17th October 2015

nigeria’s most informative newspaper

no 1,121

Saturday, 17 OCTOber, 2015

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HID was a woman of culture, tradition —Ikenne monarch

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Nigeria is threatened

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Army chief cries out 39 killed in Borno mosque blast US set to start military operations in Nigeria

SOLA SOBOWALE:

My role in Superstory saved a woman’s home

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Amaechi tells Senate not to stop his screening as minister-nominee pg4

EFCC interrogates Akpabio pg4

A Palestinian posing as a journalist stabs an Israeli soldier with a knife before being shot dead near the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Buhari won’t force ministers to declare pg4 assets publicly —Presidency

I won’t resign because of Boko Haram —Buharipg4

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CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915-2015)

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PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE

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1. From left, Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Chief (Mrs) Bola Doherty.

2. Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu and Revd Oyediran with the Alakenne-in-Council.

3. From left, Chief Edozie Ezeugwa, Professor Saliba Mukoro and Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd).

4. Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu and Revd Oyediran with clerics from Remo Anglican Diocese.

5. From left, Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, Barrister Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN) and Revd Oyediran.

6. From left, Barrister Lanre Ogunlesi (SAN), Chancellor Remo Diocese; Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, Revd Oyediran and Venerable Remi Onajole.

7. Revd Oyediran flanked by Mr and Mrs Idowu Olakunri.

8. Revd Oyediran with Yemi Osinbajo Fans Club members.

9. Cross section of Pharmaceutical Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (male) 10. Cross section of Pharmaceutical Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (female)

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When I got to Abuja, there were a lot of women but a lady ran up to me bringing me gifts and said “thank you for saving my home.”

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OU had your burst back then with Wale Adenuga’s series, Super Story. How was the experience as an actress then?

In one word, I would say, lovely.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Sola Sobowale is one of Nigeria’s doyens of entertainment. She led Nigerians to an Eldorado of pleasure as “Toyin Tomato” in the movie series, SUPER Story by Wale Adenuga, a few years ago. In this interview with JOAN OMIONAWELE, the actress who left the movie scene for a while, speaks on her latest movie series, Nectar, and other personal issues. Excerpts:

My role in super story

saved a woman’s marriage —Sola Sobowale

You have produced a new T.V. series, which is yours, what has the experience working on this set been like?

It’s been fantastic because I’m lucky to have the crew, which is everybody I’m working with. We’re like family; they have made it very easy for me so it’s been fantastic.

Let us say that this is going to be like a comeback for you. Are you prepared for whatever it takes?

Yes (giggles).

I heard that Sola Sobowale is also a producer.

At what point did you decide to leave acting and start producing?

My first job as a producer was twenty five years ago.

That is to tell you that I’ve been producing for a very long time. I produce and I also act.

Is it true that your role in Super Story once saved a woman’s marriage?

Absolutely! I went for a programme in Abuja. It had to do with women empowerment. When I got to Abuja, there were a lot of women but a lady ran up to me bringing me gifts and said “thank you for saving my home.” I looked at her and said how? She said a woman who was a carbon copy of Toyin Tomato was gradually taking her husband away. So one evening, she decided to see the movie, she tried as much as possible to cook the man’s favourite food Continues on pg30

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Nigeria is threatened

•Army Chief cries out •39 killed in Borno mosque blast •US to conduct counter-Boko Haram operations in Nigeria

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uthorities of the Nigerian Army have raised the alarm that the sovereignity of the country is being threatened.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, in message to troops fighting Boko Haram in the North East, declared that “the next few days will be crucial to Operation Lafiya Dole. It is also crucial to our country Nigeria. Our sovereignty as a nation is threatened.”

The full text of Lt-Gen Buratai’s statement reads: “The next few days will be crucial to Op Lafiya Dole. It is also crucial to our country Nigeria. Our sovereignty as a nation is threatened. The Nigerian Army and indeed the military as the symbol of our nationhood is being challenged.

“Our ability to stand and defeat the Boko Haram terrorists in the next few weeks will determine the future of our country. We cannot afford to lose the fight.

“We are better trained and better equipped. The whole nation is behind us.

Mr President is with us. Let us remain steadfast in this noble cause.

“Be courageous. We must degrade and defeat the terrorists. This job must be done.

We must make our country men and women proud.”

Blasts: Dozens dead as Maiduguri mosque targeted And also on Friday, at least 39 people died after multiple explosions in Maiduguri, an emergency official said.

Three female suicide bombers, thought to be aged between 11 and 15, struck on Friday morning, an official with the National Emergency Management Agency told BBC Hausa.

The blasts followed bomb attacks on a mosque on Thursday which killed at least 32.

No group has yet said it was behind the attack during Thursday’s evening prayers that also left many people injured.

The explosions caused parts of the mosque to collapse, leading to further injuries.

Military spokesman Sani Kukasheka Usman told the BBC’s Newsday programme that Boko Haram was resorting to suicide attacks because “they have been degraded to the extent that they can no longer fight collectively”.

US to conduct counterBoko Haram operations in Nigeria Meanwhile, the United

States will conduct surveillance and intelligence operations against Boko Haram inside Nigeria, sources familiar with the plan told AFP Friday, a significant escalation of Washington’s role in combating the Islamist group.

The operations will be carried out as part of the recently announced

deployment of up to 300 US military personnel to neighbouring Cameroon, officials said.

“This is going to be part of our Boko Haram efforts that will be operating throughout the region,” one of the sources said on condition of anonymity.

It will not include boots on the ground or offensive combat, but will see US

military operations against Boko Haram in Nigeria for the first time.

“It’s surveillance and intelligence gathering, not anything offensive,” said the same source.

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced 90 US personnel had already been sent to Cameroon and may eventually number up to 300.

I won’t resign ‘cos of Boko Haram —Buhari

By Dipo Ogunsola PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has revealed how he plans to rescue the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in April last year in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram.

He has also vowed that he would not resign if by December his government is unable to defeat Boko Haram.

Buhari told the Doha-based Aljazeera television in an interview aired on Friday evening that he would negotiate with Boko Haram to bring back the Chibok girls.

It has been 18 months since more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram from the remote town of Chibok in Borno State. President Buhari has pledged to defeat the armed group by December and is willing to negotiate to secure the girls’ release. “[Boko Haram has] to prove to us that they are alive, they are well, and then we can… negotiate with them.”

“We said it and we meant it.

If we are satisfied that the girls are alive,” the president adds.

On what the Nigerian government is willing to offer the

armed group, Buhari says “it will depend on the leadership of Boko Haram”.

When asked whether he would offer financial payments, or a prisoner release, to Boko Haram in return for the girls, Buhari did not rule out either option. “Well it depends on the negotiations with the leadership of Boko Haram.”

The president pledged to defeat Boko Haram by the end of 2015 and told Aljazeera: “As soon as the rainy season ends, which is by the end of the year […] Boko Haram will virtually be out of their main stronghold and that will be the end of it [….] Attacks by Boko Haram on townships, on military installations, will certainly stop.”

If Boko Haram isn’t defeated by December, however, Buhari said he “will not resign”.

“I will be determined to stay and fight it out.”

The president claimed not to have seen the Amnesty International report from June 2015,‘Nigeria: Stars on their shoulders: Blood on their hands’, in which the humanrights group documented

abuses, torture and unlawful killings by the Nigerian armed forces and urged the government to prosecute a group of officers and senior commanders. “I haven’t received that report personally,” said Buhari. “If I get those documents… I assure you that I will take action as Commander in Chief.”

In the past, Buhari has been quoted as saying he supports “the total implementation of the sharia in the country” but he told Aljazeera that “Nigerian law does not allow for” so-called sharia punishments, such as stonings and amputations, adding: “I cannot change it. I haven’t been voted by [a] majority of Nigerians to change Nigerian constitution.”

Asked about his record as a military dictator in the mid-1980s, and the alleged human-rights abuses which occurred on his watch, Buhari said: “If there is any injustice that can be proved against me when I was there, I will gladly apologize.” The president refused, however, to concede that his nownotorious ‘war against indiscipline’ in the 1980s featured any such “injustice”.

reau (CCB). The presidential spokesman simply replied: “The President will do whatever the law requires.”

He was silent on the time the President would possibly authorise the release of the assets of his wife as contained in the CCB form submitted by Buhari.

Section 11(1) (a, b)of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution requires every public officer to declare his assets before the CCB and that of his her spouse and unmarried children below the age of 18 years.

Section 11(1) of the Fifth Schedule reads: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every public officer shall within three months after the coming into force of this Code of Conduct or immediately after taking office and thereafter-(A) at the end of every four years; and

(B) at the end of his term of office, Submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.”

Buhari won’t force ministers to declare assets publicly —Presidency Taiwo Adisa - Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari will not force any of his ministers to publicly declare their assets and liabilities, the Presidency said on Friday.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who confirmed the position while responding to inquiries by the Saturday Tribune, said that the President will comply with the provisions of the Constitution in handling the matter.

Adesina, was asked two questions by our correspondent, including whether the President will require the ministers to publicly declare their assets as he did recently and when the President will make public the assets of his wife as contained in the Code of Conduct form he (the President) submitted to the Code of Conduct Bu-

Saturday Tribune

Amaechi tells Senate not to stop his ministerial screening A former governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi has pleaded with the Senate not to stop his screening as a minister-nominee.

In three separate letters written by his solicitor, Edward E. Pepple to the Senate president, Senator Bukola Saraki and Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Amaechi gave reasons why the Senate should not stop his screening as a minister-nominee declaring that the allegations against him were not only false and made mala fide but were also subjudice.

While insisting that the allegations were with the intent to “solely irritate, embarrass and tarnish his hard-earned reputation” Amaechi reminded the Senate that he should be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved.

While telling the Senate that since there were pending cases at the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Court of Appeal on the matter he told the Senate that any action on the allegations by the Senate would be subjudice just as he asked the Senate to preserve its Standing Order which bars it from dabbling in any matter pending before a court.

Amaechi, in the letters, asked the Senate to “discard” the petition against him by the Integrity Group and the report of the Justice G. G. Omereji’s Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

“Just as the general principle of law is that commentaries and other forms or outside-the-courtroom discussions should not be encouraged or engaged in relation to the subject matter of any judicial litigation, so as not to prejudice and prejudge a matter before a court, we have also realised that this Distinguished Senate has not only adopted this principle of law, but has also made it a written code in its Rules and Standing Orders, which is the compass for the proceedings of the Senate.

“The Senate by so doing has debarred Distinguished Senators from considering matters which are rightly or wrongly subjudice for the sake of ensuring the much desired separation of powers and preventing possible loop holes that may exist or be created in an attempt at short-circuiting the process of justice and circumventing the stringent application of the laws of our land.

“Mr. President, needless to emphasise that it is one of the cardinal pillars of fair hearing that an accused person is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved. Again, this position is strengthened and reinforced by section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) (hereafter simply referred as the Constitution).

“As our client has indicated, the allegations are not only false, they are also made mala fide with the intent to solely irritate, embarrass and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of our client and maliciously represent him as a person not fit and proper to occupy public office.

“Sir, this intention is borne out clearly from the conduct and restless activities of the petitioner, who has expressly stated in his petition to the Senate that he had written same petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the two foremost institutions in the country vested with the authority to prosecute financial and corrupt practices related offences. Except to speculate that the petitioner has no confidence in both the EFCC and ICPC, one would have thought that the petitioner should have awaited the outcome of the investigation of his allegations by these institutions. He did not do so because he has one goal, one mission: to malign and discredit the person of our client before the Nigerian people.

“Mr. President, we wish to resist the temptation of delving into the subject matter so as not to fall foul of the law and prejudice the case before the court. “ In the circumstances, we most respectfully urge the Senate to invoke its powers and the Rules and Standing Orders to protect our client from commenting on the subject matter of the petition and any issues relating to or arising from the Judicial Commission of Injury and/or the purported White Paper issued thereto, “ he said.

Efcc interrogates ex-governor Akpabio ity of the former governor be- 8 petitioned President MuLanre Adewole - Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday pulled in the immediate past Akwa-Ibom State governor Senator Godswill Akpabio for interrogation over alleged corruption during his leadership of the state.

A commission source told Saturday Tribune that Akpabio was taken in Friday afternoon and was still on under interrogation at the official closing hour.

There was, however, according to the source, the possibil-

ing granted an administrative bail last night.

Akpabio, who is the Senate Minority Leader has been under investigation by the commission following a petition alleging that he committed financial crimes while at the helms in Akwa Ibom.

An online newspaper, Premium Times claimed that the EFCC action followed a petition forwarded to the commission by an Abujabased lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong.

Mr. Ekpenyong had on June

hammadu Buhari and the EFCC, calling for Mr. Akpabio’s probe and accusing him of looting Akwa Ibom state treasury.

It said that several other indigenes of the state who are demanding the investigation of the former governor, have been invited by the EFCC to adopt their petitions.

On his part, Mr. Ekpenyong was summoned on Wednesday, June 17, to adopt his petition and provide more details to some of the allegations he made against Mr. Akpabio.

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AD holds national convention November Christian Okeke - Abuja

The representative of Oyo State governor, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr Oyedele Olufemi (second right), flanked by the zonal commanding officer, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Commandant Steven Goni Maitizumahs (second left); Sector Commandant, Yusuf Salami (right) and the special guest, Overseer (Dr) Ebenezer Okebukola at FRSC 11.3 Oyo sector command mega rally and flag-off for the 2015 Ember months campaign, held at Modern Motor Park, opposite Wema Bank, Iwo Road, Ibadan, on Thursday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU

HID valued tradition —Alakenne-in-council

By Tunde Ogunesan

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HE Alakenne in council has described late Yeye Oodua, Chief Mrs HID Awolowo, as an enigma who valued and protected the traditional institution till her death.

This was disclosed by the spokesperson for the Alakenne in council, Elder Tayo Fadipe, when the council formally presented a letter of condolence to the family at the Efunyela Hall, on Friday.

The Alakenne in council which was led by His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyinka Onakade, Moruwafu I, formally paid the Awolowos a condolence visit and as well presented a letter of condolence to the children of the deceased.

Other dignitaries on the delegation included Pastor Yemi Osinuga, Chief Folami Bankole, Barrister Sanya Solaja, Alhaji Ajetunmobi, Prince Dayo Orenowo, Prince S. Awobajo, secretary Prince Akinwumi Awoyemi and

Elder Tayo Fadipe, who eulogised the late matriarch.

Elder Fadipe said: “Three years ago, we paid a visit to the palace of the Ooni of Ife at the instance of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II. There we beheld tradition and we saw the value and quality of the traditional in-

stitution. But back here, we can see our community in that light.

“During her lifetime, Mama HID did her best to protect our tradition and traditional institution in this town. She did her best to establish traditional rule here in Ikenne. We thank God that her effort yielded

FRSC holds mega rally for ‘ember’ months in Oyo

By Oluwatoyin Malik THE governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has urged members of major transport unions in Oyo State as well as other road users to obey traffic rules at all times as it would further help promote sanity and safety on Nigerian roads.

The governor stated this on Thursday at the flag-off of the Oyo State Joint Mega Rally/2015 Ember Month Campaign organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps, Oyo State sector command and held at the modern mo-

tor park, Gbagi, Ibadan The governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Mr Oyesina Oyedele, noted that Nigeria records a relatively high number of road crashes and fatalities, among other African countries, according to statistics, saying that the accidents usually brought unending sorrow whenever they occurred.

He added that road traffic crashes also contributed to economic and psychological losses, aside human lives usually lost in cases of fatali-

Why poor finances won’t stop my developing Ekiti —Fayose Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti GOVERNOR Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has said paucity of funds will not stop him from embarking on projects that will lead to the development of the state.

Fayose, who spoke in Ikere-Ekiti said he “has to reciprocate the support of the people all the time.”

The governor, while flagging off the extension of the dualisation of the Ado -Ikere Road said the people of the town and the state in general stood by him in his trying

result when Oba Onakade was appointed in year 2011 as the Alakenne to be on the throne of his forefathers after almost 30 years.

“That is why we are here to say a very big thank you to Mama because she valued tradition and she protected it throughout her life on earth.”

moments and he was ready to make personal sacrifices and forfeit some perks of office to ensure that the welfare of the people and the progress of the state were given priority.

He said: “In the last one year, you stood by me, you supported me, you encouraged me, you prayed for me.

I promise I will continue to serve you. We are undaunted by the poor finances of the state. That won’t stop our march to greatness.

“The dual carriage way was

started by me and where I left it about 10 years ago is where it has been since.

I will continue to support Ikere people; they are supportive of my political aspirations and I cannot underestimate them.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, who said the importance of good road networks could not be overemphasised, noted that “the dual carriage way is very important to Ikere because Ikere links two towns and states.”

ties.

Stating that the last four months of the year tagged ‘ember months’ were always associated with high incidents of road traffic crashes, the governor noted that they were not different from other months, but were so tagged because of road users’ disobedience to traffic rules, especially at that period.

He however praised the efforts of the FRSC in sensitising members of the public towards safe driving while soliciting for the support of all and sundry towards the promotion of safer roads.

Also, a former Head of Service in Oyo State enjoined the state government to install cameras on traffic lights on some of the roads within the state as well as create a traffic command and control centre to enhance traffic management, crime prevention and crime control.

Speaking with the Saturday Tribune, the Sector Commander of the FRSC, Oyo State, Mr Yusuff Salami, said that the campaign was aimed at capturing the attention of road users and to arrest occurrence of road crashes within the ‘ember’ months.

THE Alliance for Democracy (AD) has adopted November for state congresses and national convention of the party.

The decision to hold the congresses and convention was part of the resolutions of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which was held in Abuja.The meeting which was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), served to further unify the party.

To assist in actualising the convention, a seven-man committee was set up to plan the processes.

Saturday Tribune gathered that prior to the NEC meeting, the commission had written to the party, drawing its attention to the need for the convention. It was further gathered that a meeting between the leadership of the party and officials of the commission was held to resolve pending issues same Thursday.

Shittu commends Senate over ministerial screening MINISTERIAL nominee and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Barrister Abdul Raheem Adebayo Shittu has commended the senate for allowing national interest to dominate the ongoing screening of ministerial nominees forwarded to them by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Shittu in a statement averred that the senators have exhibited patriotism and love for the country. He maintained that virtually all the nominees were allowed to showcase their potentials in returning the country into the path of growth and economic prosperity. The minister nominee affirmed that the senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and other principal members of the red chamber had allowed the nominees to express themselves in the quest of transforming the country. Shittu assured that the national assembly would do well in the screening of the nominees.

Tribunal re-affirms election of el-Rufai as gov Muhammad Sabiu - Kaduna THE governorship election tribunal sitting in Kaduna has re-affirmed the election of Governor Malam Nasir elRufai of Kaduna State.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Polycarp Danladi had alleged that el-Rufai was not duly elected in accordance with electoral act.

APGA candidate, through his counsel, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olowokure, had asked the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh governorship election in Kaduna in compliance with the electoral act.

In his six-hour judgment, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adebayo Adebara dismissed the petition on lack of merit.

However, Justice Adebara ordered the cancellation of votes cast for APC and PDP in wards of seven local government areas of Sanga, Kaura, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kauru, Kachia and Kagarko, which did not, “however, invalidate the election of the first respondent (el-Rufai).”

Fijabi makes case for Adadevoh, deceased doctor’s children

By Olawale Olaniyan A member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, has urged the Federal Government to offer scholarships to the children of the late Dr Stella Adadevoh and other children of doctors who fought to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Nigeria.

Fijabi, who sponsored a motion on Wednesday at the plenary, charged the Federal Government to bestow a post-humous national honour on the late medical doctors in recognition of their heroic sacrifice in saving Nigerians from the spread of the deadly Ebola disease in 2014.

Fijabi, representing Ibadan Southwest/Northwest Federal Constituency of Oyo State said, the “efforts, courage and sacrifices of those persons who lost their lives in the course of treating Patrick Sawyer need to be acknowledged, including the management and other staff of the hospital.”

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Ambode swears in commissioners, SAs Monday Bola Badmus - Lagos

From left, Senior Manager (Human Resources), African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers of Tribune titles, Mrs. Bukola Ezeamaka; Manager (Policy Implementation), Mrs. Toyin Ibitunde and the Deputy Manager, Personnel, Mrs Ijeoma Adesanya, during the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management 2015 conference in Abuja on Friday. PHOTO: BAYOOR EWUOSO

Assets declaration: Appeal Court decides Saraki’s case Monday Sunday Ejike - Abuja

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HE Court of Appeal, Abuja division will on Monday, October 19, deliver judgement in an appeal brought before it by Senate President Olubukola Saraki, against the Federal Government.

Saraki is challenging the legality of his arraignment at the Code of Conduct Tribunal by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over allegation of false declaration of his assets.

The appellate court fixed the date on Friday, after taking final brief of arguments from parties in the matter.

Justice Moore Adumein, who led two other justices of the Court of Appeal to hear the matter announced that judgement in the matter will be delivered by 2pm on Monday.

Lead counsel for the Senate President, Joseph Daudu, while moving his case, raised five issues for determination of the court, one of which was the call for the determination of the legality of the trial of Senator Saraki at the

Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Daudu argued that the tribunal erred in law by proceeding with the trial with two members instead of the mandatory three as provided by the constitution, adding also that the composition of the tribunal during Saraki’s trial violated paragraphs 15(1) of the 1999 Constitution by sitting with two members instead of three and asked the court to nullify the CCT proceedings of last month for nor forming a quorum.

The appellant counsel disagreed with the arguments

of Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), counsel representing the Federal Government that the Interpretation Act can be used to resolve the constitutional logjam since the constitution was silent on the quorum for the tribunal’s membership.

Daudu insisted that the Interpretation Act cannot override the constitution being the supreme law and the Act being inferior to the constitution.

“To ask that the Act of Interpretation be used to override constitutional provision

Kesington plans 80th birthday AS part of the activities to herald the 80th birthday anniversary of Sir Adebutu Kesington, the Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF) has organised a press conference to unveil the programme of events for the auspicious occasion.

Speaking with journalists at KAAF headquarters in Lagos, the celebrant, Sir Kesington thanked the almighty God for sparing his

life to witness his 80th birthday which he considered as a milestone in his life. He also appreciated the media for their consistent support for KAAF. Sir Kesington informed the press that the commemoration of his birthday and the 10th year anniversary of KAAF will come up between the 19th and 24th of October, 2015.

According to him, “from Monday, October 19 to 21,

‘7,000 Evangelical Missions members serving in 97 countries’ THE Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA) has revealed that over 7,000 of its members are currently in 96 countries serving as Christian missionaries.

This disclosure was made in Osogbo on Thursday by the Executive Secretary of NEMA, Mike Adegbile, during the inauguration of the Osun State chapter of the association.

is wrong and unheard of.

That, itself, will amount to product of mis-interpretation because the constitution is the supreme law and not an Act”.

He also argued that the tribunal was wrong in assuming criminal jurisdiction against the Senate President when it was not a superior court of record and added that the tribunal cannot assume concurrent jurisdiction with the Federal High Court as the Code of Conduct Tribunal was by law, inferior to the Federal High Court.

According to Adegbile, who was represented by NEMA National Coordinator of Vision 5015, Pastor Victor Idakwoji, the association which was formed in 1982 with its headquarters in Jos, Plateau State is the networking, fellowship, clearing house and association organ of Nigerian Missions Movement.

“The vision of NEMA is

to foster a united, purposeful and strategic pursuit of the fulfillment of the Great Commission by Nigerian Church and Missions Movement,” he said.

He noted that one of the set up agenda of NEMA was to produce 50,000 Nigerian missionaries within 15 years to cover 196 countries of the world and the ensure that the targeted goal was achieved by 2020.

there will be a free medical outreach which will cover such areas as diagnosis and treatment of Nigerians from all walks of life. Specifically, there will be free eye test for children, cervical examination for women and general medical for all.

“On Thursday, the 22nd, there will be a special capping ceremony where I will be installed as the new Asoju Oba of Lagos at the palace of the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwanu Osuolale Akiolu, who will perform the required installation ceremony. On Friday, the 23rd, there will be a special promotion by Premier Lotto to distribute prizes to our loyal customers and the general public.

“On top of the prize chart are eight brand new cars and other high-value gift items that will be won on that day.

The procedure for participating in this special promotion is already in the public domain, then on Saturday, the 24th of October, 2015 the grand finale of my birthday will be coming up at Eko Hotel”.

LAGOS State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, will on Monday, October 19, swear in 23 commissioners and 14 Special Advisers (SAs), who will constitute the state executive.

This was disclosed on Friday in a signed statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, saying the ceremony will be held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat by 10am.

According to him, “The House of Assembly has just officially informed His Excellency that they have completed the screening and confirmation of all the 23 commissioner designates and 14 Special Adviser designates which he sent to the House on September 21. So what is left is for him to conduct the swearing-in ceremony so as to enable them to resume the task of governance.”

It will be recalled that Governor Ambode had named six former cabinet members from the Babatunde Raji Fashola administration, including former Commissioner for Agriculture, Gbolahan Lawal, former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; former Special Adviser, Central Business District, Folarin Coker; former Special Adviser Commerce and Industry, Seye Oladejo; former Special Adviser, Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson and former Special Adviser Rural Development, Babatunde Hunpe.

He also named a relatively young cabinet members with the likes of Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu, Mr Wale Oluwo, Fela Bank-Olemoh, Akinyemi Ashade, a partner in KPMG; former Managing Director, National Mirror, Steve Ayorinde; Alhaja Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, a pharmacist; Kehinde Joseph and Prof. Ademola Abass, a Professor of Law, whose ages range between 39 and 47 years.

Fayose is on the right course —Adekola A member representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency of Ekiti State in the House of Representatives, Chief Segun Adekola, has rallied more support for Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, saying the governor deserves more support of the people in the onerous task of developing the state.

Adekola, who stated this in a goodwill message to the government and the people of Ekiti State on the successful completion of the governor’s first year in office, said that the administration of Governor Fayose has performed creditably in the last one year even in the face of dwindling allocation to the state.

He said only wicked people would close their eyes to the modest developments he has brought to the state in just one year in the saddle, saying those who had more allocation to spend in their four years in office only looted the state blind. He added that the governor has tried his best to lift the state out of the debt and parlous state Ekiti has found itself.

According to him, all well-meaning indigenes of the state should support the governor in order for him and his team to steer the ship of the state to a safe port.

Motor dealers cry out over high importation tariffs Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti MOTOR vehicle dealers in the country have cried out over what they described as “huge tariffs on imported vehicles” and called on the Federal Government to consider a downward review of Customs tariffs on imported vehicles.

National Deputy President of Motor Dealers Association of Nigeria (MODAN), Chief Goke Owoeye, made the call in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital after a South West zonal meeting of the association hosted by the Ekiti State chapter.

Owoeye said it had become imperative for motor dealers in Nigeria to cry out, saying “apart from the tariffs which are crippling our business, Nigerians are also crying over the exorbitant cost of purchasing vehicles, which is a basic need.”

The MODAN chief said “the tariffs are high and the government can help us so that we can remain in business.

MODAN will appreciate a downward review of the relevant tariff and I’m sure Nigerians too would be happy when they buy at reasonable prices.”

8

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

9

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

newsmaker Russia’s Putin, America’s dilemma SEYI GESINDE takes a look at how Vladimir Putin’s current actions in Syria is accentuating the age-long rivalry between Russia and the United States, and the effects on the global war against international terrorism.

V

ladimir Vladimirovich Putin, born 7 October, 1952, was for many years, the leader of Russian Committee for State Security, KGB known in Russian language as Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti, before becoming the president of Russia, on May 7, 2012. KGB was the main security force for the Soviet Union from 1954, until its break up in 1991, after which it was split into Federal Security Services and the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation.

Putin has always been in power, as this was not the first time he would preside over Russian affairs. Before now, he was the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000, then president from 2000 to 2008 and again Prime Minister from 2008 to 2012. While serving in KGB as an officer for 16 years, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, before he retired to join politics in his native town of Saint Petersburg in 1991.

As a man who knew what he wanted to achieve, Putin was quick to join the administration of the then Russian President Boris Yeltsin in 1996, when he moved to Moscow, and in a very short period, he quickly rose to the position of acting president in 1999, after Yeltsin’s resignation, and subsequently won the presidential election in 2000.

Since this period, Putin has been a big issue in global politics, especially as the first opposition to the United States in diplomatic matters.

And this strained relationship between the US and the Russia, who after the World War II, emerged as the only two countries with capacities to exert global influence, have made them to be global security threats. Both the US and Russia, after WWII, have never supported each other for any common interest, rather, they have been threatening each other with nuclear annihilation and participated frequently in proxy wars by supporting opposing countries in places like Korea, Angola and Vietnam.

However, before the US and Russian relationship grew so sour, in 1945, both countries were jointly triumphant in World War II, which ended with total victory for US and Soviet Union over Adolf Hitler’s Nazi empire in Europe. But, immediately after the war, complications arose which centred on the shifting of international powers. While the Soviet

feature

Union wanted to acquire additional territories, most especially Poland, which the then Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin saw as a buffer against future attack, because Germany had invaded Russia through Poland, which the US did not agree with, hence, discussion on the realignment of post-war Europe broke down into threats.

President Harry Truman of the US rejected Stalin’s demand claiming the right of self-determination in Poland’s case, while also suspecting the Soviet of being in possession of weapons of mass destruction, which made him to order the start of a crash programme to speed up the arms programme and counter Soviet’s atomic bomb. Not only that, to limit Soviet’s post-war economic reconstruction, Truman terminated the Lend-Lease Act, the monetary and military aid from US to help countries such as Britain, France and the Soviet Union to economically survive the war years.

But this was of less effect to the Soviet Union, instead, the policy backfired, and heightened tension in the US, as Stalin immediately acquired satellite states known as members of the Warsaw Pact, to make up for the lost funding. Since the US ignored the Soviet’s legitimate security concerns, and rather intimidated it with the development of its own atomic bomb and pushed relentlessly to expend its own international influence and market dominance, hence, Russia, who said it lost 20 million Soviet citizens to WWII, which with this estimation, suffered nearly sixty times as many causalities in the war as the American did, would rather protect its own interest first than succumbing to US dominance.

The protection of its own legitimate right to firstly self-exist is what Russia’s Putin is currently pursuing, which seems why Russia will not support the US at any level of global participation, since that has been the case also for the US against Russia,

politics

Tension builds in oil-rich Niger Delta

but to the global watchers, he is a defiant leader who must be fought with Western sanctions to force him into agreeing with Western powers in their quest to conquer the Arab world who are opposed to the American doctrines. Last year, Prince Charles of Britain, a strong ally of US sensationally likened Putin to Adolf Hitler when passing comments on the actions of the Russian president in Ukraine, he told a woman who lost relatives in the Nazi Holocaust: “And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler.”

Prince Charles was indirectly criticising Putin and calling for international action over his seizure of Crimea. Crimea’s annexation is the first by a major power in Europe since 1945, which made observers to compare the crisis in Ukraine with Hitler’s takeovers of Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Similarly, Putin has received Western bashing for offering military support to Basar alAssad of Syria, forcing President Barack Obama, in an address to a verbal war with Putin that he couldn’t distinguish between moderate rebels in Syria and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror forces that have finally compelled Russia to enter the bloody civil war in Syria.

To Putin, the Syrian government deserves support against rebels’ attack, but Obama he faulted Putin’s stance at a private meeting during the recently held United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said, both groups are all terrorists, and there is no difference between both the government forces and the rebels.

The assertion could be a crippling or at least a complicating factor in the U.S.’s attempts to battle the extremist terror group while also supporting moderate Sunni forces who are trying to oust President

court&crime

politics

What I knew about the Murtala coup —Major-General Haruna

P41 Pp37&40

Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Obama, could however, not emphasise a stronger diplomatic measure to stop Putin other than sending him a stern warning that now that he has brought Russia into the Syrian conflict, he bears a responsibility for its peaceful conclusion.

Obama and Putin’s meeting in New York, during the UNGA, couldn’t achieve more as both countries differ on their contributions to ending of the civil war in Syria, while Obama says alAssad should vacate office, Putin believes he should be protected against Sunni forces attacking him, hence Russia justified its entering of the Syrian conflict by launching its first airstrikes in the war-torn country. And just on Thursday, Putin, reacting to US refusal to host a high-level delegation from Russia, blasted the US government for its “unconstructive position” on Syria.

“I don’t quite understand how our American partners can criticise Russia’s actions against Syria in the fight against international terrorism if they refuse to hold direct dialogue even in such an important area as political settlement. What apparently lies at the heart of the weakness of the American position is a lack of any kind of agenda,” Putin said in a televised address.

This has always been the issue between the US and Russia, and not being able to find a common front has not only heightened tension in diplomatic circles, terrorists have also found places of comfort in the superpowers’ uncoordinated war against terror. Rather, the illegitimate terror groups seem to be more organised in their actions, leaving the legitimate world power divided under the US and Russian blocs to become mortal enemies locked in global ideological struggles which will not allow them to jointly agree in offering military, political and economic support to matters of common interest, especially in fighting against threats to world peace.

I never refused women’s advances; I have 3 wives, 24 children —General Alabi Isama Pp19&34

She is adulterous and irresponsible —Husband He’s an ingrate —Wife Pp18&31

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17 October, 2015

mediascope As Osogbo, the Osun State capital, welcomes its first private radio station, Rave FM 91.7 which commenced test -transmission a few days ago, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Femi Adefila, tells the story in this interview.

H

ow did you come about the idea of floating a radio station?

Again, it came through divine inspiration.

Though, a journalist, there is a business side of me that always urges me to be a business owner. I consider broadcast journalism as my area of core competence, an industry where I can play effectively. Actually, the idea was sold to me by a man I see as a big uncle, Otunba Deji Osibogun, chairman, Space FM in Ibadan, sometime in 2010.

He threw the challenge at me and consequently introduced me to the then DG [Director General] of National Broadcasting Commission, Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa. I consider both of them as destiny helpers in this journey. However, the big baobab tree that I always tie my big dreams around is Asiwaju Yemi Farounbi. His immense goodwill and giant standing in the Nigerian political hemisphere has been of serious advantage and he is always ready to put it at my disposal at all times.

Beyond this, I am convinced that media men should be media owners. If doctors can own hospitals, pharmacists can own pharmacy outlets, and lawyers own chambers, why can’t media men own media houses? Why must we always work for politicians? Why must politician always be media owners? I consider it unhealthy for the profession.

Look at Channels Television; it is a success because the owner is a thoroughbred media man who has paid his dues in the profession and knows what to do with the medium.

For the ninthtime, that is the best television station in Nigeria. That does not come cheap. It is a product of hard work, clear vision, doggedness and high professionalism.

That is exactly what I intend to do with Rave FM 91.7, Osogbo, God helping me.

It is heart-warming that media men are now taking the bull by the horns and venturing into media ownership.

Niran Malaolu of Rock City FM, Abeokuta, the new Women FM are few examples of such ventures.

How expensive is it to go into this?

Honestly, it depends on your approach. It can be expensive and can be affordable. The most important thing is how passionate you are about the idea. Passion drives ideas. Once the will is strong, the way is sure. The most unfortunate thing about Nigeria is that there is no fund for media ownership. Nigerian banks are more or less parasites on the Nigerian economy; they are leeches on the system. They are comfortable chasing after public funds rather than supporting the private sector. They rather give loans to politicians and public servants than support private initiative that will generate employment. In fact, there is an unwritten rule that they don’t support start-up businesses and fresh concepts. Another worrisome fact is that their interventions come with throat-slashing interest rates that will kill any new initiative.

In my own case, the fact that my family lives in America where there is access to the best of broadcast equipment and a more investment-friendly banking sector that does about 2.5% interest rates for a long term of thirty years was a huge advantage.

What is your vision for Rave fm?

The station is going to be youth-oriented. A clear departure from what exists in this clime presently. The station will target young creative class who are seeking new music, emerging artistes and alternative sounds. You know the youth culture is not defined by age but rather by an interest in new and innovative cultural expression.

Rave FM is committed to deepening the culture of public discourse through refreshing and objective debates on topical issues. Our listeners will enjoy the best of up-to-date news, business, entertainment, traffic, sports, and weather and much more through our carefully knitted programmes.

Our mantra is “Defining the Moment” and we hope to achieve this through amazing music and quality talks.

Media men should be media owners —Adefila, CEO, Rave FM, Osogbo How did you come into journalism, was it by design or by accident?

I read Mass Communications at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Communications and Language Art at the University of Ibadan at Master’s degree level. I have another Master’s degree in Humanitarian and Peace Studies also from the

The most unfortunate thing about Nigeria is that there is no fund for media ownership. Nigerian banks are more or less parasites on the Nigeria economy; they are leeches on the system. They are comfortable chasing after public funds rather supporting the private sector. They rather give loans to politicians and public servants than support private initiative that will generate employment.

Saturday Tribune With akin adewakun

akadewakun@yahoo.co.uk 08054683584

University of Ibadan.

I started my career at Osun State Broadcasting Corporation where I did my Youth Service and started as a full-time staff in 1993. Exactly ten years after my sojourn in OSBC as reporter, newscaster and personality interview anchor person, I was appointed as Executive Assistant Media in the government of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in 2003, working directly with the deputy governor, Erelu Olusola Obada. I had a brief stint as a Special Assistant, Media to Erelu Olusola Obada when she also served as Minister of State for Defence.

Afterward, I got a job as a Media Consultant and started presentation of Insight on NTA International, Abuja. Now to his glory, I’m the CEO of Rave FM 91.7, Osogbo, Osun State.

Importantly, I am married to Bimbo, a Consultant Family Physician.

I have three wonderful kids. So that is my story in brief.

I am a man of faith; I believe strongly that whatever happens in the physical must have been determined in the spiritual. So, I think it was by a divine arrangement.

My brother, Otunba Ademola Adefila, who mentored me, wanted me to be a lawyer. He bought a JAMB form, sent it to me, accompanied with a letter with a definite instruction to fill in Law, but I filled in Mass Communications. You know children have very impressionable mind, the idea of Mass Communications had been sold to me by my friend; Sola Awoniyi, who is now a Deputy Registrar at The Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti. So, that was how the story started.

So, how has the journey been?

To the glory of God, it’s been worthwhile, rewarding and full of experiences. You know the journalism profession is a very strategic profession; it comes with a lot of goodwill if you are a man who knows how to manage relationship.

Lawyers pride themselves as priests in the temple of justice, but journalists, we are drivers of socioeconomic development, and this places a lot of premium on the profession.

To me whatever I do and involved in, I love to give my very best and I also believe excellence is attainable if you pay attention to minute details, as my principal, Erelu Obada will always say.

I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly sides of the profession. The profession as mentioned earlier comes with a lot of goodwill which one has used to one’s advantage.

And of course on the flip side, twice, my appointment was suspended during the military era for airing stories that the then Military Administrator of Osun State considered offensive and anti-government. But in it all, what is important is who your mentor is, what values and virtues you have imbibed. I am privileged to have been mentored

by Mr. Kayode Adedire, a man I considered a fearless, hardworking and resourceful broadcast journalist. He was always there for us, as a big shield and a teacher. In it all, so far so good.

11

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

food&drink

By Blessing Ekum

N

IGERIA is indeed a blessed country with numerous indigenous spices and herbs. It is a fact that herbs and spices not only season, provide a distinct flavour and aroma to foods, but are also dense with nutritional and health benefits. Unfortunately, we sometimes miss out of these benefits because we don’t know what some of these spices are called in English or other local languages. These are some indigenous spices and herbs in English

Carob or Locust bean (Hausa –dadawa; Yoruba – Iru; Igbo – ogiri ugba): Though the smell is quite unpleasant and the look is not so different, it adds a unique taste to local soups and has lots of health benefits.

Lemon grass (Hausa – Tsaure; Igbo – Acharaehi; Yoruba – Koriko oba; Urhobo - iti): Lemon grass is an herb used for its fragrant aroma and mild taste. It can be added to pepper soup, yam pottage or used to prepare soup.

Fermented melon seed (Yoruba – ogiri; igbo – ogili): Sold as a wet paste, it has a strong pungent aroma which is desirable to some and off putting for some. It is mostly added to soups to give the very traditional strong taste and flavour.

How well do you know your herbs and spices?

Scent leaf/African basil (Hausa – dadoya; Edo - esewon; Igbo–nchanwu; Urhobo– ufuo-yibo; Efik-ntong; Yoruba– efinrin): It is a sweet smelling herb used mainly for its aroma and medicinal value.

Negro pepper (Igbo –Uda; Hausa – Kimba; Yoruba –Eeru): It’s a cluster of long, black seed pods and has an aromatic, crisp flavour. It is mostly used for pepper soup when ground to powder and mixed with other spices.

Aiden fruit (Yoruba – Aridan; Efik- uyayak): This shiny, brown, usually slightly curved ribbed pod with one side being woody, and the other filled with soft, sugary pulp which is oily and aromatic, is added to pepper soup and other soups such as nsala.

Alligator pepper (Bini - ehin-edo, ehie ado; Igbo - Ose orji; Urhobo - erhie; Yoruba - atare): It’s an aromatic seed which a distinctive fiery taste. Mostly used to spice and add aroma to dishes.

African nutmeg (Hausa - Gujiya danmiya; Igbo – Ehuru; Yoruba – Ariwo): It has an intriguing nutmeg-like scent and its flavour is much spicier and makes an interesting addition to many local dishes. It is traditionally ground and used as a seasoning but it can also be grated.

Turmeric (Yoruba – Ata ile pupa; Hausa- gangamau): A member of the ginger family, turmeric is a local spice commonly used for culinary and possesses powerful medicinal benefits.

Black pepper (Yoruba – iyere; Igbo – uziza; Efik – etinkeni; Hausa – mansow): The seeds (either fresh or dry), the leaves and sometimes the stems are used in preparing soup, and a hot-water-based yam delicacy. It imparts sweet aroma, sharp taste and hotness to food.

Clove (Hausa - Kanumfari/ Kaole/ Karanho; Yoruba – Kanafuru): Cloves are added to traditional soups and stews for their aromatic properties. They have a distinctive sweet smell and a strong pungent (bitter) taste. They are used in pepper soup, suya and other savoury meat dishes.

12

17 October, 2015

08055001741 (sms only)

conversewithyemisi

yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com

I’m scared of this terrible discharge!

I

Dear Yemisi, am a girl aged 19. I observed that since I was 16 years old I have not been comfortable with the smell from my vagina and the whitish substance like sperm that is being discharged.

In fact, I am getting worried by the terrible odour in spite of the fact that I take my bath regularly.

My concern now is that my boyfriend has started complaining about this.

Please, what can I do to save me from further embarrassment?

Worried Girl, 080********.

infection.

Who knows who he would have discussed this issue of foul odour with? His feeling, notwithstanding, calls for prompt action from your end by telling him to give

you time to fix your health in the meantime.

You are not doing yourself any good by keeping sealed lips from those who can help you.

There is little or nothing I can re-

commend from this end because I am not an expert. Please, do not delay your visit to an established hospital not just a health centre.

Never attempt suggestions from friends on drugs that you can use.

For Him Akinbode, 35, AA, from Osun State, tall, huge, employed, needs a working class, busty, single or divorce lady for a relationship.

Call 07037792116.

Samuel, 47, single, dark-complexioned, civil servant, needs a lady aged between 26 and 34 for a serious relationship. Contact 08062333175.

Babatunde, 56, graduate, security operative, needs a humble lady aged between 30 and 40 as wife. Call 09084628359.

Ishaq, 47, businessman based in Ibadan, needs a woman aged between 30 and 40 for marriage.

Call 08186879316.

Dear Worried Girl, I want to believe that you have tarried for too long to cry out about the health challenge you have been facing over three years ago.

There is no other thing that can be responsible for this than infection. It is either that you have contracted this through having unprotected sexual relationships with men or from dirty habit of not taking proper care of your personal hygiene.

If I may ask, since when have you been having sex with your boyfriend? Is the current boyfriend of yours the first to ask you out?

If he is not, did you tell him your health challenge ?

Did you tell your mother? If you had informed her, she would have assisted you in seeking an expert’s help.

As a matter of urgency, I will ask you consult a medical practitioner for proper diagnosis of your ailment. For now, I doubt if you need a boyfriend. Having a bed mate now will further compound your predicament as you don’t know the disease he is harbouring too and if care is not taken, he might label you as a carrier of a deadly

Damilare, 30, from Ibadan, needs a girl aged from 21 to 27 for a relationship. Call 08165728289.

Wale, 39, tall, fair-skinned, based in Abeokuta, Ogun Statebased, needs a lady not above 28 for a relationship. Call 09082527713.

Ade, 39, business man, from Osun State, needs a serious, working class lady for a relationship. Call 08063229838.

Austin, 38, Lagos-based businessman, needs a God-fearing lady aged 35 to 40 for a relationship. Call 09034125585.

For Her Y’ME, 40+, homely, jovial, dark-skinned, needs a like mind, mature, comfortable man aged 50 or above who must be a widower or divorcee. Call 08138622895.

Re: What can I do? I’m getting fed up with this mess MOPELOLA, you and your fiancé must go to the registry together for on-the-spot verification of the issue from the competent public officer, moreso, the man still claims innocence, the allegation is a 50-to-50 one. Barrister K Amos Adebisi, Osogbo, 09051828662.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mopelola, you should simply go to the said registry and confirm. However, love without giving is fake. Please, wake up. 07082134139.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mopelola, put everything behind you and move on with your life. It is part of life and this also serves as a lesson for you and other ladies out there that not all that glitters is gold. Ninety per cent of guys on our streets are not out for any serious relationship. May God see you through.

Alaji Peter, 08056988190.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mopelola, I will advise you call it quits with this guy of yours. The good evidence is photograph, so far he is the man that appears on

Saturday Tribune

the photograph. Canal Rofiat, Ogbomoso, 08134840849.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mopelola, I will advise you see this as an act of God because what will be will be. There is nothing we can do about it. You should continue to pray and God will repay you in return. Engr Akintunde SAAC, Ilorin, 08067895655.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mopelola, evidence is the end of argument. Be wise, Manulu Sylvanus, Ilorin.

08066738842.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mopelola, please, don’t leave him. Continue to spend your hard earned money on your lover’s dick and keep oiling the relationship while he is busy oiling another girl and building his happy life outside of you. Never knew you are a foolish lady! Peter.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mopelola, I’ll advise you confront him with the evidence at your disposal, it is through this

that you can ascertain the truth. Who knows your friend might be lying because those pictures could be manipulated, technology is capable of doing all that. -Dada Oluwatoyin Ado Ekiti papatomato80@gmail.com ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mopelola, I will advise you to call it quits with this man who has refused to be truthful to you.

Whether the photograph taken by your friend is the truth or not, I doubt if you are destined to be this man’s better half. You have shown him enough commitment while he has remained a cheat. Continuing in this union is sheer waste of time, energy and resources. Bola, Lagos.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mopelola, the more you keep considering whether he would change, the more you are boxing yourself to a corner. He has no place for you in his heart and he would everything possible to waste you. Be wise.

Kay, Ilobu.

Lady, 42, HND, Bsc holder, needs a working class, good looking, God-fearing, loving, caring man as husband. Contact 08069272297.

Joy, 24, needs a God-fearing man aged 26 to 30 for an affair.

Call 08150695116.

Abimbola, 28, 5.5 feet tall, Christian, from Ondo State, needs a God-fearing man aged 35 to 46 for lifetime relationship. Contact 08141565198.

Vicky, 36, Lokoja , Kogi State based, mother of one, wants to be linked with a kind, God-fearing, financially comfortable man as friend. Call 08058803028.

Yomi Mercy, 45, Christian, from Lagos State, civil servant, needs a God-fearing, responsible man aged between 47 and 55 for friendship. Call 07083881354.

13

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

intimacy STRICTLY FOR ADULTS

How to survive a long distance relationship When partners are living out of each other’s sight, it is essential that they trust each other completely. As soon as one spouse begins to suspect the other of infidelity or even loss of interest, the marriage is headed for rocky times.

Only then will they be able to understand each other completely and get the support that either needs to tide over the separation. Spouses need to express their resentment at their situation rather than at each other and look forward to the time when they will be together.

Positive attitude A long distance marriage has little chance of working if the partners are perpetually distressed over the situation. Things can get even worse if one of the partners feels that the other is having an easier time of it and it is alright for him or her to stay away. In order to make a long distance marriage a success, it is necessary that both spouses handle the separation with a positive attitude. They would do better to focus on the reason why they have decided to live separately like higher pay or better educational options for one of the spouses. If one keeps in mind the higher quality of life being enjoyed as a result of the arrangement, the family may not feel so bad about living separately.

E

VERY marriage comes with its own set of strengths, challenges and expectations. Nowhere is this truer than perhaps in a long distance marriage where spouses are compelled to stay away from each other for reasons of profession, the availability of educational or healthcare facilities or any other reason. The lack of physical togetherness is the biggest impediment to the survival of a long distance marriage. It is not just about losing out on physical intimacy – which plays an important part in any marriage – but also missing the support of a spouse, both in good times and bad. However, at the same time such marriages are better prepared to weather any major crisis since it is based on deep understanding and trust between two people. Here are a few factors which can determine whether a long distance marriage can eventually survive its unique challenges.

Visual connection Being visually connected makes a huge difference to the happiness of long distance marriage partners. The internet has proved to be a boon for all these people by offering free phone services like Skype which enables people to communicate visually in real time through the means of a webcam.

Other than that, couples should also regularly send photos of each other which will enable the other partner to keep a visual record of all that is going on.

Mutual trust The importance of this factor in the success of a long distance marriage cannot be overemphasised. When partners are living out of each other’s sight, it is essential that they trust each other completely. As soon as one spouse begins to suspect the other of infidelity or even loss of interest, the marriage is headed for rocky times. The presence of mutual trust becomes paramount in a long distance marriage because here, unlike as in regular marriages, partners cannot meet every day to iron out small, niggling doubts and queries. They have to put their trust in each other and have faith that the other person will not do anything to jeopardise their relationship.

Honesty in the relationship A long distance marriage needs to be built on honest and open communication if it is to survive in the long run.

Partners need to be able to express their feelings about the separation – both negative and positive – truthfully.

Perception of distance If both spouses have been brought up in families where absence was the norm, the distance is not likely to matter much. For instance children of military personnel are used to having one of the parents away and find nothing wrong in such family configurations. If the marriage is made up of partners, both of whom come from a similar background, they are more likely to weather the periods of separation with a smile. On the other hand if one of the partners has always seen his or her parents together, then the absence becomes a matter completely beyond their experience. For them being a couple equals being together and such partners are unlikely to be secure in long distance marriages.

So a long distance marriage need not be doomed from the start. While physical closeness is necessary in maintaining the bond between a husband and wife, of far greater importance is mutual love and trust in making a success of any marriage – whether long distance or not. Admittedly, a long distance marriage demands that spouses put in harder work into the relationship but then the chances of its succeeding are also higher than regular marriages where partners begin to take each other and their togetherness for granted.

•Culled from: http://www.futurescopes.com

14

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

With Aunty Yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com

National anthem and pledge mistakes we made

POE M

Your best

IF you always try your best Then you’ll never have to wonder About what you could have done If you’d summoned all your thunder And if your best Was not as good As you hoped it would be, You still could say, “I gave today All that I had in me.”

Answers 1. Bowling Ball 2. Pearl 3. Last Name 4. Teeth 5. Air 6. Dictionary 7. Silence 8. Hourglass 9. Kangaroo 10. Stapler

Get Inspired Oluwatobiloba Amoo, 16 yrs old, SSS 2 When I grew up, I discovered the following errors I usually made in the lyrics of both the National Anthem and Pledge. They are as follows: National Anthem Arise o compation, Nigeria call obey With love and strength and vain The labour of our hero’s pa The nation bound in friction….

Pledge “to serve Nigeria will all my stress, and upon and honour and glory…”

I admonish students to be punctual and prompt on the assembly ground.

This will help them learn the right thing.

the National Anthem and reciting the pledge. I later learnt the right words of the national anthem from the back of an exercise book.

Pledge “I pledge to Nigeria my country, To be faithful, loyal and honest To serve Nigeria with all Godwin Ifidon, 11 yrs her strength, To defend my old, JSS 1 unity and uphold and honI remember I made some our and glory, so help me mistakes when singing God.”

STORY

always gives bad result Fight

O

NE day, two friends while walking along the road saw a nice rope lying by its side. Both wanted to have it and started fighting for it.

One held it from one end and the other from the other end.

They started pulling the rope.

Suddenly, the rope broke o f f

from the middle. One of them fell in mud and the other in a drain.

A passerby who was watching all this, went to them and said, “Fighting for a thing always gives bad results.” The friends felt ashamed of their deed.

Favour Ajayi, 10 yrs old, JSS 1 “Arise o compation, Nigeria call obey To serve our father’s land… one labour of our heros pass, shall never fall in vain To serve with heart and mind, one nation bound in freedom….” were my wordings of the Nigeria’s National Anthem in my primary school. But I noticed my friends always laughed at me, so I asked my uncle whether I was wrong and he said yes. He took time to correct my mistakes and I now correct anyone who is also wrong.

!

Your labour come with wisdom, peace and unity.”

ke

Prayer Makanjuola, 13 yrs old, SSS 1 When I was in primary four, one day, my teacher discov-

ered I was singing the National Anthem incorrectly, so he called me out on the assembly ground. He asked me to sing again, and everybody laughed at me and I felt ashamed. After the assembly, he called me and I was taught the correct lyrics. I used to sing “Arise o compasion, Nigerians call obey To serve our father land, with love and strength always The labour of our heros past…, to serve with our mind

J

Kingsley Igboduanya, 15 yrs old, SSS 2 When I realised my mistakes, I couldn’t believe I committed such errors in the past. “Arise o compassion, Nigerias call obey,…

O God of creation, direct our noble cor, great love thigh and tain….” I learnt the right words about three years ago when I couldn’t stand the embarrassment from my classmates and friends anymore. My sisters taught me. It’s bad that some of us still recite the wrong lyrics.

Teacher: “Ramu, you talk a lot !”

Ramu: “It’s a family tradition.”

Teacher: “What do you mean?”

Ramu: “Sir, my grandpa was a street hawker, my father is a teacher.”

Teacher: “What about your mother?”

Ramu: “She’s a woman”.

1. With three eyes and as black as night, I frequently knock down ten men with a single strike! What am I? 2. I grow from darkness but shine with a pale light. Very round I am, and always a lady’s delight. What am I? 3. I am owned by every man, though my length differs. Their wives use me after getting married. What am I? 4. I’m white; perfect for cutting and grinding. For most animals I am a useful tool. What am I? 5. I am always around you but often forgotten. I am pure and clean most time, but occasionally rotten. What am I? 6. I am the only thing that places today before yesterday. What am I? 7. I will disappear every time you mention my name. What am I? 8. I have two bodies joined together as one. When standing still. I run and run. What am I? 9. I jump when I walk and sit when I stand. What am I? 10. I have fangs and enjoy piercing holes with a single bite. What am I?

ents of Respondents are stud ge, Excellence City Colle e. at Idi Ape, Ibadan, Oyo St

Jasope Arowosafe, 12yrs old, JSS 3 It was when I got to my present school that my Civic Education teacher put me right on how to recite the National Anthem and Pledge. I used to sing it this way in the past:“Arise o compassion, Nigeria call obey To serve our father’s land with love and strength and fame The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain To serve with heart and mine, the labour bound in freedom me and unity.

O God of creator, direct our noble cause, guide our leaders might….”

We now have the anthem and pledge at the back of our notebooks and this makes it easy and accessible for us to memorise.

Riddles

15

17 October, 2015

health&fitness

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM

ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

One meal, fruits, no-fat diet: How effective for weight loss?

By Blessing Ekum

T

HOUGH it is commendable that excess weight be shed, given that being overweight is a risk for certain diseases and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, few people take the time to understand how weight gain works before jumping on any bandwagon that preaches weight loss.

A nutritionist, Mr Victor Olayinka, said, “the first thing to consider before thinking weight loss is determining if you are overweight. You need to be sure you’re overweight before embarking on weight loss. The simple way of knowing you’re overweight is by measuring your Body Mass index (BMI) based on height and weight and this applies only to adults.”

In a bid to shed some weight, quite a number of people have gone to the extreme employing diets, herbs, drugs, weight-loss teas as well as going as far as starvation and induced vomiting. It seems with every passing day, a new procedure is introduced to lose weight and many embrace this without proper consultation with experts. But Mr Olayinka says weight loss is not achieved overnight; one has to put in some measure of discipline into making it happen.

Recently, the international media were awash with the story of a teenager who had contracted hepatitis after drinking three cups of Chinese green tea per day.

The UK Huffingtonpost reported that the 16-year-old, who is unnamed, drank three cups of green tea every day for three months. She had purchased the tea from a Chinese website in a bid to lose weight.

After experiencing dizziness, sickness and joint pains, she visited her general practitioner who diagnosed her with a urinary tract infection. She was prescribed antibiotics, however, two days later she was back in hospital because her condition had worsened.

According to the journal BMJ Case Reports, the girl was suffering from jaundice which made the whites of her eyes and skin turn yellow.

After being referred to the acute medical team, she was diagnosed with acute hepatitis.

Hepatitis is a term which describes the inflammation of the liver. Usually it occurs because of a viral infection or because the liver is exposed to harmful substances such as alcohol.

Writing in the journal, doctors said the teen had not taken any prescribed or over-the-counter medications, and there was no recent travel history. She had, however, regularly consumed Chinese green tea ordered from the internet, which contained Camellia sinensis.

Doctors say that after the woman stopped drinking the herbal tea, she rapidly recovered.

They are now trying to raise awareness of the hidden dangers of green tea - particularly tea containing Camellia sinensis - as this has been linked to hepatitis in the past.

The teen said: “I had bought the green tea over the internet to lose weight. I bought two boxes of 100 bags of tea and was drinking about three cups a day for a few months.

“I had only lost a couple of pounds but then started having horrible pains in my joints, and felt very dizzy and sick.”

She said she felt “very scared” when admitted to hospital and “didn’t fully understand what was going on”.

“Now I look back it was definitely due to the tea, I never took anything else and it all started happening after drinking it,” she added.

“I will never buy any online tea again or any weight loss pills. People should be more aware of what they are buying and the side effects. Most of the ingredients of the tea I bought were written in Chinese.”

However, experts have said this is not to counter the consumption of green tea as it appears to be safe in moderate amounts, but used as a course of therapy for weight loss has been discouraged.

Besides such teas, a new introduction has been made in the weight loss world. The proponents encourage a one meal, no fat, only fruit diet for those looking to lose weight. With this diet, one main meal is eaten per day and this would not contain any form of fat. To satisfy hunger for the rest of the day, the diet requires just fruits. While a number of people have begun to embrace this, experts say it is a risky procedure to lose weight.

A dietician, Grace Essien said, “Although people can take only fruits during a fruit fast and this is healthy, it is usually done for a short period under the guidance of a dietician and not as a weight-loss plan for a long period of time. Though it is true that fruits and vegetables have powerful nutritive properties due to their high amounts of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, they do not provide other nutritional needs such as carbohydrate, protein and fat needed for the body to function optimally. This is why you need to balance your diet and not go on only fruits for extended periods at a stretch. It might seem to work initially because the person might notice weight loss, but it’s not healthy weight loss because you are depriving the body of needed nutrients and interpreting the body’s

“I had bought the green tea over the internet to lose weight...I had only lost a couple of pounds but then started having horrible pains in my joints, and felt very dizzy and sick.”… After being referred to the acute medical team, she was diagnosed with acute hepatitis.

signal of lack of nutrients as weight loss.”

According to Mrs Yemisi Solanke-Lawal, a nutritionist and Chief Executive Officer Evergreen Health and Social Care Int’l Ltd, “an only-fruit diet is not proper for weight loss, neither is it advisable to have only fruits for breakfast for a prolonged period of time because fruits don’t contain starch but mostly sugar. To lose weight the proper and healthy way, the secret is in eating balanced diet in reduced food portion sizes and exercising more. When it comes to fats, it is true that too much fat in one’s diet can add to body weight. So, fried foods should be used sparingly. We need fat for the proper functioning of our bodies so we cannot eliminate it completely. We either use it in small amounts for instance in frying eggs or rely on fat sources from foods such as egusi (melon), fish and meat.”

There is also the concern about high-carbohydrate diet being a culprit to weight gain. Mr Olayinka clarifies this by stating, “Weight loss is goes beyond avoiding fatty foods; it is also about eating rightly. For instance, we know carbohydrate foods to be rich in starch and sugar but when you eat them late in the night, they are converted to fats in the body. Carbohydrate, because of its sugar content and energy, is better taken in the morning because it would be burnt in the cause of the day but when it is taken at night, there’s no proven way of burning the sugar except through sex and the accumulation of the starch in the body is what births fat. However, carbohydrate shouldn’t be solely held responsible as the cause of fat, it’s more of a person eating carbohydrate wrongly to the tone of causing fat in the body.

“Beyond diet modification, exercise also contributes to losing weight. Interestingly, exercise goes beyond helping to lose weight, but also helps rid the body of bad fat that clogs the blood vessels which could increase the blood pressure. Diet to consider in other to prevent fat should include, fruits , vegetables and whole grain cereals. Exercise should be seen as a programme that must be done in routine in other to get effective results.”

Although exercising and reduced caloric intake is usually touted as key to weight loss, experts have also pointed out that some other factors may stand in the way. Will Owen, a ftness expert said stress and poor sleep can mitigate efforts to lose weight. He explains that stress releases cortisol (often simply referred to as “the stress hormone”) which degrades muscle tissue and encourages the storage of body fat. He also adds that not only does enough sleep reduce levels of cortisol, but it also produces growth hormone (GH). GH has the opposite effect of cortisol on the body—it encourages fat loss, supports the immune system, and helps to keep the organs functioning properly. So when sleep is not enough, it reduces the production of the GH which would in turn contribute to weight gain.

16

healthandfitness

No menses after delivery I delivered a baby over nine months ago. Since then, I have not seen my menses.

Kindly let me know what can cause this problem. I am just 34 years old.

Salamatu (by SMS)

Dr. Wale Okediran waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

08055069356 (sms only)

My offensive vaginal discharge

ANY time that I want to urinate, I usually notice something like milk coming out from my private part. It sometimes comes with an offensive odour. Please help me out.

Adeline (by SMS)

If you have been having sex since your last delivery, it is important for you to do a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy. If it is confirmed that you are not pregnant, then you have nothing to worry about as menses can sometimes take a long time to resume after a delivery.

Is this mouth odour?

I usually feel a foul smelling odour coming from my mouth anytime I talk in public. In fact, I have a feeling that people including my girlfriend, usually turn away from me whenever I talk in public because of my mouth odour. When I asked my girlfriend, she assured me that I don’t have any mouth odour. Despite this assurance, I still feel that I have mouth odour. Kindly advise. Thanks.

Bebeji (by SMS)

firmed that you don’t have any mouth odour, then it will be advisable if you can

Halitosis is the medical term for mouth odour.

While some types of mouth odours have specific causes, the type of Halitosis you have is psychological without any organic cause. Since your girlfriend, who should be closest to you, has con-

Again just like in the previous question, you are most likely allergic to something. Since your reddish and itchy eyes started about two weeks ago, you need to try and think of what you used within this period of time that could cause an allergy to your eyes. These

T

Saturday Tribune

17 October, 2015

ignore the feeling you have and go about your normal duties.

My reddish eyes I am a male of 39 years.

Some weeks ago I just discovered that my two eyes were itching seriously and becoming reddish. After some time, the itching will relieve me only to start all over again, most especially at night. Kindly suggest the correct medicine to use.

Kazeem (by SMS)

HE egg debate is unlikely to be settled any time soon, with researchers for and against the consumption of egg having facts or myths to hang on.

This has made the populace more confused than enlightened especially with fear of the rising incidence of cardiovascular deaths. The Canadian researchers likened the danger of egg consumption to that of smoking; meaning eating egg equate cigarrete smoking effect on atherosclerosis leading to stroke and heart attack. This has been faulted by other studies showcasing the benefits of egg in our body. Considering the available evidence, the regulators of food consumption had suggested that once eggs are consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet, there is sufficient proof to suggest that the health benefits of eggs outweigh the risks.

For clarity, this week we will examine the nutritional value of egg and address the forms that best suits our heart.

Nutritional value of egg Eggs are a nutritionally dense food, being high in protein and containing a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

They are high in cholesterol, but low in saturated fat.Eggs contain protein and fat, but merely a trace of carbohydrate, and no fiber. Though eggs are high in cholesterol, they are low in saturated fat. An egg contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, but the precise amounts found vary depending on the breed of laying hen, the diet of the hen, and the conditions under which it was reared. A medium sized egg contains around 80 calories.

Protein in Eggs Protein is made up of compounds known as amino acids.

Nonessential amino acids can be synthesised by the body in sufficient enough quantities to take care of the body’s growth and repair needs. Essential amino acids must be obtained from foods in the diet because the body cannot manufacture them.Eggs contain all of the essential amino acids that humans need and in the right amounts needed for tissue growth and repair. Nutritionally speaking, an egg is a complete, high quality protein.

Vitamins and Minerals in Eggs Eggs are good sources of vitamins A, E, and K, as well as a selection of B vitamins including B12, B2, biotin, choline,

could be any form of soap, lotion, or cream. It is also important for you to check any form of flower or tree as well as domestic pets near your environment which you could be reacting to.

In the meantime, there are many forms of ant allergic eye drops available over the counter which you could use to stop the itching and redness.

What you have is a form of vaginal infection. The best way to go about the treatment is to send a sample of your vaginal discharge to the laboratory for examination in order to confirm the type of infection and the specific drug to be used. It is also important for your sexual partner (if any) to also be treated to avoid a recurrence.

I have painful penis after sex

MY penis is always reddish and painful after sex.

After some tests and drugs from a reputable hospital, the problem persisted (in one of the tests, the doctor said the white blood cell is high) and this is making sex activity with my wife becoming less interesting.

Can this be the factor for our childlessness after 8 years though all tests such as HSG as well as my spermatozoa level are ok?I have only one wife.

Kingsley (by SMS)

It is very likely that you are reacting to something that is coming from your wife during sex. In order to know what it is, it will be very important for your wife to go the Laboratory so that a smear from her vaginal can be examined in order to know if she has any form of infection and the drug to be used to clear the infection. If sex has not been interesting with your wife, this could partially explain why she has not been able to conceive. However, once the riddle of the allergy has

been solved, you will need to see a Gynaecologist who will adequately attend to the issue of the delayed pregnancy.

Dr. Abiodun Adeoye adeoyemoshood@yahoo.com

08056564360, 08072000017 (sms only)

The Egg Controversy Revisited folic acid, pantothenic acid and niacin. They also contain small amounts of vitamins B1 and B6, but no Vitamin C. Egg is one of the rare foods that contain natural vitamin D which is important for the development of bones and teeth.

Many minerals essential for good health are also found in eggs, including zinc, iron, selenium, phosphorous and iodine. Eggs contain small amounts of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, as well as the xanthophyll pigments lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for eye health and may help to reduce the risk of Age-related Macular Degeneration. In addition, these mineral contents of egg may help lower the risk of heart diseases if taken in moderation according to guideline on its processing.

Which of the egg is good for the — health the cooked or the fried?

Processing of the egg, whether boiled or fried, determines its health value. Boiled egg is the best since frying it will add saturated fatty acid and other bad cholesterol that are injurious to the heart and other cardiovascular system. Most studies coroborated statements from American Heart Association which says that eating one boiled egg a day won’t be harmful.

Rather, it will help in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular state and other supporting organs in the body. It is only the yolk (yellow) part of the egg that contains cholesterol that we are all cautious of. The bad cholesterol (saturated fatty acid) in egg is said to be in smaller quantity compared to other parts that are good for the body. Despite this information, certain technologies are put in place that can reduce the proportion of

yolk (yellow) in egg. Although more expensive, heart friendly egg has lesser quantity of yolk compared with regular egg.

Is egg consumption good at all or of what age is it good for?

Egg consumption is good for all age groups and initial restriction based on age has been suspended but with addendum to one boiled egg daily. If you’re a middle-aged person (40-65years old) and enjoy eggs more than once a day, be careful it is better for you to have some of the eggs left on your face than having it go down your gullet(stomach). Three -white egg omelet is almost indistinguishable by taste from an omelet enriched with 600 mg cholesterol, and the whitesonly omelet also remains a very good source of protein. Going beyond eating one egg per day could increase the risk for heart failure later in life. In fact 4-6 eggs a week are the ideal!

Cautions People who have difficulty controlling their total and LDL cholesterol or with family history of (hypercholesterolemia) may want to be cautious about eating egg yolks and instead choose foods made with egg whites. The same is true for people with diabetes. Heart disease risk was increased among men and women with diabetes who ate one or more eggs a day. For people who have diabetes and heart disease, it is best to limit egg consumption to not more than three yolks per week.

Based on the aforementioned, I want to conclude that one egg per day is good, it is better boiled and best if you eat the white only. Have a pleasant weekend. Till next week maintain a healthy heart.

17

17 October, 2015

With Ronke Sanya & Oyeyemi Okunlade 07036050161, 08056834515 sanyaaderonke@gmail.com ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com

achievers CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award:

How I went out of my way WALE EMOSU tells the story behind the story that gave him the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist award in the culture category.

“Wale, I want to commend you for a job well done in Brazil. When I heard that you were the one going to the World Cup, I paid more than a passing interest in your reportage and your essays. I mean you went out of your way to even do some extra things. Very creative, well done.”

That was Prince Dotun Oyelade, former Special Adviser to Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala on Public Communications, when the latter was the Oyo State governor speaking with me by phone after reading the first part of my account on the thriving African culture in Brazil, published after the mundial in the summer of 2014.

The article, with the headline “Bahia: Even in Brazil, African heritage lives on”, came from the first-hand experience I had in Salvador, the capital of Bahia State, which left me in no doubt that the African essence is still well and alive, hundreds of years after the people taken as slaves from that continent were brought to South America. The article, together with its concluding part – “In Brazil, there’s no religion other than Candomble”, eventually gave this writer the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist award in the culture category at a gala ceremony held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi, Kenya, last Saturday.

I was in Brazil, basically, for the FIFA World Cup and particularly with a bias for the coverage of Nigeria’s progress, but none of the four matches the Super Eagles played took the team to Salvador, which hosted six out of the 64 World Cup matches. And for that reason, most Nigerian journalists never saw a reason why they should visit the Bahia State capital. In actual fact, no other World Cup-accredited journalist from Nigeria visited Salvador.

Though I saw two others there – one of them, who writes for a Lagos-based newspaper (name withheld) was in Brazil, only for his holiday, while the other – Peter Okwoche, based in London, writes for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Perhaps I myself might not have visited Salvador and consequently I might have missed writing the award-winning story if I had not received the email sent to me from office, asking me to do a thorough story on African culture in Brazil.

The mail, dated 23 June, 2014 read: “The best of the Brazilian weather to you. Greetings from Nigeria.

Please we would like you to do a detailed feature on the aspects of Nigerian culture that still survive in Brazil today.

What are those aspects that have survived?

What are the others that have gone extinct?

What are the reasons for the survival of some and the dearth of others? Speak with Nigerians resident in the country and others germane to the report. Send

Emosu being presented his CNN Multichoice African Journalist award by Mr Stephen Isaboke, Regional Director, East Africa, MIH, in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday.

appropriate photographs of representations of those surviving aspects of Nigerian or African culture. Send photographs of those spoken to.

The mail was signed by Mr Wole Efunnuga, Associate Editor, SundayTribune.

But the mail was not enough drive as indices mounted against me.

For one, Brazil is vastly expansive, implying that travels could be longsome with its attendant weariness on whoever dared to venture into it.

As an instance, after taking off from Sao Paulo to progressively monitor Nigeria’s matches, I spent 52 and a half hours on the road to get to just two cities – San Paulo to Porto Alegre (18 hours) and Porto Alegre to Brasilia (34 and a half hours).

My journey from Brasilia to Salvador was a whole 24 hours. In all, my trips to five Continues pg26

Saturday Tribune

Judges, winners and finalists at the farewell breakfast at Kempinski Hotel, Nairobi, last Sunday.

18

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

crimeandcourt

She is adulterous and irresponsible —Husband He’s an ingrate —Wife Stories by Ayomide Owonibi and Taibat Alimi with Agency Reports

A

n Igando customary court in Lagos State has granted a petitioner, Mr Muri Oderinde, his request for the dissolution of his 16-year-old marriage over adultery by his wife.

Delivering his judgement, the president of the court, Mr Hakeem Oyekan, said that it appeared that the estranged couple were tired of the marriage and all efforts to reconcile them had failed.

“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice but to dissolve the marriage. “The couple can no longer stay together because the marriage has broken down totally; both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways,’’ Oyekan ruled.

Oderinde, a 50-year-old businessman, had filed an application seeking to divorce his wife over her adulterous act. He said that his wife, Banke, to whom he had been married for 16 years, was having extramarital affairs and was using her sister’s house for cover-up.

“My wife is unfaithful, she always lied to me that she wanted to go and visit her sister, but would go to another place.

“She took permission that she wanted to visit her sister, as usual, I allowed her, the next day when she did not return, I called her sister who told me that she did not see her.

“I later caught her with a man whom she claimed was just a friend,’’ he said.

He described his wife as a troublesome fellow that always fought and abuse him.

“My wife is troublesome, anytime I returned late from work, she would lock the door; if I called her to open the door, she would refuse and I would go to a hotel to sleep,’’ he said.

According to him, Banke refused to accommodate his children from another woman and did not welcome his friends and relatives to his house. He begged the court to dissolve the marriage, since he was no longer interested and did not love her again.

Banke, a 35-year-old trader, who refuted the allegations, said that she did commit adultery, and that the man her husband saw with her was a friend. “I am not adulterous, the man he claimed he saw was just a friend, no strings attached,” she told the court.

She described her husband as an ingrate, adding that she paid his house rent and furnished his apartment.

“My husband is ungrateful; I rented the apartment he was staying, bought mattress, television and other household items.

“He has five children from different women, I still accommodated them, feeding them with my money.’’

According to her, Muri goes out at will and comes back at will, and could leave the house for six to eight days without her knowledge.

I moved out of the house ‘cos of her troubles —Husband

I’m better off without him —Wife A 45-year-old man, Fatai Asanre, has pleaded with an Alagbado customary court in Lagos State to divorce him from his wife, Kairat, because she was always fighting him.

He told the court that he was fed up with the union and pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage, based on

I’ve become a laughing stock ‘cos of his drunkeness —wife A 28-year-old wife, Mrs Helen Olowofela, has pleaded with an Agege customary court in Lagos to divorce her from her husband of two years, Kehinde, because he is a drunkard.

She claimed that she has become the laughing stock in their Ogba neighbourhood because of his excesses.

“My husband can consume a crate of beer if he has the money. The last time he went to the hospital, the doctor told him to stop drinking or his liver would fail.

“Instead of heeding the doctor’s advice, he continued drinking and beats me anytime I complain. I don’t want to be a widow at my young age.

Saturday Tribune

“He also drinks to stupor and smokes Indian hemp, after which he usually loses self control.

“I do not love him anymore, I want a dissolution of our marriage ,” the mother of two said.

She also told the court that she had been the one responsible for the upkeep of her children.

“I want the custody of my children but I want him to be responsible for their monthly upkeep,” she said.

President of the court, Mr Phillips Williams, counselled both parties to maintain peace and adjourned the matter till November 15.

what he called irreconcilable differences.

“I moved out of our matrimonial home because my wife is a troublemaker and all this boils down to the fact that I could not meet up with her monetary demands,” he said.

However countering his claim, his wife, Kairat claimed that her husband beats her and afterwards forcefully has anal sex with her.

“He physically abuses me. I have scars all over my body including my private part,” she said.

She claimed that she is better off without her husband since he had packed out of their matrimonial home.

She also alleged that all efforts by her in-laws and her family to reconcile them proved futile hence she pleaded with the court to dissolve the union.

“All that my husband said are lies. I regret marrying him because I have never enjoyed my marriage from the inception.

“He simply married me because he said that he wanted to marry a virgin. Now that we have three children, I don’t appeal to him anymore.

“He would collect money from me to finance his business but since I lost my job and nothing was forthcoming, he turned me into a punching bag,” she lamented.

She also alleged that the petitioner had since stopped providing financial assistance to their three children.

“I have got a job as a secretary in a company and I’m doing perfectly well without him.”

The president of the court. Mr. Emmanuel Shokunle, however, adjourned the matter till January 11, 2016 for mention.

31

He almost beat my mother —Wife ‘She can go, she is adulterous’ A trader, Mrs. Bose Adebayo, has filed a suit at a Grade C customary court sitting at Agodi Gate, Ibadan Oyo State to dissolve her 21- yearold marriage to Olaoluwa Adebayo on grounds of irresponsibility to her and her children.

The petitioner told the court that her husband, Olaoluwa, had sent her and the children packing on several occasions.

“Before he married me I was a trader in clothes but at present I sell eggs. I have five children for him; three boys and two girls.

He did not pay my bride price. The children have been in my care since June last year.

“After we had the second child he started sending me out of the house for almost six months. This problem continued till we had the third child, yet my mother told me to persevere.

“I got pregnant the fourth time and he told me to abort the child because he had been told through a ‘divine’ message that I would lose my life during delivery. However, his father was against abortion so I left him and went to stay with my mother at Bende.

“Moreover he has been disrupting the children’s education as they have changed school son not fewer than four times.

My children asked me to leave when he threatened my life.

“The day after my aunt’s burial, he started another trouble by telling me that I should not talk to the senior pastor of my church who had always been my father and who stood by us in times of troubles. I rejected his advice with the support of one of my aunts. Thereafter, he sent me packing with the children with the accusation that I am promiscuous and responsible for all the misfortunes in his life.

“Later on he started coming to the house I rented by myself requesting that we settle our differences but I refused. The next time he came to my rented house, he met my mother and almost beat both of us when my mother tried to intervene.

“Then he came again and beat me that I landed at the hospital taking three drips. I got a note from a lawyer to ward him off. He said he wanted the children to be with him but they (children) declined. His parents are aware of all this. I am fed up I want a divorce.

The defendant, in his response said his wife is troublesome, promiscuous and turned his children against him.

“I told my wife not to go to her senior pastor ever again because I smell a rat about the man. Her aunty embarrassed me and insisted that she should continue seeing the pastor. The pastor calls her at night.

“I sent her packing since she decided to listen to her aunt so she has left me since June last year and ever since, we have been living separately. Later on, I opted for settlement because of the kids. She declined but later agreed that I could come to the house she rented and that she could also come over to my place with the kids.

“On a fateful day, I gave our first son money for books of the children for the new session.

My son left for a long time and I later called the mother who said he was with her. I went there to reprimand him but shockingly, on getting there, I met a man eating with my son. My wife said the man was her business partner.

“My third son already knew the man as he told me that his mom usually plays with the

man. I then called the man to order that the woman he was flirting with was a mother of five and my wife, but I was told by the people around that the man still persisted; I reported this to her parents and people around. Our children also complain of their mother feeding them late after she must have attended to the man.

“I met the man late at night when I got to her place, she sent me out because of the man and I slapped her. She then used a table to hit me on the head and tore my clothes. She reported to the police and I was called to report. When the police intervened, she ended up being at fault.”

“I got a letter from a lawyer which she brought with the content that I should not come close to her, so I asked her to release the children to me but she refused. She sent the children to get their school fee from me. I paid first and second term fees but I was broke by third term so I sent the children back to their mother. This made her turn the children against me. Our fourth child (first daughter) wants settlement.

“She sent our first son to Lagos for the past four months with the man that comes to her house and she claims she has nothing to do with the man. Since she is the one that brought me here clamouring for divorce, so be it.

The president of the court, Chief Amusa Makinde, told both parties that the marriage could not be dissolved instantly and adjourned till October 26 for counselling and rethink. Chief Makinde also requested the presence of the children in the next hearing.

She did not allow me access to our children —Husband

Court has determined the issue —Wife Danjuma Mahmoud, a father of two, has prayed the Grade 1 Area Court in Gudu, Abuja, to grant him the custody of the children from his ex-wife, Aisha Adamu.

Mahmoud told the court that his ex-wife denied him access to the children since March 2 when the court gave the custody of the children to her.

He recalled that Aisha had applied to the court sometime in 2014 for custody of the two children and he willingly handed them to her even before the hearing of the application.

The plaintiff alleged that the defendant had persistently refused to disclose the residence of the children to him till date.

He alleged that the defendant did not give his details in his children’s school files and had refused to bring them to him during vacation.

He urged the court to grant his prayers by giving him custody of his children.

Counsel for the defendant, Halima Mohammed, filed a notice of preliminary objection before the court, challenging the entire suit.

She said the issue had already been determined by the court and urged the court to grant an adjournment for her to address the court.

The judge, Mr Isah Imam adjourned the case till October 15, for the defendant’s counsel to address the court on her notice of preliminary objection.

Day he bit me, an old woman saved me from his teeth —wife •Why I preferred biting to slapping —Husband A palm wine seller, Mrs. Shadiat Delesolu has filed a suit at a Grade C customary court Agodi Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking dissolution of her marriage to her husband, Mr. John Delesolu.

The plaintiff told the court: “We have been married since 2007 but he paid no bride price. I have two kids for him and he has sent me out for two years now. I have been feeding the kids and paying their school fees.

“One day I was about eating when he started chasing me with a bottle. He was asked what I did but he gave no response. I left his house with the kids and rented another apartment. I reported the issue to the elder in the family.

“He attacked me on the street, tore my clothes and tried to take my kids from me. He came back later on that he wanted to enroll the kids in school. The day after he made the suggestion he complained of lateness of the kids knowing quite well where I reside with the kids at Beere.

“He accused me again of not taking care of the kids and told me to release the kids to him which I did. He started pestering me that I should give him their clothes, I declined and told him to get clothes for them himself as I bought them with my money.

“He came to my house and bit me recently at my back at different spots, which I would show the court as evidence. I escaped his bite as an old woman had to hold his mouth. I went through lots of pains.

“I was asked to get police report before I could be treated at Adeoyo [hospital] but all to no avail. I met with a herb seller who helped me with medicine to suppress the pain. I later had to go to a chemist when the pain persisted. I got a medicine for cure but it is now exhausted.

“Since he bit me, I have not been able to go to market as I need to take care of myself. I want divorce, that is why I came to court’.

The respondent in his statement said his wife, Shadiat of being fetish, promiscuous and an irresponsible mother.

“I do not have a job at present but I sold things before.

I do not want divorce because of my kids.

“She receives calls at night when I asked her who the person was all she said was that the person was her alashiri (confidant). I do not have an idea what that means because I grew up in the North.

“I helped a friend rent an apartment and I did not know when he became friendly with my wife. It was recently when they had a fight that I got to know that they were friends. I also confirmed this from people.

“I reconcile with the man, took him to a hotel to take bottles of beer and he carelessly told me he took my wife to a herbalist while we were chatting. I told my wife about this and she did not deny it.

“Before all these happened she had placed a curse on me that I would sell my car to eat and kill myself by hanging. I set up charcoal business for her and we both started an agriculture venture, none of which yielded no profit.

“I met her with another man outside the house with the man’s hand around her shoulder. She also bites me whenever we had a fight.

“I went to her that I would like to enroll the kids in school, but the question she asked was “would I return them home after school?” She brought the children late the next day and the next she did not bring the kids to meet me to take the kids to school.

“I told her to hand the kids over to me if she cannot bring the kids early enough but she declined. I do not want my kids to grow at Beere as there are smokers there. My daughter has already started school.

“I sensed that if I slap her people would notice, so I bit her at her back and took her to the chemist for treatment which my brother paid for.

“I have never been to her father’s house. I do not give the kids money for food, they come to eat with me at home.

The president of the court, Amusa Makinde apportioned blame to both parties and adjourned the case till October 20 to give room for solution.

19 interview

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

I never refused women’s advances; I have 3 wives, 24 children —General Alabi Isama One of Nigeria’s civil war strategists, Brigadier-General Alabi Isama (retd), in this interview with KATE ANI, speaks about his experience in the army, insurgency in the country and the type of president Nigeria needs. Excerpts:

In those days, it was a curse to have a soldier in your family or for someone to say ‘look at a soldier’s wife.’ Such a woman would just go to a nearby river and drown. It was an abomination.

T

ELL us briefly about yourself?

I was born in Ilorin, Kwara State, on December 24, 1940. My mother was from Ilorin. My father was from Delta State, from a place called Kwale, but he was born in Ilorin. I had my primary education in Ilorin and for my secondary education, I went to Ibadan Boys’ High School, Ibadan and from there, I joined the army. While in the army, I graduated at Mons Cadet School in the United Kingdom and also went to Senior Tactics School and Staff College in Quetta, Pakistan.

What led you to joining the army?

While at Ibadan Boys’ High School, which shares a fence with Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s house, soldiers were on parade in front of Papa Awolowo’s house during an exercise called ‘show of strength.’ While they marched, the music was good and, of course, you need to see their uniform: fantastic. They all marched at the same pace and the sight was fascinating to me. I remember leaving class to watch them. In those days, when you were in class four, they would send you a form to state what job you would like to do after secondary school. I filled two jobs: first, house master at St. Theresa Secondary School and second, the army. The second job came first and I went to Zaria to

join the army. I was 19 years old then.

What was the experience like at that age?

In those days, it was a curse to have a soldier in your family or for someone to say ‘look at a soldier’s wife.’ Such a woman would just go to a nearby river and drown. It was an abomination.

Why was it an abomination?

You are a young girl; you don’t know what happened and how the army got its name to where it is today. At that time, members of the army were called godogodo soja. In those days in Ilorin, you had to go to a Quranic school and there, you were told never to go to a school run by the English.

If you went to such school, you would be called ‘bani Israila,’ meaning children of Israel and that such a person would go to hell. Those who went to school at that time were the children of emirs or people from other places that we referred to as strangers. The emir advised my mother to send me to school, so, I was enrolled in school. When I decided to join the army, people sympathised with my mum, praying ‘ha, Olorun a so de o’ (may God bring him back home safely) because you were expected to go there and die. They would wonder why we chose to join the army

to go and die because we had the options to be a lawyer, doctor or engineer. My mum cried really hard and when the civil war broke out. She insisted on going with me. She was right by my side at the war front.

Did you hand her a gun?

I did but she declined. I even offered her army kits but she insisted on only wearing her Hajj gear. She went on attacks with me. When we knocked down the Biafran plane, she was there. She even climbed the plane to look at its ruins.

Since she declined a gun, did she follow you to the war front with the intention of protecting you with supernatural powers?

Well, I don’t know, but I believe she didn’t have anything of sort. She taught me many things while at war and I would quarrel with her, saying ‘Alhaja, emi ni molo ile iwe army ni ilu oyinbo (I am the one that went to war school abroad, not you), how can you want to teach me my job?’ But when I later acted on her advice, the war ended. I was the chief of staff to General Benjamin Adekunle, popularly called ‘Black Scorpion,’ who was our commander.

Continues pg34

20

Saturday Tribune

17 October, 2015

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21 commentary

17 October, 2015

Saturday With

A

kureland has been in the news of recent, on two unpleasant platforms.

One was the abduction of its highly revered son and traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo, Akure, Chief Olu Falae. The other is the alleged unruly behaviour of a man, who until recently was the Eze Ndigbo of Akure.

The two stories have conspired to pollute the waters of a land known for its metropolitan nature and peaceful people.

I begin with Falae. A couple of weeks ago, societal reverence and respect for him notwithstanding, a band of violent and virulent Fulani herdsmen had stormed his Ilado farm in Akure, abducted him and only released the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation after a ransom had been paid. The equivocation of that abduction looms large. Falae, as the Olu of Ilu-Abo, presides over a section of Akure that is known to be a refuge for all tribes in Nigeria. On the streets of the small village, languages jam one another and the cultures of the inhabitants are almost subsuming that of their host. What that means in essence is that Chief Falae is head of virtually all tribes in Nigeria in his domain. It is in Ilu-Abo where they find their daily bread. You could call the inhabitants farm workers and labourers, but the fact remains that the land provides refuge for their esophagus. Those who know the peculiar nature of Falae’s cosmopolitanism and the village he administers were shocked that a nationalist like him could fall prey to the antics of some evil men who did not respect his nationalism and political pedigree.

Then comes the story of an Eze. Worried by his alleged disrespect for his host and apparent disdain for the Akure monarchy, the man had been suspended as the Eze Ndigbo by the Deji of Akureland, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Odundun II, whose office had bestowed on him the title in the first instance.

What was Iloh’s infraction? A market in the city, which had hitherto enjoyed the leadership of indigenes of the state capital, had succumbed to the subtle but powerful mercantile and commercial power of their Igbo brothers.

Before the natives knew what was happening, the Igbo had imposed their suzerainty on the market and were not only determining the leadership of the market but ensuring that natives did not have a say in the affairs of their own market.

Worried by what they tagged native colonialism on their own land, a spat had occurred between some Igbo in the market and the natives. Afraid that this could turn violent, the Deji, one of the most humble kings to have as-

Saturday Tribune

ayinla mukaiba ayinlamukaiba@yahoo.com

Akure and audacity of settlers

cended the monarchy in this part of the country, was said to have invited the Igbo leader for a meeting last Saturday through his Iru Okun, the king’s staff of office. The insignia was reportedly seized by some Igbo hirelings of the man, while the Eze did not honour the Kabiyesi’s invitation. Oba Aladetoyinbo was said to have invited the man again for another meeting on Monday and the latter stormed the palace wearing his haughtiness and conceit on his sleeves. He was reported to have preened himself in the presence of the Kabiyesi, making calls on his cell phone before him and telling the Deji that even King Solomon in his wisdom could not dare to look down on those who had equal intelligence as him. Disturbed by this ride on a self horse and spit on their king, the chiefs present in the palace had collected his beads. The man reportedly later mobilised some Igbo youth to protest against the monarchy.

In his defence, the Eze told the story of how the Igbo had been living in Akureland for over 70 years and how he contributed money towards the ascendance of the king. The natives must be told that modernity

dictates that the Igbo, like their Akure host, should be able to compete in an open market and whoever had an upper muzzle should hold the suzerainty of the said market, so far as the contest is open and legal. The advent of capitalism has dictated that the pursuit of wealth of nations is a survival-of-the-fittest contest.

What, however, the writer finds loathsome is his alleged disrespect for his host and especially their tradition as embodied in the Deji.

The Akure people do not joke with their traditional institution and revere their monarch as next to God on earth.

Having lived in Akureland for 70 years, in the words of the man himself, there is a failure on his part in recognising that in a choice between Mammon and their king, Akure will pick the latter. The current Deji, Oba Aladetoyinbo, from what this writer has been able to piece together about him and his pedigree, is an embodiment of humility and respect for tradition.

He will stand by his people, no matter whose ox is gored.

Iloh occupied the title of Eze at the instance of the Deji. Like such fancy title of the Eze which has neither traditional foundation nor any royal reckoning but for administrative purposes, the day the man who bestows the title feels the holder is no longer fit to occupy it, he is shown the door. In this instance, this writer was told that the chiefs, who represent all sections of Akure, who witnessed Eze’s grandstanding and peacock-like desecration of their traditional chieftaincy stool, apparently because of his proximity to the allures of cash, removed his chieftaincy beads.

Methinks what the ex-Eze should seek is peace and forgiveness of the Deji, his council of chiefs and by that very fact, the people of Akure. Yes, modernity had duded the issue of settlers/indigenes but I am yet to hear that modernity has decreed that anyone should ride roughshod on the remains of culture of respect for kings which the people hold on to jealously. Affronts on Falae and the Deji by two distinct settlers are apparently too heavy for Akure to shoulder.

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crossfire

Fulani herdsmen flogged us on our farm —Falae’s manager

Bruno Akhigbodemhe is the manager of Midland farms owned by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae.

He speaks with HAKEEM GBADAMOSI on the activities of Fulani herdsmen on the farm in the last seven years. Excerpts:

S

INCe when have you been experiencing the invasion of Fulani herdsmen on this farm?

I have been working with the farm for the past 20 years but the issue of Fulani herdsmen getting into our farms to destroy our crops dates back about six or seven years ago. Often when they create an ugly situation in the farm, we report to the police in the state, informing them about the damage done to the farm and the threat to our farm and crops. On most of the occasions, the police do come to warn them.

On one occasion, some arrests were made when they destroyed our workers’ crops. Most workers also have their own private farms, because our chairman, Chief Olu Falae, normally gives out some pieces of land to the workers to make their own farms so that they can have food to eat.

On one occasion, they came to destroy the private farms of some of the workers, arrests were made and those involved were asked to pay some damages for the crops destroyed.

They were only able to pay N40,000 out of the N75,000 they agreed to pay. The most recent one was when they

brought their cattle to destroy our maize about two months ago. About four hectares of land were destroyed and because the maize was just about three weeks old, when we reported to the police again, we quantified the damage only on what we used to raise the crop and not what we were expecting from the harvest, and we asked them to pay N204,000. But when started begging, our chairman, being a lenient person, asked them to pay whatever they could afford to serve as punishment to them and to keep them off our farm. The herdsmen paid N120,000 as compensation instead of the actual cost. They also promised at the police station not to come near the farm again.

Did they sign any undertaking not to come near the farms and did you report them to the leadership of the Fulani community in the area?

Yes, they did. They signed an undertaking. That was the major thing my chairman was hammering on at the station.

He was not particular about the money they promised to pay as compensation. They actually signed an undertaking that

they would not come to the farms with their cattle to destroy our crops again.

Regarding reporting them to the leadership of the Fulani in the community, we’ve not done so. But there was a time that we reported their destructive attitude to the police commissioner then. The police invited the management of the farm and the leadership of the Fulani community to a meeting in order to put an end to the frequent invasion. Based on this, I was invited as the manager of the farm to represent the farm, and I was at the SIB office on more than five occasions. But the head of the Fulani and his lieutenants never showed up. Whenever the officer in charge called them, they always had one excuse or the other not come and whenever they picked a new date, they would never show up.

But we learnt that the leader of the Fulani once threatened that if you failed to erect a fence on the farm, the cows would always get there to eat the crops and if anything happened to his men, they would retaliate?

It was the chairman of the Fulani in the area that said this while he was asked to sign an undertaking that the herdsmen would not come to any of the farm again. He said he could not sign such undertaking, that he could only sign an undertaking that the people that were arrested would not

come to the farm again. He was asked to sign an undertaking concerning other places and farms within Akure and Airport road. He told the police that herdsmen from other areas might come to destroy other people’s farms and he might not know them, so he could only vouch for those people that were arrested in connection with the destruction of our farm.

How many days after the last invasion by the cattle rearers did the abduction of your chairman happen, and can you describe how it did?

It was over two months after that Chief was kidnapped.

The chairman came to the farm on that fateful day. He had called earlier that there would be a brief management meeting because he had other schedules for the day. He was the Local Organising Chairman for the just concluded Anglican Diocese Conference which took place in Akure, and had plans to leave the farm early to attend another important meeting in town in respect of the conference. There was a downpour the previous day, so after the meeting, he called me that he noticed that there were blockages in the farm dam spillway. He said I should take some of our workers to the dam to clear the area to prevent over flooding.

We were on our way to execute that assignment when we met some strange people on the road who blocked our way, about six of them. They started shooting, the driver tried to put the car in reverse but we got hooked and the

driver stopped. They pounced on us and started beating us, some of the workers ran away while they took hold of me, the driver and one other boy. Immediately I alighted from the vehicle, they dealt me a blow in the head with a machete, very close to my ear, and started flogging us with us with cutlasses and sticks.

They were shooting sporadically while doing all these to us to scare the people on the farm. I guess one or two of them knew Chief and when they discovered that he was not with us, they decided to march us to the office, which is about a kilometre away. They would march on us, flog us, then ask us to run till we got to the farm office. About three of them were putting on masks and they were still shooting. Chief came out from his office to know what was happening and immediately they saw him, they took him away with them.

We reported to the police immediately.

But after Chief Falae regained his freedom from the kidnappers, it was reported that the herdsmen came back in the middle of the night to destroy your farm again.

It was true. Just two weeks after Chief was released, they came again with their cattle in the night. It was in the middle of the night. Some two days before that, some of my workers informed me that they saw some Fulani herdsmen and their cows around the farm and immediately, I informed my Chairman who also informed the state Commissioner of Po-

lice. A team of policemen came to the farm and searched all the place and nearby communities for them but we couldn’t find them. But some two days after the search, they came into the farm in the night and well over four hectares of our maize were completely destroyed. We informed the police again but no one was found, but it was clear to the police that the destruction was done by the cattle because we could see their traces and their footprints all around the farm.

What do you think can bring an end to the face-off between farmers and cattle rearers?

Cattle rearing is part of farming but I will suggest that there should be a law to confine cattle rearing to certain grazing areas. Cattle rearers could come together to have a grazing area that will not harm other people’s business. This will prevent the frequent fighting and the issue of trespassing will not arise again. The government should establish an agency or commission to monitor the activities of these cattle rearers across the country and should spell out the areas and routes they can graze in because cattle rearing cannot be phased out. We have cattle farmers in other advanced countries and their activities never pose a great challenge to other farmers like we are experiencing in Nigeria.

Culprits are unknown to us —Ondo Fulani head

Alhaji Bello Garuba is the head of the Fulani Community in Ondo State. He speaks with Hakeem Gbadamosi on the recent accusation against the Fulani in the state over their involvement in the kidnap of Chief Olu Falae and steps taken to halt destruction of farms by cattle rearers in the state. Excerpts.

What can you tell us about the recent development in Ondo State concerning Fulani herdsmen and the kidnap of Chief Olu Falae?

I am the chairman and head of the Fulani in Ondo State.

When I heard about the kidnap of Chief Olu Falae, I felt so sad about the news, especially when they said the abduction was carried out by some Fulani herdsmen, we swung into action to ascertain this fact but we eventually discovered that this criminal act was not carried our by any of our men in Ondo State here. It has never happened in the state before and our men have never been involved in this kind of criminal act, we know ourselves and no Fulani man in this state will ever be involved in kidnapping because we are law-abiding people.

Bruno after he was attacked by Fulani herdsmen

But before Chief Falae was kidnapped there had been series of invasions by your people of his farm, with their cattle eating the crops in the farm, what steps did you take to stop them from going to the farm to destroy the farm produce again?

It is true that my people’s cows have destroyed crops in Falae’s farm but when I was informed as the head of the Fulani, I called them to investigate and it was discovered that the boy who led the cattle to the field on that day slept off and the cattle moved into Falae’s farm. I called them to order, warning them not to move near the farm again.

Before then, we were invited to the SARS office because the management of the farm had reported the case at the police station and we sat together to settle the matter amicably.

The farm manager and the secretary were there with us at the station and we agreed to pay for the damage in the farm after we negotiated with them and we paid for this damage,

they are even lenient with us and we settled the matter with a promise that our people will not come into Chief Falae’s farm again. We called a meeting of Fulani herdsmen and we all agreed that nobody should trespass or graze near Chief Olu Falae’s farm any longer.

It was how many days after you resolved the matter that Chief Falae was kidnapped by the gunmen?

It was close to two months after the incident that we learnt about the ugly incident of his kidnap but I am very sure at that time that the abduction was not carried out by Fulani herdsmen in Ondo State. I checked from all our people because we know ourselves and I am very sure none of my people was involved in the incident. No one was invited or interrogated.

The police only searched the area for the criminals but could not find them.

Some suspects have been arrested over Chief Falae’s kidnap, are they Fulani herdsmen from your group in Ondo State?

No. They are not from here at all. We appreciate the good work of the police and thank God they were able to arrest these criminals who want to tarnish the good name of Fulani people in Ondo State. We are a good people and law-abiding people. I was at the Special Anti Kidnapping Squad unit some few days ago, I don’t know any of the suspect paraded by the police. They are not from here, they are not even involved in cattle rearing. They are not Fulani who reside in the South West here, they were arrested outside Ondo State. Two of them were apprehended in Kogi State in Lokoja and they have confessed in their statements how they kidnapped the man.

We don’t know them at all. I understand one of them slept

in the house of a Yorubaman in Ogbese on the eve of their crime, but he lives somewhere else. I don’t know any of them.

But after Falae was released, some cattle rearers still went into his farm to destroy his crops again, what is your reaction to that?

Sincerely, I can tell you categorically that the destruction was not done by our men here. No Fulani herdsman from Ondo State here would dare go near Falae’s farm because we have warned against it and I know our people will never go against our collective decision. Those who did this havoc might be from other state passing through Ondo State to other state and since this was done in the night, because the police looked for them the following day and could not see them, they might have crossed to other areas.

What do you think government should do for cattle rearers to put an end to this problem your people are facing from farmers and other people?

I want to sincerely appeal to government to create special reserved areas for cattle rearers across the country in order to put an end to all these problems. Naturally, no farmer will be happy to labour for so many months and for cows to just invade the farm in a day and eat up the farm. No one will be happy, but if the government can provide a special areas where our cows can graze, it will reduce the confrontations between the Fulani cattle rearers and farmers. We are all contributing to the development of the nation’s economy and we should be treated as stakeholders. We are a peace-loving people.

There was a time we noticed a strange man among our peo-

Garuba

ple, who was doing nothing for a living. I personally reported him to the police and he was arrested and interrogated. He is still in the custody of the police till now, this is because we suspected his movement and he’s a stranger here. We are a hardworking people who also contribute to the economy of Ondo State too. Some of us were born and raised in Ondo State and we have no other home than here. I have been in this state for over thirty years and all my businesses are here, so I will not want anything to affect the state negatively and as Fulani people, we have been living with the people here peacefully. We are not thieves or kidnappers, we are a law-abiding people, peaceful people.

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17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

views.com

De-marketing Nigeria: Buhari’s state apparatus

By Abiodun Awolaja

T

HERE are competing versions of the Nigerian story, but many Nigerians agree that it is a nation hewn in fraud. For those who have read Chinweizu’s “Caliphate colonialism,” probably the most potent X-ray to date of the decidedly skewed Nigerian federation, the current antics of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency cannot come as a surprise. They are, on the one hand, a continuation of the 1984 War Against Indiscipline where latecomer civil servants were frogjumped or whipped and Nigerians forced to form queues at bus stops and gas stations, whereas the root causes of the problems (poor transport system, for instance, in the case of queue-jumping), were never even mentioned. In other words, “corruption” has now replaced “indiscipline” and Nigerians are being forced to queue once again, except that we shall very soon be confronted with scarcity of essential commodities, the ESSENCO of my primary school days. At a deeper level, however, Buhari’s current project is an ideological/repressive state apparatus anchored on the divide and rule policy of the colonialists handed over to the Caliphate where southerners are portrayed as irredeemably corrupt and northerners their ordained leaders. This is why there is no southerner in the president’s kitchen cabinet, and there will be none in the ministries that matter.

Keen observers of the Buhari presidency must be disturbed by the ease with which he has de-marketed Nigeria at every forum in the West. Buhari goes to Euro-America telling the political leadership how irredeemably corrupt Nigeria is as a nation, yet he expects massive inflow of Foreign Direct Investment. Buhari, it appears, has never heard the Yoruba saying “Konko jabele, kaluku lo n se tie,” literally meaning that everyone does their own thing.

There is corruption, pervasive corruption, among the sea of white heads that Buhari calls upon to rescue Nigeria, and he may not know that he is indirectly propagating another neo-colonialism anchored on the logic of plunder.

White governments make no noise when looted funds enter their countries. They allow them to oil their economies, then offer platitudes many years later, an action quite consistent with what the great Awo himself calls National Morality in Voice of Reason. As Awo correctly observes, what is immoral at the level of the individual is often perfectly moral/acceptable at the level of the nation state—which is why, in my view, Sameul Ajayi Crowther’s original manuscripts which exploded the myths of colonialism will never return to Nigeria, and no one is going to read the original History of the Yoruba. In evidence here, therefore, is a hollow leadership; one that does not read.

Corruption, however loosely defined, is just as pervasive in the West as it is in Africa, but Westerners have learnt to institutionalize corruption through officialdom, what in the USA is called Big Government; whereby, over the years, government has expanded to include the institutions set up

common crooks with huge connections to the political leadership. Enjoy this 2013 salad from Princeton, New Jersey: “Most Americans believe corruption is widespread in their government – one of the highest levels in the world, according to a new global survey by polling company Gallup Inc. It finds than 73 percent of those polled in the U.S. perceive government corruption as a widespread problem.”

And this, from a Times Union Editorial on August 4, 2013: “From sexual harassment in the state Assembly to nepotism in the Senate to the abuse of influence and misuse of public money in both chambers, the New York state Legislature stands as an embarrassing monument to corruption. And the worst part is that many New Yorkers will read that sentence and wonder, “Yeah, so what else is new?” Have we lived with a Legislature plagued by a culture of corruption for so long that it is naive or Pollyannaish to think this is not the way it has to be? Can we honestly look at the breadth of the scandals and abuses of power that have come to light in recent years and conclude this meets even a minimal standard of good government? If the answer is yes, then we deserve every William Boyland, Joseph Bruno, Nelson Castro, Mike Cole, Pedro Espada Jr., Efrain Gonzalez, Diane Gordon, Sam Hoyt, Shirley Huntley, Carl Kruger, Vincent Leibell, Vito Lopez, Brian McLaughlin, Hiram Monserrate, Kevin Parker, John Sampson, Tony Seminerio, Ada Smith, Malcolm Smith, Nick Spano, Eric Stevenson and Guy Velella that we get.”

Buhari will keep badmouthing his predecessor and the country at every turn, but corruption will go on.

What is needed, a restructuring of the country empowering regions to harness their God-given resources and develop at their own pace, will not be done. Till date, 83 per cent of oil blocks in the country are controlled by Northerners, and Buhari, who is on record as saying that Sani Abacha (listed recently as the fourth most corrupt leader in history) did not steal Nigeria’s money, cannot tackle corruption. He is in office to perpetuate Caliphate Colonialism.

Awolaja is on the staff of the Tribune.

Musings of an Osun civil servant

By Rita Okonoboh IT was a bright Wednesday morning. We were at the bank, waiting to be admitted into its premises. The confines felt unusually crowded, then, I remembered – the so-called ATM disappointment drama. I didn’t really care. This time yesterday, I was owed eight months’ salary arrears and if one silly machine was going to stand between me and my money, if it miraculously arrives, the bank better be ready for the mother of all wars. But I thought the bailout had been shared, according to one market woman who shared a Korope with me, on my way to the bank. Anyway, to each his own. I had more important things on my mind.

Although we had heard that some money had been paid, it was pointless. I had borrowed N1,500,000 from the bank early this year, on a salary of N150,000 and the bank had been deducting N30,000 per month, plus interest figure which was too confusing to even argue about. Even as we had not been paid these past months, my salary account proudly read -N245,789.54. Imagine what the balance would be after the arrears was deducted.

As I filled the withdrawal slip, my eyes scanned the cash counters for the friendliest smile. I would rather work with men as they seemed more humane and brisk. I stared again at the figure and cringed as I approached the queue. Today of all days, just two people were before me. I almost wished the crowd waiting to rant about the faulty ATM machines would just change their minds and decide to withdraw or deposit instead. At least, it would delay my moment of reckoning by a few hours at the most. I really wouldn’t mind spending half the day at this bank today. I looked up briefly and discovered that the cashier was stamping the teller of the guy before me. That was fast. Where the hell did the other guy go?

Slowly, I approached the marble slab which separated the customers from the cashiers. I handed the slip to the cashier, some lanky guy who looked up at me, and I could swear I detected the slightest crease of a smirk. That one is

his wahala anyway. How many people would understand that I was just a bloody civil servant, from Osun State for that matter. He looked up at me and stretched the slip towards me. I panicked and almost dropped my phone in fright. Abi, I had collected that last N1,200 and had forgotten? I couldn’t use the ATM because I needed the extra N200, even if just as compensation for my transport fare. I couldn’t ask for help from relatives just yet, because Uncle Dipo had sent me N5,000 just last month. It was worse since I had planned to get married in November but had to postpone the wedding because it just didn’t seem reasonable to get married without the assurance of the next month’s pay packet. Besides, my fiancée seemed a little off lately, especially since I caught her in Jimoh’s car three weeks ago and accused her of double dating. Wo! That one is story for another day.

Anyway, as the gods seemed to be on my side, I had simply forgotten to sign at the back of the slip. The cashier hurriedly counted the money – one N1,000 note and two centenary N100 notes and passed them to me. I said my ‘Thank you’ and as I turned to leave, I saw Aunty Kafayat, my unmarried mother-in-law’s younger sister, and I hoped

that all the notes looked like N1,000. Else, I would hear another lecture from my future mother-in-law that night.

Smiling like an idiot, I walked towards the bus stop.

I spotted my customer who sold roasted plantain and bought two. I wish I could curb my insane voracious appetite for boli. The deed had been done anyway. Thank God for Iya Dunni. The boli would last me till afternoon, while Iya Dunni’s beans would do the evening miracle. As I boarded a Korope, one child tugged my sleeves and my eyes fell on her outstretched arm. Without thinking, I gave her N20, and moments later, we were on our way. As I got to my bus stop, I signalled my intention to alight and the driver stretched his hand for the fare. His outstretched arm brought the memories back in one swift swipe and I knew this was the end. Then I started to explain.

“Eem,” I stammered, “Do you have N1,000 change?”

The driver whipped his long neck round and stared daggers at me.

“Which kain N1,000 change? Lori owo motor N50. Oga, just pay your money make you comot oh.”

One of the other passengers stared at me and simply shook her head.

“I’m really sorry. I had change but, I forgot I didn’t have change. I mean, I thought I had change but...”

The driver switched off his ignition and stepped out of the Korope. I stepped out too and faced him, my heart hammering against my chest. He gripped my shirt and was about to use his left hand to search my pocket when the lady sitting in front called out to say she would pay my fare. Horror of all horrors! It was Aunty Kafayat. I murmured my thanks but she simply waved me off. Ten minutes after, I was still rooted to the bus stop, staring at the imaginary back of the tricycle which had disappeared over five minutes ago. As I turned to move, my phone buzzed. Of course, it was my future mother-in-law. It was hell postponed but I gritted my teeth and braced myself.

I switched off my phone.

Okonoboh is on the staff of the Tribune.

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Tomboy-chic converse

style

Saturday Tribune

By Alimi Taibat

DANSHIKI has made a return into the fashion scene. This attire, which was formerly regarded strictly for men, is now also being rocked by women and interestingly, children too.

You can wear Danshiki to all outings, depending on the charm you put into wearing it. This short agbada can be paired with a matching trousers, leggings or denim trousers. For a glamorous look, pair it with a befitting headgear or cap.

The return of danshiki

W

OMEN’S converse, also known as ‘Chuck Taylor’ shoes are nice investment because they’ll never go out of vogue. Designed in a plethora of colours and styles, you just gotta love the comfy and lightweight feel when wearing them.

Feminine frocks can look chic when paired with converse and not only will you earn major style points for thinking outside the box, your feet will be blister-free. Check out how these fashionistas pair their sneakers with formals, then test-drive this trend from the gym to the streets.

25

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Do-it-yourself:

Knot Bracelet

26 Achiever

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

‘CNN MultiChoice African journalist award competition is getting tougher’ Continued from pg10

cities, including a two hours and 20 minutes air travel, took 90 hours and 40 minutes.

The other issue was my lean purse, which most of my colleagues did not suffer.

This must have made them to wonder as to what really propelled me to go to Salvador, when we were talking inside the media centre of the Arena du Sao Paulo, moments before the kickoff of the semifinal match between Argentina and Holland. I had returned to the city that morning after spending almost one week rummaging through Salvador, which was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

“You went there [Salvador]?” My Nigerian colleagues asked me as they milled round me to see, on my iPad, some of the photographs I took in Salvador.

“Of course,” I was answering, initially, with confidence, when they were asking me the source of the photographs. But my confidence began to thaw as the question became too torrential, coupled with the undecipherable looks on their faces. “What is the matter, have I done something sacrilegious by my visiting Salvador?” I asked myself.

But as I later thought, they might have only marvelled at my sheer determination where they had resolved to ‘take it easy’. One of them later told me: “They also told me to go to that place [Salvador], but I told them ‘no way.’” The “they” in his statement refers to his company back in Nigeria.

After arriving in Salvador, things did not just fall in place in my quest for the desired pieces of information needed to write my story.

Crisis showed its beautiful side when I found myself in that state with Swiss Francois Duc, a total stranger, proving to be resourceful. Unintelligibility, largely, between me and Brazilian natives had aroused confusion as they couldn’t speak English while I didn’t understand their Portuguese. My interaction with English-speaking Duc at the Pelourinho partly formed the thrust of my write-up. The Pelourinho Arena is a historical area in Salvador where slaves brought from Africa were subjected to dehumanising treatment. Following the abolition of slave trade, however, the place is now known as Independence Arena.

It is providence when there is divine manifestation of the impossible and so was it with my trip to the Nigeria Cultural House in the Bahia State capital where I had been expected to find the House under lock and key, the official in charge having left for Nigeria months before my visit, due to non-funding. On the contrary I had met a Prince Adeyinka Adewole, though not a staffer of the House which is under the supervision of Nigeria’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Adewole, a lecturer at the Instituto Cultural e Linguistica Africana, affirmed my “being lucky” to have met him and consequently found the House rarely open, which offered me the opportunity of inspecting the storey building and do my story.

Worthy of particular mention is the role of Nigeria’s Liaison Officer in Bahia to the success of my trip to the state which culminated in the writing of the award-winning story. He may have spent over 20 years in Brazil, Alhaji Misbahudeen Oyewale Akanni is still so much in tune with the rich hospitable culture of his Yoruba tribe. He demonstrated the spirit the Yoruba would call àfomo’nìyàn se. Alhaji Akanni, it was, who personally took me to places where I got the necessary information for my write-up. Also by his intervention, I was able to get a flight ticket to San Paulo at half its original price for me to see the semi-final match between Argentina and Holland live.

The true African hospitable spirit, no doubt, resides in the Akanni family from Ede, Osun State, what with the contribution of Alhaji’s wife (Alhaja Lola) to my success? The enterprising woman gave us (me and the other Nigerian journalist) the hint of the worship of a typical African traditional religion at Casabranca (white house) area of Salvador. At Casabranca, I witnessed the live worship and the remarkable use of Yoruba as a language of worship. The adherents had on that night sung: “Ògbèrì ò mò, ògbèrì o, òbàrìsà ré lokè (behold the grand god, unknown to the noninitiates).

In tow with us to Casabranca was a precocious Ayodeji Ogunnaike, a lover of everything African. While Ogunnaike, from Ijebu-Ode and a Ph.D candidate of African

Finalists pose for a group photograph moments before the award ceremony at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi.

No other World Cup-accredited journalist from Nigeria visited Salvador. Though I saw two others there – one of them, who writes for a Lagos-based newspaper (name withheld) was in Brazil, only for his holiday, while the other – Peter Okwoche, based in London, writes for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Alhaji Akanni

The flight of stairs leading to Casabranca

With Nigerian-born Peter Okwoche of the BBC inside the Nigeria Cultural House, Salvador

Studies and Religion at Harvard University, supplied us with certain pieces of information, having been in Brazil once before, Denilson Oluwafemi, an Afro-Brazilian (born Denilson José Santana), offered his tour guide services to his fellow ‘African’ brothers free of charge.

The foregoing aligned with my journalistic instincts to produce, in the eyes of the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards judges, an award-winning article. The paragraph that contained my decision to postpone, by 24 hours, the eating of abara for a clear distinction of its taste from acaraje which I had first tasted became one of the punch lines for the judges in picking the write-up as the culture category winner for 2015.

By the judges’ assertion that competition in the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award gets stiffer every year, journalism practitioners don’t have a choice but to go ‘out of their way’ for excellence. Conventional approach may no longer be able to do the magic again. This becomes very instructive when one remembers that the runner-up in the culture awards category this year was

Sheila, the Afro-Brazilian who sold acaraje and abara to me in Salvador

not a practising journalist.

And for the salaried journalists on the African continent, there is the ‘menace’ of their freelance colleagues to be beware of. Freelance journalists were fairly represented among the finalists this year. About seven of the 31 finalists were freelance and with South Africa’s Julie Laurenz and Jacquueline Jayamaha clinching the plaudits as joint entrants in one of the categories, the future looks brighter for the likes of 21-year-old Fiiffi Essilfie Anaman.

Anaman, a final year student of University of Ghana, Legon, though runner-up in the Sports category, announced his presence on the continent all because he dared ‘to go out of his way.’

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17 October, 2015

businessextra

Saturday Tribune

Edited by Sulaimon Olanrewaju

lanresulaimon123@gmail.com 08055001708

Making ends meet through the sale of kunu drink Shola Adekola - Lagos

M

AMA Jumai, as she is popularly known around the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, though is a widow, she has succeeded in carving a niche for herself in the unique way she prepares the popular local drink ‘kunu’ and sells to her customers at the airport.

Before the demise of her husband eight years ago, Mama Jumai was a cleaner at the airport where she was earning a paltry N7, 000.

The sudden death of her husband left her with the retheir marriage with.

At this point, it dawned on Mama Jumai that her meagre salary can no longer sustain her and the children, hence her decision to go into the production of kunu drink.

At the time she ventured into the kunu-making business, she could only boast of N4, 700, being money she got from sympathisers with which she commenced the business.

With the special way she packages the drink, coupled with ingredients which she puts into it, such as ginger and garlic with honey, her kunu has become people’s favourite at the local airport.

What actually contributed to her success is the fact that she comes from the northern part of the country where kunu is one of the local drinks consumed there.

Mama Jumai who used to hawk the drinks around in a bowl which she carries on her head, has now grown the business to the extent of running a shop where many airport users now go to relax.

An average plastic bottle of the drink sells for between N50 and N70.

Asked how she has been able to grow the business to its present enviable height, Mama Jumai attributes her success to the opportunity made available to her by the popular Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), a nongovernmental and non-profit community development organisation committed to empowering the poor across the country.

According to her, at a point when she was almost contemplating closing down the business as a result of lack of funds to continue, a friend encouraged her to tap from the opportunities made available by LAPO. The first loan which she took from the organisation was N50, 000 which she used to buy a large quantity of the ingredients required for making kunu drink.

Even though she was given a time frame within which to pay back the loan and then borrow afresh, Mama Jumai confessed that because of high patronage she enjoys, she was able to pay back the loan and even take another one.

For Mama Jumai, the existence of LAPO has brought great relief to people in hardship, especially widows.

Speaking on how she has been able to manage the loan, Mama Jumai attributed that to what she called financial discipline on her part, meaning that she avoids coveting unimportant things.

According to her, she has always ensured that whenever she takes loan from LAPO, she strictly uses it to service her kunu business. In other words, she has learnt to cut her coat to her size by not allowing herself to be tempted into buying those things women are fond of buying.

“I don’t buy ‘Aso Ebi’. I have decided to pay little or no attention to fashionable things. Above all, my children and I have since relocated from the former two bedroom flat we used to stay at Mafoluku while my husband was alive to a one room apartment,” she said.

From the profit she makes from the sale of kunu coupled with her prudent lifestyle and her ability to manage and service her loans, she is currently training her first daughter in one of the polytechnics in the south-western part of Nigeria while the second son is in the senior secondary school with the remaining two still in primary school.

Mama Jumai, who said before the death of her husband she used to see those who engaged in the sale of kunu or

other petty trades as unserious, has come to realise that there is no business, no matMama Jumai, who ter how small, that cannot grow; but this said before the death she said depends on of her husband she the ability to manage it. used to see those who Mama Jumai is an example of those who engage in the sale of make the best use kunu or other petty of any opportunity available to them to trades as unserious, turn things around has come to realise for them in the face of challenges. that there is no Today, majority of business no matter airport users at the local wing have come how small that to terms with Mama Jumai’s kunu drink cannot grow; but this due to her resilience she said depends on and determination.

R e a c t i n g , S e g u n the ability to manage Ajayi, one of the it. regular customers of Mama Jumai, confirmed the unique service she renders to airport users.

Commenting, Ajayi declared: “Besides becoming successful in a business that can be described as obscure, she has been able to correct the impression that not all businesses can be profitable. Mama Jumai should serve as an example to those who often write off some businesses and thus believe that everyone must work in the office.”

According to him, Mama Jumai deserves to have access to better loans from the LAPO in view of her prudence which is not very common with women, many of whom, after taking such loans end up diverting such to non profitable ventures.

29

17 October, 2015

ntertainment News

Society Gist

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Omionawele

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Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

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Celebrity Interviews

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17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

back then? We grew up watching yourself and so many other people on set; do you say the actresses of these days impress you?

What do you want me to tell you? You need to answer that question yourself. I am not answering that one.

There was a time Genevieve said you were her role model. Were you how close are you to her?

That is my daughter. I love the way she works. I love her with passion. When she’s working, she’s a lioness and when I’m working, I’m a lioness. She’s not obsessed with being beautiful, she goes directly for her job. She’s fantastic. I love her.

Are you fully back in the country or still shuffling between Nigeria and abroad ?

Yes, I’m still in and out.

By the time you left Nigeria, your name was gradually becoming a household name, why did you decide to leave and go abroad?

When you have children, you need to be a mother in your children’s lives. When the money is rolling in and your children lack a motherly touch, it’s like building a house on sand and when the rain comes, it will sweep it away. I wanted to build a solid foundation for my children and I glorify God today that everything is fantastic. That is my answer for now. If you want to know what I was doing in England, you wait for the right time.

The series is supposed to tell your story?

No, it’s just about the day to day happenings of life, not my story.

What defines your style?

I don’t know. I don’t follow vogue and I don’t have one designer.

Is it true that you came back to Nigeria because you were broke?

They should wait till I come to their house to beg for garri.

Why I went abroad for many years…

Continued from pg3

so she can keep the woman in the house. So when they started. The children would call their dad to come and watch and the man sat down. The man saw it and the man was engrossed with the television. That was how the man stopped seeing the woman and since then the marriage has been fantastic. I was just looking at her and for that, I give Glory to God. This is why I say to people, I do films that mean well for the people, where they can tap and learn from. That’s why I do family stories so that I’ll touch everybody: mothers, children and fathers.

In the movies, you are usually loud but right now I sense a soft spoken person, what is the difference between these two people?

People usually say that Sola, we’ve seen you on the T.V. and you’re totally different. To that, I say thank you God because what you see on the T.V. is a character. How do I do it? I give glory to God and I keep saying to people, when you’ve been ordained to do a particular thing in life, nobody will stop you. I can’t be a director but this is what I love doing. I told some people that there are people packaging bottled water and they’ve not bought a land and there are those selling not even pure water and you’ll see the houses built by them. That is God saying this is what I’ve asked you to do and I’ve said Amen.

What is your notion about Nigerian actors and actresses who are still not properly paid?

Everybody wants to pay people but we don’t have the resources. It is not easy individually that is why we need sponsors. But as it is now, there are no many sponsors coming.

Do you have sponsors for your new soap....

For me, I say glory be to God because I have some sponsors that are backing me up in every way.

Would you describe yourself as a fulfilled woman?

I’m a fulfilled woman because I got a fantastic family; my job is going on well. People know and smile at me and it opens a lot of doors for me. The glory is to God so I’m fulfilled in life.

Right now, as you’ve come back into Nigeria, who are the actresses that impress you? Do you think we have mediocre actresses unlike what we had

I give glory to God and I keep saying to people, when you’ve been ordained to do a particular thing in life, nobody will stop you. I can’t be a director but this is what I love doing.

How do you cope with negative media when you hear things like this about you? How have you been coping?

It’s frustrating. It’s not good when people eat, sleep, wake up and cook up a story and drag other people’s name in the mud. Why? What do they gain? People that don’t even know me or have not seen me before, they have the nerve to say things about you. But I’m a Christian, a very good one and I believe in my bible. What goes round comes round. There is nothing you do that you will not reap; if you do bad, you reap bad. People should sit and think about whether or not they would like what they are doing to others to be done to them. When people complain about governments, I ask them how they run their homes. If you run your home perfectly then you run your office well. If you run your office well then it goes on and on like that because government involves a lot of people and it is you that make the government. If you keep doing the wrong thing, one day it is going to backfire.

What are your expectations of the new government that just got into power?

I’m not a politician. I think we should all support anybody that’s there. Don’t say because I want another one to be there and he’s not there. This is our country, let us make it work. Whoever is there; man or woman, green or yellow, let us support.

At this age, what still is the secret of your beauty?

Am I beautiful? (Laughs) People that scheme and lie always frown. I’m always smiling but when you frown, that is how the virus enters the head. I’m as free as a dove and I carry people along. I call my director Oga but how old is he? He’s my Oga because we are all friends. This is why I will live long and pass hundred. It is when I tell God that I’m ready.

Do you have any regrets in life?

Never. I’m a positive thinker. When you do badly, that’s when you regret. I’ve been fantastic and give glory to God for the family and the parents I’ve got and the education God has given me. I’m grateful for everything I’ve passed through in life and in my acting life. I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made. Glory be to God. Do you have any advice for people who look up to you?

They should think positively, be focused and honest. Say the truth because it will set you free.

32 entertainment Elizabeth Ayomide Babalola is a 12-year-old award winning gospel singer. In this interview with DOYIN ADEOYE, she speaks about her career, education and her London tours, among other issues. Elizabeth’s manager also chips in some pieces of information.

F

ORAY into music To the glory of God, I started singing at the age of five; I would compose poems and nursery rhymes back then. So at the age of six, I produced an album, titled Lizzy’s Nursery Rhymes, which is a compilation of nursery rhymes.

I also produced another album when I was eight, titled Victory Dance. And at the age of nine, I released the video to the album. But my latest album is titled London Praises; it was launched in London this year.

My inspiration I compose most of my songs myself and I get inspiration basically from almost everything around me. Sometimes I could listen to a song and be inspired by the beat or a line in the lyrics. And other times, I get inspiration while reading my Bible, which I rely on a lot. So basically, happenings around me influence my songs.

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Music is my hobby

—Ayomide Babalola

Combining music and education Manager: It doesn’t affect one another because we ensure that all her engagements are done over the weekends, and her major engagements during the holidays. For instance, her last trip to London was during the summer.

Also, it is convenient because music to her, is a hobby; it is nothing imposed on her. The scenario is just like a child comes back from school to play football or have some fun, hers is music. So it is something she came to love herself.

Her parents also ensured that it doesn’t affect her academics at all because they are also well educated and they know the value of education.

As a matter of fact, she doesn’t even know most times about her performances until a couple of days to the programme.

London tour experience Manager: This is the second year of the Lizzy London tour and it was put together to put her on an international pedestal. She had although traversed the country prior to the international tour, performing with a lot of big names in the entertainment industry.

Lizzy: The first tour was in 2014 and it birthed the 2015 edition. The experience this time around was much more than that of last year as there were more programmes to attend that I couldn’t even exhaust all the invitations I had. I also had the opportunity to perform with the likes of Evangelist Tope Alabi and Yinka Ayefele while on the tour.

Manager: Her album, London Praises was launched on August 25 in London. It is a compendium of activities of her 2014 tour. And also it was during the 2015 edition that she had her seven years on stage anniversary.

Memories I hold dear The fact that I could influence lives positively is enough excitement for me. The feedbacks I get from people are quite encouraging and I appreciate when parents call me on the phone to speak with their children and encourage them to bring out the best potential in them. It makes me see myself as a rallying factor for children.

I’ve also had the opportunity to meet with bigwigs in the society over the years. One of the outings I hold really dear was the Ovation Carol, which was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites. I was eight then and it was really exciting to perform alongside the likes of Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, Davido and others. Former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi; veteran gospel singer, Chief Ebenezer Obey; Shina Peters and many other dignitaries were also at the event.

I’ve also been on stage with the likes of Mama Evangelist Bola Are and Lara George, so my career has availed me an opportunity to meet with a lot of people.

Awards and achievements I was invited to perform at the Osun State Education Summit when I was seven. That was when Governor Rauf Aregbesola just assumed office. I had just started the nursery rhymes series then. So I was there to perform and also present a paper on ‘The Importance of Nursery Rhymes to the Educational Development of a Child.’

Performing at age seven at an event chaired by Professor Wole Soyinka, with lot of governors on seat was an achievement for me.

I was also interviewed by notable television and radio stations and magazines while on tour in the UK.

With Yinka Ayefele The Yoruba Women Development Association, UK chapter, also gave me an award as the Most Outstanding Youngest Nigerian Gospel Artiste. That made me happy because it shows that my little efforts over the years were appreciated.

Gospel artistes and secular music Manager: It is very unlikely for her to go into secular music later in life because over time, the kind of music she is accustomed to is gospel music. It is a choice she made herself and I believe that she will continue in that path. She has seen the best of both secular and gospel, but she still insists that gospel music is what she will do.

Hobbies I love reading. I love playing games and I love cooking.

Advice to other children

With Davido

I’d encourage them to discover their talents and when they find it, they should nurture it. They should always remember that God is there for them. They should listen to their parents and be good children, because regardless of the fame, I am still like every child out there. I respect my parents and teachers, and I get scolded anytime I do something wrong.

Future plans Manager: Her tours of the UK have opened the door for greater international engagements. To the glory of God, she is scheduled for a performance in Italy next weekend and Germany the following one. And there have also been invitations for her to the USA. We are also planning the Nigerian version of her seven years on stage, but we are not rushing it because first, she just returned to school and second, she is also preparing for her junior West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

So the anniversary will probably be held next year.

33 entertainment

17 October, 2015 DJ NANA N A N A Y A T Abedoh, popularly known as DJ N ana b e g an he r journey to the entertainment industry upon winning the “Airtel/ Barcaddi Cool FM DJ competition. Reports had it thet she went on to train at popular DJ Jimmy Jatt’s Inc .

The popular DJ

DJ FRIZZIE An artiste and producer, DJ Frizzie plunged into the world of disc jockeying at the age of 16. Saturday Tribune gathered that she began her career at the University of PortHacourt Radio, 88.5 .

DJ Frizzie, who has masterd her craft and gives her male counterparts a smooth chase, is features on MTVBASE Official Club Chart occasionally and has a released a few mixtapes entitled ‘Zouk Summer Love Mix’, which is a collection of 26 international songs and one African song, ‘Lovinjitis’, by Wizboyy.

DJ SWITCH The maiden edition of the music talent show Glo X-factor winner and StarQuest Talent hunt show, Dj Switch is no new name when it comes to the world of music. Little wonder, her creativity on the stage won her a whopping sum of N24milDJ ROSIE VERY eccentric and fashionable, DJ Rosie, who describes herself as “Nigeria’s sexiest DJ”doesn’t fail to live up to her career as a DJ. Though Lagos born, the Los Angeles-

Saturday Tribune

featured awardwinning songstress, Omawumi, in an inspirational track called Know.

Young and vibrant, DJ Nana no doubt knows her onions and has performed at events like Nigerian Idols, AY Live Concert, Kings of Comedy Concert, MTN 10th Anniversary Party, among others.

e h t n i s J D Female b u h t n e m n entertai

ainment som and the entert os bl to n ga be ry eir craft. st entum to master th entertainment indu e om th m s, er 90 th ga rly ea to e n th an ga In be y, the industry has da e disc jockeys who To al . m en ed m r m fo co el ly w le ry indust inning eying was so life to parties by sp days when disc jock e ng gi os in th e br e ar ar ne ho go w t Bu omen in Nigeria of young Nigerian w me top female DJs so of s le ofi increasing number pr e th IONAWELE brings the deck. JOAN OM

lion at the Glo Xfactor competition.

The award-winning DJ, who is also a rapper, is a show stopper as she spins the discs at top events, is a single mom of one, who told the world to get ready for her upon winning glo Xfactor in 2013 and has been keeping her word.

based DJ likes to take tours of Nigerian clubs and has an infusion of both Nigerian and international songs with Afropop, Hip Hop, Electro and even soul genres of music in her mixtapes.

DJ MYSTELLE DJ Mystelle is a professional female DJ, whose passion for spinning CDs dates back to her childhood days. The DJ, Saturday Tribune gathered, is set to change the face of female entertainment in the music industry. The prolific DJ was chosen among the top 20 female DJs by the (Deejays Association of Nigeria) Deejan in Lagos.

DJ LAMBO DJ Lamboghini is the official DJ for Chocolate City’s artiste M.I. She began her career as an OAP on Ray Power 100.5FM, then moved on to Rhthym 94.7 FM before taking a different turn as a DJ. She is the popular lady who is always behind popular rapper MI. Though always dressed as a tomboy, DJ Lambo is one highly professional DJ who once said on social media that she had no respect for women who live off men. Her mixtapes and singles are also award winning, as one of her latest productions “The all-female mix of NiMotion” featured an geria’s top acts such as

DJ TOXIQ DJ Toxiq is a producer, artiste, who is currently the official DJ and producer to the artiste called Lace and is a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt. According to reports, she rose to fame by playing

DJ SOUPAMODEL A Nigerian-American DJ Soupamodel and one of Africa’s premier female DJs, DJ soupamodel as she is fondly called is a rammy (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States) member and a music producer. She’s is the official DJ of one of America’s best musicians, T-Pain.

Seyi Shay. Cynthia Morgan and Eva Alordiah.

at small gigs, parties or “get togethers” in the university where she was discovered and offered a job as a DJ in one of the leading lounges in Port Harcourt in 2011, she also plays at high class events, marriages, among others.

DJ CUPPY FLORENCE Otedola, better known as DJ Cuppy, is one of the daughters of the billionaire oil baron, Femi Otedola. DJ Cuppy, speaking with Saturday Tribune said “choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.”

The 22-year old DJ once served as an intern at Jay Z’s

entertainment company Roc Nation INC. She recently completed her degree in Musicology in New York.

The DJ who just completed her eight-African nation tour, which was tagged “Cuppy takes Africa,” is ambitious, hardworking and is also a tourism ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

34 interview

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

‘Future Nigerian president must undergo psychiatric test’ Continued from pg19

In your book, ‘The Tragedy of Victory,’ you claimed you masterminded the actions that led to the end of the civil war. How come Nigerians are not celebrating you for it?

Was Alani Akinrinade celebrated? Was Tomoye celebrated before he died? Who acknowledged Iluyomade, Oni, Sony, Tuoyo? Benjamin Adekunle died penniless. He couldn’t even pay his hospital bill. If not for these people, Nigeria would have been a northern country. But the three marine commandos did not let that happen. They do not care about us. The Yoruba too did not bother. I did not get a pension, neither was I given a gratuity but God gave me what he didn’t give everybody - good health.

This is time to chase the logistic base. This is no time for killing anybody. You can do the two but listen more.

I would advise the army to get the intelligence of the police into the place and get forensic experts into the team and chase the sect’s logistic base.

They should close all the markets.

At least, they have closed schools since all these days. They should close all the mosques and churches for three months.

At 75, you still look good. How were you able to handle advances from women during your younger days in the army?

I didn’t have to refuse advances from women; I have 24 children by my three wives. My first child is 53 years old.

That means the saying that soldiers like women is true?

Thank God they didn’t say we are gays. Anyway, being the only son of my mother, she encouraged me to do that and I did it well.

At 75, are you in search of a new wife?

At this age, I am still good and I praise the Lord. At my age, I can still whistle to ladies.

What was your happiest day in the army?

That would be when Biafra surrendered. The strategies, tactics and the plan worked. You need to see the picture wherein I hugged my mother because what she told me to do, I did.

While growing up, who would you say moulded you to be the person you are today?

That should be my principal, Akin Laseyinde. He was like my father while in secondary school because I was a boarder. He encouraged us to be bold enough to ask them anything that we needed, which I always did. That helped my boldness in confronting people regardless of their status or age.

What happened after you retired from the military?

I went into business. I travelled to the United States wanting to do what any Nigerian had never done before: I wanted to do nuclear [business]. But the United States was too secretive and the Americans wouldn’t let me. So, I went into satellite. I build ground stations to track satellite in space. Here is my complimentary card (hands interviewer his business card).

How rich is General Alabi Isama?

A lot, as if you don’t know. Are we talking of billions or trillions? But that is nothing, compared to what God has given me - good health, good looks and peace of mind.

When you mention my name to anyone, they won’t say that I was an idiot or that I destroyed their family. Nobody will tell you that.

As a war veteran, what advice would you give the Chief of Army Staff to defeat Boko Haram?

Things went wrong from the very beginning. Jomo Kenyatta, who was the leader of Kenya, led the Mau Mau against the British. With the number of British killed, they didn’t kill him, and they put him in jail. If the British were winning, he would have rotten in jail but when they were losing, they brought him out to negotiate with him. Today, Kenya is peaceful. What happened in Nigeria is that they killed the leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf and now, they have no leader. Who are you going to negotiate with? You see the way these people carry weapons, an ordinary civilian recruited in the street cannot carry a weapon like that. These are well trained people. So, what the Chief of Army Staff needs to do is to listen to them. Any sect member he captures, he should listen to them. In the army, there is what we call center of gravity. It is when you hold somebody and he surrenders to you. A place or town

like Gwazo or Sambisa is not centre of gravity. There is no town that is a centre of gravity to a terrorist because he has the initiative. He can strike anywhere but the army is also doing so well. They have taken over the places that Boko Haram members captured before. Now, the soldiers should go to their centre of gravity, which is their logistic base for their fuel, funding, and where the bombs are made. The intelligence of the police should be everywhere in the place.

They should find out who is making the bombs, what they use to make them. They should go to the markets. They were feeding 250 girls that were taken from Chibok. How did they feed them? Feeding is very important to them. If there is no more food, no more money or water coming to them, no more ammunition coming to them, it will go a long way in capturing them all. When I came back to Ni-

geria in February, there was no single petrol in the whole of Ilorin but Boko Haram’s vehicles were moving. How did they get fuel? How did they get the vehicles? Who owns the vehicles? Were the vehicles numbered? If they were not numbered, the ones they intercepted, didn’t they have chassis numbers?

Are these chassis not at the registration office? That is when you will know who sold the vehicles to them. This is the time to chase the logistic base. This is no more time for killing anybody. You can do the two but listen more. I would advise the army to get the intelligence of the police into the place and get forensic experts into the team and chase the sect’s logistic base. They should close all the markets. At least, they have closed schools since all these days. They should close all the mosques and churches for three months.

What is the way forward for Nigeria?

First, whoever wants to be president of this country must first go for a psychiatric evaluation to see if he is mentally capable of handling the problems of this country. We are lucky to have the richest man in Africa among us but his people are the poorest in Africa. We are still importing rice and groundnut. What is it that we produce in Nigeria these days? This country will not take off with sharing the money.

35

17 October, 2015

outofthisworld

Saturday Tribune With femi osinusi

osfem2@yahoo.com 08055069292

Bridges people cross with their hearts in their mouths

I

f one is afraid of height, surely one is not expected to be near these bridges. These are bridges that could scare even the boldest explorer and tourists because any slight mistake will certainly lead to instant fatalities.

Some of these deadly and very high bridges, according to scoopnet.com are as high as 9,125 feet above the ground and, strangely, some of them are made of just planks or tiny pieces of woods.

Certainly, only people with brave hearts will go near these bridges!

Bridge at Al-Petri region in Crimea, Ukraine

Stomach-jolting bridge on Mount Hua, China Bridge at Daedunsan Park, South Korea

A ‘bridge’ on the Hunza River, Pakistan

A ‘bridge’ on a river in Vietnam Devil’s Bridge, Arizona, US

36

17 October, 2015

weekend cartoons

Saturday Tribune

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

Just a Laffing Mata

Bloo d of Jesus

FUNOLOGY

POLITICO

SEGELUULU and his friends in primary three were being taught about blood group. Their teacher taught them about O positive which is a free donor, AB positive, AB negative and so on.

Suddenly, Segeluulu raised his hand. ‘Auntie, I know the blood group of Jesus. The blood group of Jesus is O group.’ When the auntie asked him why, he simply answered: ‘Because of a popular song we always sing in our church and the song is O the blood of Jesus, O the blood of Jesus, that washes white as snow. So, the blood group of Jesus is O.

God’s M at hemat ics

ONE Saturday, Segeluulu went to a wedding ceremony and he heard the pastor say that God was always correct, never failed and can never fail. ‘One plus one is equal to one in God’s mathematics,’ the pastor said. So, anytime the boy came across 1+1 in his school mathematics, he will always write answer as 1.

One day, his teacher asked him the following questions.

Teacher: Why is it that you always give the wrong answer for 1+1?

Segeluulu: Sir, it’s not a wrong answer. God never fails.

Teacher: How? …Why? Segeluulu: Because the answer I have been writing was the answer provided by God. Teacher: Where or when did God give you such answer?

Segeluulu: The pastor told us at a wedding ceremony that God never fails and that 1+1=1 with God. I have started copying God.

Nollywood actors still at war over AGN leadership

37 interview

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

What I knew about the Murtala coup —Major-General Haruna Major-General Ibrahim Bata Malgwi Haruna (retd) was the Federal Commissioner for Information and Culture between 1975 and 1977. Under him, Nigeria organised the Festival of Black African Arts and Culture (FESTAC), held in Lagos, in 1977. He was retired immediately after the FESTAC at the age of 36. In this interview, Gen. Haruna tells AYODELE ADESANMI how he learned of his retirement on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) , how he studied law thereafter and then opened a law firm, among other things.

W

HAT motivated you to join the military so early in your life?

I joined the military because of the progress being made by Nigeria towards attaining independence. It was then suggested that children of about 14 years of age born by war veterans should be recruited and trained towards providing the necessary leadership in the military immediately after gaining independence. Thirty boys, born by ex-soldiers who served in the British Army during World War II, were recruited.

Those recruited then were the first set at the Boys Company, which is now Military School, Zaria, Kaduna State. The school was opened on 26th May, 1964 and luckily for me, I was a son of a retired soldier, who later became a police officer.

One can say that I started my career as a soldier in 1954 at the Boys Company. I was trained in Ghana with other cadets from Sierra Leone and other countries.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu and Brigadier-General Benjamin Adekunle were in Ghana before our set. We heard of their names when we got there. I was later trained at Sandhurst [London] with others for two years. I became a combatant officer after the training. My mates at the Military School, Zaria, are Ebije Ikwe, an ldoma from Benue State; Musa Usman, who was a one-time governor of North Eastern State; Okpo Isong, Labinjo, who was a fabulous footballer from Lagos, among other colleagues, who have passed on. My other mates in another military training school which I attended later are Murtala Mohammed, Onuwatuegwu, David and Donatus Okafor and Mohammed Shuwa, who was later appointed federal commissioner, and others.

I was also the Federal Commissioner for Information and Culture between 1975 and 1977, during which time we established the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and also coordinated all performances and presentations made by Nigeria at FESTAC ‘77.

My responsibilities in the army started as a Provision Control and Accounts Officer of the Base Ordnance Depot, Yaba, Lagos. It used to be called Clifford Street, but it is now Murtala Mohammed Way. I also commanded ordnance unit at Abalti Barracks, very close to where Fela AnikulapoKuti had his shrine. I later became the commander of the base ordnance depot, as Chief Ordinance Officer. I became One Mechanised Division of the Army Royal Commander, Lagos Garrison and Royal Commander to Marine Commando, Quarter Master General, Principal Staff Officer, Supreme Headquarters under General Ekpo, who was then the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters.

During the civil war, I became the General Officer Commanding, Second Division, which was based in Onitsha, but with territorial command up to Benin, Warri, Asaba and its environs. It was when I was the General Officer Commanding, One Division from 1973 to 1975 that the Murtala Mohammed regime came and appointed me the Federal Commissioner for Information and Culture.

During this period, I attended [the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation] UNESCO conferences on culture in Accra, Ghana and in Paris, France. I equally attended non-aligned nation conference in New Delhi, India and later, we hosted the [Festival of Black African Arts and Culture] FESTAC in Lagos.

Which of these appointments was the most taxing?

It was the civil war appointment as commander of the Second Division, because as of the time I was posted there, the success of General Murtala Mohammed in taking over Onitsha and surroundings was so swift because he had an unconventional formation. Although Onitsha and environs had been taken over by federal troops, his line of logistics,

I don’t know what you mean by being aware - as if I was part and parcel of the coup. I was informed at the last minute and I suppose other key commanders were informed on the verge of the zero hour.

command and control and the coherence of the various units under their unit commander had not been settled.

That made identity of the personnel very difficult and when I was posted to take over the command, General Gibson Jalo, in acting capacity, was the General Officer Commanding.

He became my second-in-command after I took over as the GOC. The task then was daunting because we had to organise the unit for better communication, identification, command and control, posting and administration. It was a daunting task because on one side towards the Warri end, the Third Marine Commando under Benjamin Adekunle was having operational control but Mid-West up to Onitsha, which was titled Two Division, did not have this coherent organisation, identity and communication change. While we were holding the front, we also had to organise the whole formation and properly establish the unit. Equally, we had to properly organise the training

department because those who were recruited in the heat of the war were not organised or trained.

Did you participate in the coup that threw up Murtala Mohammed as the head of government which later appointed you as the federal commissioner?

I was not prominent in the coup that brought Murtala Mohammed into government. The federal commissioner was just an appointment after the coup. During the coup, I was the General Officer Commanding, One Division and, you know, the division was a prominent and foremost division in the Nigerian Army. There were many strong units under it like the Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigerian Military School, Nigerian Military Training College, among others. As the GOC, I had a prominent command and it Continues pg40

38

politics&policy

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune With Saheed Salawu

0811 695 4643

yinkadejavu@yahoo.com

It will be a big mistake to join Buhari’s cabinet with the usual attitude —TUC president, Kaigama The National President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, in this interview with SYLVANUS VIASHIMA, speaks on some critical national issues. Excerpts:

D

O you think the persons that made the President’s ministrial list can deliver?

In Nigeria, the leader is usually seen as the arrowhead. If the leader is steadfast, if he has integrity and is focused, definitely, the followers would follow suit. [President Muhammadu] Buhari and his deputy have declared their assets publicly. That is to show every Nigerian that the issue of zero tolerance for corruption is a top priority of this administration.

Besides, we have seen how his body language alone has restored sanity in the power sector, in oil and gas and security. These are glaring cases. The security forces, for instance, have stepped up their operations in the NorthEast since the assumption of office of Mr President. We expect that this trend will be sustained.

The minister-nominees are all people with track records of achievements in their various fields. So, we are sure that this time around, they will not only bring their wealth of experience to bear but they will also be guided by the fact that it will not be business as usual. The era of doing things anyhow is clearly over. The president is very meticulous.

From our experience with him so far, he doesn’t just take anything at face value; he takes his time to read between the lines. So, if any of the ministers thinks it is going to be business as usual, they may as well forget about joining the executive council at all. It will be a grievous mistake.

What is your take on the recent arrest of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke?

Well, as Nigerians, we can’t say we didn’t see it coming. It is just important that we give account of stewardship. She is called to account for her stewardship as the petroleum minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We are aware that oil and gas remain the main sustainers of the economy, so, any government that comes on board and wants to take governance seriously must ask questions and the number one place to look at is obviously the petroleum ministry. We were aware of the shoddy deals that went on in the ministry - billions of dollars unaccounted for, outrageous amounts wasted on extravagant lifestyle to the detriment of the economy - and many other issues that no serious government could turn a blind eye to. So, I think it is a good move and an opportunity for her to account for her stewardship during her headship of the ministry.

But some people have accused the president of being selective in his fight against corruption...

Well, I can’t say they are wrong altogether. The truth is that, there must be a starting point. You must start from the flashpoints. And when you talk about the revenue of this country, the first port of call is the petroleum ministry, before you look at the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Inland Revenue Service and others. Then, you look at the issue of due process compliance. You must start from somewhere. You cannot carry everything at the same time.

That is not possible. The controversies around the [Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation] NNPC with regard to non-remittance of revenue to the federation account and other illegal deals have made it imperative for the government to beam the searchlight on the corporation.

How do you see the decision of the president to man the petroleum ministry himself?

It is not out of place for the president to want to man the ministry himself. We have witnessed it before. What we are

We are aware that oil and gas remain the main sustainers of the economy, so, any government that comes on board and wants to take governance seriously must ask questions and the number one place to look at is obviously the petroleum ministry. We were aware of the shoddy deals that went on in the ministry. saying is that, this should translate to benefits for Nigerians. This should mean blocking of leakages that have been used to siphon our common wealth over the years. So long

as it means proper accountability and better utilisation of the resources that are derived from the ministry, there is no problem. We don’t have a problem with that.

The Federal Government came up with the idea of bailout funds to settle outstanding salaries of workers but most states have not been able to access the funds...

Well, the issue of bailout should not just be for the states in the first place. There are Federal Government agencies and parastatals that have backlogs of outstanding payContinues pg39

39 interview

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

‘Why some states have been unable to get FG’s bailout funds’ beyond our knowledge otherwise there is the need for a rethink.

What plans do you have for TUC members’ welfare?

It is unfortunate that rules take a lot of time to be fully implemented in Nigeria otherwise we have the National Health Insurance Scheme that should be enjoyed by everyone now, including those at the grassroots. Unfortunately, that is not the case yet. Some states have keyed into this already but the majority of states have not. We hope that when states key into this, the health challenges of our people would have been addressed greatly.

In terms of housing, there are two estate projects going on in Abuja at the moment, one around Apo and the other along Airport Road. We are looking at over 10,000 housing units being developed solely by the TUC for the workers.

We also have similar projects executed in collaboration with our sister organisation, the NLC, close to Apo Mechanic workshop.

In Taraba State, the MOU we signed with the Federal Mortgage Bank has resulted in the housing units at Sunkanni Road. Some of the houses have been completed and some of our TUC members will soon be allocated the units while the second phase is ongoing. We also have similar housing units in Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, and Katsina states.

It is a project we will do throughout the country, in conjunction with the Federal Mortgage Bank.

The Federal Mortgage Bank has also introduced some kind of cash loans to our members in the insurgencyravaged areas of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states and we will start disbursing these loans in Yola [Adamawa] soon.

We also have a similar arrangement in Katsina [State] where cash will be disbursed to our members.

We have also been able to develop our transport company and it is doing well but, of course, you know that unless you go into interstate transport business, you are not likely to make any profit. For now, it is more like a social service to alleviate the transport challenges of our members in major cities like Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.

We are also working with the Federal Government to ensure that the issues of casualisation, contract staffing and other unfair labour practices at workplaces are addressed. The welfare of the Nigerian worker is our overriding concern at TUC. Continued from pg38

ments in pensions and gratuities, allowances and others.

We expect these bailout funds to address these issues.

When it comes to accessing the funds, we all know that there is a procedure to be followed and those states that were able to meet the basic requirements in time have started collecting the funds. The problem now is with states that are slow or unable to do the needful. It is basically about being proactive enough to meet the template for accessing the funds.

What is the TUC doing about the need for a review of wages of workers in view of the current economic reality in the country?

The issue of salary review is apt. Salary review is supposed to be done every five years and that is already due. Usually, there is a tripartite committee comprising the Federal Government, the organised labour and the employers of labour to discuss and come up with the minimum wage for workers. This is done through a rigorous process and then a figure that is acceptable to all is arrived at, just like it was done in the last instance. Then, the conclusion is forwarded to the National Assembly for final approval and then it becomes a binding document.

So, the review is not only apt, but the inflationary trends in the country have also called for it to ensure that Nigerian workers meet up with the current economic realities. Already, the organised labour is putting in place a committee that will collate the submission of all our affiliate bodies preparatory to negotiations with the Federal Government and the 36 states.

Won’t the division in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) affect this move?

There is absolutely no acrimony in the NLC now. The parties that have been in dispute have resolved their differences and the NLC is one, indivisible union working for the common good of the members and the entire Nigerian

populace. There is no problem with the NLC. The Taraba State governor just appointed over 130 aides, what is your take on this development as a stakeholder?

Well, considering the wealth of experience of Governor Darius Ishaku, I don’t know what to say. I believe he has his reasons. But irrespective of the reasons, I would choose integrity, good governance and purposeful leadership rather than be pushed around by politicians. At the end of the day, the resources that he would have used to develop the state would have been plunged into paying overhead.

It makes no economic sense. We hope that in his wisdom, he is expecting an increase in revenue somewhere that is

At the end of the day, the resources that he would have used to develop the state would have been plunged into paying overhead. It makes no economic sense. We hope that, in his wisdom, he is expecting an increase in revenue somewhere that is beyond our knowledge otherwise there is the need for a rethink.

The process of obtaining Certificate of Occupancy is cumbersome and it is a requisite demand for a mortgage facility. What is the union doing to address this?

Well, that usually becomes an issue when the individual member wants to develop their personal property. Here, we can only appeal that the state governments make the process less tedious so that members will easily access their Certificate of Occupancy. However, what we usually do is to acquire an expanse of land and develop it for our members so that they just move in and commence the process of payment in line with the Federal Mortgage Bank specifications.

The organised labour recently picketed some companies. What was the rationale behind that and what is the outcome of the exercise?

You see, most of the multinational companies, particularly Chinese and telecom operators, don’t allow organised labour union to incorporate their employees. So, we have to take the due process to approach the managements.

Apart from the companies not being labour-friendly, they also maltreat their employees. They don’t take care of their welfare and care little about work place safety regulations.

So, as soon as we get complaints on some of these places, we picketed them to ensure that the right thing is done.

And we are also aware of the casualisation in the banking sector and the ban by some banks on their members from any form of unionism.

We are aware that some banks will make their prospective employees to sign that they will never join any trade union as part of the criteria before they are given jobs. This is against labour laws in the country. It is against international labour conventions.

We are looking at a situation where the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Labour, address the issue of lip service to enforcing labour laws in the country. That is the only civil way to address these issues - short of labour actions.

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‘Obasanjo and I were very jolly friends, but now it’s a different story’ any policy that meets its objective.

So, that was it. And I was not in a position to ask for the reason inasmuch as a decision had been taken. Fortunately, I was not the only one involved; we were three in number. General John Obada, who was the commissioner for works, was retired and there was also General Olutoye, who was then the commissioner for external affairs. The policy for the government then was that all the Generals with political appointments would retire in 1979 but the three of us were retired in 1977.

Continued from pg37

had many important military establishments which were deemed to be under the administration and internal security management. You can say I was prominent in that context but not in the context of the coup or in the context of the administration. After the success of the coup, I just had an appointment as an army officer in a ministry, just like others.

Were you aware of the coup?

I don’t know what you mean by being aware - as if I was part and parcel of the coup. I was informed at the last minute and I suppose other key commanders were informed on the verge of the zero hour.

Looking back now, would you say the coup was justified?

A coup is not a justified operation. Even Murtala Mohammed did not plan the coup, from what we heard. He might have been wielding concentration, just like the GOC would be wielding concentration on how he may react, but it is not a standard operational order that you have standard plan to countermand a coup or be a party to it.

But you were given a federal appointment just after the coup…

My appointment was not a reward for being a coup planner. It was just part of normal distribution of power within the military to enable it to perform governance as it intended.

How do you see your activities as the one in charge of information and culture between 1975 and 1977?

The activities of the ministry were determined by the Supreme Military Council and its policies. My role as the overseer of the affairs of the ministry was just to define the execution of those policies and present suitable memo on operational modalities. I had an executive role which required the management of those policies. However, it was during that time the government policy to host the FESTAC came up. It was also the government policy to consolidate the Daily Times and New Nigeria newspapers into the government fold came. It was then the government policy to consolidate all the existing television stations into the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was formulated.

It was then that the government policy to establish the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) came. There were other policies then that affected cinema, television, among others, which I successfully carried out. However, under me, we successfully hosted the FESTAC ‘77 and part of the fallout is what we have today as Nollywood, filmmaking and considerable development in our dramatisation of our cultural manifestation in dressing and presentation. We also had the establishment of Film College and Training School in Jos, Plateau State. That period, to me, was a great success as the ministry had inherited very good foundation and leadership from people like Anthony Enahoro and Chief Edwin Clark, whom I succeeded as federal commissioner. The ministry performed well, particularly in putting Nigeria on the international information level and consolidating cultural information representative in the various embassies abroad.

Which of the governments agreed to host the FESTAC? It came about from the previous government’s policy.

The commitment had been undertaken right from General Yakubu Gowon’s regime at the time Chief Enahoro was the commissioner for information and culture. He was the main mover and motivator of Nigeria’s hosting of an intellectual forum for black and Africans all over the world to promote black identity and acknowledge their participation and contribution to world culture and intellectual performance. As the minister, the hosting was under my ministry. You will recall that Commander O. P. Fingesi did not head any ministry but he headed the international department of FESTAC and he coordinated with various international nations that intended to come and participate and he had to coordinate those agencies, their government and also coordinate with Nigerians on how we were going to receive the international participants and ensure their welfare, administration, security, transportation, programming, among others. The staging in itself, which brought Nigeria as a participant, made

I don’t have to join [politics] as my poverty has not moved me to the point of looking for soft landing to maintain my welfare. As long as I survive and remain independent and focused on the objectives of the Nigeria I participated in defending and for which, under my command, many innocent Nigerians who believed in Nigeria lost their lives, I will not join any political party.

Fingesi the coordinator of overall staging of FESTAC. My own concern as the Nigerian chairman was how Nigeria, alongside other countries, would participate in the programme and what our input would be and our domestic administration like providing FESTAC village to camp the Nigerian participants and others How did you receive the news of your retirement just after the hosting of the FESTAC without allowing you to tidy up your table?

The reason for the sudden retirement, I don’t know.

I heard the news on NTA. There was no option for me at that moment but to pack my belongings and go. You know, it was not a regime that you could sue for unlawful termination of service. I beg of you, let us forget about it. But it happened at the age of 36. However, it was the culture of the military as the regime could choose

How did you feel hearing about your retirement on the television - at the age of 36?

How do you feel when you are on the pitch playing football and you don’t seem to be playing badly but the technical adviser withdraws you at half time and puts someone else? It is a game and life must go on.

Obasanjo and I were friends. When I was the General Officer Commanding, Second Mechanised Division, Obasanjo was the General Officer, Ibadan Area Command and the Royal Commander to Second Division.

Our relationship was cordial.

The day I was in his house, I was well received and we ate amala together. Obasanjo was very good in ayo olopon. He was an expert in the game. When he was the Chief of Staff at Dodan Barracks, we used to play squash together.

He was very strong and skilful but anytime we played together, I used my height to spread the ball in order to discomfort him. But the game changer came and things could not go on the way they used to between us. It is rather unfortunate, but life goes on.

How was life immediately after retirement?

I ‘repatriated’ myself from Lagos to Kaduna and tried to find gainful activities like farming and golfing in order to maintain my health. Later, I went to the Ahmadu Bello University to study law. I was retired in March 1977 and by September of the same year, I was already a student. After graduation, I went to the Law School in Lagos, in 1981, and was called to the Bar. My farming activities then became relegated and my primary engagement became the law practice. I opened a law firm in Kaduna and subsequently in Lagos. The office grew and then shrank because of the economic and social environment. I still have an office but it is more of a consultancy.

Why are you not into politics like most of your colleagues?

I am not a practising politician but I have my own in-built institutional politics which I choose to play, depending on my disposition. However, I play the politics of the preservation of Nigeria’s sovereignty and balancing the acts of political parties so that we can find a sustainable path of development towards democracy and attaining freedom for the common man and liberty and equality before the law. Political parties have not attracted me because I am very critical of their formation, funding, internal management and their prospect of holding the Nigerian state on sustainable unity in diversity and about good things we say we want for the country. I don’t have to join [politics] as my poverty has not moved me to the point of looking for soft landing to maintain my welfare. As long as I survive and remain independent and focused on the objectives of the Nigeria I participated in defending and for which, under my command, many innocent Nigerians who believed in Nigeria lost their lives, I will not join any political party, but that does not mean l have no politics.

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17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Tension builds in Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta

‘If the amnesty ends I don’t know what will happen’

A petrol attendant sits on a floating fuel station on the banks of the Nun River on the outskirts of the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, in Nigeria’s delta region.

By Ulf Laessing (Reuters)

E

NJOYING a chilled cider in a hotel pool bar, former Nigerian militant leader Ebi John has a simple message for President Muhammadu Buhari - keep paying my men or risk a new insurgency in the Niger Delta.

Tensions have been building in the southern swampland since Buhari said in his inauguration speech in May that he wanted to “streamline” an amnesty, that included stipend payments, agreed in 2009 with militants who were fighting for a greater share of oil revenues and hampering output in Africa’s biggest producer.

Buhari’s spokesman Femi Adesina told Reuters the president wanted to continue the amnesty “as long as necessary” though it was not a long-term answer to the region’s problems.

But as details remain unclear, uncertainty has fueled speculation that when the amnesty’s original term ends in December, Buhari could halt or cut the benefits given to 30,000 youths and former militants aimed at discouraging them from blowing up pipelines or kidnapping oil workers.

Buhari’s comments also reinforced suspicions in some quarters that his home region, the mainly Muslim north, wants to exploit the Christian and relatively neglected south that generates 70 percent of state income.

“My people are suffering. We drink from the river where we also wash and defecate,” Ebi said, sitting in a bar next to a swimming pool in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa state, home to major oil fields.

“If the government does not meet our demands we will take control of our resources. We will manage our own oil,” Ebi said, prompting nods from other ex-militant leaders who, like him, call themselves “general”.

The amnesty for the Christian militants, who wanted a greater share of oil revenues and to end what they call the region’s historic marginalisation, was implemented

by Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, a Delta Christian.

The Delta’s town and cities have been quiet but in the mangrove swamps where most oil wells are located,

kidnappings and armed robberies have recently gone up, according to Delta residents.

Gunmen attacked a Shell oilfield recently and it had to shut a major pipeline in August to stop oil theft.

“Sea piracy and armed robberies are on the rise,” said environmental activist Alagoa Morris. “I am an indigenous person but I am afraid to go to the creeks. They rape, kill and maim.”

Under the amnesty, worth an estimated $300 million annually, thousands of men have received job training but those who have finished courses have struggled to land jobs in an oil industry that mainly hires highly skilled workers.

Instead, the main benefits have been lucrative contracts to secure pipelines, and a monthly 65,000 naira ($330) cash handout that has allowed them to leave the mosquito-infested creeks and settle in cities such as Yenagoa or Port Harcourt.

Many have started families, and fear losing their main source of income.

“I have three kids. I pay N35,000 for each of them for the kindergarten per term,” said Samuel Epitari, another general sitting at a table packed with beer bottles.

In the heyday of the “oil business”, Epitari added, he made N500,000 a month, and would not hesitate to take up arms again if Buhari turns off the money taps.

“We will go back to our struggle,” he said, adding that some groups had started recruiting again.

Right from the time she was elected, she has not done anything for our community. There is nothing here, you can see for yourself. No water, no light, no road.

Corruption In the March election, Delta voters backed Jonathan, their local “son”, and largely kept their cool when he conceded.

But handouts to the youths and former militants have not been paid for three months, according to “Ex-General Pastor” Reuben Wilson who warned in a statement of “catastrophic consequences” should the amnesty end.

The region gets an extra 13 percent from state revenues but corruption has stunted development in the Delta relative to the rest of Nigeria.

A new airport and new hospital never materialised in Yenagoa, where street vendors sell fried snails next to garbage piles. Life in the creeks, where basic services are almost non-existent, are even tougher.

In Yenaka, just a few miles outside Yenagoa by boat - there is no tarmac road or bridge - villagers and crew have to raise their hands as they pass a maritime checkpoint because police are so wary of getting ambushed.

On the jetty, women wash their hair in the river as there is no running water while young men doze on plastic chairs, trying to escape the heat inside their single-storey buildings.

Yenaka is home to the family of Diezani Alison-Madueke, Jonathan’s oil minister who is now being investigated by anti-corruption police in Britain.

She has denied any wrongdoing but villagers see her as typifying an elite that has failed to drag Africa’s most populous nation out of poverty.

“Right from the time she was elected she has not done anything for our community,” said Oguta Douglas, the deputy community leader, sitting on a traditional throne in his modest house. “There is nothing here, you can see for yourself. No water, no light, no road.”

The oil firms have tried to win over villages by bringing roads and water but community leaders say the projects are too little and poorly conceived - for instance setting up diesel generators that residents cannot afford to run.

“The oil companies are only interested in scooping out the oil and leave the impact to us,” said Obunagha community elder Tari Dadiowei. “If the amnesty ends I don’t know what will happen.”

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17 October, 2015

motoring

Saturday Tribune With Seyi Gesinde seyigesinde@yahoo.com 08116954632

Kia on Interbrand’s 2015 list of 100 best global brands

K

ia Motors has been named among top brands in the international brand consultancy Interbrand’s 2015 list of 100 Best Global Brands.

Placed on number 74, Kia is enlisted for the fourth consecutive year, having demonstrated strong performance as a global brand, making Interbrand’s exclusive list for Best Global Brand .

The ranking agency said despite the unfavourable economic environment of the past year, the automaker has sustained a brand value increase of 5 per cent, growing to an estimated value of $5.7 billion. This value is an outstanding 530 per cent growth since 2007.

Interbrand attributes this remarkable growth to Kia’s dedication towards “excellent design, high quality and innovative brand management

in the global markets.” Kia has also earned a number of other accolades this year.

Earlier this year, we were

honored with number 1 position among mass market brands inJ.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study (IQS), while

the Soul EV, our first globally sold electronic vehicle, was crowned Car of the Year in Norway and Best Eco-Friendly

Nissan equips Patrol Y62 with B6+armoring to avert ballistic threats

Stallion NMN, the authorised Nissan sales company and owners of the Nissan vehicle assembly facility in Lagos, last week unveiled the first ever locally armoured premium sport utility vehicle equipped to certify level B6+ CEN armouring.

The redesigned 5.6litre V8 Nissan Patrol SUV is armoured in collaboration with foreign experts to certify B6 armouring to protect cabin occupants from ballistic threats up to the 7.62x51mm NATO ammu-

nition as well as explosives up to 2x DM51 hand grenades.

Stallion NMN Limited Managing Director Parvir Singh who gave this hint in Lagos said: “the Nissan armoured Patrol Y62 series is an emerging global leader in discreet armoured vehicles and ideal base unit for diplomatic, humanitarian aid and international organisations operating in harsh terrain and dangerous region throughout the world.”

This adaptation of the

Patrol brings to four the numbers of Nissan models that were assembled locally at the multipurpose VON Automobile plant including Nissan Patrol, NP300 Pickup and Almera sedan, Mr. Singh affirmed.

He said Nissan’s performance since 2013, when it was re-inaugurated with the Stallion dealership has been remarkably appealing with key milestones achieved.

“We have so far launched seven Nissan models including Almera, Sentra, Altima, Urvan, Pathfind-

er, X-Trail and Quashqai crossover vehicles,” Stallion NMN helmsman recalled.

In his presentation, Stallion NMN Limited head of sales and marketing Amit Sharma described the redesigned Nissan Patrol Y62 series as unprecedented amongst discreet armoured vehicles with inconspicuous exterior appearance that looks like normal vehicle with completely OEM interior upholstery and storage area built to accommodate full seating capacity.

Vehicle via MotorWeek’s 2015 Drivers’ Choice Awards.

Kia said “we are incredibly grateful for the recognition

and will strive to strengthen the brand by providing global fans with innovative products and value-added service.”

VW responds to diesel scandal, says ‘the future is electric’ Volkswagen’s board has finally started to answer some of those swirling questions about its diesel scandal which now affects 11 million cars.

VW’s US boss testifying to the United States Congress, blamed a few rogue software engineers for the scandal All the while, questions have raged about VW Group’s future: which projects are safe, which ones are on the chopping block, and how exactly will the company recover from this?

VW Group sells more cars around the world than any of its rivals, overtaking Toyota earlier in the year and almost three quarters of the company is owned by the Porsche family and the government of Lower Saxony.

At the same time, intentionally cheating on federal emissions regulations is going to seriously impact VW’s bottom line.

Estimates of up to £26 billion in liability are being thrown around after taking a number of pending lawsuits into account.

For starters, there’s going to be much more emphasis on electrification. Electric

vehicles and hybrids have played more of a bit part at VW, compared to Toyota, GM, and domestic rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

That’s going to change with a standard electric architecture that can be used across multiple vehicles and brands.

The company is acknowledging reality and will only sell diesel powertrains with emissions-reducing exhaust treatments.

Selective catalytic reduction and urea injection had previously been reserved for the group’s larger V6 diesels, which are sold in more expensive cars.

VW’s flagship has never been a sales success, the Bentley Continental that shared a lot with the previous Phaeton and was built in far greater numbers.

There’s also no news about VW Group’s motorsport programs. Audi’s legendary Le Mans has been intimately associated with diesel since 2006, and right now the team’s stiffest competition comes from stablemate (and deadly rival) Porsche, which uses a gasoline hybrid.

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Saturday Tribune

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08053789060

Team support restored my confidence

IGP rewards Durodola, six others with promotion Chris Agbambu And Adetola Bademosi - Abuja

THE Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase has warned athletes in the Nigeria Police to steer clear drug abuse and performance enhancers that may discredit them from performing their sporting activities.

This is even as he assured seven outstanding Police sportsmen and women of accelerated promotion to their next rank.

Arase gave the warning in Abuja during the presentation of commendation letters to outstanding police sportsmen and women in recognition of their achievements.

He said sport officers should instead, concentrate on consistent training and hardwork to enable them to achieve their goals.

The IGP who was represented by DIG, Force Finance administration, Dan Azumi, also promised to support the sport team with training kits and other logistics, which will enable them to perform effectively.

Consequently, the IGP has also vowed to ensure that the number four WBC Cruiserweight contender and Olympian, PC Olarenwaju Durodola of Lagos State command is given double promotion.

—Efe Ambrose

N

Durodola

CHAN qualifier: Nigeria banks

was boosted by the way in which the rest of the Celtic dressing-room has rallied round him.

“It’s not easy but as a player, sometimes you find yourself in these situations,” he said.

“It can happen to any player. It was a gift for them but the most important thing was that the management, the players all stood by me because they knew that these things can happen in football.

“When you know the team’s behind you, it does pick you up, so for them to stand by me was very important and I really appreciate it.

on Chikatara for goals NIGERIA will be counting on late call-up Chisom Chikatara aka ‘Kolanut boy’ to get the goals that will sink visiting Burkina Faso in Saturday’s CHAN qualifier in Port Harcourt.

Abia Warriors star Chikatara has scored four goals in two test matches to further underline his red-hot

NFF verdict promotes Adamawa ahead Plateau Utd ADAMAWA United will now be promoted to the Nigeria premier league ahead of Plateau United after the NFF organising committee awarded Plateau’s last game to their opponents Spotlight.

Plateau are expected to appeal this decision within 48 hours, officials informed.

The disciplinary and organising committee decided Thursday that because of the delayed kick-off of the final match between Spotlight and Plateau United

IGER I A intern a tional Efe Ambrose has revealed his confidence was restored by the support he received from Celtic after his errors in a UEFA Champions League game against Fenerbahce cost his team two points.

The former FC Ashdod of Israel defender told the Celtic website that his team-mates and the management were there for him after the Fenerbahce game.

Understandably disappointed and dejected after the game, Ambrose said he

in Katsina, the match has been awarded to Spotlight.

Adamawa thus finished top of their group with 29 points, while Plateau recorded 26 points.

Precedence was set in the 2011/12 season, when Adamawa lost out on promotion to FC Taraba because their final match also started late.

This decision also means Spotlight stayed up and Kogi United and Yobe Desert Stars have been relegated to the amateur league.

form in front of goal this season.

The skillful forward has also netted 14 goals in the league this season.

“I want to continue the good work I have been doing since I joined the training camp,” said Chikatara as he looks forward to his international debut.

‘Kolanut boy’ was called up to the Eagles training camp because Wikki Tourists striker Godwin Obaje opted to attend trials overseas.

Eagles assistant coach Salisu Yusuf, who will call the shots from the sidelines on Saturday in the absence of ailing Sunday Oliseh, said the Abia Warriors star has proved an inspired call-up.

“Chikatara has so far justified his high rating with his goals and overall performance in training camp,” remarked Yusuf.

“He has scored four goals in two test matches and ought to have scored even more goals but his com-

posure failed him when it mattered most.”

The goals of the 20-yearold forward first propelled Abia Warriors to the Nigeria top-flight league two seasons ago.

And in his debut season in the premier league, he fired double-digit number of goals to earn him a trial in Switzerland.

A top Abia Warriors official disclosed the player’s move to Europe eventually fell through because he was offered a poor contract.

Ambrose

Allen savours Sharks win Sharks FC coach, Festus Allen has praised his players after they beat title chasers Wikki Tourists to stay clear of the drop zone.

On Sunday, Sharks beat Wikki 2-0 in a Week 33 game of the Globacom Premier League in Port Harcourt to have 39 points from 33 games, four points outside the relegation zone.

Midfielder Afeez Aremu was outstanding as he opened scoring in the third minute and was fouled for the penalty that Christian Pyagbara scored for the second goal in the 23rd minute.

Allen told AfricanFootball.com it was not an easy game against Wikki.

“I give God the glory. I

also give kudos to my players for their wonderful performance in the game, Wikki were no pushovers, they’re a good side,” Allen, a former Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) sweat merchant said.

They Blue Angels are away to Heartland on Sunday in a match day 34 game at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

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photo

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

25TH ANnIVERSary and harvest thanksOyo SWAN election: giving service of cherubim & seraphim Members pass vote-of-no-confidence movement church (ayo ni o) sURULERE on national secretary duct any activity of the state President of NUJ, Comrade DISTRICT, onikoko, abeokuta, ogun state. B N A chapter.

Waheed Odusile, mediated y

urudeen

F

1

2

3

limi

OLLOWING gross inadequacies that marred the scheduled election of the Oyo State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), and its eventual postponement on Friday last week, members of the association have passed a vote-of-no-confidence on the national secretary of the association, Mr Andrew Abah, for his role in the botched election.

This was conveyed through a communique issued on Wednesday and signed by no fewer than 35 members, a copy of which was made available to Tribunesport.

The aggrieved members accused Abah of degrading the exalted position of the national secretary by playing a major role in the doctoring of the list meant for the conduct of the poll.

The statement reads: “Following the botched election of Oyo State branch of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Friday, October 9, 2015, scheduled for the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, we, the aggrieved members of the Association, reviewed the election and the ignoble roles played by some key actors and concluded as follows: “Members of the Oyo State SWAN no longer have confidence in the National Secretary of the association, Mr Andrew Abah, following his role in the crisis that led to the postponement of the election.

“Mr Andrew Abah cannot represent the national SWAN in Oyo State again to either supervise or con-

“Since his arrival in the state, Mr Andrew Abah had shown his compromise by holding a meeting with the chairman of Oyo SWAN, Mr Ajayi-Obe and a few other members of the executive, who like Ajayi Obe, are contesting in the election. The voters’ list was badly altered and only friends and cronies of Ajayi Obe were on the list.

As a matter of fact, names of known sports writers in the state were missing on the list.

“The reason given was that only those who have submitted their membership forms were considered.

But after reviewing the list, it was discovered that there were many strange names of people who have never written a line of sport story while well known sport writers were omitted. It was also discovered that more than half of the names on the list have no media organisations they represent.”

“On the day of election, Friday, October 9, when the election was supposed to commence by 10am, Mr Andrew Abah only arrived at the venue of the event at 2.30pm.

“The electorate, including the members of the electoral committee only had access to the electoral list a few minutes to the commencement of the election.

At the point, more than 50 members who were at the venue realised they had been disenfranchised.

“When some members protested against this, the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State council, Comrade Gbenga Opadotun, acting on the orders of the national

which culminated in the postponement of the election till October 30, 2015.

Mr Abah and the South West zonal vice president, Mumini held a meeting with the representatives of the two candidates for the chairmanship position where it was agreed that everybody would abide by the resolution of the meeting”.

COPA Coca-Cola school soccer tourney kicks off Football fans across Nigeria will soon experience school football at its best form, as the 2015 edition of COPA Coca-Cola local national championship kicks off later this month.

The international youth football tournament which is organised annually by Coca-Cola, helps to identify and reward footballing teen talents. It also creates an opportunity for kids to pursue their passion for football, helping them to bond in the process, form new friendships and develop significant team skills.

Themed, “Everything for Football”, the 2015 Football tournament is divided into two phases, “Everyday Football” and the “Tournament”.

At the first phase, which is the Everyday Football, communities would be provided with basic football equipment and kits at 10 selected playing fields. There would also be the creation of the ‘Legacy Pitch’ which is the renovation of a football arena into a COPA mini- stadium. State briefly why we have everyday football.

Golfers ready for Akinjide memorial tourney

By Olawale Olaniyan

4 1. Leader-in-charge, Most Senior Apostle Idowu Alade Famodimu (right) and Prophet Afolabi Jinadu (left) during thanksgiving service held at Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo ni o) Surulere District, Onikoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

2. Leader in charge, Most Senior Apostle Idowu Alade Famodimu (sixth left); Special Apostle Prophet S.B. Oduyemi (middle); Church elders and 25th Anniversary and Harvest Committee cutting the anniversary cake.

3. A cross section of seal of love choir 4. Babies of the year with their parents and Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer/Special Guest of Honour, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, (left) and others during thanksgiving service.

Over 150 golfers across the country have shown interest in the 7th Elizabeth Adesola Akinjide Memorial Golf Tourney scheduled to hold from Friday November 6 to 7 at the Tiger Golf Club, Adekunle Fajuyi cantonment, Ibadan.

According to the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr Gabriel Eneware, the tournament has come to stay as he disclosed that this year’s edition will be unique due to the prizes to be won.

“The Akinjide family have been kind and committed to the development of golf and they have also promised to be present at

the 7th edition of the tourney,” Eneware said.

Eneware revealed that Ibadan Golf Club, Ikoyi Golf Club, Ikeja Golf Club, Jaji, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ilorin Golf Clubs, Ekiti Golf Club, Benin Golf Club, Ogbomoso Golf Club, Abeokuta Golf Club, Ewekoro Golf Club, MicCom Golf Club, Ada, IITA Golf Club, Kaduna, among others, have shown interest in the two-day tournament.

The tournament is being sponsored by the former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) in memory of his late wife, Adesola.

Dignitaries expected to grace the two-day tourna-

ment include the patron of Tiger Golf Club, the GOC 2 Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Major General L.C. Ilo, Chief Richard Akinjide, Immediate past GOC 2 Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Major General Sanusi Nasiru Muazu, erstwhile Police Affairs Minister, Alhaji AbdulJelili Adesiyan, former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Captain, Abeokuta Golf Club, Chief Bode Mustapha, while the chief host is Tiger Golf Club captain, Chief Tunji Aderoju.

The cock-tail party holds on Friday, November 6 while the tee-off time for the tournament is on Saturday November 7.

46 sport

17 October, 2015

Saturday Tribune

Onyedinma

We will restructure women’s football in Nigeria—Onyedinma THE Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Professional Football League (NWFL), Chief (Mrs) Dilichukwu Onyedinma, in this interview with the Deputy Sports Editor, NIYI ALEBIOSU, at the justended 11th All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville, speaks on the efforts to take women football in Nigeria to new heights. Onyedinma, who is also a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), admits that other countries are coming up to challenge the Super Falcons’ dominance on the continent. Excerpts: Women football in Nigeria has come of age, yet it lacks some basics, what effort is your board putting in place to make it more attractive?

We have seen really that female football in Nigeria has come of age and no doubt about that and other countries are vast coming after us especially on the continent. So we have been trying to put a lot of restructuring in place and as well a bit

The Super Falcons receiving a pep talk .

of serious planning to up our game so that other countries will not catch up with us.

There are a lot of things we are planning for female football in the country to better the game.

Cuts in) like what and what?

Hmm, these are some beautiful plans but I will not want to make it public. I want people to start seeing them by themselves when it start manifesting. This is

because if you start mentioning them now a lot of criticisms will follow, so this time we don’t say itis over until its concluded and fully ready to yield positive results for the game.

Even at that I think women football followers and stakeholders will love to have an idea of what your board is planning?

Okay, from the various competitions we have attended in the last few months and especially the Women’s World Cup, we met with officials of some great female football countries on how to improve our women football and they gave us some tips on to go about it. We have attended some workshops and we have been able to see that female football is more than just having the talents, as you can see that the country is blessed with abundant talents in female football, but the main thing now is how to transform the talents of getting good results that’s the stage at which we are now. We have the players in abundance but how do we turn it into our advantage so that we can get results? Nigeria is always a team many people want to see play because of our unique talent and good display of football artistry but we don’t always get it right when it matters so we are looking for ways to improve and get results which is the ultimate. We have been consulting with people in different spheres to share ideas with and I am optimistic it will turn out great for our football.

How far have you gone to secure sponsorship for women football in Nigeria?

As a matter of fact we are seriously working on that because that is one area that helps greatly in the development of female football and something good will happen soon in this area. I mean What everybody will be proud of. It’s a long term plan for female football and once the deal is finally sealed, all of us will be proud of it. We have been discussing with a lot of corporate bodies and the response is encouraging so we are optimistic that the sponsorship deal will bring about positive change to our female football. And for your information, the NFF president (Amaju Pinnick) is helping greatly and like I said it’s going to be good news for all of us to celebrate at the end if the day.

How do you intend to improve women football league in Nigeria?

We have done a lot and part of it was the introduction of the premier league which has helped a lot at least in raising a good team for the national team. Sir, like this All Africa Games, most of our foreignbased players were not here, but the players from the local league and they did very well.

It was alleged in some quarters that your board is planning to hire a foreign coach for the Super Falcons, can you please throw more light on this?

Yeah, that’s correct but we are still working on it. It is still in the pipeline (Cuts in), can we have the name of the coach?

Haaaaaa, no no,it’s not ethical for me to release the name of the person because discussion is still on going.

47

17 October, 2015

With

outofplay

Dipo Ogunsola 081 169 54 641

C. Ronaldo got married

Hamilton joins model at German Fashion show Just a day after being spotted at Paris Fashion Week, Lewis Hamilton jetted across Europe to Moscow to shoot with Hugo Boss ahead of the Russian Grand Prix.

Sports Mail reports that the formula One champion spent the last few days mingling with A-list celebrities in the French capital and posed for pictures with tennis star Maria Sharapova.

Just 24 hours later, Hamilton was shooting with super model Lena Perminova as they sped through Gorky Park on Segways for the luxury German fashion brand.

C

r i s t i an o Ronaldo has been getting so close to friend Badr Hari that the super heavyweight kickboxer joked the pair had been ‘married’ while on holiday together.

The Real Madrid superstar was granted leave after helping Portugal secure qualification to next year’s European Championship with a 1-0 defeat of Denmark.

The 30 year old took the opportunity to visit Morocco with friends where he and Hari have been sharing pictures on Facebook of their time together, including the fighter holding up Ronaldo by the pool with the caption: ‘Just married.

Hahahaha.

Always there to pick you up bro’.

Saturday Tribune

Hamilton (left) and Perminova

Wilshere cools off with girlfriend

Ronaldo and Hari

He’d rather have been alternative way to take his playing at The Emirates but mind off his fitness woes. injured England midfielder The 23-year-old is currentJack Wilshere found an ly out of action, after undergoing surgery last month to properly correct a hairline fracture in his left fibula, but that didn’t stop him from wining and dining with his girlfriend Adriana Michael.

The pair were pictured by The Sun together heading for dinner at Roka restuarant in Mayfair last week.

Messi

Messi is game-ready Gone are the days when a magic sponge filled with water comes to the rescue of the world’s top footballers.

Now players such as Lionel Messi, who is currently recovering a knee injury, are privy to the finest brands of equipment and receive treatment from the world’s best doctors in order to minimise their spell on the sidelines.

And Barcelona superstar Messi is doing just that in order to reduce his expected eight-week injury layoff.

Messi took to Instagram to upload this picture of him sitting under a blanket.

Around 80-100 footballers are purchasing ‘Game Ready’ each year in order to reduce their time on the sidelines following an injury.

Mayweather (middle)

Mayweather at courtside Floyd Mayweather may have hung up his gloves after outclassing Andre Berto last month, but the boxing superstar showed he is no mood to retire from the spotlight at a recent basketball game.

The 38-year-old is a known fan of the sport having attended more than one NBA playoff earlier this year, and he was

again courtside for the pre-season meeting between Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.

The Mail captured Mayweather sharing a conversation with Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith in the first-half, alongside friends as the Hawks edged a thrilling exhibition match 98-96 in Cincinnati.

Wilshere (right)

Today’s Premier League fixtures Tottenham Chelsea Crystal Palace Everton Man City

NO 1121

Saturday, 17 OCTOBER, 2015

v Liverpool v Aston Villa v West Ham v Man Utd v Bournemouth

Southampton West Brom Watford

v v v

Leicester Sunderland Arsenal

n150

Nothing to fear about Chelsea again —Mourinho

Olosunde Nwakali

FIFA U-17 World Cup:

Nigerian plots against • Olosunde joins US forces Nigeria to tackle Eaglets

By Ganiyu Salman

N

igerian-born Matthew Olosunde will lead the United States of America against Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets tonight, as both sides clash in the opening game of the 16th FIFA U-17 World Cup billed for the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos Santiago De Chile.

Olosunde, who plays for the New York Red Bulls Academy featured for the Yankees at this year’s CONCACAF U-17 Championship will be looking forward to the game against his fatherland at 9:00pm Nigeria time.

Also, two other Nigerian-born players Adetayo Edun (Fulham) and Ike Ugbo (Chelsea) will be on parade for England at Chile 2015.

Unarguably, the Golden Eaglets will be the cynosure of all eyes in Chile, having won the last tournament staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2013.

Nigeria also holds the enviable record of being the most successful nation at the cadet World Cup with four wins, one above Brazil.

The current squad handled by ex-

international, Emmanuel Amuneke will also be aiming at becoming the second country to successfully defend the Cup, after Brazil which remains the only country to have won the Cup two times in a row, 1997 and 1999.

Though, the Eaglets are playing this time as fourth best African team having lost even the third place match at the African U-17 Championship in Niger Republic early this year, the expectations of Nigerians remain high that any team from Nigeria is a potential world champion at this level .

The reigning world champions had a solid build up to Chile 2015 with a series of friendlies including the 4-Nation tourney in Korea.

They defeated the hosts 2-1 during their tour of Argentina, while they also hammered the junior side of Racing Club 3-1 to round off their preparation for Chile 2015.

Nigeria boast ruthless finisher in Victor Osimhen who scored 39 goals in 71 games as well as captain Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze, among others.

“We are here to defend the trophy,” the team’s head coach who was part of the technical crew at UAE 2013, Amuneke told the thenff.com.

“We are here with new players who want to write their own history and we are looking forward to our first game against the United States of America, which is very impor-

tant.”

The former FC Barcelona star noted that his wards gained in no small way from the training tour of Argentina especially the climatic condition which he believes would help them adjust in Chile.

“We are not getting carried away despite winning our two matches here but we are happy we have achieved part of our objectives of the tour of Argentina.

“The World Cup is a different ball game because all the 24 teams have the chance to win but we are going to Chile with the objective of defending the trophy and we are looking forward to a good tournament,” Amuneke said.

Jose Mourinho admits Chelsea have lost their fear factor at Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League champions have made a poor start to the season, winning only two of their opening eight matches - a run of results that leaves them in 16th place in the table.

And when asked if teams are no longer afraid of playing Chelsea, Mourinho replied: “Maybe. One thing is to go to a stadium where there is a huge percentage of defeats for the away team.

“Another thing is to go to a stadium where the home team in the last four games has won only once.

“I really believe every team coming to Stamford Bridge doesn’t fear us. They think they can get a result.

“Every game is a must-win game for different reasons. In my approach every game is a must-win game and when we don’t win there is always a disappointment or a frustration.

Mourinho

Ighalo is going nowhere —Watford boss

Ighalo

Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores has said he does not fear star striker Odion Ighalo will move to a bigger club in January.

The 26-year-old Nigeria international has scored five times this term, which has taken his tally for the calendar year to 25, the highest in England in 2015.

Ighalo, who was nominated for September’s Player of the Month prize,

turned down a big-money move to China over the summer, and signed a five-year deal to remain at Vicarage Road earlier this season.

His form may attract interest from bigger teams when the transfer window opens in January if his goal scoring continued.

“I’m not scared about Ighalo. I’m happy with him and not thinking about what

might happen in the winter market. He had the chance to go out in the summer but decided to stay here and that was an amazing decision,” said the Watford manager.

“When a player plays well, the value changes to buy him. But we now think Ighalo is our most important player, he is very happy and can play in different positions.’’

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. 17/10/2015.