment where churches (especially Pentecostal churches) are sited. You would earlier on have quietly endured the suffering of the vigil where the congregants choose to put a megaphone outside in the dead of the night to disorganise a wide network of the neighbourhood, for a programme that is strictly private.

So the blame is on both sides – Christians and Muslims. This is why the new Lagos State and Kaduna laws against this practice should be applauded.

Having said all this, the murderers of the RCCG woman should be made to rot in the hell of law by the Nigerian justice system. All attempts must be made to apprehend them and not allow their irredentism to fester. Nothing can justify the killing of another man, no matter the level of such person’s irritancy, or else, we would not be better than animals.

This is why I agree more with the CAN than Pastor Adeboye on the recompense for this horrendous act. First, every Nigerian should be vigilant because many of the people with whom we inhabit the same human space are a little higher than our ape ancestors and our assumptions over the years that we are all humans are palpably wrong. Second, the Nigerian law enforcement agencies should not listen to Pastor Adeboye’s comment that the woman’s assailant(s’) conversion to Christianity is more desirable than their apprehension by the law. In any case, the arrest of the perpetrators should not be subject to debate.

It is the state that has been offended by the taking of an innocent life and as such, it is in the interest of the state that the offenders be brought to book.

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16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

With Aunty Yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com

J

ke

LITTLE Johnny’s dad noticed the pet turtle was turning grey and was not going to live much longer. He tried to prepare the boy for the sad event. “Johnny your turtle is not looking so good and he might die. If he does, you and I will make a little box for him, invite your friends over and have ice cream, cake, play games, and then bury the turtle under the big tree. Then we will go to the store and get a new turtle.”

Dad was satisfied he had done his best and waited for Johnny’s response. “Dad,” said Johnny after a thoughtful moment, “let’s kill it.”

T

The musical donkey

fore daybreak, they would return to their respective home to meet again next night. This continued for

many days.

One night, the donkey said to the jackal, "Nephew, I feel like singing on

1. CAT 2. EARTH 3. CAR 4. GOLD 5. EYE 6. PLANT 7. BIRD 8. TREE 9. RAIN 10. MOON

1. TAC 2. HATRE 3. RCA 4. GLOD 5. YEE 6. NTPLA 7. RBID 8. ETER 9. IARN 10. NOOM

Join the dots and paint the picture.

What image do you have?

Answers

said, "Uncle, if you must sing, please wait till I go outside the fence and keep a watch on the farmers."

a r t O O n

Unscramble the following words

nights like tonight, when the moon is full and beautiful. What Raaga (note combination) shall I sing?"

The jackal cautioned, "Uncle, we are here to steal. Thieves should keep as quiet as possible. I may add, your voice is not as pleasant as you think, and sounds like conch being blown! Your voice can be heard over a long distance.

It will awaken the farmers who are sleeping, and you will have us caught."

The jackal assured, "Please uncle, eat as much as you like, and forget about singing!"

This annoyed the donkey and he said, "Dear nephew, it is because you are a wild animal that you don't appreciate music. I shall sing a melodious Raaga. Wait till you hear it!"

Observing that the donkey was determined to sing, the jackal did not risk staying there anymore. He

He ran outside the fence, and hid himself. Then, the donkey started to bray at the top of his voice.

When the farmers heard the donkey braying, they could see easily in the fullmoon-lit farm that the donkey was in their farm.

The angry farmers chased the donkey with sticks, and beat him so hard that he fell on the ground. Then, they tied a wooden mortar around his neck and let him go.

When the donkey was returning through the broken fence, the jackal laughed, "Musical uncle!

That was a great Raaga! I see the farmers have rewarded you with this necklace!"

The wise says: There is always a proper place and time for doing anything. www.talesofpanchatantra.com

C

GET INSPIRED

HERE lived a washer man’s donkey, whose name was Uddhata.

During the day, the donkey would carry the washerman’s bags, but during the night, he was set free to eat the green grass in a nearby field.

However, instead of grazing in the nearby fields, he crept into nearby farms and ate vegetables of his choice. Before daybreak it would come back to the washerman's house.

One night, the donkey met a jackal while wandering in a nearby farm.

They became good friends, and started meeting every night.

The donkey, being fat, was able to break the fences of the farms. While he ate the vegetable, the jackal would enter through the broken fence and ate the poultry on the farm. Be-

13

16 July, 2016

food&drink

Watermelon

cake:

, e k a m o t Easy t a e o t y m yum

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

By Blessing Ekum

W

ATERMELONS are in season and this juicy fruit is a delight any day, anytime.

Soaked with nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, C, antioxidants and amino acids, watermelons not only provide sweet relief on a hot day; they have also been proven to be great for heart health, skin and hair, digestion and even cancer prevention.

Although they can be thoroughly enjoyed when eaten by themselves, they can also be prepared as smoothies and slushies.

As with everything culinary, watermelons can also be upgraded. One exciting way to do this is in making it into a cake!

If you are a lover of watermelon, you can take your cooking skills up a notch by infusing some creativity to produce this.

Fruit salad lovers are also sure for a blast of sumptuousness as all it takes is some innovation and adding a variety of other fruits to make this cake. Not only is a watermelon cake yummy, you can enjoy a visually appealing cake, with loads of sweetness without the guilt of calorie build-up associated with flour/sugar-baked cakes.

It’s also quick, easy to prepare and a healthy choice with bust of colours.

It can be served as dessert, an edible centerpiece or a birthday cake.

To prepare watermelon cake, you will need ripe watermelon (preferably deseeded), other fruits of choice. For variety, you can include whipped cream to use for frosting the cake.

Preparation

- To make the base of the cake, cut the round ends off the watermelon.

- Carve out the heart of the watermelon using a sharp knife. Be careful to not slice out the inner pink rind. The watermelon should not be over ripe so that it doesn’t melt. Mop dry with a paper towel.

- Refrigerate watermelon.

- Prepare other fruits and design on carved out, refrigerated watermelon. Get as creative as you can with designs - Enjoy.

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16 July, 2016

intimacy

Saturday Tribune

With Bosede Ola-Samuel 08112658560 bosedeola_samuel@yahoo.com

STRICTLY FOR ADULTS 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 another. Attention is something everyone looks forward to from his/ her 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 attention to their cars than their wives, and many women pay attention to their children than their husbands. When that is the case, you are simply revealing to your spouse that your car/children 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 recognize his/her true value anymore and, as a result, do not show that you are grateful for him/ her any longer. This is a sin many couples are guilty of and it is one thing that can kill our love for one another. You must learn to appreciate your spouse. Husband and wife must value one another. Whatever you will not do to her if she was not your wife, you should not do to her now that she’s your wife. That she agrees to marry you is not a crime she has committed against you to make you see and treat her now like nobody.

And whatever you will not say to him if he was not your husband, you should not say

Tips for a happy marriage

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 wife allow for free communication in the marriage.

As much as possible, there must be freedom of speech. The degree to which the parties involved are free to express their hurt, displeasure, feelings, opinions etc. is the degree to which their love for one another will grow. Spouses must cultivate a relationship in which there is nothing they will not be able to tell one another.

to him because he is your husband. That he chose to spend his life with you rather than somebody else should not make him lose his respect before you. That he/she is your spouse should make him/her deserve an honour you should accord to no one else.

in one another’s presence, friends protect one another, friends feel safe with one another, friends are opened to one another etc. The moment a man and a woman are married, they should have no one else as their best friend other than their spouse.

Cultivate friendship with your spouse Love between a couple is promoted when they cultivate friendship with one another.

Do things that friends do: Friends respect one another’s opinion; friends gist together; friends spend time with one another; friends laugh with one another, friends share things with one another, friends relax

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 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.

conversewithyemisi

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 one another. A couple that will remain in love with one another 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 why it is important you do whatever it will take to make you and your spouse enjoy great sex at all times.

08055001741 (sms only) yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com

Do I go back to him?

I

Dear Yemisi, am a 29-year-old woman. I got married some four years ago to the man in whom I felt my marital bliss is. Our relationship dates back to when we were on campus. He played on while our stay on campus lasted.

I happened to be from a comfortable home where our basic needs were met without having to look at anybody’s face for succour in times of need.

I am from a polygamous home, my mother happened to be the third wife and incidentally my father’s favourite. My father has five wives. I am my mum’s first of four children.

I graduated the same day as my intending husband. During the service year, we decided to have our traditional wedding, hoping to have the real ceremony after service.

My daddy ensured that my fiancé and I were not posted out of the South West.

We were in the same city so as not to give room for suspicion from either of us. But one thing I noticed in the guy that baffled me most was the fact that he behaved irrationally and most times, I felt that I was actually the one in love.

I learned to live with this observation hoping that he would turn a new leaf by the time we begin to share the same roof.

I began to feel threatened and wanted to call it quits even after invitation cards for our wedding had been sent out, but I was prevailed upon to keep tolerating his excesses.

His unbecoming attitude came to a head after our wedding one and a half years ago. In spite of the fact that my father was responsible for our apartment’s fee in the mainland of Lagos, my husband started treating me like his house help. Unfortunately for me, I could not conceive in good time. All the necessary tests were carried out and I was diagnosed with fibroid that needed to be taken out for me to get pregnant.

This development raised more questions than answers as I could not figure out what could have caused this.

As quickly as I wanted this obstacle removed so also did my nightmare come. When I told him the discovery that was made, he instructed me to go back to my father’s house as he never had the intention of marrying me in the first place.

As any parent would react, they were quick to ask of the bill which my dad ensured was settled in good time. While this trying time lasted, my supposed husband never demonstrated any sign of commitment. I went through this with the backing of my parents.

He refused to show up at the hospital and when I was to be discharged, he said I should fuel his car if I wanted him to come and pick me which I did.

Getting back home was like hell as I did not enjoy any form of support from him. Then the trial continued. I later started having serious pains that necessitated my return to the hospital for another round of tests. I was in the end referred to a specialist hospital where I was told that the first operation was not necessary.

When my brother who is based in South Africa got wind of my predicament, he said that I should try all I can to come abroad to fix the problem. To this my husband was indifferent. This time again, my parents rose to the occasion and perfected all my papers to travel out for treatment.

My husband refused to take me to the

airport on the excuse of not having money to fuel his car. At this point, I felt cheated and took it again in my stride. I travelled to South Africa and I was told that I was misdiagnosed. At this point, what mattered most was my health which I regained under a month.

When I called him from South Africa about their discovery, he told me point blank that he doubted if he would have anything to do with me any longer and that I should go finally to my parents.

On arrival in Nigeria, I waited endlessly for him, but I went home disappointed as he refused to turn up.

Not to bore you with tales because the story is fairly long, I am now in my father’s house.

What do you think I should do?

Racheal.

Dear readers, Please counsel Racheal on what you think she ought to do in this situation. Send your advice to 08055001741

15

16 July, 2016

health&fitness

By Oyeyemi Okunlade

O

BALOLUWA had suddenly taken ill. As the days went by, there was no sign of improvement. Rather, there was an alarming rise in his temperature, thus manifesting symptoms of an ailment. From his mother’s observation, it was unlike him to be ill and so fussy.

Obaloluwa’s mother, being pregnant with her second baby, could not manage her son’s deteriorating health condition and decided to head to the hospital. On getting to the hospital, the boy was treated and subsequently regained his strength. It was not long after that the same condition took him back to the hospital. At that point, Obaloluwa’s mother’s friends and neighbours told her not to get scared as her son was reacting to her pregnancy.

Mrs Titilayo Olalekan, a mother of one who had recently put to bed, said that from her experience, a child reacts when his or her mother gets pregnant with another child.

“Reaction varies from child to child irrespective of age. It is a usual thing that happens to mothers who are pregnant with another baby. Some children react at the early stage of their mother’s pregnancies, some at the middle while others react towards the time the mother is about to put to bed,” she said.

She added that in her own case, her son started having high temperature and also wanted to be around her at all times. She posited that this, in a way, was a sign that the boy knew a child would come who might shift his mother’s attention from him.

While mothers believe that there is a connection between their toddler’s behaviour and a growing pregnancy, one is forced to ask if there a medical explanation to a child’s sensitivity to his or her mother’s pregnancy? A medical practitioner at Goshen Botakehd Hospital, Jebba, Kwara State, Mrs Veronica Ibiniyi, says, “Whether it is medically believed or not, whenever a pregnant woman notices her child’s health condition is not okay, she should take him or her to the hospital.

“From my experience, people insinuate a lot of things when a child is reacting to his or her mother’s pregnancy. In spite of being in the medical profession, I have found myself in such situation as you have mentioned. People around me prescribed drugs when I was nursing my twins. I did not object to their suggestions, but simply thanked them. But instead of using the drugs they suggested to me, I took them to the hospital for treatment and also prayed,” Mrs Ibiniyi said.

She, however, advised that when a child falls ill during his or her mother’s pregnancy, the parents should visit the hospital for diagnosis and proper treatment so that their minds will be at rest.

Dr Adejumoke Idowu Ayede of the Pediatrics Department, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, says: “When a woman is pregnant and she has a young child, so many things will change. Some of these changes include the fact that her attention to the child may drastically reduce; she may not breastfeed the baby like before and you know young children in particular like attention. So, if the attention drops, of course, they react. This is a baby the mother has been cuddling, breastfeeding every time or has been giving anything he or she wanted at any time. Now, the mother is pregnant. So many things will change in the mother. The baby is bound to pick it. Once the baby picks it, he or she will definitely and immediately react. He will recognise that his mother has not been doing what she used to do before. Apart from that, the

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM

ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

Is my toddler ill, fussy because I’m pregnant?

woman’s general character will change. She can become very touchy, more tired and some even stop breastfeeding. Some believe that when they are pregnant, they should stop breastfeeding, particularly if they have not stopped. There’s no way a child will not generally react to that. So, it has psychological and nutritional components.”

But is there something a woman can do to prevent this from happening to a child?

Dr Ayede said: “Let’s start with a child that is still being breastfed. We encourage the mother to continue to breastfeed because if she suddenly stops, so many things can happen. The child can become more ill; he may not be able to tolerate food and the risk of infection will be higher because of sudden reduction in the level of immunity. Then, we have to reassure the mother because she may be ignorant. Some even believe that if they give breast milk to that child, it can affect the child. There are so many wrong beliefs. At that point, we have to counsel the mother to feed well because she is feeding three people. She will continue to breastfeed for some time, nurture the baby in her womb and also nurture herself. We need to counsel her on nutrition. We also need to counsel her on rest. Because she is breastfeeding, she may be working, if she is not resting enough, she will become unnecessarily touchy as if it’s the child that asked her to get pregnant. Of course, we also need to counsel the father particularly if there is short duration between the first pregnancy and the second one. It has to be a family-centered affair. But if it’s an older child that is already off breast milk, maybe like a three or four-year-old child who has already started school, the effect will not be much. The only difference will be in the attention which is a natural phenomenon.”

“There is no woman that will get pregnant that will not reduce attention to an extent to the other child. So, we cannot shy away from that. The degree of the actions also

Thisisababythemotherhas beencuddling,breastfeeding everytimeorhasbeengiving anythingheorshewantedat anytime.Now,themotheris pregnant.Somanythingswill changeinthemother.Thebaby isboundtopickit.Oncethebaby picksit,heorshewilldefinitely andimmediatelyreact. varies depending on the previous detachment from the mother. If it’s a mother that was not very available, who wasn’t breastfeeding before, or a case that it has been the grandmother that has been taking care of him or, the woman being available occasionally, the baby is not attached.

So, the degree of attachment will also de-

termine what will happen.

If it’s a child that is usually breastfed, of course if there is any gap between that child and the mother, the child will feel it.

“It’s just like an adult who has a much attached friend and suddenly that friend withdraws, you will miss him or her because there is a psychological part of human being and also a social part. Children appreciate the social environment. Right from conception, they appreciate social environment.

When they are born, they appreciate same environment. Their appreciation of their social environment is first noticed around the age of six weeks when they start smiling when you smile at them. Not the involuntary smiles that usually occur before six weeks, but the respondent smile (like you smile to baby and it smiles back at you).This will let you know that children appreciate social environment — the interaction of human beings around them; the way they play with them, they appreciate.

If a six-week-old child can appreciate a social environment, how much more a one-year-old. Those are the basic factors and they are real.”

Dr Ayede says further that if one talks about the medical aspect of this issue, it’s not sickness alone “It is all-encompassing, including the psychosocial, psychological and the social environment. So, if a child’s reaction is looked at this way, it has a medical explanation. But if the child is properly nurtured, the mother is properly counselled, family centered care is given, a child may not feel much. Particularly if the child is little, for instance at six months, and the mother is pregnant, once the environment is properly managed, the child will not feel much.”

16 healthandfitness I sleep too much I am a 20-year-old undergraduate who is very active in sports and other social activities on the campus. My problem is that every time I want to study, I just fall asleep.

The problem is seriously affecting my work. Please help me.

Jay Jay (by SMS) Although at 20 you should be physically strong to handle many activities, however, from

Dr. Wale Okediran waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

08055069356 (sms only)

My baby has no teeth your question, it is most likely that you are overstretching yourself with your sporting and other social activities. The solu-

tion is for you to reduce all these activities and take more rest so that you will stop falling asleep during your studies.

Can I have another baby?

MY baby is now 10 months old yet he has no teeth. I understand that a baby usually starts having teeth from six months. Please help me.

Amaka (by SMS) While it is true that a baby’s first tooth usually appears at about the sixth month of life, it is not unusual for some babies to have delayed teething. Usually, teething is not considered delayed until the baby is about 13 months old. In most cases, delayed teething is nothing to worry about. While late teething can be caused by a num-

I had a Caesarean section about three months ago and lost the baby. I am eager to have another one.

Can I get pregnant now?

Mrs Brown (by SMS) It’s best for you to wait at least six months after your caesarean section before becoming pregnant again. A year would be even better. The longer you leave your scar to heal, the stronger it will be.

ber of factors, often there is no identifiable cause, and the child may take up to 18 months to grow his first tooth. Late teething is known to be hereditary.

Often, it runs in the family,

and can be inherited from either side of the family.

Therefore, if either parent started teething late as a baby, then it is expected their child could experience delayed teething

Can I circumcise my daughter?

GOOD day doctor. Thanks for the good job you’re doing in Tribune newspaper,

Can I use viagra?

I am a 60 year old man who recently married my third wife, a very young and beautiful woman. In view of the extra demand put on me by this, I am finding it difficult to sat-

Saturday Tribune

16 July, 2016

isfy my three wives sexually. Somebody suggested I use Viagra to tackle this problem. Kindly advise me.

Salisu (by email) Although viagra has been

J

UNE 19 of every year is the World Sickle Cell Day and I say happy belated celebration day to all persons with sickle disorder. I wish you many happy returns of the day in stable clinical state. Sickle cell disorder is one of the most common and inherited disorders in the world with three quarters of cases occurring in Africa. In Nigeria, over 40 million people are healthy carriers of the sickle cell gene and the prevalence of sickle-cell Anemia is about 20 per 1,000 births. Sicklecell anemia is one of the causes of ancient infant death which with better management has not only improved on the survival to adulthood but also touched on the quality of life. In the past most of the infant deaths were attributed to spiritual forces, especially that of the ‘ogbanje’ evils. With the advent of science, we now know better.

Conservative management of sickle-cell anemia brings reprieve to the patients but total care would have been the better option, hence the need for the search for the cure of sickle-cell anemia. The thorough search for the cure is left for the expert in the field but for what the sickle cell day stands for, which is to create awareness on the aetiology, presentation, management and prevention of the disease, this piece will often time educate or remind us of the complications of this largely preventable disease. A woman was annoyed with her parents simply because they did not do her blood genotype before she wedded her husband who had the blood genotype AS. She was equally AS and all their children were SS. She lamented when the children were being admitted into the hospital in quick succession. Would this problem have been prevented? Yes probably she would have married a man with the blood genotype AA. Without running foul of human right, spiritual faith or act of love, probably if the couple had done their genotype with good understanding, they wouldn’t have married each other. I believe genetic counselling is the best cure here. Below are a few layman tips on sickle-cell anemia.

What is sickle-cell anemia?

Sickle-cell anemia is the most common form of sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is a serious disorder in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells. “Sickle-

found to be quite good in improving sexual performance in men with poor erection, the drug, like other sexual stimulants, should be used with caution. Apart from making sure that you don’t

have any heart problems, including hypertension, at 60, you will definitely need to also space out your sexual activities before commencing on the use of any sexual stimulant.

may the Lord continue to protect you.

My three-year-old daughter always complains of occasional itching of her clitoris in her private part.

Though my wife regularly washes it for her with Dettol, we are considering circumcising her in order to prevent frequent sexual urge when she becomes an adult.

Kindly put us through.

Thank you sir.

Bayo (by E Mail) Thank you for your prayers. Apart from the inherent dangers such as bleeding and infection, it has been scientifically proven that circumcision does not in any way prevent frequent sexual urges. It is, therefore, unnecessary to circumcise your daughter.

Dr. Abiodun Adeoye adeoyemoshood@yahoo.com

08056564360, 08072000017 (sms only)

Sickle-cell anemia: Is prevention better than cure?

shaped” means that the red blood cells are shaped like a crescent. Normal red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like doughnuts without holes in the centre. They move easily through your blood vessels. Red blood cells contain an iron-rich protein called hemoglobin. This protein carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Sickle cells contain abnormal hemoglobin called sickle hemoglobin or hemoglobin S. Sickle hemoglobin causes the cells to develop a sickle, or crescent, shape. Sickle cells are stiff and sticky. They tend to block blood flow in the blood vessels of the limbs and organs. Blocked blood

flow can cause pain and organ damage. It can also raise the risk for infection.

In sickle-cell anaemia, the numbers of normal red cell is reduced and give symptoms to the patients. Normal blood cells live about 120 days in the bloodstream and then die. They carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from your body. In sickle-cell anemia, the abnormal sickle cells usually die after only about 10 to 20 days. The bone marrow can’t make new red blood cells fast enough to replace the dying ones.

Sickle-cell anemia is an inherited, lifelong disease.

People who have the disease are born with it. They inherit two genes for sickle hemoglobin—one from each parent.

People who inherit a sickle hemoglobin gene from one parent and a normal gene from the other parent have a condition called sickle-cell trait. Sickle cell trait is different from sickle-cell anemia. People who have sickle-cell trait don’t have the disease. Like people who have sicklecell anemia, people who have sickle cell trait can pass the sickle hemoglobin gene to their children.

If the blood genotype is known, people with sickle cell trait will avoid marrying another person with sickle cell trait. Some churches now encourage their youth to have blood genotype done before wedding. I believe it is better than allowing them to bring their future spouses and discourage them from going ahead because of sickle cell trait. To join in the crusade for prevention, know your genotype and those of your children. Prevention is better than cure.

17

16 July, 2016

Divorce

Saturday Tribune

Court & Crime My wife is a dirty person, a terrible cook, husband tells court

I do not know why he stopped eating my food —Wife

He spends all his income on gambling, drinks —Wife

She’s the cause of the problems in our marriage —Husband

Stories Courtesy Agency Report

A

housewife, Omotayo Adewole, 35, has approached an Ikole customary court in Ekiti state seeking the dissolution of her 16-year-old marriage to one Ojo Adewole, over his alleged addiction to gambling.

The plaintiff had filed a divorce suit against the defendant, Adewole, on the grounds of drunkenness, failure in parental responsibilities, constant fighting, lack of respect for her parents and nonpayment of her bride price.

In her testimony before the court, the woman alleged that her husband was an addicted gambler and a drunkard.

She lamented that gambling had made her husband a wretched and irresponsible family head that could not take care of the five children of the union nor provide for her as a wife.

She said the defendant spent all his income on gambling and drinks. “He is so addicted

to gambling to the extent that he used my the marriage but allow the five children to be in her three cell phones, cooking stove and other custody, saying she would be able to care for them house utensils to gamble. properly and asked for N20,000 monthly as main“He started misbehaving in 2005 but I tenance allowance for the five children. decided to cope with the situation hopTwo witnesses, Mrs Rachael Oni and Kehinde ing that he will change from the bad be- Ogundipe, biological mother and senior sister of haviour but nothing changed. the plaintiff respectively, affirmed the testimony of “He fights me, abuses my parents and the housewife and urged the court to dissolve the threatens my life whenever I speak union. against his gambling habit and I am The defendant, who did not object to the allegatired of him,” she stated. tions against him, told the court that the plaintiff The plaintiff further told the court was the cause of all that happened to their marriage. that the defendant did not pay her bride He, however, promised to narrate his own side of price since they met 16 years ago and the story when called upon for defence. that she shouldered all the care and rePresident of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, adjourned sponsibilthe case till July 25 for continuation of hearing. ities of the five children from My wife is promiscuous; my fellow landlords He abandoned me and our the union. child —Wife She urged are her boyfriends, man tells court I’m not legally married to her —Husband the court He wanted to kill me in order to inherit See pages 18 & 23 to dissolve what we acquired together —Wife

inside

THE 21-year-old marriage of a man, Ashimiyu Abiodun, may be dissolved over his wife’s poor cooking habit if an Igando customary court in Lagos State grants his request.

Abiodun, 54, told the court that his wife, Aisha, who had five children for him did not know how to cook.

“My wife’s food is terrible and tasteless, anytime she cooks and I complain about her food she tells me to be doing the cooking myself.

“And I started cooking my food because if I continue eating her food I may fall sick,” he said.

Describing his wife as dirty, he added: “My wife is very dirty; she does not wash or sweep the house, everywhere in the house smells.

“She keeps used plates for four days or more and I always do the cleaning.

“Aisha goes out every Friday and comes back Sunday evening. During weekdays, she leaves home by 7.00 a.m. and comes back at 12.00 a.m. and I dare not query her.

“Aisha has turned my children against me, they do not respect or greet me and she does not allow me to correct them whenever they err.

“On several occasions, my wife and our first son tore my clothes in the public each time I tried to beat him for his wrongdoing.”

Abiodun said his wife was lazy and that he had on three occasions set up a shop equipped it with goods for her to sell.

But Aisha, 46, said she washes clothes and said:”I do not know why my husband stopped eating my food, I tried my best to give him good food but he always complained that my food was tasteless.

“I am not dirty as I always clean the house.”

She urged the court not to grant her husband’s plea, saying “I still love him.”

President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, after listening to the couple, adjourned the case till July 26 for judgement.

18

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

23

courtandcrime

My wife is promiscuous; my fellow landlords are her lovers, man tells court

He wanted to kill me in order to inherit what we acquired together—Wife Stories by Ayomide Owonibi-Odekanyin, with Agency reports

A

50-year-old teacher, Mr Musiliu Yusuf, on Monday told an Igando customary court in Lagos State that his wife was impregnated by one of her lovers in their matrimonial

home.

“My wife committed adultery, she got pregnant for one of her lovers in our matrimonial home,” Yusuf said while testifying in a divorce suit instituted by his wife, Hassana.

“My wife is promiscuous; my fellow landlords are her boyfriends. She got pregnant for one of them, they mock and make jest of me whenever they see me.

“I stopped making love to her in June 2014 due to her infidelity and in 2015, she told me she was pregnant.

“I rejected the pregnancy and even after delivery of the baby, I refused to care for her because the baby is not mine,” the estranged husband said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the respondent tendered the list of hotels visited by his wife and some of her lovers as exhibits.

“I packed out of the house I built on four different occasions because I fear for my life as my wife always beat me at any slight provocation.

“I finally ran out on June 14, 2015 and refused to go back just to save my life because I don’t want to die,” he said.

Musiliu said that contrary to his wife’s testimony that they both built the house and school, he never collected any money from her.

The respondent also presented as exhibits all the title documents of the properties which were in his name.

Hassana, 39, a teacher, who filed the suit to end her 13-year-old marriage, said that her husband threatened to kill her in order to inherit what they both acquired.

“He threatened to kill me so that he can take over what we both laboured for. He always boasts that nobody will question him if he kills me.

“We jointly bought a Coaster bus and two plots of land. We used a plot to build a house, the other a school,” she said.

The petitioner said that her husband was in the habit of accusing her of infidelity.

“My husband is suspicious of my moves; every man I talk to is my boyfriend. He has no trust, whatsoever in me,” the estranged wife said.

Hassana said that her husband packed out of their home without any notice, to an unknown destination.

“On many occasions, he has abandoned me and the children. He once left the house for a year,” she said.

The mother of four said that because she refused to grant her husband loan, he rejected her fourth child from pregnancy.

Delivering his judgement, president of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, said that it appeared that the estranged couple were tired of the marriage and all efforts to reconcile both parties had failed.

“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice but to dissolve the marriage.

“The court pronounces the marriage between Hassana Yusuf and Musiliu Yusuf dissolved today; both parties henceforth cease to be husband and wife.

“Both are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation,” Omilola ruled.

He tricked me by bringing back his first wife, woman tells court

She’s a troublemaker, doesn’t love me anymore —Husband AN Ikorodu customary court in Lagos State, presided over by Mrs Abiola Omolara, has declined the withdrawal of a divorce suit instituted by Taiwo Osofuye, until he allows his wife to have access to his room.

The judge said that the court would not withdraw the case until sanity reigned in the petitioner’s house, having heard from the respondent, Adetutu.

“This case is now at the deep sea and we will only be talking of withdrawal when we get to the offshore.

“You dragged your wife to court to divorce her, thereby embarrassing her in the process, while the doors leading to your room from her’s remained under lock.

“While you seek withdrawal, you are still accusing her of disrespect and lack of love for you, while you treat another woman with care under a house two of you built.

“It is you that should be making moves to show that you love your wife and not the other way round, with what you, Osofuye, have done to Adetutu, the respondent.

“This court will decline to withdraw this case until it gets a situation report that all is well with your co-habitation as husband and wife,” the judge said.

The judge ordered that all the locked doors leading to Osofuye’s room from Adetutu’s should be opened by both parties.

She also urged the petitioner, Osofuye, to disabuse his mind that his wife had become fetish and was now using charms against him.

“Parents must realise that `what goes around comes around’ and this applies to the lessons they are passing

down to their children about marriage and love.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Osofuye had begun the divorce process on April 4, alleging that his wife, Adetutu, was a troublemaker and had no more love for him.

Osofuye, whose age was not stated, had also claimed that the petitioner was always fighting and that he was fed up being her husband.

But the respondent, Adetutu, told the court that the petitioner tricked her into bringing his ex-wife back into the house they built together.

“I gave him three sons after he had separated from his first wife, who only gave birth to two girls that are now grown up and married.

“My oldest son is 19 and the youngest, 13 and in all these years, we were living in peace until recently that he deceived me and brought back his first wife into our house.

“Since then, my husband has been accusing me of all things like using charms and causing trouble in the house.

“He does not give me access to him and has stopped to care for me and my sons,” she said.

The respondent told the court that she would not leave the house she supported him to build for another woman and that her estranged husband was trying to get rid of her.

The case was adjourned till August 22 for a report of settlement and possible withdrawal of the case from the court.

He’s lacking in parental responsibility —Wife She’s an adulterous woman, so let her go —Husband A 35-year-old housewife, Mrs Memunat Saka has approached an Ado-Ekiti customary court in Ekiti State, seeking dissolution of her 15-year-old marriage on grounds of constant beatings by her husband.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Memunat, in her application, accused her husband, Suleiman, of lacking in parental responsibility.

Memunat, who resides at Falegan area in Ado-Ekiti, told the court that their marital problem started when she advised her husband to leave up to his parental responsibility, which resulted in constant beatings.

She said that her husband, a tailor, was in the habit of collecting customers’ monies without delivering required services.

The mother of four alleged that her husband, rather than

provide for the family, was in the habit of collecting money from her.

She further told the court that her husband “does not have respect for my parents,” saying that she was fed up with the marriage.

But 45-year-old Suleiman denied all the allegations, saying his wife was fond of provoking him.

Suleiman said that he had lived up to his responsibility as a husband and father to the best of his ability.

He accused his wife of infidelity and prayed the court to grant his wife’s request.

Suleiman, however, urged the court to grant custody of the four children to him. President of the court, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi, reserved judgement till July 29.

She denied me food, sex for the past 6 months —Husband He’s a flirt, tried to rape our teenage househelp —Wife

A 42-year-old businesswoman, Oluwabunmi Balogun, has told an Igando customary court in Lagos State that her husband, Rasak, once attempted to rape their teenage housekeeper.

Oluwabunmi made the disclosure when she testified in a divorce petition filed by her husband during the week.

She accused her husband of being a flirt, saying, “my husband attempted to rape my teenage housekeeper.

“When I went for a vigil, my 12-year-old housekeeper rushed to meet me in the church at about 12 a.m. half naked, telling me that my husband wanted to rape her.

“She stayed with me through the vigil and the follow-

Customers no longer patronise me ’cos my husband quarrels with them —Wife She sleeps with different men daily —Husband

A food seller, Mrs. Halimot Akindele, has approached on Igando customary court in Lagos State to dissolve her ten-year-old marriage over allegations of battery and maltreatment.

Halimot, a mother of three told the court that her husband Wasiu, was in the habit of beating her over frivolous things.

“We are from the same village in Oyo State. We grew up together and our parents consented to our union. Things took a turn for the worse when our mothers had an issue. My mother-inlaw came to our house in Lagos and accused me of being a witch and that I was the one that was responsible for her son’s downfall.

“I ignored her but she incited my husband against me and my children. My husband started beating me and also accusing me of infidelity. I sell food at Egbeda and most of my customers are males. People have stopped coming to eat in my canteen because my husband picks quarrels with them,” she said.

She also told the court that her husband threatened to kill birth of their only child, Michael, a boy, now four years old.

President of the court, Joseph Ogunsemi, ruled that “it is not in dis- her several times. “He beat me to the extent that I lost a some teeth. My children are even afraid of him.” pute that there is formal marriage between both parties.”

Her husband, Wasiu a plumber, however, denied the allegations, According to Ogunsemi, there is a presumption of customary marriage between the parties and the petitioner has constructively pre- telling the court that his wife is promiscuous. “She sleeps with different men on a daily basis. She is just using the canteen as a cover-up to sumed that the respondent is her husband.

He said since she has been bearing and answering his name, the re- fornicate. My eldest son told me that one of his mates told him about spondent has the right to file an application to the court, restraining an affair my wife is having with a man on their street.

“I am equally tired of the marriage and I also want a divorce. I the petitioner from using his name.

The court held that the petitioner was free to bear Mrs Okunola am a simple person but she has made me a laughing stock in the neighborhood. “ pending court order to stop using the name.

President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola adjourned the Ogunsemi adjourned the case till July 19 for report of settlement or matter till August 12 for continuation of trial. hearing.

He abandoned me and our child —Wife I’m not legally married to her —Husband A housewife, Mrs Okunola Adenike, has asked an Ado-Ekiti customary court in Ekiti State to dissolve her five-year-old marriage due to abandonment and lack of care from her husband, Oluwasayo.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Adenike, mother of one, complained that ever since she gave birth to their only child, her husband abandoned her and did not bother about her welfare.

Oluwasayo, however, denied contracting any marriage with Adenike and objected to her using his name.

He said they only had a relationship that lasted for one month.

Oluwasayo explained that the relationship resulted in the

ing morning, I took the girl to my husband’s room to have her repeat herself in his presence.”

The housekeeper said that the petitioner came into her room, snatched her wrapper and attempted to rape her but she escaped.

Oluwabunmi said that her husband sent the housekeeper packing after the confrontation, adding that “I also caught him and my friend’s younger sister coming out of a hotel.”

She also alleged that Rasak was dating a single mother on their street and that he packed out from his house the same day the other woman packed out of hers.

“My husband packed out of the house he built to an unknown destination, abandoning me and our children.

“He moved out with a lady he was dating on our street to rent an apartment elsewhere.”

The mother of three, however, pleaded with the court not to grant her husband’s wish for dissolution, saying that she was still in love with him.

Rasak, a 51-year-old accountant, had urged the court to dissolve his 13-year-old marriage to Oluwabunmi for al-

leged sex starvation.

“Whenever we have misunderstanding, my wife will deny me sex and food and for the past six months now, she has refused me to make love to her,” he said.

He said that Oluwabunmi was fond of accusing him of infidelity, adding that “my wife always accuses me of dating any woman she sees in my car.

“She once trailed me to a place, stopped my car, dragged the woman out of my car and she gave her the beating of her life.

“She also beat up one of our tenants, accusing her of having an affair with me.

“Because of her behaviour, I ordered her to leave my house and when she refused, I packed out from the house,” Rasak said.

Rasak, therefore, urged the court to dissolve his marriage, saying that he was sick and tired of the marriage and that the love he once had for her had faded.

President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, thereafter adjourned the case till July 26 for judgement.

In the UK, women seek divorce through Sharia councils THE use of Sharia councils in the United Kingdom to settle disputes using Islamic religious law has been criticised for discriminating against women. With rare access, the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme in a report, looked at what takes place inside one of such councils.

“Is it not possible to forget all the things he has done to you?” one of three Islamic scholars asks Yasmeenah — not her real name — inside a room of Birmingham Central Mosque.

Yasmeenah has been in an arranged marriage since the age of 15, and says her husband has emotionally and physically abused her throughout the relationship.

She has come to this Sharia council - one of an estimated 30 established councils across the UK, often referred to as Sharia “courts” - in the hope the scholars will grant her a divorce from her Islamic marriage, or nikah.

She dismisses the idea that she can overlook the past and continue the relationship.

“But he loves you very much,” the scholar continues, having spoken to her husband previously that day. “Yes, but this is not enough,” she replies.

“Something makes me afraid of him and scared of him. If I see him, suddenly all my body starts shaking,” she had explained

shortly before.

The scholars listen to her case and, when they feel they have enough information, ask Yasmeenah to leave the room to allow them time to deliberate.

She returns nervously, but it is good news - the scholars have unanimously decided the marriage should be terminated with immediate effect, saying they are sad to hear what she has been through.

“When they announced [their decision] I felt that something happened that I had wanted for years,” she explains, overjoyed.

“I’m really surprised, because they cared about my emotions. I thought, ‘Finally I’ve got my freedom.’”

The courts’ rulings, such as this one, are not recognised by the UK system, and these councils have no legal powers - although many of the women who claim they have been abused also go to the police.

The scholars’ judgements, however, can carry moral and cultural weight by ending the divorce before God. “If I went to an English court [my ex-husband] would say, ‘Where is their right to decide about my life?’ Now he can’t say anything because the decision has been made using Sharia law, and we all believe in that,” she explains.

Courtesy: BBC.

19

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Weekend Lagos Editor Lanre Adewole m: 0811 695 4637

TUNDE DODONDAWA and SEGUN KASALI went seeking the ‘deadly’ business. SYLVESTER OKORUWA had his eyes for it. LANRE ADEWOLE shared a peep into the unusual trading between the living and the dead.

L

inside

IVING off the dead should ordinarily be a condemnable act. But what happens if the dead choose to feed the living? Or how do you categorise those whose means of livelihood is completely built on providing comfort for the dead and doing so isn’t just a favour but a business venture which generations have profited from and many to come, will ultimately live on.

Odunlami Street is Island’s Coffin Street and its history is as rich as any other business conglomerate.

e: olanreade@yahoo.com

Tales from Lagos street where the dead feed the living

Over 50 years ago, there was a carpenter. He lived at No. 9 Odunlami Lane. He had ideas about the dead. His generations have lived off the ‘deadly’ ideas. Others who also saw ‘the light’ are making a fortune off his vision. His name was Pa. Olatunji Okusanya. Does the name ring any bell?

Odunlami street as the homestead of funeral rites business dates back to the 1960s. Now, it plays host to contemporary undertakers and funeral service

Eko Akete

providers, mostly for the elite and the crème-de-la-crème in Nigerian society. The only business known to the street is ‘death’ business.

Generational businesses also have a way of creating special identity, including geographical identity. Apart from looming large in the consciousness of target customers, many have also gone ahead to occupy physical space which now carries their emblem.

Mention Wall Street in New

Lagosians and Senate palava

York and global commerce immediately fills your vision.

In recent times, however, the name conjures more negatives, with the operators of the popular street carrying the cross of troubling global trade.

What about Broad Street on Lagos Island? It is Nigeria’s equivalent of Wall Street. It is ramping up its own notoriety too.

You can actually call Lagos Island the warehouse of the state’s history. Nearly every-

thing that defines the state, resides there; the mighty Dodan Barracks of ‘blessed’ memory, the famous Defence House and the former and abandoned skyscrapping Federal Secretariat.

Interestingly just across Broad Street where men in suit (more like crime-in-suit now) strive to live off fellow men, is another kind of commerce, where men are living off the dead.

Continues on pg22

Multi-billion naira housing scheme:

Controversies as depositors demand refund

20

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

I

F you want an apt definition of contradictions, you could consider an aquatic state without water for the people to drink, a land where many apartments are without tenants, where many are, still, needlessly homeless – having paid their dues to have roofs over their heads.

A little over a year after the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, left office, one of his administration’s supposed frontline achievements - the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) - is enmeshed in controversies.

The state government claims to have invested billions of state funds in the construction of about 10,000 housing units in various areas in the state. Fashola famously announced that the project was expected to become self-sustaining in seven years if all beneficiaries of the scheme paid up their mortgages promptly.

However, the euphoria that greeted the scheme at inception – with the emergence of the first set of winners as well as the monthly draws that produced an average of 40 winners – is disappearing, or has disappeared. High cost and the state of the houses are blamed for the despair bogging down the scheme.

From the outside, some of the estates may appear ready but their insides still lack basic home amenities, it was gathered.

The situation became further exposed with a recent visit to many of the Lagos HOMS sites by the House of Assembly Committee on Housing. The projects under the scheme, over which there has been hue and cry, include those in Gbagada, Ibeju-Lekki, Sangotedo and Agbowa-Ketu.

The battle for refunds Saturday Tribune gathered that despite all the draws and certificates presentation ceremonies held for winners of various housing units under the scheme, there has been an increase in the number of people asking for refunds. Those asking that their money be returned are largely people who, having emerged winners and satisfied all basic requirements, including paying the initial deposits, are finding it difficult to meet other financial requirements. Another group of allottees has expressed a significant measure of dissatisfaction with the scheme and as such is requesting for a refund.

The latter group’s grouse is that having satisfied all necessary requirements, including the payment of the mandatory 30 percent asset deposit, the government has reneged on its promise to hand them keys to their apartments.

The development, according to the affected allottees, has created a situation whereby they are losing on two grounds: having to continue paying rents to their landlords and having a substantial part of their life savings trapped in the scheme in one form or the other.

A former Commissioner for Hous-

Saturday Tribune

Weekend Lagos ing, Mr Bosun Jeje, had admitted that not all winners who met the requirements had “successfully” moved into their apartments.

He said only 603 out of 1,348 allottees have been “lucky.” Saturday Tribune is aware that this situation has led to a barrage of petitions being hurled at the state government, even as some of the aggrieved have taken their cases to their representatives in the state House of Assembly. Jeje’s administration had also disclosed that the Ministry of Housing received 21 applications for refund of money paid for the purchase of houses in the Lagos HOMS, adding that 46 petitions were processed and five applications approved. But Saturday Tribune can report that the ministry has continued to be inundated with petitions, including those from allottees who wish to exit the scheme outright and have their money back.

Is this fraud?

Efforts by Saturday Tribune to see the contents of some of the petitions written by the aggrieved beneficiaries were unsuccessful but it managed to speak to a couple of those who felt shortchanged one way or the other by the government and managers of the housing scheme.

With a preference to protect his identity, a winner of a unit in the Mushin project under the housing scheme said that despite the failure of the government to give him the keys to his apartment and his request for a refund, nothing has been done to show fairness in the matter.

“I would like to have my money back.

A petition has been written to this effect but all we keep hearing is that we should remain patient. But for how long are we going to be treated this way, as we keep paying rents to our landlords, while we are supposed to be landlords ourselves?

This is the same thing as losing money from two ends,” said the middle-aged man.

Another beneficiary who identified herself as Mrs Eunice Kadiri noted that in addition to not having her keys yet, the apartment she was given left much to be desired.

“I am far from being satisfied and so are a number of my friends who also won in other schemes. Some even informed me that many of the basic infrastructure that need to be in a house were missing from their flats and all these are things that were marketed to us at the point of applying for apartments,” she said.

Official hush Unable to get the reaction of the current Commissioner for Housing, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, Saturday Tribune met a top official in the ministry who elected to speak anonymously as he lacked the authorisation to speak to the press on the matter. The official reiterated the commitment of the state government to achieving success in the housing scheme, inherited from the immediate past administration. He expressed regrets about some problems which, he said, are currently being encountered in completing the project and pleaded for more patience and understanding on the part of the beneficiaries.

According to him, asking for refunds is not the solution, just as no home winner

Reports have indicated that the buildings were not in fact meant for civil servants or salary earners, given the high costs at which the government of former governor Fashola wanted them sold.

Governor Ambode

In this report, BOLA BADMUS and CHUKWUMA OKPARAOCHA look at the hue and cry trailing a housing scheme of the Lagos State government. should nurse any fear over the safety of their money.

“Yes, some people have been asking for refunds but this is not what we want for any beneficiary of the project, because we made a commitment to the people and we stand by that commitment. If, however, anyone insists on getting back his money, then they can initiate the process by following the laid down procedure. I can assure them that they will have their money back. We are not here to defraud anybody, we are committed to the well-being of the people,” he said.

Complaints galore At the Ilupeju estate project, which is one of the projects with the highest number of occupancy and perhaps success rate, home-owners are still full of complaints. Home owners under that section of the scheme are said to be disenchanted with the state of the facilities in the estate. For instance, they claim that at the point of applying to join the scheme, they were promised an effective waste disposal mechanism and an effective central power generating unit but

Gbolahan Lawal

Bosun Jeje

Multi-billion naira housing scheme:

Controversies as Lagosians demand refund none of the facilities has been provided.

Many of the residents, it was gathered, are disappointed and are hoping that something will be done to correct the situation.

Three schemes, similar results Saturday Tribune visited parts of the state where some of the houses built under the Lagos HOMS are located.

A close observation showed that Ilubirin Housing Estate, located in the Osborne Shore Waterfront area of Ikoyi, is made up of 1,254 two and three-bedroom apartments, all on eight floors.

Perhaps the project that best captures the current state of the scheme is the Ilubirin project, which was one of the last projects handled before the end of the Fashola administration.

Despite the controversies that trailed the construction of the Ilubirin project, which saw the Federal Government deploy soldiers to stop work at the site, the project grew rapidly. Thus, in just a few months, blocks of flats sprang up in

a place that was once full of dredged lagoon sand. However, the Ilubirin project is now a shadow of its former self and the excitement that greeted its kick-off has faded away. The site which was once a beehive of activities is now deserted and its partially-constructed blocks of flats abandoned.

The Mushin project Facts have emerged that many other projects under the scheme have remained deserted. One of them is the Mushin project, which is gradually being overgrown by weeds. No fewer than 60 beneficiaries have lamented the inability to take possession of the apartments they were allotted since about 10 months ago. Reports indicate that the people are facing pressure from their landlords to leave the flats they are currently occupying since they have made their intention to pack out known after they emerged winners in the draws last year.

The Gbagada project

At the housing project at Gbagada, Saturday Tribune counted no fewer than 20 blocks of empty flats located on a wide area of land, which is well fenced and seems to possess every bit of amenity required in an estate. But the flats which appear ready for occupation are unoccupied. There was no sign of life or human activity in them.

A situation expertly foreseen Some housing experts and critics of the scheme say that while many people appeared lost in its euphoria months ago, they had taken a critical look at the scheme with a prediction that it might run into trouble in the future. They say they were able to identify the major obstacle to the Lagos HOMS as the “prohibitive” costs of the apartments. The prices range from N4.2 million to N9.08 million for one-bedroom flat, depending on the area; N6.22 million to N18.61 million for two-bedroom flat in Gbagada, while three-bedroom flat is sold from N9.96 million at Hon Shotomiwa Estate,

Igbogbo, Ikorodu, to N32.53 million, the highest in Gbagada Phase II, among others. These have so far, according to reports, proved too expensive for many people to meet.

A Lagos-based property consultant, Dr Biyi Adegoke, told Saturday Tribune that what is happening now is an indication that a government-owned project cannot be given to the public at the same rate as that made by private investors.

“Many of us were not overtly carried away when the scheme was unveiled at the beginning. This was not because we didn’t like the idea, which remains a noble one, but the grouse I have always had with the project is the rate (cost) at which it is made available to the public.

We are told the scheme is meant for the working class with a steady source of income, but how many salary earners can afford to pay for a mini-flat that goes for N4million? Again, at double digit, the mortgage rate also proves to be too high for a lot of people to afford,” Adegoke said.

Another expert, Samuel Omoniyi, in a recent interview, said: “They are even more expensive than houses put up by private developers who, unlike government, are basically in business to make money. How could government that has free land and would build several flats on one plot of land sell houses at a rate more expensive than detached flats sold by private developers?”

The experts are therefore calling on the state governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, to take another look at the costs of the Lagos HOMS and review them downwards in the interest of the tax payers to avoid a situation where the projects will only become inhabited by reptiles, rodents and weeds.

Similarly, a former chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Lagos State chapter, Mr Stephen Jagun, advised the state government to re-examine some of the issues concerning the eligibility criteria, pricing, repayment structure and restrictions of the Lagos HOMS, being administered by the Lagos Mortgage Board (LMB).

Saturday Tribune recalls that at the inauguration of the scheme in 2010, former Governor Fashola said that the scheme was introduced to bridge the housing deficit in Lagos. It was hope rekindled for low income earners as they saw the scheme as offering a unique solution to the substantial supply gap in housing stock in the state.

“The HOM schemes are ordinarily available to middle and low income bracket people who are our target under this project. For instance, our one-bedroom flat is 60.22 square metres while the two-bedroom is 75.79 square metres and the three-bedroom is 123.88 square metres. They all contain more living area than many of the standard one, two and three bedrooms in the market,” Fashola said at the inauguration of the scheme.

As a way of ensuring the sustainability of the scheme, Fashola said the government would set aside the sum of N200 million monthly at the beginning. The amount was later upgraded to N500million.

But after the completion of the first phase, the reality appears to have dawned on the low income earners that the scheme is not meant for them, contrary to the word of the governor as the price tag placed on the completed houses is out of their reach.

Priced beyond reach?

Right now, the structures, following nearly the same design or pattern, can be sighted in places such as Ojokoro, Ifako, Shogunro, Ibeju-Lekki, Ojokoro Ikorodu, Igando in Alimosho, Ilupeju, Epe, Otedola, Oko-Oba in Agege, Mushin, Omole in Ikeja, Eti-Osa, Surulere, among others, as one-bedroom with one bathroom (room/palour) in Epe costing N4,340,000.00, while the same space in Ilupeju costs N9,080,000.00 For a two-bedroom with one bathroom at Ikeja, the cost is N10,510,000.00, while in Chois Gardens - Abijo, Ibeju-Lekki - it is put at N9,750,000.00.

A three-bedroom Type 4 with three bedrooms and two bathrooms sells for N17,710,000.00 at Chief Anthony Enahoro Scheme (Shogunro), Ikeja, while same goes for N11,020,000.00 at Alhaja Adetoun Mustapha Scheme - Ojokoro, in Ifako Ijaiye.

As of today, most of these housing estates have either been completed without allocation to the original allottees or left uncompleted. For instance, a structure, which is already standing in Magodo Estate, Phase 1, in the Isheri area of the state and being undertaken

by Concrete Concept Ltd, is awaiting painting and some other fixtures. The uncompleted building, the address of which is given as Block 34, Plot 18 and 19, Magodo-Isheri, has been in that state for many months now.

There have been lots of stories weaved around these homes being available but no buyer is getting them. Reports have indicated that the buildings were not in fact meant for civil servants or salary earners, given the high costs at which the government of former Governor Fashola wanted them sold.

Unconfirmed reports also had it that the incumbent Governor Ambode had seen through the complaints of Lagosians and is reviewing the prices downwards so that the target buyers, that is, the middle and low income earners, can afford the houses which they have rightly applied for after obtaining the application form and paying the mandatory N10,000.00.

With no government official ready to publicly accept responsibility for what has the colouration of doubt, isn’t the fate of the allottees permanently sealed?

21

Eko Akete

Lagosians and Senate palava

TRUST Lagosians to always put their mouths everywhere, including where there money is not. You can now imagine what they think they own. Since the senatorial imbroglio involving one of their own and another brother from different mother, they have been talking.

EkoAkete, as usual, was on hand to capture some of those charged moments on social media (what better place to catch them firing).

Temi (student, male) said: “The day anyone beats my wife, what happened in 1893 will repeat itself”. Really?

Ekua (male) said: “Coward Man, he doesn’t have any shame than to open his mouth and start vomiting nonsense. Is that the only thing he can do to a woman? May God have mercy on (him). The man is really going crazy! How can such a grown up man say such a disgusting thing? #hissss.”A worrier?

Beta Pikin (female) again: “Only a fool beats up ladies..” Once A Victim?.

PaultimateCheerMan “If a woman doesn’t want to be beaten, let her not run her mouth too much.

When the mouth runs too much,the head receives a knock.” Arggh!

DrJunaid God’s Son “So! Beating up a woman and even threatening to impregnate her is by no means any sort of “abuse” to them cos, that’s actually how most of them were born, we called them (OMO BONANZER) in Yoruba, (children of bonanzas) “Buy one get one free” by their way of talking you shall know them, dem no dey write am for face!”. Pure ethnicism.

Ceetranet “A lot of youth are foolish and brain dead, hw can u encourage a man to beat another man’s wife just bcos u hate to see the man’s face, will u be happy if it’s ur wife or mother, wt is bad is bad and wt the way some youth comment on issues, I bet the future of this country is nt too certain”. The moralist per excellence.

Chy Wan “They are paid handsomely for doing nothing, whereas some people work tirelessly for d government for months without pay,wt positive change hv they impacted since they were voted in.” Bad belle?

Joseph “A man who threatens to beat up a woman is a weakling. Pathetic soul!”Historian without fact?

Oktonia “Look, there’s no reason y a sane man should ever beat up a woman, let alone a wife, worse still a Sanator of a soverign republic.” A conservative?

IamDrKel “Wow! Our policy makers making more news and threats than policies.”The Unconcerned?

Sweetest Diva “Anybody dat beats a woman is a woman beater if he beats ur wife make him regret it....Shikenan”. The Judgemental.

Chisom “If a man says he will beat ur wife he’s actually saying he will beat u. U better caution ur wife or very soon someone will dare u n beat her if she doesn’t respect herself in dat house.”. The Arbiter

22 Continued from pg19

...Okusanya’s influence However, in Nigeria, someone had the vision during the post-independence era to provide the services of undertaker and casketing as a professional.

Pa Okunsanya, according to a resident who simply identified himself as Tope, specialised in crafting fine caskets from woods with touches of finesse” This attracted several people within the community to learn the trade of casket making. He had promoted entrepreneurship by engaging several apprentices and trained them in the art of making caskets. He said many of these people later became his competitors.

Shedding more light on the historical background of Odunlami Street as a foremost home to exotic caskets, in a chat with Saturday Tribune, Dare, Sales and Marketing Manager, Omega Funeral, also concurred with the fact that the late Pa Okunsanya made famous the business of casket making. ...Generational shift He however emphasised that the late Olatunji Okusanya, the son of Pa Olatunji Okusanya, modernised the art of making exotic caskets and funeral services, including introduction of undertakers.

Modernisation of business of casket making later spread across the country starting from areas like Surulere, Mushin, Ajah and Gbagada and now in every part of the country.

Today, if you mention ‘Odunlami Street’, what comes to mind is homestead of funeral homes.

Exotic caskets and modern funeral services would also readily come into the picture. At present, Odunlami Street can boast of leading funeral service providers in the country. Many funeral directors have earned and will continue to earn their living on the street of Odunlami.

16 July, 2016

‘One could be called at anytime of the day to face corpses’

PHOTOS: SYLVESTER OKORUWA ...Spirit visitations To satisfy the curiosity behind some beliefs that concentration of casket makers and funeral service providers at Odunlami Street may have some spiritual effects, Dare stated that “it was just a coincidence that we may have the largest concentration of casket makers at a particular street when compared with other regions.

It wasn’t by any design or by any policy by the gov-

My wife once told me that if she knew my job...she would not have married me.

ernment but because most people doing the business here today were tutored by Pa Okusanya.”

A receptionist in one of the funeral service companies, Mr. Dapo Durojaiye, gave an insight into the cost of various caskets mostly influenced by tribes.

He said the price of locally-made caskets ranged from N250,000 to N600,000 while prices of imported caskets ranged

from N1,700,000 to N2,500,000.

He added that they receive huge patronage from the Yoruba while the Igbo prefer the most expensive caskets.

On the pains and gains of the business to employees that eventually take up the job of undertakers, Mr. Dada Derenle said working as an undertaker has afforded him the opportunity to visit places he had never dreamt of going.

“The money was not really much, but it was enough for me to get married and start a family. That was 22 years ago. The job is about picking corpses and taking them to the mortuary or to the cemetery for burial. But the challenge is that one could be called at any time of the day to face corpses,” he said.

Another stakeholder in the funeral business, Yemi Adeniran, said he almost lost his marriage to the business.

According to him, “My wife once told me that if she knew my job involved going to the mortuary almost every day to visit corpses, she would not have married me. But today that is history because I now have my own business,” he said.

He thanked God for giving him the grace to serve humanity, and “it has afforded me the opportunity to travel far and wide in the country”.

Speaking on the beliefs and traditions of some tribes which always resulted in additional pay for the undertakers, some of the sales attendants who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that they sleep with corpses when the need arises.

“This happens when the deceased family members do not want anybody to tamper with the deceased, so as to guard against any malicious and untoward act,” one of them stated.

Odunlami Inside-Out… When Saturday Tribune visited, Odunlami street was quiet. Satur-

Saturday Tribune day Tribune was told it is always quiet. What do you expect where a solemn business is conducted. Nothing extraordinary. No rowdiness.

Saturday Tribune observed that the movement of vehicles and people was not as frequent as other market areas within its axis.

All the funeral service companies have at least one uniformed staffer at their doorsteps, trying to persuade customers to patronise them. Can you imagine that?

Caskets were not displayed at the frontdoors of the companies, but were obvious when passed by because transparent doors were used by all. Great marketing strategy without offending sights and sensibilities, you would say.

Anyone who is visiting Odunlami Street for the first time may never have the impression that such a street shares same neighbourhood with the popular 157-year old CSS Bookshop which welcomes you as you step onto the street. Do the dead too read?

The Lagos State e-library centre also announces its presence with its colourful edifice while the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, established in 1946, also boasts of its elitism and may have given the impression that Odunlami street is very popular across the globe.

To all visitors from Obalende, the existence of the High Courts and the famous City Hall may never give the impression of what lies ahead. What a company to share!

If you have not been to the Coffin Street, Saturday Tribune has news for you. Don’t go expecting a head-swelling experience.

Spirits of the dead haven’t visited in about 38 years, according to Tope. But there isn’t a telling when they could come seeking a rebate!

A Reporter’s Diary

With love from Lagos passport office

By Chima Nwokoji YOURS truly encountered “change” recently at the Lagos passport office. At the entrance, this reporter was accosted by one of the Immigration officers manning the gate. Taking the reporter into a business centre within the premises, he said: “The old 32-page passport is now N32, 000. The new 62-page passport goes for N36, 000. Before you get the 32-page passport, you’d have to wait for one week.”

I protested. The renewal of my old 32-page passport, should be and which I was aware of, officially N18, 000. This reporter also demanded to have it the same day as being projected in the public

space, in line with the re-branding mantra.

The officer shouted: “Impossible! You can’t even get it in two days; the 32-page category comes from Abuja.”

Approaching another officer, a young smart looking officer, whose rank was apparently higher than the first officer, I said, “I am a journalist. I need to renew this passport today or latest tomorrow and I need the 32-page passport category”.

“Has anybody approached you?” the man asked.

This reporter pointed to the first immigration man.

“Don’t mind him, I’m sure you did not identify yourself to him, that’s why he is following you up and down,” he said. He collected the official amount N18,000 from this reporter. “Go and meet that offi-

cer and tell him you are a journalist,” he said.

I did as the man (who identified himself instructed. The officer, who was supposed to take down this reporter’s name, sent for the other. He whispered, “So you brought a journalist here so that he could know what we are doing. Please take him to protocol.”

This reporter was surprised when he found himself at the office of the Deputy Controller (DCO).

The officer had already talked to the DCO and left to bring my file . The elderly man took the file together with two other files that had been lying on his table and left without uttering a word. In less than one hour, the passport that was supposed to come from Abuja was ready.

24 feature

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Naza Okoli - Lagos

I

N the middle of the lagoon, beside Liverpool Bus Stop at Apapa, Lagos, is a cluster of communities collectively known as “Snake Island”.

“It’s not called ‘Snake Island’ because of the presence of any snakes.” said Chief MAO Aderibole, a retired police officer and older brother of the Baale (community chief) of Nanti, one of the villages on the island. “It’s called Snake Island because the communities here together form the shape of a long snake. The island is large; it begins from the sea school and extends as far as Ibese. So it is a long-distance. All of it is called Snake Island. I may not be able to mention all the villages, because new ones are springing up by the day.”

Water is the sole medium of transportation. The fare is normally N100, and a standard boat can take as many as 13 passengers at once. But it takes time for a boat to be full, especially outside the rush hours in the mornings and evenings.

So there is provision for “charter”, and this ranges from N500 to N1000.

It was a fairly long journey. The water was mostly calm, but occasionally it surged, so that the boat struggled momentarily to regain balance. Every passenger wore a life jacket, even though most of the jackets could not be strapped properly – if at ll.

“The life jacket is good,” said Wisdom, the boat rider. “But it is God that saves our lives. Don’t worry, we will get there safely.”

Wisdom, originally from Benue State, had lived at Snake Island for as long as could remember; he said he had seen people die on the water, including very close friends.

“People have drowned here; there have been accidents here. But I thank God that I haven’t died on the water. This boat is the only business I have. It is what I use to feed myself and other members of my extended family.”

Asked how much money he made on a typical day, he said “Enough. I make enough, even though business has been slow recently, and fuel is expensive.”

Snake Island was the location for the first edition of the now rested TV programme, Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS), in 2004.

The island is also home to the popular Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, also known as the Sea School. More than twice, GUS contestants underwent rigorous swimming training at the school before proceeding to their camps.

Nanti The village closest to the Sea School is known as “Nanti”. It is a corruption of the name “Nathaniel” – the founder of the community.

“Our father, Nathaniel Iwalokun, was the founder of this place,” the community chief, Baale Owoyele Iwalokun, told Saturday Tribune on Wednesday. It is from “Nathaniel” that “Nanti” was formed.

He said the only problem currently facing the community was its age-long feud with one of the companies that operate on the island.

“Our problem is Nigerdock,” he said.

“In fact, they were here yesterday (Tuesday). It has been on for a long time. We have even gone to court because of the dispute. It’s not a small case. They took us to Appeal Court. It was there that we were urged to settle out of court. We are still on it. They want us to leave this place; they said they have acquired everywhere here. But that is not possible. Our fathers built this place.”

He continued: “We have not had power for 10 years. The last time we saw power here was 2006. When they (the company) wanted do their construction here… you

Inside Lagos’

Snake Island

‘People have drowned here’ Nanti Primary School.

Dayo.

know the light passed through Kirikiri to Igbologun. We were disconnected when they were doing some construction there.

Their construction damaged the poles. We are appealing to them, whether it is the government or the company itself, they should come to our aid. We are not fighting them; we are only appealing to them.

“Light first came in here in 1990; the current power problem began in 2006. Well, some people use generators from time to time, but it is not affordable. You know there has been an increase in the price of petrol.”

Home for all Nanti, like other villages on the island, is home to people from different parts of the country. A good many of the residents are fishermen and petty traders who own shops at different parts of Apapa. Igbologun, another part of the island, is said to have the highest concentration of crayfish traders.

There are also a number of educated people who live on the island; many of them work at Apapa, some are students, others are retired civil servants. Indeed

Wisdom.

the Sea School, a Federal Government establishment, has some of its staff quarters on the island.

Dayo, a final-year student at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos, was born and brought up at Snake Island. When Saturday Tribune visited on Wednesday, she was returning from school.

“I have always lived here,” she said. “I like it here. It is a small community. Everybody knows one another.”

All the buildings are small and short.

Many of them are made of wood. There is

People have drowned here; there have been accidents here. But I thank God that I haven’t died on the water.

Baale of Nanti.

an abundance of trees and green leaves.

Men and women could be seen sitting in front of their homes, talking and laughing.

It was only midday.

Behind the Baale’s home are a health centre and a primary school – Nanti Community Primary School. It was break time; schoolchildren dressed in purple played in the shade provided by a large mango tree just in front of the single block that was the entire school.

Baale Iwalokun said the village of Nanti has been acknowledged “by all” to be “the most peaceful part of snake Island.”

“We don’t have the kind of problems that other communities have here,” he said.

“This is about the most peaceful village on the Snake Island. Well, the reason is that we see one another as one here. In fact, we see ourselves as descendants of our father Nathaniel. That foundation is what keeps us going. It is a very good foundation. Nobody helped him (Nathaniel) to build this place. So we don’t have conflicts, because everybody knows his or her place. There is no struggle for power.”

25

16 July, 2016

ntertainment Society Gist

News

Saturday Tribune J

with oan

Omionawele

jistwtjoan@yahoo.com Twitter:@joanbajojo 08059793705

Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

newtray2002@yahoo.com 08052271251

Celebrity Interviews

s h t a e d f o s h t y n r t o s u d m n i t 6 ainmen t r e t n e s ’ in Nigeria Majek Fashek vs Timi Dakolo:

Dakolo clears the air on copyright saga —p27

—p26

Celebrities ignored OJB Jezreel in death

—African China —p27

I have nothing against my manager —Iyanya —p27

26 entertainment

16 July, 2016

6 months of deaths in Nigeria’s entertainment industry

•Celebrities who bowed out in first half of 2016

By Joan Omionawele

Bukky Ajayi

T

he thespian who was born 82 years ago was known for her confident and daring roles in movies especially ‘Thunderbolt’ and ‘Fuji House of Commotion’.

She was described as a devout muslim, who dedicated her life to serving God. She

OJB Jezreel

Popular producer, OJB Jezreel sparked off sympathy when, in 2013, an SOS was sent to the general public to help raise funds for a kidney transplant. Well meaning Nigerians rallied to raise the money and heaved a sigh of relief when the producer got a donor (his first wife). Sadly to the shock of Nigerians, the musician gave up the ghost on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, n few weeks to his 50th birthday and a week after his kidney transplant had failed completely.

He was known for producing Tuface Idibia’s popular song, ‘African Queen ‘and for giving many artistes the opportunity to showcase their talents to the world.

He is survived by three wives and eight children.

Saturday Tribune

was reported to have battled heart -related problems until she gave up last week.

According to report, she had suffered from stroke some couple of years back.

There was a time she also had cerebral malaria. She became diabetic, hypertensive and also suffered breast cancer before her death.

Nomoreloss

Popular singer, Muyiwa Osinuga, who was popularly known as Nomoreloss with his hit song ‘iyawo asiko,’ died after battling what was reportedly described as typhoid.

The soft-spoken singer spearheaded the fund raising committee to support the late OJB Jezreel’s kidney transplant.

He began his sojourn in the entertainment industry as a rapper before switching to stand-up comedy and then becoming a singer. In 1999, Nomoreloss released the first single titled ‘Kilode’ from his first album.

He is survived by his wife, Phoenix, a radio presenter and daughter.

Henrietta Kosoko

Nollywood actress and wife of veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, Henrietta Kosoko was known for her motherly roles in Yoruba movies.

The actress was said to have survived a ghastly motor accident last year. Until her death, she had four children.

It was revealed after her demise, that the actress had an unfulfilled dream of seeing one of her twin sons’ career to its heights before she died.

Kid Actor, Olamide

Kid actor, Olamide shortly before his death, had received an award from the Best of Nollywood as the best child actor.

He reportedly died at the General Hospital, Ikeja, where he was rushed to after complaining of stomach pains after playing soccer with his friends on January, He was aged 14 before the sad incident.

Genevieve Nene

Fast-rising actress, Genevieve Nene, had just featured in a few movies before she died in her prime. Saturday Tribune gathered that the actress died in May 1st as she was recuperating from Typhoid fever.

Before her death, Genevieve, a graduate of the Institute of Commerce, a, appeared in music videos like ‘Aiye Miami’ by Lace featuring Reekado Banks and Pasuma, Samklef’s ‘Birthday Girl’ featuring May D and and Skripture’s ‘Sweet Trouble’.

Arakangudu Jab Adu

The ace Nigerian actor was popular for his role Bassey as Okon in the popular TV series, The Village Headmaster, created in the 60s.

Born in Calabar, Cross River state, he started his primary education in Lagos when his father relocated to Lagos.

Until his death on February 28, 2016. he was also a director, credited in movies such as “Cool Re (1976)” and “Bisi, Daughter of The River.”

Prominent actor Sikiru Adeshina, also known as Arakangudu died of cardiac arrest in Kaduna state.

He was known for his roles as either a herbalist or an armed robber in Yoruba movies, which he interpreted effortlessly.

He was survived by his wife and children.

27 entertainment

16 July, 2016

: lo o k a D i im T s v k e h s a F Majek

2Baba, MI Abaga in “Last Five Slots” competition

ir a e h t s r a le c lo o k a D on copyright saga Stories by Joan Omionawele and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

F

OLLOWING the copyright allegation of legendary reggae singer, Majek Fashek against popular musician, Timi Dakolo, November Records, the record label at the centre of the saga has released a press statement on the issue.

It will be recalled that Fashek had said that he felt bad when he learnt that Dakolo worked on his song “without his consent.” without given him credit before reworking the song.

But the soul singer, Dakolo told Saturday Tribune that he had paid to do a cover version of the song and wanted to honour Majek Fashek by featuring him in the video, “but now, this has happened, I have my invoice and proof.”

The press statement explained that Majek

POPULAR musician, Innocent Idibia, well-known as 2Baba, has announced another competition for his fans in view of the forthcoming Buckwyld ‘N’ Breathless: The Disruption concert in Lagos.

Idibia made the announcement during the week using his Instagram handle.

Few weeks ago, 2Baba took some fans on an all-expensepaid trip to Kenya for a safari experience and a VIP treat at the Kenyan edition of Buckwyld ‘N’ Breathless: The Disruption concert.

The new competition, tagged “Last Five Slots,” will have five amateur dancers perform on the same stage with 2Baba and MI Abaga at the concert.

These dancers will be selected following series of screening exercises that will take place at street locations announced on both 2Baba’s social media handles and Buckwyld ‘N’ Breathless website.

Fashek, having had a long standing relationship with November Records for years as an artiste, gave permission and power of negotiation to the company to act on his behalf in the negotiations with the representative of Dakolo on securing his right to produce a cover version of the hit song ‘Send down the rain. Mr Fashek was also given updates and carried along by the label on the progress of the negotiations from December 2011 to February 2012. Negotiations were made after which an offer was presented and a sum was agreed upon, which was for compensation to Mr Fashek, from Timi Dakolo’s management.

The statement further reads: “We wish to state that indeed, Mr Dakolo followed due process and perhaps a miscommunication might have been the reason for Majek’s comment that he hadn’t received due royalties for the song.”

Celebrities ignored OJB Jezreel in death —African China NIGERIAN musician, Chinagorom Onuoha, aka African China, has criticised Nigerian musicians who were full of sympathy for Ojb Jezreel, but failed to show up at his funeral.

According to him, most celebrities didn’t turn up to pay last respects to OBJ. He also lamented that the deceased’s family revealed that many of those so called friends never showed up to pay condolence visits to them just after his death.

In an interview on HipTv, African China wondered why celebrities would choose to abandon and ignore the burial of such a legend who undoubtedly impacted in lives of many.

He said, “I’m really shocked and disappointed to see that we have over a thousand known celebrities that are so-called and have

benefited from OJB. It is not really about meeting him.

“Whether or not you met him, he must have inspired you in one way or the other and that was the last respects we were supposed to come show him.

“Too bad, a whole lot of artistes

had to send their managers. I was there live at his funeral.

“If it were a manager who passed on, his counterparts would pay him the last respects he deserves, it is not enough for you to send your manager, why didn’t you attend?”

I have nothing against my manager —Iyanya KUKERE master and co-owner of Triple MG records, Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, popularly known as Iyanya, has cleared the air on the alleged disharmony between him and his manager and founding partner, Ubi Franklin.

Iyanya, using his Twitter handle on Wednesday said he was not at loggerheads with his partner.

According to him, the current label had become overcrowded, hence the need to establish a sister recording label.

The ‘Applaudise’ singer wrote: “We are not fighting at all for anything, starting a label to help other artistes”.

“Signing more artistes under the same structure will be overcrowded, so there is room for @triplemg1 to give birth to another label.”

Ubi Franklin has also broken his silence on the matter, assuring fans and the world that all was well with their joint music business.

According to him, “everything will be revealed in due time.”

During the week, controversy trailed the hint by Iyanya on social media of his founding another music company away from MMMG, the music company he floated with Ubi.

Music buffs alleged that the Akwa Ibom State born was leaving the label he co-founded with his kinsman.

According to reports, Iyanya and Ubi have been at loggerheads over finances and a lot of other key decisions on the running of the label and that their issues began right after Ubi’s marriage and when the label had to let go of two artistes.

A source close to the record label disclosed that Iyanya and Ubi Franklin are currently in the US ironing the rumpled edges of their music empire.

Saturday Tribune

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, with the cast and crew of ‘The CEO’ movie, last weekend.

The CEO to storm cinemas today

•Filmmaker pleads with pirates SUNDAY last week witnessed another huge convergence of Nigeria’s finest entertainment personalities, as Nollywood filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan held the Lagos leg of the premiere of his latest flick, ‘The CEO’ at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.

The event flagged off with a posh red carpet show as it evolved into a music-filled cocktail frenzy as the sold out show showcased the filmmaker and the cast of the movie.

For ‘The CEO’, it is the filmmaker’s first shot at the pan-African market, which further explains the robust size of attendees which included Nigerian and foreign cast members, corporate sponsors, government officials, stakeholders in the film industry, friends, colleagues and fans of the filmmaker.

Among them are Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed: Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde and Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot.

Others included officials of sponsor companies such as Bank of Industry, from which Afolayan took a loan of N50 million; Air France, Peugeot Nigeria; Africa Magic, Adron Homes and Properties Ltd; Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure and K Square Security outfit.

The Lagos premiere which followed the first-of-its-kind premiere on the Air France Flight AF0149 from Lagos to Paris on June 1 provided the desirable ‘noise’ ahead of the cinema release this weekend.

Some of the cast in attendance included lead character Wale Ojo, Hilda Dokubo, Kemi Lala-Akindoju, Haitian actor and model, Jimmy Jean-Louis and Kenyan actor, Peter King.

The filmmaker used the opportunity to plead with pirates not to feast on the film as they did with ‘October 1,’ saying: “I borrowed N50million from Bank of Industry to produce this film.”

“Please do not pirate the film. I beg you o. I need to pay back the money. I think I have 13 months left. Please help o.”

28

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune with Tunde Ayanda ayandaayotunde@yahoo.com 08034649018

Tunbosun Daisi comes of age

Bukola Oleah celebrates at 40 OWNER of Mide Mane Hair brand, Bukola Oleah, joined the 40s club recently and she didn’t allow the day to go unnoticed as she celebrated it with a classy party in Lagos.

Bukola’s lover of many years, auto merchant, Bayo Adesola, was the chief host who treated his wife-to-be to an event many have not stopped talking about.

The celebration took place at the R and A Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos and was attended by several people that dominate the Lagos party scenes.

The guests had a swell time, judging by the flow of sumptuous meal, choice wine and good music that went with it.

F

AMILY members and friends have a date tonight with the boss of Darlington Hall, Tunbosun Daisi, who hit the golden age a few days ago.

Tunbosun favours a low profile and is regarded highly in the Kola Daisi dynasty.

Sources hinted that the gentleman would have preferred a quiet ceremony but for friends and family members who reasoned that his birthday should be a moment worth celebrating.

Tagged the ‘Bash of Brilliant Shades’, the party is what many party lovers have long awaited.

The venue, according to those in the know, is the celebrant’s Darlington Hall, Lagos, where friends will experience a five-hour course of endless fun.

Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Katung Aduwak, others party with Falz FRIENDS and fans of BET Award winner, Falz, gathered in their numbers last weekend as BET-Africa hosted a homecoming party to celebrate the big win at the BET 2016 awards.

The Club 57, Ikoyi, Lagos wore a bright look as celebrities like Simi, Gbemi Olagbegi, Shoddy, Yomi Gold, Katung Aduwak and many others stormed the hangout to participate in the moment of fun.

The cheerful Falz was everywhere, chatting with friends and he relived his finest moment when he was announced as the Best New International

at the ceremony which was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, United States of America.

Seyi Tinubu takes a bold step

Family, friends remember Isaac Boladuro “TO live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die,” this quote

by Thomas Campbell captured the mood of the family members and friends of the late national vice-president and chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, Isaac Boladuro, who died in 2015.

The officer had a successful career in the Nigeria Police, where he retired as an Assistant Inspector General of Police before his death some weeks after his 70th birthday.

The first year remembrance of the chairman of Horizon Suites, Oluyole, Ibadan will take place at the St Mary’s

Anglican Church, Oluyole, Ibadan, Oyo State, on August 6 fpr which friends and family members of the late officer will gather to celebrate and remember him.

In a bid to immortalise him, the late officer’s eldest child, Jide, is setting up a foundation in his name where an annual memorial lecture would be hosted in his honour.

Jide, who is currently the Managing Director of the Horizon Suites, described his late father as someone who devoted his life to touching the lives of many who in turn are gathering to remember him a year after his passage.

SEYI, one of tne children of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is taking a leap out of bachelorhood as he signals his intent to sign the dotted lines soon.

The brilliant young man, whose marriage proposal to Lebanese girlfriend, Layal, caught the attention of many and became the story on their lips, is said to have picked a destination in Italy for his wedding ceremony.

Those in the know say that the mood has been high among friends and associates of his politician father, who is a rallying point in the political affairs of Lagos State.

The wedding ceremony is expected to be a grand event with the knowledge of the family’s acceptance and popularity in the country.

29

16 July, 2016

outofthisworld

WITH FEMI OSINUSI

osfem2@yahoo.com 08055069292

People are actually living here!

W

E bring to you today some places no one ever thought people can put their heads in.

According to theatlantic.com, many people are actually living in these houses and, to them, life and living continue.

Saturday Tribune

River House

Aeroplane House

IT was built on a rock on the river Drina near the western Serbian town of Bajina Basta, about 160km from Belgrade. The house was built in 1968 by a group of young men who decided that the rock on the river was an ideal place for a tiny shelter.

AN airplane house is in the village of Miziara, Lebanon. Miziara prides itself on building residential homes that resemble ancient Greek temples and Egyptian ruins, or this one, built in the shape of an Airbus A380.

Mobile House

Crocodile House

Crocodile House: The courtyard of his house is built in the shape of a crocodile in Ivory Coast’s capital, Abidjan.

DISH House: The Heliodome, a bioclimatic solar house in Cosswiller, Eastern France, was built on August 4, 2011. The house is designed as a giant three-dimensional sundial, set on a fixed angle in relationship to the sun’s movements.

Dish House

Mobile House: A Tumbleweed brand Cypress 24 model Tiny House was seen in the highway near Boulder, Colorado, United States. The Tiny House Movement started some years ago with people around the world building really small living spaces and loving their new simplified lives. These tiny houses can range from 1,000 square feet down to less than 100 square feet.

30

16 July, 2016

weekend cartoons

Saturday Tribune

Adeeko Olusegun adeeko.olusegun@yahoo.com 0811 695 4638

Just a Laffing Mata

Going

to

prison

ONE morning, Segeluulu packed all his belongings and was about to leave the house when his father confronted him.

Father: Where do you think you are going?

Segeluulu: I am going to the prison.

Father: For what?

Segeluulu: I am tired of taking garri with kulikuli everyday in this house. I heard that the Federal Government budgeted N14,000 to feed each prisoner daily.

Father: That’s true o. Please wait for me, I’m going with you.

POLITICO

Mercy, Joy and Grace

A pastor married an illiterate, jealous woman.

One day, the woman was in the kitchen, cooking when she overheard her husband praying in the living room, saying, “Thank you Lord, for bringing mercy, joy and grace into my life”. With a cooking pan in her hand, the woman ran into the room and hit her husband on the head and said, “I knew you were a player and a fake pastor. You’ve just prayed for all your girlfriends, you think I didn’t hear you? Who the hell are Mercy, Joy and Grace?”

FUNOLOGY

sl ee pi n g in chu r c h

WHILE in church, a lady dozed off during the preaching. Suddenly, the lady woke up her slumber and what she heard from the pastor was, ‘stand on your feet’, so she jumped on her feet.

But she noticed that she was the only one standing.

She also noticed the shock on the faces of the entire congregation looking at her, including her husband and daughter. The stares made her confused until the pastor repeated, ‘this is your last chance! If you are a witch, stand up for deliverance!’

To those that sleep in church, be careful, church is not your bedroom.

Follow in my footsteps, 2baba advises Nigerian youths

32

16 July, 2016

The South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga | 08111813056

I wish my domain becomes small London — Alie of Ilie

D

Are you a Christian?

I am an Alhaji.

How many shrines are in your domain?

So many…

Doesn’t that contradict your faith?

I am the head of all the religious groups; christians, Muslims and traditionalists and I actively practise them all. The top of the deities in town in Ilie is the Orisala festival.

Can you share your most exciting moment as a king?

That would be the day I was crowned as oba. Ten of us contested for the stool and I won. I was installed and definitely, I was the happiest man that day. My mother was still alive then and when I told her of my victory, she cried with joy. Those I contested with went to court, they are not happy about it; the matter is still in court.

How many wives do you have?

I have four wives. Before I became king, I had three and when I was crowned, I took another one.

Are you still on the look-out to round the figure to five?

No, I don’t think so.

Ilie is not a very popular town in Osun state; tell us more about that community?

It is an ancient town founded around the 16th century. It is still developing. We are recording a lot of progress in terms of de-

CREW sari n Tu de B9u3530 081275 ndare nga - Ogu Yejide G8b1e16706853 0 unesan Tunde O9g54634 08116

t: r us; contac Got news fo bune@yahoo. ttri es hw ne ut so bu @ uthwesttri co.uk or so ail.com gm

I left government service as far back as 1983; I resigned after occupying the position of the principal radiographer of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, IleIfe. I ventured into politics, and was a member of the defunct Unity Party in Nigeria, I contested for the position of the state house of assembly in Oyo state and later became the first elected local government chairman in Olorunda local government. I trained as a radiology technologist at the University College Hospital, Ibadan in 1977. I am still practising my profession.

How do you combine the work as radiographer and a traditional ruler?

I am not a farmer, I can’t farm, I had to be doing something to sustain myself and hence my continual practice.

Oba Oladapo Olagunoye Siyanbola, Orisajenyo II, the Alie of Ilie, in Osun State is a former politician under the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and a trained radiography technologist. In this interview by KATE ANI, he shares his experience as he celebrates his 15th coronation anniversary and 70th birthday.

ID you deliberately remove the letter ‘S’ from your middle name ‘Olagunoye’ to distinct yourself from the famous Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola?

No, I didn’t, that is my birth name and as contained in my birth certificate.

Saturday Tribune

Today is a very special day for you; you are celebrating your 70th birthday and also marking your 15th anniversary as a crowned King. How does that make you feel?

I feel grateful to God for sparing my life to see the age of 70, which is believed to be the Biblical and Quranic age limit for human beings and if you are still alive while attaining that age, you should be grateful. I was crowned at the age of 55 and I still have a lot to do for my community.

Traders at Katangowa Market velopment. Before I became king, I ventured into politics and this has connected me with so many people in the high places. As the oba of the town now—I ascended the throne 15 years ago--I am now using that connection to make sure that the situation in my town is improving, in terms of infrastructural and human development.

Since you became king, what efforts have you been making to fast-track the town’s development?

I have been doing my bits, I have been able to get the roads in Ilie awarded to contractors for rehabilitation and it is still ongoing. I have been to the national assembly to make sure that the flooded road linking Oyo, Osun and Ekiti states, which was flooded at Erinle River at Illie, is being reconstructed. The construction of the bridge has already been awarded by the government and the project is ongoing.

Also, I have been able to influence the establishment of the annex of the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital at Ilie. Before then, various administrations have contributed in one way or the other to the development of the town. Most especially, I must commend Governor Rauf Aregbesola for approving the appointment of Ilie indigenes into the services of the University Teaching Hospital for non professional cadres. That is; for employing the uneducated indigenes as cleaners, night watchmen, gardeners, ward orderlies and so on, while the students that have the pre-requisite qualification for admission into the university were given priority.

They have been doing that for us over the years.

How is Ilie faring, in view of the suspension of the supposed re-construction of the collapsed Illie Bridge?

The construction of the bridge on the federal road that links the three states suffered a setback two years ago, when the current economic crunch started. As a result of that, the federal budget prepared by the national assembly failed to put money on that project and as a result of that, that project has been abandoned. I spoke to the state governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola, to use his position to influence the federal ministry of works to release funds for the construction of the bridge, so that it can be completed within a short period of time. Once it is completed, movements of people from Oyo, Osun to Ekiti state will be enhanced and also, reduce the hardship being currently faced by my people. I would also thank the governor for providing a motorised boat being currently used to ferry people to and fro the Erinle River.

With just one secondary school and four primary schools in Ilie, don’t you think that it is not enough to cater for its huge population?

I have spoken to the governor on the need to rehabilitate the schools scattered around these 30 villages. He has given instructions to the State University Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to visit all these communities and inspect all the schools that are there and they have done so. Presently, the schools are without teachers, what we are now expecting is for the state government to quickly act, in order to protect the lives of the pupils in the classes. Also, we need a border to demarcate us from our neighboring community in Oyo town. We also need the presence of security agents at the borderland so that people will not trespass into our lands.

What were you into before you ascended the throne as the Allie of Ilie?

How would you like to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered for my achievements so far. I have been able to lift Ilie high enough by what I have achieved.

We have a customary court, comprehensive health centre, one secondary and five primary schools, many of which were established in the last 15 years. We won a land dispute that has been on since 1918 and when we got to the Supreme Court in 2012, the judgment was in our favour and as a result, over 30 villages were ceded to my domain from the present day Oyo state.

My prayer is that I live long to do more for my people.

If additional villages were awarded to your community to constitute Ilie, don’t you think the community would need additional schools and social amenities?

The seat of the local government is at Osogbo, which is about 23 kilometers distance from Ilie. It is difficult for the local government to reach out to all nooks and crannies of Ilie, especially with the ceded villages, courtesy of the court judgment delivered in 2012. I met with Governor Aregbesola and appealed to him to approve the establishment of Olorunda South Local Government Area of Ilie, so as to take care of the Ilie communities. As I am talking to you, Ilie land is currently occupying two over five of the total land mass of Olorunda local government area and we have additional two ceded wards from that court judgment. So, I believe that for an effective development and governance to get to the grassroots in Ilie, the governor should please graciously approve an area office for Ilie land.

Where do you see Ilie in the next 20 years?

I foresee a small London in Ilie, by the grace of God, with all things at our reach.

33

news

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Examination malpractice control, joint efforts of stakeholders —WAEC

By Kehinde Adio

From left, West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, Mr Olatunde Awokunle; Director of Schools, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Mrs Aderiyike Adekanbi and the Principal, Government College, Ibadan, Pastor Simeon Oladele, during the stakeholders’ meeting on examination malpractises, organised

by WAEC in Ibadan, on Thursday

Court dismisses Omisore’s bail application

A

N FCT High Court on Friday in Abuja dismissed former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore’s bail application, describing it as premature and incompetent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omisore is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged fraud.

In his ruling, the judge, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, held that the counsel for the applicant failed to show what powers the court had to reverse the order of a court with concurrent jurisdiction.

“I am not aware of any order to make in the instant applications, which have the tendency and implications of upturning the existing order of my learned brother Justice Jude Okeke.

“I must therefore agree with the submissions of the respondent’s counsel that in the present situation this court hasn’t made an order for the remand of the applicant for the period of 14 days.

“And now turn around to make another order undermining the same order for remand for the release of the applicant on bail.

“In other words, the issue of bail cannot arise from this court that validly made an order for his remand during the lifespan of that order.

“In my view, the cause open for the applicant in this circumstance is to wait for the expiration of the order of July 8, and thereafter exercise his rights under Section 296 (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to renew his ap-

plication for bail,” he said.

The judge said that in totality and with no further ado, his decision was that the application was premature in the circumstance and was thereby incompetent and inappropriate.

“Even though I have not considered its substance, the application is hereby dismissed,” Adeniyi said.

Omisore’s counsel, Mr Chris Uche (SAN), had told the court that his client had instituted a suit to enforce his fundamental human rights, which he claimed, was trampled upon by EFCC.

N2.8bn fraud: Court grants NAMA official permit for medical treatment abroad Ayomide Owonibi Odekanyin - Lagos JUSTICE Babs Kuewumi of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Friday granted permission for foreign medical travel to a top official of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mrs Adegorite Joy, facing a N2.8 billion fraud charge The order was made following Olumuyiwa’s application through her lawyer, Mr A. B. Onifade, seeking

the release of her passport to enable her to travel to Dubai for medical treatment.

Onifade told the court at the last court sitting that his client was suffering from acute sinusitis, asthma and hypertensive heart disease.

He said she had earlier scheduled a medical appointment with her doctor at the Saudi-German Hospital Group and had already purchased an air ticket before she was ar-

Fani-Kayode released from detention A former Minister of Aviation and spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has been released from detention.

The Eagle Online on Friday reported that FaniKayode, was released on Friday evening following the meeting and verification of his bail conditions.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which dragged him to

Uche said that the EFCC violated the 1999 Constitution by unlawfully arresting and remanding Omisore.

He added that the warrant was obtained long after Omisore had been clamped into detention and that the remand order could not rob the court of its statutory jurisdiction to entertain application for bail.

But, Mr Takor Ndifon, counsel for the EFCC, had in his counter affidavits, said that Omisore was lawfully arrested and kept in custody as provided for by Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution.

court, verified the meeting of the bail conditions by Fani-Kayode.

He was dragged to court alongside another former Minister and Director of Finance of the PDPPCO, Nenadi Usman, for unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of money to the tune of N4.9 billion.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge slammed on them by the EFCC. In granting them bail,

Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos held that there was no evidence that the accused would interfere with trial if granted bail.

Hassan noted that denying the accused bail, especially as the courts prepared for vacation, would not serve the interest of justice.

Accordingly, he admitted Fani-Kayode and Usman to bail in the sum of N250 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

rested in April.

Her health, he added, had since suffered a decline and he urged Justice Kuewumi to order the EFCC to release her passport to enable her to travel abroad, assuring that she would not jump bail or abscond.

“The defendant is hereby granted leave to travel to Dubai for specialised medical treatment. She is given four weeks to embark on the trip to Dubai and return to Nigeria,” Justice Keuwumi held.

The judge further ordered the EFCC to release immediately the defendant’s international passport.

It also ordered that after the trip, the defendant must deposit the passport in the court’s custody.

Olumuyiwa, the fifth defendant in the suit, was arraigned by the EFCC on April 12, alongside NAMA’s Managing Director, Ibrahim Abdusalam, and five other NAMA officials for an alleged N2.8bn fraud allegedly perpetrated within NAMA between August 2013 and January 2016.

IBADAN Zonal Coordinator, West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, Mr Olatunde Awokunle, has stressed the need for stakeholders in the education sector to collaborate with the council in its bid to minimise examination malpractice.

Speaking on Thursday in Ibadan during the national stakeholders dialogue on examination malpractice, held at Government College, Ibadan, Awokunle lamented that Nigeria had lost moral values which he said must be resuscitated and sustained in youths, especially from basic education level.

Head of examination in Ibadan zone, Alhaji Adesina Olajide suggested inculcation of sound moral values in students, training and retraining of teachers, appointment of experienced guidance and counsellors by the schools and adequate preparation of students for examination as remedies for examination malpractice.

Director of Schools, Oyo State Ministry of Education Mrs. Aderiyike Adekanbi explained that students should not rely on teachers’ notes to write the examination.

Rather, she said the students should engage in personal reading to achieve greater heights in education.

10 declared wanted over Jebba Sallah killings Biola Azeez - Ilorin

THE Kwara state police command has declared 10 persons, including a school principal wanted in connection with killing of three persons in Jebba town in Moro Local Government area of Kwara state during last week’s eid ul fitr sallah celebration.

It is recalled that some people who came in a bus and motorcycles and armed with guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons, attacked worshippers in front of the palace of Oba Jebba during sallah celebration.

A press statement by the PPRO of the state police command, Ajayi Okasanmi, made available to journalists in Ilorin on Friday said the declaration was sequel to issuance of warrant of arrest by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The suspects, according to police are, Alhaji Kayode Okedare, Yahaya Seriki, Olarongbe Kolawole, Tunji Moses, Oluwasegun Okedare, Maigari Marafa, Ibrahim Aremu Olopoodo, Alhaji Bolaji Driver, Alhaji Tunde Osie, Isiaka Atanda Masun.

The statement said that the suspects disappeared after actively participating in criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, culpable homicide and rioting with dangerous weapons which resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property in Jebba, on July 6, 2016.

Admiralty Homes boss pledges affordable housing for Nigerians

NIGERIANS have been called upon to patronise property merchants who can deliver world-class building and apartments with good quality materials and a touch of Italian and Spanish finishing in a flood-free serene environment.

The Chief Operating Officer, Admiralty Homes Limited, Mr Olaiwola Salami made this remark in Lagos while speaking on the need for the use of high quality materials in the day to day construction works in the country.

According to him, “the recent downpour across the country had serious effect on the residents, especially in Lekki and Ajah axis of Lagos, where a number of buildings were affected due to the low quality of the materials used in the construction process.”

He. therefore. called on Nigerians to patronise efficient and modern-day property development companies who can deliver buildings that will stand the test of time.

“At Admiralty Homes, we are dedicated to providing our customers world-class buildings that will guarantee them rest of mind for decades to come. We use the best quality construction materials which will give them a solid apartment.

This is what we are reputed for,” Mr. Salami, said Admiralty Homes has in the last 12 years delivered world-class properties, including Imagine Estate, Alpha Bay Estate, Silicon Valley I, SiliconValley 11 estates and Victory Park Estate in the Lekki/Ajah area and Banana Island apartments as well as various developments in Ogun State, amongst others.

34

politics&policy

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune With Saheed Salawu

0811 695 4643

yinkadejavu@yahoo.com

National Assembly leaders need immunity more than the president —Hon. Kannike

Honourable Abubakar Amuda Kannike is the Vice Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works. The former Kwara State Commissioner for Works and Transport who is now representing Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly speaks with BIOLA AZEEZ on some issues affecting the polity. Excerpts:

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they should be able to do what they are supposed to do and be independent?

O you see any end to the current economic recession in the country, especially as it affects states of the federation, anytime soon?

I believe that tough times do not last but tough, proactive and imaginative people outlive tough times. The situation is not likely to continue like this but we must also do the right thing to make sure we bring it to a halt as soon as possible. You see, the question is how long will it take.

We are paying for a positive change now but the earlier we take the right steps and decisions the better otherwise we might be in this predicament for a long time. I must accept the fact that the [All Progressives Party] APC as a new government did not hit the ground running. I am a member of the party but the leadership did not hit the ground running. That is the simple truth.

However, we must take right steps and right decisions to make things happen. Governors must continue to take proactive steps. The low-hanging fruit here is to make sure we optimise what is accruable in internally generated revenue both at the federal and state levels. That is the immediate succour. Any other thing that we might say we are doing, be it agriculture, solid minerals exploitation or tourism, has gestation, and the period of development of such ideas will not ease the immediate pain of the populace. So, the quickest thing to do is to optimise internally generated revenue, block economic loopholes and look at generate-able revenue, which is not going to be too biting on the people under the current economic hardship. Blocking economic loopholes will provide immediate succour for us as a nation.

There are some policies we need to quickly act on, in my opinion. For instance, why I said we didn’t hit the ground running is that from the experience of the last administration, I believe that we should have taken a decision earlier on oil subsidy and forex policy. We need to be decisive in charting the way forward. This is the only way to turn things around.

How do you see the proposal of immunity for the leadership of the National Assembly and the negative public reaction it has generated?

We have two opinions on the issue of bill on immunity but, as they say, if a bird learns to fly without perching, the hunter must learn to shoot without missing. Before now, nobody talked about immunity for the legislature. But can you imagine a situation where we have the president and the deputy president of the Senate on trial? If they have a court stay, then that means the National Assembly is on holiday, because under the constitution, nobody can sit in for the Senate president and his deputy, not even the majority leader. The constitution does not allow that. It is this situation that has evolved that made us feel that maybe it is expedient to give the bill a consideration. And I want to say that the advocates of this immunity clause are looking at it in the best interest of the nation.

Mischief makers might say it is because the Senate president is on trial but it takes a process and the president has to endorse it eventually. The process of constitutional review is long. That does not stop the ongoing trial but, you see, sometimes you need to take proactive steps. It is the current experience that is making people say that maybe we should protect the institution. The essence of immunity is that, because of the seriousness of the work you do, we will leave you for now and when you step down from that seat, you will answer for any charges against you. So, the question we must ask ourselves is that is it worth it to protect the National Assembly as an institution to such an extent that even if the leadership is found wanting, it does

What is your take on clamour for the independence of the National Assembly?

That is a discussion that is ongoing. The truth about it, like somebody said, is can anyone charge me for forging my own signature? The answer is no. You can only say, ‘there is irregularity in your signature. Are you sure you signed this? Come and defend it.’ But you cannot charge me. This is the rule made by members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Even in the course of the legislative year, you can still review. The Senate in session has asked the question, under the deputy Senate president that, ‘is there a forged rule of the House?’ The answer was ‘nay.’ At that point, even if there was a ‘forgery,’ that nay has nullified whatever there was. Because that is an adoption by the majority of the House that made whatever is in the rule book substantive, binding and legal.

Whether you are an established fellow with issues bordering on credibility or you are a bornagain democrat or a repentant corrupt person, we all need to come on board and salvage this nation. If we do not do it properly, we are risking too much. not stagnate the activities of the legislature? The answer is yes, because I can tell you categorically that if you don’t have a legislature, you don’t have a democracy. If you asked me, I would even say that we need to protect the leadership of the legislature more than we need to protect the executive because the lifeblood of democracy, as it is defined and as we have adopted, is the legislature. So, who says that we should not protect the leadership to such an extent that

Does it seem okay to you that the APC has not held any meeting since its victory in the last general election?

The North Central caucus, we have met in Nasarawa State. All the stakeholders – governors, party leaders and members of the National Assembly, were in attendance. Those that couldn’t attend sent representatives. That meeting, I was quite aware of, because I was part of it. I would not be able to say whether other geo-political zones have met. Maybe what you are saying is that the party has not had a national meeting of its members but I believe members of the executive meet.

There has to be a reason for a national meeting, because everybody is busy trying to settle in, in their new activities. In most cases, it is in form of a convention. We already elected the officers, so if the executive members are meeting on our behalf, we are the ones that are meeting. So, I will not agree about the notion that we are not meeting. We are meeting as a party.

But more importantly, I am sure that what you are trying to say is that in the face of all these crises in the party, what is the role of the leadership of the party? I believe that the leadership of the party must intervene because this is our success and we need to manage it. Let us not pretend about all these things that are happening. If they get protracted, in opinion, it is a subtle threat to our democracy. What I see happening is just people allowing personal consideration, ego, ambition to overtake national interest. That is exactly what is happening, and we are flogging it too much and too long.

There are serious issues we need to address and everyone is needed to be on board to address these problems. They say that you have to be very careful of a stupid man in the crowd because he can cause you collateral damage. Whether you are an established fellow with issues bordering on credibility or you are a born-again democrat or a repentant corrupt person, we all need to come on board and salvage this nation. If we do not do it properly, we are risking too much.

What is your expectation as regards the travail of the Senate president?

Personally, I believe that if justice is done, there is nothing to fear. I just want to say that if you are convinced that there is a case to answer, you should give serious consideration to the fact that justice must be done and must be seen to be done.

35

interview

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Ondo 2016: APC can’t afford to pick a wrong candidate again —Alasoadura

The senator for Ondo Central district, Donald Omotayo Alasoadura, in this interview by HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, speaks on his governorship ambition and some other issues. Excerpts:

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HY do you want to be governor of Ondo State? Is the Senate not enough to serve your people?

That is a very big question. When God looked at the affliction of human beings, He asked His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to go and save them. That was why Jesus came here. Jesus abandoned his kingdom. He left everything and came to rescue mankind. Ondo State has been bastardised. Ondo State has been pushed back for another 20 years. Ondo State has been pillaged. Ondo State has been ruined. Somebody has to have the courage to come and say we can do it better. I served under the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, a patriot, a man who loved his people, a man who used his intellect to improve this state.

No patriot can see the way things are now and not feel sorry for Ondo State. I can’t fold my arms just because I am in the Senate and allow things to go the way they are going.

It will not be good for me; it will not be good for the people of Ondo state; it will not even be good for my children. I can still add value to what we are doing in Ondo State. I can still reverse this ugly situation we are experiencing in the state. Here I am offering myself for service. If Ondo State people believe that I did well in the past, if they believe that the administration of Dr Agagu under which I served did well, if they believe that I can reverse the ugly situation in which we have found ourselves and they give me the mandate, I will definitely perform and ensure that at least we stop this our going back to the dark ages and start moving forward again.

If you get the ticket of your party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and eventually the mandate of the people, what do you have for the state?

When we were in government, we had what was called Roadmap to Progress which was well documented. We had policy papers that were prepared for all sectors in this state.

Is it agriculture, education, health or industrialisation?

We intend to bring them out. If there are areas to make changes, let’s make changes. If there are areas we need to add, let us add. We have to industrialise this state. We started Olokola but the present government ensured that it was killed. We are going to revive Olokola. Free trade zones are one of the effective development strategies in the world today. Dubai was a desert. They started building free trade zones here and there. The country has now become the cynosure of all eyes. It has become the economic hub of the Far East. Everybody goes to Dubai now to buy this or that. Even people go there to rest.

When I come back as the continuation of Agagu’s government, we will stretch our naira to the limit where it will almost break, as the former governor used to say.

That means we are going to ensure that we use the little resources we have for as many projects as possible. There will be no room for people to steal our money as it is being done now.

Why do you think you are the best for the governorship ticket of APC? The aspirants are all good people. But they don’t have the experience that I have. That is why I am better. And for you to win elections, you must have experience, you must have your structure, you must have some requirements. I think I have them. The other aspirants are all good people.

They are contributing to the development of our party.

They are all welcome into the race. To me, the more the merrier. I like challenges. It makes me stronger, it makes me work harder. At all times, through the grace of God, I have always overcome any challenge that comes my way. I like challenges like the one we are having now. I am happy about it. I always perform better at a time like this.

What are the chances of APC in the forthcoming governorship election?

APC must be careful. We must pick a grass-roots politician. We must pick a politician that can give it to the opponents the way they come. We must forget about this notion that the [Peoples Democratic Party] PDP is dead in Ondo State, that nobody loves the present administration anymore. We saw what happened during the House of Assembly election and that should teach us a lesson. We need somebody who can win elections. Winning an election is an art. It is not for anybody to win. It is for people who

tion had N200 million for it to execute its programmes and projects. This year, let us add 10 percent. It goes up to N220 million. But when I became Finance Commissioner, I said, ‘no, what are we using N220 million for? Let us see what they need in the Ministry of Education. Is it renovation of classrooms? Is it getting chairs and desks for pupils? Is it writing or educational materials that we need money for?

Itemize them. Let us cost them. Let us know the specifics.’ For example, if it was a telephone, what was the cost?

We knew that government would award it as a contract, we would add the profit element to it and then we would know how much money we would get the telephone that you wanted to buy. With that, we were able to reduce the waste that usually accomplishes incremental budgeting to the barest minimum.

We put in place a policy that when you wanted to execute any project in the budget, you had to come and defend it at the exco. If you said you wanted to buy, for example again, a telephone, we would ask you what happened to the telephone that you bought last year. For us to approve another telephone for you, you must show cause, why another one should be bought. If you do that, you just find out that a lot of people will chicken out, knowing full well that questions will be asked.

We decided also not to let local governments waste their funds. Such funds would come to me as the Commissioner for Finance and I would fix the money. We would release only monies that were for recurrent expenditure to the local governments to pay salaries. We would keep the rest for three months. By the time the money was released to them, they would have had their programmes and projects.

The proposed programmes and projects would also be reviewed by us so that the local governments didn’t use the money for frivolous purposes. Within three months, if I kept N5 billion, you know how much that would earn for the state and the local governments. So, it was an interplay of prudent financial husbandry and ingenuity.

We must forget about this notion that the [Peoples Democratic Party] PDP is dead in Ondo State, that nobody loves the present administration anymore.

We saw what happened during the House of Assembly election and that should teach us a lesson. know how to win elections to win. So, APC has a very good chance if they don’t make a mistake of picking a wrong candidate like it was done in the past.

You were in charge of the finances of the state as Commissioner for Finance in the late Dr Olusegun Agagu’s government. How did you manage the state’s finances in those six years?

I became a chartered accountant in 1974. Over the years, I have gained a lot of experience. I know that if you husband your resources very well, it will be enough for you. When we came, what we met was incremental budgeting. In this type of budgeting, we may say last year, Ministry of Educa-

How do you feel seeing projects embarked upon by the Agagu government abandoned?

I feel bad. If a stadium was to be built in my town and it is now abandoned, how do you expect me to feel? Extremely bad. I spoke with my governor then and let him know that my people were suffering lack of water in Ifedore, Akure South, Akure North and Idanre where people call Akure division of Ondo State. I was able to persuade him to have pity on my people and he decided to provide water for them. The contract was awarded for about N13 billion and 30 per cent mobilisation was paid. But another government came and stopped everything that could have given my people succour. How do you expect me to feel?

We embarked on a project that could have given our youth jobs to do, that could have industrialised our state.

That could have made our state an industrial destination of people outside Nigeria. Such a project is now abandoned.

How do you want me to feel? An administration came, instead of using the money we left behind to complete the projects we embarked on, he used it to build a roundabout and other frivolous projects. How do you want me to feel?

I feel bad. I feel offended. I feel angry.

There has been this story that you once chased away the monarch of your town, Iju. What is your own side of the story?

The truth is that such a thing never happened. The oba is my cousin. It was just like giving the dog a bad name in order to hang it. But I thank God today, the oba, who is my cousin, is one of my best friends. There is no problem between us at all. So, the story was a creation of some people. It was a creation that was magnified by my political foes who are now in the doldrums. I am at peace with all my people, including the oba.

However on a lighter mood, whenever I hear the story, I always say people should worship me. If I am so strong and powerful to the extent of chasing away the oba of my town, then I think people should worship me. Those who say I chased away my oba are putting me in the news all the time, especially when they think it will harm me. I enjoy it because I am always in the news. It got to a stage when many people wanted to know who this Alasoadura is, that is so powerful that he chased away his oba. I must confess that I am enjoying the free publicity.

36

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

views.com

Neonatal commodities: A lifesaving to Neonates

By Kemi Ogungbade

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VER the last decade, significant progress has not been made in addressing the high rate of neonatal mortality in Nigeria. The newborn period is a critical time for survival of the child. A large proportion of neonatal mortality and morbidity is due to preventable factors which need to be addressed with urgency.

To a layman, neonatal death is the death of a young live born infant occurring fewer than seven completed days (168 hours) from the time of birth but before 28 completed days and the death of a baby within the first 28 days of life.

According to WHO/CHERG2014, Nigeria neonatal mortality rate is 41 per 1000 live births, while that of under-five mortality in Nigeria is 128 per 1000 live birth, which shows that the contribution of newborn deaths to the total under age five deaths has increased in Nigeria.

Recently, evidence showed that under five mortality has drastically reduced by 18 percent, from 2008 to 2013 while neonatal mortality rate is still lagging behind with just eight percent reduction. This implies that it will be improbable that Nigeria will further reduce under-five mortalities without significant reduction in neonatal deaths.

Globally, about 75 percent neonatal deaths occur in the first week of life and mostly due to preventable factors in pregnancy and at delivery stage.

The three major causes of neonatal deaths worldwide include infections, which is about 19% (which includes sepsis/pneumonia, tetanus and diarrhea); 31 percent are caused by preterm and birth asphyxia, according to WHO/CHERG2014; all of which account for about 80 percent of deaths. The question now is, why has care of newborns fallen between the cracks?

Lack of continued care from maternal to child, that is lack of continuity between maternal and child health programmes. It is noteworthy that more than half of the neonatal deaths occur after a home birth and without any health care.

Recording of neonatal deaths, until recently, there have been little efforts to tackle the specific health problems of new born babies while most deaths of newborns go unrecorded. Another factor that has given rise to neonatal death is neonatal mortality and gender which is due to reduced care seeking for boy babies, compared to girl babies.Shortage and inequitable distribution of appropriate cadres of the health work force to deliver the services where they are mostly needed is also one of the barriers to access essential

health care services.

Over the last decade, the rate of progress in addressing neonatal mortality has been slow and in order to accelerate efforts, the United Nations Commission on Lifesaving Commodities for Women and Children’s Health (UNCOLSC) was formed in 2012, with the president of Nigeria serving as co-chair together with the prime minister of Norway.

Consistent with the commission’s recommendations, a country implementation plan for priority lifesaving commodities were developed. The overall objective of the plan is to provide a road map that ensures availability, affordability and accessibility of 15 priority lifesaving commodities for children.

The 15 commodities were listed in Nigerian’s country plan but four specifically targets the vulnerable newborns.

The key neonatal health commodities that are being accelerated for broader use in Nigeria are: (1) Ante-Natal corticosteroids given to pregnant mothers to help the lungs of babies that are ‘born before time’ mature fast; Injectable antibiotics for new born babies with serious infections; Newborn resuscitation devices to help babies overcome breathing difficulty at birth; four percent of Chlorhexidine gel for taking care of the newborn’s cord (navel) so as to prevent infections unlike in the past where ancient methods were adopted such as use of ashes, toothpaste on babies’ cords.

Despite all the aforementioned, much remains to be done to ensure access, affordability and availability of these commodities to the most vulnerable group.

In moving forward, the following gaps need to be addressed.

Policy limitations prevent access to some of the neonatal commodities where they are needed at the primary health care level.

Inadequate capacity for use of neonatal commodities at the primary health care Level due to inadequate funding and incentives for training, deployment and retraining of qualified health workers.

Inadequate funding for procurement and distribution of neonatal commodities, lack of funding for research on forecasting and quantification of neonatal commodities and also inadequate quality control mechanism and coordination due to inadequate staff and funding.

In Ogun State, efficient and affordable health care service delivery is the second of the fifth Cardinal Programmes of Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration, hich implies that the health of every citizen is of utmost importance to the present government.

The community-based health insurance scheme ‘ARAYA’ has been launched in the state which covers free health for children under age 5, pregnant women and the aged, thus reducing the mortality rate in the state.

Another health programme of the state is the conditional cash transfer programme (Gbomoro) the programme has helped quite a number of pregnant women who are in the remote or rural areas and who are financially handicapped with the provision of delivery pack (Mama kit) and stipends to ease their transportation problem to the primary health care centre, in order to encourage regular antenatal attendance and which has helped in reducing neonatal morbidity.

The state has also embarked on training and retraining of health workers on ‘Helping Babies Breathe’ to improve the skill of health workers on resuscitation of new borns.

Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye recently donated incubators to the Oba Ademola Maternity Center in order to save lives of the newborns.

It is, therefore, pertinent to call on policy makers to establish a budget line and increase funding for neonatal health. They should ensure prompt approval and timely release of allocated funds for neonatal health.

Professional associations/regulatory bodies are expected to bridge knowledge gap on neonatal lifesaving commodities among members and students through periodic curriculum review, training, seminars, conferences and continuous medical education.

Local drug manufacturers/suppliers are also to be engaged to ensure sustained quality/standard products.

The media also have a major role to play by creating and sustaining awareness for proper use of Neonatal Commodities and existing policies, legislation and programmes on newborn issues.

The traditional/religious leaders are expected to support government’s efforts to mobilise and sensitise the community members on benefits of using neonatal commodities and also to mobilise the community members to use services provided at the primary health centres.

The fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG4) aims to reduce the mortality rate among the under five children by two-thirds and a child’s risk of death in the first four weeks of life is nearly 15 times greater than any other time before his or her first birthday.

Ogungbade sent this piece from Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Ogunde...the outspoken Hercules, contemporary political commentator Continued from pg9

“... ‘Chief you have six of your wives in this group performing on this tour and then, I understand you still have another six, making twelve in all. May be you still have more, why is that so? How can you even cope with twelve wives? Do you think it is good for one man to have twelve wives?’

In response, Chief Ogunde said: ‘In Africa, we don’t pretend to be what we are not. We are faithful people. We are truthful people. When we marry one wife, we say it is one. When it is ten, we say it is ten. When it is twenty, we say it is twenty and people know. But here, you marry one officially for everyone to see and you have ten, probably twenty outside. So, you are hypocrites! We are sincere’.”

While many artistes musicians, writers, clergies, journalists and social commentators of today are working as mouthpieces of government in power and the economic profiteers, artistes of old were majorly into the ‘complementary institution.’ By complementary institution, we refer to the totality of institutions established by God and man to augment efforts and activities of government and the poor masses of any given institution or country (Gagliardi, 2014). These institutions are saddled with singular responsibility of speaking for people and check-balancing abuse of the rule of laws.

Sadly, that role is today bedevilled by evil of corruption and monetization of the political economy, which has seen complementary institution compromised and forcefully whisked into dungeon of falsification and shadowy of self-induced greed, thereby becoming a tool of torture for the poor, who themselves look up to be saved by the complementary institution.

Modern complementary institutions do not see when politicians do not want them to see. They do not say when they are not heavily paid to say and they do not write when

brown envelop is yet to be given to them. ‘Everything is now for sale’ said one journalist. Disappointedly, we do not read the truth any longer than voices and opinions of the ruling class.

Ogunde was an outspoken Hercules and contemporary political commentator, like Caesar, was ready to risk the possible destruction of his Theatre in order to fight for the freedom of his people from alien rule. According to an editorial in Zik’s West African Pilot newspaper (1947): “Ogunde’s preoccupation with projection of the cultural as well as the political identity of his people were enough for the nationalist movement to call him ‘a genius’ who did not seek ‘wealth or fortune’ ...nor self inflation or any other artifice of fame, a genius who was once a poor police officer, perhaps one who shared with three others ‘ten by eight’!! A day came when he sat down, racked his brain, composed nature airs and dramatized them and by 1947, had become ‘Nigeria theatre king’ ... It is courage to take risks and determination to forge ahead in spite of manmade handicaps...”

More so, Ogunde was one of the few African dramatists that worked tirelessly against the colonial dictator in the 40s and 50s. By 1960, he was joined by other radical and prominent political writers and musicians to help stabilise Nigeria’s baby independence. Among which included Prof. Wole Soyinka, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Chinua Achebe, etc. Let’s not forget that, Ogunde complemented Nigeria’s fathers of nationalism found in Sir Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Oba Samuel Akinsanya, Chief S.L Akintola, Ernest Ikoli, Mrs Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti, Sir Anthony Enahoro, Tai Solarin and Chief Adeleke Adedoyin.

In 1964, there was a political tumult in the then Western Nigeria. Chief Awolowo was incarcerated on treason accusation and Chief Ogunde, wrote the highly controversial account for his indictment entitled it ‘Yoruba Ronu

(Yoruba Think!).’ This account put him at loggerheads with Chief S.L Akintola who was at the time Premier of Western Region since the play directly attacked him and his government. For this, Ogunde Theatre was banned for two years (1964-1966). This ban had grave financial effect on him since majority of his audience were in the Yorubaspeaking Western Region.

In the words of revered historian Prof. (Mrs) Ebun Clark, describing Ogunde: “...for all the Nigerian playwrights in Yoruba Nigerian theatre and indeed in English, Ogunde was the most consummate social commentator and satirist, who easily make his views on people and events known through his sketches and characters (Clark, 1979).”

Ironically, ‘Yoruba Ronu’ was presage of days to come.

By January 15, 1966, the presage came alive and Akintola’s government was not only ousted out of power: many had paid with their lives. The military had taken over and on request, the ban on Mr. Ogunde and his company was lifted

by Lt. Col. F.A Fajuyi, the newly appointed governor of the Region. Hence, to say that message ‘Yoruba Ronu’ is still valid for present crop of politicians in Yoruba land today is not out of point.

That sincerity, patriotism and sense of obligation as a citizen of this great once united nation is continually lost to greed and ignorance. Somebody says our artistes, journalists, musicians, writers, clergies and social commentators are now ‘Pocket pickers’ like Judas, had derailed from the righteous path, dived into roads once trekked by tyrants. They make hypocritical noises just to get carrot or national honours.

Today, the name ‘Ogunde’ is only synonymous with that popular Nigerian musician and dramatist of all time. July 10, 2016 marked 100 years of his birthday and 26 years in death, tomorrow, what do we say about you?

Oduguwa, a social commentator, an author and culture enthusiast, sent this article from Sagamu.

37

16 July, 2016

SATURDAY

Saturday Tribune Editor: Ganiyu Salman 08053789060 tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com

EPL is very, very difficult —Conte

M

ANAGER Antonio Conte says he hopes Chelsea under his stewardship will light up the English Premier League title race this season, as he declared that EPL is difficult to win.

The 46-year-old tactician who guided Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 said the Blues enjoy low rating at the moment after finishing 10th in their title defence last term.

“We are under-rated a bit, and might slip under the radar, but I hope there’s a small flame flickering here that can hopefully grow into a blazing inferno,” said Conte at his unveiling to the media

Conte after his unveiling at Stamford Bridge.

Wike congratulates new SWAN President, Sirawoo Dapo Falade -Port Harcourt

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has congratulated Mr Honour Sirawoo on his emergence as the president of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

Sirawoo emerged as new SWAN President on Wednes-

day unopposed at the national delegates conference held in Ilorin and he alongside newly elected officers will run the association for the next three years.

Wike, in a congratulatory message also urged Sirawoo to use his new office to promote professionalism in sports re-

porting in the country.

He described Sirawoo as a committed sports journalist and unionist who had worked hard, over the years, to develop sports writing profession.

Wike urged Sirawoo to live up to the expectations of SWAN members by serving as a worthy ambassador of Rivers State

as well.

Also in a congratulatory message, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Mr Felix Obuah described Sirawoo’s victory as historic, as he became the first person from the South-South geopolitical zone to be elected SWAN national president.

at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

The Italian, who rejected the opportunity to follow the example of predecessor ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho and give himself a nickname, said a club the size of Chelsea shouldn’t be scrabbling around in mid-table.

“When you are a player, a footballer, or a manager of a great club like Chelsea, you must play to win,” said Conte, who also took the opportunity to confirm Chelsea icon, John Terry remains the club captain.

“To win. To win the title. Or to fight and, at the end, to compete with the other teams to win the title and reach your targets.

“I know that this league (EPL) is very, very difficult because there are six or seven teams who can win the title. For this reason, this situation is very exciting for me. It excites me, this situation.

“We know that, this year, it won’t be easy for us because if we think about the last season and 10th position... Last season was a bad season, yes?

“I know, that there is only one team who wins the title. But we must stay there at the end of the season, to fight for the title and be there for the Champions League. Chelsea belongs to the Champions League, and we must stay there.”

Oyo Police Command holds 2nd monthly route walk forcement agents’ march with music.

THE Oyo State Police Speaking after the exerCommand on Wednesday cise, Mr Oyebade said the held its second edition of march was a monthly exmonthly route walk, with ercise observed by his comthe Commissioner of Pomand and aimed at keeplice, Mr Leye Oyebade, eming his officers and men fit phasising its importance to for their job. the day-to-day activities of “Sporting activities are officers and men in carryvery vital. You must be ing out their law enforcephysically, emotionally ment activities. and psychologically sound Officers and men of difbefore you can do police ferent departments and job. The walk is also to tell units in the command such members of the public that as the Anti-Kidnapping we are for them and they Squad, Special Anti-Robshould be ready to give us bery Squad, Swift Response information to help in our Squad, mobile police, State job. It helps to keep spirit, Criminal Investigation and soul and body together,” Intelligence Department as the police commissioner said.

Speaking on the impact of the walk exercise on his men, Oyebade said his men were more fit than before as there had been remarkable improvement when they go out on investThe Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade (middle second row) flanked by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Finance and Administration, Mr Asuquo Amba (left) and the Area Commander, igation activities.

Agodi, Mr Sylvester Chimezie during a route walk exercise, on Wednesday, in Ibadan.

By Oluwatoyin Malik

well as Divisional Police Officers participated in the exercise that took them from the police headquarters through Jericho, Onireke, Dugbe, Alesinloye to Idi Ishin and back to the police headquarters.

Also among senior officials who took part in the walk were the state Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Mr Asuquo Amba, Area Commanders and officers in charge of SARS, anti-kidnapping squad and swift response squad, with the command’s Police Band accompanying the law en-

President of the National Association of Seadogs, Prince Ifeanyi Onochie (right), presents the winner’s trophy to the representative of the Zone 3, Prince Omoregbe Erediauwa in Benin after the 2016 annual NAS Games.

Zone 3 wins 2016 National Seadogs Games THE 2016 National Association of Seadogs (NAS) Games ended in Benin, Edo State last weekend with the hosts emerging the winner of the competion.

The annual NAS Games which afforded participants the opportunity to truly experience the unifying power and essence of sports lived up to its billings, as participants converged from all the seven zones of the federation to compete for medals in various games which included tennis, table tennis,

football, snooker, scrabble, draughts and sprints.

At the end of the two-day event, Zone 3, the hosts came tops with six gold, four silver and four bronze medals ahead of Zone 4 which had four gold, five silver and three bronze medals, while Area 6 came third with one gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Area 7 came fourth on the medals table with one gold, two silver and one bronze medals as Area 1 amassed one silver, while Area 5 fin-

ished with one bronze medal.

In his remarks, the National President of the association, Prince Ifeanyi Onochie, during the presentation of prizes to the winners said the importance of the annual fiesta was beyond bonding, unwinding and having fun.

He emphasised the need for members of the association to be health conscious and regularly cultivate the habit of exercising in order to guard against avoidable health challenges.

38 sport Plateau Utd must retain NPFL slot —Baraje PLATEAU United head coach, Zachary Baraje has said his main priority right now after the Federation Cup loss to league leaders, Wikki Tourists is to secure the side top-flight status quo.

The Tin City landlords will be the guests of Lobi Stars in tomorrow’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 27 clash at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi.

Baraje said he is giving the encounter at the Pride of Benue an undivided attention to make up for the ouster in the Federation Cup as well as shore up their uncomfortable position on the log.

“Yes, we are adequately preparing for the NPFL matchup at Lobi Stars on Sunday in Makurdi.

“We cannot continue to cry over spilt milk over the Federation Cup ouster in round of 16 clash.

“Right now my work has been reduced to securing the side top-flight status quo at the end of the season.

“We are determined to fight the battle with all our whole strengths and more to ensure it ends in success.

“We have pushed the Fed-

Heartland needs to beat MFM in Lagos —Ubido HEARTLAND vice-captain, Julius Ubido has pleaded with team-mates to win for him at top-flight newcomers, MFM FC, as both sides clash tomorrow at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos.

The defensive midfielder, cropped a knee injury in the 1-0 win top-flight matchday 26 oriental derby against neighbours and champions, Enyimba in Owerri.

Ubido said ruefully that he will not partake in the side crucial clash at MFM FC but insisted that his side will come clean at the end of the expected tough tie.

“I picked a knock on my left knee in the oriental derby 1-0 win against Enyimba in Owerri on Saturday.

“I had looked forward to the rematch at Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC in Lagos having played a vital role in the first fixture win in Owerri.

“Unfortunately, I was just told right now that I cannot play but rest the knee to avoid further injury.

“I know that I will attain 100 per cent fitness by the time the side come back for the next home match against FC IfeanyiUbah.”

eration Cup loss behind us more so when we are convinced that we did not lose the tie to Wikki Tourists but the referee.

“However, I take consolation in the impressive performance of the players in the Cup encounter.

The NPFL match at Lobi Stars is going to be real battle as both sides are somehow drowning.

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Ijesha North Diocese 2016 Trinity Ordination at Iloro Ijesha

“We will fight for the whole three points at stake as we no longer have the luxury to lose any further points in the remaining matches on the calendar,” the former Enyimba and Akwa United coach told supersport. com.

The NPFL newcomers are 16th on the log with 30 points 13 behind league leaders, Wikki Tourists.

From middle, the Lord Bishop of Ijesa North Diocese, The Right Reverend Dr. Isaac Iwabiolorun Oluyamo JP, Reverend B.S Famuyiwa, Reverend S. O. Akintayo, Reverend S.0 Olayinka and The Right Reverend J.O.K Olowokure (flanked Right); Reverend G.O Olugoke, Reverend E.A Ajiboye and the Diocesan Registrar, Barrister O.A Agbola ESQ (Flanked left) during Ijesha North Diocese 2016 Trinity Ordination at Oba Samuel Olashore Anglican Church, lloko Ijesha, Osun State last Sunday.

From left, Preacher, Venerable Ojumu, Barrister Adepeju, Reverend and Mrs S.O Olayinka, Reverend S.O Akintayo, Reverend and Mrs G.O Olugoke, The Right Reverend Dr. and Mrs Isaac Oluyamo JP, The Diocesan and Mama Ijesha North, Reverend and Mrs B.S Famuyiwa, Reverend E.A Ajiboye and The Right Reverend J.O.K Olowokure at the event.

From left, Diocesan Legal Officer, Barrister Adepeju, Reverend and Mrs G.O Olugoke, The Right Reverend Dr. and Mrs Isaac Oluyamo and the newly ordained Deacons at the ordination service.

From left, The Newly Ordained Priest with Diocesan Mama Ijesha North, Reverend and Mrs s.o Olayinka, The Right Reverend Dr. and Mrs Isaac Oluyamo JP with other Reverends at the event.

39

sport

16 July, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Poor FIFA ratings, worry for Nigerian stars in England

N

IGERIA stars will be barred from securing a work permit to play in England should the Super Eagles now slip out-

side the top 70 teams in the FIFA rankings.

The latest FIFA ratings have the Eagles at 70th in the world and according to experts, Nigeria players will be hardest hit should the

team fall outside this ranking as one of the rules states work permit will only be considered for non-European players whose countries are within the top 70 in the world.

“If they (Nigeria) slip one more place, its players can’t play in England,” said African football expert Tunde Adelakun.

“Work permit laws for non-European players say the player’s country has to be in top 70 in the world.”

An immediate casualty of this could be Nigeria U-20 skipper Kelechi Nwakali, who is set to soon sign a professional contract with Arsenal.

Nigeria international, Umar Aminu of Turkish club Osmanlispor has also been linked with Premier League side Hull City, while Belgium-based Wilfred Ndidi has been mentioned to join Watford.

Nigeria stars in England include Odion Ighalo, Isaac Success (Watford), Ahmed Musa (Leicester City), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City) and Mikel Obi, Victor Moses (Chelsea).

Yusuf charges home-based stars ahead NPFL All-Stars Tour HEAD coach of the NPFLAll Stars, Salisu Yusuf, on Thursday morning underlined the importance of assembling the NPFL All Stars team, saying it is a platform to build a formidable national squad.

Yusuf spoke with npfl. ng shortly after their Thursday morning training session inside the mainbowl of the National Stadium, Abuja.

The NPFL All-Stars are scheduled to play Spanish La Liga sides, Valencia, in a pre-season friendly and Malaga in the Carranza La Liga World Club in

Spain.

Yusuf, who expressed satisfaction with the training sessions since the camp opened said while the tour is for friendly games, the NPFL All-Stars would play as though everything is at stake.

“Players of Valencia and Malaga play football with their feet the way we also do and so we will give it our best shot as we are not seeing this tour as a mere friendly tour, but as competition with some of the best teams in the La liga,” Yusuf said.

Asked about the perfor-

mance of his players in training so far, Yusuf said: “I am impressed with the players’ reaction in training, the boys are clearly understanding the way we want them to play, we hope they continue to improve and express our philosophy on the pitch. “ The team will train one more time on Friday (yesterday) before all the players will be released to their various clubs for this weekend’s match day 27 league games and resume on Monday, July 18.

Ahmed Musa, New arrival in England

... As Pinnick, Dikko visit camp A surprise visit by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick and League Management Company (LMC) Chairman, Shehu Dikko to the Thursday training of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) All-Stars training ground left the players in high spirits as they cheered the two officials during a brief pep talk.

Pinnick who spoke to the 28 of the 37 invited players harped on the need for the players to see their call to national service as a privilege they must reciprocate with a good outing during the tour of Spain.

He charged the NPFL All Stars Team to be good ambassadors of the Nigerian league and the country when they participate in the friendly match

Pinnick, NFF boss

against Valencia CF and in their participation in the prestigious Carranza La Liga World Club Tournament in Spain from August 10-13.

“We are very happy about this tour, and we hope more of this sort of arrangement will be available in the near future, and even bigger than this,” remarked Pinnick.

“This should not be seen as an avenue for you to display only your individual skills and play to the gallery, the main objective for you is to see yourselves as a team and collectively play to achieve your set goal.

“In whatever you do, always put the country, Nigeria, first. You must also ensure you give a good account of yourselves during the tour.”

Meanwhile, the number of players in the camp has risen to 28. Some of those who joined the Thursday morning training include Chima Akas, Theophilus Afelokhai, Ezekiel Bassey, Chinedu Udoji, Dare Ojo and Joseph Osadiaye, all from Enyimba.

Others were Etim Matthew, Obinna Nwobodo and Chisom Egbuchulam from Enugu Rangers, Dayo Ojo of Sunshine Stars, Emmanuel Ariwa of Akwa United and Hussaini Bata of El-kanemi Warriors.

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Eder celebrates after scoring against France in the Euro 2016 final. PHOTO: EPA

riage, Eder further revealed that it was his mum who brought him from GuineaBissau to Portugal.

“I came to Portugal with my mum from Guinea-Bissau.

“My dad was already in Portugal. There was a moment when my dad came to my mum’s house and ended up taking me with him and I went to live for some time

El-Kanemi Heartland Plateau Utd Warri Wolves Wikki Tourists

Ibe turns Bournemouth’s record signing

—Eder, Euro 2016 hero

By Olawale Olaniyan ORTUGAL’S unlikely hero, Ederzito Antonio Macedo Lopes, simply known as Eder, is in jubilant mood, but the reality of his father’s plight blights his feelings as he savours his Euro 2016 feat.

Just seven days ago, the Guinea-Bissau-born striker netted a historic 109th minute winner against host France to earn his adopted country, Portugal its first ever continental football title.

Since then, Eder had enjoyed an unprecedented career spotlight and was a guest on a Portuguese national TV on Thursday night where he sensationally revealed his dad was almost completing a 16 year-jail term for murdering his wife, who incidentally is Eder’s step mum.

“My dad is in prison in the UK. Since I was 12. My step-mum died and he was accused of killing her. Every time I had holiday, I would go to England to see him,” Eder spilled the beans he had covered even during his days with Swansea City, an English Premiership campaigner.

A victim of broken mar-

vs vs vs vs vs

with my dad. After that I was put into the college.”

He further revealed his school bills at the college were paid for by the Portuguese government because

his parents did not have the means of sending him to a better school.

Still single at 28, Eder also revealed the immediate plans of getting married.

FLYING England U-21 winger, Jordon Ibe cost Bournemouth a reported record £15million (17.9m euros, $20m) when he signed on Thursday from their Premier League rivals Liverpool.

The 20-year-old – capped four times at U-21 level – signed a four year contract with the ‘Cherries’ before joining them on their tour of the United States having given up hope of regular first team football at Liverpool.

His transfer fee easily surpasses the previous club record of £9million outlaid for Benik Afobe from second tier Wolves last January.

Liverpool’s signing of Southampton’s Senegalese international forward, Sadio Mane also helped him seek a move to end four-and-a-half years on Merseyside.

“We’re delighted to bring Jordon to the football club,” said Bournemouth chief executive, Neill Blake.

“He played plenty of football with Liverpool last season and we’re looking forward to seeing him to continue to grow now with us, he’s a huge prospect.

“We’ve now signed five players this summer, all of whom have an abundance of potential.

“It shows that we’re serious about nurturing talent at this football club and we have the long term in mind when we say we want to stay in the Premier League.”

Ibe, who played 58 times for Liverpool since making his debut in the 2012/13 campaign, joins Nathan Ake, U-17 star Lewis Cook, Emerson Hyndman and Lys Mousset as the new faces manager Eddie Howe has brought in during the close season.

Giwa targets over N20bn income for Nigerian football AMBASSADOR Chris Giwa has vowed to ensure Nigerian football reach its goal and target by making it lucrative and attractive income wise in no time.

Giwa, who laid strong claims as the authentic president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), disclosed this while inaugurating league boards in Abuja, during the week.

“Every product and

brand in our football will be maximised towards the business possible propensity to meet the N2billion income that Nigeria football is valued to be worth if possibly harnessed.

The biggest beneficiaries will be the leagues. The future of our football rest on your shoulders. Communities are the centre of football business. That is what we shall aspire to as an Eldorado.

“It is our ambition to have leagues namely Premier, Women, Nationwide, National League One, youth leagues, futsal (5-a-side)and beach soccer leagues, all profitably functioning well with high financial returns. We want to have a system that will be attractive for foreign players to come here rather than Nigerian players leave in droves to other nations.

“A well programmed football environment will make sponsors to out price each other to have a piece of the action. Our cumulative target is to attract 10 per cent of the nation’s population to do the business in football and we are home and dry. With you behind us and everyone doing his or her bit, then the sky will not be our limit,” the man who founded FC Giwa of Jos stated.

Home-based star, Theophilus Afelokhai of Enyimba.

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. 16/7/2016.