18th September,2016

NO 2,064

SPECIAL TREAT

SUNDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER, 2016

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Investing in bamboo can rake in fortune pg8

We must negotiate a new Nigeria —Ex-CJN

NIGER DELTA

pg5

Troops kill 23 militants, destroy camps, refineries pg8

If your success doesn’t make others to succeed,

you’re a failure Ali Baba —

2016 Hajj: NAHCON confirms 18 Nigerians dead pg42 •Nigerians protest in Saudi Arabia

Former United States president, Bill Clinton, celebrated his 70th birthday at a star-studded event which was held at the Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, at the weekend. With him are Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu (left); Mimi Alemayeho of Blackstone Company (second left); Halima Dangote and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Boko Haram, others selling women via WhatsApp —Report

•2 million Nigerians still trapped in Boko Haram 3 strongholds, says UN pgs42 & 4

Tension in political camps as Kogi awaits S/Court judgment pg8 Recession:

Things will be tougher... —Ladoja

•Says military caused Nigeria’s 0 problems pgs27 & 3

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18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

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18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

news DSS, police’s clash averted in Lagos over ex-DG’s official residence

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•Ejection: Former DSS DG, Col Are has no case —NPA From Taiwo Adisa and Tola Adenubi

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ROMPT intervention from the authorities in Abuja reportedly prevented what could have turned out to be a violent clash between men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Ports Police over the control of the house formerly occupied by a former Director General of the DSS, Colonel Kayode Are(retd).

The house, located at 50, Alexander Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, had housed Colonel Are until he was reportedly ejected from there last year.

The clash, however, occurred as officials of the Ports Police arrived at the compound last week in a bid to take over the property.

The DSS officer attached to the building was said to have resisted the takeover bid, but crisis was said to have been averted when calls from higher authorities in Abuja asked the DSS men to yield ground to the Port Police.

The development reportedly ignited some grumbling as to the circumstances leading to the decision to cede the official quarters of the Service to the NPA. A Sunday Tribune source said: “Last week, a serious clash almost occurred at the premises as the DSS operatives on guard at the building refused to vacate the building for the ports policemen that were reportedly sent to take over the protection of the house, preparatory to its renovation and furnishing for the new Managing Director of NPA, Miss Hadiza Yusuf.

“The standoff lasted for a few hours but tension was doused after an instruction from Abuja ordered the DSS operatives to vacate the premises and hand over to the Ports Police.”

Operatives of the DSS, had last December reportedly ejected Colonel Are from the house. He had lived in the house for close to five years as part of the privileges usually extended to former directors-general.

It was learnt that retired directors general of the service are not allowed such statutory privileges

and that only Are and the immediate past DG, Ita Ekpeyong, who is said to occupy a private rented apartment in Abuja, are the exceptions.

An eyewitness, who described himself as an occupant in the area, asked why the DSS should eject one of its own only to transfer the building to an organisation that is not connected to its work.

The source, who narrated the history of the building, further asked: “What is even the correlation between the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Department of State Services?

“What of the house that the immediate past managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority lived?

“We don’t understand how a subvention-dependent organisation would donate its official quarters to a revenue-generating agency.”

Though Are claimed to have secured a court order to prolong his stay in the building, the DSS evicted him after issuing him an ultimatum.

Meanwhile, NPA has stated that Colonel Are has no case following his eviction from the property.

This was even as the said property had been taken over by the new Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Usman.

Reacting to enquiries by the Sunday Tribune, NPA’s imagemaker, Captain Ihenacho Ebubuegou, explained that since the said property was taken from a former government official and given to a serv-

ing government official, then there is no case.

According to him, “I will still have to get management’s take on this.

“However, for me, there

is no cause for alarm since the former occupant is no longer in service and the property was never sold to him.

“However, as I said ear-

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

lier, I will still have to get management’s views on this. What I have told you is just my own perception of the whole issue.”

The hours stand-off was

only resolved after words from Abuja ordered the Service operatives to vacate the premises and handover to the Ports’ police.

From left, wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; author, Mr Ladi Soyode; his wife, Abimbola; the event Chairman, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr Lateef Ibirogba who represented the Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and father of the author, Mr Tayo Soyode, during of the public presentation of the collection of poems written by Mr Soyode entitled “ Shadows of a Whisper” held at Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos, on Saturday. PHOTO: SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Piracy, others have reduced in N/Delta, says Navy Chris Agbambu-Abuja

THE Nigerian Navy, on Saturday, said that of piracy and related crimes in the Niger Delta have now reduced.

It attributed the success to what it described as a dedicated anti-piracy approach adopted by the Navy.

The Chief of Training and Operation of the Navy, Rear Admiral Adeyinka

Osinowo, made the comment while speaking with journalists shortly after the Third Route March for personnel of the service in Abuja.

Osinowo noted that similar gains were made in the protection of onshore and offshore oil and gas facilities in the region.

According to him, the Navy had been receiving significant cooperation

from other services in the ongoing campaign against crime in the area.

“What you have seen is the result of a number of concerted efforts ranging from the strategic level to the tactical level involving our men and gunboats in the creeks as well as offshore. We have significant cooperation from all the agencies.

“We have sharpened our

Poll suspension truly needful —Obaseki Group EDO Green Movement, a pro-Godwin Obaseki campaign group, has said that events after the suspension of the Edo governorship election have since justified the decision to put the election on hold for securityreasons.

The organisation said in a press release issued in Benin-City on Saturday and signed by its Coordinator, Mr Felix Imoru, that the joint action by the police, DSS and INEC to postpone the election “actually saved the state from bloodbath.”

While commending the security agencies for the

foresight, the movement noted with gratitude that fear of violence earlier entertained by the security agencies had been established and was being addressed.

It recalled that Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State had earlier raised alarm over the invasion of the state by suspected militants on the invitation of some unscrupulous politicians, with a view of perpetrating violence during the election.

“The recent arrest of about 54 suspected militants in the State, with many items including guns

and nine million naira cash said to have been recovered from them, justified the earlier alert by the comrade governor,” the statement said.

“It is on record, that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is a man well known for his peaceful disposition, and has carried out peaceful campaign throughout the nooks and crannies of Edo State despite violent attacks on his supporters by members of PDP,” the group stated.

Stating that “eternal vigilance is the price of lib-

erty”, the group called on members of the public to be vigilant and to report suspicious movement to law enforcement agents, while the law enforcements agents “should be up to their constitutional responsibilities”.

skills as well as operational concepts. You are probably aware that we have derived a new concept, two-point management control . We have a dedicated anti- piracy operation also in the past two months.

“And all these have to a reasonable extent decimated the undesirable spate of attacks that we noticed in the early part of this year, and we have limited attacks within the onshore and of course, attacks on the oil and gas infrastructure offshore.

“As much as we are contending with those in the onshore area, we would also note that recent efforts among the services have demonstrated the fact that that will not be the case,” he said.

Lagos monarch dies Olalekan Olabulo-Lagos THE traditional ruler of Itire town in Lagos State, Oba Lateef Dauda, is dead.

A source close to the palace confirmed the death of the monarch to Sunday Tribune, adding that the monarch died on Saturday

Details of the death of the popular traditional ruler were still sketchy as of Saturday evening.

The news of the death created worries among residents as many of them called on their relatives and loved ones to return home early .

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news

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

We must negotiate a new Nigeria —Musdapher, ex-CJN Olayinka Olukoya -Abeokuta

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ORMER Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, has called for a roundtable discussion that will give birth to a new Nigeria as well as achieve “unity and nationalisation.”

Musdapher said the country must be brave to address “the grievances and injustices committed on all sides that have pervaded our society and rendered null our attempts at unification.”

He spoke on Saturday in a public lecture entitled “The Question of Nigerian Unity” to mark the 75th birthday of father for former speaker of the House of Representatives and Seriki Jagunmolu of Egbaland, Chief Alani Bankole.

The ex-CJN noted that the institutionalisation of zoning, rotation of political offices, quota systems and other templates designed to manage the country’s diversity had been badly managed.

He lamented that the country had continued to remain divided even after the 2015 presidential election, adding that the election was marked along issues of ethnic, regional, partisan and religious lines.

The former CJN explained that the country could not sit and wait for one region or party to conquer another party or region in the bid to maintain a unified Nigeria.

He said, “Any solution for unity and nationalisation will demand that Nigerians sit and negotiate the definition of what it means to be a modern Nigerian.

“We must acknowledge our past history, speak truthfully and comprehensively about our present circumstances in order to come to a place where we

can, as a nation, work together and move forward.”

He canvassed for the de-

THE co-founder of Retro Africa, Omodolapo Balogun, at the weekend, decried the number of talented yet struggling artists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, describing the development as worrisome.

This came as a university lecturer and retired cardiologist, Professor Chimele Abengowe, accused the Federal Government of not doing enough to encourage art in the country, appealing to the media to help stimulate the government into action.

Speaking with Sunday Tribune at a contemporary art

ment.

“A system that allows for expropriated resources of

the states to be freed, and greater powers of taxation, mining, utilities delivery,

From left, Lisa Ondo Kingdom, Chief Simeon Oguntimehin; ICAN President, Deacon Titus Soetan, Mr Olufemi Ososanya, his wife, Olufunke and some senior staff members, cutting the 60th anniversary cake.

Co-chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu (right), with the chairman on the occasion, Chief Olu Akinkugbe, during the 60th anniversary celebration of HLB Z. O. Ososanya & Co, held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday. PHOTO: D’TOYIN.

and security devolved to them, would make the states the new centres of attention, and reduce the opportunities for ethnic tensions heightened by a centralised government,” he added.

The former CJN opined that all states in the federation must take advantage of the human capital resource to develop.

The event had in attendance the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; his deputy, Yusuff Lasun; the governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former Judge of the World Court, Prince Justice Bola Ajibola; former governors of Ogun and Jigawa states, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Alhaji Sule Lamido.

Others were the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Akanbi; former deputy of the state, Alhaja Salmot Badru; Mr Kola Abiola, among others.

Osoba, who was the chairman of the occasion, described the celebrant as a consistent, courageous and determined man.

The former governor said Chief Bankole’s kind of politics was beyond ideological differences, hence the calibre of people who came to honour him from different parts of the country.

Dogara, while eulogising Bankole, also described him as a true national leader.

He expressed the need for Nigerians to come together and work for its unity.

Laying off workers not solution to economic recession —Don

By Seyi Sokoya PUBLIC and private organisations in Nigeria have been advised that the

‘High number of talented but struggling artists in Abuja worrisome’ Christian Okeke -Abuja

centralisation of some aspects of government in the area of resource manage-

exhibition organised by Retro Africa, in collaboration with Enigma Art Collective, Balogun, stated that the group realised that there was the need to have thriving art scene in Abuja.

She told Sunday Tribune that, “My assessment is that in Abuja, there are a lot of talents but not enough platforms to showcase them. There are many struggling artists; there are lots of them that I have met that could be exhibited in UK and anywhere in the world but they don’t have the platform, they don’t have the capability to showcase what they can do.”

keys to surviving in the current economic recession are to inspire employees, sustain customers and be brave in tackling any kind of challenges.

The guest lecturer at the 60th anniversary of one of the first indigenous chartered accounting firms in Nigeria, HLB Z.O. Ososanya & Co., Professor Rufus Akintoye, gave the advice in a lecture entitled: “Business Survival in Economy Recession,” during the event held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He stressed that, “laying off workers is not the solution to survive the current downturn of the economy in the country. Rather it will add more problems which will not be [amenable to correction] even when the recession is over.

Akintoye, who

commended the accounting firm’s impact on lives and companies for six decades, said it was important to adopt new strategies to survive recession. He also noted that it would take God’s grace for Nigeria to survive the current challenges because of its dependence on importation.

The don charged Nigerians to adjust by tasking their innovative capacities, reducing expenses, keeping an eagle eye on cash flow, developing new skills, among others.

In his opening remarks, chairman on the occasion, Chief Olu Akinkugbe, who said he was the first client of the firm, described the anniversary as vital, especially for the accounting firm to have survived generations despite challenges, He urged all partners to sustain the

legacy which has made it stand out among its peers.

A senior partner in the firm, Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, Chief Simeon Oguntimehin, noted that he was delighted to witness the success story of the firm which he said was founded on truth and resilience.

He also advised the current management to be more proactive in the field and continue to be one of the leading accounting firms in Nigeria.

Some of the dignitaries that graced the event included the co-chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; Pastor Segun Olatunji and acting Chairman, RCC, Mr Dayo Odeyemi; representative of Oodua Group, General Manager, Mrs Yinka TunjiOjo; Chairman ICAN, Ibadan Distict, Mr Samson

Ayasanya, among others.

In his remarks, the ICAN president, Deacon Titus Soetan, said that Nigeria would not make progress if corruption was not dealt with, just as he urged all Nigerians including the religious institutions to jointly fight graft.

He also commended the commitment of the current Managing Partner, Mr Femi Ososanya, management and staff of the firm for sustaining the legacy of the pioneer, the late Pa Zacchaeus Ososanya.

In his response, the Managing Partner, Mr Femi Ososanya, acknowledged the support of the founding members, clients and management and staff of the firm for standing by the vision, just as he said that he would not relent in improving on the legacy of the accounting business.

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18 September, 2016

crimereports

Sunday Tribune

edited by Oluwatoyin Malik 0807 889 1950, 0811 695 4633 praiseboy01@gmail.com

Confession of a fraudster: How we steal money from people’s bank accounts Stories by Oluwatoyin Malik

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HIRTY-EIGHTYEAR-OLD Adegboyega Michael, the leader of the fraud syndicate which was allegedly involved in the transfer of money from bank customer’s account in a first generation bank (name withheld) through the connivance of a bank staff member, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.

Michael (38) was arrested on August 26, four months after the police had been looking for him.

Crime Reports learnt that a female banker (names withheld) whose password was used to access a bank customer’s account details lodged a complaint with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, that she was falsely accused of fraud in her office. The owner of the account who was based in London had lodged a complaint with the bank when he discovered that money in his account had depleted.

The police commissioner reportedly forwarded the petition to the Rapid Response Squad on April 19 and by the following day, four suspects were arrested. Those nabbed included Ezurike Peter (35) who was a staff member of the bank in which the account of the victim was domiciled, Ayo Olalekan (32), Ochenehi Israel (31) and the gang leader’s wife. A manhunt was also launched for the syndicate leader, Michael.

The syndicate’s modus operandi, according to police sources, was to increase the limit of a bank customer’s account after Peter, who was an insider, would have got the customer’s details and phone number by using his colleague’s password to access it. The phone number of the account holder would also be blocked temporarily from receiving

debit alert while the limit of his/her financial transaction would be upped to N200,000.

To achieve this, a syndicate member, Israel, would go to the bank where the targeted account was domiciled to fill a form to increase the daily limit on the account. He would not wait but would drop the form, saying he would be back. Once the name and phone number tallied, the bank would act, not knowing that the account details had been compromised by their staff.

To ensure that the owner of the account did not suspect anything, the syndicate would have held the line of the owner so that he or she would not have network on his phone to receive debit alert.

Israel was said to be very skilled in his role and the members were getting N200,000 daily which was usually shared equally,

Adegboyega Michael with each syndicate member getting N50,000.

They were said to have taken N600,000 from an account in three days and N2 million from another in 10 days.

Michael, also reportedly used his wife’s account

into which his own share was transferred. The syndicate leader who had been on the run was eventually arrested on August 26 and transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State, for further investigation.

In an interview with Crime Reports, Michael confessed to committing the crime but gave reason for his action. According to the suspect, “it is true I was arrested in connection with fraud. I joined the syndicate after I was also defrauded to the tune of N4.7 million. Some people approached my auto shop and said they wanted to buy a car. They paid me with fake dollar notes. Later they told me they were a syndicate and what they did was a game.”

When asked whether he was collecting dollars as payment for cars purchased from him, Michael replied that he wanted to help the ‘customers’ change the money to naira.

“I also got bank alerts that indicated payment of cash into my account in addition to the dollars. I believed that the transaction was successful so I handed the car over to them. It was

when I got to the bank that I was told that the dollar notes were counterfeit.

“I had nothing again.

Along the way, I saw a friend called Harrison and he brought me into the (fraud) business. He said that if I would follow him, I would see how the business was being done. We did the business on mobile phones by transferring money from an account in a bank to another. It was usually achieved through an insider, a friend of mine, Peter who worked in that bank. I told him and he said we should go ahead. I have now learnt my lesson,” Michael spoke further.

When contacted, the police image maker in Lagos State, SP Dolapo Badmus, confirmed the arrest and said that the suspect would be charged to court at the completion of investigations.

3 ex-prison inmates, 9 others arrested for robbery TWELVE suspected members of an armed robbery gang, some of whom are ex-prison inmates and had been carrying out series of robbery operations in Oyo State, have been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command.

Speaking with Crime Reports on September 6 during a press briefing, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Sam Adegbuyi, said the arrest was sequel to information received by his command on August 23 that a suspected armed robber, Segun Kehinde a.k.a Aperito, was seen with bullet wound at a hideout in Ibadan.

Adegbuyi said that the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives moved to the hideout where Kehinde was arrested. He added that the suspect’s confession led to the arrest of others who specialised in dispossess-

The suspects

ing riders of their motorcycles at gunpoint. He also disclosed that some of the suspects were ex-prison in-

mates who were previously charged to court for similar offence.

The arrested suspects in-

clude Kehinde, Yusuf Shittu, Dauda (Dare) Ahmed, Ahmed Jamiu, Khalid Kamorudeen, Umaru Ibra-

him, Mohammed Rasheed, Balarabe Seidu, Umar Continues on

pg7

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Sunday Tribune

We planned to kidnap Lebanese bizman in Ibadan because he owed my friend —Suspect Stories by Oluwatoyin Malik

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UT for the eagleeyed policemen from Sanyo Division in Oyo State Police Command, a Lebanese with a company in Ibadan, the state capital, would have become a victim of kidnappers and, at best, coughed up some money as ransom.

This disclosure was made by the state Commissioner of Police, Sam Adegbuyi, on September 6 while briefing journalists on the arrest of four suspected kidnappers, three of whom came from Benin, Edo State, to carry out kidnapping. He gave the names of the suspects as Sunday Udoh, Ogiemudia Ehosa, Paul Osarenkhoe and Yakubu Jimoh.

The police commissioner said that the policemen were on a stop-and-search duty on August 29 when they discovered guns with three of the suspects. On interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed that they were on their way to kidnap a victim at Jericho area of Ibadan. He added that further investigation by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad led to the arrest of the fourth suspect.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects included a locally made pistol, a locally-made cut-to-size single barrel gun, 20 live cartridges, a camera and a bag containing criminal charms.

Speaking with Crime Reports, Sunday, on whose instance others came to Ibadan, said: “I was working for a Lebanese company as a welder in Ibadan and was being paid N18,000 monthly.

But I lost the job after I was dismissed over allegation of stealing money which I knew nothing about. I became jobless so I started thinking of what I could do. I left for Benin, Edo State and started working as a casual worker with a road construction company. That was where I knew Ehosa.

“I explained my predicament to him and he promised to help me. We lost touch when I returned to Ibadan after the construction work dropped. But Ehosa called me about two months ago, saying that he

was still interested in helping me out on the story I told him.

“He said I should look for my boss for us to kidnap him. When he arrived in Ibadan, I joined him and his friends who came with him. I was taking them to

a beer parlour where we could relax when we were stopped by the police. It was during a search on us that they found a gun with one of Ehosa’s friends.”

Ehosa also told Crime Reports: “I knew Sunday in Benin. He told me about

his experience in the hands of his boss, so I suggested that we should pick the man and make him pay the money he was owing him. I told another friend, Lucky and he agreed to join us, saying we should kidnap Sunday’s boss so that we

would collect the money he was owing our friend.

“He said Sunday would give us from the ransom that we would collect so that we would use it to start our own businesses. He was the one who brought the gun found with us. I

The suspects and the arms and ammunition recovered from them by the police

had been involved in kidnapping with Lucky before in Benin. I was given N100,000 as my share.”

On his part, Osarenkhoe denied knowing about the kidnap plan, saying “I was only in Ibadan to see Sunday. I knew him long ago in Benin. He was owing me N30,000 so I came to collect the money.”

Jimoh from Idi Iroko, Ogun State, also claimed he was on a business trip.

According to him, “Lucky is my customer who used to buy rice from me. He was owing me N2.7 million. When I called him, he asked me to come to Benin but when I got there, he said he had yet to put the money together, asking me to follow him to Ibadan where he would get it from his brother.

“As we were going to his brother’s house, police stopped us and when they searched the bag Lucky gave Ehosa, they saw a gun in it. Lucky evaded arrest because he rode on a bike when the tricycle conveying us could only accommodate three of us.”

The police commissioner said that efforts were being made to arrest the fleeing suspect while those in police custody would be arraigned in court after the completion of investigations.

3 ex-prison inmates, 9 others arrested for robbery Continued from pg6

Mohammed, Jimoh Dayo, Moses Johnson and Garuba Audu. Items recovered from the gang include two locally-made pistols, 10 live cartridges, an expended cartridge and six unregistered motorcycles.

One of the guns was recovered from Jamiu while seven live cartridges were found with Dayo, according to the police commissioner.

Crime Reports had an interview with some of the suspects. Below are excerpts of their confession: Mohammed Rasheed I have been to prison before but I came out on July 11 after spending seven months. I used to carry a gang member to rob-

bery scene. I was arrested, charged to court and remanded in prison. When I regained my freedom, I went to a friend, Adigun, to give me some money to eat because he was the one I used to sell stolen motorcycles to before I went to prison.

He replied that I should go and look for a motorcycle that I could be using to convey Dauda, Jamiu and others to operation to rob.

I started collecting Dayo’s motorcycle for that purpose. What led to my arrest was that Jamiu called one Elijah and told him to go and pick me from my home. I took over the motorcycle, went to pick Jamiu and the three of us went for robbery operation at Oje. People raised the alarm when we snatched a

motorcycle and I ran away, abandoning our operational bike. I was later arrested in Dayo’s house.

Dauda Ahmed When I came back from prison, I joined the gang again. It was one of us, Yusuf, who asked me to take some live cartridges to Dayo. My motorcycle was among those used for robbery operation. The gang used to give me my own share after every successful operation.

Segun Kehinde Police came to arrest me where I was receiving treatment for a bullet wound I sustained in Ogbomoso. I went with my friend, Abbey, to rob in his brother-in-law’s house.

He told me the in-law was

selling phones and would be away to church. Unfortunately, as we entered the building, neighbours saw us and raised the alarm.

As we were escaping, I was shot in the arm. I didn’t follow the gang arrested to rob. My gang members are in Agodi prison. I was also remanded in prison for over two years but when I came out in October 2015, I decided to be selling marijuana.

The operation I went for in Ogbomoso was at the prompting of my friend.

Ahmed Jamiu We were into snatching okada and I was arrested by policemen from Agugu Division when we went to snatch another one at Oje area of Ibadan.

I went with Mohammed

Rasheed and one Elijah.

We have snatched about six other motorcycles. It is true a gun was found with me. I bought it from a man in Abeokuta for N15,000 about seven months ago.

His name is Lala and I told him I wanted to use it for security job.

Jimoh Dayo I am NURTW member; I don’t follow the gang for robbery. It was Dauda a.k.a. Cote d’Ivoire who brought a bag containing seven live cartridges to my house. The following day, I heard that they had been arrested, so I went to hide the cartridges. Unfortunately for me, Dare confessed during interrogation that the cartridges he just bought for the gun his gang was using were in my house.”

specialtreat Investing in bamboo can rake in fortune 8

18 September, 2016

By Rita Okonoboh

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N ancient Asian saying goes thus: “A man is born in a bamboo cradle and goes away in a bamboo coffin. Everything in between is possible with bamboo!”

As the world celebrates World Bamboo Day today, it is still saddening that Nigeria’s bamboo industry is underutilised, especially in terms of the potential the plant offers for all-round economic development.

With the various calls for the need for diversification, and with the potential in the bamboo market, it is just as well that it offers so much for improving Nigeria’s foreign exchange, a factor which has contributed in no small terms to the present economic recession. For instance, export of bamboo and its products from Asian countries contributes billions of dollars in foreign exchange earnings. For Nigeria, such investment in the bamboo industry is a goldmine waiting for the taking. It will not only generate employment, but will also encourage foreign investment and, in no time, Nigeria, with its capacity for excellence, may just become the next bamboo capital of the world. Apart from export of the bamboo in its raw form, there are other endproducts of bamboo such as charcoal, laminated bamboo furniture, clothing materials such as bed sheets and drapes that can be got from bamboo fibres, among others.

Professor Musiliudeen Onilude of the Department of Wood Products Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, who is conducting a research on the evaluation of the properties of Nigerian grown bamboo species, in an interaction with Sunday Tribune, while acknowledging that Nigeria wasn’t getting enough from the benefits of bamboo as it should, compared to the investment by Asian countries, stated that bamboo in Nigeria was yet to gain industrial status.

According to Professor Onilude, “Bamboo can provide a veritable source of foreign exchange if that industry is developed. It is a biological resource that you can plant and harvest like any other cash crop, in a maximum of four years. As such, it can be used as a raw material for pulping, charcoal, furniture making, among others and when pro-

cessed, can be a top grade product for exportation. Bamboo thrives in moist areas, and especially where we have our indigenous trees or plants. Once it starts growing, it continues to increase until it becomes a colony. They are present in natural forests. Bamboo furniture can last longer than that made with conventional wood, depending on the kind of the furniture. Most biological materials face the risk of being attacked by some organisms. However, that can be prevented if the bamboo is treated with preservatives and these chemicals protect it for life from decay.”

The many benefits of bamboo production According to Onilude, Bamboo is a biological raw material that can become a business product, depending on the objective of production. Within two, three years the bamboo would have reached the harvestable stage which can be marketed. From that point, it depends on the objective of the harvester, such as for construction, firewood, charcoal production, furniture, among others. There are so many applications for bamboo usage and it provides a viable alternative for furniture makers especially now that there are concerns that forests are being depleted and large-sized logs are becoming difficult to get. Some hotels in Asian countries have their furniture built from bamboo. Its use is dependent on the objective of having the bamboo plantation.

“There are so many species of bamboo and this determines the product you want to derive from the bamboo. There are also various sizes you can even shape into composite boards or flat boards. So, you’ll get laminated bamboo boards which can be made into various products. There are also species that will determine thickness. For instance, the one used for scaffolding has to be very sturdy and durable because of the purpose for which it will be used,” he stated.

Veritable investment for low, high income earners According to findings by Sunday Tribune, the bamboo market is a viable alternative source of income for low and high income earners. Mr Oluwole Yusuf, a bamboo trader, shared some peculiarities about the bamboo market.

“Bamboo production is an industry that even low income

Sunday Tribune

earners can invest in. A typical log of bamboo used for scaffolding, which cost N200 earlier this year, now costs between N250 and N300, depending on the size. And that is for us who sell to the end users. However, even with the price increase, it is still quite affordable for investors and consumers,” Yusuf stated.

Speaking with other traders in bamboo, the industry also helps to boost other businesses. For instance, transporting 30 pieces of bamboo for a short distance can cost up to N3,000. As such, people who have access to trucks can lease them for transport. Through transportation, there is also employment for drivers. There are also jobs for movers, cutters and those who shape the wood, depending on what you want to use the bamboo for. Bamboo can also be useful for farmers too, not just for those cultivating bamboo itself. They can be used as effective stakes for yam. Apart from scaffolding, bamboo is very effective for building wooden bridges, and even for construction of buildings such as schools and homes. It can also contribute to the fashion industry as bamboo can be fashioned into lovely jewelry.

With the concerns raised about using environmentfriendly products, and to prevent deforestation, bamboo, if tapped into effectively, can safely provide an ecofriendly alternative for as many uses as can be imagined possible.

In the spirit of fostering the change for the best we so desire, in a country already blessed with numerous natural resources, of which bamboo isn’t lacking, as well as human resources, embodied in the typical Nigerian willing-to-excel-even-in-the-most-difficult-situations spirit, now may just be the time to follow the popular notion of doing things differently to achieve better results and bamboo provides the best reflection of the nation’s present economic situation. As Chinese-American entrepreneur, Ping Fu, puts it, “Bamboo is flexible, bending with the wind but never breaking, capable of adapting to any circumstance. It suggests resilience, meaning that we have the ability to bounce back even from the most difficult times…. Your ability to thrive depends, in the end, on your attitude to your life circumstances. Take everything in stride with grace, putting forth energy when it is needed, yet always staying calm inwardly.”

Troops kill 23 militants, destroy 38 camps, illegal refineries Jude Ossai -Enugu

T

WENTY-THREE militants were reportedly killed, while 38 militant camps and 91 illegal refineries, as well as bunkering sites were destroyed during the just concluded Operation Crocodile Smile in the Niger Delta.

The General Commanding Officer (GOC) of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, made this

disclosure while addressing journalists in Enugu, on Saturday.

According to him, the army recorded four casualties, warning that the army formation in Enugu would continue to halt the myriad of security threats cum economic sabotage within its area of responsibility.

The GOC, who noted that the army division would continue to maintain operational tempo to consolidate on the gains it achieved during the

exercise,reiterated that army formation “would continue to defeat any attempt at brazen attacks on national critical infrastructure, oil and gas resources and overall strangulation of the socio-economy of law abiding citizenry by any group of militants or criminals.”

According to him, “Crocodile Smile ended not just as a training exercise, but also as a way of demonstrating the capacity and efficacy of the Nigerian Army to secure lives

Tribune that “the gunmen came through the creeks and took away the landlords.”

The resident narrated that “usually the landlords have their Saturday fitness training near Lekki Gardens Estate,which is next to a bush in the area.”

He added that “this morning, they arrived at the place and spread their mats and were about starting the aerobics, when the gunmen came out of the bush.”

He also said that “eight of them came out. They masked their faces and they were all wearing military uniform.”

Another resident, who pleaded anonymity, said that “two of them each manned the different paths leading to the scene, while four of them went for the

landlords.”

The residents also said that “four of the landlords went the same direction and were taken away by the gunmen, while three others escaped.”

He also added that “ the trainer also ran in a different direction and nobody can say what has happened to him . We have looked around the area and we could not find him .

“The matter was later reported at Isheri Divisional Police Station in Lagos State by the landlords,who were lucky to escape from the gunmen.”

The residents, however, expressed displeasure at what they described as the lackadaisical attitude of the policemen, who came to the area, shortly after the landlords were abducted.

Gunmen abduct 4 landlords in Ogun Olalekan Olabulo -Lagos FOUR landlords were early on Saturday abducted by suspected militants around Isheri area along the LagosIbadan Expressway in Ogun State.

The whereabouts of the physical trainer of the abducted landlords was as at Saturday evening still unknown as he was said to have run in a different direction.

The landlords were reportedly having their routine physical exercise near the Lekki Gardens Estate, when the gunmen invaded the area.

The gunmen, numbering eight were said to be hooded and allegedly wore military uniform.

A resident of the area, who identified himself as Olakunle, told Sunday

and property in the Niger Delta and South-East Nigeria.”

“Unfortunately, four among our troops got drowned in the general area of Brass, Bayelsa State, due to a boat mishap while another one was killed

in action elsewhere around Obiozunmini, near Obite in Onelga, Rivers State, in fire fight with the criminals/militants,” he stated.

“Most importantly, the Division is ever committed to

the strategic direction of the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence State and the President and Commander-InChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he added.

Tension in political camps as Kogi awaits Supreme Court’s judgment Yinka Oladoyinbo -Lokoja PALPABLE fear and tension have gripped the various political camps in Kogi State as the Supreme Court prepares to deliver judgment on the state governorship election.

Already, the major political gladiators in the state, including Governor Yahaya Bello, have moved to Abuja preparatory to Tuesday’s judgment day.

Aside this, security agencies in the state like the Nigeria Police, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been mobilised to ensure adequate security in major towns of the state ahead of the day.

However, the three major parties to the case on Friday were confident of victory at the apex court.

Bello, who spoke through his Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Abdulmalik Abdulkareem, said he was not shaken by the impend-

ing judgment.

He said: “We are not shaken, we know that the rule of law will take its course. God willing, we are set to make legal record that will become a precedence. The Nigerian legal system is developing and we are happy that our case is adding impetus to the Nigerian judiciary.”

He said the governor’s camp was not in any way jittery over the judgment as no different issue had been raised by the appellants.

On the governor relocating to Abuja, he said, “it is not true that the entire government machinery moved to Abuja. It is usual that when the governor is out of town, a few officials are with him. He is working; he has been attending meetings. So it is not true that he is in Abuja because of the judgment.”

But the immediate past governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada, said he expected to win the case when the judges of the

apex court sit on the suit on Tuesday.

Speaking through his Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Jacob Edi, the former governor said he had always had belief in the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court.

He said, “We expect to win the case; we have always had confidence in the judiciary and we kept advancing to the last stage.

That is why we are at the Supreme Court. The judiciary is the ultimate for the common man.

“The framers of the constitution are aware that at every stage of the case, newer interpretations will come up. We believe that the Supreme Court will look deeper into the case, particularly with the minority judgment.”

“Whatever decision taken will deepen democracy as the case is novel, it will be a landmark judgment, we have confidence in the independence of the Supreme Court”.

9

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

specialreport

Flying in troubled weather Why aviation sector is in deep mess

THE nation’s aviation industry has obviously suffered losses in the face of the current economic recession. In this piece by SOLA ADEKOLA, some key players in the sector said that hope is not lost if the right things are done on time.

T

HERE is no doubt that the aviation industry is one of the hardest hit as recession pollar, and this is basically due to weakness of the naira against the dollar and other major foreign currencies.

The aviation industry’s entire transaction is dollardenominated and with the naira taking a dip by the day against the dollar, it is not surprising that the industry has witnessed a downturn in its activities. It is inevitable, therefore, that the managers of the aviation industry will have to adjust their operations to suit the current reality.

The last six months Since the beginning of this year, the country’s aviation sector has been grappling with various challenges ranging from apparently unpopular government policies, undue distraction of the aviation agencies and corruption, to negligence of the domestic airlines.

These problems have been aggravated by the high cost of aviation fuel and unstable exchange rate which had made it tough for the aviation agencies and the airlines to transact business seamlessly.

While the agencies are finding it tough to perform their roles or train their technical personnel, the airlines are

the worst-hit with most of them struggling to survive while those who could not, have left the scene.

Only recently, the oldest of the domestic carriers, Aero, announced the suspension of its flights over what the management called the harsh economic situation, among others. Two days after, FirstNation also announced flight suspension.

Even Caverton Helicopters was said to have reported first quarter loss of over N2 billion due to downward spiral of oil prices with its main customers, the oil firms Continues pg 10

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specialreport

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Debt burden killing aviation industry operators’

President Muhammadu Buhari Continued from pg 9 finding it hard to remain in business which had serious effects on the airline.

Before now, many of the airlines are hugely indebted to the aviation agencies to the tune of N38 billion. This is apart from their indebtedness to the oil marketers, bankers and even their workers. In addition to the unstable exchange rate, the airlines are finding it difficult to carry out maintenance on their aircraft, while some have lost their planes to lessors because they could not fulfil part of their transactions.

Mounting job losses A typical case of job loss was the fate of the over 1,500 of Aero workers who have been asked to go home indefinitely following the shutdown of its operations without a dime.

Apart from the Aero workers, many workers of other airlines who have been caught up at the centre of the problem have been laid off as a way of cutting cost to

Hadi Sirika, Minister of State, Aviation survive.

Airlines which did not sack their workers have reduced their salaries, though the volume of the jobs such workers do has not changed.

This is outside of the over 600 commercial pilot certificate holders that are currently jobless following the reduction in the number of airlines in the country, by over 60 per cent of what it used to be some years back.

Before now, the airlines, including the foreign ones, had raised the alarm over the skyrocketing price of aviation fuel in the country which has been adjudged to be the most expensive in the sub-region.

Sadly, following the challenges in the midst of recession and unfriendly environment, activities of domestic airlines in the country are also speedily nose-diving.

Key Players’ Reaction Many stakeholders in their reactions have expressed their misgivings about the present situation which they argued was as a result of cumulative years of rot.

Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), a one-time military

commandant of the Murtala Muhammed Airport and now the Managing Director of Centurion Security Services, in his reaction argued that the aviation sector may appear to be worst hit by the present economic recession, but insisted that the sector operators saw it coming way back in 2010 when their debts started becoming a burden and they ‘pleaded’ for intervention funds from government.

These debts, he said, included “those owed to government services providers, fuel marketers, banks, arrears of unpaid staff salaries, etc. “Did they pay these debts? No. These airlines sell tickets not on credit, but on cash and carry basis; they and other operators in the sector make forex earnings which needed to be audited to justify any concession on it from government or the CBN. Unfortunately, these forex earnings are diverted or reinvested in other businesses.

“The problem got critical in the last six months because of scarcity of funds generally and forex in particular, occasioned by low sales of crude oil and the fall of its price in the global market. The industry is in its worst state than it had ever been in its life time in Nigeria.”

Speaking the minds of other domestic airlines, the Chief Executive Officer of Arik Airline, Mr. Chris Ndule, said the economic state of the aviation industry had largely deteriorated adding: “The economic situation as it is today, is suffocating us out of operation.”

According to him, some other airlines besides Aero Contractors would collapse unless the federal government promptly intervened in the aviation sector.

He identified interest rate of 24 per cent on bank loans, worsening exchange rate and multiple charges from various regulatory agencies as the factors militating against sustenance of aviation business in Nigeria.

“There are a lot of economic indicators that have made business more difficult which are now manifesting in the inability of the airlines to continue to operate,” he said.

While lamenting how the airlines had been operating in an industry that had very little (profit) margin, Ndulue declared: “If you have to borrow money and you have to pay 24 per cent, and you don’t make a margin of 24 per cent, it means that you will find it very difficult to pay back the debt. And there is a limit to what you can do in terms of being able to manage the debt. These fundamentals are the things we need to address.

“But, there hasn’t been a bailout targeted at salvaging Continues pg 11

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specialreport

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Govt must intervene fast or else…

Chris-Ndulue

Group Captain John Ojikutu

Continued from pg 10

in particular is cashing in on Nigeria’s poor foresight and inefficiency by reducing the cost of aviation fuel by 20 per cent which has greatly snatched the foreign carriers away from Nigeria.

Many of the foreign carriers, while cutting their flights into Nigeria, are increasing flights to Ghana with some relocating their operational offices to that country.

Already, some of the foreign airlines are said to be planning to fly from Ghana to pick passengers in Nigeria and conduct their other businesses in Ghana.

These airlines according to information prefer Ghana because they are comfortable with the favourable working environment provided by the authorities.

Air France which is presently not contemplating to increase its flights into Nigeria will from February 28, 2017 begin flight operations between Paris and Accra, with three-weekly flights to Accra from Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Even South African Airways is not left out of the carriers presently shifting patronage to Ghana with the latest announcement made by the Ghanaian Minister of Transport, Mr. Fiifi Kwetey that SAA would begin flights between Accra and London.

Kwetey said the granting of three rights to SAA, including a right to operate Accra-New York flights was part of government’s moves to make Ghana an aviation hub with many airlines operating to different parts of the world from Accra and in line with the Yamoussoukro Decision, of which the country is a signatory.

Many of the foreign carriers operating into the country have either cut their frequencies or refused to ask for additional ones while they shift patronage to Ghana and other sister African countries where they believe there are more favourable policies.

the airlines or addressing the finances of the airlines. The airlines did not get as much as they wanted in the first place, even for that little reduction in the interest rate.

But now, the economic situation has moved from bad to worse. I think the intervention needs to take place to avoid total collapse of the industry. Two airlines have closed shop; there could be more airlines if the trend continues.”

For Mr Emuakpor Francis Ayigbe, a popular aviation analyst, the reality is that all sectors of the economy are undergoing readjustment, the aviation industry inclusive.

Ayigbe believe that, workers often become major casualties of reduced operation because in a typical economic recession, job losses are inevitable. “However, workers, just like management must be flexible to make structural changes that can enable them go a longer way through trying times such as this,” he said.

State of emergency?

The National President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr Bernard Bankole, in his own reaction called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the aviation industry in view of the crisis rocking the sector with the latest effect involving two domestic airlines; Aero Contractors and FirstNation Airways suspending operations in quick succession.

“What is happening in the aviation industry is an eye sore and alarming. It calls for a state of emergency in the aviation industry. We don’t have to let the industry collapse before we do that. The industry is nose-diving every day. Aero Contractors suspended operations and while Nigerians were still talking about Aero Contractors, FirstNation also suspended its operations. The Federal Government must take action immediately,” he said.

He added that unlike other parts of the world where shopping malls and supermarkets are springing up at airports, in Nigeria, kiosks are all over the place at our airports, wondering if the managers of Nigerian airports are in touch with modern trend in aviation.

Foreign Airlines relocating Prior to this time, many of the foreign carriers had complained about doing business in the country citing the expensive aviation fuel and policy somersault as part of what is responsible for the unfriendly environment.

Even before now most of the mega carriers had for long jettisoned the country’s aviation fuel for the one sold in Ghana which they buy at cheaper rates.

Asides the expensive Jet A1, the unstable foreign exchange in Nigeria is one of the reasons the foreign carriers are shifting their patronage to Ghana and other African countries.

Obviously, with the economic crisis and other challenges rocking the sector and the airline sector, Ghana

Effect on Nigeria’s economy: Though the foreign carriers have been described as fair-weather friends, it has been argued in some quarters that the impact of their decisions on the economy would be low as aviation contributes less than 1 per cent to the

If you have to borrow money and you have to pay 24 per cent, and you don’t make a margin of 24 per cent, it means that you will find it very difficult to pay back the debt

Mr Bankole Bernard, NANTA President GDP. However, in technical terms, low earnings in almost all the public and private sectors of the nation’s economy would reduce the mobility of about 8 million air travelers and that has started manifesting in the low passenger traffic at the airports.

For another school of thought, it would be in the interest of the country for the foreign carriers that have left to return. For this group, the government can quickly revive the Warri refinery as it is reported to have the capacity to refine aviation fuel, for if and when this is done, Nigeria will become the hub of lifting fuel for airlines again.

It is generally believed in the sector that in spite of the passengers’ low traffic and relocation of the mega carriers presently, Nigerian airports within the sub-region is where the market is. Therefore, the airlines will come back as soon as things begin to stabilise. Their relocation has proved once again that domestic operators must be encouraged as they are the bedrock of the economy.

One obvious point is that if government fails to revive the sector urgently, the efforts made to make Lagos airport a hub in the sub-region may be lost to Ghana which ordinarily is no match to the Nigerian huge market.

Way Forward According to key players one of the solutions is to concession not only the international airports but also the domestic airports. The domestic airports, stakeholders advised, should be improved for night landing so that the domestic airlines that are not on international routes could diversify their business. However, the concession should not include the aviation safety and security infrastructure and systems which generally are the concern of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) especially the aviation security system which is part of the national security architecture.

Government has also been urged to consider reductions in the number of multiple landing destination given to the foreign airlines and restrict each of them to either Lagos or Abuja and one or two others while no foreign airline should be given whatever concession to fly Lagos and Abuja, but they could fly as many frequencies as they wish to the assigned airports.

On the domestic scene, no operator with aircraft fewer than five should be given licence for domestic operation; operators wishing to go into regional operation in addition to domestic operation should have minimum of 10 aircraft and any operator wishing to go into intercontinental operations in addition to regional and domestic operation should have a minimum of 20 aircraft.

Finally, experts have suggested that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should be allowed to function as an autonomous agency just as it is provided for in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act without any political interference. The agency should be allowed to carry out its oversight functions on the public operators as it would on the private operators. Above all, strategic thinkers should be allowed to have access to run the industry.

12

feature

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘My dad feigned death to avoid being killed by herdsmen’

By Bayo Alade

T

HE menace of Fulani herdsmen has continued to reverberate across many states, including the South-West part of the country.

In Oyo State, clashes between farmers and herdsmen, which have led to many tragic occurrences, are well documented, ditto the agrarian Ibarapa area of the state where, as usual, the herdsmen are often pitted against the local farmers.

One of those who had tasted the bitter pills of the herdsmen attacks is a farmer in Atakan, near Eruwa in Ibarapa area of the state. The herdsmen, ironically, have settled down and are living in the area. The farmer, Olayinka Aina, popularly known as Pa Opeoluwa, who lives at Ilugun, Ogun State, but has his farm at Atakan, was on his farm that fateful day when the herdsmen came visiting.

The elderly man was a thriving food and crop farmer, with a big maize and cassava farm, but was forced to stop because the herdsmen were disturbing him and rendering all his efforts useless, leaving him with no harvests after much toiling. Back then, the herdsmen often invaded his farm, uprooting his cassava for their cattle to feed on, while also leaving the cultivated maize at the mercy of the cattle. Most of the time, after the herdsmen’s unwanted visits, the farm was often left in ruins with the farmer’s efforts at a bountiful harvest totally frustrated.

So, Pa Opeoluwa changed tactics and started plantain farming in order to reduce his losses, and not waste too much energy working on the farm only to have his efforts wasted at the end of the day.

Just when he began to heave a sigh of relief from the constant invasion of his farm, the herdsmen visited again. This time, his plantain farm was completely burnt down by the herdsmen.

Pa Opeoluwa reported the matter at Ilugun police station where he lives, but nothing really came forth. In March and April this year, the herdsmen were on his farm again. This time, the farmer was able to “arrest” one cow which was put in police custody.

On getting to know about the situation, the local Serikin Fulani, head of the Fulani at Alabata, a nearby village, intervened on behalf of his kinsmen and came to the police station to effect the release of the cow to the owner.

In May, again the herdsmen came to invade his farm. This time, one of the herdsmen was arrested and made to make an undertaking that the herdsmen will not invade Pa Opeoluwa’s farm again. The herdsmen were asked to pay N60,000 to Pa Opeoluwa. Reluctantly the elderly farmer took the money, refusing initially because, according to him, the losses he had incurred since the herdsmen had been invading his farm were more than the amount offered.

“Since the beginning of the year, the herdsmen have been coming to disturb Baba on his farm. It has become so worrisome that they almost ruined Baba and stop him from farming again. I have never seen this kind of problem before. The

Pa Aina’s burnt plantain farm

Pa Aina in hospital bed

They (the herdsmen) took away everything they could lay their hands on, including the money. After beating Baba to a stupor, they thought he was dead, so they left him herdsmen kept going back again and again to the same farm despite our complaints and police intervention,” Mr Owoyemi, Pa Opeoluwa’s nephew, told Sunday Tribune.

As if the herdsmen were not through with Pa Opeoluwa, eight days later, they came calling again. This time, they were well-prepared to deal with the farmer as they came to lay siege to his farm where he was working. On that fateful day, they hid somewhere on the farm where they watched him closely to ascertain that he was the only one there. At the appropriate time, they attacked him, hitting him with various objects, including machetes and in-

flicte d deep cuts on his head, his cheeks and hands.

Inside a particular bag which Pa Opeoluwa brought to the farm were some bullets meant for his dane gun and a sum of N290,000, which was meant for a survey job somebody had done for him. The herdsmen took away the man’s money and gun after leaving him for dead.

“Baba took the money to the farm because he did not want to leave it at home in the village. He was afraid that it was not safe to do so. They (the herdsmen) took away everything they could lay their hands on, including the money. After beating Baba to a stupor, they thought he was

dead, so they left him. They now took the gun to the police station to go and report. Can you imagine? The accused persons now went to the police to report that somebody had attacked them with a gun, showing Baba’s gun as evidence of the attack. Where in the world is somebody with a machete attacked by another person holding a gun and the person holding a machete prevailed?

They went to make a false accusation so that Baba could be arrested,” Tope, Pa Opeoluwa’s son, told Sunday Tribune.

Asked where Pa Opeoluwa is at present, Tope said his father is receiving treatment at a secret location in order to ensure his safety, adding that as an elderly man, it might take a longer time for him to return to his farm. “It was God that saved him because those Fulani herdsmen nearly killed him,” he said.

From one police station to the other in that axis, Tope and another relation went in order to get justice. At the end of the day, the case was transferred to Oyo State police command headquarters at Eleyele, Ibadan, where the monitoring division is still carrying out investigation into the matter.

13 Continued from

S

18 September, 2016 last week

EVEN other inseparable characteristic features can be deduced from the successful practice of democracy in Western Europe, the United States, India, and Japan.

The first is separation of powers among the three organs of Government. The quintessence of separation of powers is the check and balance which it provides to prevent the emergence of totalitarian or authoritarian rule.

There are three ways in which separation of powers appears to have manifested itself in Western democracies and India.

Firstly, persons who are entrusted with the functions of each of the organs are separate and distinct that is to say, no government functionary will belong to more than one organ.

Secondly (and this is a twin brother of the first), one organ will not control or interfere with any other organ in the latter’s performance of its functions: that is to say, all the three organs will be independent of one another in the exercise of their allotted functions, so that the Executive, for instance, will not control or interfere with the Judiciary.

Thirdly, one organ as such will not perform the functions of the other organs: that is to say, the executive, for instance, will not perform the functions of the legislature, even though the same persons are members of both.

In the First Republic we adopted the pattern expressed in the third proposition, which is the Westminster pattern. But, the executive functionaries of the day refused to keep to the rules of this pattern. They sought to forge a monolith out of the three organs: they subdued and swallowed the legislature; and they bribed and cajoled sections of the Judiciary into toeing executive lines in practically all major legal issues of the day in which the Executive as such or any of its functionaries had interest.

In the present Republic, we have adopted the twin pattern enunciated in the first and second propositions. This is the Ll.S. pattern. But, though no functionary of one organ belongs to any other organ, yet there are signs - fortunately only inchoate signs - that unless we are vigilant, the Executive at the Federal level will before long want to subdue and swallow up the Legislature, and subvert the Judiciary, as was the case under the First Republic.

Destabilisers at Work The point is not in dispute that the reality of our political situation in Nigeria today is that, by hook or by crook,

Awo’s thoughts PATH TO NIGERIAN GREATNESS

On the campaign trail Charter of stability and progress* the NPN is in charge of the Federal Executive. Members of all the five political parties including the NPN are in control of the National Assembly. But it appears from all indications that the NPN is determined to subvert the independence of the National Assembly in order eventually to foist a totalitarian rule on Nigeria. For the good of our people we must do everything in our power now to mobilize public opinion to the end that this dangerous tendency is nipped in the bud.

In this connection, all those who feel that way should raise their voices now in total condemnation of the socalled National Government which the NPN wants to introduce. Already some fifty-three people have been proposed for appointment as Ministers, Advisers, and Deputy Ministers, on the tickets of executive functionaries and late Balewa’s broad-based Cabinet is already too striking for comfort. Yet Alhaji Shehu presumably wants to create more Ministries to accommodate the nominees of the other three Parties, should they agree to participate in his Government.

The UPN is not in Government at the Federal level. But it is very strong in the National Assembly, has charge of five virile State Governments, and is content to remain this way until the next elections. In its present capacities, it has important roles to play; at the Federal Level, to keep a watchful and constructive eye on the doings of

Sunday Tribune

Alhaji Shagari’s Government, so as to ensure that the best interests of the people are catered for, and that there is not the slightest excessive exercise - of power: and in the States under its control, to demonstrate what a progressive Party can do for the good of the people when it is vested with governmental functions.

However, it seems that the NPN is not happy with the UPN outside its executive influence. From all indications, the NPN is seeking, by bribery, cajolery, and subversion, to bring the UPN to submission, and reduce it to a contemptible satellite around Alhaji Shagari’s orbit. In this regard, we do not and cannot claim to know all that the NPN, like a mole-cricket, is doing in the dark. But the utterances of some NPN leaders are pointers to their evil intentions towards the UPN. These utterances must not be ignored, especially as Alhaji Shagari has also made his own contribution to them. There has been the threat that the UPNcontrolled States will be starved of funds by the Federal Treasury so that the Party’s programmes of free education at all levels, free health services, etc., in the States will be frustrated. There has been a monstrous suggestion for the creation of a Federal Ministry of Lagos Affairs.

Alhaji Shagari himself has openly declared that he was going to make laws to prevent the take-over of private primary schools in Lagos. Under our Constitution all these threats, suggestions, and declarations can only be accomplished by a calculated violation of some of the fundamental provisions of our Constitution.

In this respect, it must be stated in clear and unequivocal terms that only by strict adherence to, and religious observance of, the letters of the fundamental provisions of our Constitution that all of us, as a corporate nation and as individuals, can see stability and progress, and enjoy the delectable fruits of democracy. I want to asseverate that our Constitution is an indivisible entity: it is an organic unit which one cannot violate or breach in part, without doing fatal damage to the whole. In other words, if one destroys even so much as a single vital fabric of the Constitution, one has brought about the demise of the whole. Let us all, therefore, bear this vividly in mind that any violation or breach of any fundamental provision of the Constitution will almost certainly put an end to the Constitution, and provoke adverse consequences, the magnitude and extent of which no one can now foresee or control, should, God forbid, such consequences ever supervene.

To be continued

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14

interview

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Many Nigerians in UK are in conditions worse than situation in Nigeria —CANUK president An insurance expert, Mr Babatunde Loye, is the president of the Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom (CANUK). In this online interview with DARE ADEKANMBI, he speaks on the essence of the organisation, its leadership crisis, the danger of migrating to the UK illegally, among other issues. Excerpts:

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LEVEN years after CANUK was established, and with reference to immigration matters handled so far, in what areas has the organisation benefitted its members?

Since we took over the administration, the organisation has worked effectively with the immigration section of the Nigeria High Commission in London to serve Nigerians better. Prior to this, the UK Home Office had unilaterally been repatriating our citizens, after endless detention in deplorable conditions, most times without informing the Nigeria High Commission Immigration, Consular and welfare section. The reforms introduced to the handling of immigration detainees today by the Home Office are as a result of our feedback. CANUK introduced Immigration seminars/surgery to provide free legal advice to Nigerians in the UK, where members are assisted on related matters.

CANUK makes regular visits to immigration detention centres and prisons to uplift, support, hear out, encourage and help raise their matters with the appropriate authorities. CANUK’s most recent seminar/surgery was held away from London, both in Milton Keynes and Glasgow on November 21, 2015, where some groups of students were advised on the implications of overstaying their student’s visas.

You have always given the number of Nigerians living in the UK to be two million. How did you arrive at this figure? Is the figure made up of only those in the UK legally and illegally?

Britain is second home to Nigerians as many hold dual nationality. The estimated two million include students and Nigerians registered as residents in the UK. These figures have also been corroborated by the British High Commission in Nigeria to include Nigerians whose status are pending determination by the Home Office.

What was the position of CANUK towards the recent Brexit referendum and what was your reaction to its outcome?

CANUK encouraged its members to participate in the EU referendum as it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. As democrats, it was important to encourage our members to exercise their civics responsibility. CANUK has continued to monitor development with reference to the implementation of the EU referendum.

The new Prime Minister, Theresa May, and the newly constituted cabinet has assured the country that the process will not be rushed and that nothing has changed as regards the status of EU nationals and

What is your advice to those Nigerians who go through a lot of lifethreatening risks through the high seas and desert in search for greener pastures in Europe?

Europe and the UK are increasingly experiencing economic difficulty, which explains why Britain voted to leave the European Union. There is high rate of unemployment in the UK, so many people are not able to pay high rent, especially in London where property prices have gone beyond the reach of the people. For new comers to the UK, especially those risking everything to arrive illegally, it may result to self-imposed slavery as those currently here illegally are trapped with many working in dehumanising conditions, many faced with conditions that are worse that what they are running away from at home.

Take my advice, do not risk your life, Europe or the UK is not a bed of roses.

Mr Babatunde Loye non EU families of EU nationals. CANUK is hopeful that our members will continue to live and contribute to peace and progress of the British society.

One of the post-Brexit realities for CANUK members is the 35, 000 Pounds annual income policy that PM Theresa May is set to implement. Does CANUK know how many of its members will be affected by this policy? What is the body doing about the plight of those who will be affected?

CANUK and many other affected countries have made representations to the Home Office on several pending legislations. We are hopeful that these legislations are mere proposals that are yet to be enacted by parliament, therefore, are subject to review. There are some petitions that signatures are currently being collected to put pressure on UK government to influence their outcomes. CANUK has been encouraging its members to actively participate in such petitions.

Is CANUK getting the desired support from the Nigerian government on the welfare of its members and sundry matters?

Yes, we are. Both the Nigeria High Commission, London and the Nigerian govern-

ment are giving the Diaspora the required support, especially with the appointment of Honourable Abike Dabiri–Eruwa as the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora. The annual Diaspora Day Conference which was held in Abuja, Nigeria, in August was to highlight areas of partnership between the government and the Diaspora.

For new comers to the UK, it may result to selfimposed slavery as those currently here illegally are trapped with many working in dehumanising conditions; many faced with conditions that are worse that what they are running away from at home

Could you tell us the reason for the seemingly intractable crisis rocking CANUK for months now?

Since the inception of the present administration in the last one and a half years, CANUK has witnessed tremendous success in its activities of promoting the interest of our community, such as improved engagement with regional associations, service to the underprivileged members of the community, support to the bereaved and growth in paid up membership. It is not unusual that a few individuals may feel unsatisfied with the leadership style and election of some members of the CANUK executives, but as with all democratic practices, the four-year tenure will soon end, giving opportunity for members to elect new officers. While the executives are constrained from joining issues publicly, some individuals have not exercised restraint.

However, respectable members of the community have intervened and we are making progress. The current executives are focused on providing service to the community. A delegation of the executives recently returned from Abuja after attending the Diaspora Day Conference 2016 on 24th to 26th July, where MoUs were signed for the benefit of Diaspora SME businesses. We are getting on well with our lined-up programmes. We remain undaunted and focused and have refused to be distracted. We are proud to say this administration has the support of the community leaders, Nigeria High Commission UK and all positive minded individuals.

This executive is committed to building upon the solid foundation already laid by our founding fathers and leaving a lasting legacy of great service to our compatriots.

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18 September, 2016

children’sarena Get Inspired Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

They somehow know what you truly want to become.

—Steve Jobs

Devoted mother

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mother duck and her ducklings were on their way to a lake one day. The ducklings were very happy following their mother and quack-quacking along the way.

All of a sudden, the mother duck saw a fox at a distance. She was frightened and shouted, “Children, hurry to the lake. There’s a fox!”

The ducklings hurried towards the lake. The

Our plans towards resumption

One of the things I will be facing in my new class is meeting new classmates and also a new teacher who will guide me through subjects different from the ones I was taught in my former class. We have to come to school earlier than usual for morning lessons, do more homework among others.

In addition to these, I will be writing the Common Entrance Examination in preparation for admission into secondary school. I pray that God will help me.

I am glad to be promoted to the next class . I will be exposed to new subjects, topics, classroom and teacher.

But I believe that by God’s grace, I will cope since this is not the first time I will be promoted into a new class.

Also, I think there may be a little challenge in choosing good friends in my new class. Also, the work will be more than before.

LD E I CHF TH K O EE W

ay

Richard Oladokun, Pry 5

Ayotomiwa Ayodele, Pry 3

mother duck wondered what to do. She began to walk back and forth dragging one wing on the ground.

When the fox saw her he became happy. He said to himself, “It seems that she’s hurt and can’t fly! I can easily catch and eat her!” Then he ran towards her.

The mother duck ran, leading the fox away from the lake. The fox followed her. Now he wouldn’t be able to harm her ducklings. The mother duck looked towards her ducklings and saw that they had reached the lake. She was relieved, so she stopped and took a deep breath.

The fox thought she was tired and he came closer, but the mother duck quickly spread her wings and rose up in the air. She landed in the middle of the lake and her ducklings swam to her.

The fox stared in disbelief at the mother duck and her ducklings. He could not reach them because they were in the middle of the lake.

Dear children, some birds drag one of their wings on the ground when an enemy is going to attack. In this way they fool their enemies into thinking they are hurt. When the enemy follows them, this gives their children time to escape.

d th Bir

I’m happy I was promoted to a new class, the last stage of the primary school but I know that I will have to be faced with plenty assignments.

I need to put on more effort in Mathematics All these are challenges because I must not fail in any of it. I am confident that I will overcome them.

Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 0807 449 7425

Storyline

Words from the kids

Oluwafayofunmi Opeseitan, Pry 6

Sunday Tribune

Erimipe Ajibade, Pry 4 Since I’ve been having promotions from one class to another, I’m used to facing new tasks just like we have in all aspects of life.

Among what I consider as challenges in my new class are speech writing, Spelling Bee library classes and extra lessons. All these require extra efforts in order not to be left behind by my classmates. More importantly is the task of passing examinations.

Aishat Yewande Eleshinnla clocked 5 recently Many happy returns

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18 September, 2016

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AST Thursday, outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, doused a raging covert fire. Can a huge fire burn fiercely underneath? The Bible says it is practically impossible but in politics, nearly every conjecturable is possible.

The “peace” effort should ordinarily not be personalised as a tree doesn’t make a forest but the kamikaze move by Mahmud in the build-up to the resolution by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) to nominate the most senior justice of the Supreme Court, 66-year-old Justice Walter NkanuOnnoghen as the CJN-designate, would single out the outgoing man for a telling mention, because his utterances and body language in the early days suggested a pandering not demulcent.

Incidentally, it was the same Mahmud who initially bent in a manner speaking to throwing his No 2 under the bus, that eventually straightened to sustain the succession-by-seniority arrangement which has supported the judicial myth surrounding the most single powerful office in the land.

If the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had succeeded with the “power to decree” which it surreptitiously sought under the guise of emergency power to reflate the economy, one could predict with accuracy that the current top echelon of the judiciary would be the first irritant to be dispatched with. No president in history has so much openly disdained and disparaged the senior operators of the nation’s judiciary. Not even military juntas, including Buhari’s in 1984. Apparently, the judiciary was a non-issue to him then because of the available dictatorship instrument of coercion, themed “decrees”. But rule of law and constitutionality now makes a collabo compulsory and the Aso Rock most senior tenant isn’t finding it funny to swallow what he apparently considers a fever-ravaged phlegm. Everywhere he went, both home and abroad, judiciary as currently shaped, was made his fall guy for his administration’s failings. The ill-feeling campaign orchestra only subsided after torrential stunning judicial defeats for Mr President’s party in election matters at the Supreme Court. Talk of power of wig.

When Buhari was doing the Donald Trump’s doubling down style against the judiciary, he was said to be laying the right slaying mood for the main operators, with a pre-determined end to end the succession-by-seniority arrangement and get in, his own man, preferably a senior lawyer, as the next CJN, following an undisguised fall-out with his Fulani Taraba-born kinsman- Mahmud.

Then the game began with multi-faceted game plans. First, it was Mahmud and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) collaboration, which saw the outgoing CJN saying at a global judicial function abroad that anyone, including a newcomer law-

THESE are difficult times in our country, no doubt, especially due to the slide in crude oil prices which has resulted in the thinning out of revenue accruing to the country from crude oil sales. This has had a terribly devastating effect on the states as many of them are unable to pay their workers’ salaries.

At the last count, no fewer than 15 states owe workers between two and seven months salaries. Many of them are unable to pay pensioners their stipends and a number of them have stopped remitting deductions from workers’ salaries such as pensions and cooperative contributions, to the appropriate quarters. Similarly, developmental work has stopped or at skeletal level in many of the states as many contractors have left project sites sequel to the inability of the state governments to meet their financial obligations to them.

Put succinctly, many states are not only distressed, they are on the verge of bankruptcy. Hence, they are looking up to the Federal Government for another bailout to meet some of their obligations.

While the propriety of a bailout is a matter of public discourse, my concern here is how the states got to this sorry pass. How did the state chief executives allow the situation in their respective states to degenerate to the level of their being unable to meet their commitment to the workforce and the populace as a whole? How did they allow things to get to the point that they have to make beggars of their otherwise hardworking civil servants?

The governors have all blamed the tumbling revenue from the federation account for their predicament, but is that enough reason for the states to go bust? Were the governors elected only to superintend over the distribution of revenue from that account? If all a governor does is to administer his state’s share of the federal allocation, then governance needs redefinition. The governors should just imagine what fate would befall them were they to be running commercial banks the way they are running their states and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi were the CBN governor. Not only would they lose their positions

0811 695 4647

olanreade@yahoo.com

Viva Onnoghen (1)

yer of 15 years at the Bar, could succeed him. He practically threw the race open, further feeding the rumour mill about his thoughts concerning Onnoghen. Then, a brief friendship stint with an unwelcoming Aso Rock.Then, a parting of ways on both sides and from both ends.

I am a firm believer of que sera sera, which means last Thursday would have been, even without Mahmud’s changing ways but his obvious desire to return “home” to his “own” was no doubt the game-changer in the poorly-disguised agenda to stop the No 2 from succeeding his boss.

The agenda first crystallised as anti-South, then anti-establishment, then anti-corruption, but none favoured the Thurs-

With Sulaimon Olanrewaju 08055001708

lanresulaimon@yahoo.com

Pray, what do these governors do?

they would also forfeit their investments.

It is unfortunate that our governors have narrowed governance to allocation sharing, being a guest of honour at an event or playing host to some visitors from one

Sunday Tribune

day outcome. Mahmud and his team are firmly in charge of the game now with the National Judicial Council (NJC) which he heads, expected to recommend Onnoghen to Buhari for approval and onward transmission to the senate for confirmation. But Aso Rock isn’t out of the game yet. With Buhari as the approving authority, something unprecedented could still happen in a dispensation becoming notorious for unconstitutional surprises. Buhari’s Attorney General of the Federation, AbubakarMalami SAN is a member of the FJSC and obviously part of the decision to enthrone Onnoghen, but Buhari is just Buhari, a president with scant regard for rival opinions.

No president has ever rejected NJC’s nominee for CJN, but governors like Rotimi Amaechi had, though they ended up with a bloodied nose. With Amaechi now in Buhari’s corner, the temptation for a dare could be irresistible.

There have been arguments for and against sidelining seniority for what its antagonists described as merit. You can argue endlessly the merits in the “merit” push. Isn’t the adjective itself relative? For pro-seniority, Onnoghen’s nomination ticks all boxes in merit corner, because it speaks to fairness, stability and above all, the raging issue of ethnic justice.

Merit proponents, on the face value, should have a genuine push but the current deliberate construction of the polity to heavily favour the North, would always darken their bright arguments, considering that the proponents are also the architects of the lopsided appointment arrangements in the land.

Following the 1987 exit of Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe as CJN, the Southern part of Nigeria has had to wait for 29 years before a dawn which hasn’t even completely crystallised into a welcoming morning. Seven Northerners including the incumbent have explored the seniority arrangement to be CJN. A merit argument to deny South again for another Northerner in the person of Justice Tanko Mohammed, second most senior justice of the apex court, or anyone for that matter, would be a bunkum anywhere, any day. If any president would be given the benefit of the doubt that the push wasn’t a kind of sinister ethnic agenda, Buhari would not objectively qualify by any measure. Mr. President’s dark corners won’t also help other arguments from a section of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other agendanists.

Shortening a long story, Onnoghen deserves his day in the sun, but nothing is currently sunny about the judiciary. If the polity had borne a semblance of equity, anti-seniority elements might have run away with a runaway victory, rallying the entire nation behind them.

(To be continued).

part of the globe or the other, forgetting that the most critical part of governance is opportunity creation which leads to wealth generation. A leader is a purveyor of hope; a leader must consistently create a beautiful future for his people to behold. He cannot effectively do this if he does not create wealth for his people or provide opportunities for them to become prosperous. That is where ingenuity comes in. What is ingenious about the distribution of money that a governor played no part in its generation? Pray, why should we expend our scarce resources on organising elections now and then for people whose motivation for seeking office is the opportunity to dispense favours or disburse state funds?

All of these governors promised, while canvassing for votes, to create enabling environment for businesses to thrive in their states; they all promised to attract investments; they all pledged to increase internally-generated revenue. Had they lived up to their promises they would not have found themselves in the dire strait they are now in.

Our governors should realise that leadership is not about rhetoric or grandstanding; it is not about oppressing the populace with siren-blaring vehicles or moving about in flowing robes. It is about ingenuity. It is about solving problems. It is about giving hope. It is about creating opportunities. It is about making life meaningful and enjoyable for the led. Anyone who fails to do these may be anything else but certainly not a leader.

Leadership, especially at that level, is not for those with limitless ability to promise but limited capacity to deliver on promises made; it is for those who combine the capacity to dream with the ability to translate such dreams to reality. The sooner the governors come to terms with this, the better for everyone of us. The governors need to realise that they were not elected by the people to tell them what cannot be done, they were voted into power to help the people realise their dreams of a better life. Unless and until they do this, they are undeserving of the high offices which the electoral powers of the people they are making life difficult for have installed them.

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ROM the look of things, comedy does not pay the bills for you again. You have diversified. You have also taken the Ali Baba brand to a new level as you now speak at seminars, deliver lectures and nurture the young minds. What prompted this new chapter in your life or can I call it a new calling?

It is not a new calling. I have been doing this ever since I came into Lagos in 1990. What is happening now is that there is a more visible platform that allows a lot more people to see what I have been doing and also allows them to share in my experience. I live by one of many mantras.

If your success doesn’t make others succeed, you have failed. Regarding my brand, building a brand takes a lot of work. You have to keep it a recognised, engaged and relevant brand. So, it has to be dynamic. That’s what I have been doing with the Ali Baba brand.

You also starred in a movie recently. Are we going to be seeing more of Ali Baba in movies now or it was just a one-off thing?

You may not see me in many as it would make me a regular actor. I acted on television back in the days with Honourbales in the 1990s. I also acted in my first movie role with Rita Dominic in My Guy. There were different issues at play then. And one was that I needed to find a good way to find money. Acting at the time was and still is a labour of love. We shot My Guy for about three weeks. The Wedding that I just featured in was about the same time.

How would you compare the fees you got to star in the movie to what you receive being an MC? The fees you get for the roles are not even up to what you get when you mcee an event.

What made you to take the role? Could it have been the money?

I accepted the role because Mo’ Abudu has been a benefactor from the days of ESSO petroleum in the 90s when she used my services as MC and comedian for the firm’s events. We also have been friends. So when she

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

If your success doesn’t make others to succeed,

you’re a failure

a b a B i l —A

He has remained on top of his game for decades and has wined and dined with kings and queens, presidents and business leaders from across the world. But Ali Baba, who is rated as Nigeria’s number one comedian, proves he is more than just an entertainer in this interview with SEGUN ADEBAYO. asked me to come and be in the movie, I said yes! She said she told her person I was the person who could pull the role through. It was never about the money. We shot the movie for three weeks. The actors are really trying.

A lot of celebrities have complained about the biting economic condition and how its effect has left them with limited jobs. In fact, it was reported that some of them now prefer to do shows abroad because of the exchange rate. What do you think about this development?

The lifestyle of all and sundry gets affected by economic dictates. The liquidity of every society defines the amount spent on entertainment. However, certain artistes have managed to build a career that can absorb the effect of economic downturns, either because they invested well, had multiple streams of incomes, created a lot of opportunities for themselves in the face of the hard times or kept something

aside for rainy days. The things also have to do with the intelligence of the financial intelligence of the artiste. You should know what sells, no matter the economy. Know who buys and the prices to charge. Experience comes in and helps to manage the financial downturn. The problem usually is when an artiste fails to see the handwriting on the wall and doesn’t create a formula that helps to see him through the highs and the lows.

How has this economic downturn affected your trade personally?

Yes, it has affected my job but not significantly because the people some of the A list artistes play to are not usually and easily affected by economic storms. They live above those. That’s why those people still fly first class Continues on pg21

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18 September, 2016

Segun Adebayo tegbollistic@yahoo.com 08116954644

Seyi Sokoya seyi_sky@yahoo.com 08075166585

Why Shina Peller dropped Tillaman from record label Stories By Segun Adebayo

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HERE seems to be a lot going on in the life of Tillaman at the moment as information reaching R suggested that all may not be well between him and Shina Peller’s Aquila record label.

Just a year and two months after Tillaman was unveiled by Aquila records as one of its artistes, the singer has called it quits with the record label.

Though no reason was given by the artiste, it was gathered that the singer is also in the process of starting his own record label. R gathered from a source close to the record label that Tillaman was dropped from the record label because he could not justify the huge investement the alleged had put on him.

Tillaman, it will be recalled, was unveiled last year June alongside Que Peller and Base one by the record label owned by night club boss, Shina Peller. Just one year after the deal was signed, Tillaman has been dropped by the label so as to pave way for other artistes on the

Sunday Tribune

label to grow and move their career to the next level.

No official statement has been released to the effect from Aquila, but it was learnt that the decision to let Tilla leave was mutual.

In vestigation by R also revealed that Tilla, as he’s fondly called, decided to quit the label because he was said not to be pleased with the direction the label was taking his music career to.

A sibling of the Shina Peller,

Que Peller, who is also an artiste on the label, is said to be the new bride now as the artiste is getting more attention from the top hierachy of the label.

According to a statement from Aquila records spokesperson, Ibrahim Skillz, “Tillaman is fresh off his contract with erstwhile label, Aquila records, and while he awaits the details of pending deal between the new label he’s floating and a renowned UK-based international

outfit to be finalised, he is going ahead to introduce his brand new outlook to fans, the media and the public. “ Tilla’s new brand sees him embrace his cultural ingenuity more, with his outfits favoring local fabrics and designs over foreign ones.

To further bring this new era closer to fans, Tilla, in collaboration with friends, will be touring different venues across the country in a tour tagged Tillaman and Friends.”

Creddy F thrills in new video ‘change am for dem’

By Joan Omionawele RAPPER, Cresent Patrick, also known as Creddy F, has released another track which is currently gaining airplay.

The song entitled ‘change am for dem’ was described by fans as a different and exciting sound to come from the rapper who is signed unto the Castro Music Empire record label.

Speaking in a chat with R on the inspiration to release the song, Creddy F said: “the song was birthed out of everyday occurrences and happenings on the street, so when my manager and I approached the director, we decided to interpret it in a manner that people can relate to.”

The rapper, who is not leaving any stone unturned in his journey to stardom, stated that he would not rest on his oars as he hoped the song will put him on a map, not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa.

Femi Solar in high spirits ahead of album release GOSPEL singer, Femi Solar, is excited about his continued rise in the music industry, especially among gospel musicians in the country.

Solar, who released his latest album, Mercy Beyond in May, has been busy in the studio with new songs that would be released anytime from now.

Shortly after the release of his album, which was produced by his record label, FS7, Solar embarked on a tour of Europe where he performed at shows and returned to the country to promote

the album and complete work on other projects that have kept him busy for months.

According to him, the last few months have been quite challenging because he had to ensure the album gets to the people through proper distribution.

Solar, who has also floated his record label company, FS7, revealed that there was more to him than music.

“I have been in a very high spirit because I have been up to quite a number of projects that have kept me busy for months. Even

when I came back from Europe after releasing the album, I have not rested because everything has to be properly structured.

We have a lot up our sleeves at the moment.

“I have released Grace video and people love the concept. I have a new record label, FS7. I have some new artistes that I will be bringing on board. So, it has been a challenging but interesting experience.

Right now, new songs are coming and videos too. I urge my fans to be on the look out for the best of Solar in the next few months.”

Star Trek: 2face, Burna Boy, Wande Coal close down Makurdi MAKURDI, Benue State Capital came alive last weekend as thousands of music lovers gathered at the IBB Square for the debut of Star Music The Trek 2016.

The city played host to some of Nigeria’s finest hip hop acts with the like of 2face, Burna Boy, Ice Prince, Cynthia Mor-

gan and Wande Coal putting up good performances at the Star Larger sponsored show.

The concert, which was hosted by Gbenga Adeyinka, saw fans and music lover troop out to catch the excitement and fun that the superstars brought to their city.

Great, performnaces from 2face, Wande Coal and his colleagues left the audience screaming and singing along to their songs.

Burna Boy’s performance lasted for 40 minutes and saw the songster dish out many of his hit songs. From his On A Spaceship album, he performed hit songs like Duro Ni Be and Rizzla. Other hit singles like Check and Balance,Yawa Dey, Don Gorgon, Soke, Like To Party, Run My Race were not left out.

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razzmatazz

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Coke Studio Africa returns in style

By Segun Adebayo

9ice speaks on Economy

By Seyi Sokoya AFRO pop singer, 9ice, has expressed his feelings about the current economy of Nigeria. 9ice spoke through his new song, entitled ‘Economy’.

The ‘Gango Aso’ crooner revealed that the song talks about the Nigerian economy, the ups and down, noting that, “Economy is a song or as a topic rare in today’s entertainment world, but crucial, necessary and needed for us as Nigerians to grow. We know what we want, but we want to know where we went wrong and how to proffer solutions to our problems.”

The new song is produced by Dj Coublon.

Coublon praised 9ice’s creativity as he prepares for his eighth studio album.

9ice said he intends to use the album to celebrate his old time friend and producer, ID Cabassa.

N

IGERIAN audience are in for another round of entertainment from across Africa with the announcement that Africa’s largest musical collaboration show, Coke Studio, is back with a fourth season with a promise of thrilling discoveries.

According to Coca-Cola Nigeria, the first episode of this year’s season will air Sunday, October 9 on African Independent Television (AIT) at 6.00 p.m. with subsequent episodes aired same day, on the same station, and at the same time.

With the theme: “Discover”, this season will see nine of Nigeria’s music trailblazers: Flavour, Patoranking, 2Baba, Waje, Falz, Kiss Daniel, Cynthia Morgan, Yemi Alade, and Simi join

36 other A-list musicians from across Africa to create over 90 songs which will be aired on 11 episodes.

The show is a music platform that brings together the best musicians and music producers from different African countries to collaborate and produce songs.

This season takes the experience even further as it digs deep into each of the artists’ psyche, giving the audience an opportunity to discover the real person behind their favourite acts.

Some of the acts who will be performing at this year’s edition are already getting in the mood as they have started expressing their expectations from the musical collaboration with other African counterparts on their social media platforms.

Psalm Ebube ‘Call to Worship’

By Seyi Sokoya AWARD winning gospel artiste, Psalm Ebube, is out again with a new album. The 13- track album is the third of the singer who is known for his evergreen praise songs such as Kabio’osi, Ebube and his recent song, ‘Thankful’.

The album has been a work in progress for over a year now and in addition to ‘Thankful’ which is one of the best appreciated Nigerian gospel songs in recent times, Ebube have singles like ‘Overload’, 80 Years, and the visuals for Thankful “Imore”, all enjoying massive airplays across the nation and beyond.

Talking about his new works, Ebube said, “Creating opportunities that bring us closer to God and bring God closer to his people is my highest calling. My aim is to facilitate/lead/curate wholesome acts of worship that encourage people in their relationship with God, within the love and presence of God. A call to worship invites us into the presence of the King of the Universe before whom all creation will bow and for whom all heaven now sings.

“I am always overwhelmed when I hear so many people around the world tell me that I inspire them in so many ways. I am always thankful that God has given me the opportunity to reach millions of people with my music,” he added.

Honour as ‘93 Days’ premieres in Lagos

By Seyi Sokoya

THE premiere of the 93 Days, a movie centred on how Nigeria successfully fought the Ebola disease, held at the popular House on the Rock cathedral in Lagos State on Tuesday, ended with mixed feelings as the victims of the disease, personnel and organisations who stood against the spread were honoured at the event.

The awardees included the Lagos State government and its ambulance service, First Consultant

Hospital, Lagos; Yaba hospital, victims and survivors and First Consultant Hospital, while the brave doctor, Dr. Stella Adadevoh, was specially honoured and bestowed a posthumous award.

The premiere, which was graced by the leader of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila; Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration, Dakuku Peterside; among other dignitaries,

entertainment stakeholders and members of the church, got everyone glued to their seats.

In his words, the host, Pastor Adefarasin said, “We are delighted to collaborate with the Nigerian movie industry, especially what will impact lives positively. Your act will help us reshape the nation’s value system and reset our cultural norms for progress, development and a national sense of purpose. “We expect more from the crucible of

your collaborative endeavours.

Let’s together arise and reshape the future with the powerful medium of storytelling through movie making.”

The film director, Steve Gukas, also revealed that the movie was staged where the incident took place in Lagos and that the personnel such as the drivers and ambulance staff, who played major role in conveying victims to the isolated centres participated in the movie.

Celebrating KSA at 70, a honour —Ebenezer Obey

By Seyi Sokoya EVANGELIST Ebenezer ObeyFabiyi has described the 12-hour music concert slated to hold at the Civic Centre, Ondo State, on September 21 in honour of Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as KSA, as part of his 70th birthday anniversary, as a collective effort of the gospel music ministry to specially honour him.

Obey, who is the father of the day, told R he would be glad to celebrate with KSA and welcome him into the septuagenarian guild, adding that, “I am delighted to be part of the event and also celebrate with

my dear brother, KSA. It is a good thing to age gracefully and I thank God for giving both of us the grace to achieve His mandate.”

The concert, which is described as one of the high-point events of the ongoing birthday anniversary of the music legend will also be graced by gospel veterans such as Pastor Jospeh Adelakun, Bola Are Funmi Aragbaye and other artistes.

Other artistes to perform at the event include Timi Orokoya-Telemi, Yinka Ayefele, Tope Alabi, Bukola Akinade, Esther Igbekele, Bisi Alawiye-Aluko, Dare Melody, Ayan Jesu, Bunmi Akinnanu, Foluke

Awoyele, Segun Adeleke, Dupe Olulana, Debo Ojubuyi, among others.

According to the coordinator, gos-

pel artiste, Dunni Olanrewaju, popularly known as Opelope Anointing, “all the artistes are delighted to celebrate KSA’s 70th birthday.”

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18 September, 2016

PEOPLE

places&parties with Segun Adebayo

Sunday Tribune

Powered by:

| tegbollistic@yahoo.com | 08116954644

Still on Hennessy Artistry Live RnB & Soul night THE best of Rhythm n’ Blues & Soul converged on Sunday, September 4 for the Hennessy Artistry Live RnB & Soul Show in Lagos State. The event billed to be the biggest R&B show lived to the hype as the most talented singers delivered powerful performances in a very intimate, exclusive and interactive style & an exclusive crowd of

about 500 celebrities and socialites were all in attendance at Hard Rock Cafe Lagos.

The music show was directed by Cobhams Asuquo. He presented a line up that included Shaydee, Tjan, Ruby Gyang, Funbi, Falana, Faith, Omolara, D’Tone Martins and the headliner; Waje. Each performer came out to perform

a classic RnB joint and followed with hit singles of their own, Tjan was a heart rob performing “War Zone” & Shaydee and Falana showed their pure vocal powers, but the show was owned by Waje who performed a 6 track stretch that had everyone on their feet from start to finish. This line up of performers were the attraction of

the night as they stole the show with powerful performances celebrating the genre of RnB. Hennessy Artistry seeks to continue playing a key role in growing its invaluable relationship with music in Nigeria by drawing attention to other genres like RnB and Soul in the music industry that may not be celebrated as they should in Nigeria. The live RnB and Soul show was a platform for many rising and undiscovered acts that wowed and left lasting impressions on guests in attendance on the night.

Between Ajimobi and Alao-Akala

I

T is an undeniable fact that the allure of politics is strong. Whether for money or for power and influence, political position is always a bride to court, particularly for those who have tasted it.

This explains why many people were not surprised when former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, ditched the Labour Party (LP) for incumbent governor, Abiola Ajimobi’s All Progressives Congress (APC) early this year.

That move, no doubt, created a lot of uproar in the political firmament of the state and dominated political discourse for weeks with many waiting to see how the movement would pan out.

Months after Alao-Akala’s movement to APC, he

seems to have finally settled down well with Governor Ajimobi as they now get along cordially to the envy of their detractors.

Days back, during the Sallah celebration, the Ogbomoso-born politician paid a courtesy call on Ajimobi to convey his Eid greetings.

Those who were privy to the visit told PPP that the duo have buried their political differences as they shared a few jokes.

Sowoolu’s Jamz 100.1FM hits airwaves Sept 23 A youth oriented, music and sports radio station, Jamz 100.1 Fm, Ibadan will on September 23 hit the airwaves.

The radio station owned by veteran broadcaster, Mr Femi Sowoolu, and located at Felele area of Oyo state capital, Ibadan, will also focus on socially driven, informative and empowerment programmes aimed at impacting the youth with requisite educational values.

The goal of the station, according to Sowoolu, is to be a radio station that is socially responsible to its im-

When Mercy Aigbe, Dejo Tunfulu, others stormed K-Summit opening NOLLYWOOD stars and socialites in the city of Lagos and beyond stormed the grand opening of KSUMMIT Unisex Saloon, a

subsidiary of K-SUMMIT World Investment, recently situated at Ogba, Lagos State.

Among the celebrities

who walked in amidst cheers were popular actress, Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Dejo Tunfulu, Soji Akanbi, Ambrose Sonde, Elemure,

Mr Intercontinental, Ogo Oluwa, while DJ Kamol was billed to dish out melodious songs to the pleasure of the guests.

While it was time to cut the ribbon to gain access into the well-furnished multi-million naira unisex saloon, Aigbe-Gentry, while praising the CEO of the company, Mr Lanre Aregbesola, for the initiative, said she was happy to be there seeing her colleagues in the industry, noting that the new outlet would render good services to the people who care about their look.

The CEO of K-SUMMIT World Investment, Mr

Aregbesola, while speaking with journalists, said he opened the outlet mainly to empower a few unemployed skilled youth, adding that Unilag and Magodo branches would be opened soon to get more youth from the street.

“We are doing this to empower the youth who are skilled but roaming the streets of Lagos and very soon other branches will be opened to accommodate more people. Apart from the unisex saloon, we are into poultry and solar power business, which we are just about starting in Nigeria but are operating in Denmark, Ghana and Kenya,” he said.

mediate environment and Nigeria as a whole, providing a lot of information and news.

Sowoolu said, “We are a top 40 urban contemporary radio station. We are targeted at the youth, but we also intend to bring up intelligent issues and find ways by which we can empower our people. We want to be an up to date, developmental station.”

“We shall provide a whole lot of information, titbits, empowering issues, socially driven programmes, empowerment programmes by which we intend to help the youth through educational values. We want to delve into helping education, helping schools. Radio has to go back to many of its traditional ethos, which has been abandoned over the years, that is, education, information, entertainment.”

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18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune With Segun Adebayo &Seyi Sokoya tegbollistic@yahoo.com seyi_sky@yahoo.com 08116954644 08132577840

Continues from pg17

or buy cars in the multiple. We play to different clientele.

You don’t appear to be giving up your number one status. You have managed to sustain it for many years. It seems your colleagues in the comedy business may have to try hard to knock you out of the game. Do you see this happening?

I am not in a contest to be number one. I also do not go out each day thinking I must be number one. That will be a recipe for disaster. Instead, I continuously maintain my creativity in the dynamic straits while making sure every event I do speaks for itself. By the way, there was a time a lot of people thought I had quit comedy, which was when Bunmi Davies came up with my performing for six hours and not repeating a joke. Sometimes, things like that help to shore up your confidence. I don’t see anything happening because like they say, what does a cheetah have to prove in a race? That said, if the cheetah stops running, it will get rustic and then drop form. So, the golden rule is to be constantly funny because you are as good as your last joke. Usain Bolt is the fastest man alive. Given and accepted. But if he stops running, whoever is breasting the tape is the fastest. So the work is in staying ahead for as long as you are ahead.

You usually give shows to some of your colleagues, especially the junior ones. How do you strike a balance in order not to be perceived as being partial?

It depends on the strength of the comedian. There are certain audiences that inform the kind of comedian that is needed or even the MC for that matter. An A event requires an A class MC, you can even get away with a B class MC but he will have to be on his A game to let people know he’s A class lower. If you have a C class event and you want an A class MC, that will be at the discretion of the person requested because the C class event may not want to give A fees. I consider language, experience, sense of humour and spontaneity. There is also the issue of who needs it most.

Some may need a lifeline than others. Also, the contact may have mentioned who they are looking for and ask who do I think will be best for their event. The other aspect of the recommendations is integrity and growth of the industry.

If I charge N100, 000 and a client is begging for N40, 000, the truth is I sure have things N40, 000 will do for me. But the harm it will do for the younger generation is worse. If Ali Baba charges N40, 000, then it automatically means younger colleagues can take N10, 000 or N20, 000.

The other angle is that I am in a better place and more comfortable to take that amount since I am not under pressure to meet some needs like the younger ones would do. I don’t need clothes to impress. I don’t pay rent. You know I live with my wife; she feeds and clothes me, so what else do I need? These guys have dependants, so that N40, 000 will make a huge difference to him.

At this point of your career, what else could you possibly wish for?

I wish that piracy laws were tougher. I wish that television stations will go into partnerships with comedians and flood our late nights with talk shows. I wish that the government will make policies to grow the entertainment sector. I wish that National Theatre, the only hub of arts still standing, can become a platform for all practitioners. I wish it can become like the National Stadium of the arts.

What about your industry, a lot of your colleagues have been accused of copying jokes, what do you have to say about the continuos rise of social media comedians?

Comedians should begin to stop copying jokes already told. Let’s leave that for the social media comedians. They should get spontaneous and keep kicking out at least three new jokes a day. And this can only come from having an open mind and a creative filter to suck in all that happens around them, milk out the humour in them and throw in more punch lines.

You

are

always

airing

your

views

about

‘I once cracked jokes on stage for 6 hours’ government policies-the good and bad ones. You have been very blunt in your attack of some of these policies. What can you say about Nigerian government and do you think there is light at the end of the tunnel?

This government can’t do more than the oil price dictates. Is President Buhari going to force the oil of price to $150 per barrel?

If the price remains as it is and the whole economy is driven by that single catalyst called oil, is Buhari going to print money to make up the shortfall? We were in a terrible state long ago!

Remember, when a former Minister of State for Finance, Remi Babalola, said Nigeria was broke in 2010, we had six years to do something about it but the ostrich mentality kicked in and we kicked him out. Was he not right? Your economy will hit the rocks if you do not grow SMEs, invest in infrastructure, create enabling environment, strengthen your laws, punish corrupt people and have policies that shore up the value of naira. Instead, what did we do? We were sharing money that should have been invested in the Niger Delta to a few. Over N700 billion was wasted on amnesty. If you go to the Niger Delta and spend that amount, will you not see remarkable change in the lives of the people? Instead, the money was given to some militants’ lords to become mega billionaires. Today, the people they told us they were fighting for are still in the creeks. To answer you directly, this government cannot do anything magical with the way oil prices are. It’s like having an overhead in your house that

Comedians should begin to stop copying jokes already told. Let’s leave that for the social media comedians. They should get spontaneous and keep kicking out at least three new jokes a day.

comes to N250,000 every month and your salary is N350, 000. You manage well and can save something for a rainy day. Now, your salary gets slashed to 100,000 and you are still maintaining the N250,000 monthly running costs and you have outstanding salaries of domestic staff. You have school fees to pay, plus people who are diverting the small thing that you make. The light at the end of the tunnel is not even there! When you can’t generate 5000 megawatts of power? When countries not as populated as ours are doing 25,000 megawatts from nuclear power plants and another 10,000 from solar... If the oil runs dry right now, how many states can survive on their IGR? Lagos State can. But there lies the biggest problem. All the night buses will come into Lagos filled to the brim with people seeking to survive on that Lagos’ IGR. What should we be expecting from Ali Baba’s spontaneity this year?

Spontaneity filters into January 1st. As usual, we will be chronicling the highlights of the year, celebrating the New Year of course; we also wish to give 10 lucky people whose birthday is on January 1st. N100,000 each. Last year, we celebrated the best pick among the male musicians. This year, we will select the best female voices. If you want to know who they are, be there on January 1st. Then the winner of spontaneity gets a brand new car and the runners up will get cash prizes. And as usual, we will give one person who graduated with First Class N1 million. This year’s edition will be different.

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18 September, 2016

makeover

Sunday Tribune

Rita Okonoboh 08053789087 tribunemakeover@gmail.com

Photo: www.kokolife.tv

the name suggests involves making the buns into two, as Stephanie Linus presents in the picture.

Braided topknot Follow the steps to achieve the bun, but when you bring the hair forward, before you roll the ends around the knot, make the braids into a loose giant braid before you roll. It is important to note that this style can be difficult to achieve, depending on the volume of braids. The end product should look something like Beyonce’s hair-do.

Stephanie Linus’ double bun. PHOTO: www.gistus.com

Side bun. PHOTO: www.cocoafab.com

Beyonce

Single or double-sided sweep This is very easy to achieve and manage. Simply bring the entire braids to lie on one side. If you can manage the effort, make some part of the braids on the top of the side sweep into a ponytail.

This will help to ensure that the braids stay in place on one side.

For the double-sided sweep, follow the steps for single side sweep but as the style suggests, share the braids into two equal bundles on each side.

Side bun Bring the braids into a bun (follow the steps for bun above)to achieve the perfect knot. However, for the side bun, the end result should fall on one side of the hair, just above the neck.

7 ways to style box braids

C

OME rain or shine, braids never go out of style and they come in handy for nearly every woman.

They can be made with hair extensions, wool, thread or even the

natural hair (although it is not readily advisable to use the natural hair so as to prevent breakage).

Seeing as braids can retain their lustre for longer than other regular hairstyles, they also give ladies

value for their money. However, it is important to know the different styles to choose from to avoid retaining the same look. Below are seven styles to switch between and how to achieve them: Bun The is the basic style for achieving as many styles as possible.

There is the royal bun, big bun, double bun, among others. To achieve, bring hair together into a single knot. Open at the centre and roll the ends round the knot. To achieve volume, leave the braids loose as you roll. The style works well for many occasions including office environment, weddings, red carpet events, among others. .

Steps to achieve wrapped braids. PHOTO: www.fashionpheeva.com

Updo This is much like the bun, except that it must be centred at the crown of the head. Double bun as

Fishtail The easiest and neatest way to achieve this style is to look for someone who has an idea of how to make matted styles – popularly referred to as didi. Share the hair into two equal halves, then bring into a matted pony tail finish from the centre of the hair. For best results, finish it on the side.

Wrapped This style is great for the office, weddings (traditional or church), red carpet event outfits that require you show off beautiful earrings and lovely skin, a night out with your partner, among others.

It is even a great choice for job interviews as there are no loose strands flying all over the place and distracting you or the interviewer. Wrapped styles may be finished with single or multiple weaves or matted finish. However, achieving the style could be a bit tricky if you don’t have assistance. The goal is to bring the hair into smooth, weaved finishes at the front, centre or side without leaving out strands, with or without the use of hair pins. If you find it difficult to manage, especially if your braids are so much, get a friend to help. For best results, engage the services of an expert hair stylist.

P.S. To add some pop of fun to your braids, accessorise with a colourful scarf, fancy pins, colourful hair grips or hair bands.

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18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

foreignfeatures How Boko Haram, IS, others use WhatsApp, Facebook to sell women into sex slavery —Report This report by JAMES COCKAYNE, head of United Nations University Office of the United Nations, details how terror groups have taken to social media to sell their female victims into slavery.

T

HE members of the United Nations Security Council hear terrible stories from conflict zones with alarming frequency. So it takes a truly horrific tale to bring them to tears.

Yet as officials in the Council listened in December to Nadia Murad Basee Taha bravely recount her torturous ordeal as an Islamic State sex slave, some wept openly.

When she fell silent, she received a rare ovation.

Murad is returning next week to the UN to be inducted as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. Since her last visit, the Security Council has requested a report from the Secretary-General on human trafficking in conflict, and what can be done about it.

The council should act soon – because the problem appears to be rapidly getting worse.

Is slavery making a comeback?

International law is clear that slavery is

A woman from an Arabic family cries after her family was refused entry into a Kurdish-controlled area from an ISIS-held village on November 16, 2015 near Sinjar, Iraq. PHOTO: JOHN MOORE/GETTY IMAGES

never allowed, anywhere, any time. Yet the best estimates suggest that 45.8 million people alive today are enslaved.

Armed groups have long forced vulnerable people into sexual exploitation, military service, and forced labor including construction, cleaning work, digging trenches, mining and agriculture. Some people displaced by conflict in SouthEast Asia may even end up catching and processing the fish that ends up in our supermarkets.

But today, organizations such as Islamic State and Boko Haram are openly encouraging and organizing slavery on a scale not seen since World War II. More than 5,000 Yazidi women, children and men are thought to be enslaved by Islamic State right now. The organization has set up slave registries and markets, openly advocates the revival of slavery through official mouthpieces, and has even issued “how-to” manuals on slavery. Increasingly, the group relies on forced child recruits as suicide bombers.

Slavery in a social media age This is not just Iraq and Syria’s problem.

Like conflict, the problem of slavery has become international. A recent UN Commission of Inquiry found that men from Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Egypt, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Uzbekistan have participated in Islamic State’s enslavement and human trafficking crimes. Other armed groups, such as Boko Haram, are following suit.

This is partly because of social media. In the past year, the UN reports, fighters have used the encrypted communications app Telegram to set up online slave auctions, circulating photos of captured Yazidi women, including their age, marital status, current location and price.

Recently, a member of Islamic State attempted to sell two enslaved women on Facebook. Displaced female Syrian refugees

Nadia Murad the council should figure out why existing sanctions that already apply to involvement in human trafficking – including those for Islamic State, Boko Haram and in Libya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia – are not being used effectively to address it.

The council could Sex workers in banglades also help protect in a life of drugs and slaverhs mega brothel are stuck y. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES those displaced by i n conflict – at present at Lebanon have been traded a high of more than 65 on WhatsApp, and Islamic State relies million people. These people are especially increasingly on secure apps such as Surespot vulnerable to human trafficking. UN and Threema for its communications. agencies and states can do more to identify, assist and protect civilians in trafficking hot How the UN can help spots, through rapid reaction capabilities, Faced with this, what can the Security reporting task forces and information Council possibly do? campaigns.

The answer is quite a lot, according to a new report published by United Nations Enlisting the private sector University (which I co-wrote). Published The Council can also encourage the private with support from the UK Mission to the sector to help. The Security Council could United Nations and others, and drawing work with the financial, technology and on input from more than 100 experts from recruitment sectors to develop guidance to across sectors and around the world, the prevent their value-chains being tainted by report argues that the Security Council has human trafficking in conflict. The council significant untapped leverage on this issue. has taken similar steps to prevent industry For a start, the Security Council could from profiting from conflict minerals. clearly denounce involvement with this Why not do the same in relation to human crime against humanity, and encourage trafficking in conflict? states to punish any of their nationals who The technology sector has another key role are involved. The council could also consider to play. Social media providers may be able a special international tribunal to address to use location data and content to identify Islamic State’s war crimes and crimes against people vulnerable to trafficking, and warn humanity, including enslavement. them of particular risks.

There is a lot the council could do to Nadia Murad Basee Taha’s testimony last monitor and disrupt human trafficking December was powerful and moving. Her connected to armed conflicts. This would appointment as a goodwill ambassador involve mechanisms to monitor specific signals the UN’s ongoing commitment to groups’ involvement in trafficking, as well as support victims. online and real-word hotspots. Members of •The Conversation, UK

24

Sunday Tribune

18 September, 2016

glamour I am too lazy to follow fashion trends

—Rita Edwards

Rita Edward is an actress who has featured in soap operas and movies like From Within; The Arrangement; Misfit; Isoken; 93 minutes; Tinsel; The Johnsons; Karma; Gidi Up and so on. In this interview with TAYO GESINDE, she speaks on how she was dragged into doing an audition by someone who believes she could make a living from acting, the challenges she faced and the journey so far.

Movies I have featured in I’ve had the opportunity to feature in several movies and theatre plays of repute. The latest being the soon to be premiered 93days. Others are From Within, The arrangement, The Johnsons, Tinsel, Karma and Gidi Up. For theater, I’ve featured in the world class plays like Hear Word, The V Monologues, Baba Segi’s Wives, What men want, Okonkwo’s Inquest and several voice over.

My most challenging role The most challenging role for me was in the movie Misfit when I had to depict the role of a retarded woman who had a lisp. There was nothing in my path to prepare me for that role. But my instincts kept pointing to the character as a retarded person. So I had to take my time and study how someone of such a nature would behave and be able to pull it off believably.

How I have been coping with competition in the industry I wouldn’t use the word competition at all because I see none. If there’s any at all, it is being better than what I was a year, a month or even a week ago. One can only be in competition with oneself better than he or she was before.

Most embarrassing thing a fan has ever done to me I have never had any such moments yet.

The pains and gains of being a celebrity I don’t know what to say here. Still getting used to the term “celebrity.” I’m just an actress who loves her job.

Growing up T wasn’t as eventful as my adult life is because I used to be a very timid and conscious child. Though I did know how to express myself around my family, but with strangers, it was a different game entirely. I would just keep quiet and be observing them. I loved reading a lot and my older siblings always gave me books as birthday gifts.

I

Foray into acting My younger sister was one strong motivating factor. She was acting long before I did. She would always say to me “sis, you have got what it takes to be a good actress”. But I was more conscious of myself so I did not want to venture

into it until 2010 when she literally dragged me to my first audition. Amazingly I did get a part and feature in my first movie “Aina”. After that, I thought it was easy to get roles but after two or three auditions, I went back to my former job as a food and beverage staff in a hotel. a very good friend who is also an actress, Ijeoma Agu, was on my case for almost three years before I finally decided to face the “uncertainty” I now call a profession. When I decided I was going to be a professional actress, I went to the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) School and learnt the art of presentation and public speaking. I also did one year training with Open Eye production run by my acting coach and mentor, Ifeoma

Fafunwa. I was later certified through the British Council Master class workshop. The journey so far has not been an easy one, but it has been a great one.

Challenges faced The challenges differ but the major one was overcoming self-doubt in the profession I’ve chosen. That was a big hurdle I needed to cross which I did eventually. As I said earlier, it has not been an easy road but when passion is a driving force, one’s focus is as strong as one’s determination to excel. Three years down the line, it has made me more determined and focused on being better at my craft.

Description of self Well, I’d like to say I’m an easygoing person who believes in doing the best I can at every point in time. But I know where boundaries are and respect them whether they are mine or others Philosophy of life My philosophy of life is to take each day at a time and always be thankful no matter what.

Definition of style I just go with the mood actually. I have never been a power dresser as they would say and I am too lazy to follow fashion trends.

Choice of accessories

Every other thing can be basic but shoes have to top my list. Heels and wedges are my thing.

Beauty regimen I love a clean face because I don’t like wearing make-up often. So, nature-made exfoliation is my thing.

Favourite designer I am a designer though I am not doing it commercially for now.

Special treat I indulge myself a lot. I like to go to the spa for a massage, pedicure/manicure. Then off to see a movie with some nice delicious ice cream. It’s a whole day I dedicate to such outside my hectic routine. Then I come back home in the evening and listen to either classical music or soft collection of songs What I will you like to change about myself Absolutely nothing.

My take on provocative dressing Well, I’ve always been conscious of how I’m perceived by my dressing. Besides, the term “provocative dressing” is relative.

Sunday Tribune

25

With Tayo Gesinde temiligali03@yahoo.com 08054727801

Fashionistas to storm Akwa Ibom THE organisers of the Ibom Fashion Week (IFW), a three-day fashion and style event, have officially unveiled the project with the dates, participants, venue and activities announced.

The theme of this year’s edition is ‘Culture meets Style’ and it is scheduled to hold from October 14 to 16 at the Le Meridian Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

According to the organisers, the Ibom Fashion Week is well thought out, poised to put Akwa Ibom State on the fashion map with a three-day epoch making string of events that will showcase fashion styles on a runway.

The event will also provide a platform for young and emerging talents in the fashion industry to showcase their works and build connections with stakeholders, the media, investors and fashion lovers.

The Ibom Fashion Week 2016 is organised by Will Travel & Tourism in collaboration with Studio 115 Integrated Services and supported by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The event is expected to showcase, promote and advance the fashion and tourism industry of not just the host State, Akwa Ibom but also Nigeria as a whole.

Speaking at the event, president and founder of Ibom Fashion Week, Tonia C. Anaoji, said “the event is aimed at bringing together fashion designers, make-up artistes and hairstylists in a bid to give leverage to what they do and encourage them to forge new frontiers in their career. We decided to bring this event to Akwa Ibom because we believe the state is well positioned in the South-South and South-East as a place to reckon with. The peace that pervades the state and its stable security also are factors that made us believe we should bring a world-class fashion experience to its residents.”

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Elisha Attai, CEO of Studio 115 (partners of the event) and Vice president of Ibom Fashion Week, hinted that many A-list music artistes have been billed to give pomp to the event.

He announced that Timi Dakolo, Adekunle Gold and Chidinma would be performing at the event.

He also disclosed that the show would be hosted by Big Brother Africa’s Kevin, with the red carpet hosted by Uti and Denrele. AY is one of the comedians scheduled for the show. Mr. Elisha also pointed out that several indigenous musicians and comedians would be included on the list of performers as well.

What I won’t be caught dead wearing I have no idea. Maybe fishnets and tight in public.

How I handle advances from male admirers I handle them with courtesy and diplomacy.

Qualities I want in a man He’s got to be an intelligent, compassionate and kind person.

My role models Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Bimbo Akintola, Joke Silva and my mom.

Other things I do aside acting I do radio dramas/jingles or radio advertisements (jingles) and resource management.

My likes and dislikes I like books, movies, learning and making friends. I dislike gossip, unkind and lousy people.

My greatest physical assets My voice. It commands attention.

Assessment of Nollywood I must give kudos to Nollywood. We are breaking barriers and excelling despite what the industry is facing.

Parting word to my fans Be thankful for each single day you get to show the world what you have. No road is ever easy but stay determined and focused and watch doors open for you eventually.

Fromleft,ChiefExecutiveOfficerAniferaz,MrAniekanAkpe;ChiefExecutiveOfficerofStudio115,ElishaAttai;presidentIbom FashionWeek,ToniaChinezeandtheChiefExecutiveofficerofHouseofBora,MrsIfiokobongAkan,atthepressconference.

26

18 September, 2016

With Akintayo Abodunrin akinjaa03@yahoo.co.uk 08111813058

At 7th creative station, children, teens wow audience The grand finale of the 2016 Children and Teens Creative Station of the National Troupe of Nigeria left the audience impressed.

N

UMEROLOGISTS say seven means perfection and though what transpired on Sunday, September 4 at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos was not perfect, it was very close to perfection.That balmy Sunday afternoon was the day the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) chose to showcase the young talents it had groomed for the seventh edition of its Children and TeensCreative Station in a well packaged grand finale.

With the trainingin acting, improvisation, miming, dancing, writing, voice training and singinghaving commenced on July 25 and the children, many of whom had forgone summer schools and trips abroad for the intensive but fun-filled six weeks workshophaving been putthrough their paces, parents and guests were curious to see what they would serve up.

Fittingly, an excellent offering was what they presented inside the filled-to- capacity Banquet Hall of the National Theatre.

Starting with the ‘ShakitiBobos’, a group of toddlers the main anchor, ShaibuHusseini, called ‘Mogbomoya’ (uninvited toddlers who followed their older siblings to the training out), to the presentation of ‘The Dented Anthill’, a play created by the participants of the creative workshop and directed by foremost choreographer, Peter Badejo (OBE), there was no dull moment. The presentations and arrangements were tighter this year while there was marked improvement with the sound. Everybody in the audience could hear the presenters clearly while the drama, despite the very large cast, was not rambling.

Expectedly, children would always be children. With a number of them not familiar

The children doing a northern dance. PHOTO: SOIBIFAA DOKUBO with being under the spotlight, some of the ‘ShakitiBobos’ brought onstage to dance to Korede Bello’s ‘God Win’ were easily distracted. Some found the lights and shiny backdrop more interesting and so focused on them. But the audience took no offence.

They enjoyed the refreshing innocence of the young ones; some of whom having satisfied their curiosity with the lights and backdrops, eventually went through the motions of dancing before the music was stopped.

The choral performance which came next was captivating. The more than 120uniformly attiredchildrenwere not unlike the popular Drakensberg Boys Choirthough they had girls in their ranks. They did a quartet of songs including the late Christy EssienIgbokwe’s ‘S’ohunrere’ and ‘You raise me up’ in tinkling, loud and clear voices.

They upped the tempo when they presented modern dances Kaffy and P-Square

amongst others would have applauded and it was the same with the traditional dances including Asama from the north, Orukoro, a dance of fertility from the south-south and Obitun from the south west. The beauty of the performances was further enhanced by the beautiful costumes from each region and accompanying props deployed in the presentations.

Their drama presentation, ‘The Dented Hill’, reiterated the importance of cooperation and unity to the Nigerian nation. The play opened with a scene showing the children, imitating ants building an anthill, a common residence for protection against the elements and predators. In well-choreographed movements, the children-ants set about their task while a video in the background showed real ants also building their own anthill. Inscribed on the anthill with cardboard when the task was accomplished

TP-Collective announces new art fair THE first ART X Lagos, a new art fair designed to widen Nigeria’s connection to the contemporary art scene across Africa and internationally will happen from November 4 to 6 in Lagos, organizers have said.

Initiated by TP-Collective, the fair created to consolidate the role of the visual arts as an important component of the creative industry, contribute to the increased visibility of contemporary artists from Africa, and positionLagos as an emergent cultural capital on the

continent will take place at The Civic Centre.

The fair will feature a selected group of invited art galleries from Nigeria, Africa and the Diaspora, showcasing the most innovative contemporary art by over 45 established and emerging artists.

A statement from the organizers said exhibitors at ART X Lagos will include galleries such as Art House – The Space (Nigeria), Bloom Art (Nigeria), SMO Contemporary (Nigeria), Goodman Gallery (South Af-

Artistic Director, Art X Lagos, Bisi Silva (left) and Director of TP-Collective, Tokini Peterside.

rica) and Stevenson Gallery (South Africa), amongst others.

ART X Lagos founder, and director of TP-Collective, TokiniPeterside, said that: “I am encouraged by the interest and support we have received so far from all quarters.

This affirms our decision to go ahead with such an ambitious project. As Nigeria and its neighbouring countries seek to diversify and expand their economies, our investment in the creative industry via Art X Lagos, offers a vital platform for growth and increased visibility to artists and galleries.

Our aim with Art X Lagos is to encourage greater patronage of artists across the board in Africa, and to inspire young people and the future generations of artists.”

Artistic Director of ART X Lagos, Bisi Silva, added: “I am extremely excited to be part of this pioneering initiative. I believe this art fair can become one of the key ways in which we begin to develop and internationalise the art sector in Africa as well as add value to the incredible work that is being created across the continent. In this way an art ecosystem can be developed that contributes to the visibility and sustainability of artistic practice as well as allows for collaboration and partnerships across the continent and further afield.”

were words like peace, justice, progress, accountability and love, all very key in the successful completion of the task.

Sadly, the ants were not to enjoy the luxury of their home for long as a dent appears and the structure is demolished, despite the best attempts of a group of ants to prevent this.

Like the ants, unity was what was envisaged for the Nigerian federation at independence only for ethnicity, nepotism, religious crisis and corruption amongst others to throw a spanner into the plan. The earlier unity and cooperation went missing and Nigeria found herself in a mess with other socio-political issues surfacing. All of these, of course, continue to threaten the existence of the country, with the centre no longer able to hold. There have since then been various attempts to patch the wobbling structure from the top but like the ants’ efforts, it has come to nothing.

Impressed by what they saw, the audience gave the actors and the director a standing ovation but Badejo refused to take all the glory for the excellent presentation. He said: “I am grateful to the management of the National Troupe for allowing the voices of children to be heard. We should all be proud of these children; credit to them. Each time I work with children, I have enough to learn.

There’s a crisis of lying in Nigeria, all the profound statements you heard in the play came from the children. Let’s start listening to the children, maybe we will learn because big problems starts from small lies.”

Interestingly, the outing and the indeed the whole project wouldn’t have happened but for the grit of the workshop coordinator,Ms Josephine Igberease,who is also Head of Drama Department at the NTN. “This gathering was made possible by the grace of God and the dogmatic follow-up of MsIgberease,” began the Artistic Director of the National Troupe, Akin Adejuwon, in his welcome speech. “I had thought this year’s edition of the workshop wasn’t going to happen because there was no money. At a point, Ms.Igberease said she was going to bring in her own money; she even offered to buy a generator because light was cut off at the theatre for about eight weeks. The National Troupe, amongst other functions is charged with encouraging children’s theatre but poor finance almost put paid to this objective. This is our seventh year and it has been our year of renewal in spite of donor fatigue that has worn out sponsorship. In fact, it has turned out to be our best year so far. I dedicate this presentation to Jospehine,” Adejuwon concluded while thanking partners and sponsors including the management of the National Theatre,Access Bank, Wapic Insurance, MTN, Chevron, Mimee andZmirage.

Also speaking, an official of Wapic Insurance, RantimiOgunleye told parents that the present circumstances notwithstanding, the future of the children is very bright. He urged parents to ensure they invest systematically in their children by securing their education.

Chairman of Access Bank, Mrs. Mosun Bello-Olusoga, spoke in the same vein.

She said with what she saw, Nigeria has a great future. “I believe in bringing up very culturally aware children, especially in an era when we are losing our culture. Though western education is a given, I fear losing our culture. This show is worthy of a Broadway show. It was incredible, the energy, the acrobats, the dancing, everybody was on point,” Bello-Olusoga added.

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thepolity Why ‘third force’ should wait till 2018 —Ladoja

A former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, speaks with journalists on the current economic downturn, highlighting where the country got it wrong, way out, the clamour for a ‘third force’, among others. DARE ADEKANMBI brings excerpts:

How do we explain a situation where workers have not got salaries for months and governments expect them to be coming to work and if they fail to come, they will be threatened with sack?

T

HERE is general lamentation about the economic downturn as a result of which most families are finding it difficult to feed let alone get a threesquare meal. Growing up, did you

Ladoja witness anything of the scale of the current economic crisis?

Those of us who are above 70 years of age would say maybe it is because our consumption now is higher than what it used to be. In those days in our house, when we

killed a chicken, it lasted us two or three days. But now, if you kill three chickens in the house, every child will be asking for the drumstick. We are in the current economic crisis because we eat a lot, but we don’t produce anything. I don’t think the crisis

would have been of this magnitude if we had not had the military regimes that we had in the country. During their reign. The country made a lot of money. We can even say money came at the wrong time, the managers of the country at that time did not know what to do with the money. General Yakubu Gowon was reported to have said the problem was not money but how to spend it. We are now paying for some of those past errors. Our leaders in the premilitary days were focused and dedicated to service delivery. At that time, the competition among the regions was healthy and positive. While the North was proud of its groundnut pyramids, the West was talking about cocoa, Mid-West boasted about rubber and the East, palm oil. During that period also, nearly all communities had a means of catering for its people. At the age of eight or nine years, I went to my mother’s village at Odo Ona Kekere in Ibadan, where there was what was called Ebu, which was a local mini palm oil refinery. I earned my first salary from working there. I earned three shillings one pence working for three weeks. How many children do this today?

How many communities have such a little artisanal facility? When we were young, eating rice was not an everyday affair. We ate rice only during the festivals or when a child was celebrating his birthday. Even the rice we ate then, it took about two hours to first of all sift it and remove sand before you now boil it. Later on, Uncle Bens rice came and now nobody wants to even talk about Ofada rice again.

As a country, we have moved from producing surpluses to importing what we can produce locally. If we had stayed on course with our level of development at that time, maybe we would not have been in this cri-

continues on pg 30

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inter

Edo people won’t allow PDP to rule them again —Obende Senator Domingo Obende is the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council Publicity and Media Chairman. In this interview with journalists, he declares that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State lacks the credible leaders that will be able to deliver their governorship candidate, Pastor OsagieIze-Iyamu to victory. Excerpts:

Domingo Obende

H

OW is your party taking the postponement of the election?

I think we have prepared so hard and we believe and know that the voters are behind us and that we are going to win. Secondly, I am also happy because Edo has not been known to be a place where violence is the order of the day. If for security reasons, as stated by both the police and the DSS, this shift is realised, I think I am happy for it presupposes that, come 28 of September, the election will be peaceful. We have heard talks about APC forcing postponement. But first and foremost, APC never imported any thug. Secondly, we are not harbouring anybody. Thirdly, we did not bring anybody to come and register, people who are not from Edo. What do we have to lose? Nothing.What is more, our strength are the voters and we have them behind us. They are not going to die or shift. So, for us, any time any day, we are ready for the election and I can bet you that the gap is going to be even wider now than we had imagined we are going to win.

Will you say that the current economic hardship is affecting your party the APC in this election?

Things are tough. But it is not peculiar to Edo State. In Edo, there is no governor that you can compare with Oshiomhole. You can talk about General Ogbemudia yes, but Oshiomhole is fantastic. If you compare Oshiomhole’s work with that of other governors, if they had one at all, you will find out they are not on par at all and that is a big plus for us in this election. The two weeks they gave us is two weeks of grace, where we will showcase all the things we have done. And what is more, it has given us the opportunity to reintroduce our candidate across the state. For the economic situation, everybody knows that the whole world is in total recession and PDP brought us into this problem. We cannot leave the past to blame the current person in government as not finding solution to the problem. APC promised three things: security, economy, fighting corruption. Right now, we all know who collected our money without doing anything. Right now we all know why the economy has moved in this direction. What APC is doing is trying to rebuild Nigeria and put it in a solid foundation for growth.

PDP leaders in Edo are boasting they will win.

How do you see this?

There is this adage that says a house divided against itself cannot stand. PDP, as we speak today, has no clear leadership and for that, I don’t think anybody would want to take PDP seriously in the state. They have two governorship candidates, Ize-Iyamu and Iduoriyekemwen. So, how will they win? PDP has had a pattern of

leadership in Edo for more than 10 years and that did not lead us to any developmental stride as far as the state is concerned. The current governor started in the past seven and a half years. In fact, I should say six and a half years because within a year he was still within the whims and caprices of the PDP House of Assembly then and Chief Tony Anenih. Anenih allegedly controlled the budget for the whole one year, bearing in mind that Zakawanu Garuba was the Speaker of the House as of that time. But immediately he was let off the hook, in his second year, he started performing and that was part of the failure of the leadership of the PDP. For me, I do not think any Edo man, having seen or known these experiences on the part of the leadership of PDP, will allow any elected person in PDP to perform. When you look at it clearly, you will ask: who are the people that actually destroyed PDP in Edo and by extension development in Edo? Lucky Igbinedion could not do much because the leadership was sharing the money. The moment money came from Abuja, they shared it. I don’t think any Edo man wants to do that right now. I know clearly that we have taken clear study about this issue and that is why a lot of us have resolved that it must be APC all the way because Oshiomhole in seven years has given us development we never anticipated. He may have his private issues with people, but he has performed. He has done what exactly he was voted to do; he has delivered on his promises.

Godwin Obaseki is going to follow in the same way of Oshiomhole’sdevelopment strategy. From debate, you could see the differences when you put questions across to Obaseki. So for me, PDP has no leadership that can guarantee it victory in the election.

Former governor Lucky Igbinedion recently boasted that the next governor of Edo State will be produced by the Igbinedion family in the person of Pastor Ize-Iyamu and Chief Ikimi also boasted in the same manner. what is your take on that?

First and foremost, my brother Igbinedion knows who Oshiomhole is. He was one of those who brought Oshiomhole so you can say Oshiomhole is equally part of

Edo people are wiser and will stand to claim what belongs to them on 28th September. With their votes, they will make sure they suppress and oppress PDP where they are now. They can never resurface anymore because as far as we are concerned, we have the people who will use their votes to suppress them.

that family. So, we have already produced two governors from that family, namely Igbinedion himself and Oshiomhole. Now, we cannot allow three brothers to rule us in the state from the same family. Oshiomhole came from Lucky’s angle and as of that time, Chief Anenih was angry until they met and had a meeting point.

Meeting point? But....

But as you know, Oshiomhole needed to be his own man so as to fulfill his campaign promises and that was where he had issues with these people. The disagreement was for the good of the people of the state. Lucky is our brother. He brought another of our brother, Oshiomhole, who is completing his eight years. So, we don’t want him to go and bring another person from the same family. We are satisfied with Oshiomhole that he gave to us and we are going to get another governor from another family in the person of Obaseki.

What about Chief Ikimi?

Ikimi is a man who likes talking big and that is his style. But I will advise him to win his polling unit first for his party before talking about winning the governorship election. He knows what I mean. So, I don’t need to expatiate on that. The current situation we are facing today as a nation is a product of PDP. But we don’t want to lament about it. We are working in Edo and Edo will keep working. We do not think we need a change of government in the state. The strategy that we have been using even in the state is working for us. We want to maintain that and the person behind this success is the chairman of the Economic and Strategy Team who is Obaseki. Ize-Iyamu will equally agree that this government has worked. But when things have become personalised, you cannot say the fact as it is any more. Everybody wants to have it his own way. But on this, Edo people cannot be shortchanged. Edo people are wiser and will stand to claim what belongs to them on 28th September. With their votes, they will make sure they suppress and oppress PDP where they are now. They can never resurface anymore because as far as we are concerned, we have the people who will use their votes to suppress them. The problem for Ize-Iyamu too is that while Obaseki has been able to point at what his party (APC) has done, Ize-Iyamu has nothing to point to because his boss, while he was Secretary to the State Government, that is Igbinedion, performed woefully.

There has been allegation of rigging from PDP and can you justify the postponement of the election?

For me, the threat that led to the postponement of the election has been justified. First and foremost, we saw militants being charged to court in the state. Some are still facing interrogation. Secondly, the tension in Edo has gone down drastically. You don’t find people walking as if tomorrow, we are going to die. That has calmed down. And security agencies have strategised. They have now known the positions to place their men. For me, the postponement is going to give us another wide margin we need in the election. PDP has lost now because they are finding it difficult to re-strategise and energise. That is the problem they are having. For us in APC, we are going to win the election because we have made strategic moves. We are doing more work to ensure that we win and we are going to win.

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18 September, 2016

PDP’s plan is to stop Oshiomhole from becoming de facto 3rd term governor —Ikimi Chief Tom Ikimi is an old horse in Nigeria’s political scene. He has been national chairman of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), leader in the defunct Action Congress (AC) as well as the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) which he dumped for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014 following the APC national chairmanship. He speaks on why PDP will win the September 28 governorship election in Edo State. Excerpts:

T

ELL us what the critical issues are in the election. Many say you have been a leader in both parties, the APC and the PDP at the national and state levels. Is this all about the political pride and ego of Ikimi and Oshiomhole?

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has been in politics for about eight years altogether, which covers the whole period of his governorship. I have been in full-time national politics at the highest levels, non- stop, for about 28 years now. There is a vast difference between the two of us. It is true that I have been a leader of both the PDP and the APC. In 2012, we successfully installed Oshiomhole for a second term. A critical issue in this election is to prevent a de facto third term governorship by Oshiomhole through the back door.We want a state in which all the three senatorial zones operate in harmony and have a sense of belonging.

Some have speculated that you want to end your active political career on a high note by ensuring victory for your party in the election, after which you will bow out a satisfied politician and successful architect of immeasurable repute and fame. Any truth in this?

A victory for the PDP and the installation of Pastor OsagieIze-Iyamu as the next governor of Edo will be the best thing to happen at this time for Edo, the South-South geopolitical zone and indeed the whole country. Edo will breathe a gale force relief of fresh air and embrace a new lease of life. The Edo people need to regain their position of excellence in so many spheres once again.

Among the lot of governorship candidates, only Pastor IzeIyamu has an agenda of reasoned policies. Virtually all the notable political leaders and respected national elder statesmen in Edo are in the PDP. They are all in full support of our candidate. The victory will be a high note success for all of them in their political careers. With the entry of Ize-Iyamu and with the support of all our leaders, we look forward to the restoration of Edo in sports once again. We shall have modern sporting facilities, rescued from the run-down, 40-yearold Sam Ogbemudia Stadium. I thank God for preserving my life with His blessings of good health and physical strength. I do not intend to end my contributions of serving the nation and particularly Edo, the birth place of my ancestors. I am in fact energised by the warmth of reception accorded me at various locations during the campaign.

You have been quoted as saying the results of the 28th of September election will shock Oshiomhole and APC. What makes you so sure, what reasons made you say so?

Oshiomhole, I believe, is quite aware of how he got into power in 2007/2008 and how he got re-elected for a second term in 2012. Oshiomhole has no idea of how Etsako West, his local government area, was created. His “ajasco” dancing on the soapbox from place to place and insulting elders has not gone down well with the members of the public who are determined to pay him back on election day.

People from your senatorial zone, Edo Central, allege the zone has suffered very serious neglect by the present government in the distribution of infrastructural and other development projects . Has this influenced your current position against Oshiomhole and the APC? Let me tell you my vision of Edo land. I see it as a homogenous family in which we all should share and share alike.

In 2007, I enthusiastically supported the zoning of the governorship seat to Edo North. Our reasoning was that Edo North had not been given a chance to govern the state. Even after

the election, when Professor Osariemen Osunbor from Esan land — my senatorial district of Edo Central — was declared the winner, I fought tooth and nail, shoulder to shoulder, along with other colleagues, through the court process, to have Oshiomhole declared the rightful winner, notwithstanding his origins in Edo North. This reasoning is in keeping with the lofty ideals of the founding fathers of Edo who wanted an ethnically homogeneous state in which the three legs of Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South enjoy equal opportunity in the state.

We were most unlucky that in selecting and backing the outgoing governor, we chose a man who did not share our passion of homogeneity. Even so in penalising Edo Central, Oshiomhole set a new standard all on his own. The state, which had always operated peacefully with the three top political positions of governor, deputy governor and speaker rotated among the three senatorial zones, ended up through a series of manipulations, with governor in the North and deputy governor and Speaker to the South. Oshiomhole soon revealed his true character of arch-clannishness with an attitude that Edo Central being the so-called least populated could be sacrificed.

What would you say are the essential political advantages of Ize-Iyamu over that of APC’s Godwin Obaseki? You must have some fears about your candidate. What are these?

The PDP candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, is a consummate politician who has endeared himself to a vast majority of the politicians in the state, and that is across both political parties.

He is a qualified lawyer who has acquired good working experience in government as a former chief of staff and Secretary to the State Government. Ize-Iyamu’s late father was a respected high chief of unblemished record in the Oba’s palace - the Esogbon of Benin. His family house, still standing, is a historic relic being the first storey building - Egedegenokaro- in Benin City. Pastor Ize-Iyamu, who was the Director-General of Adams Oshiomhole’s second term campaign organisation, is fully groomed, knows all the ropes and has submitted faultless documentation to INEC. OsagieIyamu has personally led his own campaign to all the nooks and crannies of the state and has interacted with all our people, big or small.

Indeed, controversies surrounding Obaseki’s qualifications are the subject of a case before the courts. He certainly did not have the basic qualification to be admitted to the University of Ibadan. Oshiomhole does most of the talking at rallies, which is why people see Obaseki’s campaign as an ill-disguised struggle for a continuation of the policies of the outgoing governor.

The political composition and alliances between the gladiatorsinEdoStateappearquitefluidandverymobile.

At one time it was Ogbemudia/Anenih/IgbinedionVsIkimi/Oshiomhole/others.Today,itisIkimi/Igbinedion/

A victory for the PDP and the installation of Pastor OsagieIze-Iyamu as the next governor of Edo will be the best thing to happen at this time for Edo, the SouthSouth geopolitical zone .

AnenihVsOyegun/ Oshiomhole/ Ogbemudia. The question is whether the political landscape in Edo is determined by the agreements and disagreements between the personalities who constitute the leadership of the parties?

Over the past two and a half decades or so, I have related with the political leaders of our state within the framework of different circumstances and interests. These interests are sometimes influenced by leaders’ relationships in the wider national context. I have, therefore, had the privilege to work closely with most of our leaders under a variety of circumstances and at different times.

For instance, I worked very closely with Dr Samuel Ogbemudia and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion in my days as national chairman of NRC. At that time, Chief Anenih was in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which eventually fielded Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as its governorship candidate. I am aware that DrOgbemudia is quietly retired now and not a member of the APC. He leads a group called EMM – Edo Mass Movement.

Oshiomhole has not got the benefit of long-term relationships with any of these leaders.

When I was a member of AC, ACN and APC, I was the leader in Edo. A primary issue then was to form a party that would stop the PDP becoming the sole party in Nigeria. The circumstances that connived to make Chief Oyegun national chairman of APC were very interesting. There were other contributing factors from outside the state.All that was then.

Today, the Edo political leadership’s priority is overwhelmingly in favour of establishing harmony between the peoples of the three senatorial districts of our state.

Tom Ikimi

After this hotly contested governorship election, should your candidate emerge victorious, what promises can we hold you and the PDP to?

The state will be in very safe political hands in which the politicians will play their role; the executive and legislature will play their roles side by side. Pastor Ize-Iyamu has campaigned round the state and everywhere he went he presented a document containing his agenda titled The Simple Agenda.I trust that as an astute, God-fearing politician, our candidate will keep faith with his pledges. During the Channels TV sponsored governorship debate, he made a pledge that he would restore Edo’s lost glory in sports.

What are you and other leaders of your party doing to ensure free, fair, violence-free election on the 28th of September? Why are there so many allegations and counter allegations of rigging and intentions to fraudulently win at all costs flying on both sides?

A free, fair and peaceful election can only be guaranteed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies comprising the police, the military, Department of State Security, DSS, and the para-military forces.

INEC, which had met several times with the security forces, conveyed to all stakeholders that all was set to go for the election. The PDP is in the opposition and cannot influence the deployment of these forces.The PDP is set for a free, fair and peaceful election and we plead with President Muhammadu Buhari to maintain his stance of neutrality.

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‘I’m also hit by recession, I cultivate vegetables’ political platform which will mop up all opposition parties into a big fold.

Is Accord going to be part of the third force?

When the third force starts, we will see who and who are in it. Today, I am in Accord and our party is number one on the ballot paper. When and if there is a third force, we will be alive to witness it. But I think the political class should concentrate more on the economy now and maybe in the second half of 2018, politicking can then start. This is because, by that time, the current government will not be able to do anything is going to harm its electoral chances and maybe the government is doing it at the beginning now so that it can cushion the effect before mid-2018 when it will say its efforts have started yielding fruits and we make people believe that if they vote for their party again, life will be rosy. That is the normal political method anywhere in the world.

continues from pg 27 sis. Have people forgotten the person who first imported meat into the country? Have you forgotten about General Murtala [Mohammed]?

Governments, before now, particularly the military, thought they were trying to satisfy the public and not knowing they were creating problems for the future. And since we had the Fourth Republic in 1999, how many military leaders have we had?

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as president was a military man in his psyche. President Muhammadu Buhari also in his psyche is a military man. They talk about discipline and how to instill discipline. But they have forgotten that instilling discipline will not solely solve Nigeria’s problems. We have to move with time.

The government is talking about agriculture and diversification of the economy from crude oil. But we have not moved from the artisanal method of agriculture to industrial and commercial one. In some places, 300 hectares of land can be cultivated by three or four people. Nowadays, where do people even get the money to procure the equipment because they can’t go and borrow money with the level of interest as high as 22 per cent. I don’t know how many farmers have borrowed money at a single digit interest rate being talked about by the government. I have talked to farmers and they said they had not got it. When we were young, about 60 per cent of the working populace was involved in agriculture. In other places, it was about five or 10 per cent. We are yet to see serious mechanized agriculture. All we have heard and seen is that government is just paying lip service to the issue of agriculture. Nobody has sat down to seriously take a look at the issue and what is involved.

Some people are just doing other people’s jobs. The federal, state and local governments must define their jobs. How many of our young people, particularly in Ibadan or Oyo State in general, are interested in agriculture? Those into real farming particularly in Oyo State are the Benue, Togo, Benin people. Government needs to diversify the economy and turn to agriculture. Things are going to be tougher than government has told us because the psyche of our people needs to be reoriented. I only hope that we will be able to survive this hardship that we are all going through. I am affected too. I have not been buying vegetables from the market. I have been cultivating it myself.

Benue and Imo state governments have reduced the number of days civil servants are to work, while the remaining days will be used to farm…

A civil servant is a civil servant. You can’t force workers to do another thing. If the civil servants have interest in agriculture, let it be their hobby and choice. Are those governments saying there is no work for them to do as civil servants? That is not the solution to the problem. Obasanjo as military Head of State tried Operation Feed the Nation. The workers will have to have interest in agriculture. Have they given them the land to farm and the inputs? Civil servants are workers who should not become farmers by force and overnight. If they want to become farmers, it should be by choice and not by fiat.

Does it then mean the leadership does not understand the issue?

I think so too. The leadership is too far and remote from the people they are leading. Nigerians don’t need more than the basic things to live. How do we explain a situation where workers have not got sala-

Do you subscribe to the change-begins-with-me campaign launched by President Buhari?

Yes, I believe in it since President Buhari said the change begins with him. He came on the platform of change and so the change must truly start with him. But what change are we talking about? What change are we expecting from a man who earns N18,000 a month and can’t meet his basic needs with his salary? How many kongo (modules) of garri can be buy with it? So, the change starts with all of us. I raise snail, vegetables and other farm produce for my own consumption in my house because the economic meltdown affects all of us.

Ladoja

When and if there is a third force, we will be alive to witness it. But I think the political class should concentrate more on the economy now and maybe in the second half of 2018. ries for months and governments expect them to be coming to work and if they fail to come, they will be threatened with sack?

The measures being taken don’t add up. I don’t understand, for instance, how workers are coping without getting salaries for months? Maybe it’s because of our Yorubaness, which makes us our brother’s keeper.

If someone has plenty garri, he will share it with others. Perhaps this is why workers still go to work without salaries.

Could this be one of the reasons people have said there can’t be a revolution in the country?

There is already a revolution going on in the country. A situation whereby people are saying ‘no’ is a silent revolution. It may not be general. Most of the groups and people who are saying no, their clamour is deeper than what we understand most of the time.

The Boko Haram issue is deeper than the religious interpretation that some people are giving it. The sect might have gone to secure the support of ISIL and other terrorinclined groups. It is more of a social problem than a religious one. The first leader of

the group, Yussuf, was said to have a doctorate degree. I only hope we will be able to contain it. Dr Goodluck Jonathan promised us that he was going to do it, he didn’t succeed. President Buhari also promised us and this is the second year. Yes, Buhari has uprooted them, but we still have pockets of attacks here and there from the sect.

May it is better for us to sit down with them and have a dialogue.

We continue to pray we don’t fall into the same situation as countries who experienced Arab Spring. Anybody who saw Syria before and now will know that something has happened;Egypt before and Egypt today; Libya before and now, Iraq before and now. And these are areas where civilisation was advanced before now. We should continue praying that the type of revolution people are talking about does not happen in Nigeria. Generally, Nigerians are very good people who like peace and believe in God. In Nigeria, someone who has not eaten for a long time will tell you that God will do it. We should not task their patience.

There are talks about a third force

What do you make of the anti-corruption crusade of the current administration?

It is mixed. Look at what Sanusi Lamido, who is a former CBN governor and now Emir of Kano, said. Sanusi does not believe this government is serious with its anti-corruption crusade. He said he, as an emir, can source $1 million by telephone at N197 and sell it at N400 and make handsome profit. This means he knew some people are doing this round tripping. Economy and corruption go together. As long as there are roadblocks, there will be corruption. Liberalisation policy is better. Do you need to bribe anybody now to get GSM or mobile telephone line? Corruption is caused because of red tape and blockades. Anything you want to buy in Nigeria now, the price has gone up and the sellers will say it is because naira has fallen against the dollar. Corruption is not only about politicians or civil servants stealing money.

What do you see as the way out of the current economic quagmire that the country is in?

The first thing is prayer. At Eid prayers, our Imam told us that God has said He is going to be testing His creatures from time to time and that we should take the current challenge as a test from God. He charged us to bear it and continue to pray that God will reverse it. All Nigerians must understand that government is us and that they are part of what is called government. If government says this is what we should do and we refuse to do it or just do a part of it, we are not helping the government. Nigerians should support Buhari to achieve his objectives for the country, particularly if the objective is what will take the country out of the woods. We should cooperate with government.

31

interview

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Politicians have infiltrated civil society community —Okei-Odumakin Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin is the president, Women Arise for Change Initiative, a rights group. She has been recognised locally and internationally for her doggedness in crusading a just society and upholding the fundamental human rights of citizens. In this interview with DARE ADEKANMBI, she speaks on the civil society community, the condition of women, among others.

T

HE question many people have been asking as a result of the seeming inactivity of the civil society community in Nigeria is: where are the civil society groups? As a stakeholder, what do you think is happening to this segment of society?

The civil society remains consistently relevant even in our society today. Perhaps, why it seems that there is no vibrancy is the fact that the operational mode of the civil society now cannot be compared to the days of the military where street activism was prevalent. Today, the mode of operation has changed from that of activism and adversary to advocacy and partnership. CSOs, after the military interregnum, has learnt how well to apply themselves to government issues. There is more education on both sides on the art and practice of participatory governance.

Civil society these days engages government and political leaders in dialogue.

They partner on conflicting issues to bring about pro-people reforms and interface with them to ensure good governance.

In this democratic dispensation, international development partners have also been encouraging the civil society through their supports to partner and complement the activities of government so as to bring about and maintain an economic system that is pro-growth, with equity and welfare of all the citizens. That nonetheless, the civil society remains what it is, even though there has been a lot of proliferation due to the antics of the politicians who have infiltrated into the system and compromised some of these organisations.

How do people identify genuine civil society groups from those on whose platforms politicians hide to further interest?

From the conduct of the leadership and members of any organisation, their programmes and disposition to societal issues, you can determine the ideology of such organisation and conclude if truly it exists to serve the interest of the society or a political interest. Any civil society organisation established to promote the interest of the people will always stand in gap for the entirety of the people; it will not be self-seeking but will always mobilise against anti-people policies.

Civil society organisations have participated in fuel subsidy removal as well as fought administrations that have hiked fuel prices. Such vibrancy demonstrated in the past seems to be lacking now. Why? Yes, but like I said earlier, the peculiarity of the present political order which we call democracy has opened more windows for dialogue rather than street activism in many circumstance unlike the days of the military where there are no rooms

Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin

for dialogue. More so, the willingness of the mass of the people to protest government decisions is usually the driving force behind any action of the civil society.

Whenever the will of the people is lacking, there is always limit to how far these organisations can go. The civil society organisations this time around conduct more researches, the result of which they use in engaging the government for reforms or change of policy decisions most of these are done through meetings, dialogues and interface at various levels and with various stakeholders.

I know you have been honoured home and abroad for your roles in defending the interest of the vulnerable groups. Where do you think the

civil groups in Nigeria got it wrong?

From the point where some of the organisations and their leadership cannot distinguish between their roles as watchdogs and being involved in the political system, like we see in many today. There is a lot of political proliferation in the civil groups nowadays, politicians also support some individuals to float organisations which they use to promote their selfish political interest, they equally engage some existing ones, and this is the point where some civil groups miss it. However, this is not to say that there are no groups that are doing fantastic jobs in the promotion of good governance and the formulation of pro-people policies.

What›s your view on the clamour

for the registration and coordination of civil society groups, particularly the call for the establishment of a civil society commission that will sift the wheat from the chaff?

While it is imperative to promote discipline and decency in any society, we must also recognise the fact that civil society groups exist as non-profit, non-governmental organisations and any attempt to subject such to state regulation may infringe on the freedom of association of the people. Freedom of association is a key aspect of NGO regulation. The right to free association is recognised under international human rights law. For example, Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 recognises the right to freedom of association. In addition, Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that everyone has a right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of interests. Article 8 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also provides for the right to freedom of expression. The regulation of CSOs is a means to infringing on citizens rights to enjoy the right to freedom of association. Regulation of CSOs in Nigeria will lead to the disempowerment of the right to freedom of association.

This is because several other international treaties provide for the right of freedom of association. These include Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination of 1965, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women of 1979, Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989, Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities of 2006. In addition, there are several other binding treaties dealing generally with the right to freedom of association Regulating the activities of the CSOs will amount to stifling their powers and reducing their core areas of intervention.

Civil society constitutes a large portion of the NGOs, and voluntarily organises itself to represent a wide range of interest and ties, their intervention at various levels of government continues to bring about pro-people policies, they remain the voice of the people but regulating CSOs activities and mode of operation will surely give government an upper hand. What should rather be encouraged is the registration of any of such group by the Corporate Affairs Commission as a non-profit organisation, ensuring that such organisation is properly constituted, not by bringing them under any state controlled regulation.

You recently were part of the groups that remembered Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Is it right to say with his death came the death of the civil societies?

Continues pg 33

32

opinion

18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

‘Made in Nigeria’: Towards Nigeria’s economic renaissance

By Tunji Olaopa

M

ADE in Nigeria”, as Professor Ojetunji Aboyade would have perceived it, is a strong and intuitive slogan with a very strong emotional and patriotic appeal. “Made in Nigeria” is a brilliant development strategy worth investing concerted energy in the policy space. It points attention to development imperatives. It is definitely the kind of creative rethinking that Nigeria requires in transforming its development framework.

But then, the question remains: Can we do with this creative initiative outside of a wellcalibrated development plan and reform framework that combine policy intelligence, strategic development communication and disciplined implementation dynamics? I see strong structural weakness in existing development planning system apart from the deficit in policy intelligence.

Kenichi Ohmae, the Japanese business strategist, concludes the matter: “What we need today...is not a new theory, concept, or framework, but people who can think strategically.” A national planning system is only as good as the leadership that is willing to get through its complexity through analytics and implementation rigour. What needs to be done is simple: Nigeria needs to inflect the “Made in Nigeria” campaign with the fundamental elements of its development plans. “Made in Nigeria” needs to become the serious slogan around which Nigeria’s development is really ready to clean the economic Augean stables of the present and to bring democratic development alive for Nigerians.

Summing up therefore, it is clear to any discerning mind that Nigeria’s predicament is essentially a structural one: In sum, these challenges are entrenched in the weak productive and high consuming structure of the economy.If structural imbalance is the problem, what is the solution? There are of course several perspectives to the solution of the socioeconomic problems.

One, however, stands out as the most fundamental because it goes right to the root of what every progressing nation will do to sustain its drive towards becoming increasingly developmental.

Progressive nations plan. And to fail to plan is to unwittingly plan to fail in development terms. Planning is one word that both captures Aboyade’s economic philosophy and outlines his economic reconstruction dynamics. This reform of the national planning system definitely will be a profound tribute to the memory and unqualified patriotic contribution of ProfessorAboyade’s contribution to the unfolding of an economic renaissance in Nigeria.

Reforming the national planning systems is, therefore, a first critical strategic policy move to make.This first and most fundamental step in this reform process would be to create a shift from central planning to a mix of strategic planning and scenario planning that creates critical balance between short, medium and longterm planning. Important as a support is future research and contingency planning that strengthens early warning strategic policy intelligence and response capacity.

Secondly, the development planning theory underpinning national planning as framework and assumptions must be right.

Otherwise, the country, technically, is not planning at all. Thirdly, the role of the state

as macro-assumption must be properly defined and operationalised relative to the private sector in their shared responsibility as engines of growth of the economy.

Professor Aboyade proposed a new framework for planning that promises high impact and effect on sustainable development. In his words: “The inevitable framework for this is a new concept of planning that embraces the whole economy and is fitted to a long-term perspective of social change. This must call for a new form of planning organisation for better social communication. Planning in ... Nigeria must be a synthesis of ‘planning for policy’ and ‘planning for resources’.

Professor Aboyade’s position was that for any economic policy to have intended outcomes, three ingredients are necessary.

“The first of this tripod base is minimisation of the immediate bottlenecks to expansion of output. The second is the necessity to reform strategic economic policies and make them mutually consistent for the requirement of optimum growth. The third lies in the area of social communication and the improvement of economic organisation for effective planned development. For good results, it is essential that proper measures are taken simultaneously on all these three fronts” (Aboyade 1971: 64).

Beyond the rhetoric, Nigeria’s future is hinged on how quickly and sustainably it diversifies its economic base. Economic diversification is the antidote to most of the development challenges facing Nigeria today. The weakening naira, the high and rising youth unemployment, terrorism in the North-East and disruptions of oil production in the Niger Delta are all rooted in the country’s limited economic diversification. There is, therefore, real need to look inwards to diversify both economic and fiscal base. Nigeria is superabundantly blessed with natural resources that could form the fulcrum for diversified economic activities.

Serious and ingenious thoughts and policies are needed to turn this comparative advantage into competitive advantage.

All levels of government should look inward to identify these opportunities and craft strategy to exploit them. This action will ensure all governments change their behaviour of depending on monthly Federation Account allocations to survive.

What are the potential alternative sources of fiscal revenues other than the Federation Account? What are the commercially

exploitable activities at the federal and state levels that could be developed? Is it tourism, Nollywood and other forms of entertainment, agribusiness, or agroprocessing? Whatever it is, by all means, national and sub-national governments should look inwards and focus on developing these as the way to true economic diversification, structural transformation and sustainable development.

Generally, sustained economic growth means increase in national output and national income emanating from rising aggregate demand and aggregate supply or productive capacity. This can only occur with lower interest rates that reduce the cost of borrowing and as such encourage spending and investment, increased disposable income that promotes household consumption, increased government spending, diversified and increased net exports. Others are good quality institutions, human capital development, favourable macroeconomic policy environment, and diversification of the economic base. National and subnational governments should focus critically examining this general framework in the specific context of the realities on ground with a view to identifying the main sources and ingredients of growth that is capable of ensuring the country produce and consume what it produces in a sustainable way.

We need to deepen the buy Nigeria campaign by deploying the full compliments of strategic development communication tools and skills. The essential message is that, every foreign good we consume creates jobs for foreigners at the expense of our people and transfers wealth to the countries producing the goods. It also contributes to weakening the naira through increased demand for foreign exchange to purchase these foreign goods. The inverse holds when we buy made in Nigeria goods. To encourage increasingly diversified productive domestic economic base with the attendant job creation, wealth spread, forex inflows and strong naira, we must patronise goods and services made in Nigeria.

As the adage goes, “fingers are not equal.”

This is true of the states. Some states are more advanced in socioeconomic development, in capacity, in policy, and in several other important areas. This is not a challenge but presents opportunity for peer learning for effective state level development. A starting point could be for states with less growth progress to choose a state among those

that are doing better and target it as a role model. Of course, this would be comparable States with similar characteristics and ‘endowments’, maybe geography, natural resources, markets, among others. What is the state doing differently that is giving it better results?

There is equally compelling need to promote national value reorientation through effective development communication strategy. There is need to ignite and reignite a new national mental model through national values reorientation and cultural change. This is especially true with our production and consumption pattern. Today, the growing and voracious middle class which is a major opportunity is turning into a challenge given their preferences for foreign made goods at the expense of locally made products. This class of people prefers to take foreign made cereals for breakfast. They prefer to travel overseas for medical care. They prefer to send their children to foreign schools.

A great positive signal will be sent into the national mental model if government in truth and in spirit is seen as genuinely making move to restore meritocracy in development management through depoliticisation of critical national appointments. This is the way to send good signal to upcoming generations that it pays to be skillful and talented. Meritocracy in key national development engagements would promote the best brains that are capable of making a major mark on development policy like Professor Aboyade. Politicisation of such appointments will neither ensure emergence of high performers nor produce the best results.

Promoting policy intelligence through institutionalised policy platform of ‘Town and Gown’ to foster policy and research synergy is core critical strategy move to establish Nigeria’s place in the knowledge age and global competitiveness. There is the need to leverage global knowledge networks and community of practice to drive policy.

Also important is the need to bring back the Aboyade’s era where strong interface between academic and policymakers was forged for effective development policymaking.

Academics, think tanks and research organisations are undertaking studies that are either not policy relevant or those that are policy relevant do not get to the attention of the political class and policymakers.

There is need, therefore, to strengthen and reinforce the policy-research synergy for effective development policymaking.

Rather than drive policymaking through ad hoc approach, better structured and institutionalised policy setting that leverages ‘town and gown’ approach holds higher promise for development policy.

The possibility of an economic renaissance in Nigeria seems a far-fetched thought, given the present ravages inflicted by economic recession. We can point at the economic history of Singapore and the East Asian Tigers as encouragement. But in the final analysis, Nigeria must take her own steps, make her own history and transform her destiny through her own policy architecture that truly empowers.

• Being a paper delivered by Olaopa at Professor Ojetunji Aboyade 2016 memorial lecture organised by the Development Policy Centre (DPC), Ibadan, on Friday, 9th of September, 2016.

33

N

OTWITHSTANDING the dangerous curve the nation’s economy is navigating right now, President Muhammadu Buhari can still turn out a hero.

And that may not just be about how he handles the gargantuan matters of economy and insecurity, but more about how he interrogates the small issues that affect the lives of the people.

One of such is the management of the local government structure in this democracy. Not a few would agree that the local government system has been a major victim of the current democratic experience and anyone who would free that segment from the claws of the state governments would easily be scored a good mark by the people.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the local governments are the closest to the people. Of the three tires of government, the local government is seen as the true government of the people. The house of the local government chairman is far easily accessible and they are bombarded daily with issues of everyday life.

Under the military, there were no issues with funding of the local governments. The 1976 Local Government Reforms made them the third tier of government and ensured they collected their funds direct from Federation Account. That was the practice all through the military era. But the same military left the local governments in ruins on their departure in 1999.

Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution bequeathed to the country by the military guaranteed the system of democratically elected government in the local governments.

It, however, encumbered the councils when it empowering the state assemblies to make laws defining their operations. Part two of the Third Schedule to the Constitution established the States Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), which conducts elections into the councils, while the constitution further ratifies the existence of the Joint State and Local Government Accounts.

Those provisions have been used by the state governments to subsume the local governments under their control, whereby the state assemblies have passed laws that tamper with the tenure of local governments; the state governments have also assumed authority over the management of local government allocations, allotting to

18 September, 2016

the lynxeye with Taiwo adisa

08072000046

LG autonomy: Will PMB make my day?

them whatever they deemed fit.

The situation has worsened since the invention of the local government Transition Committees, which the governors put in place from time to time to evade council elections and keep the councils under their armpit.

Who will save the local governments? That has been the

Sunday Tribune

question on the lips of many each time the National Assembly embarks on constitution amendment. The National Assembly has done the needful twice, in 2010 and 2014, on the two occasions the state assemblies have shot down the bid.

And things are getting bad at the local councils. The councils, which used to be centres of leadership recruitment from the grassroots, have suddenly become ghost towns. I grew up in an era you can describe as the golden age of local governments. Almost all the major roads we have today in my hometown were constructed by local governments. And those performing chairmen always rose to become leaders at the state level as they easily draw the crowd to themselves during elections. Indeed, one of the chairmen won elections on three occasions.

Today, the glory of the councils has evaporated. Governors only “dish” out whatever amount that catches their fancy out of the hundreds of millions that the councils get. The 16 per cent of Federation Account due to the councils are simply added to that of the states’ 26 per cent. In effect, the governors are practically managing 42 per cent of the Federation Account.

Some governors have put forward the argument that a federation is usually made up of two tiers of government, the central and the federating units. They have insisted that councils should be made as adjuncts of the states.

That is as far as the argument can go. The constitutional provision right now is that councils are separate entities which are also entitled to ten per cent of states’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Rather than allot the councils their due of the states’ IGR, the states have appropriated all.

Can President Buhari weather the storm, rein in the governors and allow for local government autonomy?

If he does that, he will become an instant hero in many communities across the country.

His words are giving positive signals and the best thing he can do is to pull this through. He has a good ally in the National Assembly, which has twice passed the provision and I have no doubt the assembly will again pass it this time.

The signal of hope has already been ignited by the president on Thursday when he assured the nation his administration would support a constitution amendment to free local government areas from the stranglehold of the states.

interview

‘Nigeria will be better with women in charge’ Continued from pg 31 No. Before Chief Gani Fawehinmi, there have been people and organizations that fought the cause of justice in our society. This has also continued after him, particularly when you remember that Gani Fawehinmi had a lot of lieutenant who were with him through the course of his activism and have continued to sustain his legacy. He actually encouraged a lot of young activists who are still holding-forte and lifting the baaner of justice high. Some of the civil organizations that exist during Gani’s lifetime such as Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Women Arise for Change Initiative, Centre for Change, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Campaign for Democracy (CD) and United Action for Democracy (UAD), Global Alert for Defence of Youth and Less Privileged (GADLYP) and many others are still tireless fighting the cause of justice. Several others have even sprung up fighting and advocating against corruption and bad governance at various levels. So it will not be right to undermine the efforts of these tireless people and conclude that the civil groups die with Gani.

In terms of empowerment and engagement, what will be your rating of the current government on women inclusion in governance?

There have been shifts towards improved women’s political participation and representation. The national gender policy provides the framework for lobbying for affirmative action of at least 35 per cent for women in leadership and decision-making. We are close to this quota in appointive positions in the national and some state levels. However, the progress of women in elective positions and political arena is rather slow and limited. In terms of women economic empowerment, the current government will need to intensify efforts and implement the rec-

ommendation of the review of status of women in Nigeria which recommends among others that government create access to reproductive resources such as land, credit and technology for women. Generally, the government is trying but a lot more needs to be done as promised made by the government before coming on board. We cannot at this stage of our history relegate to the background, the role of women in building a formidable society.

At political rallies, you see more women than men in many cases. Yet, no woman has been

Power is not given freely in any society. It is fought for and won. Therefore, Nigerian women would have to stop agonising; they must start to organise themselves and be more involved in the political parties’ politics and policies

elected governor in Nigeria let alone president.

History is likely to be made in the United States if Americans elect Hilary Clinton. What are Nigerian women not doing right in this regard? What can be done to take leadership from men?

Power is not given freely in any society. It is fought for and won. Therefore, Nigerian women would have to stop agonising; they must start to organise themselves and be more involved in the political parties’ politics and policies.

More women will need to join various political platforms and assert themselves in such platforms. Women should rise up and play more concrete and significant roles in the political parties. Their activities should be beyond tying head gears and singing at political rallies. The few women who have already attained some political positions such federal, state and local government levels will also need to encourage other women to contest political positions and also support them in the race. The political parties’ administrators should also be engaged and lobbied to provide opportunities for women to contest elective positions. Political parties should also be legally compelled to implement affirmative action in their party structure and elections. Most women in Nigeria don’t have the kind of money men throw around during elections, so, women should be specially supported financially to compete favorably with their male counterparts. Women must support each and unite across party lines and see themselves as a group, women group must restrategise on how to lobby government for the implementation of CEDAW and other international and local instruments that support increase women’s participation and representation in governance. Women must arise and participate to occupy their rightful position of leadership in this country and I am assured that with women in charge we are sure of building a society better than what we have now. Finally, I can assure you that woman is the future.

34

18 September, 2016

ON THE

Sunday Tribune

With Bolanle Bolawole turnpot@gmail.com 07052631058

lord’sday Rio Paralympics and other stories

“P

EOPLE are crying but you are laughing. Is anything the matter with you?”

“Those crying - na dem sabi.

Why must a man add to his woes?” “You cut a picture of someone satisfied with the suffering in the land. Are you one of those afflicting us with this mother of all suffering?” “Of course, not.” “Why, then, are you not showing it? Why are you pretending as if all is well with you?” “It is survival tactic. The name of the game is survival of the fittest.” “Only the super rich can survive the anguish and agony in the land. A bag of rice is N22, 000. And another fuel hike is knocking” “Stale news.” We have been warned rice will sell for N50, 000 before December and petrol for N500 at the rate things are going.”

“These are no cheery news items. Yet, you still have the mouth to laugh.” “Laughter is a pain-killer if you did not know it.

You must survive these times to tell the story.” “I see! Your laughter is make-believe; you are one of those pretending all is well even when fire is actually burning you under cloth.” “Exactly! And that is the trick; otherwise, man fit join them quick, quick commit suicide. The rate is alarming these days.” “But someone said economic depression is not the only source of depression. A person who was jilted hanged herself the other time.” “That’s right; but at the root of every misery lurks money.

Ask the man who jilted her why he did. It may be he ran away with a more promising prospect.”

“Each day, I spend long hours ruminating over what has come upon us...” “Please stop! I don’t want to read of your obituary any time soon.” “I cannot avoid it...” “You can! If I can, then, you, too, can” “Tell me the secret.” “Look on the sunny side of things. Laugh at things that ordinarily should make you angry. Allow the many jesters out there entertain you for free.”

“You talk of jesters as if you don’t know you have to pay through your nose to go watch them entertain.” “There are those who entertain for free.” “I don’t understand.” “Each time, I go to the news stand with jotter and biro and copy expensive jokes from the powers-that-be.” “What for? Those callous beings have caused and are still causing us excruciating sorrow, which they are now touching with their finger?”

“Correct! But, I do it for my own good, not theirs.” “Tell me, how does it work?” “A few quick examples; listen as I read from my jotter: ‘Politics is not war. I advise politicians to see politics as sport where there is always a winner and a loser. That way, we will not have major conflicts in the community. When you contest an election and someone else has won, felicitate with that person, hoping that tomorrow will be another day when you will have your day.”

“Good! Which pastor gave that beautiful advice? I will recommend him for Nobel Peace Prize” “Pastor ko; pastor ni! It is no less a person than Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State” “Eeewo! God forbid

bad thing: The man who fought Armageddon with Rotimi Amaechi to grab Rivers ?”“Exactly! As we speak, elections remain inconclusive in that state.” “But how can a man be so audacious? He speaks peace with his tongue, but his stomach surely bristles with AK-47 and Improvised Explosive Devices.” “Don’t blame him; it is part of the survival strategies of the times.

Have you listened to Amaechi himself? They are birds of a feather.” “How, then, can any reasonable man stomach such nonsense?” “For your own sake, not theirs, you must learn to laugh it off.

When politicians in this clime have perfected rigging plans, they go to CNN to accuse the opponent of plotting to rig.” “You are right! When they have armed their thugs to the teeth is when they allege that someone else is bringing in thugs to scuttle elections.” “After Wike won his own do-or-die battle, he must hide the ladder he used to climb to the top.” “Not just hide but burn it!” “Thanks for the correction. Now, let me read you another of my jottings.” “I am all ears.” “‘The Anambra State Police Command has warned criminals operating in Onitsha and its environs to leave the state or face dire consequences. We have a new operational order for the ember months, which is to occupy all the black spots until the criminals relocate. They must relocate to other states or give up criminality.” “Chineke!

Where should the criminals relocate?”

“To your backyard, possibly!” “Tufia! God forbid! Which dumb policeman said such a thing?” “A senior police officer; an Assistant Commissioner of Police for that matter, one Abubakar Yahaya!” “Are they not called the Nigeria Police to secure all of Nigeria and not just one locality?”

“Correct. They are to apprehend and not relocate criminals; curb and not disperse crime.” “Did you say an ACP; someone a step or two away from being a CP?” “A potential IGP if you care to know. I wonder where he got his training...” “Or if he ever

heard of cross-border bandits like Shina Rambo or Boko Haram. He should return to the Police College and begin again as a recruit.” “Don’t be too sure; the next you hear about this officer, he may have just been named...” “Named what? You make me laugh...” “Thank God you too are beginning to laugh. That is what the times demand if you are not to go bunkers...”

“This is a funny country. Only someone without a sense of humour will think of committing suicide in this country.” “Listen to this: President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the 16-year rule of the PDP was a waste – no savings, no infrastructure, no power, no rail, no road, and no security.” “It is obvious the president exaggerated; there was a little of all the things he mentioned, but probably not in the right quantum.” “Most of the time that the president had spoken off-the-cuff, he had committed unpardonable gaffes.”

“We must pardon him; he is not an academic.” “I want to ask you a question: does the president use a phone?” “What kind of question is that? Have you seen a Nigerian who does not have GSM? Even beggars have GSM. I have seen that with my korokoro eyes.” “If Buhari uses GSM, we must ask him who brought GSM to Nigeria.” “I see! GSM was not a military invention; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo berthed it long before he publicly tore his PDP membership card.” “You can see that the poor are not the only ones suffering from depression.” “You make me feel for the president; he too must be going through a lot of agony to have simply forgotten that PDP brought GSM.” “For all you care, he might be holding a gold-plated GSM phone when he made that statement.

The next jotting may make you cry.

They said about 5000 workers recruited by former President Jonathan stand the risk of losing their jobs.” “Again! With all the retrenchments by the banks, oil companies, industry, GSM companies, etc.?” “Yes, one goon at the Federal Char-

acter Commission said the appointments did not reflect federal character.” “What does that mean? Were those employed Cameroonians or Ghanaians?” “Not at all; the goon said slightly more southerners than northerners were employed...”

“So it should have been the other way round?” “Exactly; just as we have had in all appointments, secret and open, made by the Buhari administration; after every 10 northerners, one southerner should be introduced to balance the equation.”

“And you call that balancing; such unfair, unjust, and inequitable system?” “You are unnecessarily working up yourself again.”

“You call that unnecessary? Where is your sense of justice?” “It is inside my cap. I wear it inside my cap, but you wear your own as a badge. That way, you could soon get killed. Beware of EF...” “I don’t give a damn!” “Sacrilege; that statement is the copyright of Jonathan.

Only those who survived General Sani Abacha are today telling the story of Abacha. Only if you survive these harrowing times will you tell the story tomorrow. I can see you are troubled already...” “I am all ears; fire on!” “The Sultan has said the herdsmen unleashing mayhem all over the country are foreign terrorists...” “...Did he say that; did he use those exact words?”

“Yes, he did, I swear.” “It means then that Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State was right with his anti-grazing law. He, too, called them terrorists and said they would be treated as such.” “Thank God , you have brightened up again. Daughter of the assassinated Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Chief Bola Ige, said Nigeria is not worth dying for. The great Zik had also said so.” “Honestly, I don’t know whether to agree or disagree; these things demand tact...” “...Above all, a robust sense of humour.

Now, have you heard the news from Rio?” “Where we had the Olympics?”

“Yes. The Paralympics for the physicallychallenged is on-going. Team Nigeria has won 12 medals as at the last count, eight of which is gold and we are 10th on the medals table.” “You mean where the able-bodied failed woefully, physically-challenged people are shinning like lodestars? This is a shame” “It is not; the able-bodied men and women were also handicapped in a very important sense. They were financially-handicapped and, therefore, motivationally-challenged; hence their very poor outing” “Did we have any reason to believe, then, that the authorities pumped more money into the Paralympics in sympathy with their condition?”

“Not at all; if we know the authorities well, the handicapped would have been treated much more abjectly than the able-bodied” “What, then, accounted for their spectacular success?” “Favouring someone does not mean he will do well and putting someone down does not mean he will remain there.” “This is food-for-thought.”

“Yes; where there is a will, there will always be a way.”

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Sunday Tribune With Rita Okonoboh tribunechurch@gmail.com tribunechurch@yahoo.com 08053789087

tribunechurch World Christians worried over Nigeria’s food situation

O

NLY weeks after the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought joined Nigerian Christians and Muslims to launch the International Centre for Inter-Faith Peace and Harmony (ICIPH), in Kaduna State, the WCC has declared that the nation’s food situation calls the attention of churches and partners around the globe.

With 4.5 million people in need of assistance, out of which one million are in danger of extreme malnutrition, according to the United nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the food crisis currently unfolding in north-eastern Nigeria is likely the worst in the world, reports Bloomberg.

A central cause of the crisis in the region, reports said, is the upsurge and ongoing violence perpetrated by the militant group, Boko Haram. Since 2009, tens of thousands have died, and millions have been forced to flee their homes. From displacement follows the grim consequence that people can no longer plant their crops and produce the food they need.

And while the security situation in the North-East appears to be recently somewhat improving, ”the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the region gives no room for complacency,” states Nigeria Mission 21 in an August 2016 report.

“The world and Nigeria don’t realise how bad this is,” said Arjan de Wagt, UNICEF’s chief of nutrition in Nigeria, in an interview in Abuja, last week. “In the area of food nutrition, if you look at the level and the indicators, I’m not aware of anywhere you have this magnitude and this number.”

“In past years, the World Council of Churches has had a sustained and proactive engagement for peace in Nigeria, and a strong Christian commitment to walking together in pastoral solidarity with the people of Nigeria, with those who are suffering, or have suffered, as individuals, as families and as communities,” said WCC general secretary, Reverend (Dr) Olav Fykse Tveit.

“I believe any conflict and religiouslymotivated violence in Nigeria must ultimately be solved by the Nigerian people

A young girl collects what remains after a food distribution to IDPs who have fled Boko Haram at the Upperroom Cathedral to the Holy Spirit in Yola, Adamawa State PHOTO: KATHLEEN CAULDERWOOD themselves, but as part of an international community, we must do all we can to offer support to peace efforts in the country.

“As the gravity of the food situation

now grows, it is our hope that together, through the work of the new peace-centre, our partners and not least the network of the ACT Alliance, we can reach out as

communities of faith, raise awareness of the situation in Nigeria and help alleviate the suffering of those who are hungry,” Tveit added.

Churches have role in change agenda —UMCA Biola Azeez - Ilorin A professor of Religious Ethics, Inter-religious, Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Jacob Ayantayo, has said that there is a need for change in certain practices in the church to make the church go along and contribute to the success of the change agenda being prosecuted by the Federal Government.

Ayantayo said the church was not left out in undesirable practices that stifled development of the country and about which change is desired.

He stated this when he delivered a lecture entitled: “Standing Up from the Fence: The Onus on Theological Institution to Drive Change Agenda Mission In Nigeria,” at the 58th graduation ceremony of United Missionary Church Africa Theo-

God set to rebuild Nigeria, food prices to come down soon —Prophet Pg36

logical College in Ilorin in Kwara State.

The don, who said there was institutionalised corruption in the country, explained that corruption was characterised by time wasting, environmental pollution, idleness, laziness, materialism, commercialisation of religion, favouritism, nepotism, falsehood, manipulation, cheating and injustice.

He said like it happened in the country, generally wastage of resources and time was witnessed in many churches to the detriment of the welfare of the congregation and economic growth of the nation.

“Nigeria is a place where both material and non-material resources are wasted with no ignominy in both private and public places. In many religious centres, so much of what could be described as hardearned resources are voted to building reli-

Secular artistes now envy gospel musicians —Jonas Dan

Pg37

gious centres, camps, colonies and castes which have no direct economic values for the congregation.

Ayantayo said that it was a wrong practice to make members of the congregation spend, in the church, so many hours that would include the productive part of time they ought to have used to do something producctive capable of imrpoving their standard of living.

The provost of the college, Dr Olusegun Olawoyin, while congratulating the graduating students, who completed programmes in certificate in Theology; Diploma in Theology; Diploma in Church Music; Bachelor of Theology; Master of Divinity; Master of Arts in Theological Studies; Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry, admonished them to “drive for true change in Nigeria.”

‘Nigerians are good at praying but don’t live holy lives’ Pg38

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With Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 08074497425

churchnews

God set to rebuild Nigeria, food prices to come down soon —Prophet Sam Nwaoko - Ado Ekiti

T

HE General Overseer of Holy Trinity Authority Prophetic Church, Prophet James Omitade, has charged Nigerians to remain prayerful, saying things would ease and “Nigeria will soon become Jerusalem again.”

Prophet Omitade told TribuneChurch in an interview that God revealed to him that the current economic hardship in Nigeria would soon be over and prices of food would come down.

Omitade said: “The Lord will rebuild Nigeria. The country will become a Jerusalem once again. God says we will rejoice over famine as it happened in Samaria in the Bible A bag of rice will be bought for N7,500. Prices of goods and services will come down, nations will rush to Nigeria to be blessed by the Lord.”

According to the cleric,

“as it was in the 70s and early 80s, most countries of the world will patronise Nigeria. Developed countries would become visafree for Nigerians because they shall become delight of the Lord.”

In the prophecy he entitled: “The Hands of God for Vengeance,” he, however, warned that “there would be a big storm in Nigeria, which would shake it to its roots before the year runs out, even till the second quarter of next year,” adding that “it will sweep mostly those who have stolen from Nigeria’s coffers unless they come out openly to confess and return what they have taken from the treasury.”

The cleric also held that “this year is a year of reward for those who have devalued the country through stealing, looting and corruption. God wants to visit them with some problems and some will abscond or abandon their homes.”

On the continental scene, he said he saw that “an African country would soon be faced with political instability and several coun-

tries would donate food and relief materials to alleviate their suffering.”

He also predicted that “a big star will soon fall in La-

gos State,” while also contending that “in the north, there is also the need for prayers against cerebrospinal meningitis.”

From left, Pastor Samuel Johnson; chief host, Pastor M.A. Alawode; Good Women Leader, Pastor (Mrs) E.O. Alawode; guest speaker, Reverend (Mrs) V.I. Adejoro and chairperson on the occasion, Mrs Bola Kolawole, during the first Good Women anniversary of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Orisun Agbara Jesu, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan, Oyo State, held at the church auditorium. PHOTO: YEMI FUNSO-OKE

Over 5,000 Catholic men pray for Nigeria Sylvester Okoruwa - Lagos OVER 5,000 members of the Lagos Archdiocese Catholic Men Organisation gathered at St. Gregory College, Obalende, Lagos State, for three days to pray for the nation and learn how to improve their lives spiritually and economically.

The Vicar-General of the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, Right Reverend Monsignor John Aniagwu, said that since men played a very important role in the home and the church, there was the need for such convention to boost their moral and spiritual growth so that they would be able to carry out the mission of the church, which was working for the salvation of souls and the improvement of human lives in the society.

On the issue of the current recession in Nigeria, the cleric said that Nigeria had the human expertise to guide it out of its present economic woes, noting that all government needed to do was to identify those who could salvage the situ-

ation by leaving partisan politics out of it.

According to the President, Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, CMO, Mr John Aigbokhaode, “every year, men of the diocese come together to seek the face of God.” The National President, Catholic Men Organisation, Dr Basil Adebajo, noted that the aim of the convention was to develop the men spiritually and to prepare them for the future.

While assessing the Buhari government, he said that eighteen months was too short to judge or assess them, and advised Nigerians to be patient because there was no gain without suffering.

Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; Chairman of Diamond Bank, Pascal Dozie; Dame Felicia Okolie; Francisco Abosede; Reverend Father Melvin Mayaiki; Reverend Father Anthony Fadairo, and many others, received awards for their financial and spiritual support toward the growth of the organisation.

Sunday Tribune

From right, wife of the Vicar and Archdeacon of Odo-Ona Archdeacondary, Deaconess Seyido Ogunrinde; the preacher, Mrs M.V. David and Mrs E.A. Jesulola during the Mother’s Union thanksgiving service, held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Odo-Ona, Ibadan, Oyo State, recently.

From right, President, Lagos Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), Mr John Aigbokhaode; Vicar-General, Lagos Catholic Archdiocese and Parish Priest of St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos State, Right Reverend John Aniagwu; Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ojota, Revd Father Melvin Mayaiki; immediate past president, Lagos (CMO), Chief Emeka Asoegwu, and the National President, (CMO), Dr Deji Adebajo, at the 2016 annual convention and induction ceremony of the Lagos CMO, held at St. Gregory College, Obalende, Lagos State, recently. PHOTO:SYLVESTER OKORUWA.

Current economic situation needs divine intervention —Abolarin Biola Azeez - Ilorin The Leader-in-Charge of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ifesowapo, Ologodidan Headquarters, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Special Apostle Michael Abolarin, has called on Nigerians to seek God as the solution to the current challenges facing the country.

The cleric disclosed this last week, stating that “Nigeria presently is in need of divine intervention for solutions to the numerous challenges confronting it.

This has become a great challenge for every Nigerian, especially devoted Church members and other patriotic citizens.

Speaking at a forum to share the activities of the 20th anniversary of the church, which would include visitation to OmuAran General Hospital and Medium Prisons, Abolarin stated that the visit was to afford members the opportunity to impact on the sick, underprivileged and the needy.

According to him, the anniversary celebration, which would begin tomorrow and end on Saturday, September 24, would feature free healthcare services, crusade, drama, and other activities and also take members to Oke-Igbala Leprosy Centre, along Omu-Aran-Ilorin Highway, Kwara State.

He urged members of the church to reflect on the significance of the 20th anniversary to improve their spiritual devotion in order to gain the desired salvation.

He also said the anniversary period was a veritable platform for members to intercede on behalf of the nation’s leadership through prayers for workable solutions to the nation’s socioeconomic challenges.

Expected personalities at the event include: Special Apostle J.O. Daniel, Chairman, C&S Movement, headquarters, Ilorin; Dr Solomon O. Alao, Chairman C&S Unification, Niger State; Prophetess Bosede Adimabua, President WOWICAN, Kwara chapter; the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Oladeele Ibitoye, among others.

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Secular artistes now envy gospel musicians —Jonas Dan

source of our inspiration is God and I believe that if we pray to God and He gives us songs, He will also give the beat or lyrics for each song He gives to you. But if your source of inspiration is not God, you will always struggle and will be left with no choice than to borrow beats from the wrong source.

There are also claims that the power of gospel messages and music is fading away as a result of iniquity in Christendom. How can there be restoration?

God is the reason for every message we send in our music as gospel ministers and I don’t believe that the good message of the gospel will fade away because of sin, Romans Chapter 5, verse 8 states that “but God commended His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” So, sin cannot stop the gospel because even before the sin was committed, Christ has already forgiven and paid for it.

Instead, God will raise other vessels to continue with the assignment while He waits for the repentance of the sinner.

Jonas Danielson Ugochukwu, popularly known as Jonas Dan, is one of the gospel artistes poised to reshape the Christian music ministry. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, he speaks about his sojourn into gospel music, among other issues.

W

HEN did you discover you had the penchant for music?

I discovered my penchant for music at a very tender age, precisely when I was nine years old, maybe because of the fact that I was young, I did not know what I was carrying then.

But it became clearer to me when I was growing up.

I was able to define and develop my passion from being an amateur to a professional gospel artiste. I thank God that the vision has gotten a shape now and God has manifested Himself through this calling.

Were there any challenges that almost turned you off?

There were challenges, but God’s grace has kept me. It has been from glory to glory.

How would you describe your genre of music?

I do African traditional/Afrocentric rock. But sometimes, I delve into other kinds of music, depending on how I am led by the spirit of God. Do you think gospel artistes are doing enough to win souls for Christ?

Definitely yes and even more, especially in the world we are living in today where people are tired of the whole system and need a message of hope and salvation to help draw them closer to God. The industry now has so many artistes. How do you hope to stand out?

I believe there’s time for everything under the heavens.

I’m not in competition with anybody because I believe my own time is waiting for my emergence and moreover, the sky is big enough for every bird to fly.

There are reports that there are caucuses in the industry. If this is true, which do you belong?

I don’t know about any other but the Fellowship of Gospel Music Ministers of Nigeria (FOGMMON), under the leadership of Asu Ekiye and that is where I belong.

Sunday Tribune

the right message to people?

Yes, and as a matter of fact, gospel music has the real message because any message you pass that does not edify or lift your spirit towards God is mere noise. Gospel music heals, saves and delivers from any ugly point of life. So, gospel music sends not only the right message, but also the best messages.

Some gospel artistes have claimed that there is nothing wrong in adding some elements of secular music into gospel songs. How would you react to this?

God has a standard and you cannot use the world’s standard to measure God’s standard. One man’s meat is another man’s poison. Others may not see anything wrong with it, but I see everything wrong with it. As gospel ministers, the

If you were not into music, what would you be doing?

I would have been a soldier, businessman or a professor. These were my second options. Though, I didn’t have military training, I wanted to become a solider because I hate to see the peace of people threatened. I also love helping people and as a soldier, I would have been in the war front to protect my country. If I was a professor, I would have loved to bring change in the education system. Lastly, the fact that I love to be self reliant fuels my passion for business.

Are you working on any project at present?

Yes. I just finished the video shoot of one of my hit songs in my album entitled “Ogologo.” And as I said earlier, I’m currently working on my second album.

Words for your fans?

I want use this medium to appreciate them for their support over these years, especially for their prayers, criticisms and support which have helped me to grow. I promise to make you all proud because my best is yet to come. Remember, no devil can stop us.

Why did you venture into gospel music?

This is what I have been called to do. Gospel music for me is beyond mere singing, but a call to preach the good news to nations around the world and I’m doing that through music. So, it’s either gospel music or nothing.

How many albums do you have to your credit?

I have one album which I released in 2013, and I’m presently working on my second album. The secret is that I am not in a rush to release albums often, but to ensure the songs have impact in people’s lives.

How will you rate the gospel music industry compared to the secular?

In the past, it used to be secular music everywhere, while gospel musicians were not known and taken serious, but the reverse is the case today. Gospel music has taken over and gospel musicians are well placed in the world today and widely accepted to the envy of the secular world, such that most of them are now returning to gospel music.

What is your assessment of the gospel music ministry in Nigeria?

My assessment is that it has fully taken over just like the Bible said that “the glory of God will fill the earth as water covers the sea.” The only thing I think we need to do is to re-strategise and work on quality delivery, packages and marketing system to enable gospel music take full dominance in the world.

Do you feel gospel artistes are actually sending

General Overseer of Sanctuary of Christ Evangelical Church and Chairman, Oyo State Pastors’ League, Pastor (Dr) Gbade Ojo (middle), receiving an award of excellence at the just-concluded Pastors’ League conference held at Sanctuary of Christ Evangelical Church, Adesola, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Cleric seeks prayer for public office holders

By Remi Anifowose A cleric, Pastor (Dr) ‘Gbade Ojo, has called on all Christian faithful to pray fervently for all political office holders for God’s guidance in leading the people, while urging

Christians to participate actively in politics.

He said this while delivering a lecture at this year’s Oyo State Pastors’ League seminar held at the Sanctuary of Christ Evangelical Church, Ibadan, Oyo State.

While speaking on the

theme: “The Kings Chapel,” Pastor Ojo averred that political office holders needed to be guided by the word of God in their activities, noting that Christian leaders and the church had the responsibility of reshaping the nation and the polity.

The seminar, which was conducted among the local governments in Ibadan zone, featured Apostle P.A. Alimi, who spoke on the topic “Glorified Ministry,” and Apostle Kunle Adigun who spoke on the topic “Little Foxes.”

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Sunday Tribune

Nigerians are good at praying but don’t live holy lives —Awowole

Pastor Bode Awowole is the General Overseer of the Followers of Christ Gospel Mission Incorporation, Ibadan, Oyo State. He speaks with OLAIDE SOKOYA on his experience as a minister of God and how Nigerians can move the country forward.

H

OW did you become a cleric?

I received God’s call in April, 1976. The first general overseer of the church slept in the Lord on September 29, 2009. I came on board after the general overseer died; I was the general secretary before that time. In 1999, I became a full-time minister and was ordained as a deacon and later a pastor. Becoming a full time minister was a battle between God and I because I was doing very well in my job as an engineer. I found it difficult to leave the job just like that without another source of income. Later, I left the job and focused on the ministry fully; I started with a branch but today, we now have five branches in Oyo State.

relied so much on oil and have forgotten other avenues that can be developed. There is no alternative but to go back to agriculture. Nigerians are good at praying but we are not living holy lives; we are still living in our past, which is darkness. We should seek the face of God and ask for forgiveness of sin, so that everything will change for the better for us in the country.

How has the recession affected your church?

The economic recession is really affecting churches, not only my church. Almost all the church members are government workers/salary earners and many have not received salaries for the past six months and we cannot ask them to steal for the development of the church. The rate at which tithes and offerings dropped is alarming.

You have been in the ministry for over 30 years, what are some challenges you have faced?

I faced so many challenges. If someone is doing God’s work and has not faced tribulations, the person has not done the work to the point of excellence. But if you have focus and you truly know the person that called you into the ministry, the fear will be minimal. The first challenge I faced was that of finance. When the first general overseer died and I took over from him, we had so many things to put in place but we were financially handicapped. So many problems also emanated from the children of God but I thank God that I was able to scale through.

How did you come about the theme for your convention, “The Celebrated Saint?”

Recently, I was passing by a popular place here in Ibadan and I saw a crowd with pallbearers dancing and singing with a coffin. Immediately, I heard the voice of the Lord telling me that as they were all dancing and singing, how many of them would heaven rejoice over when they died?

Those people that would be celebrated in heaven are the celebrated saints and so, I was directed to the book of Revelation, Chapter 7 verse 17, on which the theme is based.

What is your view on the economic recession?

With your experience as a cleric, how would you say Christianity has influenced society?

Christians do not have the fear of God anymore, rather, they fear their pastors. Being a Christian is not about title, popularity or fame; we have dumped what the Bible teaches for worldly things. We now take proclamation of the gospel with levity. If we have as many churches and we lived righteously, things will not be hard like this.

The present economic recession has been on for a long time but we were not aware. It is now that everything seems upside down that we have noticed it. If we take a very good look at it, it is not that we don’t have resources in this country but we lack good managers. I have been to Israel about four times and I’ve observed that their land is not as fertile as our own here. They are on irrigation but they export 80 per cent of their crops and live on the remaining 20 per cent. The agricultural sector there is thriving. How much more Nigeria that is very fertile and blessed with resources? Our only problem is oil. We have

What advice would you give to the government?

The more we pray in this nation, the more suffering and hardship we see. Why? Let everybody forsake sin and allow holiness to reign in our land. Enough of political propaganda and “change” slogan without positive change.

Alleviate suffering, hunger and crime by creating job opportunities for unemployed graduates. Government should improve our economy by adding value to the naira in order to help companies with regard to raw materials.

President Muhammadu Buhari should find lasting solution to terrorism and the activities of militants. Where dialogue is necessary, let us make use of it because the blood of the innocents is crying for vengeance. Let us join hands together to move Nigeria forward.

‘Church growth, revelation of God’s grace’ THE Minister-in-Charge, First Baptist Church, Ibadan, Oyo State, Reverend Stephen Ogunbode, has described church growth as a signifier of God’s grace.

He also stated that God’s favour and blessings are what makes a church excel physically and spiritually.

The cleric stated this at the grand finale and anniversary thanksgiving service of the FBC, Idikan, held last Sunday as part of activities marking the 110th anniversary of the

church, with the theme, “Divine Uplifting.”

Noting the efforts of past ministers in ensuring the growth of the church, Ogunbode highlighted some of the achievements to include church expansion and planting, renovation, productive evangelism, investment in education, among others.

The week-long event featured health talk, revival services, free medical test, football match, musical concert, among other activities.

Present at the event in-

cluded the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Reverend (Dr) Samson Ayokunle; Pas-

tor, Union Baptist Church, Odi-Olowo, Osogbo, Osun State and Chairman of NBC, Reverend (Dr) Olumide Ke-

hinde; President, Ibadan Baptist Conference, Reverend (Dr) Yemi Adekunle; guest speaker and Pastor,

FBC, Garki, Abuja and President, Abuja Baptist Conference, Reverend (Dr) Israel Akanji, among others.

Commit security to God, Pastor Akinloye urges govt Abiodun Jimoh - Benin City FEDERAL and state governments have been called upon to commit security into the hands of God as the only remedy to the incessant security challenges in the country.

Disclosing this was Pas-

Reverend (Dr) Stephen Ogunbode ministering at the 110th anniversary of the First Baptist Church, Idikan, Ibadan, Oyo State.

tor Lawrence Akinloye, Akure DCC Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Igan, Akure, Ondo State, while speaking with newsmen at a recent event.

He advised government to be proactive in their approach in tackling the

menace since insecurity had taken its toll on the lives and property of the people over the years.

Pastor Akinloye, who cited the challenges in the North-East and Niger Delta area in the country, said: “My advice to the government concerning the secu-

rity of the country is that they should be proactive in their approaches in tackling it, as we have seen it that security has become a difficult thing for the government to solve.”

He also called for cooperation with security personnel.

From left, President, Ibadan Baptist Conference, Reverend (Dr) S.A. Adekunle; President, Nigerian Baptist Convention and President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Reverend (Dr) S.O.A. Ayokunle; his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Ayokunle; Chairman, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Reverend (Dr) Olumide Kehinde and former Pastor, First Baptist Church, Idikan, Reverend (Dr) S.A. Adedokun at the anniversary.

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tribunechurch

18 September, 2016

livingword

dawnofanewera with Most Revd J.O. Akinfenwa

By Bishop David Oyedepo Call 7747546-8; or e-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese

What is in the Name of Jesus that Heals? (3) IN previous editions of this teaching, we established that Jesus is the Great Physician and one of His great prescriptions is the name of Jesus. We also examined, what is in the name of Jesus that heals? In this edition, will shall be exploring other healing virtues that are resident in the name of Jesus, which includes: The anointing that heals is in the name of Jesus: No doubt, the healing anointing resides in the name. When Annas the high Priest and his men asked Peter by what power or name he performed healing miracles, He answered: If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole (Acts 4:910; see also Isaiah 9:6).

Remember in scriptures, there is the story of a lame man who never walked and was at the Beautiful gate daily. However, Peter saw him and said: …Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God (Acts 3:6-8).

The importance of wisdom (1) THERE are some things which are indispensable to living a fulfilled and successful life. One of such things is wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to answer the question how which in turn will empower a man to have know-how.

“Wisdom is less about academic intelligence, cognitive abilities or analytical skills, although these can help significantly. Instead, wisdom refers to the ability to see the “big picture” and translate one’s experience and knowledge into good judgment and decisions.” David Chan Wisdom is an acquisition we cannot do without if we are to have our lives count.

“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].” Proverbs 4:7 Amplified Bible For most people there isn’t much of a problem as to what they want to do. Many people are not bankrupt of what they want out of life but the real problem is how to translate it to reality. The problem is always a problem of wisdom. Times have changed and we must understand how to respond well to make the best out of life.

“At one time we had wisdom, but little knowledge. Now we have a great deal of knowledge, but do we have enough wisdom to deal with that knowledge?” Jonas Salk We live in the information age where you can get virtually any information at the click of a button. The issue is no longer access to information but how to use the information we have access to.

“There was a time when knowledge was power. Knowledge was power because so few had it and because so little was known by anyone. Then knowledge was power because so few had access to education, to facts, and to information. And then it was power because it was hard to find, hard to access, hard to organize, and hard to under-

Sunday Tribune

It was simply an invocation of the name of Jesus that ended that man’s ordeal.

Furthermore, we discover among other things that by the anointing: • When we anoint the sick with oil in the name of Jesus, they are healed: As it is written: Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him (James 5:14-15; see also Mark 6:12-13).

There is healing virtue in the name of Jesus. For instance, when we are on a rampage against mosquitoes, we spray an effective insecticide and the mosquitoes drop effortlessly. Likewise, as we invoke the name of Jesus, demons of sicknesses and diseases drop helplessly. However, it is important to know that the name of Jesus is only a strong tower of healing for the redeemed (Romans 18:10). Therefore, until we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, we cannot invoke His name.

That is what it means to be born again. If you are ready for this new birth experience, you can say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.

Your Life Counts

by Tunde Jaiyebo 0803 406 2013

stand. None of this is still true.

Now knowledge is something less. The Internet has made knowledge ubiquitous.

Facts and information are easy to find, easy to sort and organize, and easy to understand. And it is portable. What used to serve as a differentiator and a source of power is now neither.

Knowledge isn’t worth as much as it once was. It isn’t enough to know the facts, the options, the features, and the benefits of your product or service—especially if I can Google them.

What is increasingly valuable is wisdom.”

Anthony Iannarino Wisdom is first in order of importance, other things are important but wisdom is first in order of importance. Wisdom is the main thing and everything else is secondary. Once the principal thing is faulty everything else becomes faulty - get wisdom right and everything else will be right, miss it with wisdom, miss it with every other thing.

Every problem and crisis in life can be traced to a lack of wisdom. Foolishness is the result of a lack of wisdom. A man who lacks wisdom is a stranded man. Wisdom is what produces the way out and the knowhow. Wisdom makes a man to think before he talks or act.

“An ignorant man is always able to say yes or no immediately to any proposition. To a wise man, comparatively few things can be propounded which do not require a response with qualifications, with discriminations, with proportion.” Horace Mann.

To be continued For enquiries/comments please send email to charismokola@yahoo. com

The mercy of God WE thank God for the gift of another new week. Our God has kept us and blessed us; and on the Lord’s dayit is just apt and correct to show our appreciation to God.As we celebrate the blessings of the Lord, a song comes to mind: I have seen the Lord’s goodness His mercies and compassion I have seen the Lord’s goodness Halleluyah! Praise the Lord.

That song is very true. It is God’s mercy that has brought each one of us this far.

Our being alive and well today is not about what we deserve; it is all about His mercy.If not for the mercy of God, many of us would have been in terrible positions by now. It is the mercy of God that keeps us going when we should have ground to a halt.

Mercy means compassion. It is kindness or forgiveness shown to a person we can easily deal with or vanquish. When you have power over a person, and the person does something that deserves punishment, but you choose to forgive, that is mercy. How many times has God done that for you? You know that you deserve God’s punishment, but instead of punishment, what you experience is another blessing of God. That is the mercy of God at work. The Psalmist says of our God, Psalms 103:10-11 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

Mercy is also a compassionate disposition.

It is knowing that the person you are approaching will listen to you with acompassionate disposition. That he will not tell you, “You are stupid! Get out of here!!” Instead, he will speak comforting words or take actions that bring you peace and comfort.

Once, while describing God, Apostle Paul hinted at this merciful disposition of God. He wrote to the Corinthians: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. That is our merciful God. He comforts us when the world thinks he should be punishing us.

Mercy is easing of distressor pain. Many times when David the Psalmist was in distress, he would call upon God to show him mercy. What David meant was that even if the pain was deserved, God should act in mercy to reverse it. In Psalm 6, he says, Psalms 6:1-2 O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

Apostle Paul realized how vitally important the mercy of God is for life in the kingdom. To show us the importance of mercy, he takes us back to the story of the patriarchs.

theapostolicmessage

By Pastor (Dr) G.O. Olutola JP.

A new beginning As Isaiah 55:11 puts it: “His words does not return unto Him without achieving the purpose for which it was spoken.”

Listen to what God says in Isaiah 55:12 – 13: “…the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing…instead of the thorns shall come up the fir tree, instead of briers shall come up the myrtle tree…”

These are the pictures God is painting for your future experience. Instead of disappointment, there shall be appointment; instead of barrenness there shall be fruitfulness; loss replaced with abundance; breakthrough for meltdown, promotion for demotion or stagnation, good health in place of sickness, and open doors for closed doors.

Your past has gone, don’t think about it again. Your future contains more happiness than any past sorrows you can remember. Don’t be anxious or worried about your needs, family, career, marriage, business, academics or your ministry.

Listen to God speak in Isaiah 46:10, 11: “…My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure…yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” Nothing will stop what God has purposed for you not to come to pass. But let not doubt rob you of what God is set to do for you. You can only be the barrier to your experiencing this new beginning. “If only you will believe, you will see the glory of God” (John 11:40). It

was the impelling doubt in the hearer’s mind that gave birth to this statement.

It is a new thing that God is going to do that will bring you a new beginning. It has happened in the lives of others and now it is your turn: to have a new job, a new car, breakthrough, promotion, freshness in your marriage, a new house, a new baby, a new position and above all, a new name (Isaiah 62:2).

All these will be done by the unchangeable Changer; the One who rules over earth and heaven.

Fear not. He has said it and He will do it.

Meanwhile, God had earlier charged the Israelites in Isaiah 43:18 not to remember the former things nor consider the things of the old. In other words, they should forget when they struggled to be a nation among nations, when He (God) drowned Pharaoh and the powerful forces of the Egyptians’ army in the Red Sea. “He is the One who brought them through the Red Sea, destroying the pursuing Egyptians at the same time. But the Exodus is forgettable compared to what He is now going to do. He will make a road through the desert for His people as they return from captivity” (William Macdonald).

They should not focus on their previous captivity and God’s deliverance. Instead, they need to look up in the present and see that God is doing a new thing. And this leads us to another important topic.

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language&style

by Samson Dare 0805 500 1770 samsonadare@yahoo.co.uk

Senate on randy lecturers!

S

Sunday Tribune

18 September, 2016

AMPLE 1: “She noted that she was preparing the evening meal when suddenly the sound of sporadic gunshots rented the air around their village, a development which made everyone, men, women, young and old to scamper everywhere for safety”(Fulani Herdsmen Made us Widows---Agatu Women, The Sun, Sunday, March 27, 2016) I draw your attention to the curious form, rented, which occurs in the following context: “sporadic gunshotsrented the air.”

The various forms of this word together with other forms with which they are often confused have been discussed several times on this page. Since the confusion evidently lingers, it is expedient for us to look at the forms again with a view to securing better understanding on the part of our readers. Repetition and reiteration are important for the purpose of making points clearer and enabling them to be properly digested. In some places, we will feel free to adopt and adapt some of the words we have used previously.

The verb from which the formrented is supposed to derive is rend, meaning to break through violently, to tear apart, to make a loud, deafening noise. The form rented has been presented by the reporter as the past form rend.

However, there can be no mistake about the fact that the writer’s head is racked by confusion regarding the forms rend, rent and rented. There is the verb rent, meaning to take and use for some time, say an apartment, a facility, a vehicle, etc, for a fee. The forms of that verb are: rent, rents, renting and rented.

Usage examples: 1) She rents a car every week for that purpose.

2) He has been renting out his father’s houses for the past five years. 3) The facility was rented for five hundred thousand naira. 4) I have not rented any house since I secured this job; the company has been providing accommodation. 5) The university has been renting facilities from the company.

The noun form of that verb remains rent: 1) She always takes a loan to pay her rent.

2) When is your rent due? 3) Rents have gone up astronomically since the increase in the prices of petroleum products.

4) Is the house for rent? 5) We pay an annual rent of one million naira.

We need, however, to distinguish the various forms of the verb rent from the various forms of the verb rend. The verb rend has the following forms: rend, rends, rent, rending. As we have noted, this verb means to tear violently apart, break into pieces with violence, to utter loud, deafening noise. Usage examples: 1) Every night, the noise of carousing men rends the air.

2) When the president arrived, shouts of ‘APC’ rent the air. 3) A hefty branch of the huge tree was rent by the storm. 4) Heartrending stories of death and destruction were told by the hapless returnees. 5) Her loving and innocent heart was rent by a bitter disappointment. 6) It was the tradition of the ancient Hebrews to rend their clothes as a sign of penitence. 7) The rocky hill was rentby an earthquake. 8) It was a terrible crash in which the vehicle was rent into two.

It is important to note that the past tense of rend is not rented but rent; the past participle is not rented but rent.

It is also important to note the difference between rend and render. The following sentences are defective: 1) We are *rending an account before the end of the financial year. 2) She narrated a soul-*rendering story of how her husband and children were brutally murdered. 3) He collapsed while he was *rending a song. 4) That sad development *rendered her heart. 5) Increased technology seems to be *rending many workers redundant.

Those sentences are re-presented as follows with the appropriate word replacing the wrong one in each case: 1a) We are rendering an account before the end of the year. 2a) She narrated a soul-rending story of how her husband and children were brutally murdered. 3a) He collapsed while he was rendering a song. 4a) That sad development rent her heart. 5a) Increased technology seems to be rendering many workers redundant.

At any rate, the form rent should replace rented (as the past tense of rend) in the context under review.

Sample 2: “Talks about how university teachers use their overbearing advantage over their students to intimidate and seduce female students is widespread…The proposed legislation, whose sponsors span across all geo-political zones of the country, also stipulates as offences solicitation of sex or sexual advances by lecturers which result to intimidation, hostile or offensive environment for students…”(Senate Takes on Randy Lecturers, TheNation, Sunday 8 May, 2016) Let’s note the singular verb-form (is) which occurs in the following context: “Talks about how university teachers use their overbearing advantage over their students to intimidate and seduce female students is widespread.” It is clear, no doubt, that the verb (is) immediately preceding the adjective widespread is in its singular form. It is our duty now to identify the relevant noun/noun phrase whose singular status must have influenced the reporter’s choice of the singular form of the verb.

I think the appropriate place to start is to ask ourselves: What is the subject of the sentence? It should be obvious that the subject of the sentence is the noun talks. The next question is: What is the status of that noun---singular or plural?

I believe anyone with elementary education should be able to identify talks as a plural noun. I do suspect the confusion resulting in the choice of a singular verb-form in the place of a plural verb arises because of the long verbal distance between the subject and the verb slot. At any rate, given the plural nature of the subjectnoun, talks, the verb is hereby changed to its plural form: are.

Let’s note the expression span acrosswhich occurs in the following context: “the proposed legislation whose sponsors span across all geo-political zones of the country.” Please note that the preposition across following the verb span directly does not normally collocate with that verb. I have this gut feeling that the usage of the verb span has been confused with that of spreador cut. Of course both the verb spreadand cut can take the particle across but span cannot.

Now read the following sentences: 1) The deadly activities of the Boko Haram insurgents have spanned four years now. 2) She had a brilliant career that spanned almost thirty years. 3) The Old Oyo Empire spanned almost the entire geographical area now known as Western Region of Nigeria. 4) The marine scientist claims that the pollution spans up to one hundred nautical miles. 5) The pipelines conveying fuel to various parts of the countryspan over one thousand kilometres. 6) The desert, we are told, spans more than five thousand square miles. 7) The proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge will span thirty kilometres.

8) The Prophet Elisha’s ministry was said to have spanned fifty years. 9) Wole Soyinka is unique as a writer in that his writings span all the genres of literature. 10) His career as a civil servantspanned the tenures of five Heads of State.

Please note that in each of those sentences, the preposition across has not been allowed to collocate with span.

The discussion of the excerpt continues next week by God’s grace.

However, there can be no mistake about the fact that the writer’s head is racked by confusion regarding the forms rend, rent and rented

line

life with

Niyi Osundare

Random Blues Like watching a game Whose outcome you already know Say, like watching a game Whose outcome you already know Life sometimes undermines its own surprises You enter its temple with a cautious bow

Fence truth in With a battalion of lies Say, fence truth in With a battalion of lies Over the rotting carcass of falsehood Countless crows, uncountable flies

White lies Black lies Say, While lies Black lies But in the zone between Grey harvests the pristine prize

Between their pragmatism and prostitution The difference is as thin as a whistle Yes, between their pragmatism and prostitution The difference is as thin as a whistle Prone, always prone, like a lizard Deaf to the Voice Within and its relentless hassle

Learning without character Is a blind and timeless bomb Yes, learning without character Is a blind and timeless bomb A lethal toy in a madman’s hand Will turn the world into a boundless tomb

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18 September, 2016

Sunday Tribune

Ekiti tops 2016 NECO standings, improves from 2015 results As gov warns teachers against excessive loans Sam Nwaoko - Ado-Ekiti

E

KITI State amassed a total of 96.485 points in the 2016 National Examinations Council (NECO) senior secondary school examination results released recently, to come tops among the states that participated in the examination.

The result was a marked improvement on the 10th position which the state stood at, after the results of the 2015 examinations were released while also bringing the state out of the 29th position it stood at in 2013 and 2014.

The state government, while reacting to the results, said it was as a result of several factors that were put into effect by Governor Ayodele Fayose when he became the governor in October 2014.

Speaking on behalf of the governor on the significance of the result, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, attributed the success of the state’s candidates to “the immense efforts Governor Fayose has put in supporting education in the state.”

According to him, “it is a heartwarming development because the administration has so far committed a total of N411.7 million to paying a total of 5,130 ‘core subject’ teachers under the new scheme.”

According to Adelusi, Fayose said the students’ feat was “an indication that effort of his administration to reposition education in the state was already yielding results,” and added that “the governor was particularly happy that no fewer than 37 per cent of the state’s candidates that sat for WAEC in 2016 had minimum of five credits including English and Mathematics while similar feat was recorded in 2015.”

Comparing the summary of analysis, breakdown as well as statistics of the state’s results in the last five years, precisely from 2012 to 2016, candidates performed significantly better in 2015 and 2016 than in 2012, 2013 and 2014 during which unimpressive performance was recorded.

Checks obtained from relevant government establishments showed that the state came 17th of the 36 states of the federation in the 2016 WAEC results just released recently, rep-

resenting 53% success.

In the same vein, the state came out 17th in the 2015 WAEC results, representing 37 per cent success. The state however came 35th in 2014, 28th in 2013 and 22nd in 2012 respectively.

The percentage of failure recorded range from 75 per cent in 2014, 44.55 per cent in 2013 and 35.75 per cent in 2012.

Also, in the recent WAEC released for 2016, Ekiti placed 11th of the 36 states, with 8,954 out of its 21,333 candidates obtaining credits in five subjects and above including English Language and Mathematics.

He said the state presented a total of 13,690 candidates in 2015, while in 2016,a total of 21,333 candidates were presented,

out of which 8,954 recorded more than five credit pass including English and Mathematics.

He said: “I recall that Mr Fayose was the first Ekiti state governor to organise an education summit in 2003 during his first tenure, the result of which was that the state ranked 7th in the country and the first in the South West then.”

“It is however unfortunate that successive administrations failed to follow the trend, hence the failures that greeted such wicked oversight.”

Meanwhile, Governor Fayose has advised teachers in the state against what he referred to as “too much loan” from the commercial banks.

The governor said this remained the best way

From left, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; the celebrant, Chief Alani Bankole and former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, at the birthday lecture in honour of Chief Alani Bankole, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE.

to cushion the effect the dwindling revenues of the state, culminating in delay in payment of salaries is having on them.

The governor promised to carry out reforms that would solve the perpetual problem of over-deduction of salary of workers through the biometric payment system introduced to block loopholes being used to siphon the state’s resources.

Fayose, who spoke during an interaction with teachers from public primary and secondary schools at Ola Oluwa Muslims’ Grammar School, Ado Ekiti.

Being part of the efforts to check discrepancies in salary payment, Fayose donated 400 laptop computers to Accounting Officers operating in the state and Local Government levels, to collate vouchers and show to teachers before onward transmission to the Accountant General’s office for payment.

The Governor warned that the teachers should not be oblivious of the fact that a popular loan called ‘sharp-sharp’ introduced by one of the commercial banks was fast becoming a burden rather than benefit.

Edo needs a competent, credible manager as governor, says Obaseki Benin palace chiefs endorse Ize-Iyamu Banji Aluko - Benin City THE candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo State governorship election, Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state needed a competent, credible and hardworking governor to efficiently manage the state resources and execute people-oriented programmes.

Obaseki made the assertion on Saturday at an interactive session with civil society organisations in the state. He noted that with declining oil revenue and reduction in federal allocation to states, fresh ideas were needed in the running of government.

According to him, “the political base can no longer be restricted to people with traditional political anthem; we now need to infuse fresh blood, thinking and resources into our politics, and that is what people like me came into the political scene to characterise.”

I believe that I fit into that new paradigm of governance.

With a successful career of over 30 years as an investment banker and wealth

management expert, and the valuable experience I have garnered as chairman of the state’s economy and strategy team in the last eight years, I am very clear on the direction that we should be looking in order to move the state to the next level of infrastructural development, industrial growth and technological advancement.”

“Lagos has shown itself as a model, and I don’t see why we can’t have other models in Nigeria with Edo blazing the trail as a mini-sized Nigerian state that can survive as a country. To achieve this status, we require competent, credible and hardworking managers, and that is what I am.”

Meanwhile, some Benin palace chiefs have thrown their weights behind the gubernatorial ambition of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, describing him as the most prepared person to rule the state.

The palace chiefs, who were joined by traditional priests (Igiehon-Ohen), businessmen and women and professionals, an-

nounced the endorsement under the auspices of a socio-cultural group, Nedoghama Nedo.

At the end of meeting held at the weekend, members of the group leb by the Eson of Benin Kingdom, Chief Amos

Osunbor, said the PDP candidate has the capacity to restore the lost glory of the state.

Ambode begins inauguration of 114 LG roads Bola badmus - Lagos LAGOS State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday, kicked off a week-long commissioning of 114 roads newly constructed in all the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, with a pledge to commence the construction of second round of another 114 roads across the state soon.

The construction of the inner roads, which was an initiative of the Ambode administration and in fulfilment of his campaign promise, was geared towards massive intervention on access and link roads, boosting security and increasing the socio-economic well-being of residents of the state.

The newly constructed 114 roads which were designed with walkways, medians, street lights and standard drainage systems, were selected two per each of the 57

LGs and LCDAs in the State.

Governor Ambode, while speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Ikorodu North LCDA, said the feat was not a confirmation of a promise kept, but a testimony of the popular saying that nothing could stop a people who had resolved to move forward.

Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Oluranti Adebule, recalled the contract of hope which he signed with the people during the campaign and his inaugural speech, adding that the completion of the 114 roads was a dawn of community development accelerated through inclusive governance and a historic leap of faith for his administration and the citizens.

“This means that the road network in our state has increased by 56.1 kilometres.

It means that we have added 112 kilometres of walkways and covered drains.”

And it means additional 56.1 kilometres of our roads are being lit by independent powered street lights to improve the security of our neighborhoods, the visibility of pedestrians, commuters and motorists as well as creation of a night economy.

“At a time the national economy is facing financial challenges, our administration is able to inject over N19 billion into the economy of our state, stimulating employment and engaging the business sector.

“No fewer than 89 local companies executed the road project with supervision by the communities and government. About 5,700 direct jobs were created for professionals, artisans and labourers in the construction industry. A larger number of people, approximately 10,000 suppliers and dependants felt the positive impact of this stimulus package in their lives,” Governor Ambode said.

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news

18 September, 2016

18 Nigerians died in Saudi Arabia, says NAHCON •As Nigerians protest seizure of e-wristbands

By Saheed Salawu with Agency Report

T

HE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed the death of eight more Nigerian pilgrims who took part in this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

This increased the number of deaths among the pilgrims from 10, which was recorded as of Arafat day, to 18.

Head of NAHCON’s medical team, Dr Ibrahim Kana, made the confirmation at the post-Arafat stakeholders meeting held at NAHCON’s head office in Umul Jud, Makkah.

Kana, however, described

the death rate for the 2016 Hajj as the lowest in five years and attributed the development to enhanced sanitation, increased medical awareness and compressed national medical team.

He listed states that lost pilgrims as Kwara, Kogi, Bauchi, Taraba, Niger, Kaduna, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as international pilgrims.

He said two pilgrims died in Madinah, three in Muna while 13 died in Makkah, including a man who suffered renal failure.

According to Kana, despite repeated warnings, the medical team detected about five pregnant women who escaped into Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, NAHCON chairman, Alhaji Abdullah Mukhtar, stated that the commission would not hesitate to sanction any state whose pilgrims embarked on agitation at the airport.

He also said that all states who failed to give their pilgrims BTA as well as those who collected Adiyya (money for ram slaughtering) and failed to remit same to NAHCON would be penalised.

In another development, Nigeria is set to protest the seizure of electronic wristbands taken to Saudi Arabia for use by its pilgrims, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.

The Consulate-General, Nigeria Consulate in Jed-

dah, Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Yunusa, said this at the post Arafat meeting organised by NAHCON on Friday in Makkah.

The wristbands were introduced by NAHCON to monitor each pilgrim’s movement and facilitate easy identification when the need arose.

However, thousands of the items were seized at the airport in Madinah by security officials and all entreaties by Nigerian officials for release fell on deaf ears.

Mr Yunusa said the action of Saudi authorities ran counter to the understanding reached by the two governments before the introduction of the wristbands.

From left, Mrs Bada Rachael; bride’s father, Pastor Peter Ola Oluokun; the groom, Mr Samuel Bada and his wife, Esther; bride’s mother, Deaconess Bola Oluokun and groom’s father, Pastor Tolu Olayiwola Bada, after the wedding service at the Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Aremo Assembly, Idi-Obi, Ilupeju, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday. PHOTO: ALOLADE GANIYU.

2 million Nigerians trapped in areas controlled by Boko Haram —UN ABOUT two million people are trapped in North-Eastern areas still controlled by Boko Haram and are facing serious humanitarian conditions, the United Nations

has said.

This was disclosed on Friday in Geneva, Switzerland,

by UNICEF’s Chief of Nutrition in Nigeria, Arjan de Wagt, during a press brief-

ing by the UN Information Service.

According to Mr Wagt, who spoke with an online news agency, Premium Times, on telephone from

African Voices features continent’s fashion icons FROM the runways of London to Paris, New York to Milan, Africa’s fashion styles have been thrilling global audiences and generating rave reviews across continents.

It is, therefore, no surprise that Cable News Network (CNN) has chosen Africa’s fashion industry, reportedly worth over $31 billion as subject of discussion on this week’s edition of African Voices.

Sponsored by data grandmasters, Globacom, the 30-minute magazine programme is broadcast on CNN International at 10.30 a.m. on Fridays. It is repeated at 2.30 p.m. on Saturdays, 12.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Sundays. Viewers can also watch the show on Mondays at 11:30 p.m. and on Tuesdays at 5.30 a.m.

Globacom said the weekend edition of the programme would be exciting as it would

give viewers insight into the activities of new trendsetters in the continent’s burgeoning fashion industry.

According to CNN, those to be featured in the programme are Jenke Ahmed Tailly, Karim Tassi and Katherine-Mary Pichulik.

“We will start with a fashion icon out of Ivory Coast who is hoping to shake up the industry with his African heritage. And then we head to Morocco where a fashion designer is imprinting his city’s rich culture on crafty clothing, while also being inspired by international elements,” CNN stated.

Jenke Ahmed Tailly is an Ivorien and is regarded as one of the most influential stylists in the industry. He is a fashion editor, stylist, and consultant and works with heavyweights such as pop icons Beyonce and Kanye West, as well as reality TV

star, Kim Kardashian.

The second guest on the programme is Karim Tassi, a Moroccan fashion designer reputed for his rich fusion of indigenous fashion culture and international motif and described as putting into practice the motto “Art is born of the intermingling of cultures.” His style plays on the diversity and richness of contrasts; the mixing of cultures is his main source of inspiration.

On the other hand, Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the third guest, is a talented and creative South African entrepreneur and jewellery accessory designer.

She says: “the inspiration for my work comes from the alchemy of transforming everyday materials through craft, touch and design, and elevating them into something precious and covetable.”

Abuja, about two million people are still in areas which are inaccessible because of the security situation.

The two million people are in Borno State alone, he told Premium Times.

Regarding Bama, he said there was only access to the town of Bama and the IDP camp there, but not the other parts of the town.

He said the situation of the people trapped in Boko Haram-held areas was unknown, but that sometimes, UNICEF managed to get a glimpse when IDPs from those areas came to more accessible areas.

UNICEF could then check their nutrition and health status, which was bad, he added.

“Before April 2016, there was no access to most areas in Borno State because of the security situation. But since April, access has progressively become possible to some of the other areas,” he noted.

Mr. Wagt also raised the alarm over looming humanitarian disaster in the North-East.

Sunday Tribune

‘Ganduje’s administration inherited $28m, N6bn scholarship debt’ Kola Oyelere -Kano THE acting governor of Kano State, Professor Hafix Abubakar, has said that the state inherited about $28 million and over N6 billion as debt, with respect to foreign and local scholarships, respectively, from the immediate past administration in the state.

According to him, the financial commitment covered tuition and other allowances of students sponsored for various courses by the past administration in several universities in about 12 countries, as well as unpaid scholarships to thousands of its students in local universities for four years.

Abubakar, who disclosed this while receiving the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido, during the traditional Hawan Nassarawa homage at the Government House in Kano, however, stated that “the government is proud of such heavy responsibility since it is an investment in education.”

He noted that despite financial challenges facing the administration at the moment, efforts were being made to offset the liability.

Obaseki’s wife didn’t call Edo women prostitutes —APC Banji Aluko -Benin City THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, on Saturday, denied the allegation that the wife of its governorship candidate, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, described women in the state as prostitutes.

State Women Leader, Mrs Aisosa Amadasun, stated this in Benin over the weekend while reacting to comments allegedly credited to a former Executive Director to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Poverty Alleviation Agency and Women Mobilisation, Mrs Evelyn IgbafeOmokhodion, that Mrs Obaseki had, in a media interview, addressed Edo women as prostitutes.

The wife of the APC governorship candidate had, in the interview, blamed the past administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the hardship that forced girls in the state to engage in trafficking outside the country.

However, speaking at a media briefing, the APC Women Leader explained that Igbafe-Omokhodion misunderstood the content of the interview, even as she insisted that the opposition party destroyed the state during its 10 years in government.

Edo poll suspension necessary —Group EDO Green Movement, a pro-Godwin Obaseki campaign group, has said that events after the suspension of the Edo governorship election had since justified the decision to put the election on hold for securityreasons.

The organisation said, in a press release issued in Benin-City, Edo State, on Saturday and signed by its coordinator, Mr Felix Imoru, that the joint action by the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the election “actually saved the state from bloodshed.”

While commending the security agencies for the foresight, the movement noted that the fear of violence earlier entertained by the security agencies had been established and was being addressed.

Stating that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” the group called on members of the public to be vigilant and to report suspicious movements to law enforcement agents and called on the law enforcements agents to “be up to their constitutional responsibilities.”

Awujale commends Nigerian Breweries on culture development

By Seyi Sokoya IN its quest to support traditional institutions, one of the major brands of the Nigerian Breweries Plc, has received accolades from the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, as well as the natives (Ijebus) and visitors who trooped to the palace square for the 2016 Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode last week.

Oba Adetona, while being paid homage by the Goldberg brand team, showered praises on the brand and Nigerian Breweries Plc for strongly backing culture and tradition, thereby helping to ensure an enduring legacy.

He further stated that Goldberg had made innumerable contributions to the overall growth and development of the festival.

According to him, “nothing binds us more in unity than celebrating our beliefs and values. Goldberg is indeed a true brand for always recognising who we are as a people and celebrating with us.”

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Sunday Tribune

Let us create a world without wars —HWPL boss

By Tunde Ogunesan - South Korea WORLD leaders have been advised to ensure that their policies and teachings are aimed at ensuring peace throughout the globe.

This call was made by the Chairman, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Man Hee Lee, at a press conference in Seoul South Korea on Saturday, to mark the second commemoration of the September 18th Word Alliance of Religion’ Peace (WARP) summit.

Lee, in company of the chairperson of International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), Nam Hee Kim, said the media has a role to play in passing across the message of peace throughout the world.

According to Lee, “HWPL has gone around the world 24 times and run a marathon of proclaiming a new era of peace. Politicians, people of religion, women and youths around the world have promised to work together with HWPL to achieve peace; and the 2014 WARP summit was a continuation of these promises.”

From left, member House of Representatives, Mr Jimmy Benson; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule; the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Sotobi and Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Sonai Agunbiade, at the inauguration of 114 local government roads projects in Lagos State, on Saturday. NAN PHOTO.

Boko Haram, others selling women through WhatsApp, Facebook

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RMED groups, especially ISIS, Boko Haram, among others, now sell their female captives on WhatsApp and other social media, it has been revealed.

In a report written by James Cockayne, Head, United Nations University Office at the United Nations, armed groups have reportedly forced about 45.8 million vulnerable people into slavery and have also set up slave registries and markets, openly advocate for the revival of slavery through official mouthpieces, and have even issued “how-to” manuals on slavery.

One of the victims, Nadia Murad Basee Taha, who, in tears, recently recounted her torturous ordeal as an Islamic State sex slave, before members of the United Nations Security Council, brought to the knowledge of the officials the plight of more than 5,000 Yazidi women, children and men thought to be enslaved

by Islamic State and Boko Haram right now.

It is believed that the organisations are openly encouraging and organising slavery on a scale not seen since World War II, partly because of social media.

Recently, a member of Islamic State attempted to sell two enslaved women on Facebook, just as displaced female Syrian refugees in Lebanon had been traded on WhatsApp. The Islamic State relies increasingly on secure apps such as Surespot and Threema for its communications.

In the past year, the UN reports, fighters have used the encrypted communications app Telegram to set up online slave auctions, circulating photos of captured Yazidi women, including their age, marital status, current loca-

tion and price, who have been forced into labor works including construction, cleaning work, digging trenches, mining, agriculture, sexual exploitation and military service.

Murad, who is set to be inducted as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Sur-

vivors of Human Trafficking, has succeeded in bringing to global attention that slavery in social media age is not just Iraq and Syria’s problem, but a form of slavery that has become international. A recent UN Commission of Inquiry found that men from Algeria, Australia, Belgium,

Egypt, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Uzbekistan have participated in Islamic State’s enslavement and human trafficking crimes. Other armed groups are following suit.

•Details on page 23

Utomi urges Nigerians to wake up, tell FG the truth Kasali Qudus - Lagos PROFESSOR Pat Utomi, has urged Nigerians to live above board and speak the truth to the federal government, saying that the greatest challenge in this present time is the dearth of public conservations.

Utomi, who spoke at the second edition of the Tunji Braithwaite Foundation Symposium, themed: “Nigeria in Crisis: The Imperative of A New Socio-Economic Order”, explained that to ensure the restructuring of the ailing economy, Nigerians had to engage themselves in national conservations to discuss the truth.

“Our country is defined badly with men and women who are unable to speak the truth to power. At this time of our economic crises, and conflict that is self-inflicted, yet, only few people speak out on matters now challenging the country.

“The time to wake up and speak the truth to power from across the breadth of people in this land is now.”

“During Gowon’s administration, Nigerians such as Ahmadu Bello, held sway on issues in our country.

Unfortunately that is not the situation any more. Everything is now to engage in expen-

sive exchange of insults,” he added.

He said that Nigeria had been divided in the last one year than ever before, since the civil war, and that what had happened to the country was that there were so many corrupt people.

“It is the duty of citizens to be in the market place to help frame our children’s future,” he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Director-General, Electoral Institute of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , Professor Abubakar Momoh, warned that without massive investment in education, Nigeria would never be pre-

pared for the political and economic chances of the 21st century.

Momoh, who was the keynote speaker, said that for the federal government to actualise the change mantra, it has to focus on human development and set up a technocratic system of government .

“Unless we invest in education, we are yet to be prepared for the battle and the journey of the 21 century.”

“Change has to be human and people must be catered for, driven and focused.

Anything short of this cannot be related to the change agenda,” he said.

Group hails FG’s anti-corruption stance Chukwuma Okparaocha - Lagos THE Anwar-ul Islam Movement of Nigeria has hailed the Federal Government’s clampdown on corrupt public office holders, just as it urged the government not to neglect issues pertaining to the economic development of the nation as it continues with its quest of ridding the nation of its endemic corruption.

Speaking through its national president, Dr Mustapha Oshodi, during a press conference held at the Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School, Lagos, as part of events lined up to mark the 100 years of the establishment of the movement in Nigeria, the group said though it supports the anti-corruption crusade of the government, its empathy also lies with the masses who are the ones bearing the economic recession brunt.

AIG commends Lagos CP, officers

By Oluwatoyin Malik THE Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Abdulmajid Ali, has commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, and his officers and men for exhibiting professionalism and commitment to duties.

The AIG showered the encomium on the police boss and his men in his office on Friday while addressing the zonal management team on the effective policing of the zonal command and recovery of vehicles.

He particularly commended the recovery of a Toyota Highlander SUV with registration number GMU 300 AA, belonging to Super Eagles player, Wilson Obande Onazi, by men of the Lagos State Police Command last Wednesday at Shobiri Hotel, Ajangbadi, Lagos, abd the arrest of five suspects.

He also pointed out the rescue operation of accident victims which the police commissioner personally carried out with his men on same day along IlupejuGbagada road.

The AIG, in a statement signed by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, thereby challenged police personnel to emulate these good conducts and principles of service to humanity which would promote paradigm shift to modern and respected policing in Nigeria.

Gov Wike assents to two bills in Rivers RIVERS State governor, Nyesom Wike, has signed into law two bills passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The two laws are: The Rivers State Local Government (amendment No.1) Law Number 5 of 2016 and the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice No. 7 of 2015.

Speaking at the event on Saturday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said that the new local government law would allow

the governor to extend the appointments of the caretaker committees up to nine months. The extension is aimed at ensuring stability in council administration.

According to him, the criticism that the new law gives some caretaker committee chairmen third tenure is unfounded as the caretaker committees are not elected officials.

“Instead of three months or six months, this amended law allows the governor

to appoint caretaker committees for nine months.

It is not meant to keep the caretaker committees in perpetuity. Once we have elected councils, the elected officials will stay for three years, subject and for a maximum of two terms”, he said.

Responding to the opposition’s critism of the law, the governor said “those in the APC criticising this amendment have soon forgotten that they passed laws in two minutes while

they were at the State Assembly. This amendment has been done for the good governance of the state.”

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Dabo Adams, assured that the House would continue to perform her duties for the good governance of the state, just as the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhile, said the lawmakers passed the laws given their importance to the state.

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18 September, 2016

OJUDE OBA: Colour of a communal festival

Sunday Tribune

The 2016 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival, indeed, lived to its billing. The event, which took place on Wednesday, 14 September, provided a glittering end to this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

As expected, the event brought together all sons and daughters of Ijebu, who gleefully paid homage to the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

It was a grand celebration of love and unity.

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona during the 2016 Ojude Oba festival.

Oba Awujale Sikiru Adetona and Senator Ibikunle Amosun Ogun State Governor.

Balogun Alatise family at 2016 Ojude Oba.

Egbe Bobamoyegun Obirin at the event.

Egbe Tobalase Okunrin

Balogun Alausa family celebrating the event

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Sunday Tribune

Ojude Oba 2016

Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, presenting a cheque to Egbe Gbobaniyi Obirin Asiwaju.

Egbe Bobagunte Okunrin Akile with Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (centre)

Chief (Mrs) Bisilola Edionseri, presenting a cheque to Egbe Jagunmolu Okunrin Asiwaju at the event.

Miss Ojude Oba 2016 (second right) and runners-up with Commercial Coordinator, Business Enterprise, Globacom, Mr Folu Aderibigbe.

Egbe Bobamayegun Obinrin Asiwaju with their prize.

Staff members of Globacom at the event.

Balogun Kuku’s family.

Balogun Sarumi’s family.

Line up of contestants of Glo Miss Ojude Oba 2016.

Chief Wahab Osinusi, Chairman, Ojude Planning Committee presenting cheque to Egbe Bobagunte Obinrin Omo Oba.

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SUNDAY

Editor: Wale Emosu tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08111813054

6th Ochei Wheelchair B/ball competition:

Togo, Ghana confirm participation

Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi (left) is challenged by a Tanzanian player during a 2017 AFCON qualifier in Uyo.

By Niyi Alebiosu GHANA and Togo have confirmed their participation in the forthcoming 6th Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball International Competition scheduled to be held from October 3 to 8, in Lagos.

Also expected at the annual wheelchair basketball international competition being solely sponsored by the former speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Sir Victor Ochei, is Republic of Benin.

According to the president of the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria (WBFN), Bukola Olopade, who spoke to Tribunesport by phone from London on Friday, all states of the federation will

Rohr boosts Eagles ahead Zambia W-Cup clash

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OACH Gernot Rohr has personally phoned up the players to check up on them ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia.

Zambia will welcome Nigeria to Ndola on October 9 to kick off the mini-league qualifying series for Russia 2018.

“Rohr has been in touch with the players, checking up on them and encouraging them ahead of the World Cup showdown in Zambia next month,” a top official informed.

“He wishes to raise their confidence and self-esteem by this personal contact.”

Rohr will announce his squad for the Zambia showdown this week.

The Franco-German coach won his first match in charge of the Super Eagles earlier this month when they defeated the Taifa Stars of Tanzania 1-0 in Uyo. The former Burkina Faso trainer has harped on the need for the players to have self-belief after the failure of the country to qualify for two straight AFCONs. “The confidence has not

Sunday Tribune

been there because the team failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, but when results start to come, the confidence will

return,” Rohr had declared on assumption of duty in Nigeria.

“It is a difficult challenge (to qualify for the World

Cup). Nigeria are not the favourites after we did not qualify for the last two AFCONs, but we hope to be at the World Cup.”

Rio 2016 Paralympics end as Nigeria emerges Africa’s best

By Ganiyu Salman THE 15th edition of the Paralympic Games, Rio 2016 will come to a close later tonight at the magnificent Maracana Stadium, Brazil.

The Rio 2016 Paralympics which began on September 7 saw no fewer than 4,300 physically-challenged athletes from 161 countries, including Nigeria display ability in disability in 22 sports.

At tonight’s closing ceremony, President of the Brazilian Olympic Committee - Carlos Arthur Nuzman - and Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, are expected to hand over the Paralympic flag to 2020 hosts, Japan.

On hand to receive the flags on behalf of the Japanese would be Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister.

Defending champion, China, at press time remained unchal-

lenged on the medals table with 98 gold, 76 silver and 49 bronze medals as the Great Britain is next with 60 gold, 34 silver and 38 bronze medals, while Ukraine places third with 38 gold, 33 silver and 36 bronze medals.

The hosts are eighth on the table with 12 gold, 26 silver and 24 bronze medals.

Meanwhile, Flora Ugwunna, who won gold medal in the women’s javelin event

completed Nigeria’s outing at the Rio Paralympics on Saturday, as she finished sixth in the women’s discus with a throw of 19.03metres.

Nigeria recorded its best performance ever since its debut at the ’92 Barcelona Paralympics having amassed eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals to place 13th position in the world and the best team on the continent.

Sunday Adetunji, 3SC striker

SPORTS took the centre stage in the affairs of Lagos State last Friday as the state House of Assembly held a public hearing and Stakeholders’ Forum to discuss the bills for the establishment of two “important” organs for the development

of sports.

Besides moving to legitimise the Lagos State Sports Commission through the enactment of an establishing law, the state is also concerned with the issue of adequate and proper funding for sports and has determined to establish the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund to elicit private and corporate

Payment of match bonuses approved for 3SC players

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has approved the payment of match bonuses for the players of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan.

The players had embarked on strike few days to their NPFL match against Warri Wolves today in Warri but called off the strike after the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Yomi Oke, met with them on Thursday.

The players resumed training on Friday with the

promise that their match bonuses would be paid and subsequently they agreed to honour today’s (Sunday) match in Warri.

Tribunesport reliably scooped from its source in government that the governor, after meeting with the commissioner late on Thursday night, approved the payment of their match bonuses.

Though, the source declined to disclose the number of matches the bonuses to be paid would cover, Tribunesport gathered that the players will get four match bonuses as soon as they return from Warri.

contributions.

Giving insight into the two bills, the majority leader of the assembly, Honourable SOB Agunbiade who represented the Speaker, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, declared that the objective is to drive sports “beyond the common standards of excellence” in line with the motto of the

house.

“We are trying to reposition sports in the state. Henceforth, it will no longer be “Eko for show” but “Eko for gold” and this forum has been convened to avail stakeholders the opportunity of contributing to the lawmaking process to accentuate a fundamental tenet of democracy as government by the people.”

By Niyi Alebiosu

Lagos holds assembly on sports

By Niyi Alebiosu

participate in the competition aimed at preparing the national team for an international championship later in the year. According to Ochei, it will also serve as discovery ground for new players for the national junior and senior teams.

He also disclosed that the para-military and private wheelchair teams are expected to participate in the competition.

Olopade said: “I can confirm the participation of three neighbouring countries in this year’s edition of the Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Competion and this is an indication that the game is growing and we on the board will continue to do our best to ensure that the game gets better and appreciated.”

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Messi scores twice as Barca crushes Leganes

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ARCELONA’S attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were all on target as the champions roared back into life in La Liga with a dominant 5-1 victory at promoted Leganes on Saturday.

Messi sidefooted in a simple cross from Suarez to strike the opening goal after 15 minutes and returned the favour for the Uruguayan to nudge in the second in the 31st. Neymar stretched Barca’s lead to three goals on the stroke of half-time, tapping in another lay off from Suarez, before Messi got his second from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half.

Rafinha rounded off the most comfortable of Barca victories with a curled finish in the 64th, although Gabriel Appelt salvaged a goal for the Madrid minnows in

the 80th with a free-kick whipped into the top corner. Barcelona, beaten 2-1 by newcomers Alaves last weekend in their first loss at the Nou Camp since April 17, now have nine points

from their first four La Liga games.

They join Real, who can go clear again when they play at Espanyol today, at the league’s summit.

“This is an important vic-

tory against a team that we knew would cause us problems in bringing the ball out. We exploited the space well and we were very active from the start,” said manager Luis Enrique.

Kelechi Iheanacho scores for Manchester City against Bournemouth on Saturday. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Ronaldo, Bale out of Espanyol clash

City in the Premier League and Feyenoord in the Europa League.

“Players like Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic came partly because this is a massive club - but also because Mourinho is here,” he said.

Bale was forced off early by a hip knock as Real came from behind in dramatic fashion to beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 on Wednesday in the Champions League.

Ronaldo started Real’s fightback against his old club, but misses out this weekend due to illness.

“Cristiano won’t travel.

He has a problem with his throat and is not ready to play,” Zidane had said on Saturday.

“We are not going to risk anything and much less so with Ronaldo.”

Zidane also stressed Madrid’s busy schedule with five games in the next two weeks was also behind his decision to leave out Bale.

“He suffered a heavy blow (on Wednesday) so we won’t risk anything. All the players want to play, but we have a lot of games,” added Zidane.

“If Gareth gets another knock on the same area he could be out for 10 days or more. I prefer that he is 100 per cent for Wednesday (against Villarreal).”

Zidane hinted that James Rodriguez may finally get his chance to start for the first time this season in the absence of Ronaldo and Bale after impressing as a substitute against Sporting.

he blocked Iwobi’s goalbound effort with his hands.

Sanchez took responsibility for the penalty ahead of recent regular taker Santi Cazorla only to see his low effort saved by Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.

Walcott added a second goal shortly before the hour

mark when he got on the end of Iwobi’s clever flick with Hull defender Harry Maguire unable to head the ball clear.

Snodgrass gave Hull a glimmer of hope when he converted from the spot after Petr Cech had brought down Dieumerci Mbokani but Arsenal’s response was emphatic.

REAL Madrid will have to cope without Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in the quest for a club-record 16th straight La Liga win, as both will not be on duty today against Espanyol according to manager, Zinedine Zidane

Messi celebrating one of his goals on Saturday.

Cast your ‘burden’ aside, Mourinho charges Pogba JOSE Mourinho has advised Paul Pogba to forget his world record transfer fee in his bid to turn his form around.

The Manchester United manager thinks the Frenchman’s slow start to the season since his £89million move from Juventus is natu-

Pogba

ral following the amount of playing time he has had.

He also insists his 23-yearold midfielder – who has not scored or set up a goal in four games – will improve.

“The world-record player is always a question, but I

want Paul to forget that,” said the 53-year-old.

“He played in the Euro 2016 final, went on holiday, then had no pre-season. It is normal after the first game he has a little decrease.

“I am full of trust because

I know he is a good guy with a lot of ambition, so the form will come naturally.”

The Portuguese boss was also backed by Ander Herrera as the “perfect” fit for United despite two defeats in two games – by Manchester

Sunday Tribune

Arsenal wins 5-goal thriller at Hull ARSENAL forward Alexis Sanchez scored twice and missed a penalty as Arsenal comfortably beat 10-man Hull City 4-1 in a Premier League game at the KCOM Stadium.

Sanchez put Arsenal ahead when he got a touch on Alex Iwobi’s shot, but failed from the spot after

Jake Livermore handled and was sent off.

Theo Walcott added a second after the break before Robert Snodgrass pulled one back for the hosts with a penalty.

Sanchez struck a third before summer signing Granit Xhaka’s spectacular shot

rounded off the scoring.

Sanchez’s first goal owed much to fortune rather than personal brilliance as Iwobi arrived at the back post and saw his effort deflect in off the Chile international.

Livermore was shown a straight red card five minutes before half-time when

SIDELINES NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

18 SEPTEMBER, 2016

NO 2,064

www.tribuneonlineng.com

N200

The report that multiple taxation would force many small and medium scale businesses to shut down operations should naturally interest the nation’s decision makers. In a recession, when most businesses shut down, depression follows. It is hoped that those conjuring ‘phantom’ taxes would see current reality and future danger.

Yoruba nation, know yourself This is your political heritage ORN and raised in the course of the past six decades, in the era of ever-growing corruption and confusion in Nigeria’s political life, most of our younger Yoruba people are not aware that their Yoruba nation used to be a very decently governed nation indeed. Again, I urge Yoruba youths to check up what I am saying here: ask questions from older Yorubas, or read on the subject. There are many books and articles in which authentic Yoruba political culture is described.

The basic information is as follows. We Yoruba lived in many cities under kingdoms. But the details of our kingdoms’ governments were roughly the same. The king or Oba was the apex of government. We commonly called our kings the lieutenant of the gods, owner of all the land, and the holder of the power of life and death. But in reality, our system of government was one in which power was carefully divided and carefully balanced, so that abuses of power were made impossible.

Below the level of the king, there were the high chiefs – the heads (and representatives) of the main quarters of the king’s city. Below them there were the neighbourhood chiefs, and below these the heads of the family compounds (agbo-ile) in which we all lived.

The real government of the kingdom was the king and the high chiefs in council –the King-in Council. In this, the high chiefs met daily at the palace with the king, and there all decisions, all laws, all instructions, all orders, were made. There too, all highest cases were decided. Councils of the lower chiefs served a variety of purposes, and so did the council of the high priests.

Here is the structure of the beautiful system of balance of powers. It was against the rule for the king to make any decisions on his own; he could only join in making decisions in the King-in Council.

But after the King-in-Council had made any decision, it became the king’s decision – and it was announced to the populace as the king’s decision. It was against the rule for the high chiefs to claim that they had made the decision – only the king made decisions. In the process of making their decision, the King-in-Council worked closely with the councils of the lower chiefs and priests. Meanwhile, the high chiefs worked closely with the neigh-

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bourhood chiefs in their quarters, and the neighbourhood chiefs worked closely with the heads of the large lineage compounds (agbo-ile) in which all people lived. The chiefs also worked closely with the heads of the various associations of citizens – such as the Age-grade Associations, and professional associations (like Hunters Association, Artists Association, Smiths Association, Market Women Association).

Underpinning all this structure was a unique Yoruba system of political freedom. The Yoruba philosophy of political life is that all power belongs to the people.

Therefore, all citizens may speak and express their minds freely in all meetings and situations. It was called “to contribute their own wisdom”. That is why a Yoruba proverb says, “Both young and old has some wisdom to contribute; that is one of

or publicly execute him.

Even above these general provisions of governance, we Yoruba established a higher institution to safeguard lawful conduct among our rulers, chiefs and leaders.

This institution was known as Ògbóni or Osugbo, which existed in every town. All rulers, chiefs and influential citizens were required to belong to Ògbóni. On being admitted to Ògbóni, a new member was sworn to powerful oaths of secrecy, and of honesty and probity in all things. Ògbóni stood above and beyond the government of each kingdom – a sort of super-ordinary institution. It could try and penalize any ruler or prominent citizen, and its penalties were fearsome, and therefore every member feared to be brought before it for trial. This promoted discipline, order and dignity among the rulers and leaders

the foundations upon which we built our first kingdom at Ife”.

Also, because all power belongs to the people, the only way a person can become a ruler or chief among the Yoruba is to be so selected by his people. The people of a kingdom (represented by a high committee of chiefs) select their king from the pool of royal princes, and the people of the lineages select the chiefs from among themselves. In kingdoms worldwide, a king is succeeded automatically by his child (usually his oldest child), and the people have no voice in the matter – but we Yoruba rejected that completely.

Moreover, we established provisions for peacefully removing a king who becomes unpopular. If a king overstepped the established limits to royal power, or brought disgrace to the throne, we Yoruba could gracefully remove him by asking him to “go to sleep” (that is, to remove himself graciously through suicide).Unlike in other kingdoms worldwide, we did not have to start a mass rebellion against him or provoke a civil war

of society, and protected society and the common people from irresponsible conduct by powerful citizens. Ògbóni was a monument to the Yorùbá love of disciplined leadership, accountability in governance, and orderly communities.

Already we have, above,made some mentions ofhow our system compares with other peoples’ governments worldwide. Still, let us see what other people from other parts of the world say about our system. Here are a few comments by some Europeans, long before the coming of British rule over our country.

The first European to penetrate deep into our country and see something of our system of government, the English explorer Hugh Clapperton, did so in 1825-6.

His travel record repeatedly appreciates the Yoruba people as a people living under “regular government”, obedient to the laws of their land, very hospitable to strangers, very industrious, very artistic, etc. It says that the quality of care that these explorers got from Yoruba people and govern-

Iheanacho scores again as City wins 4-0

By Ganiyu Salman NIGERIAN international, Kelechi Iheanacho, for the third week running, was on the score sheet as he scored when Manchester City walloped Bournemouth 4-0 at Etihad in Saturday’s English Premier League match.

It was Iheanacho’s fourth goal in four straight games in the last 15 days.

The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Most Valuable Player (MVP), had on September 3 begun his goal haul when he netted the match winner for the Super Eagles against the Taifa Stars of Tanzania, in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Uyo. The wonder strike which came in the 78th minute, earned Iheanacho the CNN Goal of the Week award, for the first time in his career.

He returned to the EPL where he scored the match winner against Manchester United in a Manchester derby which ended 2-1.

Iheanacho also scored his first Champions League goal on Wednesday night when the Citizens walloped Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 a rescheduled game.

In Saturday’s game Kevin de Bruyne had opened the scoring in

ments was as good as they could possibly get in their own country. It describes the kings and chiefs as very dedicated to the business(the well-being) of their people, as particularly conscientious about peace and order in their towns, highways and marketplaces, and as highly dignified in appearance, dress and composure. The explorers arrived in a palace when an Oba was meeting with his high chiefs, and their record describes the meeting as the most solemn and most dignified gathering of people they had ever seen.

Then let us jump to the words of an American missionary, William H. Clarke, who travelled later throughout our country for four years, 1854-8. Here is how he sums up his appreciation for our system of government: “The highest excellence of the best government among white people consists in constitutional checks or limits to prevent abuses of powers. Strange as it may seem, the Yoruba people had studied out this balance and reduced it to practice, long before our fathers settled in America, before the barons of England had extorted the great charter from King John”.

We need some explanation here. In European history, the Great Charter, orthe Magna Carta, was forced on the king of England by the barons (provincial chiefs) of England in 1215 AD. It is the first time in European history that a king was made to agree to give up his total power and share some of it with the local chiefs. It established a balance of powers between the king and the barons, and it is therefore commonly quoted as the beginning of democratic governance in Europe.

What William Clarke is saying here is that, long before this Magna Carta, we Yoruba had very well mastered the principle and the practice of the “balance of powers” (the most excellent principle of governance), and we had made it the foundation of our system of government.

We might add that most of our city kingdoms were founded during the era (9001300 AD), most before Magna Carta, and that our system of balance of powers was common to all.

Let every Yoruba youth understand, then, that we Yoruba people created and owned one of the most orderly and decent systems of government in human history.

Next week, we will look at how we Yoruba got wrapped into Nigeria’s culture of governmental corruption.

Results:

English Premier League Hull City 1 Arsenal 4 West Brom 4 West Ham 2 Man City 4 Bournemouth 0 Leicester 3 Burnley 0 Everton 3 Middlesbrough 1 Nigeria Premier League El-Kanemi 1 Heartland 0 Nigeria National League ABS 3 Bendel Insurance 0

the 15th minute before Iheanacho, 10 minutes later, clinically connected Raheem Sterling’s pass for his fourth goal in four games. Iheanacho, while speaking after the game, said: “I am feeling great, I used to train very hard, play to instructions and score when the opportunity comes.

The credit goes to the management, the coaches and everybody. We feel invincible of course but we will conPOOLS: 14, 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, 34, 35, 41, tinue to work hard to get there.”

48. Today’s matches: 01, 06, 07, 08.

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