18th June 2016

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER NO 1,156

www.tribuneonlineng.com

SATURDAY, 18 JUNE, 2016

Nigerian Tribune

@nigeriantribune

Police to take over PDP secretariat IGP warns warring groups

N150

Nigerian Tribune

Sheriff summons NWC meeting

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Tension over new CJN pg3

Weekend Lagos

Alleged plan afoot to stop Southern successor Incumbent leaves in November

I was mentally abused by a man I once dated

—Stella Damasus

Gov Ambode

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Niger Delta Avengers disclaim negotiators

IGP Arase

Ngige

Inside the world of Lagos job scammers

pgs19,20,21&22

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Rival goup raises alarm of fresh attacks

APC assures Edo gov aspirants of fairness

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Boko Haram kills 18 women at funeral Sets village ablaze

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18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

I dumped medicine for comedy —Mark Angel I tried to bribe Mark Angel with an apple —Emmanuella

Popular online comedian, Mark Angel, the owner of the Mark Angel Comedy and kid comedienne, Emmanuella, his right hand, are prominent on the social media for their comic skits. Their short videos have continued to go viral on major online platforms where they have become household names.

In this interview, the Port Harcourt-based comic acts tell NEWTON RAY-UKWUOMA about the journey, passion and life as online comedians.

I

S Mark Angel your real name?

Yes. Mark Angel is both my real and stage name. My surname is Angel and my first name is Mark. I live in Port Harcourt. I am a showbiz entertainer. I come from Orlu in Imo State.

Emmanuella, introduce yourself.

My name is Emmanuella, but you can also call me Ella. I attend Brighten Primary and Secondary School in Port Harcourt in Rivers State. I am in Basic One. And I am five years old. I love watching cartoons.

I like games. I have many of them. I like eating. This is not my real face o.

(General laughter) When did you start doing comedy?

Mark:We started making comedy in 2011. We opened our official social media accounts on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and launched the Mark Angel Comedy company in 2013.

What inspired the Mark Angel Comedy group?

First, we started by just calling friends together. I come from a Nollywood background. I am a cinematographer. I grew up seeing people make movies in Surulere. I have done some productions. I am also a film editor. But Nollywood wasn’t what I wanted initially. My dream was to be in a position to create contents that will sell African culture and values to the world.

So, I decided to begin with short films. I felt it was an opportunity to enhance my knowledge of cinematography.

Did you factor in comedy from the beginning?

Yes, though I wanted to do short films, my genre was comedy. I like to laugh a lot. And I like to stay around people who make me laugh. That was how we started putting videos together. We compiled a lot of it. We tried to be consistent, to learn from every shoot and to work on improving the next. We did that for a couple of years before opening the social media accounts for people to see.

At what point did you start getting surprised by the views your videos were generating?

I think it was in 2015. One of our videos got so much attention in days on Youtube and other platforms. That really motivated us to do more. The video hit a million views in three days. I think it was because we had established ourselves on social media before then. Before then our videos had gone viral and because we did not have social media accounts, nobody knew the source.

It was a big lesson for us. That was why we opened the social media accounts. We started linking people back to the source.

Was Emmanuella in the picture then?

Yes. The video that got us a lot of mileage was the one Emmanuella was featured.

What is the title of the short film?

It was the ‘Landlord’ video.

The one the landlord wanted to collect his rent?

Yes. That video gave us a lot of presence online. After that, we did a couple of other videos with Emmanuella, including “This is not my real face.” God used that video

to bring out her brand.

At what point did you decide to use Emmanuella as the main face of Mark Angel comedy?

A lot of things kept unfolding. My approach about comedy kept changing every day. I noticed that she was getting attention and that was because there was a huge vacuum in the comedy industry: a lot of children didn’t have content to consume. Using Emmanuella became very strategic as we wanted to also reach the children.

Let me paraphrase, I mean, how did you find Emmauella? What is your relationship with her?

It is a long story.

That is why I am here.

Emmanuella is a family friend. On one occasion she came for a long-term holiday at the family house in Port Harcourt. She was one of the kids who came around me.

I love kids. I discovered that I connected a lot with her. She would know when I was around and when I was not around. She was younger than the kids that come close to me, yet she made me laugh the most. I used to watch “Kids Say the Damnedest Thing”, an American programme. I began to see Emmanuellla in the characters of that programme. Emmauella can say a lot of things and she was spontaneous. I enjoyed having her around. I would ask her a lot of questions. There was a time I needed kids for a shoot. I called some kids

for audition. I was thinking of using her for a show, not the shoot, a standup comedy show. I was already branding her for a character that time, because she was spontaneous. When the kids came I selected three. I was trying to feed them the lines for the shoot, but they weren’t getting them. It was for one comedy called “Who Mess?” feeling frustrated, I called Emmanuella to come and try. She was just playing while the kids were struggling. In minutes, she was taking the lines off them. Then, I asked two of the kids to go home. I then started training her and the other kid. I found out that Emmanuella had talent, though it did not show at that time. Not many people could see what I saw in Emmanuella. I think God helped me see that. She was a child. She did not know what she had. So, we used her in that video, a video we spent eighteen hours shooting. She endured all through the time.

I deliberately refused to give them lunch. I wanted to know the strength of the kids. I wanted to know which kid would complain first. Emmanuella did not complain. She was excited about the whole thing. Just because of her excitement I confirmed that this kid had what I wanted. We spent 18 hours to shoot one short film that lasted three minutes. After that video, I met her parents. We had a long chat about her future, about fame. It took a lot of convincing to finally get their approval. That was how we started.

Continues on pg27

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news

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Police take over PDP secretariat, warn Sheriff, Makarfi

•Set up 8-man negotiation committee •Sheriff summons NWC meeting Leon Usigbe and Jacob Segun Olatunji - Abuja

T

HE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has waded into the lingering leadership crisis in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), summoning leaders of the warring groups to a meeting at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Friday.

This is as the battle between the Senator Ahmed Makarfiled National Caretaker Committee and claimant to the office of the national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, showed no sign of slowing down.

Concerned that the deteriorating impasse at the party national secretariat may lead to a breach of peace, the top cop was said to have warned the party chiefs against their actions particularly about what he perceived to be inflammatory statements emanating from both camps.

Saturday Tribune learnt that the IGP has now set up an eight-man negotiation team made up of four persons from each group to attempt to find a way out of the logjam.

It was also gathered that the police have decided to take over, in full, the security of the party headquarters which had been manned since Thursday by local hunters said to have been recruited from one of the northern states.

Armed with charms and cudgels, the hunters who are loyal to the national caretaker committee, had warned anybody associated with Sheriff to steer clear of the party office or they would be forced to apply their harmful magical powers on them.

They were joined at the secretariat on Friday by a few policemen and a detachment of personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to man the main gate of the Wadata Plaza Wuse Zone 5 office complex preventing movement in and out of it.

Both management and lower cadre staff of the party stayed away from work for the fifth day running, ostensibly not wanting to be identified as loyal to any of the warring sides.

However, there were indications that despite the Port Harcourt court order barring Sheriff, former national secretary and former national auditor of the party, Prof. Olawale Oladipo and Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, respectively, from parading themselves as the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, they are not backing down.

They were scheduled to meet on Friday at an undisclosed location as the leadership of the party.

Oladipo and Adeyanju are the only members of the de-

funct NWC who are still with the former national chairman as all others voluntarily resigned before the May 21, 2016 national convention of the party held in Port Harcourt.

Since the three of them cannot form a quorum to enable the NWC to take valid decisions, Sheriff was said to have invited all former deputy national officers to

attend the meeting.

However, deputy national officers are by the provision of the party’s constitution not members of the NWC. The special adviser on me-

Plot to stop Southern CJN thickens The inside story of the plot Lanre Adewole - Lagos IF a well-orchestrated plot being weaved by forces in and out of government circle sails through, the most senior justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen may not succeed the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Mahmud.

Taraba State-born Mahmud will clock the mandatory retirement age of 70 on November 10, 2016.

Cross River State-born Onnoghen, by tradition, should automatically succeed him in the preservation of the agelong succession-by-seniority arrangement.

He will be 70 on December 20, 2020.

Saturday Tribune is, however, privy to moves to stop the natural flow of succession, with two major political forces coordinating from two ends, targeted at achieving the same aim.

Onnoghen will be the first Southern Chief Justice of Nigeria in 28 years, if he makes it.

Justice Augustine Nnamani, who was the most senior justice of the apex court after former CJN Justice Mohammed Bello, could not make it. He died.

The incumbent is the seventh Northern CJN since Southern Nigeria lost its turn to Nnamani’s controversial death.

Government forces involved in the anti-Onnoghen project are said to have resolved on stopping him at all costs for fear that his tenure might be more devastating for the interest of certain political camps.

The forces, which are coalesced around a very senior administrative office currently occupied by a politician, a political office expected to be occupied by a professional and a political office, occupied by a politician, were said to have been shocked out of their wits, with the outcome of certain governorship appeals at the apex court, under the leadership of a Northerner who they thought would be sympathetic.

Moving against a Southerner successor, according

to insider sources, was being “sensibly” proactive, to forestall a probable huge embarrassment for certain operators of the polity.

A particular innocuous running case in a federal high court, which is gradually assuming a life of its own and could be devastating if prayers therein are answered in the affirmative, is said to be the most singular reason why everything is being thrown into the project to stop a Southern CJN at all costs.

Onnoghen is from the same South-South as the defeated President Goodluck Jonathan.

By the time the said suit would be running its full course at the apex court, Mahmud, who is also not trusted by the anti-Onnoghen’s forces, would have stepped down as the CJN. Three different issues are also being amassed as a legal weapon to end Onnoghen’s aspiration, Saturday Tribune was told by top judicial officers who vowed that the move would be an exercise in futility.

Reports of the Kayode Eso and Bola Babalakin panels are also said to be receiving the study attention of the forces.

As days roll by, the push for an outsider CJN would be more intense as hirelings are said to have been debriefed to make the suggestion the main issue in Mahmud’s successor’s saga.

Before now, there had been suggestions that a senior lawyer should be appointed straight unto the apex bench and made the CJN to shake things up within the system and shed its cloak of conservatism.

A couple of names had been flown in public space but Saturday Tribune gathered that the push would be more coordinated and robust in days ahead, with some voices being recruited to throw their weights behind the project.

A senior judicial source told Saturday Tribune on Friday that coming through such an end would be an exercise in futility because by the time the said lawyer, regardless of who he is, comes

face to face with other nominated justices of the court, he would always fall short of the requirements.

“They are all jokers. Was it not the same thing that happened when senior lawyers were nominated

by NBA (Nigerian Bar Association) as justices of the Supreme Court. By the time both the SANs (names withheld) and the nominated justices of the Court of Appeal appeared before the FJSC and NJC, while justices were producing 30, 35 judgements, lawyers were producing 5. All the lawyers were beaten on points.

“Maybe that is why they are holding on to the names sent to them for appointment to the court (Supreme Court). They refused to send the names of justices who trounced their lawyers to the senate for confirma-

tion. Let them bring their nominee again, he would be roundly defeated except they are saying there would be no screening. That is when we would know that they really mean business.”

The third and possibly most potent weapon being packaged against Onnoghen is the appointing authority being persuaded to sideline him, because one of those likely to be nominated alongside him got to the Court of Appeal before him, just like it happened between Dahiru Musdapher and Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar.

Though Mukhtar got to the Court of Appeal ahead of Musdapher, the latter got to the apex court before her and became CJN before her.

Though the said targeted Northern justice of the apex court got to the Court of Appeal ahead of Onnoghen, the latter, however, got to the

Oluwole Ige - Osogbo

is ongoing and the government is not treating the issue with levity.”

Saturday Tribune gathered that the government and the labour had constituted a committee to authenticate the findings of the consultants that were employed to screen the certificates of the workers.

The committee, it was learnt, commenced sitting on Thursday, 9 June, 2016 at the Ministry of Finance, Government Secretariat, Osogbo.

“No fewer than 98 staff were attended to [on Thursday] while about 30 were attended to on Friday, 10, June 2016. Some others appeared this week. Meanwhile, all the suspected officers were duly invited through personal letters sent to them through their various agencies.

“The committee is expected to screen about 392 staff believed to possess fake O’ Level certificates and about 247 that were alleged to have falsified their tertiary institutions certificates, including several others with certificate-related issues.

“Also, about 17 staff with

dia to the former party boss, Inuwa Bwala, confirmed the story, adding that the Sheriff group has secured a new location in Abuja to use as its temporary office.

Supreme Court before him and he is senior to him in hierarchy.

As is the practice, the Federal Judicial Service Commission is expected to send Onnoghen’s name, alongside two others to the National Judicial Council, for recommendation to the president as the appointing authority.

The CJN heads both bodies with Onnoghen being a statutory member of the NJC. The president is at liberty to reject names sent to him or bypass the recommendation of the council.

There has been no precedent of any president so doing, though under Mukhtar, many state governors like Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, among others, rejected NJC’s nominations for Chief Judges of their states.

Certificate scandal: Osun re-screens civil servants SOME civil servants in the employ of the Osun State government have had their salaries withheld over alleged questionable credentials, Saturday Tribune’s investigation has revealed.

The development came against the backdrop of shocking “discoveries” of use of fake tertiary institutions’ certificates and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates by some workers to secure employment in the state’s civil service.

A credible source informed Saturday Tribune that the fake certificate saga prompted the state government to contract a consultancy firm to reconfirm the discoveries.

Early in the year, the state government had directed its workers to present their primary school leaving certificates as part of moves to rid the workforce of those who did not possess required academic qualifications.

According to the source, presently, the screening of some workers’ certificates

allegation of fake NYSC certificates are said to cut across all ministries and agencies,” the source said.

Efforts by our correspondent to gain entry into the venue of the screening exercise were unsuccessful.

However, when contacted, director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, confirmed the screening of some civil servants’ certificates.

“There is no big deal about the issue. Not everybody is requested to provide his or her NYSC certificate because all the civil servants in the state are not graduates. If you are a graduate civil servant and your NYSC certificate is demanded, you should be able to present it. Failure to do so means that something is fishy,” Okanlawon said.

Also, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Jacob Adekomi, confirmed that the committee had been sitting and that at the end of the exercise, no worker would be unfairly treated.

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18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Local hunters vacate PDP national secretariat Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe-Abuja

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, exchanging pleasantries with Imams and Alfas at the Bureau for Islamic Education, Ruxton Road, Ikoyi - Lagos, after the Jumat prayers, led by Engr. Bashir Adam Aliyu, from the Kano State Coalition of Ulamahs Civil Society, (third right), on Friday.

Akeredolu laments APC’s failure to recognise June 12

By Tunde Ogunesan

L

EGAL luminary, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has decried the failure of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to recognise June 12 as a public holiday, saying “June 12 is not a South West matter, all states, now that we’re the ruling party, should recognise it as a national holiday.”

Akeredolu made this statement on Friday while speaking on “June 12: The Pains, Gains and Prospects,” in a lecture organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State Council, to mark the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 election, held at the Dapo Aderogba Hall, Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

Akeredolu also declared that former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who up till date, is the biggest beneficiary, is the problem of the annulled June 12, 1993 election.

Akeredolu, who is also a gubernatorial aspirant under the APC in this year’s governorship election, said “the Nigerian state must recognise the date [June 12] officially. The smooth transition from one civilian regime to another is a testimony to the abiding lessons of June 12 imbibed

by Nigerians.

“President Obasanjo, who is the most beneficiary of the June 12 annulment should have declared June 12 a national holiday and others would have followed suit.

Obasanjo is the most beneficiary of June 12 but has failed to acknowledge it.”

Akeredolu added that after the death of the late military dictator, General Sanni Abacha and Chief MKO Abiola, it was clear to the worst cynics that unless the issue was addressed with a view to assuaging bruised psyche, there would be no discernible progress in the polity. The departing military administration, headed by Gen-

eral Abdulsalami Abubakar, designed a transition programme which allowed two candidates to emerge from the region of the late winner of the annulled election.

“Thus General Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae contested for the presidency in 1999. They and members of the political class became the first beneficiaries of the June 12, 1993 election struggle.

It is ironic, however, that many of those who derived immense benefits from the

mass-driven struggle have failed to acknowledge it as a milestone,” he said.

Akeredolu, in noting three tricyles of the election, posited that the pains of the annulled election can be described as many people, known and unknown that died in the course of struggle.

He said “several other people aside those that died are missing even up till date.”

Of the gains, he said the utmost is the democratic government in place now, though he stated that “Nigeria is yet

to come to stay. Until we have that structural change, we will continue to grope in that wilderness. We’re like seed weed which does not know where it is going.”

He also noted that former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), who annulled the election, is the first major victim “of the problem he created.” He added that Nigerians are waiting to read the memoir of the former president on the actual reason he decided to annul the election.

Boko Haram shoot dead 18 women at funeral in northern Nigeria BOKO Haram militants have shot dead 18 women at a funeral in Adamawa State, rampaging through a village, setting houses on fire and shooting at random, witnesses and local government officials said on Friday.

The attack took place at about 5 p.m. on Thursday in the village of Kuda in Adamawa State. Resident Moses Kwagh told Reuters that people waited until three hours after the attack and had then counted 18 women’s bodies.

Some women were still missing, he said.

A police source confirmed the attack but said it was not yet clear how many people had been killed. The military did not respond to a request for comment.

State lawmaker Emmanuel Tsamdu told Reuters: “I am yet to get the details on how it happened and the real number of people killed.

I have sent hunters to go to the area and get me the details because people are afraid to go to the village.”

Kuda is close to the Sambisa Forest, a vast colonialera game reserve where Boko Haram militants hide in secluded camps to avoid the Nigerian military. The village was attacked by Boko Haram militants in February.

Under President Muhammadu Buhari’s command and aided by Nigeria’s neighbours, the army has recaptured most of the territory seized by Boko Haram, but the group still regularly

stages guerrilla attacks.

“When we said that Boko Haram is still in this place some people sit in Abuja and claim that there is no more Boko Haram, but see what has happen,” Kwagh said.

THE local hunters who took over the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday vacated the place on Friday, leaving behind a cannibalised car which they used to block the main gate to the secretariat.

The hunters, in their full regalia, said to be loyal to the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee, were reported to have been paid the sum of N5,000 by their coordinator before leaving the secretariat.

The hunters were said to have been mobilised to Abuja from a neighbouring state to secure the PDP national secretariat for the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee.

Saturday Tribune learnt that the hunters, armed with charms and dangerous weapons left the secretariat chanting war songs however vowed to return should Senator Ali Modu Sheriff venture to enter the secretariat under any guise.

Obanikoro slams N100m suit on EFCC over rights violation Bola Badmus- Lagos FORMER Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro on Friday slammed a N100 million suit on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over an alleged breach of his fundamental human rights.

The former minister in the suit is demanding the sum as general damages for the alleged unlawful and unconstitutional seizure of several items, properties and personal effects belonging to him and family by the EFCC on June 14, 2016.

Other applicants in the suit are Mrs. Fati Obanikoro, Alhaja Moroophat Obanikoro, Gbolahon Obanikoro and Babajide Obanikoro.

Obanikoro, in the fundamental rights enforcement suit, filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Chief Ogwu Onoja (SAN), is also praying the court to restrain the Commission, whether by its officers, servants, privies, assigns or agents from arresting, detaining, harassing any of the applicants or any of their relatives pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The applicants also want the court to restrain the EFCC from further entering their premises and also order it to tender an unreserved public apology to them for the unlawful action.

Constitution amendment: Saraki, Ekweremadu, others converge on Lagos Bola Badmus- Lagos SENATE President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and principal members of the National Assembly, including the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Friday converged on Lagos to commence the process of reviewing the nation’s constitution, with the latter blaming setbacks recorded in the fourth amendment to the document on the administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

This is just as the Saraki and Ekweremadu affirmed that the National Assembly has set a December 2016 deadline for the conclusion of the ongoing fourth amendment in order to avoid a situation where preparations for next elections would constitute an inhibiting factor, as it did under the former administration.

The National Assembly,

this time around, is focusing on four critical areas for amendment. These are removal of presidential assent to constitution amendment bills, prescription of timeline for presidential assent to bills, the separation of the office of the Minister of Justice from the Office of the Attorney-General and ensuring financial autonomy for state assemblies.

Ekweremadu, who is also the chairman, Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution, made the disclosure at a retreat organised by the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution tagged, “Towards Ensuring Governance Accountability in Nigerian Federalism.”

The Deputy Senate President told political leaders and resource persons at the gathering that the National Assembly would not have been constrained to embark on the process of

revisiting the fouth amendment to the constitution if the Jonathan-led government had not bungled the exercise and rubbished efforts made by the seventh Assembly.

According to him, the National Assembly had gathered that former President Jonathan assented to the fourth Alteration Bill but was surprised to get a letter from him stating that

he was returning it without attaching the original bill being returned.

“Although the National Assembly reliably gathered that former President Goodluck Jonathan assented to the fourth Alteration Bill, we were surprised to get a letter from the president stating clearly that he was returning the bill, but failing to attach the original bill being returned.”

Ramadan message Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have taken it, [O believers], and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allah, over you, a witness. Indeed, Allah knows what you do. And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong [by] taking your oaths as [means of] deceit between you because one community is more plentiful [in number or wealth] than another community. Allah only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ.

—Surat An-Nahl verses 90-92

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18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Bayelsa workers receive 50% of May salary, LG staff take turn next week Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

From left, vice chairman, The Island Club, Prince Adelana Adesida; guest speaker and Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Limited, Mr Bismarck Rewane; chairman, The Island Club, Mr Oladipo Okpeseyi and the event’s chairman, Ambassador Oladapo Fafowora, at the public interest symposium series 3, held at the Island Club, Onikan, Lagos. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

We have no backlog of passport applications —NIS state commands From Dapo Falade, Jude Ossai, Biola Azeez, Ebenezer Adurokiya, Oluwole Ige, Hakeem Gbadamosi, Tunde Ogunesan and Godwin Agwam

F

OLLOWING the directive given to all Passport Control Officers (PCOs) that all backlog of applications for international passports be cleared within 48 hours, state commands of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have said that they are up-to-date and do not have arrears of passport applications to attend to.

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, had on Monday given a 48-hour ultimatum to all PCOs nationwide to clear all backlog of passport applications.

But most state commands of the NIS told Saturday Tribune on Friday that they have always treated applications for international passports with dispatch and as a result, there is no reason why they should have a backlog.

In Nasarawa State, the Nigeria Immigration Service Nasarawa State command shut its door against our correspondent on Friday.

The correspondent had visited the command to seek information on the level of compliance with the directive but was denied access to the officers in charge.

The officers at the main gate told Saturday Tribune that the PCO and the state comptroller were not in the office.

But another officer told him that the PCO was in the office only that he didn’t want him to have access to him.

Meanwhile, one of the applicants who spoke with Saturday Tribune on condition of anonymity said he was asked to pay N25,000 for the passport and return on Monday, June 20 for collection.

He, however, expressed doubt on the collection date as he said he had heard stories of how difficult it had been getting international passport from the Nasarawa State command of the NIS. In the Ondo State command, Saturday Tribune discovered that there is no backlog of passport applications.

Though there is no official confirmation to it, Saturday Tribune gathered from an official of the immigration service that there had never been any backlog of applications for passport in the state.

He said, “all we do here is to receive applications from applicants and we normally treat these within 24 hours.”

All efforts to speak with the state PRO of the command were not successful as she was said to be away on an official assignment outside the state.

The story is not different in the Warri office of the NIS in Delta State as Saturday

Tribune was told that the processing only lasts for about two hours.

At the Federal Secretariat, Fate area, Ilorin, in Kwara State, where the immigration office is located, some of the applicants who were on queue to conclude their passport processing said the process had been smooth.

One of the applicants, Olakunle Sulaiman, a resident of Offa, Offa Local Government area of the state said he commenced his passport issuance processing on Friday morning, adding that he was on the queue waiting to collect his passport.

In Enugu State, the Comptroller of Immigration, Enugu State Command, Emmanuel Ogbumuo, told Saturday Tribune in his office that there is no backlog of passport applications in the state, saying that the system is functioning very well.

Ogbumuo explained that there is no rush for passport applications in the state like

that of Lagos State, adding that they are in control of the situation.

The PCO in the Osun State command, Osogbo, Mr Salisu Isah said “as we are talking now, I don’t have a single application for passport pending.”

He added: “All applications had been treated even before the directive of the Comptroller-General of Immigration. I always ensure that all applicants get their passports the same day they apply for it.”

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) said it has been issuing the Nigerian international passport 24 hours after image capturing.

Also, the Comptroller of Immigration, Oyo State Command, Victoria Isang has declared that there is no backlog of application in Oyo State, noting that the Command processes booklet as soon as it receives its allocation from Abuja.

Crisis in Kogi APC as exco members blast Melaye, others over Bello probe They are gullible —Melaye Yinka Oladoyinbo - Lokoja

ANOTHER round of crisismay be looming in the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as some members of the state executive committee of the party on Friday berated the Senator Dino Melaye-led committee probing the alleged misconduct of the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, describing the move as a futile one.

The people said it was wrong for the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district and other disgruntled leaders of the party to accuse the governor of engaging in antiparty activities.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the exco members, the state deputy woman leader of APC, Deborah

Isiguizo, accused Melaye of orchestrating the crisis because of selfish interest.

Apart from Melaye, she also berated the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Hadi Ametuo, and other leaders of the party for supporting the call to probe Bello over the appointments he has made since becoming governor on January 27.

She noted that having nominated the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Melaye had no locus standi to accuse the governor of sidelining him in the scheme of things in the state.

Isiguizo said Melaye, who played a prominent role in the inauguration of Bello, should stop blackmailing the governor and face the function of making laws which the people of his senatorial

district elected him for.

She said: “Dino should concentrate on his constituency, he should stop blackmailing the governor and face the business for which he was elected, join hands with other wellmeaning people and give Kogi West the desired representation”.

But Melaye said any attempt to personalise the issues raised by his group would also be in futility as stakeholders would not allow the party to be run like a personal estate of the governor.

Speaking through his special assistant on media, Gideon Ayodele, the lawmaker said no amount of blackmail by a few “gullible and relevance-seeking” individuals in Kogi APC would derail the fight for justice in the party.”

BAYELSA State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Jonathan Obuebite, has said that the state government has commenced the 50 per cent payment of salary to civil servants in May, while the backlog of arrears would be cleared whenever fund is available in the state.

He made the clarification in an interview with journalists on the outcome of the 59th State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.

According to him, the payment of the May salary was in line with the agreement the government had with joint labour.

Obuebite, who spoke alongside his counterparts in the ministries of Agriculture, Local Government Administration, Trade, Industry and Investment, assured that workers would be paid their June salary at the end of this month, adding that depending on the available of funds, the government might decide to also pay another one month arrears.

According to Obuebite, “Council also reviewed the salary payment of civil servants and looked at the compliance of most of the ministries, as a result of the new measures put in place for the payment of salaries. We want to proudly tell Bayelsans that all civil servants as of today [Wednesday] have been paid their salaries that we agreed with labour.”

Lawmakers lament non-inclusion of Ondo from ambassadorial list Hakeem Gbadamosi - Akure THE lawmaker representing Ondo Central in the National Assembly, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, on Friday lamented the non-inclusion of Ondo State indigene on the ambassadorial list being considered by the Senate.

Speaking with journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the lawmaker promised to do all within his power to ensure that the injustice is corrected.

Alasoadura had during plenary session on Thursday observed the non-inclusion of any nominee from Ondo State on the list before the Senate.

Exploring the Personal Explanation Order 43 of the Senate Rule, he wondered why the name of at least one Ondo State career diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not included in the nomination despite that several of them are qualified.

He called on the Senate to redress the omission which did not conform with the provisions of the Federal Character.

Lagos clarifies eviction of Tarzan, Metro ferry operators from jetties Bola Badmus - Lagos THE Lagos State government on Friday said its decision to serve eviction notices to Tarzan Marine Enterprises and Metro Ferry, both operators of commercial jetties in the state was in line with overriding public interest and quest to ensure strict adherence to safety measures and international best practices.

Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Ms Abisola Kamson, said this in a signed statement, disclosing that Messrs Tarzan was served an eviction notice on its operation in Ijede and Badore jetties as they could not validate their claims of a purported 25 years concession which the operator alleged to have entered with the government in 2006.

According to Kamson, the previous administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola had investigated the claim by setting up a Task Force in 2010 to validate the claim that they had made two payments totaling N2.1million to the defunct Lagos State Ferry Services for a 25 years concession, but the claims could not be validated.

FG moves to revive activities at bonded terminals THE Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello, on Friday said that the Federal Government would intervene to revive business activities at the bonded terminals, which had been idle.

Bello said this while receiving members of the Association of Indigenous Bonded Terminal Operators of Nigeria at the council’s headquarters in Lagos.

He said that it was sad that containers were not stemmed (transferred) by the terminal operators at the ports to the bonded terminals which were established to decongest the ports and create employment.

The executive secretary urged the association to forward a letter stating their grievances which would be forwarded to the minister of transportation for government to come up with a policy statement.

He said that the letter should be forwarded to his office

by Thursday, June 23, so that he could make a case in the ministry of transportation.

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‘Shell contributed $43bn to Federation Account in 4 years’ Olatunde Dodondawa - Lagos SHELL Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has said that it paid $43billion to the Federation Account between 2011 and 2015.

The country-chair of SHELL Companies in Nigeria and the Managing Director, SPDC Joint Venture, Osagie Okunbor, stated on Friday in Lagos that it was time Nigerians took the company seriously and consider its importance in areas of employment, revenue and domestic gas.

According to him “Nigerians do not appreciate the importance of our company to the country. A company that gives 95 per cent of its profit to the government after necessary deductions is working for the country.

“We paid $43 billion into the federation account between 2011and 2015,” he added.

Odigie-Oyegun mourns Ehirim Kolawole Daniel - Abuja

A cross section of newly sworn in commissioners in Oyo State. From left are Mr Mudathir Ganiyu, Mrs Atinuke Osunkoya (right), Mr Ajiboye Omodewu (third left) and Mr Wasiu Dauda (fourth left).

Niger Delta Avengers disclaim negotiators

•River group raises the alarm of fresh attacks Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

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EMBERS of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have denied having any representatives dialoguing or proposing to dialogue with the Federal Government from states in the region.

The group, in its Twitter handled, @NDAvengers on Friday, denied having any meeting with the FG in Asaba, Delta State capital, as reported by an online medium.

It said such self-appointed individuals were nothing, but political jobbers.

“According to an online medium, Niger Delta Avengers and the Nigerian government had a meeting in Asaba, Delta State to dialogue.

“We want to say it’s a lie and anybody parading themselves as Niger Delta Avengers representatives are political jobbers,” the group warned on its Friday tweet.

Meanwhile, a pro-government Niger Delta group, Mangrove Delta, in its Twitter handle, @mangrovedel-

ta, has insisted that Avengers were ready to attack oil installations in Rivers State.

The group, which has been dishing out the identities and operational plans of NDA on Twitter in recent times, called on the JTF and other security agencies to be on red alert.

It claimed that some commanders of NDA met Thursday night at Mbiriki in Rivers State to finalise their plans and strike.

“We reiterate our earlier warning to the FG of ad-

vanced plans by avengers to attack oil installations in Rivers State.

“Some commanders of NDA met last night at Mbikiri, cutting channel Rivers State to put finishing touches to their plans.

“We once again call on the JTF and other security agencies to be on red alert and ensure that such attack does not take place,” the group warned.

The group blamed the resurgence of militancy in the region to the poor funding

Edo APC crisis: No aspirant was endorsed —Oyinlola FORMER Osun State Governor and a member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has declared that the peace committee he headed on the Edo governorship primaries carried out its assignment with fairness to all the groups.

Oyinlola, in a statement on Friday, said he was shocked to read one of the aspirants, Casely Omon-Iraboh quoting

him in a newspaper report as endorsing one of the groups in the contest.

“Omon-Iraboh, who was quoted as declaring that he was withdrawing from the race, said my committee informed aspirants to support the choice of Governor Adams Oshiomhole because he was the greatest governor Edo ever had. That statement was false and Omo-Iraboh knew it was not true. I never uttered those words ascribed to me.

Bayelsa community attacks PHED staff/security personnel Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa

STAFF of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) and the security personnel attached to them while on a disconnection exercise have been attacked by some residents of Epie Community in Bayelsa.

The Protocol Officer, Corporate Communications of PHED, Sophilia Obire, who confirmed the series of attacks inflicted on staff of PHED by irate community youths in the state, called for a change of attitude on the part of consumers, adding that PHED was out to

of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) where the monthly stipend of N65, 000 hardly come handy again.

“Regrettably, we must admit that the failure by the FG to meet up the monthly stipend of N65,000 per month and the poor funding of the PAP by President Buhari administration since 2016 has given NDA the latitude to infiltrate and possibly recruit some youths to join them in their criminal act.”

serve members that do not default in paying their bills as at when due.

The attack, which was spearheaded by youths, resulted in injury to three policemen, the Business Service Manager, Pere Alazigha, a linesman, Christian Umegbewe and other staff members involved in the disconnection exercise.

While Alazigha was left with a machete cut on his body, Umegbewe was pushed down from the ladder by the youths during the disconnection process. Both of them were immediately hospitalised.

The Head, Glory City Main Integrated Business Centre, Yenagoa, Mrs. Ngozi Manafa, said the Ford Hilux conveying staff to the venue was also damaged, leaving its windscreen shattered.

She confirmed that the Epie Community had an outstanding debt record of N60, 484,304.56 and a current bill of N2, 321,327.78, to which they paid N70,000:00 and N50,000:00 respectively.

The incident was the second to take place within the week as two days before, disconnection team of PHED was also beaten up at Airtel Road.

“At the meeting he spoke about, a member of the state executive committee of the party described Oshiomhole as the best governor ever in that state, given his record­­­---- and I asked that what about Samuel Ogbemudia, then many of them there said it was actually Ogbemudia who proclaimed Governor Oshiomhole as the best. I then said, well, if you people know the governor has done so much, it means that whoever emerges as our candidate has a great legacy to leverage on. I thereafter, appealed to all of them to give peace a chance, while assuring them that the party would give everybody a chance to compete in a free and fair primary. We didn’t endorse anyone.

“It is unfortunate that the gentleman said all those things he said in that publication. However, I state on behalf of other members of the committee that his comment cannot remove the fact that we did the assignment truthfully and with the fear of God. We are happy the national secretariat of the party even lauded the sincerity of purpose of the committee and the integrity of its report,” Prince Oyinlola said.

THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has condoled with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the death of Mr. Chuks Ehirim, the immediate past chairman of the Abuja chapter of the NUJ. Odigie-Oyegun in a condolence letter to the National President of the NUJ, Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile prayed that the Almighty God gives the soul of the late Chuks Ehirim eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain.

The letter read in part: “On behalf of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), may I express my heartfelt condolences on the shocking death of the immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja chapter, Mr. Chuks Ehirim who passed away on his 50th birthday, Thursday, June 16, 2016 in Abuja.

Imasuagbon laments Buhari’s absence Banji Aluko - Benin City AN All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in today’s primary election in Edo State, Kenneth Imansuangbon, has bemoaned the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari in the country at a time the party was set for the primaries.

In a video that has gone viral on the social media, Imansuangbon was seen inside an aircraft bemoaning why Buhari is ill now.

He said, “Why is Buhari ill now that I want to win election.”

In a telephone chat, Imansuangbon confirmed the content of the video, saying that the absence of President Buhari was responsible for what is currently playing out in the APC where the state’s governor, Adams Oshiomhole is allegedly partisan.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Arogundade Aderonke Olayinka now AKINDELE FADHILAT ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid NYSC and General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Naomi Gyang Fom now MRS NAOMI NENPAN YILBISA. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Happiness John now RAYMOND HAPPINESS. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Iweuno Lucy Chidubem now MBAMALA LUCY CHIDUBEM. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Akinlade Oluwafunke Yetunde now FADAIRO OLUWAFUNKE YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ngoleke Precious now NGOKE PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid NYSC and General Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Ilo Blessing Onyinye now OTUBELU BLESSING ONYINYE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly Aderibigbe Easter Yemi now MOMODU EASTER YEMI. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I, formerly Oladeji Hannah Olabisi O. now ADENIRAN HANNAH OLABISI. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note.

THIS BOX IS FOR SALE

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22 Nigerians to feature at US 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit Shola Adekola - Lagos

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi (second left), presenting one of the laptops to the Vice Chancellor, Bowen University, Iwo, Professor Matthews A. Ojo (second right). With them, from left, are Executive Director, Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation – Africa, Mr Shola Agboola; president, Nigerian Association for Young Adults of Canada, Director of CIT, Bowen University, Dr Akinwale Akinwunmi, Registrar, Dr Kayode Ogunleye and Mr Adekunle Bogunmbe (member), during the presentation of 100 units of laptops to the Bowen University and UNIOSUN campus, Osogbo, by the Nigerian Association for Young Adults of Canada. Professor Matthews received laptops on behalf of the two institutions at the school’s Administrative Building, on Thursday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

Police guard shoots LG boss AlphonsusAgborh-Asaba

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HE chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah, escaped death by a whisker when one of her security aides opened fire on her.

The incident occurred barely one week after she was recalled from a threemonth suspension by the state House of Assembly on allegation of financial misappropriation levelled against her by some of the councillors.

The council boss who attended a thanksgiving service on the fateful day in Asaba had hardly entered her car when the policeman in the front seat turned back and shot at her.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the incident on Friday said, “it was an accidental discharge,” adding that the suspect, identified as David has been arrested.

Speaking to Saturday Tribune from her hospital bed in Asaba, the council boss said the bullet hit her in the stomach, hand and

thighs, adding that 22 pellets were recovered from the vehicle.

“My orderly just opened the door for me to enter the vehicle while the policeman sitting in the front seat turned and faced me with his gun.

“The next thing I saw was fire all over me, as he shot at me consistently. I was lucky the bullet did not open my stomach. I was hit in other parts of my body. It was God who saved my life,” she said.

According to the chairman, when the suspect was

FG woos Spanish investors THE Federal Government has called on Spanish investors to take advantage of the rich economic and business potential in the country and invest in its critical sectors.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the call on Friday in Abuja when the Spain Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Sebastian, paid him a courtesy visit.

He said investors should look beyond the oil and gas sector and invest in other areas, particularly the tourism industry.

Mohammed disclosed that Spain relied on Nigeria for 10 per cent of its oil and eight per cent of its gas.

He added that there was a collaboration which lasted for over 10 years in the areas of photographic exhibition,

arts and painting.

The minister called on potential investors from that country to take advantage of the strategic partnership between Nigeria and Spain for investments.

He assured that the Federal Government would continue to provide the enabling environment and put the right policies in place for business to thrive.

He added that government had already put in place vigorous economic plans for investors.

He stressed that the country was safe but there was high level of exaggeration as to the report on insecurity, noting that “today, Nigeria may be having some pockets of challenges, but we are largely a very safe country.

“Nigeria has a promis-

Edo 2016: APC assures aspirants of fairness in primaries THE All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday assured aspirants of a level playing field.

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, Leader of the national delegation of the party, gave the assurance ahead of APC’s primaries on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Masari said this in Government House shortly after their arrival in Benin City.

He told Governor Adams

apprehended by other security details and sympathisers, he confessed hearing strange voices to shoot as he was under some spiritual influence.

She thanked God for sparing her life, adding that she did not suspect any foul play.

Oshiomhole that members of the delegation would strive to conduct transparent, credible, free and fair primaries by adhering strictly to the party guidelines.

The leader said that this was necessary to restore confidence of party members and the aspirants.

According to him, a candidate who emerges from transparent primaries ahead of the September 10 governorship election will

get the support of members of the party both in the state and at the national level.

He said that members of the delegation, before the conduct of the primaries, would meet with delegates and aspirants to intimate them once again of the need to play by the rules.

Welcoming the delegation, Oshiomole said, “we have put every logistics in place to ensure that the party conducts a credible, free and fair primaries tomorrow.”

ing economy. Nigeria is on track in the area of good governance and fighting insecurity .

“Nigeria still remains investors’ destination.”

The minister said he would use the opportunity of his visit to Spain on invitation of UN World Tourism Organisation to meet with Spanish investors willing to invest in tourism industry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the minister presented a copy of Strategic Implementation Plans of 2016 Budget of Change to the envoy.

Earlier, Sebastian had said that Spain was the second largest client of Nigeria in oil and gas and his country was proud of the relations between both countries.

The envoy said there were Spanish engineering companies working in Nigeria and some investors were in the process of establishing renewable solar energy plant in Kano.

TWENTY-TWO representatives of organisations benefiting Nigerian entrepreneurial development will attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit from June 22 to 24 at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, Los Angeles, United States of America (USA).

According to the Embassy of the USA, Abuja, in a statement, the 22 men and women will join more than 700 entrepreneurs from around the world along with investors, speakers, and leaders in the entrepreneurship space.

“These innovative entrepreneurs will be joined by highlevel U.S. government officials, including President Barack Obama; Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker; Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Maria Contreras-Sweet; U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator, Gayle Smith; Ambassador at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Catherine Russell and Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Richard Stengel.”

Nigerians submitted approximately 420 applications which is the most from any country for this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

2 years on, we miss Arisekola, son, Farouk laments

By Olawale Olaniyan THE second year fidau (special prayer) in remembrance of the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao, will be held today at his residence in Bashorun, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The late business mogul died on June 18, 2014 at the age of 69 in London, during a brief illness.

One of his children, Alhaji Umar Farouk ArisekolaAlao, says he and his siblings miss their dad for many reasons.

Speaking with Saturday Tribune, Farouk, a former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State, said they have been moving on in line with their dad’s guidelines which he says has kept the family together.

“All praises go to Allah, the most gracious and merciful.

We miss our late father, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland; he was an exemplenary person. I will always say we miss everything about him — his strongwill, leadership quality, his jokes, his pieces of advice, lessons when he spoke to us once in a while and the feeling of togetherness in a family.”

Ajimobi’s allegation against pensioners unfortunate —NUP THE Oyo State branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has described as shocking and unfortunate, the allegation by the governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, that the body was planning to oust his government.

A press release jointly signed by the acting chairman, Pa Gbadegesin Akande and state secretary, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, said the NUP’s attention was drawn to radio and television interviews where Governor Ajimobi accused the body of scheming to send him out of office. The governor, according to the release, said the NUP had earlier praised him to high heavens when he paid 142 per cent arrears in 2012.

Replying, the NUP said: “In responsible trade unionism, praises would be given when government was doing well and attention would be called when government is derailing.”

SCHAF set for 2016 World Sickle Cell Day

By Kehinde Adio SICKLE Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF), Nigeria, has concluded all arrangements to join the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s World Sickle Cell Day in Nigeria.

According to the President of the foundation, Professor Adeyinka Falusi, the celebration, which is scheduled to hold tomorrow, becomes inevitable as part of support for the World Health Organisation (WHO) towards achieving its vision of eradicating the menace of Sickle Cell disease across the globe.

Professor Falusi, in a statement issued recently, lamented that Nigeria carried the highest burden of Sickle Cell Disease worldwide. According to her, over four million people are battling with the deadly ailment, while over 40 million individuals are capable of transmitting it to their children.

8 feature Naza Okoli - Lagos

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HERE were close to a hundred bureau de change operators standing casually along the busy Ikotun market road in Lagos, on Monday afternoon. They were spread out along the entire stretch from Governor’s Road through the BRT Park. From that end they called out to passers-by and asked them if they needed dollar or pounds or euro.

Residents say there has been an increase in the number of operators in the area since the forex crisis. Though many of the traders who interacted with Saturday Tribune said dollar had been scarce, the consensus appeared to be that there was a shortage in the supply of the lower denominations of dollar.

“Dollar dey hard,” one of the traders explained.

He called another colleague of his and asked him if he had five dollars; and when the second trader shook his head, he continued: “Maybe you will find five dollars at Iyana-Ejigbo.”

It was not long, however, before another trader announced that he had five dollars. Their general office was a small room behind a cluster of stalls occupied by sellers of second-hand clothes. A middle-aged man stood at the door, while the others moved frantically in and out of the room and the adjoining ones.

It took him several minutes to find five pieces of one dollar, and when the buyer said he would prefer a single note, it took him several more minutes to find the note.

The situation was similar at Yaba on Monday.

From the bus stop to the entrance to the market (but especially beside the garage), operators stood along the road chanting “Dollar… Dollar.”

“Market hasn’t been very good,” one of the men told Saturday Tribune, grinning. “But we are managing. People haven’t been coming for large sums of money. When the exchange rate gets better, things will be better. Things will get back to normal.”

No dollar… plenty sellers For the most part of last week, the exchange rate was N370 for 1 US dollar at the parallel market.

Early this week, however, the naira recorded some improvement against the dollar, as the latter was sold for N355. Bureau de change operators who spoke with Saturday Tribune during the week, nevertheless, were hopeful. The fluctuations in the exchange rate, they say, have kept money buyers away.

The National Compliance Officer of the Association of Bureau de Change Operators in Nigeria (ABCON), Hala Ibrahim, told Saturday Tribune on Tuesday that much would depend on the new guidelines from the Central Bank.

“To be sincere with you, it is affecting us, in a way that we don’t even know how to express. Many of us are out of the market for now. It’s some of those that have other sources of income that may still be there. Definitely the crisis is more than what we can imagine. But hopefully from all indications, CBN’s new guidelines which we have been waiting for will make things clear.” The Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, on Wednesday announced that henceforth, exchange rate would be market-driven.

When asked the reason for the increase in the number of traders even in the middle of a crisis of this nature, Ibrahim said that most of the roadside traders were not in fact members of his association.

“Yes, that may indeed be true,” he said. “But they are not registered bureau de change operators. Most of the ones you find on the streets are not registered; most of those that are registered or licensed you won’t find there. You know from January till date, there hasn’t been enough supply of dollars.

No inter-bank yet. So many operators are now into other things.

“It’s not advisable to patronise the roadside operators. We always advise people to be very careful with these people, especially with the current situation in the country; you cannot be sure of their sources. We cannot stop you from transacting with them when the money involved is

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

‘No dollar, ...business has been very bad’

Office belonging to bureau de change operators at Ikotun.

Traders waiting close to BRT Park at Ikotun, Lagos.

To be sincere with you, it is affecting us, in a way that we don’t even know how to express.

Many of us are out of the market for now. It’s some of those that have other sources of income that may still be there. something like five hundred dollars, or one hundred dollars or even one thousand dollars. But I believe that if you need something like that five hundred thousand dollars, you need to be extra careful.

The registered ones have their offices. They have ABCON numbers.

Definitely, when you have serious transactions like that to make you need to go to an office; you need to count the dollars, sign some receipts, and so on.”

Investigations by Saturday Tribune however showed that all the roadside traders worked as a group, and were all attached to an office within each area.

Their office at Ikotun, for example, was a set of well furnished rooms, complete with tables and sofas. How does ABCON ensure that money buyers are not duped by some of these operators?

“We are trying our best,” Ibrahim said. “If you go to CBN, you would see that two weeks ago, a list of 1,237 bureaux de change that have not been rendering their accounts to CBN was published. Even without the dollar, we do report to them on a weekly basis. For those that have their sources from banks or inter-banks.

People are saying since we are not buying anything we are not selling anything; but we still insist that they must render their returns. And most of them have complied now. We have our members. Customers should be careful. Make enquiries before you approach anyone for that kind of transaction.”

Dollar frenzy The current crisis has continued to dominate discussions on the state of the economy. But it has also birthed many controversies and jokes, as the nation struggles to grapple with the shock. It sometimes seems unfortunate – this demand for the US dollar in a faraway West African country.

“The high demand is more than what I can say,” Ibrahim said. “I don’t want to go there, because of the current issues in the country. Yes, we see that everywhere. In Lagos and Abuja, we have heard of people collecting rent in dollars.”

Many have also found some humour in the predicament. A picture popular in the social media shows four athletes on a race track, dressed as dollar, naira, pounds and euro. While the others raced forward, naira ran in the opposite direction.

Indeed, a Facebook user, a couple of months ago, renounced his Nigerian citizenship, saying he found the dollar-naira exchange rate too embarrassing.

“My name is .... I hereby renounce my Nigerian citizenship... Why am I making this decision? When they say the exchange rate is N400 to 1 dollar, they are trying to say that 400 people in Nigeria are worth only 1 person in the US… in terms of financial value. Is this truly something to ignore?”

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Ajimobi assigns portfolios to commissioners

Mandates OYSIEC to conduct LG election by September Ganiyu heads Special Duties Arulogun mans Information

By Wale Akinselure HE Oyo State Executive Council was inaugurated on Friday with the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, explaining that the 13 months wait was largely due to the parlous state of the nation’s economy and its attendant strain on the state’s finances.

Acknowledging the an-

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ticipation of the people of the state since his second term inauguration on May 29, 2015, Ajimobi also attributed the wait to the need for wide consultations, putting round pegs in round holes and the importance of satisfying the demographic imperative in selecting members of his cabinet.

The ceremony, held at State Executive Council

chambers, saw the swearing in of the Secretary to the State government, Mr Olalekan Alli and commissioners who were subsequently assigned portfolios.

Dr Azeez Adeduntan is now Commissioner for Health; Mrs Atinuke Osunkoya, Women Affairs and Social Welfare; Mr Bimbo Kolade, Local Government and Chieftaincy; Mr Ajiboye Omodewu,

Lands, Housing and Physical Development; while Mr Wasiu Dauda was appointed Commissioner for Works and Transport.

The new Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism is Mr Toye Arulogun; Mr Abayomi Oke; Youths and Sports; Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi, Finance and Budget; Mr Fatai Salau, Liason Affairs and Professor Niyi Olowofela is Commis-

Bayelsa govt creates website on monthly transparency Blames previous administration for state’s debt Austin Ebipade - Yenagoa BAYELSA State government has approved the creation of a website, ‘the Bayelsa Watch’ where its monthly income and expenditure can be accessed.

Disclosing this to news-

men at the end of the 59th executive council meeting during the week, the state Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Mr Jonathan Obuebite, said, it was in line with the present administration’s policy of transparency and accountability.

Okada riders protest alleged extortion

by O-TRAM officials in Osun Oluwole Ige - Osogbo COMMERCIAL motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, on Friday in Osogbo, capital of Osun State, staged a peaceful protest to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, over alleged extortion of their members by officials of Osun Traffic Management (O-TRAM).

The okada riders, numbering over 50, besieged the palace, located at the Oja Oba area around 2.15 p.m and blocked its entrance to register their grievances over what they termed the excesses of OTRAM officials on the road.

One of the protesters identified as Taofeek Adekanmi said “the O-TRAM people are fond of collecting money from us while we are doing our business on a daily basis and this becoming too much.”

According to him, “most of the time when they stop us and we refuse to comply, they would pull our motorcycles, thereby causing accidents, which sometimes result in injuries for us and the passengers.”

“The latest incident, which culminated in this protest occurred today, on Oke Baale Road when one of O-TRAM officials tried to stop an okada rider carrying an aged woman.

The okada man refused to stop and the O-TRAM official pulled the motorcycle from the back. The aged woman fell and had her teeth removed. You can imagine that kind of wickedness.”

However, Oba Olanipekun was said to have

invited a few of the aggrieved okada riders into his palace, where he held a meeting with them, assuring them that he would intervene in addressing their grievances.

He blamed the state’s indebtedness on the lack of financial discipline of the previous administration, adding that over 85 per cent of the monthly allocation from the Federation Account was spent on servicing debts, including bonds, loans and over payments.

The website, according to him, will be domiciled in the State Ministry of Information and Orientation to enable people have unfettered access to information, especially on issues relating to the finances of the state.

Describing the new development as an improvement

on the existing transparency initiative programme, Obuebite maintained that the monthly presentation of the state’s un-audited account to the general public would go a long way in reducing speculations on the financial transactions of the administration.

According to him, on assumption of office in 2011, the state governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, promised the people of the state that he would run all an inclusive and transparent government and he has kept faith with the vow in the last four and half years.

sioner for Education.

Other newly appointed commissioners are, Mrs Taibat Adaba, Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; Mr Oyewole Oyewunmi, Agric, Natural Resources and Rural development; Mr Isaac Adisa, Environment and Water Resources; Alhaji Mudathir Ganiyu, Special Duties and Mr Oluseun Abimbola was appointed Commissioner for Justice.

Ajimobi charged the new appointees not to disappoint their constituents, families and people of the state, warning against backbiting, character assassination or personal aggrandisement.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) was also sworn in on Friday with a 90 days mandate to conduct elections in September.

Ajimobi explained that the inability of the state to conduct local government election since 2011 was due to legal entanglement in

the status of OYSIEC that was recently addressed.

Ajimobi vouched for the integrity and character of the OYSIEC members, adding that he had no personal relationship with them prior to their selection.

“The conduct of council polls has left the realm of conjecture for reality. Parties should set machinery in motion and brace up for the council election to hold in September 2016. I assure all parties of transparency and credibility of the election. I make bold to say I don’t know any of the OYSIEC members,” Ajimobi said.

The chairman of the commission is Mr Ajeigbe Olajide.

Other members of the commission are Mr Sunday Aborisade, Mr Adedeji Raimi and Mr David Adeagbo.

The OYSIEC list also includes, Mr Bello Lateef, Mrs Omolola Odekunbi, Mr Abdulrasaq Akuru and Mr Rasheed Olajire.

10

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

11

18 June, 2016

Saturday With

S

HOCK and disbelief were the reaction of the world to the killing on Thursday of 41-year old British Member of Parliament, Jo Cox. She was stabbed and shot in Birstall, near Leeds in northern England. A budding political star of the Labour Party, Cox’s assassination entered British history as the first on a lawmaker after the Conservative MP Ian Gow’s, whose killing by car bombing by the IRA in 1990 ripped through the marrows of the world. Cox’s assailant apparently trailed her and immediately she finished a regular public meeting with her constituents and was coming out on her own, she was stabbed and later shot dead. Unlike Nigeria where security details crowd round public officials, British politicians of Cox hue scarcely get chaperoned by security details. Cox’s murder was linked to the current “In or Out” debate, a public referendum on whether Britain should stay or leave the European Union.

A few weeks ago, at Kofar Wambai market in Kano State, a 74-year-old woman was said to have been assassinated by a mob which saw her opposition to a Moslem man praying at the front of her stall as blasphemy against the Islam God. She was said to have been promptly descended upon and killed. A timely intervention saved her husband who was also said to have been on the verge of being assassinated.

Only a few days ago, in the city of Orlando, Florida, a gunman named Omar Marten had sneaked into a club house for homosexuals and succeeded in a massacre of 49 people, making it the centre of the worst mass shooting in modern US history. Omar, from investigations, could not put up with the idea of homosexualism and his angst was said to have been kick-started by the idea of two men kissing weeks earlier at the front of the club. He just put self up as martyr for other innumerable persons in the world who can’t put up with gays.

In the triad instances above, the linking factor is human delimitation of a space which nobody else dared occupy. In the case of Cox, a thorough investigation, which is sure to be done by the British police, would reveal this frailty of humanity. A 52-year-old man called Tommy Mair is being investigated for this crime. The assailant was said to have shouted ‘Put Britain first’ about two or three times before he rained three shots on her, making it obvious that the beef against Cox was her belief and opinion about the future of Britain which Mair ostensibly opposed. In the assassinated Kano septuagenarian, the beef was about religion, of an army which believed that God had been ridiculed and needed their intervention to

Saturday Tribune

ayinla mukaiba ayinlamukaiba@yahoo.com

Jo Cox and the universalism of intolerance

obtain remedy on His behalf.

The human gaffe here is noticeable. We hold a turgid opinion of where we stand that does not approve of any bending. In the case of religion, we create such an omnibus and inimitable space for our religious belief which, anything that is against it is heresy. In the same vein, we carve a humongous space for our opinion about our God or the object of our worship, so hugely that any infiltration into this space is akin to death.

The assassination of Cox is said to be very strange in a society which was reputed to be tolerant of the opinion of the other person and where political opinions were traded with diverse and plural minds by the people. The CNN, while analyzing Cox’s murder, classified it as a brazen and startling assault “in a country where attacks on politicians are extremely rare and the slaying of a lawmaker is without parallel in recent history.”

However, in virtually all societies, especially in third world countries, we all hold one variant of intolerance

or the other. The species are varied, ranging from sexuality intolerance, religious intolerance, gender intolerance; you name it. At the core of intolerance is the carving of a special role or space for ourselves which we believe is without measure impregnable and immutable. Beliefs and attitudes to life are measured and formed by cultures, history and environment. If for instance a gay walks into an African’s room and identifies self as such, there is the huge likelihood that the man will either run away or feel very uncomfortable at the presence of a man who subscribes to such ‘alien sexuality.’ The first safeguard is profiling and the next, intolerance.

I am not sure if this perception has dissolved: if a Hausa man walks into the home of a Yoruba man today, the first imagery he builds up in his mind is that of a man who has strapped round his side a dagger with which he is ready to attack at any provocation. A Yoruba man who goes to the east, apart from the profiling of gobbling tomes of palm oil in his soup, is perceived as dirty and treacherous; the Igbo man, so goes the perception, would kill his father and frame his mother for the murder so far the cash is right. And most of these profiling is borne of ancient myths and inaccurate history. If it is given a religious colouration, then we begin to back our resentment with copious quotations from the holy writ which attack those who give selves up to reprobate minds.

We thus carve out a section of hell for holders of such ‘strange’ opinions, fetishizing where we stand and excoriating where the other man stands. This is the epistemology of intolerance.

In most instances of religious intolerance, our enemies become the enemies of God and we inflict our brand of reprisal on such holders of opposing view, hoping we will be compensated by God for His defence against ‘infidels.’ Balderdash and awkward as it may be, this is the geography of intolerance. It exists in virtually all nooks and crannies of the world, in different brands and textures.

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18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

With Aunty Yemi 08056834515 ojeleyeoyeyemi@yahoo.com . is everyday..u th g in y a s e I may not b But I want to thank yo , ou do For all that y ll your For a ays... h thoug tful wantly, port And most imwonderful e For th person you are!

C a r t O On

T

HE picture puzzle looks like a photograph taken in the lap of nature. However, in this picture the artist has hidden many faces. There are many hidden faces of humans as well as animals. Compared to other pictures this picture has more hidden faces. With little effort, the creative artist said he could find more than 15 faces in this picture. See how many of these hidden faces you can name correctly.

Tributes to our fathers

This year’s Father’s Day will be observed tomorrow. In the spirit of the day set aside for children to honour their fathers, some students of Great Minds College, Akobo Ojurin, Ibadan, Oyo State, pay tributes to their dads.

1.

SEMILORE Aderibigbe, 12 yrs old, grade 9 My father, I appreciate your fatherly care and affection you have showered on me. You’ve always stood by me even when I wronged you. You are a man of integrity and virtue. I appreciate your struggle to make available my basic needs, even when you’re not financially buoyant.

You taught me endurance, contentment and that people change when situation changes. You also enjoin me to value things. My father, you have taught me a lot of things that a million of pages can‘t contain. I really appreciate you dear father. Happy Father’s Day. 2.

Ebunoluwa Popoola, 12 yrs old, grade 9 I want to thank you so much for everything you have done for me since I was born. When I was in the womb, you cared for me; when I was born, you rocked me. You provide food for our family, buy clothes for me, pay my school fees, etc. It’s been a privilege having you as my father. When I become an adult, I will ensure that you reap the fruit of your labour, by placing you in a high position

any wrong. Each passing day, I become better from the morals you teach me. I pray that God will enrich you beyond your imaginations. Amen.

1

3

2

4

where 6 y o u w i l l h a v e cause to always laugh until you go to meet the Lord in your old age. I love you daddy.

3. Badru Oluwatimilehin Durosinmi, grade 9 Daddy, the channel through which I came to life, the one who has been there for me all this while, what can make me forget you? The tall version of me. He is quite dark and slim. There is no one I can

5

compare w i t h 7 you.

You are the key, with which I unlock my destiny. Neither gold nor silver can replace you. I thank you a lot for your efforts to raise me. Be blessed forever and have a wonderful Father’s Day celebration.

4. Ifeoluwa Famuyibo, 11 yrs old, grade 7 I really thank God for giving me a good father, Mr Famuyibo Ifeoluwa.

You do not spare me of

5.

Bello Kabiru, grade 8 My dad is loving and caring. With a few sentences, I want to express my gratitude on the occasion of another Father’s Day. I will never forget the trip to London when I was younger with my grandmother. You bought all toys I requested. It has ever been great coming to pick me up after school, taking me to dinner at the end of each term. All thiskind gesture remains fresh in my memory and I’m proud to have you as my father. Continue to live in good health and God’s blessings daddy.

6. Mubarak Adeniyi, 13 yrs old, grade 8 My father, I thank you for all you’ve done for me since I was born. I’m grateful for the care I receive from you, not minding what it costs you.

When I look at some children who lack the fatherly care I receive, I remind myself that without you, I would have been one of those children on the street.As you celebrate this year’s Father’s Day, I pray it will be a joyous one for you.

7.

Olamiposi Aderibigbe, 11 yrs old, grade 7 My father, my father, my father, thank you for bearing me in mind at all times. I appreciate the training you gave me to become a disciplined boy. You always put me through my assignments.

This has helped be to be one of the best among my peers, God bless you sir.

You believe that when there is still breath in a man, there is hope for him. I thank you dad for laying good examples for us. I hope to follow in your footsteps, a man of discipline.

13

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

food&drink Mr Olufowobi Oluwaseun Abolade is the owner of Taste Maker Catering Services and Small Chops. Having had close to a decade experience in the catering profession, he speaks with TOLUWALASE ODETUNDE on what inspired him to go into food service and his experiences so far.

W

HAT is it like being in a profession widely acknowledged as that of a woman?

It’s exciting for me because I believe it’s a talent that God has given me and I’m using it.

What inspired you into going into catering?

Apart from the fact that I have a passion for it, when I was in the secondary school, people called me ‘Okanlawon’ because I was the only guy among women in the food and nutrition class. Thereafter, I trained in several catering outfits to perfect the skill and I haven’t looked back since then.

Have you created a recipe of late?

Yes, I adapted the meat ball sauce and created something different from it. Meatballs is an uncommon but delicious small chop and most people eat meatballs with curry sauce.

I’ve discovered that most of the imported curry affects people in that they start having running stomach. So, I decided to create a sauce that can be eaten with meatballs.

How is this sauce prepared?

The ingredients needed are minced meat, eggs, corn flour, vegetable oil, spring onions, green pepper, dried pepper, bread crumbs, seasoning and salt to taste. First, mix all ingredients together. Add eggs together with bread crumbs. Roll into balls and deep-fry till golden brown. For the meat sauce, pour water in pot and mix with corn flour. Add vegetable oil. Continue to stir until thick.

Add your favourite vegetable. Serve with meatballs.

What is the trend for dishes in parties these days?

Trend in parties depends on what is being ordered but any time I want to serve any of my sauce, I prepare Chinese rice. But because Chinese rice is usually white, I came up with veg rice and special fried rice with noodles.

Can you recall the most challenging situation you have had to deal with?

That would be preparing some kinds of sauces because sauces require adequate attention.

Is there something about catering that most people don’t know?

Everybody is a caterer as long as you can

For the love of

beef,

prepare something. We only differ in our knowledge of the secret of good cooking.

What are the top three things you put in mind when catering for clients?

To provide sufficient food with great taste.

Do you have a favourite food?

go for delish meat balls

I can’t say I have a favourite food but the food I can’t be tired of eating is white rice. I can eat it from morning till night, seven days a week, and twelve months in a year.

What dish do you prepare when you want to give yourself a treat?

Everybody is a caterer as long as you can prepare something. We only differ in our knowledge of the secret of good cooking.

I prefer taking African snacks like dundu elepo, akara elepo, dodo, ojojo.

Do you feel comfortable eating other people’s food?

Sometimes, I complain because I don’t eat just for consumption sake but also to enjoy the delicious taste. I eat other people’s food but deep inside of me, I complain when it’s not tasty enough.

What foods do you like preparing?

In this part of the world, we mostly consume carbohydrates. To counter this, I love to prepare spring rolls and I recommend it.

In fact it is scarce in most restaurants and if you find it at all, it’s mostly floury which shouldn’t be. I prefer it to other small chops because it is healthy and it contains a lot of vegetable which is nutritious to the body.

14

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

With Bosede Ola-Samuel 08112658560 bosedeola_samuel@yahoo.com

intimacy STRICTLY FOR ADULTS

selves off whatever tension they have faced at work. That is why it has been said that after a hard day’s work, there are always two things on the mind of a man: good food and good sex. He looks forward to good food for physical replenishment while he looks forward to good sex for emotional and psychological replenishment. Where he gets the first, his tension is calmed but not extinguished, and at any little provocation can easily be awakened. And where the two are available for him, all tensions are defused.

Why sex comes first in marriage

S

EX plays certain important roles in the marriage and couples must note these roles to help them build enough energy for sexual fulfilment in the marriage. Below are some of such roles.

Sex boosts a man’s self esteem: A fulfilling sex life does magic to a man’s ego. Men are created to be the protectors, the drivers, and the go-getters. Good sex makes them feel adequate and gives them the strength to do all they need to do to protect and provide for their home. It boosts their self-image and gives them whatever courage they need to pursue their goals. It makes them feel like men. No matter how poor your man’s self-image is, you can build it up by giving him good sex.

Sex fuels the love of the man for his wife: For a man, helping to satisfy his sexual urge passes a message across to him. It is an indication that you love and appre-

ciate him. When you are not available to fulfill this role as his wife, there is no other means by which you can make him to believe that you truly love him. You can say it until you are blue in the face, it will still mean nothing to him.

But even when you don’t say it with words but prove it by satisfying him sexually, it is all right by him. According to Wendy Treat, “The tenderness of your love for him, satisfying his sexual drive and building his ego will cause him to love and admire you more.”

Sex is a shock absorber for the marriage: Men in their day-to-day activities and in the pursuit of their goals undergo a lot of stress and many times, their wives are usually on the receiving end. Coming home after a tension-filled day at work, they tend to unleash their anger on us at every opportunity that presents itself. But good sex provides them an opportunity to ease them-

conversewithyemisi Is he ready to turn over a new leaf?

Dear Yemisi, I am a lady, aged 24 years. Please, I really need your help.

I have been dating a guy who I really love for the past three years.

I gave him my all despite the fact that he doesn't have a job. I have spent a lot on him by devoting everything that I have to him without anything in return. I never complained. I took his family as mine I didn't discriminate against him.

In May last year, I discovered he was cheating on me. The other lady called me to tell me everything. I accosted him and he apologised and begged me. I thought he was remorseful so I forgave him, though it took me sometime to forget about the incident.

Some weeks ago, I discovered that he was still cheating on me with many ladies and even older women. I discovered he has really lied a lot to me. I realised that he based our relationship on lie

For Her Funmilayo, 30, fair-skinned, 5.2feet tall, Christian, needs a man aged between 35 and 48 for a relationship.

Call 08146550941.

Olayinka, 29, 5.5 feet tall, from Ogun State, needs a God-fearing man aged 36 to 47 for marriage. Call 07038012778.

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Abidemi, 30, from Lagos State, honest, romantic, needs a caring, loving, honest man aged between 36 and 50 for a relationship. Contact 08103237227.

throughout our three years together. It really hurt me because he was my first boyfriend. Coupled with this is the fact that we have had formal introduction.

I have always been faithful to him. He's telling me now that he wants to start his life afresh and turn over a new leaf. He wants me to give him another chance. I am very confused. I don't know what to do. I know marriage is still a long way, so I really need your advice.

Please, I am begging you to save me Enny.

Dear Enny, I can see from your narrative that you are really in love with this guy but he is not from the way he has treated you thus far. I am not condemning him as I have based my input on what you have sent to me.

Love is said to cover everything as nobody can lay claim to perfection except God. Enny, you rather went too early into having the formal introduction with a man who has displayed his turf on a number of occasions in the last three years.

For Him

Engineer Olokun, based in Ibadan, Oyo State, needs a fat, educated, beautiful, working class lady aged 30 to 35 as wife. Call 08055913789.

Bayo, 46, five feet tall, needs a mature lady for a relationship. Call 08133681201.

Oluwasegun, 30, needs a responsible lady aged 21 or above to marry. Call 07064314354.

Sex enhances a wife’s womanhood and her ego: A woman feels bad on the inside when she has a horrible sexual experience and when things don’t work out right in her sexual relationship with her husband. She feels unfulfilled. While her man slumps into deep sleep, snoring away, she turns to the other side, soaking her pillow with tears.

Sex affirms a man’s love for his wife: Every woman has a sex drive though it may not be as strong as that of her husband and good sex helps to satisfy this drive. A woman wants to have sex with the man she loves and is convinced he loves her.

Sex reduces nervousness in a woman: It relaxes her nervous system. Even when things are not as smooth as she desires, because she is assured of her husband’s love, she is at rest. The nervousness of life diminishes.

The truth is, many women are not aware of this power of sex, when they are tensed up, they don’t naturally think sex like the men. But good sex helps to calm their nerves and the tension around them if they dare to give themselves to it.

With this knowledge of the place of sex in marriage, husbands and wives must go out of their way to satisfy themselves sexually. When this is achieved, sexual immorality among the married couples will be drastically reduced, if not eradicated.

08055001741 (sms only) yemiaofolaju@yahoo.com

If he has any respect for you as you have treated him like a king, he should not have hurt you by being careless with his phone or how did the lady who confirmed that they were dating get your number?

How are you sure that he will not go back to his vomit as he is promising to turn over a new leaf? Hardly will you find a man who is not double-dating, but dating elderly women is a dangerous dimension to the issue at hand. Having your agemates as his girlfriends could still be tolerated while hoping that he will stop with time, but women old enough to be your sister or mum is a risky adventure.

Though he is claiming to be a new man, the fact is, can a leopard change its spots? You had better watch your back at his second coming. Enny, you are still at liberty to make the right choice and not allow your sense of good reasoning be beclouded by sentiment.

Your fears, if I am correct, stem from the fact that you had your formal introduction and what people are likely to be saying, but if you know that your destiny is yours and that no other person can live your life for you , kindly tarry a while before you take another plunge.

If care is not taken, this lover of yours will continue in his old way by cheating on you capitalising on the fact that he will apologise for his misdeed again with the assurance that you are the forgiving type.

I am not trying to dissuade you nor asking you to stop giving him another trial, but you must count the cost before you embark on the trip again.

Don’t be fooled. It is the duty of the man to be the one in love and not the other way round as it is a known fact that not many ladies are given to frivolous lifestyle. Be guided by what will become of your future if you are insisting on having him as your husband.

15

18 June, 2016

health&fitness

Saturday Tribune BLESSING EKUM

ekumblessing@gmail.com 08116954639

End shaving problems; protect your skin from infections

By Blessing Ekum

F

OR most people, a smooth, healthy-looking skin is a delight, anytime. There are very few people, if any at all, who do not care if their skin looks healthy or not. This might explain the array of products in beauty shops to help achieve the ideal skin. In spite of all the products and their alleged magical results, when it comes to grooming, one of the biggest issues most people face is ingrown hair, primarily found in areas of the body that have been shaved, more especially around the bearded area, neck, armpits and the pubic region.

Normally hair resides and grows within the hair follicle. After shaving, sometimes strands of hair will grow inward or sideways through the follicle, that is, they curl back on themselves and grow into the skin. This action causes the tip of the hair to pierce the surrounding skin, causing inflammation and intense itching of the affected area. The intense itching provokes scratching. The broken skin allows bacteria to enter the hair follicle which worsens the inflammation, giving rise to pimples, pain and even fever.

Because of our skin pigment in this part of the world, the inflammation causes excess pigmentation (dark spots or hyper-pigmentation), making the area unsightly and socially embarrassing, leaving the skin with bumps that have a rough, sand-paper feel.

Like in every other aspect of health and grooming, prevention is always way better than trying to treat a condition. Mrs Anita Adewale, a skin care specialist, says following these shaving instructions can help prevent razor bumps from forming: • Always use a clean razor with sharp blades to shave • Use a shaving cream on the part of the body to be shaved and let the shaving cream sit for at least one minute so as to soften the hair for a smoother shave. The shaving cream also improves the gliding ability of the razor. In the absence of shaving cream, shave in the shower by showering for at least five minutes with warm water to both cleanse the part of the body that needs shaving and soften the hairs. Alternatively, place a towel soaked in warm water on the body part for five minutes to soften the hairs before shaving.

• Don’t stretch the skin when shaving, and always shave in the direction the hair grows. Use the fewest razor strokes possible.

• Make sure to rinse the blade out after every few strokes to get rid of any shaving cream, hair and dead skin because shaving with a clogged up razor could lead to cuts.

• After shaving, press a cold wet cloth against your face for five minutes.

• Use an antibacterial aftershave to kill any bacteria that may infect the skin.

• If hair grows inwards or sideways, lift

Bumps from shaving serve the blades, place them in a container of alcohol to keep them clean and sharp so they won’t irritate your skin.

Keloid from nick while shaving

While shaving may cause bumps, shaving on its own does not cause keloids except in those who already have the tendency to develop keloids. the hair out with a sterile needle and clip the hair close to the skin. Do not pull out the hair! Pulling the hair out only gives temporary relief. The new hair will pierce the surface of the skin, repeating the vicious cycle.

However, if you are using an electric razor, the procedure differs slightly. According to nowloss.com, to shave your face using an electric razor, • You want the hairs on your face to be dry and stiff so the blades of the electric razor can cut the hairs off much easier.

• You don’t want to wet or moisturise your face with shaving cream before shaving but you can dry out your skin even more by using a pre-shave alcohol-based lotion

to really help dry out all the oils in your skin to make your hairs stand up straight for easier shaving but don’t use any alcohol based lotions if you have dry skin.

• Begin shaving your face with the electric razor along the grain.

• Don’t press the electric razor down hard into face just gently glide the electric razor over your face so it can cut your hair.

• After you shave, you can wash off any of the pre-shave lotion if it’s still there and then you can moisturise your face.

• Be sure to keep your electric razor clean and to also replace the blades once they get dull.

• Use the right kind of razor when shaving and make sure to clean after use. To pre-

Are bumps the same as keloids?

There is usually mix-up about bumps and keloids and while most erroneously interchange both, the fact remains that both are different. Dr Adebola Ogunbiyi, a consultant dermatologist with the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said, “keloids are different from bumps. The exact cause of keloids is unknown. Keloids are just an excess of tissue. When there is a wound (which doesn’t have to be a cut; it could be as simple as hitting a part of the body against a hard object), it has to repair.

So, for those who have the tendency to have keloids, there is excess repair of the tissue.

While shaving may cause bumps, shaving on its own does not cause keloids except in those who already have the tendency to develop keloids. What happens in such cases is that any nick while shaving would precipitate a keloid developing as the skin tries to heal.”

She adds that while bumps may not be permanent, keloids are permanent in those that have the tendency because it is genetic and can’t be removed from the genes.

Can razor bumps be treated?

Though there are numerous products touted to treat bumps, it is best you consult with a dermatologist to suggest the best treatment so as not to further complicate issues. However, the first step to take is to stop shaving. In place of using razors, depilatories can be used. These hair removal products should be used sparingly as they can also irritate the skin if overused.

16 healthandfitness

18 June, 2016

Deflowered by a mobile phone?

I am a 24 year old virgin. One day, I forgot my mobile phone on my tummy and it vibrated for some time.

When I next checked my panties, I discovered a bit of blood therein.

Does this mean that I have been deflowered?

Kindly help me.

Funmilayo (by SMS) The vibration of a mobile

Fasting during Ramadan for patients with diabetes carries a risk of an assortment of complications. In general, patients with Insulin-dependent diabetes should be strongly advised to not to fast. However, patients on anti-diabetic drugs like you can fast after ample discussion with your doc-

waleokediran@yahoo.co.uk

My embarrassing potbelly phone is not enough to break your hymen and could therefore not deflower you. The

tor concerning the risks involved. Since your diabetes is well controlled and your medications can be taken twice a day, it should be safe to fast. However, you have to take the early morning meals preceding the day’s fasting so as to build up an appreciable amount of blood sugar level that will last you throughout the day.

It is also important for you not to overexert yourself

blood in your panties must have been due to something else.

during the day in order to avoid over depleting your blood sugar level which may lead to fainting attacks.

However, if you feel dizzy or faint, you should immediately break your fast with some sweets, sugar or any sugary drink at hand. It is for this reason that it is advisable for you to carry some sweets or sugar in your handbag as an emergency measure.

I always have hot flashes FOR the past two years since I reached menopause (I am now 58 years old), I always feel hot especially at night to the extent that when everybody is cold, I am the only one who feels hot. Things are so bad that I cannot sleep without the air conditioner even in

very cold weather. Your kind advice will be appreciated.

Nneka (by SMS) A hot flash is a common symptom found in menopausal women. It is a feeling of intense heat usually caused by some hormonal imbalance. Hot flashes can appear

Dr. Abiodun Adeoye adeoyemoshood@yahoo.com

C

Dr. Wale Okediran 08055069356 (sms only)

Can I fast with my diabetes?

I have been managing my diabetes with medications (tablets) and diet for the past two years with good results. During this period, I did not fast because I wanted to be sure that the diabetes was well controlled. Now that it is, I would want to take part in this year’s Ramadan fasting. Please let me know if it is safe to do so.

Aminat (by SMS)

Saturday Tribune

08056564360, 08072000017 (sms only)

ARDIAC arrest is becoming a recurrent decimal in the country. Whenever it strikes, everyone mourns, especially if they are athletes. While sympathising with the families of the deceased, few precautions can be taken to prevent cardiac arrests. As stated /earlier, the rate of cardiac arrest is on the increase but when athletes are involved, it pains all of us, that is why we want to re-examine causes of cardiac arrest among them.

Experience of Fabrice Muamba’s miraculous recovery few years ago will teach our athletes and certain hospitals a lesson on the need to undergo real cardiovascular screening before engaging in sports. After this experience, it is now mandatory for all athletes in Europe to undergo cardiovascular screening twice in a year, because I’m sure Muamba would have been certified fit at the beginning of the season, yet that event occurred.

For some of us that did not watch Bolton/Tottenham match then, Muamba, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire, collapsed on the field of play after going into cardiac arrest in the 41st minute of the game. Medics tried unsuccessfully to revive Muamba for 48 minutes before he arrived at the hospital, Bolton team doctor Jonathan Tobin said.

It took another 30 minutes, after 15 shocks from a defibrillator, before the player’s heart started beating again on its own. It took the intervention of a cardiologist-spectator who joined the resuscitation team. If this happens in our country of today, you know the end result. How many cardiologists are spectators?

I believe what we have now is prevention which is the best.

Let us examine some of the likely causes of cardiac arrest among athletes, starting with certain definitions for clarity.

Who is an athlete?

An athlete is an individual that participates in organized competitive sports, or those that exercise regularly and vigorously and have an active lifestyle, including sports, or sometimes physically conditioned military personnel. Individuals that lead a sedentary lifestyle and exercise occasionally are not listed as athletes.

What is cardiac arrest?

Cardiac arrest, (also known as cardiopulmonary arrest or circulatory arrest) is the cessation of normal circulation of the

I am a 56-year-old civil servant with a large potbelly. I have done everything possible to reduce the belly including abstaining from alcohol and late dinner, but to no avail. Some of my friends have suggested some types of drugs which I have also used without any improvement. I will appreciate your kind suggestion to treat this very embarrassing situation.

Silas (by SMS) As we get older, our body fat tends to increase, and usually the increase is around your midsection. A growing potbelly not only makes it difficult to zip a pair

suddenly, or you may feel them coming on. Each woman’s triggers for hot flashes may be a little different, but some common ones include drinking alcohol, consuming products with caffeine, eating spicy foods, being in a hot room, feeling stressed or anxious, wearing tight

of jeans, but it’s also not good for your health.

Tummy fat may contribute to health problems, but you can lose the belly and improve your overall health by following a healthy diet and exercise plan. Apart from a total avoidance of alcohol, you also need to reduce your intake of fatty, starchy

clothing as well as smoking or being exposed to cigarette smoke. Although a hot flash usually disappears over some time in many women, they can be controlled by dressing in layers, even on the coldest days, so you can adjust your clothing to how you’re feeling, sipping ice water at the start

Cardiac arrest in athletes

blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively.

A cardiac arrest is different from (but may be caused by) a heart attack, where blood flow to the muscle of the heart is impaired.

What is sudden death?

Sudden death is defined as “an abrupt unexpected death of cardiovascular cause, in which the loss of consciousness occurs within 1-12 hours of the onset of symptoms.” Sudden death in athletes can occur during or immediately after exercise, some at rest or during sleep.

As rare as it is, Nigerian still have sad memory of the late Sam Okparaji on the field of play. Antonio Puerta, at age 22 had a heart attack in the middle of a game in front of a stadium full of fans in Seville, Spain. Chaswe Nsofwa died while playing in Israel, and Anton Reid, a 16-year-old professional soccer player, collapsed in the middle of a game in England.

Prevalence The rate of occurrence vis-à-vis specific prevalence of sudden death in athletes is difficult to determine. There are non-elite athletes that die unnoticed. From a few newspaper reports, it estimated that one in 15,000 joggers and one in 50,000 marathoners die suddenly on the field of play. The number will increase if the search is further focused on other sports that lack recognition.

Causes of cardiac arrest/death in athletes The precise disease causing sudden death in athletes varies with age. In younger age group, congenital heart disease causes majority of deaths. In older athletes, the cause is usually as a result of coronary artery disease resulting in heart attack during exercise. This is why even though physical activities are good for cardiovascular system, the exercise has to be prescribed based on your cardiac status and is properly supervised.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) This is genetically determined and runs in the family. There is the thickening and enlargement of the ventricular septum (partition that separates the two lower chambers) and/or other segments of the left ventricle with or without a partial obstruction to the blood flow out of the left side of the heart.

During intense training, there is an increase demand on the heart, producing alteration in the “blood ions”, volume and level of hydration. The disarray heart muscle fibers in HCM cannot cope with this state thereby leading to ventricular ar-

and fried foods. It is also important for you to avoid late dinners so that your food can be well digested before you go to bed. Regular exercise such as long walks and sporting activities such as tennis, golf and swimming will also assist in the weight loss. It is not advisable to use drugs to reduce your tummy fat due to the possibilities of unpleasant side effects.

of a hot flash, wearing cotton night clothes and using cotton bed linens, keeping an ice pack on your bedside table. In extreme cases, a hot flash can be managed with a hormone therapy as prescribed by a medical specialist.

rhythmias (abnormal heart beat) which if untreated leads to death in minutes. With the enlargement of the heart muscles, the ‘out flow’ of blood to brain is partially blocked at rest. The partial obstruction may increase twice as high with intense physical exercise compared with level at rest making reduced perfusion of brain and heart muscle more marked.

In some countries such as Italy, screening for this condition is mandatory for footballers and sufferers are not allowed to play.

But in Britain it is up to individual clubs.

The warning signs are unusual tiredness or dizziness on mild exertion. More importantly if there is family history of sudden death, please see your doctor for evaluation.

Congenital coronary artery anomalies Mostly, a wrong origin of the left main coronary artery is the second most frequent cause of athletic field deaths. It may not be as common in this environment. If you study our usual picture in this column you will see the usual location of left main coronary artery (LCA) and it supplies the major parts of the heart. So any anomaly will definitely affect the function of the heart. These anomalies result in positioning of less efficient artery to carry out the function of LCA. In addition the anomalous arteries may dive into the heart muscle instead of lying on the surface (epicardial) and may be occluded when the heart muscle that surrounds the abnormally placed artery squeezes aggressively, as with the exercise, shutting off blood supply to part of the heart. This initiates the electrical system and can cause ventricular fibrillation and sudden death.

Echocardiography, radionuclide studies and coronary angiogram can be used to diagnose the disease.

Before you embark on that vigorous sport, kindly check up you cardiac status.

The pre-participation athletic physical examination is a useful tool to screen children and adolescents for their risk of sudden cardiac death.

Sporting activity is a unifying force among different ethnic groups worldwide and we cannot watch you die on the field of play. Although Muamba’s heart was eventually restarted, the major concern now is that just a few minutes without blood pumping to the brain could have caused brain damage. If he had died, the club would still continue the competition. Let us be wise check you cardiac status. To be contuned.

(To be continued)

17

18 June, 2016

Divorce

Saturday Tribune

Court & Crime

‘Hehasbeen threateningmylife, promisingtofightme witheverythinghehas’

Dissolve the marriage, but tell her to pay my money —Husband

He threatened my life by reporting me to his Ogboni cult —Wife I’ll state my side when the time comes —Husband

Stories by Oluwole Ige - Osogbo, Ayomide Owonibi-Odekanyin and Oyeyemi Okunlade, with Agency reports

A

35-year-old housewife, Tomilola Ogundele, has asked an Ikole customary court in Ekiti State to dissolve her 16-year-old marriage to Olanrewaju Aluko over alleged threats to her life.

She also alleged that her husband was threatening to deal with her by reporting her to the Ogboni cult.

Ogundele filed for divorce on the grounds of alleged “threats to her life, no rest of mind, non-payment of her bride price and lack of care for her and the three children of the union.”

She further prayed the court to order the defendant to pay all outstanding maintenance allowances and school fees of the children.

The plaintiff, testifying in the court session, alleged that Aluko had previously accused her of flirting with her ex-boyfriend.

She said that he then reported her to the members of the Ogboni cult who summoned her to appear before it in 2012.

“He does not care for my upkeep and that of the children nor responsible for the school fees of the three children, which I shouldered alone.

“He always threatened to use my hair and pants for rituals to make me mad if I ever made attempt to leave him.

“I finally left him because of the continuous threats to my life so as to have peace of mind and cope with my life.

“I want the court to dissolve the marriage with the defendant.

“I also want the custody of the children because the defendant has no one that

can help him take care of them,” she said.

The plaintiff further demanded N20,000 as feeding allowance for the children and prayed the court to restrain the plaintiff from further disturbing her in her current residence.

The defendant, Olanrewaju Aluko, however, denied the allegations during cross examinations and told the court that he would explain his own side of the story when he opened his defence.

President of the court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, adjourned the case till July 11 for continuation of hearMy husband attempted to ing. my sister several times, Ojo, however, warned rape woman tells court the parties from harass- Shepackedouttolivewith ing or assaulting each anotherman’cosIamnolonger buoyant—Husband other anywhere.

She also ordered the I will not starve you sexually plaintiff to ensure all again, wife tells husband her witnesses were in Mywifehaspromisedtochange court on the adjourned andIhaveforgivenher—Husband date.

See pages 18 & 23

inside

AN Ado-Ekiti customary court in Ekiti State has dissolved the 20-year-old marriage between Akinyemi Comfort and her husband, Julius, over threats to life.

President of the court, Mrs Olayinka Akomolede, observed that the marriage had broken down irretrievably and consequently dissolved the marriage.

Akomolede held that the petitioner should refund the N60,000 loan obtained by the respondent for her business.

She also ordered the respondent never to cross the path of the petitioner.

Comfort, 52, a resident of Zone 5, Olorunsogo, Ado-Ekiti, had said that their trouble started when their child died.

Prior to the death of the child, she said she kept moving from one place to another trying to take care of the child.

“The child could not walk nor talk and he refused to support me in taking care of him except his younger brother,” Comfort said.

Comfort claimed that after the death of the child, she stopped relating with Julius, stressing that her husband had been disturbing her.

“Since then, he has been threatening my life, promising to fight me with everything he has,” she said.

She, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve the marriage since the child they had together was no more.

Julius, 65, denied all allegations.

He said he had never fought with his wife not to talk of threatening her life.

“During the sickness of our child, I really tried my best to take care of the child,” Julius said.

The respondent claimed that the petitioner introduced him to three monthly thrift schemes, but she never gave him the money due to him.

He said he once borrowed some money on interest from his friend to assist her business, but accused Comfort of not refunding the money.

“I pray the court to dissolve the marriage and to order her to return the N60,000 which I borrowed on her behalf.

“I am ready to let go of the remaining money,” Julius said.

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18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

23

courtandcrime

I poured acid on him ’cos he raped me, woman tells court

My husband attempted to rape my sister several times, woman tells court

A 31-year-old businesswoman, Nneka Nwachukwu of Dape Village, Abuja, has told a Wuse Zone 2 High Court, Abuja, that she poured acid on one Peter Nwogu, because he raped her.

Nwachukwu, led in evidence by her counsel, Moneka Azubike, told the court during the week that Nwogu, the defendant came to her house and forced her to sleep with him.

The defendant was first arraigned on April 11, 2014 by the police for the offence of culpable homicide contrary

She packed out to live with another man ’cos I no longer have money —Husband Stories by Ayomide Owonibi-Odekanyin with Agency reports

‘A friend told me he sleeps with women in the back of his car’

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45-year-old trader, Mrs Cecilia Ajayi, has approached an Igando customary court in Lagos to end her 20-year-old marriage over her randy husband’s attempt to rape her younger sister.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Cecilia told the court during the week that her husband, John Ajayi, for who she had three children, had on many occasions attempted to rape her younger sister.

“My sister left our house without any notice, when I called her to know why she packed out, she told me that my husband had been trying to rape her whenever I was not at home.

“That she had to leave because my husband might succeed in raping her one day,” a discomfited wife said.

The petitioner also accused her husband of infidelity.

“My husband is a womaniser; he brings girls, nursing mothers and divorcees into our matrimonial home.

“On many occasions, he and his lovers had beaten me up whenever I tried to prevent them from entering our room.

“He even impregnated one of the women,” she alleged.

Cecilia said that her husband sent her packing because she was an illiterate.

She added: “My husband sent me packing that he can no longer cope with an illiterate.

“He knew I stopped my education at junior secondary school level when he asked for my hand in marriage.”

The mother of three said that her husband had refused to leave his family house to rent an apartment since they got married 20 years ago.

“He said that he could not leave his family house and on three occasions, I was attacked by his family members over inheritance.”

She pleaded with the court to terminate the marriage and that she was no longer interested as the love she once had for him had faded.

Ajayi, 55, a businessman, told the court that his wife ran away because he lost his job.

“Things were moving on fine until I lost my job at the Federal Inland Revenue Service and since then she changed.

“She packed out to live with another man because I am no longer financially buoyant.

“She even gave birth two months ago for her new lover,” he told the court.

On the allegation that he had refused to leave his family house, he said he decided to stay there because he was the only son of the family.

John, however, urged the court not to grant his wife’s wish, saying he is still in love.

President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, after listening to the couple, adjourned the case till July 12 for further hearing.

to Section 221 of the Penal Code.

She said that on December 1, 2013, she went to her town meeting at Wuse and came back around 10.00 p.m.

“When I came back, I warmed my food which I came back with, then I went to see my landlord, Ikechukwu Obi to pay my house rent.

“I came back to my room and saw Peter Nwogu, who is my church member in my room. He told me that he travelled but couldn’t reach home because it was late.

“I welcomed him as a church member, he then asked me if I had food, I gave him the food I warmed and I went to take

A 44-year-old teacher has dragged her husband before a Lagos Island customary court over allegations of infidelity.

The compainant, Tinuola Oyetunde, had accused her husband, Wale, of having extramarital affairs.

She told the court that she had caught her husband several times with other women.

“I normally see him at a popular bar on our street with different women. A friend of mine who lives close to the bar told me that he sleeps with women in the back of his car.

“He is not remorseful at all. I accused him several times but he always denies it,” she added.

She also added that he left the house after they had

My husband does not care if we live or die —Wife She’s a spendthrift, compares herself to friends —Husband

A 35-year-old woman has approached a Lagos Island customary court seeking the dissolution of her marriage to her husband of six years over allegations of neglect.

Sidikat Quadri has asked the court to end her marriage to her husband, Segun, claiming that he does not take care of her and their children.

Speaking in Yoruba, Sidikat told the court that Segun goes out at will and does not bother if she and the children eat.

“We got married traditionally about six years ago.

The only thing that my husband bought for me is the lace material we used for our Nikkai. I had to do odd jobs after the birth of my children to ensure that at least they go to school and feed.

“My husband does not care if we die or live. In January, I had to resort to begging in order to raise money for my daughter’s hospital bills. My husband complained bitterly that I was dragging the family’s name in the mud because I asked people for help,” she said In his defence, her husband denied the allegations.

He accused his wife of being a spendthrift. “She doesn’t know how to manage money. I give her N1500 on a daily basis for our children’s upkeep, yet she still complains that I don’t do enough for them.

“Her problem is that she tries to compare herself to her friends who have wealthy husbands,” he said.

President of the court, Chief Awos Awosola adjourned the matter till June 26 for report of service.

I will not starve you sexually again, wife tells husband

My wife has promised to change and I have forgiven her —Husband A 62-year-old wife, Tawakalitu Ariori, has promised her husband, Mustafa, 64, that she would no longer starve him sexually as a Lagos Island customary court in Lagos Stat reconciled them.

Tawakalitu, mother of two, also promised Mustafa that she would change for better, cook for him and satisfy him sexually any time he desired.

“I thought that since I have reached menopause I cannot make love with my husband anymore, but now I know better,” she said.

Mustafa had on June 1 urged the court to dissolve the 32-year-old marriage to his wife over sex starvation.

He said the major cause of their marital problem was because his wife had stopped cooking for him and satisfying him sexually.

He said their children and other members of the family had also pleaded

on her behalf.

“My wife has promised to change and I have forgiven her,” Mustafa said.

President of the court, Mr Awos Awosola, urged the couple to go and put their home in order.

“If you take care of your wife and make her happy, she will also go to any length to please you,” Awosola said.

a disagreement about his actions.

“He was not taking care of me and the children. He would rather spend his money on other women than take care of his family,” she added.

She also said that she was reliably informed that her husband had got married to another woman.

She, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve the marriage.

She also prayed the court to grant her the custody of their three children.

Her husband was, however, not present in court to give answers to the allegations.

President of the court, Chief Awos Awosola adjourned the case till August 14 for continuation of trial.

my bath.”

The defendent said when she came back from the bathroom, she saw the deceased with only his boxers and he made love advances at her.

“I tried to stop him, but he did not stop, we argued and in the process he forced me to sleep with him. I was shouting but nobody heard me.

“I bit him, he bit me too, he was so strong that I had to pour acid that was in my room on him and I ran out to my landlord’s room.”

She added that she explained to her landlord what happened and he followed her to her room and saw the deceased who asked for help.

“The deceased asked my landlord to give him water, my landlord took his clothes in my room and gave him and I went to church to tell my parish priest what happened.

“I did not know that the acid I poured on him would lead to his death.

“I kept the acid in my room because I have been a victim of rape and there have been complaints of break-ins in my area.

“On December 2, 2013, I went to Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, to report the matter but I was told that the matter had been reported as the deceased was already dead.

The prosecuting counsel, Patrick Ogele, cross-examined the defendent.

Justice Mamman Kolo adjourned the matter till July 1 for continuation of defence.

Online scam: Man, 25, bags 2 years for defrauding Canadian woman of $32,220 in Lagos AN Ikeja High Court has sentenced a 25-year-old, Patrick Ezeji, to two years imprisonment for defrauding a Canadian woman, Sheila Griffiths, of 32,220 dollars.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the convict, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge of conspiracy to steal and stealing, had entered a plea bargain.

He had promised to refund the woman’s stolen money.

Ezeji has only refunded 2,220 dollars out of the 32,220 dollars.

Justice Kudirat Jose, while sentencing Ezeji, said his punishment should serve as a deterrent to youths who might want to toe the path of crime.

“I have listened to the allocutus of Mr Victor Okpara and I have considered that the defendant has promised to pay the outstanding balance of the money to the victim.

“I am of the view that young people should desist from deceiving people to part with their hard-earned money.

“The defendant is hereby sentenced to two years in prison; the sentence starts from the first day of the judgement.

“This should serve as a deterrent to other young people considering a life of crime,” she ruled.

Earlier, counsel for Ezeji, Mr Victor Okpara, in his allocutus,

had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

He said: “My Lord, the defendant did not waste the time of the court, he is 25 years of age and he has just been admitted to study Political Science at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

“He is a first time offender and he is doing restitution as contained in the plea bargain arrangement.

“He has been incarcerated since December 3, 2012, in the prison environment, he is well-known as a talented graphic design artist, he will use his skill more productively and with the fear of God if he is released into the society.”

The EFCC, represented by Mrs Anita Imo, had alleged that Ezeji and an accomplice, Anthony Okpara, conspired to steal 32,220 dollars online from Sheila Griffiths.

She said the victim, upon realising that she had been scammed, contacted the Canadian High Commission, which in turn petitioned the EFCC. The offences contravened Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

NAN also reported that Justice Jose fixed October 18 and 19 for the trial of Anthony Okpara, the accomplice of Ezeji.

Woman bags life jail for killing husband over refusal to have sex with her A woman has been jailed in India for life for killing her husband when he refused to have sex with her, it has been reported.

Vimla Vaghela, 54, flew into a rage and accused her husband, Narsinh of having an affair when he turned down sex at their home in Ahmedabad, India.

She picked up a stick and beat him around the head and he died of multiple injuries after the attack in November 2013.

Afterwards, Vaghela locked her house and went to the

nearby Sardarnagar police station to tell officers about her husband’s death.

According to the Times of India, she apparently tried to claim he had killed him in self-defence.

But she was later charged with murder.

As well as being jailed for life, she was fined 2,000 rupees (£20).

If she defaults on the fine, she will have to serve another six months in prison.

THE Dutch Foreign Ministry reported that a Dutch woman who was found guilty of adultery in Qatar after she reported herself as a victim of rape returned to the Netherlands on Thursday.

The ministry said that the woman spent three months in detention.

Identified only as Laura, the 22-year-old woman was on vacation in Qatar in March when she was allegedly raped.

She told authorities that she was drugged and had woken up in a strange flat with her clothes torn.

The authorities quickly arrested both her and the assailant.

On Monday, she was found guilty of adultery and alcohol consumption, both of which are banned in the conservative Muslim country.

She was sentenced to a one-year suspended prison sentence and a 824 dollars fine.

The court also ordered her extradition.

The man she accused, a Syrian man, was sentenced to 140 lashes for adultery and consuming alcohol.

He was however not charged with rape and had contested the allegation.

Dutch woman jailed in Qatar after alleging rape in Netherlands

19

18 June, 2016

Eko Akete 3 wives and N50m mansion

Saturday Tribune

Please, no tithes here

21

Weekend Lagos Editor Lanre Adewole m: 0811 695 4637

e: olanreade@yahoo.

Exposed: The syndicate running Lagos massive job scam ...We are battling them —CIPM, APCON

CHIMA NWOKOJI, AKIN ADEWAKUN and AYOMIDE OWONIBI unmask the brains behind employment fraud in the nation’s City of Commerce.

S

TEPHEN, 27, was a young unemployed graduate who recently moved to Lagos. He had attended a number of job interviews and aptitude tests, but nothing had come out of them. When, therefore, he was informed by a recruitment agency that his application for a telecommunications job was successful, he felt relieved.

He was invited for a “pre-employment briefing” at a hotel in Ikeja.

There were over fifty young men and women at the venue. Like Stephen, they were all well dressed – dark suits, fitting ties, black shoes, handbags, and so on.

They all had their files with them – files that contained original copies of their certificates and credentials.

They had been informed they would receive their letters of appointment that day.

Each letter would contain the address of the organisation as well as the conditions

of employment. But they must each pay the sum of N25, 000 as part of the registration process.

When, the following day, Stephen located the address on his letter of appointment, he was alarmed to learn it was an uncompleted building!

If you got a job in Lagos through an agency, you are among the lucky few that escaped the antics of swindlers. Welcome to the world of people who swell their bank accounts by defrauding job seekers in the name of providing high paying employments for them.

While Lagos State could be described as a city of opportunities, sadly more enough, there are more than enough people to fill up the vacant positions.

The army of job seekers in Lagos unfortunately has provided an opportunity for proliferation of fraudulent job merchants

who hatch their antics by fleecing unsuspecting, desperate young school leavers of their money.

Saturday Tribune investigations showed that the massive job fraud is of two broad planks. One is where Stephen’s case falls. Being sent on a wild goose chase after collecting huge “processing fees”. The other is more like “employment trafficking” where a successful applicant is put under permanent bondage of having to share his salary with the facilitating agencies, for as long as he wants to hold the job.

Victims of Stephen’s hue also told Saturday Tribune that the outright fraud scheme could also be inter-city and places like airports where other gang members would be positioned, with both female touts and genuine staffers of struggling or moribund airlines being used to collect “refundable flight” payment, before disap-

pearing into thin air.

A journalist who almost fell a victim while trying to seek employment for a distant niece and nephew, was close to sending N100,000 to a supposed airline (name withheld) official who the job-seekers were with at the airport and seen dressed in a certain moribund airline (name withheld) official outfit. It was a razor-edge escape, he told Saturday Tribune.

Such fraud, findings showed, is now being extended to credible platforms, using them to promote non-existent jobs. An applicant told Saturday Tribune that a job offer he picked from a major Nigerian national newspaper (name withheld) turned out to be a hoax as the owner of the mobile telephone number displayed on the vacancy disowned the advertorial in all entirety. It wasn’t a one-off incident for him.

Continues on pg20

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18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Saturday Tribune

Weekend Lagos Continued from pg19

For agencies with credible vacancies to offer, the leverage has become a major fraud opportunity for them. Checks by Saturday Tribune revealed that many of the said agencies are mere fronts for Human Resource heads of top-ofthe drawer firms and they always use their influence, most times, backed by friendly CEOs, to farm these vacancies to the agencies being run by their lackeys.

Taking cuts from salaries But the fraud inherent in the arrangement is beyond the obvious abuse of office by these HR managers. They use the agencies to keep employees in perpetual slavery. Here is the simple arithmetic. First, they make applicants pay through their nose for “processing fees,” extorted at different levels and layers of interviews, with the highest payer of bribe eventually getting the job, irrespective of capacity capabilities, making such firms to, on countless occasions, end up with incompetent hands.

The joy of employment in a blue-chip for many “successful” candidates is said to always end at the final stage of discussing remuneration when fronting agencies would either tell them what they could pay regardless of what the hiring firm is paying or the candidates being told point-blank that a certain percentage of their salaries belongs to the agencies.

While Joy (surname withheld), a flyer distributor for a company located at Kakawa Street, off Broad Street, Lagos, told Saturday Tribune that her agency’s cut from such salary is once, findings showed that many hirelings serve their “masters” all their working life in such firms.

With complicit HR managers getting their freedom or even speaking out within the system becomes an impossibility except such daring candidate wants to be out in the employment cold again.

Saturday Tribune encountered Joy distributing job vacancy fliers. In good English, which suggests she could be a graduate, she said “when you visit our office, you will be required to fill a form. After filling the form, you will provide two guarantors and pay N3,000. We will use the money to make our search. We go through a lot in the search. What makes us different from others is that when the job seeker gets the job, our company takes 50 per cent of the first salary.”

Joy may not want to discuss her pay. But multiple checks showed it is meagre, just like her other colleagues, who are hired on daily basis and paid according to the number of flyers genuinely given out. How do their “employers” know?

There are eagle-eyed supervisors not far away, hence the order to them not to stray too far from view, so they won’t dump the flyers in thrash-cans and seek payment for jobs not done. But isn’t that what their employers do?

Many hired flyer distributors, findings showed, go home with as much as N300 per day, amounting to about N9,000 per month for those who work week-long, while more regular hirelings have a bit of job commission added to their take-home.

Are the flyer distributors victims of exploitation for which their employers are known? Checks suggested they could be more of an accomplice and accessory after the fact, as they can’t claim not to know about the fraudulent wares they are asked to hawk.

While many respondents would want to exonerate them by arguing that non-availability of jobs could have pushed them into doing the “dirty” job without questioning, an argument on why they were not offered the same jobs they are being asked to hawk, even when expressly qualified for them, calls to question the claim of vulnerability and innocence.

It is a common sight to see these young men and women at strategic places like bus stops and markets distributing flyers full of vacant positions for master’s, bachelor’s degree and secondary school certificate holders. Usually written against each positions are fat salaries starting from N30,000 to N300, 000 with contact phone numbers. The question is, why not them?

What about a first timer in Lagos who might snort and say, “but there are job vacancies everywhere,” especially as he or she sees vacancies scrawled on side-walks, painted on pedestrian bridge railings, advertised on flyers, buzzed

Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode

Labour Minister, Chris Ngige

A sea of job seekers

Inside the world of Lagos job scammers on major social media platforms and even from unsolicited text messages by some network providers. How will unsuspecting job seekers know authentic vacancies? In the Lagos job market, the hunter has indeed become the hunted. Ignorant job seekers fork out huge amounts of money to ‘job agencies’ just to get the job of their dreams.

Night bus from Owerri A graduate of Petroleum Engineering, Mr. Iheanacho Orlando, having sent out several applications in the past three years of job hunting, got a text message from a company purportedly located at Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos. He was to appear for an interview in three days’ time.

Iheanacho told Saturday Tribune that he quickly boarded a night bus from Owerri to Lagos. On arrival at the “company”, he was ushered into a small hall where other job seekers sat, waiting. Soon, a tall, dark, man came out from one of the adjoining rooms and began to lecture the expectant applicants on the rudiment of selling herbal drugs.

“I was full of anger and felt like strangling the man. I asked why didn’t he state in his invitation the line of operation of the company, he replied that he thought applicants knew before applying,” Iheanacho narrated. He added: “I did not apply for any job relating to drug.”

He said on seeing that almost all the applicants were disappointed with what had happened but could not do anything but stare at the man, he walked out of the venue.

Another applicant who gave his name as Damian, a former employee of an insurance company said he got a text message from a company (name withheld). The text message read: “Your application for the customer service position has been received. Come with your CV and passport photo to ..., Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos by 11am on March 10. Be prepared for a CBT test.

When you visit our office, you will be required to fill a form. After filling the form, you will provide two guarantors and pay N3,000.

We will use the money to make our search. We go through a lot in the search. What makes us different from others is that when the job seeker gets the job, our company takes 50 per cent of the first salary.

Call Mrs. *** on **** for eligibility.”

Damian, a Lagos resident, easily located the venue.

But there he learned that the same company uses other company names to make millions from unemployed people.

“When it was my turn to be interviewed, I was told that I would have to go through training and that I had to pay N45, 000. I was stunned because I even borrowed the transport money which I went there with,” Damian said.

Damian, who lost his banking job in 2010, told Saturday Tribune that a friend he met at the interview venue said he paid N11, 000, only to realise that he had to pay for other things totaling N73, 000 before he would be employed by one of the agency’s “clients”.

Findings revealed that there are job internet sites where people fill in their details and wait for response.

A registered member of a particular job site said that she paid for CV and cover letter to a company but sadly spent weeks waiting to get a feedback.

“It took calls and weeks to finally get it and since then, no one has called me for interview or test. And they claim that when they write applications for you, they keep your CV in their special account to help you apply without your knowledge. I seriously wonder if this is not a scam as I have not received any call, not to talk of being notified of any job opening,” she added.

Also speaking out after months of searching, a desperate job seeker finally realised that most of the jobs advertised on some popular job sites had already been taken or have expired.

“Imagine a job site advertising a 2014 position in 2016.

It’s really disheartening because they suddenly give you hope and then - dash it into a million pieces when you realize that you have been wasting your time,” he

lamented.

Dashed hopes after paying huge sums Narrating his experience to Saturday Tribune, Gbadebo Raphael, a technician, said he had once applied for a job through one of such agencies only for him to discover that the whole exercise was fake.

“I was made to pay N1, 000 for registration form and was later contacted to come and pay for administrative charges because the company had helped me secure an appointment with a big manufacturing company.

“It was when I got to the company in question that I knew it was a scam. The company said it never instructed any agency to hire anybody on its behalf and I lost close to N10, 000 to the scam. Unfortunately, I was not alone,” he lamented.

The question many citizens are asking is: “For how long will these fake job merchants flourish before the law catches up with them?” They believe that these fake agencies are getting away with their nefarious activities because some people and agencies saddled with such responsibilities are not doing enough in this regard.

“I know what is illegal can never be legal. But the point is, if this is illegal, where are agencies or institutions charged with the responsibilities of ensuring sanity in that field?” asked Mr. Martins Obiekwe, a legal practitioner, while reacting to the issue.

Obiekwe stated further that the nation’s outdoor space and other media are awash with communication materials of these fake recruitment agencies, since the laws regulating the practices of advertising and Human Resources practice are rather lax.

But in a swift reaction, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) described the act of publishing communication materials, with the aim of mis-

leading the public in a national newspaper or any media platform as illegal, noting that the body, which is the apex regulatory body in the nation’s advertising space, is ready to wield the big stick by going after anybody involved in such acts.

In a telephone interview with Saturday Tribune, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of APCON, Alhaji Bello Kankarofi, stated that while the body frowns on such acts, it has also become imperative for victims of job scams and other members of the public to assist the body, to effectively prosecute this fight.

“We cannot really rule this out, but we also need the assistance of the public. They should assist us by giving us clues which we can act on. All we just need to do is to instruct our Enforcement Unit to carry out the clampdown,” he stated.

Though the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPMN), the institute regulating Human Resources practice in Nigeria, could not make a categorical statement on the issue, a top official at the institute’s Corporate Affairs Department, who would not want her name in print, however, condemned the activities of these fake recruitment agencies, adding that the institute actually had a committee saddled with the responsibility of addressing this.

She stated that the institute would present its position paper on this at the appropriate time.

However, in the course of the investigation, Saturday Tribune encountered an experienced Human Resources professional, Moruf Kolawole Nasir. Kolawole Nasir exposed 18 scam companies on his blog which he warned Nigerian job seekers to beware of. According to him, the list was obtained on April 3, 2015 from The Lagos branch of CIPMN. In his words: “To imagine that any reasonable Nigerian or government agency will think of exploiting fellow Nigerians who are seeking employment is unthinkable. This selfish and wicked attitude of some scammers/‘recruiters’ is what prompted one of my articles where I identified ways of identifying job scams and scammers – “How to Identify Job Scam”.

“In the introductory part of the article, I mentioned that the professional body governing the practice of Human Resources Management in Nigeria is aware of the activities of this nefarious people and is working on arresting the situation.

The Lagos branch of CIPMN originated the list, and I deem it necessary to share it with our readers as a continuation of my previous articles to guide you further. He then listed the companies and what they claim.

According to him, one “claims to be a multifaceted consulting firm, with expertise in human resources management and healthcare management. However, findings reveal they are a [marketing and networking] company out to collect money from job seekers to supply health products with promise of financial reward. The real (company with that name) is a foreign company into construction.

“Another, he said, “claims to be an Oil & Gas servicing company with focus on energy, training, job placement, commodity brokerage. Yet, promoters are scamming unsuspecting job applicants of their money for non-existing jobs and training. “... (name withheld) is claiming to be a leader in personnel outsourcing services management: ‘We build long-term relationships with our clients and deliver tailored and sustainable solutions to their Financial/Health challenges’. They recruit for… companies or individuals who are after extorting money from you,” he said.

The big question now is, who will save these desperate job-seekers in the claws of desperate fraudsters?

21

Eko Akete

3 wives and N50m mansion

A brief ache and then numbness on the upper centre of his abdomen were what his first wife said he suffered before he slept on Monday night and didn’t wake up.

It was, however, the usual pain on that kidney that was hers. She said she was happy to give it to him. And it has been three years now since she parted with it. Their love had grown stronger ever since. He had her kidney and she knew it.

The other two wives also knew it. They were all “legally” married to him. Three wives at a young age. But he was a commercial success and there should be enough to go round if he kept climbing the ladder of success as he was. So they all coped.

But something happened and Iyale (most senior wife) proved the most dependable. Were the other junior wives envious? Well, maybe, but none of them had the nerves to pay the ultimate sacrifice like the Iyale. Maybe they were better advised because now it all seems a waste of that precious body part. But this first wife told somebody who told Eko Akete that she would have done it over and over again. She loved him. And so did millions of his fans and friends, who supported him during his first surgery. He was really loved. Everyone rallied round him three years ago. But this time, he didn’t want any more rallying around. He didn’t want pity. He wanted to be a man, to solve his problem without the world. His fifty million naira house would do it, so he thought. But it didn’t.

He was going to be fifty in a few weeks, so he thought. But he didn’t make it. He sang that song, “I am the one searching”, and he died searching. Farewell.

Please, no tithes here

A popular Lagos pastor has commanded his congregation not to pay their tithes to the church. Rather he said they should give the ten percent to those who need help around them. Ministering to a bewildered congregation on Sunday in his massive church, the dark-skinned clergyman who is believed to be one of the richest pastors in the world said if members of the church continued to pay their tithes to the church, the church management might be tempted to misappropriate the funds. He said that the primary purpose of paying tithe was to cater for the poor: “Due to the harsh economic condition, and given the high number of the destitute, you should give your tithes to the needy around you, instead of the church.

If you give your tithes to the people who need it, you are helping the church to reach to the poor,” he said.

No man of God has ever had the effrontery to shorten his revenue in this manner. Many now believe that this miracle-working and demon-casting preacher should earn an enviable spot in heaven among other preachers in Lagos.

22

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

We now beg tenants to pay rent in instalments

— Lagos estate manager

Dr. Rotimi Olulana is the Principal Partner of Rolan & Associates (R&A), an estate development and management company. He tells BOLA BADMUS of the agonising effects of current economic doldrums on his sector.

H

OW has the housing sector been faring in these hard economic times?

Thank God you mentioned hard economic times, the economy of the country now is one thing that is tough. In fact, I would tell you straight that there is no economic movement in Nigeria as of today. I would not deceive you, I will tell you the truth straight. And when you are talking of real estate, the business thrives when people are well-fed. But if they cannot put on clothes, if they cannot eat well, how can they remember they need to buy a house? Where is the money to buy house? Where is the money to buy land? Where is the money to develop property? It is only when people are living fine, after you must have fed well, that you start looking for where to live and think of owning a house.

So real estate business does not thrive wherever the economy is stagnant. The economy of Nigeria today is stagnant. Let me tell you, even letting as of today, is nowhere, people are not renting houses again because they don’t have the resources.

Is this not mainly due to the high price tags of those properties?

It is not that the prices are high, it is because there is no money in the economy, everything is at a standstill, government does not pay the workers’ salaries. The Federal Government is fighting tooth and nail to give money to states so that they can start paying peanuts to their workers and if that is happening in a country where the economy is driven by the government and not private sector, then you cannot have anything different.

If that is the situation, what steps are you taking to get people to patronise you?

Well, the way we operate now, which is the truth, is that we are in a buyer’s market, and not seller’s market. Seller determines the price he wants to sell his property in a seller’s market. When you are a seller, you go and value your house, you call an estate valuer to value your house.

After valuation, you now put a price, but now it is the buyer’s market because there is no money in the economy. The few ones that have the little money want to tell you that a house of N100million, they want to pay N40million. And in a situation where you have no choice, because there is no resources or cash available, majority in the sector would be ready to give it away and incur losses because they are desperate to earn a means of living.

Right now, people are looking for money to eat first, there is no money in the economy of Nigeria and tenants are finding it difficult to pay their rents as and when due. That is why today, as far as I am concerned in my own office, we have determined that whatever you have as a tenant, go and deposit in the bank.

We give you the account number, and ask you to go and deposit whatever you have. You start paying the way you can pay because we know really that there is no money in circulation.

And if you look at the exchange rate today, all you see is disaster, it is uncalled for, the government has refused to fund the economy. It has led us to where we are, that is why you see dollar going from between N150-N160 to around N400.

This is a disaster and what can we do?

Another thing that is going on now is that the crude production has crashed badly and the cost of production of a barrel of same crude has gone up, so we are losing a lot to the economy, we are running at a loss. That is one.

Then another problem has to do with the ongoing crisis in the Niger Delta caused by the militants who are not well

Right now, people are looking for money to eat first, there is no money in the economy of Nigeria and tenants are finding it difficult to pay their rents as and when due. informed. After you had been offered amnesty, why going again to carry the guns that you have surrendered? You went ahead to change your name to Avengers and you are breaking all the pipes, you are destroying everything and that is what I refer to as a disaster for which the Federal Government has to move faster to see what it can do to bring peace to the region because that is the major source of Nigeria’s wealth. It is very unfortunate that the so-called Niger Delta Avengers never sat down to know that they had signed an international agreement with the United Nations that they have surrendered their arms and ammunition and they have been given an amnesty as a result of that by the Federal Government of Nigeria. So whatever they are doing now is illegal, null and void and of no reasonable effect. If the government is to take the bull by the horns, they are going to face the music.

I am seizing this opportunity to call on the leadership of that region to call their boys to order and to let them know that what they are doing is a crime against

the society. They are committing crime because they have signed an agreement and an amnesty has been given to them.

They have been paying them, they have been training them.

Do you support dialogue?

Yes, I would say that dialogue has always been the best option and not war, but what they are doing right now is an illegal act. It is not accepted anywhere in the world.

On the issue of real estate business, what are you now telling the government to do to ensure that the business bounces back?

When you are talking of real estate business, one, I will appeal to estate developers, agents and estate surveyors in the country to softpedal and allow the tenants to start paying whatever they have till when they are able to fulfil whatever the obligation they have to render and that obligation is payment of their rents. It should not be mandatory that somebody who is paying N1million or somebody who is paying N250,000 per month must pay at once when he cannot so do. If he has N10,000, let him go and deposit in the bank accounts of the affected estate company, until he is able to fully fulfil his obligation. That is what I am doing and that is what most of our colleagues do because we know already that there is no money in circulation. So the little you have, pay it so that you can continue to enjoy your apartment.

And I will appeal to landlords too to softpedal and know that we all have to come together and reason with ourselves so that there would be peace and there would be progress. I know that we would soon get out of all this mess and I pray that God will give direction to the people at the helm of affairs of our nation to know what to do.

A Reporter’s Diary

My car is older than yours

By Naza Okoli IT is difficult to be a journalist in Lagos, without a car. It is always awkward having to ask fellow reporters, after an event, whether they have space in their cars. But what kind of car should a journalist own? That is the big question! Should it be too flashy, or should it be modest?

It was Monday morning. The programme was a press conference at Yaba. The car was an old model of Volvo. The driver was a middle-aged man who reports for one of the major newspapers based in Lagos. It was an old car; it had no air

conditioning; the seats were worn and torn; but it was a car! As it moved, the driver entertained his passengers — fellow journalists — with the history of the vehicle: how it had served him well for over twenty years! Whenever a pretty car overtook him roughly, he laughed and warned the driver to be careful, to remember that his Volvo had “nothing to lose”.

The jolly old fellow had somewhere else to go, and so he left before the end of the briefing. Event over, everyone was at the parking lot again! The usual smiles... the hugs... the hand-waving... and the ultimate “Is there space in the car for me?”

After the crowd had dispersed, two young reporters emerged from a far corner of the compound.

One of them was the owner of a rickety, old Honda Accord parked close to a refuse pit.

“I told you it’s better to wait for them to go first,” he said, opening the door, and winding down the windows. “There are just a few of you who know about this car. Now, nobody is going to be looking at us with pity or asking me if the car belonged to my grandfather.”

It was a long, tortuous, and silent journey to Ikeja.

24

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

Toluwani Olamitoke 08050498504 toluwaniforever@yahoo.com

W

HAT was growing up like for you?

I was born in the late 60s. After my primary school education, I attended St Theresa’s College, Ibadan. I had my A’ Level programme at St Anne’s School also in Ibadan. I proceeded to the University of Ibadan for my first and second degrees. I also had my Ph.D there. I am the last child of a family of six; I grew up in Bodija and still live there.

My parents were civil servants; my father, Moses Okunola was a traditional chief in Ibadan. He was the Ekarun Balogun Bobajiro of Ibadanland. He worked with the Oyo State government and briefly with the Federal Government. He retired as a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Youths and Sports in Oyo State.

Youths face a lot of challenges in their daily living and the unfortunate thing is that parents don’t seem sensitive to these challenges youth is slippery.

What does it feel like living all your life in Ibadan?

And Bodija especially. Well, I had my youth corps service in Enugu State. I served the year Enugu State was created; I was initially posted to Anambra State, but while in camp, being a Christian, I sought God’s face and I knew I was going to be posted to Enugu and that was where I ended up. Incidentally, my mother was born in Enugu.

Talking about your faith, was that something you got from your parents?

Being born in a Christian home doesn’t automatically translate to you being called a Christian. When I say I am a Christian, I mean I am a born again child of God; I have come to have an experience with Jesus Christ and I have accepted him as my Saviour.

Any regrets while growing up?

I lived a sheltered life while growing up; I gained admission into the secondary school from primary four, but when I was through with secondary school education, I couldn’t secure an admission into the university immediately. Even after my A’ Level education, I had to enrol for the preliminary at the University of Ibadan. So, not getting admission into the university immediately after secondary school was somewhat a regret for me.

Why didn’t you finish primary school before going to the secondary school?

Well, I sat for the entrance examination, I passed and got admitted.

Do you think not completing your primary school education was a black spot in secondary school?

No, I don’t think so. Some people have expressed worry about things like this, but I think it depends on the assimilation ability of a child. If the child is mature enough to handle it, why not?

Talking about parenting, can you compare the way you were raised in the 60s to what we have these days?

I always tell parents these days, we are not raising children the way we were raised. It is good for children to be close to their parents, but we are not passing the kind of training we had to our children. It amuses me these days that parents would be hosting a visitor and their children would be there watching television. That wouldn’t happen in our days. I wasn’t close to my father until much later because I used to see him as a stern person. Back then, there wasn’t much restriction; there weren’t fences all over as we can see now.

A Yoruba adage says it takes a whole community to train a child. That was the kind of training we had then.

I am not saying parents should be hard on their children, but our children need to be taught some discipline. One other thing I’ve noticed is that we protect children a lot these days; they are not so much exposed to the realities of life. As parents, it is our responsibility to fill in those gaps and make the children realise that life isn’t a bed of roses. You will find out that even when they are getting to the age of 40, they are still dependent on their parents, which ought not to be.

Where did we get parenting wrong?

I think it is in our attitudes as parents. We feel our children shouldn’t go through the tough times we went through. Now,

You’ve the appearance of a 21st century mother with good taste for fashion.

(Laughs) Well, I have a sister that picks interest in kitting me up whenever I go to her place. She is always enthusiastic about what I wear and how I wear them. I honestly wouldn’t say I am a fashion conscious person; people looking at me may feel so, though. But I’ll say I don’t dress to impress, I dress to stay comfortable and to sooth myself.

Parenting these days is faulty — Ladokun-Okunola Professor Olusola Ladokun-Okunola is a professor of Nutritional Biochemistry and the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Lead City University, Ibadan. She is also the president, Business and Professional Women, Ibadan chapter. She speaks among other issues on her background, parenting these days and the present state of the nation. VICTOR OGUNYINKA brings excerpts.

I am not saying we shouldn’t take care of our children, but we should be able to allow them take up responsibilities where and when necessary. My colleagues were stunned the day I told them I made my son go to school in a public transport to Ilorin. They actually queried my action, but I believe we should allow them to do these things sometimes, otherwise they won’t grow.

When would you say parents have done enough for their children?

The best legacy a parent can give to a child is education and I will say to the level of a Master degree. When you can do this, it lays a solid foundation for the child to get his or her life started. We should also not leave out the God factor; apart from doing what you can as a parent, you should also back them up with prayers. An adage says the road of the

What do you do when you’re not at work?

I get home tired most of the time, but I attend fellowship sometimes after work. I’m not really an outdoor person; if I’m not in the church and not at work, you’ll find me at home.

I’m the Provost of my church Bible College in Akure. When I’m not in Ibadan, I would be in Akure and when I’m not in Akure, I’m probably not in the country.

How do you combine your circular assignment with your religious engagements?

Sincerely, I don’t know. It is just by the grace of God. You work in a study centre dominated by youths, how challenging has mentoring these people been?

By the grace of God, I have an NGO that works with youths; don’t forget I’ve two boys at home too. One thing that has helped me is that I try to get involved in the issues of those that come to me. They like it when you listen to them and when I am with them, I see myself as their mother and that is how I relate with them. I have had cases of students who had challenges, but have gotten better overtime as a result of my relationship with them to the glory of God. Youths face a lot of challenges in their daily living and the unfortunate thing is that parents don’t appear sensitive to these challenges. If one is not careful in handling their cases, they will end up talking to their peers and they will end up getting wrong advices or counsels. University teachers serve as parents and mentors to the students. I wouldn’t say it is a big challenge because I must admit that I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.

Could you just tell us a bit of what you do in your NGO? My NGO is called Need Connect initiative; it is basically about connecting the needy with those that can provide their needs. We mostly work with women, children and youths.

How would describe the ‘wind of change’ blowing across Nigeria at the moment?

Well, I will look at it from the perspective of the child of God. You know any leadership in power is put there by God. And each leadership has its own purpose. One thing that is certain is that we are where we are today because of some of the things we have done in the past, particularly when we had FESTAC 77. During this period, a lot of gods were brought into this nation and that is what has brought us to where we are. It’s said that a generation is 40 years; I’ve had people say things will get better from next year, balancing that, I will say let’s give what we are experiencing a little more time, we shouldn’t lose focus and it is important we pray for the government in authority. No matter our disposition, no matter the way we feel, we still hold this nation an obligation to pray for those in authority. I trust that God will guide us and see us through in Nigeria in due time.

25

18 June, 2016

ntertainment News

Society Gist

Saturday Tribune with Joan Omionawele

jistwtjoan@yahoo.com

Twitter:@joanbajojo 08059793705 Newton-Ray Ukwuoma newtray2002@yahoo.com 08052271251

Celebrity Interviews

Wizkid finally nails impostor

Pg26

I once d a t man wh ed a o a bused me me nt

ally

—Stella Damas us

Pg30

Afrimma, others mour Ojb Jezreel n Pg26

26 entertainment

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

AFRIMA, others mourn OJB Jezreel Stories by Joan Omionawele and Newton-Ray Ukwuoma

A

shedload of tributes have continued to pour in for late musician and music producer, Okungbowa Jezreel Babatunde, also known as OJB Jezreel, since his demise on Tuesday, 14 June.

The International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), in partnership with the African Union Commisssion (AUC), on Wednesday joined a sea of mourners to mourn the departure of the renowned musician.

In a statement signed by the Project Director, AFRIMA, Mrs. Kemi Ashefo and made available to Saturday Tribune, the late singer was described as an African music icon and a passionate lover of African music.

“We deeply mourn the departure of an icon, who played a very significant part in the evolution of the Nigeria music industry.

“The renowned music producer in contemporary Africa passed on at the early hours of Tuesday, June 14th, 2016, at Isolo General Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.

The shocking news of his demise came barely a month of to his 50th birthday.

“Jiga, as he was fondly called by his Gbaja cronies, was passionate about showcasing the arts, music and culture of contemporary Africa to Africans at home and in the diaspora. He was very resourceful in the 2014 edition of the AFRIMA by presenting the first two awards with Davina Green (Zimbabwe) to the winners of best female artiste in Eastern Africa (Venessa Mdee) and West Africa (Angelique Kidjo) respectively,” she said.

Why Dstv is launching PlanetTV on DStv —John Ugbe POPULAR entertainment subscribing platform, Dstv has provided more fun for DStv subscribers as youth lifestyle, music and entertainment channel, PlanetTV comes to DStv channel 328 this month.

The range of programming from PlanetTV promises to include exciting lifestyle and general entertainment content ranging from movies, music, and series from South, West Africa

and from the international scene.

Speaking on this latest move, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe said that the addition of PlanetTV is another way of adding value to its subscribers’ money and broadening their choices for quality entertainment.

He stated: “We are pleased to announce the addition of PlanetTV to all our DStv bouquets.

We know that our subscribers

will find the channel engaging with its exciting and interactive programmes which are mostly made up of content from the African continent. We always look for ways to enhance our services by introducing fresh content that will cater to the needs and preferences of our subscribers; providing them with the ultimate solution to home television entertainment.”

PlanetTV joins a rich line-up of

Regina Askia returns

channels that give DStv subscribers a boost in entertainment programming. The channel airs nine hours of live interactive content daily, ranging from request shows to game shows, health and beauty documentaries, to travel and lifestyle programs.

PlanetTV is an afro-youth centric lifestyle, music and general entertainment channel. The station with studios in South Africa and Nigeria primarily caters to globally-connected youth and targets the working class between the ages of 18 to 35.

FORMER Nollywood actress and model, Regina Askia Williams, has returned to Nigeria. The US-based Nigerian, who is now a nurse in New York, arrived about a week ago with her first daughter, Stephanie and has been making a tour of the country since her return.

The MBGN 1989 winner, shared photos of her tour on her Facebook page, including a visit to her home town in Akwa Ibom State to see her mum.

During the week, Mrs. Williams held a series of events at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, (LUTH) tagged Nurses-Media Partnership Conference/Annual Lecture.

The ex-Nollywood star, who is the ambassador of the Inspired Nurses Network, Africa (INNA) addressed a group of students of nursing and stakeholders in a closed session and will later at the weekend lead walk against fake drugs captioned, Health Awareness Walk and Anti Quackery Campaign.

John Ugbe, MD MultiChoice

Wizkid happy at imposter’s arrest

A 19-year old fraudster has been arrested by the Lagos State police for allegedly defrauding prospective overseas clients of popular music star, Ayodeji Balogun, also known as Wizkid, of the sum of $53,000, the equivalent of N10.4m.

The Lagos State commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who confirmed the arrest during the week said that the 19-yearold girl who has been ripping off unsuspecting clients including university students and Wizkid’s two overseas clients, cloned the social media accounts of the Starboy boss, which she used in her scheme.

According to Owoseni, the suspect, who is a university student was napped following a report filled by the musician about social media impersonation.

Wizkid, who has been pouring his gratitude to the police force since the arrest, disclosed the extent to which impersonation has affected his career. He also stated that he would press charges against the suspected impersonator in court until he gets justice.

“I am very thankful to the Nigerian Police for what they did for me. This case has been going on for a while and I thank God we have been able to arrest one of the suspects.

“The situation has affected me psychologically because I was being accused of taking money I knew nothing about. The press also did not believe me, so that dampened my morale,” he said on his Instagram page.

Before her arrest, the suspect had opened a Facebook account in Wizkid’s name, displaying the pictures of the artiste and chatting with fans on Facebook in the name of Wizkid.

Meanwhile at the time of filing this report, the said fake Facebook account, namely Wizkid Ayo Balogun, was still active.

27 entertainment

18 June, 2016

I was mentally abused by a man I once dated

Project fame West Africa auditions begin

—Stella Damasus

N

OLLYWOOD actress-cum-musician, Stella Damasus Aboderin has come out to share one of her experiences on her past rela-

tionships.

In a lengthy blog post, the actress shared: “A few days ago, I was reminded that it was okay to be vulnerable and human. I seem to have forgotten how relaxing it can be to let it all out sometimes, not caring if I would be judged, laughed at or insulted.

“I had to remember that it was important to share some experiences that may actually save or help someone who is probably going through the same thing.

“My story begins on a fun and exciting Saturday night in Lagos, Nigeria, where I attended an after party. I met a tall dark and handsome man who was introduced to me through a mutual friend. We spoke for a few minutes, exchanged numbers and then parted ways. I didn’t see or hear from him again until about six months later when I got a call on my way to a friend’s private birthday party. He asked where I was and I told him where I was going, so he wanted to meet up at the venue and that was fine.

Doris Simeon replies critics on her AMAA 2016 outfit STAR Yoruba actress, Doris Simeon was recently a subject of backlash regarding her outfit at the recent African Movie Academy Awards held in Port Harcourt last weekend.

The actress who put on a yellow ankara side peplum dress was told by some of her fans on Instagram that her outfit was not befitting for a award ceremony.

One of her fans (name withheld) wrote: “Whatever happened to our Nigeria celebrities? can you imagine.... It’s an award night not some church service, Aunty Doris.” Another fan wrote: “I was wondering too, people don’t even know the right outfits for events anymore. I don’t know oh!

Especially these Yoruba actresses, only a few of them dress well, the rest need a wardrobe upgrade... Or better still, some fitted dresses for different events.......

The actress replied her critics, saying: “Almighty designer of all time, can you watch your life first before analysing other people’s life? How your own be? You don’t have to worry because I am not living my life for you. Why don’t you live ur own life? Busy body. I know you will want to reply but I won’t say more than that,” Doris wrote.

Saturday Tribune

“He came and we continued the conversation that we didn’t get to finish the first time we met. After that night, we started seeing each other more often as he would call me and say all the right things, then ask to see me.

“I gave money and everything that comes with making a man stand proud and feel wealthy.

“I did this so much that even when you ask me a question or want me to appear somewhere I would ask him first or look out for his expression to get approval.

“All this was to make him feel like the head, make him feel like the man, make him feel respected and know that his financial status does not make him less of a man, make him feel like he has his authority and make him feel like he had the best woman any man could ever ask for.”

She continues: “Everyone around me hated the fact that I did more and more to

make him happy and then they started noticing that I was losing my happiness, I was losing weight, I was losing myself but the funny thing is that I didn’t even notice. Eventually, I got so angry that I started pushing my friends and family away.

“He kept telling me that everyone around me expected me to do better in choosing a man just because he didn’t have money or a job. I attacked everyone, telling them that they were being unfair and judgmental. So I made it my job to make sure he had something to do, he had a car, he had his own apartment, he had the latest devices, etc.

“Anyway, I stayed in the relationship until one day when he got upset that a guy gave me the card to his hotel because he wanted my band to sing there. He got so mad that he punched the wall in my study. When he did that, it was as if a very thick veil was pulled from my eyes. That was when I realised that the kind of an-

ger that made him punch a wall can even push him to hit me since I was the cause of his anger.

“I don’t know if it was the prayers of my mother or my best friend’s, but something gave me courage that day and kept urging me to get him out of my life before it was too late,” she wrote.

Advising women who are currently going through mental abuse in their relationships, Stella said,“mental abuse can actually turn out to be worse than physical abuse because with the physical you can prove it, you can also see the scars and they can be treated.” “Don’t get me wrong, it is extremely dangerous to go through it but with mental abuse, there is hardly any proof and no one can see the bruises or the scars so you don’t even know how or what to treat.

It may affect you mentally for years and that is scary because it definitely affects any other relationship you may have, if ever.”

ORGANISERS of the award-winning music talent discovery and grooming competition, MTN Project Fame West Africa are back for the ninth straight season with the tag. Fame Lives Here.

The platform seeks to look for raw talents as the annual show will commence auditions today, June 18, in some West African major cities and rest the auditions in Lagos on 1 and 2 July.

This year, thousands of young talents will fight to get into the prestigious Project Fame Academy; where superstars are made, to be tutored by the best in the music and entertainment industry.

Previous superstars that have graduated from the ‘Fame Academy,’ amongst others are Iyanya Mbuk, whose ‘Kukere’ with the famous Etighi dance won the best pop single on the 2012 Headies Award in Lagos; Mike Anyasodo, who by virtue of his ‘Fine Fine Lady’ video won the 2010 Sound Video Award; City’s Best R&B Kesse Frimpong, who was voted the Ghanaian Best ist of the Male Vocalyear 2012 and the KEDIKE crooner, Chidinwon the ma Ekile, who Best Female Act (West Africa) of the prestigious Kora Award i n 2012.

I tried to bribe Mark Angel with an apple —Emmanuella Continues from pg2

How has it been working with a kid?

I always try to allow her a lot of freedom. I allow her to behave like the child she is, though we carefully tell her that she is a superstar.

Emmanuella, how did you feel when you were asked to act?

Emmanuella: There was a time my uncle (Mark Angel) was calling other kids to act. He didn’t invite me but I joined them. I was happy to act. When he called me, I gave him an apple so that he would allow me to act.

You mean, you bribed your uncle?

Did he collect it?

Emmanuella: No. He said that I was ready to act.

Mark Angel: I forgot that. Emmanuella bribed me with an apple.

How did you know you could act?

Emmanuella: I just knew it. The spirit of God told me I can act.

How did the spirit of God tell you?

Emmanuella: Sometimes I would pray and in my dream I will be acting. I just noticed that I was funny. I was two years old when I started acting comedy drama in school and in the church.

Mark, what are you doing to enhance her talent?

For now, I want her to grow into it without knowing so much. She does not know the full impact of what she is doing.

I want her to have a normal childhood.

So, I am not trying to mould her in any way. I just allow her to have fun on camera. She told me that she wants to be a fashion designer. So, right now, there is someone taking her through it. She is learning fashion designing and make-up.

She likes make-up too. Emmanuella is going to move from online platform to mainstream Nollywood. That is what we are working on right now.

Do you make money from the online platforms?

Not much. Right now, money has not started coming from the internet. The only thing we get is some money from Youtube, which we use for upkeep and all other expenses.

In spite of the views, why don’t you make money from your videos?

The truth is that to make money from the internet, your views would have to be generated from a single source, that is, your account on Youtube. Most of our views are generated from popular channels, from bloggers. Not many people knew that we had a channel even. So, when we upload from our channel, it is circulated on other channels so that when the video gets a million views in a day, the million views may be from these internet gurus and we may get about 100,000 views.

In other words, people make money from your videos?

Yes. Sometime ago, someone sent me a mail. He was honest with me. He told me that in total he had made $18,600 at that time from circulating our videos online.

He said he had a channel dedicated for our comedy.

28

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

with Tunde Ayanda ayandaayotunde@yahoo.com 08034649018

An ace up Willy Anumudu’s sleeve

Munirat Marwa back on the beat

T Mai Atafo signposts Father’s Day for Chivas ACE designer, Mai Atafo, is set to share in the dream and purpose of luxury whisky, Chivas Regal towards the celebration of Father’s Day. The celebrity tailor, who is a fashion consultant to a lot of Nigerian men, is part of the campaign to celebrate male figurementors, friends and husbands who have been dependable in character and generous in spirit.

To celebrate this, the designer is set to treat some select individuals to a full makeover consisting of grooming, bespoke tailoring, sartorial advice and photoshoot.

The essence of this is a committed effort by Chivas Regal to partner with influencers and role models across Nigeria to partake in its worldwide campaign on various celebrations.

HE chairman of Globe Motors, Willy Anumudu, has a big project on his hands.

The socialite, who for unknown reasons, has slowed down his pace on the party scene, is busy trying to play his part in nation building with the opening of an auto assembly plant in Lagos.

The new company will be assembling three brands of automobiles for Nigerians using global standards.

The man, who beamed with joy as he unveiled his plan, stated that he chose to key into the Federal Government’s policy for the auto industry as he

also disclosed that the nation would benefit greatly as the company will also provide employment for many Nigerians.

Willy Anumudu has a repu-

tation for turning every thing he touches into gold. The businessman is at the moment concerned with the task of driving the new project.

WIFE of former military administrator of Lagos State, General Buba Marwa, Munirat, is a delight any day.

The woman, who was away from the social scene for a long time, is back and now it seems for good.

Saddled with the responsibility of holding the home front for a husband whose political interest takes him away from home almost everytime, Munirat gradually dropped her love for highoctane events and made the four walls of their home her fortress.

Many of her friends were surprised to spot her recently at the Lagos wedding of Senator Khairat Gwadabe’s daughter.

Munirat still commands an aura as she strolled to the venue drawing all attention.

Tunde Osinowo off the scene AT a time many are about raising questions about the whereabouts of Tunde Osinowo, the Managing Director of Tulsa Press, it has been revealed that he is far away in Saudi Arabia observing the pilgrimage, which has become a habit every year.

The lawyer, husband to politician, Folake Olunloyo Osinowo, was quick to point out that his busy schedule was the main reason for his social absence.

A couple of years ago, the social gig was never complete without him and since the time he earned a law degree, he said the task of running two chambers had taken some interests off him.

His close friends attest to his new lifestyle which they said is filled with activities related to his law practice which he routinely shelves during the holy month of Ramadan when he travels.

Wole Oke’s second love WOLE Oke’s first love, politics, a passion that has earned him a third term in the National Assembly as the House of Representatives member from Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State is known to many, while his passion for flashy cars and powerful automobiles remains known to people close to him.

The politician has done good for himself, judg-

ing by the way he touched the lives of his people which has in turn contributed to his popularity and acceptance by the people. Tales abound of his generosity.

The lawmaker is said to possess a habit of presenting people with car gifts, while also fulfilling his passion for automobiles by keeping his garage clean with different car models.

29

18 June, 2016

outofthisworld

WITH FEMI OSINUSI

osfem2@yahoo.com 08055069292

The ‘Wheel on the Bus’.

In this bus, you can do

exercise while travelling

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ET us look at this scenario. You are travelling from Lagos to Port-Harcourt in Rivers State. You entered the luxury bus and what you see everywhere are gadgets for exercising. The driver tells you that you can actually spend the few hours of the trip to do some workout before you get to your destination.

Well, this is now real thanks to a fitness company in London, United Kingdom, 1Rebel which recently launched what it called ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ wherein commuters on the streets of London will have the opportunity to exercise inside the buses before they get to their destinations.

According to odditycentral.com, the buses will have stationary bikes and other gadgets that will allow commuters to exercise their bodies on their way to work. The buses will even have bathrooms where the commuters can shower after the workout.

Saturday Tribune

Commuters working out.

Gadgets in the bus for exercises.

Another workout session by commuters.

31

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

32

18 June, 2016

The South-West Editor Wole Efunnuga | 08111813056

I was compelled to ascend the throne — Onigboho

He was a successful businessman trading in motorcycles and bicycles from CFAO and Raleigh Industry as far back as 1973. Suddenly, the royal stool became vacant and his people insisted he must come back home to ascend the throne of Onigboho of Igboho, Oyo State. Oba John Bolarinwa Olubiyi II tells his story to GBENGA OPADOTUN. Excerpts:

I

F he had had a choice, Oba John Bolarinwa Olubiyi II, would have remained in business rather than on the throne of his forebears. His people searched for him to ascend the royal stool.

He was compelled by his people to become the oba as the heir to the throne, yet, he refused.

His reason was that he could not afford to abandon his lucrative business for the position as an oba. When he even threatened to travel outside Nigeria to frustrate their efforts, they told him he could do so if he did not value his life. Thus, on October 8, 1999, after having performed all pre-installation traditional rites, he was crowned the Onigboho of Igboho, during the tenure of Alhaji Lam Adesina as the governor of Oyo State.

“Today, I thank God that I have not let my people down because there is joy and satisfaction in serving one’s people. It is not about money but contentment, I left

my shop at No 81, New Court Road, Gbagi, Ibadan, for the palace life in Igboho and it has been very interesting and challenging,” he stated.

Oba Bolarinwa said that though the Onigboho royal stool had suffered political victimisation at the hands of politicians over the years, it has remained relevant, formidable and a highly historical one for that matter.

“We sought solace in the court and after a protracted legal battle, the Supreme Court, on March 14, 2014 in its judgment, affirmed that the Onigboho is not only the head of the original settlers of the town but the founder of the town,” he added.

Oba Bolarinwa stated that he enjoyed cordial relationship with fellow traditional rulers in the state and Oke-Ogun in particular. He said the relationship was very cordial and beneficial to all the parties.

“Our relationship is very cordial, we have a platform ­— Oke-Ogun Conference

of Obas and Chiefs — where we meet on monthly basis to discuss issues affecting our area and people with a view to moving forward. Our relationship is very cordial and based on mutual respect and trust.

“We are lacking in everything. It is regrettable that Igboho, being the headquarters of Old Oyo Empire, has nothing to show for it. There is no love lost in the community.

“When an 80-year-old man tells lies, what kind of development do you have in that community. At present, I go from one mountain to another to appeal to God to come to our rescue. There is nothing to show local government, state government and even the Federal Government’s presence in our domain. The state hospital, Adeoyo in Ibadan and the General Hospital, Igboho, have the same design. That of Ibadan is functioning while that of our own remains abandoned. There is no water, no institution, etc. We appeal to government

Saturday Tribune CREW

ri Tunde Busa 0 0812759353 ndare g O enga - 3u Yejide Gb11 08 670685 unesan Tunde Og54 4 081169 63 t:

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

Our relationship is very cordial, we have a platform, Oke-Ogun Conference of Obas and Chiefs where we meet regularly on a monthly basis to discuss issues affecting our area and people with a view to moving forward. Our relationship is very cordial and based on mutual respect and trust.

to site a university here, federal polytechnic and construct our roads. We plead with them to come to our aid so as to restore our lost glory,” he stated.

Oba Obalarinwa stated that he was very happy at what God has done for the royal throne and his domain, Igboho, disclosing that during his tenure, well-meaning indigenes of the town, home and abroad have come to establish modern hotels, private nursery, primary and secondary schools to boost the socio-economic life of the ancient community.

“We also have a JAMB centre brought by the Registrar/Chief Executive of the examination body, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde. These and others have, to a large extent, impacted positively on Igboho and the people,” he added.

The royal father hinted that he had no regret abandoning his thriving business to ascend the throne of his forebears.

“I won’t say I have any regrets coming home to sit on the throne of my forefathers.

If you want progress, you must be there to join hands with others to bring about the desired change. The best way to assist is to team up with people of like minds, so, by and large, I am contented with serving my people.”

The traditional ruler stated that if he had not been compelled by his people to serve them, he would have been in business and remained in Lagos and Ibadan but the desire not to let his people down was more important than pecuniary gains.

On the throne, the Onigboho said it has not been an easy task being a Christian oba as only God saved him from an attack by hoodlums in March 2014, after the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed him as the original settler and founder of Igboho town.

“We have 17 gods worshipped by my forefathers. I, as a Christian, could not cope with that and that is one of my problems with the people. There used to be four ruling houses in Igboho before it was reduced to two which is still not acceptable to the people.

The Oloko Panel of Enquiry into chieftaincy titles in the state reduced the ruling houses and as a child then, I was helpless as I could not fathom why it was done. I am from the Olubo ruling house while the other one is Alapadikoyankobi, the two houses rotate ascendancy into the royal stool till today but we want to reverse to four for equality, fairplay and justice to reign.”

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18 June, 2016

achievers

My dream is to become the first man on Mars —23-yr-old US-based Nigerian Ph.D holder

EMMANUEL GEORGE beams a searchlight on the life of a United States of America-based genius, Raheem Bello, who only at the age of 23 bagged a PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas, Arlington.

Saturday Tribune

With Ronke Sanya 07036050161 sanyaaderonke@gmail.com

I

T’S no more news to say in this dispensation that young Nigerians are extremely brilliant and intelligent. World reports corroborate the fact that Nigerians record successes in different fields wherever they find themselves. Recently, the story broke about a young Nigerian who bagged PhD at the age of 25.

More interesting is the feat of another young Nigerian, Raheem Temitope Bello, who just bagged PhD at the age of 23 in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas, Arlington.

Raheem, born in 1992, had his elementary education in Tender Age Children School, EbuteMetta, Lagos State and later proceeded to Christ the King International School (CKIS), Lagos. He left Lagos in February 2006, for Houston, Texas, where he completed the 2005/2006 school year at Westbury High School in the 9th grade.

He graduated from Westbury High School at the age of 16 in 2008. Between 2008 and 2011, he earned two B.Sc. degrees in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Texas, Austin. In 2012, he bagged a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/ Space Engineering from the University of Texas, Arlington. Four years after, Raheem, at the age of 23, bagged a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the same University of Texas, Arlington.

Raheem focused his research on power generation, using a novel aerospace engine that could double the efficiency of conventional engines and existing technology, and cut emissions by 30 per cent, which could improve power shortage in more areas of the globe. He chose to embark on the research for his PhD for the purpose of having social impact beyond the academic space.

Raheem may have a good ground for his achieving his academic pursuits, but his dream of becoming a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut, and being the first man on Mars was overshadowed by certain challenges.

While speaking to Achievers, he said, “Growing up in Lagos, I had to bear power outages. I would come outside and be inspired by the jewels of the night

sky and the stars. I wanted to visit the stars and decided to become an astronaut at a very early age.

“After sharing my goal of becoming an astronaut with friends, I was reminded that becoming an astronaut is not one available to Nigerians. Without knowing how, I vowed that I would come to America someday to fulfill this dream. In 2000, NASA stated that a mission to Mars was 15 years away, so, I aimed to study astronomy, especially aerospace engineering. Years later, I realised that my being in America was an opportunity to realise my dream of becoming a NASA astronaut, and the first man on Mars.”

Bello, through his PhD research project, in 2014, co-founded Afthon, along with Professor Frank Lu, his PhD advisor, with focus on increasing the efficiency of aerospace engines by leveraging a supersonic combustion process.

He started by developing utility generators, but ultimately had his sights set on powering something even bigger; a rocket ship.

Afthon’s declared goal is to commercialise next generation rocket and air-breathing detonation engines, for aircraft propulsion, and power generation applications; revolutionary combustion process to create electrical power using clean and sustainable conversation of flare and biogas, turning “waste” hydrocarbons into a revenue stream.

When asked about returning to Nigeria, he expressed desire to attend to the nation’s power problem through sustainable solutions. Raheem, who spent 15 years of his lifetime in Nigeria, before travelling abroad, gives back to the Houston Nigerian Community through Mumineen Collegiate Success Initiative, a programme he started at his local community mosque to prepare young people for college and to express his gratitude for the support they provided him in his journey to success.

Raheem, the youngest PhD holder in the field has already applied to be a NASA Astronaut Candidate, and his startup Afthon is very well on its way, backed by a VentureWell grant of $25,000 and a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps grant of $50,000 and hopes to attract more investment to support his work.

While growing up in Lagos, I had to bear power outages. I would come outside and be inspired by the jewels of the night sky and the stars. I wanted to visit the stars, and decided to become an astronaut at a very early age.

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18 June, 2016

Politics&Policy

Saturday Tribune With Saheed Salawu

0811 695 4643

yinkadejavu@yahoo.com

Who wins Edo APC gov ticket today?

The primary to determine the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State holds today. BANJI ALUKO looks at the chances of the major aspirants in the race.

T

ODAY’S governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State may make or mar the chances of the party in retaining the state with the September 10 governorship election.

After winning the presidential election and the majority of the National Assembly seats in Edo State in the 2015 general election, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is breathing down the neck of the APC. This means that the APC needs to put its house in order if it must stop the PDP from completing its conquest of the South South states. Ahead of the primary, all is not well in the APC as more than the 12 aspirants contesting today had alleged the predetermination of a particular aspirant to carry the day today by fair or foul means.

There has been so much plotting and scheming by the aspirants to outdo one another in the bid to get the votes of about 2,600 delegates that will decide the votes today. This week, two of the aspirants pulled out of the primary and refused to buy the party’s nomination form of N5 million. One of them, Pedro Obaseki, said aspirants vying for the APC ticket were merely wasting their time as the winner had been predetermined. He said he stumbled on documents showing that the primary couldn’t be free and fair. The other aspirant who pulled out of the race is Casely Omon-Irabor. He also did not collect the nomination form.

The heavyweights in the race have also complained of a plot to favour a particular aspirant today. Kenneth Imansuangbon; a former Minister of State for Works, Chris Ogiemwonyi and the state deputy governor, Pius Odubu, had insisted that some people were bent on using unfair tactics to win today.

Even the state publicity secretary of the party, Godwin Erhahon, called on the national leadership of the APC to bring sanity to the party before today’s election. He said, “there are plans to call delegates to meetings a day or two days before the primary and from there, they will also kidnap them and put them in hotels from where they will take oath, give them money and whatsoever and then return them to the venue of the primary intoxicated and seduced.

My advice to the delegates is that those who nominated them for election and those who eventually elected them in 2014 entrusted their own political destines in their hands.

Therefore, no amount of money should be big enough for them to sell the destiny of their people.”

Pius Odubu Many think that Odubu is among the three likely winners of today’s primary alongside Obaseki and Ogiemwonyi.

The Edo State deputy governor is interested in succeeding his boss after being a loyal deputy for seven and a half years. The two-time member of the House of Representatives from Orhionmwon Local Government Area has over the years built a political platform capable of winning the APC governorship primary. The only problem, however, is his boss’s disposition to his ambition. It is no secret that Governor Oshiomhole does not want his deputy to succeed him and is doing everything to thwart Odubu’s ambition.

There is also no love lost between the two even as the party rallies to keep a lid on their feud.

In a move that has been seen by watchers as one targeted at his deputy, Oshiomhole had in the last one year sacked at least three commissioners believed to be sympathetic to Odubu’s cause, while some party leaders have also been whipped into line. But despite the odds against him, Odubu said he was prepared to test the waters today.

Godwin Obaseki As the head of his economic team, Governor Oshiomhole is believed to prefer Obaseki to any of the other aspirants. The investment banker is a behind-the-

Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

After winning the presidential election and the majority of the National Assembly seats in Edo State in the 2015 general election, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is breathing down the neck of the APC. This means that the APC needs to put its house in order if it must stop the PDP from completing its conquest of the South South states.

scene man, being neither a commissioner nor special adviser to the governor. Despite being a political greenhorn, he is considered as the aspirant to beat today if the governor’s soft spot for him is anything to go by. On Thursday, about 930 delegates of the

John Odigie-Oyegun, APC National Chairman.

party gathered in Benin City to endorse him. Similar endorsements for Obaseki had earlier been done in some other local governments. But some observers have described the said “endorsements” as a mere political move to impress Governor Oshiomhole.

Chris Ogiemwonyi Many see him as a third aspirant capable of winning today. The former minister under the PDP joined the APC before the party won the general election last year and has somehow settled in, in his new party unlike some other PDP defectors. He is rumoured to have the support of the APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and some sympathisers within the state working committee of the party.

Charles Airhiavbere The 2012 PDP governorship candidate is back in the race.

This time around, he is contesting on the platform of the APC, the party he joined last year, after its victory in the general election. Airhiavbere has been viewed as having the resources required to drive his aspiration to clinch the party’s ticket.

Kenneth Imansuangbon, Oserheimen Osunbor, Peter Esele and Austin Emuan These four politicians are from the Edo Central district and it is no secret that the APC is not predisposed to giving its ticket to an aspirant from the zone. The party appears to have ceded the ticket to the Edo South (Benin) zone.

It was gathered that the aspirants have been told many times to let go of their ambitions because the APC could not afford to flirt with a non-Benin governorship aspirant.

Of the four aspirants, Imansuangbon appears to be the strongest. He lost twice in his bid to win the governorship ticket under the PDP.

35

interview

18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

The solution to Kogi assembly crisis is... —Lawmaker

The Kogi State House of Assembly member representing Yagba West Constituency and chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Oluwatoyin Lawal, in this interview by YINKA OLADOYINBO, speaks on the lingering crisis in the assembly and the way out.

W

HAT is the basis of the crisis in the state House of Assembly?

The problem is about the leadership of the house and it started with the governor wanting to impose a particular person as the Speaker of the House, which cannot augur well for the members. At the inception of the present administration, the governor held a meeting with members of the House and told them about his intention to make Honourable Umar Imam the speaker, maybe because he is from the central senatorial district. The state is divided in three senatorial zones – east, west and central districts. The governor, coming from the central senatorial district, apparently felt that the present speaker, Hon. Momoh Jimoh Lawal, who is from the same district, should not be the Speaker. He felt Lawal should resign and allow another person to take over but the members said that constitutionally, they had the responsibility of electing their Speaker and that is the crux of the matter.

is for the assembly to come together and chart a new course.

All members will have to sit under the same roof and take a decision. We are members of the same family and I don’t see a reason we cannot come together and chart a way forward without the interference of the executive.

But the governor has denied any involvement in the crisis.

We all know that, that is not true. We all know that the governor is an interested party and if he decides that the leadership crisis ends tomorrow, it will definitely end. He knows what to do.

If the governor decides that the crisis should end, are G15 members ready to toe his line of argument by ensuring that Lawal leaves the seat to ensure balance among the senatorial zones of the state?

That is left to the entire members of the House. When we begin to sit, we will take a decision that will be in the best interest of the state.

But it was alleged that at the meeting you just mentioned, some of you agreed to the proposal that Lawal should resign for Imam be the Speaker...

I don’t know those who agreed with the governor but definitely, I am not one of those who agreed with the governor that Lawal should resign. I was never a party to any meeting where it was decided that the Speaker would resign for the governor to impose another person.

It was alleged that it was after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House met with the National Working Committee (NWC) of their party in Abuja that you changed tune.

If there was any agreement that Lawal should resign, it must have been at an informal meeting, because no part of the constitution says that the governor and the Speaker cannot come from the same place. It is just an arrangement to make sure that things are balanced in the state. If we want to change the leadership of the House, it should be the responsibility of those of us in the House to elect a new Speaker, not for the governor to dictate who is going to be the Speaker. At that particular meeting, he said he had zoned the speakership to the west and at the same time he had zeroed in on Imam, which did not go down with some of us who are from the west.

How do you see the situation where the G5 is sitting and your group, the G15, which is the majority, cannot sit?

We are unable to sit because the governor does not want us to sit. We are all aware of what happened when soldiers were used to barricade the assembly complex and the same soldiers led the G5 to go and sit in spite of a valid court order which declared the purported impeachment of Lawal as illegal.

The G5 claimed to have appealed against the judgement and, therefore, you cannot implement it.

What we know is that an appeal does not operate as a stay of execution. What they filed in the court is a notice of appeal.

They have not filed the appeal yet. They have filed a motion seeking court’s declaration that the judgment be set aside and its execution stayed. The motion has not been heard. They have not even served our lawyer so, where did they get the stay of execution they are brandishing? If they have it, let them produce a valid ruling of the court staying the execution of the judgment of 19 May, then we will comply but they don’t have it. A motion for stay of execution is not something that is heard behind the other party, it is a motion on notice, not an exparte. The court has not sat to hear it.

What are the details of the judgement that you got at the Federal High Court?

There are so many issues in the court order. Principally, it reinstated Lawal as the Speaker and other principal officers. It also ordered Imam and his group to vacate immediately, the positions they are claiming to hold now. The order also asked the police to restore the security details of Lawal and make sure that they are not preventing the sitting of the House.

Now that the order of the court is not respected, what is going to be the next line of action of your group?

The law is always our recourse. We are law-abiding people and we are going to avail ourselves of the machinery of the court to make sure that they comply with the order. Definitely, what they have committed is pure contempt and we intend

What about the allegation that the G15 is being influenced by external forces to remain adamant on this crisis?

I don’t know of any external forces that are behind us. All we are doing is for the institution of legislative arm of government, the need for the independence of the legislative arm, the need for us to be able to work according to the dictate of the constitution, to make sure that there is separation of power. I don’t believe that any external force has to be behind us before we can do that. If the executive have to have their way in everything, that will lead to dictatorship and will not be in the interest of Kogi State. We are not unaware that there should be collaboration between the executive and the legislative arms but a situation where the executive wants to dictate everything to the legislative arm will not augur well for democracy.

There is no doubt that the crisis is affecting governance in Kogi State. It is affecting our various constituencies because they are yearning for dividends of democracy. They are eager for us to support them in various forms.

to begin a contempt proceeding against Imam and those who sat after the judgement.

What now happens to the actions taken by the House since the purported removal of Lawal as Speaker?

The court did not grant the order to set aside all those things but it does not mean that all the bad actions that they have taken will stay. They are just interpreting the order of the court mischievously by saying that the suspension of the 10 members will hold. They are on appeal so, why are they in a hurry to interpret the judgement on their own? If they have appealed the judgment, they should wait for the court to determine their case. We are even cross-appealing that particular issue.

What do you think the crisis in assembly portends for the state?

The onus is on the governor who is supposed to be the father of the state to make sure that he respects a valid court order by restoring the leadership of Lawal. The way forward

It is alleged that your group has got the backing of the House of Representatives courtesy of Honourable Abiodun Faleke.

We have 360 members in the House of Representatives. Can Hon. Faleke as a person influence the decision of the House of Representatives? We presented our case, and on the day the House sat to take a decision, Hon Faleke was not around, so, the allegation is absurd.

With the kind of enmity between the G15 and the G5, do you think it is still possible for the two groups to sit under one roof and work together again?

I don’t see any enmity between us. Most members meet regularly at different fora and they interact. I don’t believe we are sworn enemies to the extent that we can’t sit together and take decision. It is just that the executive does not want the legislative arm to work.

Has there been any move by elders of the state to resolve this crisis?

I don’t know of any attempt by any elder of Kogi State but I know there have been several attempts on the part of the House members to make sure that we sit down together and iron out our differences in order to be able to move on. Several times, members of our group have approached the G5 to let us come together and discuss but these attempts were frustrated. Before the court delivered its judgment, a meeting was supposed to be take place and all of us in the G15 waited, only for us to learn that the G5 had gone to the Government House to sit and that was the end of the reconciliation meeting. A second attempt was made after the judgement for us to be able to sit. We waited but the G5 won’t show up.

Don’t you think the lingering crisis is having negative effect on the people you are supposed to be representing?

There is no doubt that the crisis is affecting governance in Kogi State. It is affecting our various constituencies because they are yearning for dividends of democracy.

They are eager for us to support them in various forms.

For instance, we in G15 have not been collecting our salary, so, there is no way we can help our constituents. These are some of the problems but it is a pain that they have to bear for democracy to foster. The solution to the crisis is for the G5 to accept Lawal as the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly.

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18 June, 2016

Saturday Tribune

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It’s another summer

By Folu Olamiti

F

OR some Nigerians, going abroad, even to a country with low fortune, fame and status is the ultimate. By now, hundreds, if not thousands of Nigerians are either booking their flights or are already abroad for what they often see and cherish as summer holidays. Yes, it’s another summer, and the rush from here is overwhelming!

Nigerians travel out of their country for many reasons.

Some, especially the elite, prefer going abroad for medical check. They prefer to take all that risk to treat even common cold, cough and catarrh! They gleefully label it as medical tourism. For others, going overseas is a yearly ritual that affords them the opportunity to re-unite with friends, families and business associates. And there is this critical mass that jet out, almost on a daily basis, sinking millions to seek greener pastures or the ‘Golden Fleece’ as they call it. In all, those who make peremptory trips outside the country often do so with pains and great discomfort.

They do so in most cases while “suffering and smiling,” as the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti sang in one of his chartbusters.

In the course of my public service and journalistic odyssey, I have garnered long years of experiences and chalked up hundreds of thousands of kilometres criss-crossing the world. Some of those experiences have prodded me to share a little on the inconveniences, sometimes mind-numbing risks that many Nigerian travellers go through just to have some summer freaks. While the youth see long haul flights as adventurous, the attendant stress and pains always have a telling effect on the old, senior citizens. They often experience unusually prolonged jet-lag, swollen feet, some numbness in their limbs and joints, not to talk of the deafening effect of planes on their ears.

It is to our senior citizens I want to offer this advice. I need to give some useful tips for the elderly who may seem addicted to the long-haul flights. First, it is not advisable to travel alone. If you can afford it, you need the company of your spouse or any of your children. Second, medical science has established that long-haul trips can aggravate arthritis or thrombosis. In that case, sufferers are always

advised to be well equipped with flight socks. The socks, which are often sold at duty-free shops at most international airports, are clinically packaged to improve blood circulation. They are prepared to make travellers endure long hours on the plane, ultimately making users feel light and relieved of joints pains.

Third, aged travellers must adequately fortify themselves with correct medication well ahead of an impending trip. The use of multivitamins, especially vitamin C, helps to boost body immunity against flu. This is necessary in case you are seated with someone nursing flu, cough or exhibiting symptoms of other contagious conditions. Every traveller must be aware that the toilets in every plane breed dangerous bacteria. So, when using toilets, either on board or in transit, you are strongly advised to use hand soap and sanitisers.

Tip number four is that every traveller of age must avoid concentrating attention on watching movies or engaging in long hours of sleep on board. It is imperative that at intervals, you must stretch your legs and body either by standing, or walking round the cabin, or engaging in mild body exercises. Travellers who stay glued to their seats are prone to stroke or deadly thrombosis.

Travellers should be mindful that a well-planned journey makes your trip less stressful. Ahead of flying over 24 hours with stops, or 15 to 16 hours non-stop, purchase ticket which include hotel accommodation, most especially where a stop-over takes over six hours before connecting the next flight. I have seen some aged persons falling sick or collapse at transit lounges during long journeys. Most international airports have good hotel accommodations for sound rest and you must avail yourself of the facility.

The next tip concerns the point where travellers face immigration clearance. Once you are armed with relevant documents, your clearance is guaranteed. Hard times await those without valid documents at entry points. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to be delayed, you need to ensure that your medication is in place. An asthmatic patient who suffers sudden attack may find it difficult to survive when exposed to stress at the immigration counters.

Travelling long hours in a plane is energy-sapping. It always results in jet lag which oftentimes takes up to two to three days to shake off. The case is worse for anyone who

might have contracted flu or suffers from the usual summer allergies that often induce cold, coughing, sneezing and bloodshot eyes. In some cases, and from personal experiences, the allergies could take about two weeks before full recovery. The body will now battle with differences in time zones and climate change. While the sun is receding in the United States, for instance, we are moving towards dawn in Nigeria. Presently in Europe and far Eastern countries, they are witnessing heavy rainfalls and severe flooding.

America is currently contending with high or humid temperature, which often requires the use of cooling devices.

Perhaps, the only reward meant for Nigerians who travel out is their dream to better security, good infrastructure and facilities. For them, leaving Nigeria is a good temporary escape from the harsh realities that they have been battling with for years. At least, they will be relieved of the sneers of armed robbery, kidnapping, killings and bombings by Boko Haram and now, the Niger Delta Avengers, police brutality, fuel scarcity, ‘NEPA’ failures, hike in prices of essential commodities, poor medical facilities and others.

Travelling abroad for vacation may not be a bad idea but it can get scary when one discovers that time is an impatient customer. It flies so fast. For instance, four weeks of stay usually runs so fast you think you have just spent a few days. In that regard, the thought of returning to inclement situations at home brings some pangs of heaviness or sadness. This is the crux of the matter. It is time for the government to start building solid infrastructures and facilities that would make Nigeria a beauty to behold and a place of allurement to seduce citizens to remain at home.

Government officials who travel out too often should be alive to their responsibility by returning home to replicate the good things they see abroad in their country. Nigeria is great.

The country is imbued with natural and human resources which, if effectively managed, could turn Nigeria into an El-Dorado. Perhaps, both the government and the governed can, indeed, latch onto this era of ‘Change’ in making a collective resolve to begin laying solid foundations for the revival, reinvention and reorientation of Nigeria. Doing so will make the country a destination of choice for people from across the globe. After all, HOME IS HOME. Olamiti, a media consultant, wrote from Abuja.

Why the world can’t tame rape

By Yasmeen Hassan SEXUAL violence is largely a hidden epidemic. For every reported crime, the Sexual Violence Research Initiative suggests that in some countries, including Brazil, only five percent of adult victims of sexual violence report to the police.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 14.8% of women over 17 in the United States have been raped and that national data on rape and sexual assault in the United States shows that about 1 out of 10 sexual assaults involve multiple perpetrators.

While data on rape is spotty at best, the 2013 “Dossiê Mulher” (Women’s Dossier) shows that between 2012 and 2014, the number of reported rapes in Rio de Janeiro has fallen by 2-3% annually. However, based on these figures, this still meant that almost 400 women and girls on average in Rio were raped every single month.

Governments around the world have made repeated commitments to ending violence against girls and women, but there has been little political will to follow through with meaningful change.

And this issue is not confined to developing nations. Approximately 19,000 men and women suffer sexual assault each year in the U.S. military, former Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had said in 2012, although he noted that only 3,200 of these were reported. In the U.K., around 85,000 women are raped each year, Rape Crisis England and Wales estimated in 2013.

Impunity for crimes of sexual violence is rampant. This can start with the “shame” associated with sexual violence that deters victims from reporting crimes in the first place, to legal systems re-victimising victims through dis-

believing, insensitive police, prosecutors and judges; to legal procedures that are cumbersome and demeaning and lengthy legal proceedings that are aimed at protecting the right of defendants to prove their innocence -- often at a huge cost to victims.

In over a dozen countries so far, through Equality Now’s ‘Justice For Girls’ programme, cases of sexual violence against girls have been taken in order to highlight the gaps in legal systems, which prevent access to justice and create impunity for such crimes, and to set important legal precedents. Through these cases, we have seen how hard it is for girls to get justice and therefore how easy it is that rapes continue with impunity.

In a recent gang rape case in Kenya, 16-year-old “Liz” was thrown in a ditch and left to die. Initially, her rapists were sentenced to mow grass as punishment, but following local and international efforts, the sentence was increased to 15 years for gang rape and seven years for causing grievous harm.

In Ethiopia, 13-year-old Woineshet’s rapist and abductor was set free as the judge did not believe that she had been a “fresh virgin”. It took 15 years for her to finally get the justice she deserved from the African Commission, which held Ethiopia liable for failing to provide her adequate legal protection and awarded her damages.

These cases all illustrate relatively common failings in legal systems to protect women and girls as well as patriarchal mindsets. Gaps exist in some rape laws, which exempt rapists from punishment if they marry their victim.

Others allow rape to legally take place within marriage.

Countries have only recently considered this to be an urgent issue. The United Kingdom criminalised marital rape in 1991, while North Carolina was the last American

state to ban it as recently as 1993.

It is also evident that the attitudes of police, prosecutors and judges can have seriously adverse impact on rape victims.

A 2013 research paper on women’s access to justice in Pakistan showed that very often the judicial focus was not on the actions of the rapist, but on the behavior and even sexual history of the victim -- not to mention the gruelling and demeaning cross-examination of victims at the hands of defence lawyers.

We have also witnessed girls who are victims of rape and child pornography in the U.S. decide not to file charges, as they anticipate such violations by defence lawyers.

To make lasting change, governments must have the political will to enact and enforce strong laws to protect women from sexual violence. They must hold accountable those government officials who fail to implement the law or traumatise victims. They should review legal procedures to ensure that victims of sexual violence are not re-victimized and ensure adequate punishment for perpetrators, so that others are deterred.

There is no easy fix to changing attitudes around the world, but effective victim-centered legal systems are a good place to start. This means that victims must have access to justice from the inception of a case, with trained and sensitive investigators to completion. They should also have sufficient restitution and services to help them on their path to recovery.

Brazil is now in a position to respond to the growing outrage and make this promise a reality, but only time will tell how it chooses to proceed.

Hassan contributed this on the Cable News Network (CNN).

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18 June, 2016

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sport

18 June, 2016

Domestic players will make W-Cup qualifiers —Yusuf

Enyimba must beat Zamalek —Ibenegbu ENYIMBA attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has said victory is quite crucial against the Egyptian giants, Zamalek SC as both sides clash tomorrow in the Garden City.

The Nigerian champions will host the Egyptian Premier League side in a CAF Champions League match day one group fixture billed for the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Ibenegbu said though the Egyptian opposition will be tough, the Peoples Elephants determined to start the group campaign of the lucrative championship on a flying note.

“I think three points are crucial notwithstanding the goal margin though, one will not overlook the chance to win convincingly.

“If you win your matches the number of goals picked in the race will be meaningless so our match plan is to win our matches starting with the clash against Zamalek on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

“The quality of Zamalek is not in doubt to any football followers on the continent, they are experienced and tough.

“Already we have it at the back of our minds that no match will be cheap at this

stage of the competition.

“We are not minnows or newcomers to the terrain we will take the match to them to ensure we grab the maximum points.

“We have done our homework perfectly well hoping that everything will turn out well on matchday,” the former Heartland and Warri Wolves player told supersport.com.

Meanwhile, the management of Enyimba FC has thrown the gates open for tomorrow’s game.

Enyimba boss, Felix Anyansi-Agwu also called for total support for his wards who play their home games in the Garden City.

Anyansi in an interview with Magic FM said the players are fully prepared for the match, just as he believes his boys have done their homework with the way and manner they were responding to training.

He further revealed that 10 buses will be available at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba, tomorrow morning to convey Enyimba fans to the Amiesimaka Stadium in order to cheer the Peoples Elephants into victory.

Enyimba remains Nigeria’s only surviving club on the continent this season.

Saturday Tribune

N

IGERIA caretaker coach, Salisu Yusuf has said he believes that at least three players from the domestic league could force their way into the first-team of the Super Eagles for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

The qualifying tournament for Russia 2018 will begin in October after next Friday’s draw in Cairo, Egypt.

“I believe that at least two, three players from the Nigeria league will be in the first team (of the Super Eagles) because they are good enough and only have to remain consistent,” former Enyimba and Kano Pillars coach, Yusuf said.

His declaration comes after he only picked goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa

Home-based player, Chima Akas in action.

crimereport

from the Nigeria for the recent friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg.

“There were several reasons for only picking Ezenwa for those games.

First, I wanted to have a look at some of the foreign pros who were out of the national set-up as I already have a good idea of the players at home.

“There was also a plan to get the league players to play an international friendly about the same time too before the arrangement fell through.

“Also, because of the financial situation it was important to save costs for those games,” stated Yusuf, a member of the Sunday Oliseh-led technical crew to this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

419 is my source of livelihood, suspected fraudster boldly declares

Former Nigerian athlete, Obanubi dies at 72 As Oyo SWAN mourns

By Nurudeen Alimi FORMER Nigerian international athlete, Mrs Ronke Obanubi, is dead.

Obanubi, a former Chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council, died on Friday at the age of 72 at an undislosed hospital during a brief illness.

The late sports administrator was said to have been taken to the hospital on Wednesday before she gave up the ghost in the early hours of Friday.

Obanubi represented Oyo

Obanubi

State and Nigeria in several track and field events in the late 50s and 60s where she held a number of national and African records.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has commiserated with the Oyo State Sports Council over the demise of Obanubi.

In a condolence letter jointly signed by the chairman and the secretary of the association, Niyi Alebiosu and Adewale Tijani respectively, Oyo SWAN described the death of the former athlete as a great loss not only to Oyo State, but Nigeria as a whole.

The association recalled how the late Obanubi rocked the world of athletics in the 60s but still remained humble while alive despite her numerous achievements.

Oyo SWAN, however, prayed God to grant the soul of the late sports administrator eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

19 JUNE, 2016

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Battle of Lagos PDP

I’m the chairman —Salvador We’re taking over that secretariat soon —Adewale

My own is that, this is the secretariat of the PDP and this is where you came to meet me and that tells you what you need to see and what you need to know. The state congress of the PDP was held at this secretariat. The people that boycotted election cannot be considered as part of that congress. —Salvador

Occupying a secretariat does not confer legitimacy, what confers legitimacy is whether you win an election?

And this we have done. We did our ward congresses; we did our local government congresses and then we did the state congress, which we all won. But they cannot place something on nothing. —Adewale

My mum died of shock after I became blind, says ex-corps member employed by FG Plus news, sports, fashion... and more!

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My fans have never done anything bad to me

—Temitope Adegbola

The OJB’s last interview with Tribune before he died

39

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18 June, 2016

Football can grow Nigeria economy —Dikko

C

HAIRMAN of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko insists football has viable opportunities of helping to grow the collapsing economy of the country if the sport is treated as a business.

At a meeting with officials of the National Association of Securities Dealers, NASD on Thursday, Dikko

explained that both were exploring strategies and means to transform the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Clubs ownership from governments to community-based and public subscription ownership.

“In the football league, we can count about 28 subbusinesses across associated value chain that can stimulate growth in the economy, drive employment and re-

duce youth delinquency in the society but, we need to harness the potential of our football as a business to open these opportunities,” Dikko said.

“The LMC will provide the necessary support to the NASD that will facilitate the listing and or sell of the NPFL Clubs shares on the NASD OTC Exchange with a long term objective of turning clubs’

ownership structure to largely supporters-based as is the case of Real Madrid and Barcelona of Spain, Al Ahli of Egypt and Boca Juniors of Argentina as well as providing options for equity investment into the clubs by private investors,” he said.

Bola Ajomale, the managing director of NASD, said the organisation will partner the LMC alongside the Se-

Ikorodu Utd players in auto crash PLAYERS and officials of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Ikorodu United were involved in an auto crash that left several persons dead on Friday.

The accident occurred around the ninth mile area in Enugu State.

No member of the Ikorodu United contingent died.

Team Manager of the Oga Boys, Harry Balogun, confirmed the incident to supersport.com.

“We thank God that none of us died but the passengers in the other bus were not so lucky.

“They all died. We were only saved from death by

the vigilance of our driver who managed to swerve just in time.

“However, there was still contact with our bus, but from the side.

“The trailer caught fire

and the passengers in the vehicle that collided with the trailer all died.

“None of our players died but some of them had bruises and other minor injuries as they tried to

jump down from our bus whose doors were all shut at the time of the accident,” he said.

Ikorodu United is 19th on the table.

MP Tiger Tennis: Bulus, Holmes shine THE 2nd MP Tiger Tennis Tournament was rounded off on Friday at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja with Christopher Bulus and Toyin Asogba clinching the U-16 boy’s and girl’s titles.

Bulus, the winner of the inaugural edition of the invitational tournament defeated Ezekiel Ekong 4-2, 4-1 while Asogba outplayed Peace Udoh 4-2,

4-1.

Abdullahi Ajanaku edged Gabriel Richard 4-2, 1-4, 10-4 for the boy’s U-12, and Emmanuel Jebutu bagged the boy’s U-14 title with a 4-2, 1-4, 10-4 triumph.

Reya Holmes avoided the pain of another final defeat

by Serena Teluwo beating the latter 4-2, 4-1 to cart home the top prize in the

girl’s U-12.

It was a sweet victory for the nine-year-old, who alongside elder sister Lolade Holmes featured in an exhibition match with Serena and Venus Williams when the American superstars visited Nigeria in 2012.

“I’m very happy to win because Serena is a tough player. She has always beaten me”, Holmes said.

curities Exchange Commission [SEC] to stimulating economic growth through creating a club ownership model and attracting private investors to NPFL. “Our market is not inside the boardrooms but on the streets where we seek to encourage Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), Cooperatives and others to trade on the exchange,” Ajomale

Saturday Tribune

said.

The development underscores the Nigeria Professional Football League organisers’ unrelenting efforts in engaging more investors from the private sectors witnessing the crumbling of the nation’s economy with clubs predominately owned by government suffering poor funding.

NPFL fixtures, Sunday, June 19

SATURDAY, 18 JUNE, 2016

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FC IfeanyiUbah vs Rivers Utd MFM, Lagos vs Shooting Stars Enyimba vs Sunshine Stars (pp) Lobi Stars vs Ikorodu United Akwa United vs El-Kanemi

Abia Warriors vs Heartland Wikki Tourists vs Kano Pillars Warri Wolves vs Plateau United Niger Tornadoes vs Rangers

No controversy on Keshi’s burial —Aide J ENNIFER Keshi, the first daughter of the late former coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has arrived in Nigeria from the United States to coordinate the burial plans with family members.

This is contained in a statement signed

by Ben Alaiya, former media officer to the Super Eagles.

The statement said the Federal Government through the Sports Ministry had indicated interest to participate in the burial ceremony.

It also said that a family source said that the only controversy at the moment was whether Keshi should be buried in Benin City, his adopted home or at Illah, his ancestral home.

“That will be easily settled,’’ the statement said.

It said that there was also a tenta-

Keshi

Rio Olympics: Dream Team are favourites —Imoh Ezekiel

By Olawale Olaniyan

ANDERLECHT of Belgium player, Imoh Ezekiel has expressed confidence that Nigeria would shine in Brazil in the men’s football event.

“The Dream Team will excel in Rio Olympics, I am very sure, I was part of the team that played against Brazil in an international friendly in Rio last two months, the team has a lot of good players, so I have no doubt about the players potential.

“The only thing the team needs is luck, hard work and understanding between the pros and the home-based, but I’m sure we shall go far in the championship,” the former Standard Liege striker said.

It will be recalled, that Ezekiel featured for Nigeria at the senior level when he came off the bench to replace Victor Moses in a pre-World Cup friendly with Mexico in March 2014.

Imoh Ezekiel (left) challenged by Tottenham’s Jan Verthongen during the UEFA Europa League clash last October. PHOTO: EPA.

tive burial date of July 28 that had not been totally agreed on.

The statement also said that all rights would be accorded to Stephen Keshi Jr during the burial, because he was actually the adopted son of the late soccer legend.

“His real names we know, but we have no problem with him.

“He will take part in all rites and we pray that we should not drag controversy into the burial of a great man like Keshi,” it said.

It also said that there were already indications that many state governments had indicated interest to participate in the burial ceremony.

The statement added that the Keshi family had already given an assurance that the burial would be all-inclusive as Keshi, during his life time, had no foe.

t n r a e l r e t t in a s l l l B i k s g n i l stea tina Argen radona —Ma FORMER Argentinian football star, Diego Maradona yesterday accused FIFA’s former president, Joseph Blatter, of stealing while at the helm of the Federation of International Football Association.

Maradona compared him with a former government official imprisoned for corruption in Argentina, claiming that Blatter has more money than Jose Lopez.

Lopez was Argentina’s public works secretary during the governments of Nestor Kirchner (2003 to 2007) and his wife Cristina Fernandez (2007 to 2015).

He was arrested on Tuesday while trying to hide millions of dollars in a monastery.

The former World Cup champion asked Loretta Lynch, the U.S. Attorney

Maradona General investigating corruption within FIFA, to come to Argentina so that she could see things for herself.

He said a former Argentina football executive, Julio Grondona, who is already deceased, was the one who taught Blatter to steal.

Maradona, 55, said the current FIFA president, Switzerland’s Gianni Infantino, was “saddened” by the situation involving the football association.

“Infantino has asked me to collaborate.

“Both in FIFA and in the AFA (Argentine Football Association) dynamite has to be thrown in so that a fresh start can be made.

“Infantino was saddened. He could not do anything at all from outside of FIFA,” Maradona noted.

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. 18/6/2016.