18th October 2015

nigeria’s most informative newspaper no 2,016

SUNday, 18 october, 2015

www.tribuneonlineng.com

Nigerian Tribune

NDLEA arrests man with 108 atm cards

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@nigeriantribune

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Nigerian Tribune

HID, a great African woman —Carrington

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N108B PROBE

EFCC plans to seize Akpabio’s assets pg49

Quizzes him again Cacol accuses FG of selective probe

hard it d in f e l p o e P ve 3 a h I e v ie l e b to ne kids —DJ Neptu

1 dead, properties razed in Ogun tanker fire accident pg54 Appoinments:

pg49

Go and commit •el-Rufai tells suicide aggrieved citizens Controversy rages over announcement of new Ooni From left, Ambassador Walter Carrington; Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu; Reverend (Mrs) Omotola Oyediran and Dr (Mrs) Arese Carrinton at the Ikenne residence of the Awolowos, on Saturday. PHOTO: TOMMY ADEGBITE

•No one can stampede us into burying our father — Obalufe’s family pg49

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18 October, 2015

CHIEF (MRS) HID AWOLOWO (1915 - 2015)

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1. Representatives of Our Saviour’s Church, Ikenne and Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Anglican Church, Ikenne, presenting letters of condolence to Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu.

2. Cross-section of clergymen from Remo Diocese with Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu.

3. From left, Dr Arese Carrington; Ambassador Walter Carrington and Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu.

4. From left, Mrs Tawo Olaitan; Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran; Mrs Florence Bimpe

Sunday Tribune

PHOTOS: TOMMY ADEGBITE

Akinyemi and Mrs Olanrewaju Olaitan.

5. From left, Onipeju of Ilupeju, Lagos, Oba Korede Bisade Phillips; Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu; Reverend (Mrs) Tola Oyediran and Prince T.A. Shoroye.

6. From left, Princess Femi Omololu-Thomas; Ambassador (Dr) Awolowo Dosumu; Reverend (Mrs) Oyediran and Pastor (Mrs) M.I. Onimole.

7. From left, Publisher, Hallmark Newspaper, Dr (Mrs) Betty Obasi; Prince Emeka Obasi and Ambassador (Dr) Walter Carrington.

8. Cross-section of Owolabi royal family from Agbeku, Kwara State.

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18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

A Life in Full: Ode to Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode (1933 - 2015)

In face of a gloomy prognosis You, Gamaliel Onosode, a valiant warrior, stood your ground and engaged death in a duel! This would not be your first encounter with mors whom you had always wrestled to the ground.

But on this occasion, Death met you standing in the departure hall As you had always wished...

Even though you'd grown weary of waiting, you still Fought a good fight, and the rest is now history.

O death, where is thy sting?

Fare thee well, generous and loving soul, Adieu, the doting husband of Susan, Vale, the committed Baptist from Ughelli, Till we meet to part no more, my classics ancestor, Heaven's gain remains my mortal loss...

In pace resquiescat!

Olakunbi Olasope, PhD. Formerly Head of Department of Classics, University Of Ibadan, Ibadan.

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18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

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CHIEFHIDAWOLOWO(1915-2015)

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

HID Awolowo, a great African woman —Carrington Oyakhire, others extol her virtue

By Olayinka Olukoya and Tunde Ogunesan

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ORMER United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, has described the late chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Chief (Dr) HID Awolowo, as a great African woman.

Carrington made this disclosure on Saturday, when he paid a condolence visit to the Awolowos in Ikenne, accompanied by his wife, Arese.

The former ambassador, who said they came from the United States, to condole with the Awolowos, said “everyone that knew anything about Nigeria had great reverance for the Awolowo family. For my family, we have known the family and admired them for a very long time. Since I was young, I’ve known about the Awolowos.

“HID Awolowo was a great woman, one of the great women not only from Nigeria, but [also] in Africa. I have admired her and what she has done for a very long time. I think the world is a poor place for her not being around again,” he said.

His wife, Arese, fondly recalled her relationship with the Awolowo family, which dated back to the sage and her grandfather.

According to her “this is a family that has done a lot not just for Nigeria, but for Africa. Mama HID is a woman we should all try to emulate, a role model, a pillar of strength. She has this quietness in her which you can benefit from without her being loud or obnoxious. She is very loving. I find it difficult to say words because I still feel Mama all around me. I hope that we will learn and live like her, because she lived an exemplary life.

“We will greatly miss Mama HID. That’s why we came from United States of America to pay a condolence visit to the family.

That shows you how important the Awolowos are to us and to Nigeria and Africa,” she said.

Also Emeka Obasi, publisher of Hallmark newspaper, and his wife, Bethy were at Ikenne to honour the Awolowos.

Obasi, said “Mama was truly a jewel; she will be missed for the ages.”

During the early morning message, Reverend John Ogunjimi of Venerable Peju Oyefuga Memorial Anglican Church, Irolu Remo, Ogun State, urged the people to

use their time justifiably.

In a short exaltation entitled “Let your time be useful,” Reverend Ogunjimi, advised people to ensure they fulfil their mission in the world before their time is up.

“There is time for everything. Whatever you’re doing must be done at a particular time. You’re created

by God for a purpose and we must make sure that we accomplish the purpose for which we were created.

There are some people that were created by God with a particular mission, like the biblical Samson. He had a mission from God, but have it fulfilled, maybe not as God destined, while we have Samuel who was

entrusted with the mission to deliver the Israelis.

The same thing with John, God created him to pave the way for the coming of Jesus Christ that people should not derail from the way of the Lord.

Former Deputy Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Tokunbo Oshin (left) presenting a posthumous award for Yeye Oodua, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo to the representative on behalf of Awolowo, the Associate Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Femi Olukunle organised by ex-Mays Global Charity, at Conference Hotel, GRA, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday. PHOTO: ALOLADE-GANIYU

Family urges support after burial

By Olayinka Olukoya and Tunde Ogunesan THE Awolowo family would continue to appreciate more love shown on the family after the burial of the matriarch of the family, Chief (Dr) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, immediately after her burial ceremony on November 25, 2015.

This was revealed by one of the daughters of the deceased, Dr.Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, on Saturday after the service held at Efunyela hall, Ikenne, while acknowledging the support the family had received people from all walks of life, especially from the clergymen from Anglican diocese, Remo, who had been organising a daily serive since September 19, when she died.

In appreciation, and harping on the topic of the day’s sermon titled “Let your time be useful”, delivered by Reverend John Adebayo Ogunjimi of Venerable Peju Oyefuga Memorial Anglican Church, Irole, Remo, Ogun State, Dr Awolowo Dosumu said “we thank you very much and we look forward to every morning like this. May your anointing be renew everyday, may it be increased everyday, refreshed everyday.

“And to everyone who have stayed with us, we still

have another month to go.

The support we need will actually begin on November 26,” she stated.

The Executive Director, Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, also revealed how the children tried to stop their father, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, from contesting for Nigeria’s president during the second republic. She hinted that the children met him to express their views, but stated that the sage and Mama were very focused on

their mission.

“When Papa was preparing to contest again during the second republic, we thought otherwise. So we went to Papa to make our points known. He listened to us very patiently, but his response was that ‘there was no question of giving up and that what he would advise us was that we should support him in what he was doing and that we should come along with him on the journey and not look back.

“We took what he said and the little that we had then, though funny, we put together a little amount of money and gave to him towards his campaign. And typical of Papa, he called the UPN accountant and handed it over to him. So, they looked back and never stopped. My prayer to all of us today is that the Lord and the Holy Spirit would show us what our mission is so that we do not run somebody’s else race.”

Ex-Mays honour HID with post-humous award

By Olakunle Taiwo OLD students of Mayflower School Ikenne, founded by one of Africa’s finest educationists, Dr Tai Solarin and his wife, Madam Sheila Solarin, have showered on the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty a post-humous award.

Mama Hannah Idowu Dideolu was honoured, being the grand matron and for her immeasurable support to the school and ExMays Global Charity, on the 21st anniversary celebration of Dr Solarin, during the 11th annual convention of Ex-Mays Global Charity.

The post-humous award held at the Conference Hotel, Ijebu- Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday.

The award was presented by the chairman on the occasion, a former deputy speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Tokunbo Oshin, and received on behalf of the Awolowo family, by the Associate Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Femi Olukunle. In his remarks, Olukunle appreciated the organisers of the event for deeming it fit to honour Mama HID. Speaking earlier, the president of Ex-Mays Global Charity, Mr Tolu Aduroja, noted that the mission of the organisation was to serve as a networking platform for old students, promote ideas and ideals of Dr Solarin and to support growth and development of

Mayflower School.

However, the topic of the three-day event, entitled “Education: Exploring the Tai and Sheila legacies,” was delivered by the ViceChancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Professor Yemisi Obilade, who extolled the virtues instilled in every student that passed through the school.

“We have always carried the legacies left by Dr Solarin and Sheila till now and those legacies, such as high ethical values, integrity, hard work, ability to think outside the box, education for self reliance, unity and love, among others, have, no doubt, made us who we are today,” she said.

“I use Mama as an example, she continued the work from where her husband stopped. She accomplished her husband’s mission,” Reverend Ogunjimi noted.

In his tribute, Dr Babalola Adebisi Ayoola described HID Awolowo as a woman in a million who held forth Awolowo’s dynasty for 28 years after the death of her husband.

Dr Ayoola said “Mama was the like Caesar’s wife to the late Chief Awolowo.

Mama blessed the political symbol, “broom”, which became the political symbol for political parties such as PSP, ACN and now APC several years ago, and that symbol produced the present ruling political leaders of APC in Nigeria today.

“Everything Mama blessed prospered. She was an icon of a woman to humanity and the world at large.

To Justice OmololuThomas and Femi OmololuThomas, their fond memory of Mama was her being their guardian when their parents were in Britain.

Meanwhile, a former Military Administrator of Oyo and Taraba states, Prince Amen Oyakhire, has declared that the death of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, has robbed Nigeria of a caring mother and an angel of God. Prince Oyakhire, in a statement issued in Benin on Friday, disclosed that the death of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty has further depleted the ranks of genuine patriots in Nigeria, even as he added that the country has become poorer by it.

“We lost in her death a mother- figure, a patriot, a consummate politician and a humanist with a heart of gold. So much was known about her goodness and courage while she was alive and so much of her priceless qualities has been further revealed since her transition.

“Her peaceful, quiet death at almost 100 years old was a loud confirmation of her closeness to the Almighty God, her creator. Not many people are that blessed.

“What we all owe her memory is the resolve to do good and ensure that the Nigerian nation remains on the path of sanity and purposiveness. We must copy from this great woman her spirit of patriotic service to the fatherland and love for all, particularly for the less privileged. She lived well and died well, peacefully,” Prince Oyakhire declared.

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18 October, 2015

crimereports

Sunday Tribune

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

Why I left oil bunkering for robbery —Suspect

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WO members of a robbery gang who trail bank customers with huge cash withdrawal and snatch the money at gunpoint, have been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command.

The names of the arrested suspects are Ebere Akanya (43) and Akpan Eyinnaya (46).

Information gathered revealed that both suspects were based in the Southern part of Nigeria and used to come to Oyo State for robbery operation.

Disclosing the arrest to Crime Reports recently, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Leye Oyebade, said that one Ambali Lawal was on his way home after withdrawing N500,000 from a bank at Iwo Road, Ibadan when he was trailed by the suspects operating on a motorbike.

“The man was blocked at Olubodun Street, Academy, Iwo Road, Ibadan and the armed hoodlums fired gunshots to subdue him. But the man raised the alarm and attracted a police patrol team from Alakia-Adelubi Division which was passing by.

“The suspects were arrested and exhibits recovered from them include an English Beretta pistol, three live ammunition, some expended shells of 9mm ammunition and a Honda motorcycle with registration number NRK 475 QC which was suspected to have been stolen,” the police commissioner stated further.

Crime Reports learnt that the two suspects attempted to escape from the police after their arrest, as they jumped off the back of the patrol van which was conveying them. They were however re-arrested immediately.

In an interview with Crime Reports, the suspects confessed that they operated with two other suspects, who go by the appellation - Speedo and Fireburn. Both are however at large.

According to Ebere, “I live in Imo State in my town, Nkwerre, but my mother is a Ghanaian. I

was selling fairly-used clothes in Lagos State be-

fore I moved back to my town. I started robbery in

Lagos State. I was introduced to it by one Oba, but

The suspects, Ebere Akanya (right) and Akpan Eyinnaya

he is dead. Oba asked me to come to Ibadan, saying that I would be the one carrying another gang member called Speedo around the town on robbery operation. Speedo was also based in Port Harcourt.

“Initially, we used to snatch bag in Lagos. We used to operate very early in the morning. Speedo later brought me to Ibadan for us to be trailing bank customers who withdraw large sum of money. I used to lodge in a hotel at Mokola area for the number of days that we would operate. I would then return to Nkwerre for a break after operations. Oba, Speedo and I used to work together.

“After Oba’s death in an accident, Speedo got Akpan Eyinnaya a.k.a Eze. This is Akpan’s first operation with the gang. Our method of operation was that I would ride a bike with another member and park on a side street close

to our targeted bank. It was Speedo who bought the bike. Speedo would enter a bank and give information to the person with me about a bank customer with a huge cash withdrawal. The gang member would walk to the bank to properly identify our target. He would call me and I would go and pick him.

“We would trail our victim to a lonely place where we would draw out our gun and collect the cash at gunpoint. We have operated about six times since January this year. We have snatched between N250,000 and N700,000.

We went to operate at Iwo Road during our last operation. Speedo entered a bank and later called Akpan. He asked us to follow a man in a Honda car. We trailed him to mechanic workshop and a Akpan disembarked from the bike, pointed a gun at our target and asked him to surrenContinues pg 7

RRS nabs 3 hemp-smoking students, 2 others THREE undergraduates of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, were among the five suspects arrested by operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command last weekend at areas identified as black spots in the state, where hoodlums usually gathered to smoke marijuana, a banned drug in Nigeria.

The names of the suspects were given as Eze Harrison, Akerele Aderinsola, Richard Peters, Peter Richard and Pius Ofulure who was selling the banned drug.

The Commander of the Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said that the RRS operatives were able to achieve the success through sustained patrol operations and intelligence gathering around the areas.

“We launched attacks on those areas where we arrested three undergraduates while others took to their heels”, the commander said.

From left, Eze Harrison, Akerele Aderinsola, Richard Peters, Peter Richard and Pius Ofulure One of the students, Aderinsola, 18, who is studying Laboratory Technology at the institution, confessed to have been smoking marijuana along the railway at Jibowu area when RRS operatives stormed the joint.

“At about 8p.m., I was at Jibowu railway, smoking marijuana, when policemen in mufti suddenly stormed the spot and arrested me along with other smokers”, he said.

Another undergradu-

ate suspect, Harrison, also 18, who hails from Orumba-North Local Government of Anambra State, also said that he was at the joint with his colleagues smoking cannabis sativa when they were

rounded up by the police.

According to Harrison, “I am studying Banking and Finance at Yaba College of Technology. I was lured into the habit of smoking hard drugs and marijuana by my peer group. If I don’t smoke, I won’t be able to assimilate any lecture given in the class.”

Peters, who lives at 2, Yekini Street, Pedro Gbagada, said that he used to take pleasure in smoking marijuana “If I don’t smoke in a day, I will not be composed. I enjoy smoking marijuana. The spot where I was arrested was our base. I go there morning and evening after leaving school. I want government to forgive me and I promise to stop smoking henceforth”, he added.

Some of the exhibits recovered from them were knives, Jombo marijuana, cans of beer and broken bottles.

The police authority said that the three undergraduates were charged to court immediately.

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crimereports

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Police recover snatched car in 30 minutes Stories by Oluwatoyin Malik

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HE Oyo State Police Command has recovered a vehicle snatched at gun point, less than 30 minutes after it was forcefully taken from the owner, one Mrs Aderinola Ologuntoye.

Speaking on the recovery at the police headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, while handing the key of the car back to the owner, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Leye Oyebade, said that the it was a pointer to the fact that his command would not give car snatchers any space for operation, adding that his men were on ground with their eyes opened to tackle the menace of the hoodlums.

Declaring total war against criminals, Oyebade said that all the entry and exit points to and from Oyo State had already been blocked by his men, to make it difficult for car

snatchers within the state and those in transit to record successful operations.

Crime Reports learnt that the woman was in

her Honda iTEC car and was driving home with her daughter in the car at Kukumada area of Ogungbade, in Egbeda Local Gov-

ernment Area of Ibadan when she was followed by two hoodlums riding on an okada.

Narrating her experi-

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade (right) handing over the key of the recovered car to the owner

ence to Crime Reports, Mrs Ologuntoye said: “I didn’t know that some people were following me on a motorcycle. As I moved forward a little bit, the motorcycle levelled up with me. The pillion passenger disembarked, came to me and pointed a gun at me.

He dragged me out of the car and demanded for the key of my car. I immediately concurred. I pleaded with him to allow me take my seven-year-old child out of the car.

“Fortunately, there was a police station nearby so sympathisers joined me and rushed to the police station to intimate those on duty of the robbery. The policemen went towards the direction the armed robber took in hot pursuit.

When the armed robber saw that the police were after him, he dropped the gun he was holding, abandoned my car and fled.

“My car was recovered in less than 30 minutes after it was snatched. I was so

Bike snatcher in police net A suspected member of a three-man robbery gang, whose area of specialty was to snatch motorcycles from owners by pretending to be passengers, is currently undergoing interrogation at the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Ibadan, after he was arrested by policemen from Egbeda Division in Oyo State Police Command.

The suspect, whose name was given as Mustapha Bukar, with two others (identities unknown), reportedly rode on a bike on Sunday, October 11, after telling the rider that he should take them to Egbeda community.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Leye Oyebade, told Crime Reports that along the road, one of the three men drew a knife while another one drew a gun, asking the okada rider to surrender his motorcycle. In order not to lose his life, the okada man reportedly surrendered the key of the bike to his assailants.

As they sped off on the bike, the victim was said to have raised the alarm, which drew the attention of a police team from Egbeda Division which was on patrol. The policemen were said to have pursued the suspects to the junction of Ajia village, along Ibadan-Ife expressway.

It was learnt that the suspects abandoned the motorcycle and fled but one of them, Mustapha, was arrested. The Commissioner of Police has however directed SARS to carry out a diligent investigation targeted at arresting the fleeing suspects.

Mustapha, who said he was from Dikwa Local Government in Borno State, claimed to be a civilian JTF.

He said he was just in transit when he got stranded because of fund. “I came to Ibadan on Sunday October 11, from Abuja, on my way to Abeokuta and Kara in Isheri, Lagos State. I am a civilian JTF. By the time I got to Ibadan, I exhausted the money I had so I called a brother, Alhaji Bukar to tell him of my predicament. I even wanted to sell my Tecno H5 but he advised me against it, saying

that he would send a friend to give me some money.

“A young man, who lives at Mowe came to give me N2,500. He came to me with another man who rode a bike. I ate from the money and kept the remaining in my pocket. The man who was sent to me asked me to follow him and one other man to a nearby petrol station to buy fuel into the motorcycle he brought.

“At a point, he asked me

to disembark. He also asked the bike man to wait for him, saying he wanted to pick something inside a house. I stood by the side of the express road, waiting for him.

Suddenly, I heard people shouting thief! thief!! People rushed at me and started beating me. I lost my money and phone in the process.”

But the victim, who craved anonymity, identified the suspect as one of those who attacked him.

‘Why I left oil bunkering for robbery’ Continued from pg 6 der the money he just withdrew. The man refused to give in to Akpan. Akpan fired a shot at the man and he started shouting. I ran away and left Akpan.

I was later arrested.

Speedo was able to escape because he was usually on a bike alone. I didn’t know how Akpan got the gun we used. I attempted to escape after arrest because I was afraid of going to jail. My mother did not know I was into robbery.

“I can’t calculate how much I have made from the crime because I used to buy things with it. I don’t own a house. I live in my mother’s house in Nkwerre. My wife has left me

but we have four children who are staying with her.”

Akpan, who confessed his involvement in oil bunkering before he joined a robbery gang, said: “I am from Okrika-Obuh, a boundary town between Akwa-Ibom and Abia State. I live in Port Harcourt. I was into trading and later went into fishing.

Speedo introduced me to oil bunkering. The bunkerers would bring diesel to us at Ujike Waterside and we would sell.

“Many people were later stopped from the business.

One day, Speedo told me that he would take me to Ibadan to go and work.

He introduced me to a guy whose name he gave as Fireburn. The guy actu-

ally has burns all over his body. On Sunday, October 4, he called me.

“He gave me direction to Ibadan and we met at a popular club at Agodi GRA. He briefed me on the job we would do the following day, which he described as bank tracing, and gave me the number of Ebere whose name Speedo gave as Ghana. He also asked me to assume the name ‘Eze’.

“On Monday, he asked us to go to Iwo Road. He asked me to stand beside a popular mosque, telling me that he would call me after sighting a potential victim. Shortly after, he called me and said he had got someone, warning me not to mess up his plan.

“We followed a blue Honda car to a mechanic village. Speedo asked us to follow him while he also instructed me to use the gun he gave me, disclosing that he had already corked the gun and it had no safety catch. As I got to our target, I asked him for the cash he withdrew from the bank and he started questioning me. I shot on the ground to scare him away but the man did not run.

He started shouting thief! thief!! I also continued to fire into the air to escape but the man continued shouting.

“Before I could turn, Ebere had escaped with the bike. I ran, but police pursued and arrested me.”

impressed with the police because the usual thing believed about them was that they don’t respond to distress calls in time, but immediately I told them of the robbery incident, they came out of the station and pursued the armed robbers.”

Police arrest kidnap suspect in Delta Ebenezer Adurokiya - Warri

A kidnap suspect, Sampson Elelegwu, has been arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Delta State.

Elelegwu was picked up last weekend.

He was suspected to have been one of some hoodlums who dropped a letter of threat at the gate of the residence of one Madam Ishijenkorelu at Agbor.

The letter, it was gathered, contained a threat to kidnap Madam Ishijenkorelu.

The hoodlums were said to have included, in the letter, their names, the GSM number of Elelegwu (08064724929) whose name was coded as “Barbar.”

Acting on a tip-off, however, operatives of the special squad, last weekend, trailed the suspects and arrested Elelegwu while efforts are on to arrest the fleeing three suspects.

In a related development, one Ojewe Eko has been arrested by the police in Ozoro last weekend.

Ojewe was picked up at a motor park in Ozoro when one Kingsley Umukoro of Owhelogbo road, Ozoro, who once fell victim of some robbers, recognised him and raised the alarm.

The victim told the police that the suspect was one of the four armed men who dispossessed him of 10 assorted mobile phones and N20, 000 at Agbarho in the state.

Items recovered from the suspect at the spot of arrest included a locallymade pistol, one live cartridge and charms.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the two incidents, said further investigations were on to apprehend other suspects involved in the crimes.

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Sunday Tribune

18 October, 2015

feature Herdsmen’s trail of sorrow, tears and blood Following the controversy in the polity over the position of Yoruba leaders on the menace of herdsmen in the South-West, Abiodun Awolaja reports some of the atrocities of the herdsmen across the country.

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enultimate week, Yoruba leaders of thought issued a warning to the Federal Government on the menace of herdsmen in the South-West, stating that “If the Federal Government fails to stop Fulani herdsmen from attacking Yoruba people, it may result in a situation where the South-west people will have to defend themselves.

The Yoruba leaders’ threat came after a gang of Fulani herdsmen abducted a Yoruba traditional ruler and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, from his farm on his 77th birthday.

However, although the polity has been in a frenzy since the Yoruba leaders issued their two-week ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari over the menace of herdsmen in the South-West, the problem has a long history, and is nationwide.

Barely 10 days after the abduction of Chief Olu Falae and on October 1 this year, the herdsmen abducted a traditional ruler from the Yoruba-speaking area of Kogi State, Oba Adebisi Obademi, from his palace in Apa-Bunu in the Kabba-Bunu area of the state and asked the family to pay a ransom. This was just as they released a 70-year-old Yoruba cleric, Pastor Japhet Obafemi who is from Ilepa, Ikare Akoko in Ondo state, after keeping him in captivity for 11 days.

However, two farmers, Mr Agbaose Sowetan from Oja-Odan and Mrs Ayeshi Balogun from Asa village, both in Ogun State, were murdered in cold blood, with Balogun, a mother of three, being gangraped before being hacked to death. In February 2012, following the incessant crisis between villagers and herdsmen in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, a delegation of lawmakers paid an impromptu visit to the area, following reports that schools in the area had been deserted by students and teachers for fear of being attacked by the Fulani herdsmen.

A Geography teacher, Mr Yomi Akinola and two students of the Community High

A herdsmen holding a rifle

Woman weeping in Benue after an attack by herdsmen

School, Ibeku, were among those killed, just as women were raped and killed on their way to the farm. The herdsmen were said to have flown into a rage when they saw that there were no crops on the farms for their cows to feed on. Again, in December 2014, soldiers attached to OP MESA nabbed two Fulani herdsmen from Ngaski area of Kebbi State, Mohammed

Umar and Manu Hassan, for robbing motorists on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, handing them over to the state Special Anti-Robbery Squad. As revealed by the Lagos State police command, the gang of Fulani herdsmen robbers had hideouts in the Abbatoir, Abule Egba and Agege areas of Lagos. In a similar vein, the herdsmen have reportedly attacked farmers and res-

idents in the Oke Ogun axis of Oyo State for years.

The experiences in other southern states have been no less gripping. In August 2013, 23-year-old Ogbonna Eze, a commercial motorcyclist from Opi Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state, was reportedly conveying Continues on pg 10

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news

18 October, 2015

My kidnap will put an end to atrocities of Fulani herdsmen —Falae As Yoruba in the US urges FG to criminalise illegal grazing From Hakeem Gbadamosi and Kunle Oderemi

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HE Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae has expressed optimism that his ordeal at the hands of his abductors will put an end to the atrocities of the nomadic Fulani herdsmen in the South West.

Falae, who stated this in Akure, while receiving members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), led by Chief Gani Adams at his residence, said many people, especially farmers, have suffered in the hands of these herdsmen.

The Afenifere chieftain frowned on a statement credited to the Department of State Service (DSS), that the attack was not ethnically motivated but was carried out by the suspects for money making venture.

Narrating his ordeal at the hands of his Fulani abductors, he explained that the hoodlums tried to kill him by shooting his vehicle when they stormed his farm in Ilado, in Akure North Local Government Area of the state, before abducting him.

He added: “They were not after money alone; they wanted to eliminate me by shooting my car, thinking I was inside the car. They later walked into my office with their sharp knives and cutlasses and started macheting my body before taking me into the bush. We trekked from Akure to Owo, following bushpaths and swampy areas on bare legs till we got to an area close to Ifon in Ose local government of the state.”

Speaking on what could be done to check the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in the region, the former SGF said his ordeal was just one of several occurrences, adding that many people had been killed, maimed, injured and raped by the Fulani herdsmen.

He said; “some of the visitors I have received since the incident occurred also shared their experiences at the hands of these herdsmen; on how they raped them, attacked their farms and cut their hands.

He revealed that the noise generated after his kidnap, especially by the like of Chief Adams and other socio-cultural groups in the

South-West, as well as the Yoruba Summit that was recently held in Ibadan, led to the prompt arrest of the gang members.

Meanwhile, Yoruba residents in the United States are canvassing for a law criminalising illegal grazing in Nigeria.

The proposal came against the recent destruction of the farm of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, in Akure, Ondo State, who was also abducted from the farm.

In an electronic mail to Sunday Tribune, the compatriots warned that such impunity posed a lot of danger for the unity of the country.

Acting under the aegis of Egbe Omo Yoruba (National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America), they condemned what they described as continued brazen acts of harassment of innocent citizens, noting that “without prompt action, this issue has the propensity to tear down the long-established harmony that exists between herdsmen and farmers.”

Sunday Tribune

10

feature

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Herdsmen kill more than Boko Haram Continued from pg 8

two Fulani herdsmen from Opi Junction along Enugu -Makurdi expressway to their camp at Idodo Agu Ekwegbe, Igbo Etiti local government when he was struck from behind with a machete. Satisfied that they had wreaked enough damage on his head, the herdsmen abandoned him in a bush path and sped off on his motorbike.

Previously, in Ndokwa local government area of Delta State, 27 persons were reportedly killed in April 2013 after the herdsmen were confronted by youths.

The then state governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, had to forward a bill to the state House of Assembly to protect Deltans from the Fulani herdsmen. Then, on July 21, 2013, five herdsmen wielding AK 47 rifles, ambushed a 14-seater Hiace bus travelling from Onicha-Ugbo to Asaba, Delta state, dispossessing the occupants of their belongings and inflicting machete cuts on them.

Nor has the story changed in the North.

The timeline of herdsmen attacks in many of the farming communities in the region is troubling. On January, 1 2014, Fulani herdsmen stormed a church during a vigil in Maikatako, Bokkos local government, Plateau State, killing two people and wounding 16. On the same day, they also killed a man in Manguna area of Bokkos local government. Again, on January 6, 2014, they attacked Shonong Village in Bachit, Riyom, Plateau State, killing 33 villagers and burning 40 houses. On January 20, 2014, they attacked Adeke village, Benue State, killing three persons. By the 31st day of the same month, the marauders killed one Sunday Abin, removed his tongue and cut his wife and five children in pieces in Kaura, Kaduna. In February 2014, they killed 35 persons in Gwer West, Benue State while, in March of the same year, they stormed three villages in Rim District, Riyom, Plateau State, snuffing life out of 10 villagers and burning over 100 houses burnt. The list is endless.

ACF’s reaction Following Yoruba leaders’ threat, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) reacted

Yinka Odumakin

angrily. A statement issued by ACF National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, said, “ACF considers Afenifere’s statement as reckless and unbecoming of a highly respected group like the Afenifere that chooses to criminalize a whole race or tribe or region instead of the individual criminals, moreover, our law books provides the process of dealing with such suspected criminals rather than arrogating such powers to ourselves. Nigeria has over 250 tribes and Yoruba is just one of them, for it to threaten other tribes just because of an alleged crime of some suspected herdsmen is unnecessary, emotional and contrary to the spirit and letters of the Nigerian constitution which guarantees free movement and association of citizens in any part of the country.”

However, according to the senator representing Bayelsa East in the National Assembly, Ben Bruce, more people have died as a result of Fulani/indigene clashes in the last half a decade than have died from terrorist activity occasioned by the Boko Haram terrorist sect. Bruce, proprietor of the popular Silverbird TV, said: “As horrific as individual Boko Haram

Ben Murray-Bruce

activities are, they pale in comparison to the barbarous slaughter of over 500 men, women, and children in a single night of terror at Dogo na Hauwa village of Plateau State of 2010. Terrorist activities occasioned by the Boko Haram terrorist group have been largely localised in Nigeria’s North-east save for some sporadic attacks in other parts of the North and the Federal Capital Territory. However, Fulani/indigene clashes have occurred in every state of Nigeria bar none! Needless lives have been lost all over Nigeria in these clashes and this will continue in perpetuity if as a nation we do not take steps to change the conditions that give rise to these clashes.”

Ending the menace As narrated Afenifere sposkesman, Yinka Odumakin, foremost scholar, Professor Godini Darah, had ruffled many Fulani feathers when he stood up during the debate on cattle grazing at the 2014 National Conference, to speak against the atrocities of Fulani herdsmen against their host communities, noting that apart from destroying farmlands, they were

A village burnt down by herdsmen

As horrific as individual Boko Haram activities are, they pale in comparison to the barbarous slaughter of over 500 men, women, and children in a single night of terror at Dogo na Hauwa village of Plateau State in 2010. also in the habit of robbing people of their possessions and raping innocent women.

Odumakin said: “All manners of verbal daggers flew in Darah’s direction as the real owners of the cattle who were in the conference rose in defence of their legmen and the session was to end in confusion until the chairman asked him to withdraw the statement.”

According to former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, given the apparent indifference of the Federal Government to the issue, the carnage and tyranny of the Fulani herdsmen may not end any time soon. However, the chairman of the Planning Committee of the Yoruba Leaders’ summit and Publicity Secretary of the YUF, Dr Kunle Olajide, told Sunday Tribune that the solution to the herdsmen’s menace lies in the adoption of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference on cattle rearing. He said: “A committee really, seriously tackled this issue of cattle rearing and hustling at the 2014 National Conference because the problem had been in the Middle Belt for so long. We are now having a taste of it in the South-West. And concrete decisions were unanimously adopted by Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo and everybody, that government should establish grazing areas and that cattle rearing should be restricted to such areas.”

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18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

interview We’ve not banned law-abiding Fulani from S/West

—Olajide, Publicity Secretary, Yoruba Unity Forum Penultimate week, Yoruba Leaders of Thought Comprising Afenifere, Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Ominira Yoruba Apapo, Agbekoya Organisation, Oodua Foundation, Coalition of Yoruba Autonomy (COYA) and Oodua Democratic Coalition (ODC) caused a stir in the polity when they issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government on herdsmen’s menace in the country. Chairman of the Planning Committe of the summit and Publicity Secretary of the YUF, Dr Kunle Olajide, speaks with ABIODUN AWOLAJA on the summit, the menace of herdsmen in the country, the 2014 National Conference and sundry issues. Excerpts:

T

HERE were suggestions in some quarters that Yoruba leaders were divided following Mr Femi Falana’s suggestion that the kidnappers of Chief Olu Falae could have been southerners.

What caused the disunity?

There is no disunity anywhere. Of course, we all know that there is freedom of speech and opinion entrenched in the constitution.

I wonder whether Chief Femi Falana had had audience with Chief Falae. What I have discovered in Nigeria is this: there has been too much politics in the air, particularly in the South-West. You find that a lot of people don’t do their investigation. Before you make that kind of comment, particularly in Yoruba culture where you see your elders seated—they are not illiterates—you consult with them.

General Adeyinka Adebayo was the chairman of that summit; we had Sir Olanihun Ajayi there, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria years before my younger brother (Falana); we had Chief Ayo Adebanjo there and Senator Banji Akintoye, a senator of the Second Republic. I mean, if all these people could append their signatures to a position, I would advise my brother, in future, to contact some of them. He has my numbers. I think some of our younger leaders should exercise a little bit of caution and avoid playing to the gallery. I don’t know what point anybody would score by thinking that we were not very well grounded in taking such decisions.

Chief Falae is an elder statesman in this country; he was in the kidnappers’den for four days and nights. He was not drugged, he was not in a coma, he interacted with the kidnappers, although under severely brutalised and traumatised situations. He is not new in Nigeria; he has been interacting with Fulanis, he’s been a presidential candidate and he has Fulani friends even in the federal civil service. So, he would not make careless statements; he has his facts. He spoke with the bosses and the controller-general of these kidnappers. Nobody knew where he was but he (Falae) spoke with him on phone, not once, not twice and there were things they discussed. They gave him conditions, they threatened him. We should try to respect the judgement of our elders.

I was very disappointed when I read Falana’s comments without even attempting to clear with anyone of us, to find out. We are not ignorant of the laws of this country. All our conclusions were based on solid facts. There is no disunity. Since the sum-

mit, I don’t know how many emails I have received. Today (Wednesday), about three or five groups have visited me to express solidarity with us and assure me that they would be at the next summit.

It has been a long time since Yoruba groups of varying tendencies spoke with one voice like they did at the summit. How were you able to achieve this?

I give gratitude to God. I too cannot understand it but I will tell you the story. I went to pay a solidarity visit to Chief Falae and there were about 25 leaders from different groups in his sitting room. In the course of discussions, an idea came up. There was Chief Supo Sonibare, Sina Kawonise, Korede Duyile, retired military officers and so on, and somebody said “For once, can’t we attempt to gather all these groups together because nobody knows who is next?” I don’t believe what those arrested said, that they just saw a big man going to the farm. Nobody would kidnap a Falae without previous proper planning. They knew him. Ilado in Akure is not anywhere.

Chief Falae turned to me and said: “Kunle, I believe you can do this job. Can you see our key leaders within the next two or three days and ensure we convene a summit within one week?” And I told him “that was a tall order sir, but let me see what I can achieve.”Fortunately, in Akure there, we have Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, so I headed straight to Bishop Gbonigi’s house. He was very receptive and within 20 minutes, I went to Chief Fasoranti. He was extremely receptive, so I said: “There must be the hand of God in this. Yoruba have suffered humiliation for so long and God has decided to get us out of this bondage.”

I called General Adebayo in Lagos and he was most receptive and said I should call his secretary, Chief Sofola, who was very receptive and said that was what he had been praying for: that Yoruba leaders would sit together. Then I called Chief Banji Akitoye of Oodua Foundation in the US. Incidentally, they are in the country for a two-week visit and he was very receptive to the idea.

Then I called Gani Adams, Dr Fredrick Faseun and everybody was excited. I had just 10 days to put the meeting together, and the committee members applied themselves to the fullest. I must commend sincerely, Mr Kawonise and other members of the committee.

The Miyeti Allah organisation and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have said that Yoruba leaders were attempting to criminalise an entire race. What is your reaction to this?

Well, I think they didn’t have their facts. Yesterday, I was on Kaduna Radio for one hour with the Sarkin Fulani of the South-West. At the end of the day, he was so happy. He said the way the summit was reported was what scared them, that the report said “Get out, all Fulanis!” and I made it abundantly clear that this was not what happened. It is still part of what I regard as the mental indolence of Nigerians because of this crude oil money and politics money.

What did we say? I made it clear on Liberty Radio. I said: “Are there not Yoruba people engaged in this cattle business with the Fulani? So, we would be foolish and senseless to say all herdsmen and cattle dealers should get out of the South-West.”

And in any case, we all take beef. That is not the issue. But while you are doing the business, you should do it within the ambit of the law. What we are against is law-

less, criminal cattle grazing. If somebody has cultivated his farm for two years and paid labourers and so on, and then within two hours you destroy all the crops and the harvest, that is lawless and criminal. It is not done in any part of the world. So, our order was that the criminal Fulani herdsmen should get out.

And in any case, what we were doing was a wakeup call to the state authorities because our people had been mindlessly raped, murdered, kidnapped, farmlands destroyed all over the South-West. No state is excluded and we have records in the police stations over the years and the state appears too weak to do anything. Even in law, self defence is recognised under provocation. An elder statesman, an oba, not an ordinary Yoruba man, who had served as minister, SGF and presidential candidate was abducted in his farm on his birthday, barely three weeks after he had an altercation with some herdsmen on his farm and kept for four days.

Continues on

pg 12

12 interview

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

‘Yoruba, Fulani leaders’ll meet with Buhari soon’ Continued from

economic survival of other people; and they go beyond that, they brutalise them, kidnap them, rape their women and murder them, and you say we have to wait for legality.

We have records in police stations of our people reporting these things and the state appears helpless. In fact, the last experience of Chief Falae was just about a month before he was abducted. He reported to the police, they came, valued the destruction and put it at about N400,000, but the people came prostrating and begging and gave him just about a hundred thousand. If the primary purpose of government is security and welfare of the citizens, and the state seems helpless in tackling a particular issue that affects human lives, I think, like Faseun said, our patience is completely exhausted.

pg 11

been too conscious of our position in Nigeria at all; we are playing too much politics and nobody is thinking about the corporate interest of the Yoruba nation. We are about 50 million in this country and we are the largest single ethnic group in Africa, to the best of my knowledge.

This is the only federation in the world that runs on central policing. We have some security outfits disguising as private security in the North but performing police functions. Here, among our political leaders, nobody wants to talk to the other one. I wonder if there is any forum where our governors are meeting now; it used to be Oodua, but in the recent past I have only seen commissioners of states meeting. The degree of hostility because of political affiliation frightens me. And when you come to think, there is no ideological difference between the major political parties, as far as I am concerned. You see them moving from one to the other.

So why should you be so hostile to somebody in Party A today? Tomorrow you might be in his party or he might be in yours. And in any case, the percentage of people who carry party cards in Yoruba land are not up to 10 per cent of the population. Nobody is protecting the interest of 90 per cent. The primary business of government is the security of lives and property of the citizens.

Until that day I was with Chief Falae, I never knew it was possible to move from Akure to between Owo and Ifon without using a tarred road; the herdsmen know all the routes in the neighbouring villages and I’m sure state governors hardly know any routes at all. So, I think this must be a wake-up call to our people. The media should let our people know that we are not safe, particularly as we are having herdsmen moving from other West African countries.

However, our governors are patriotic Nigerians and responsible Omo Oduduwa and I’m confident that they will be persuaded by the pleas of our revered elders to close ranks and unite to proffer solutions to our security challenges How would you react to the suggestion that there could be a Boko Haram linkage to the herdsmen’s menace?

I don’t rule out anything in this situation. One of the most difficult tasks is armed robbery and kidnapping. They must do a lot of planning, a lot of research. They identify their targets and monitor them. So, I cannot rule out Boko Haram involvement. But the issue that frightens me is that we have very porous borders in Nigeria. Expansive and very porous.

To me, it reveals our vulnerability even to foreign people from Chad, Cameroon, Niger and so on.

The summit welcomed those who would wish to establish ranches. But there is no silage system in Nigeria?

I’m sure you appreciate the fact that not even up to 30 per cent of arable land in Nigeria is cultivated. In other words, you have large expanse of land, particularly in the South, the evergreen rainfall area, uncultivated, and the situation is becoming terrifying now with the drying up of Lake Chad and the desertification of the North, so they are moving down South. Cattle rearing is a legitimate business but you cannot use your business to injure my own welfare and safety.

We may not have advanced to the level of silage and so on, but you can go and get 50 hectares of land and C of O from a state government, make necessary payments to the treasury, and then restrict yourself to that as your grazing area.

Nobody quarrels with that. We want to buy cattle, we want to eat beef and so on.

This still takes us to the 2014 National Conference, which made concrete recommendations on cattle rearing, among other issues. Will Yoruba leaders be meeting with President Buhari to make him see reason to implement the report?

The plan is in the pipeline, but we believe the government is just settling down. The leadership of the summit and our elders, at the appropriate time, will approach Mr President.

You never throw away the baby with the bath water; there is nowhere that is done. And I’m happy Falana himself made reference to that. He was with us at the National Conference.

A committee really, seriously tackled this issue of cattle rearing and hustling because the problem had been in the Middle Belt (Benue and so on) for so long. We are now having a taste of it in the South-West. And concrete decisions were unanimously adopted by Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo and everybody, that government should establish grazing areas

Dr Kunle Olajide and that cattle rearing should be restricted to such areas.

There is no quarrel about that. We buy cattle from you and we pay; you cannot destroy my own means of economic survival because of your own business. I think a lot of people did not take the pain to look at the decisions we arrived at.

Since herdsmen’s menace affects many zones in the country, are there plans to meet at the level of the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly to discuss the issue, so that it doesn’t appear like a Yoruba issue?

I have no apologies at all if it appears as a Yoruba matter.

I have no apologies. I mean, my people are being harassed; they are being humiliated and brutalised. I have a right to shout. If it is convenient for any part of the country, by all means they are free. But at the level of the SNPA, it had not been such a terrible menace when we had our last congress.

But we will be meeting very soon.

Some speakers at the summit saw this issue as a matter of legality versus illegality. But the summit resolved that the matter was beyond that As a medical practitioner, when we are considering a disease and somebody says it has one per cent mortality rate, for a simple minded person, the one per cent is very little.

But when that one per cent is you or your child, then it is 100 per cent. In other words, you don’t accommodate any percentage at all in this thing. Legality or no legality, what has happened is that some people are doing their business and they have been very brutal, destroying the means of

We want the Federal Government to revert to the report of the 2014 National Conference immediately and implement everything we stated there under cattle rearing.

Some people have also suggested that the suspects paraded may not be the real culprits I haven’t even bothered to call Chief Falae at all. I have been in this country now for over 70 years and for goodness sake we have seen people paraded as killers of Alfred Rewane, killers of Suliat Adedeji, and at the end of the day, they are discharged and acquitted, they are just a bunch of hoodlums paraded and compelled to own up to particular crimes that they knew absolutely nothing about, just to secure their freedom. So, for me, I am not excited that anybody has been arrested. Nobody can tell me that a big fish like Falae would be kidnapped by just one urchin saying that he wanted money for Sallah, for wedding. I mean, that is too infantile for the Yoruba sophisticated population to swallow. The parading of suspects may be a fallout from the summit communiqué but, for me, that is not enough. We are waiting for definite pronouncements from our government that such a thing will not happen again, and that these are the plans they have in the pipeline to ensure that cattle are not just thrown aimlessly into people’s farms.

When President Buhari came in, he set up a committee to advise on grazing routes, but a lot of people wondered if Ijaw fishermen in the country would also be allowed fishing routes.

When you are talking about animal husbandry, grazing routes in the 21st century are not on the table at all, because families own these lands, particularly in Yoruba land. I don’t know the landlords in other areas, although they have said with Decree whatever, they now belong to the state. Families own lands and we have about 70 or 75 per cent of our population as rural farmers, and you now tell me a grazing route will pass through my father’s farm? Anybody would bring his cattle, destroy our crops, and I am not entitled to any compensation? And you know the compensation process of government, bureaucracy.

For 10 years, you might not receive a kobo. I think it should not even be on the table at all. What should be on the table is establishment of ranches, specifically for animal husbandry, grazing, where they cultivate large acreages of land, which Chief Obafemi Awolowo did in Yoruba land in the First Republic. I don’t see what is stopping them from doing that.

So, in a few words, what do you want the Federal Government to do now?

Simple. We want the Federal Government to revert to the report of the 2014 National Conference immediately and implement everything we stated there under cattle rearing. In other words, much as we recognise freedom of movement, human rights and so on, there is a limit to your freedom. The moment your freedom infringes on the freedom of your neighbour, then it is no longer acceptable. No freedom is absolute.

They must call the cattle rearers to order, immediately plan to acquire vast acreages of land in the South, at least where you still have green vegetations, and restrict grazing of cattle to these areas. And if you want to buy cattle, you go there and pay. In fact, government can generate taxes from these ranches, per cattle head.

Any plans to meet with ACF, Miyetti Allah?

Yes, as I said, I was on Liberty Radio with the Sarkin Fulani.

In fact, he called me yesterday that he was eager to come to Ibadan and meet me, so that we can organise a meeting of the Fulani leaders and the Yoruba Summit leaders. In fact, he told me that he agreed with what I said on radio. He said he wanted us to organise a meeting soonest. The Yoruba Summit leaders and the Fulani leaders will now ultimately agree to a delegation to meet with Mr President.

13 Continued from

18 October, 2015 last week

I

Case for ideological orientation N any theatre of life with which he is identified, everyone of us has an orientation.

The Christians, the Moslems, the Hindus, the Buddhists and other religious bodies, profess belief in God. But their respective orientations, that is their doctrinal bearing in relation to their professed belief in God, differ. As individuals or as a class, the Christians are distinguished from the Moslems in their religious orientation. The same goes for other religious sects.

All businessmen believe in profit-making. But the orientation of different types and classes of businessmen also differ. For instance, the orientation of the insurance broker to profit- making is different from that of a confectionery manufacturer. Similarly, every politician loudly and vehemently protests that devoted and selfless service to the people, by promoting their welfare and happiness, is the be-all and end-all of his earthly endeavours. But again, the ideological orientations of individual politicians or of the political parties into which they normally group themselves, are divergent - sometimes very widely so.

If perchance you come across a human being who is unable to tell his particular bearings relatively to one or more of the innumerable points of life’s compass, you would not hesitate to write him off either as a child, an idiot, or an aimless wanderer. In the same way, if you meet a politician who is unwilling or unable to declare and, as precisely as possible, describe his position in relation to the cardinal points of political compass, you will feel strongly tempted to denounce him as a fraud, a total misfit, or a hopeless drifter.

Two things appear, therefore, to be indispensable to all self- respecting individuals or groups of persons. In everyone of their chosen fields of endeavours, they must have an ultimate goal after which they strive, and they must have a correct and ascertainable orientation towards that goal.

In my opening sentence, I said: ‘In any theatre of life with which he is identified, everyone of us has an orientation.’ After the brief remarks which I have made, I am now in a position to amplify the opening sentence and say that every person who wants to enjoy the respect and confidence of his fellow men must have an orientation.

What I have just said of “every person’ applies with more than equal force to a politician, a party or a nation.

I hasten to point out, however, that the position which a person, a political party, or a nation occupies, at any

Awo’s thoughts VOICE OF REASON

Politics and religion A lecture given to students at the Adventist College of West African, Ilishan-Remo, on 27th January, 1961. given time, relatively to the points of compass need not be static. Indeed, the position may change and shift depending on the prevailing circumstances. What must never change, save in exceptionally grave circumstances, are the objectives and destination which a politician or a nation sets out to achieve, and the essential characteristics of the chosen means for the attainment of the ends in view. It is customary for every political party, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, to profess belief in the welfare of the people, and to proclaim its determination to work for this end. It must be borne in mind, however, that the orientation of a political party of the capitalist school is at variance with, and sometimes antithetic to that of the socialist school. Besides, the word ‘welfare’ is a relative term which has been grossly. misapplied at different times in human history, and contemporaneously in different places. The word has, for instance, been used in our own times to apply to people living under conditions of tyranny and freedom. When a simple word like ‘welfare’ can be applied in such an extremely malapropian manner, then it is, in the interests of the people, imperative that the ends which political parties have in view should be clearly indicated, and the principles by which the means should be animated and guided fully stated. It

Sunday Tribune

is only when this is done that the destination as well as the orientation of the party towards it, will be known to the people.

Furthermore, for the attainment of some given ends only certain means must be used. You cannot, for instance, arrive at a westward haven by pursuing a southerly course. For the reasons which I have thus far outlined, the Action Group of Nigeria, on the eve of Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, issued a Manifesto, entitled ‘Democratic Socialism’. Down the ages, several political isms have vied with one another for popular acceptance: feudalism, anarchism, capitalism, syndicalism, socialism, Trotskyism, etc. Only two of these isms have survived the age-long contest and are at all worth considering in this lecture. Capitalism is an economic system which is founded on the principle of free enterprise and the private ownership of the means of production and distribution.

The protagonists of capitalism claim that its essential characteristic is economic freedom. The producer is free to produce whatever goods he fancies; but the consumer is equally free to buy what he wants. There is a market mechanism, under this system which brings the producer and consumer together and tends to equate the supplies of the one to the demands of the other, and harmonise the whims and caprice of both. It is this same market mechanism which determines what prices the consumers pay to the producers as well as what share of the total output, in cash, in kind, goes to each of the four recognised factors of production - i.e. Land, Labour, Capital, and Organisation. It is further claimed for this system that every person is capable of watching his or her own interest, and that whatever justice may appear in the short run to have been done by the operations of the market mechanism, in the long run his mechanism tends to bring about a state of equilibrium between the producers and consumers as well among the factors of production, and to give to each of them a just and adequate treatment and reward. I do not think it is necessary, at this point of time, and especially to this scholarly audience, to set out the theoretical arguments against these claims. It is enough to assert that economic history has shown that the market mechanism, otherwise known as the mechanism of supply and demand, is a blind and utterly impersonal social apparatus, within the framework of which the strong, clever, and unethical few have, more often than not, taken undue advantage of the many who are weak.

To be continued

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Diningrooms:

Entertaining with smiles T

he dining room is a special place in the home. It’s the room where family members come together to share food, stories and smiles. If you like entertaining friends or love getting the family together in the evenings for a meal, having a great quality dining table and dining room chairs is a must. Every home and every family has different needs and different tastes, so whether you’ve got a dining room fit for a banquet or a cosy breakfast area, getting quality and durable table and chairs is important. From small, round dining sets for occasional use to full dining table sets, the need to transform your dining area and your home is necessary.

For a modern, minimalist look, choose a stylish glass dining table. Match it with the same style of chairs for a contemporary look or go for a sumptuous set of leather dining chairs and bring the traditional and the modern together in one room. For a more organic, natural look, select wooden tables and match it with solid oak dining

chairs for a fantastic design touch.

If you’re lucky enough to have a dining room, complement your new dining table and chairs with some great pieces of furniture. Book cases and shelves look fantastic in large dining rooms, and the use of a wide range of lighting solutions to create a welcoming and homely atmosphere gives a classy touch of style.

Dining sets complement a variety of styles ranging from antique, classic, contemporary, traditional to rustic, romantic, shabby chic and modern. The colours could be in black, white, ivory, mink, oak dark brown or cream.

The materials used for the table and chairs include, fabric, glass, leather, wood and oak. The tables come in oval, rectangular and round shapes.

When it comes to the pinnacle of modern trends, look no further than high gloss dining sets. Minimalistic, sleek and stylish. Contemporary collections include chrome finishes, glass tops and purple chair.

For your advert placement call: 09090652322, 08135978193, 08075166585

15 homes&interior

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Creativity is key in interior designing—Azike

Mrs Oge Eucharia Azike is the Creative Director, Winsome Decor, based in Lagos State. She speaks with REMI ANIFOWOSE on her passion for interior designing, achieving goals and objectives in the vast, but competitive interior market and the way to achieve an appetite boosting dining room with a combination of colourful paintings. Excerpts:

H

ow would you describe interior and exterior design?

The power of our home environment to influence the way we feel is increasingly being recognised, and more people are seeking to make their home a nurturing, positive space. Different space designs work for different personalities. It is the duty of the interior/exterior designer to strike a balance between the home owners’ personalities, the architectural style of the physical building and the surrounding landscape. Hence, the interior designer makes sure the home is healthy and harmonious for the occupants while the exterior designer blends the building’s exterior features with the existing landscape.

What kind of dining set do you think is durable; wood or glass?

Both kinds of dining sets are durable, depending on the fabrication and personality of the users. So many factors play roles in choosing the appropriate furniture set for a dining room like the ages of the occupants, the size of the dining, some safety precautions indigent with the habits and lifestyles of the occupants.

What are your areas of specialisation?

We specialise in designing the home spaces, where harmony and balance is most important. Occasionally, some business owners who value the importance of harmony in the business premises also contact us for consultations and designs.

Considering the interior market as a competitive one, with foreigners majorly dominating the business, how do you think indigenous interior designers could thrive and what should the governments do to promote the business in Nigeria?

It is as simple as creating a niche for your business. Once you know what specific problems you want to solve, it gets easier from there. Like I said earlier, everyone is different; Mr. A might not thrive in a space designed for Mr. B and a space designed for Mr. C might have a lot of negative energies harmful to Mr. D. It suffices to say that if you are good enough, you will get a good market share or even dominate it. Needful to say, it is a very large market.

Who is the brain behind Winsome Décor; what motivated you into the business?

I have always had great passion for nurturing and training, especially the children. I was a teacher in one of the schools and in a quest to develop a better theory in education specific to children; I became engrossed in researching about constructivism in education. This was an eye opener as I realised the importance of the physical environment, especially of the home, to the development of the child, with special reference to their psychological growth. While there are so many schools already practicing some degree of constructivism, there are no companies or institutions educating the parents about designing the balanced home environment for the kids’ development. The effect was the birth of Winsome Décor. Over the years, we have evolved to take care of the entire home space, and some business owners who want balance and bliss in their business premises.

What is your academic and professional background?

I have a degree and Masters in Education and I am a member of the NIM. In order to do the business well, I had to get a diploma in interior designing and join one of its professional bodies: African Association of Interior Designers (AAID).

should have a lot of appetite boosting colours. These colours include the warm categories: reds, yellows and shades of orange. Close up paintings of foods with these colours are great for the dining room.

What is your message for upcoming interior designers?

In order to thrive in the interior design business, you must open up your creativity faculty and switch on your learning attitude. Explore the world around you.

There are inspirations everywhere, tap into nature and its elements for these inspirations. Decide which of humanity problems you wish to solve and stick to it.

Successful entrepreneurs are all superheroes, each with his peculiar superpower.

Price hints Dining sets

Round glass dining set with 4 chairs (Imported) ---N 50,000-N100,000 (Depending on brand, quality, style and materials) Mrs Oge Azike What do you think could be the start-up capital for the interior design business?

I keep telling my students that investing in knowledge is better than millions of start up cash. Once you know the ins and outs of the business, you are good to go.

For me, I devoted a lot of time reading and studying whatever I needed to know. Then I made a few pro-bono remodels and that was it. The capital came from the clients because I insisted on at least 80 per cent

down-payment from the onset.

What are the challenges of starting up the business?

For most entrepreneurs, breaking into any market is one of the greatest challenges. It wasn’t easy trying to convince clients to trust if you do not have a very impressive portfolio.

What kind of paintings would you advise for a dining room?

The dining room is a room that

Rectangle (glass) dining set with 6 chairs (Imported) ----N80,000170,000 (Depending on brand, quality, style and materials) Rectangle (glass) dining set with 4 chairs(Imported) ---N70,000120,000 (Depending on brand, quality style and materials) Single imported (Glass) dining table----N20,000-70,000 Single imported dining chair(Leather)---N8,000-15,000

Investing in knowledge is better than millions of start up cash. Once you know the ins and outs of the business, you are good to go.

Wooden dining set with 4 chairs -----N45,000—N120,000 (Based on quality and type of wood) Wooden dining set with 6 chairs----N60,000-N180,000 (Based on quality and type of wood) Placement mats - N2,200

16

18 October, 2015

I

T was a knowledgeable Osun-born and bred senior colleague that first ignited my consciousness about it. I replied a straight ‘no’. It was probably his protégé, serving in the state, I countered. I guess he believed my response because of my perceived affinity with the subject. With everyone deep in politics, my affinity, regardless of proximity, is always with borderline.

Who can ever know the ways of power-seekers. I didn’t even bother to check with him, considering that my egging pre-Lagos governorship election was spurned by him without hesitation. “I will never run for any elections” he enthused. I believed him. If an eminently qualified person says with an unmistaken finality that he doesn’t want something he could have and should desire, you gotta trust every letter in the declarative refusal. Then, it came unsolicitedly last Wednesday. The quarter was too credible to churn out incredibility. “Lanre, take it from me, Muiz (Dr Muiz Banire SAN) is being lined up to take over from Rauf (Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State). I grew mute on him. Going Nostradamus, he figured my natural follow-up enquiry. “They are saying he is from Iwo (a town in Osun State). Oh, you think he is a Lagosian. Everybody is a Lagosian now, once constitution covers you. The issue is generating serious tension in the town now and the people are waiting for the family that will bring its head out to say he is their son.”

Our conversation dragged but my mind was marooned.

Since then, questions have been popping in my subconscious. This time, I am going to pointedly ask Dr Banire to deny this lie against him. I am not doubting his Iwo heritage, though I had no idea until now. During the APC primaries in Lagos, I was ready to stay in his corner if he would enter the ring. He didn’t. I have no doubt about his capacity to add value in any states in the country as governor. But there is something morally incongruent, with him as the incumbent’s honcho to be angling to succeed him. Does this rumour have anything to do with Osun APC zoning the governorship ticket to Osun West where Iwo is? Banire; Iwo; governorship agenda? This sure looks surreal but I will rein my imagination until I throw the polar question of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to him. Politics and politicians would forever remain a mystery.

Ambode’s rainy weeks.

Lagos has been raging against its CEO, Akinwunmi Ambode in the last two weeks. The city (state?) kept demanding if someone was still in charge. The social media quaked with anti-Ambode’s anger. Decent media will not

It does appear that there are more phantom workers in Nigeria’s public sector than real ones. No aspect of the sector is spared; the federal civil service, state civil service, the police, the ministries, department and agencies are all swarming with ghost workers with billions of naira going to the wrong hands monthly. Last year, the Federal Government said it had uncovered as many as 60,000 ghost workers in federal establishments across the country. Kano State government announced in September that it had found out that 1,830 out of the 2,490 casual workers engaged as street cleaners by the state Refuse Management and Sanitation Board were ghost workers.

Niger State government also found out 7,000 of its local government staff were ghost workers. The list is as long as a combination of Rivers Niger and Benue.

This ugly scenario has been a source of concern to governments at various levels with many of them at one point or the other subjecting their workforces to endless screening exercises with a view to fishing out fictitious names on the workers’ payroll. But more often than not, the deleted names from the workforce have an uncanny manner of getting back on the payroll.

The point should be made that the inclusion of nonworkers on the payroll cannot be perpetrated by junior or middle level officers; the illegality can only be executed at the level of very high ranking officers of government. That explains why the problem has become almost intractable; those who should proffer the solution are themselves the problem.

However, as terrible as the criminality of siphoning resources from government coffers through the inclusion of phony names on workers’ payroll is, it still pales in comparison with the larger consequences of this immorality on the nation. The backwardness of Nigeria in some aspects may be traced directly to this insincerity on the part of the top hierarchy of the nation’s workforce. For instance, Nigeria is said to be one of the countries with high maternal mortality rate with its 630 deaths per 100,000 births. This high rate is a consequence of the disproportionate ratio of pregnant women to birth attendants in

0811 695 4647

olanreade@yahoo.com

Et, tu Muiz Banire?

allow some of the comments here. It wasn’t an unfounded typhoonlike anger. There were photographic pieces of evidence of a mega-city in an inexplicable everyday mega trafficlockdown. Many roads were also presented on the social media as empirical evidence of a near-total infrastructure meltdown. Expectedly with human beings, the desire for a perceivably better-yesterday trended without any feelings for the man in the saddle. Every agonising moan came with nostalgia. Hasty conclusions were also drawn.

Was the rage against the governor justified? Yes and No. The former, because he was voted to better lives and not for residents to spend three hours between Ojota and Maryland. The latter, because he was trying to bring on, a new attitude to public and social life. But it is obvious that his directive that traffic-offending motorists should not be arrested and vehicles seized, all in the name of new order, has been counter-productive, emboldening chronic traffic code offenders, to go haywire. The directive

With Sulaimon Olanrewaju 08055001708

lanresulaimon@yahoo.com

Fake workers and real problems

the country. Contrary to the claims of government that it has employed many birth attendants to stem the tide of maternal mortality, the reality on the ground is that many pregnant women still depend on traditional birth attendants, who are not properly schooled in the art of taking birth delivery. Why would the government say one thing and the people see another? It is because government’s premise is faulty. The government may be told that there is a particular number of birth attendants in the hospitals whereas the personnel figure has been padded for the benefit of some ministry officials.

According to the Library of Congress Profile on Nige-

Sunday Tribune

must have also encouraged the army personnel that beat up LASTMA officials twice in one week after being caught on BRT corridor which should be exclusive to the luxury public transport buses. When sanctions can be shrugged off, they become ineffectual. It is gratifying that the traffic enforcement authorities are spurning the governor’s directive to protect their officers and ultimately, their jobs.

Beyond traffic logjam and terrible roads, Ambode’s leadership is being generally perceived not to be measuring up. That may not be the reality. The governor may just be reeling under Superior Shadow Syndrome (SSS). But I don’t want to assume that two unequalled personalities have exchanged governance baton in Lagos. It would be too early to make such call. But Ambode must step up his game for the corrupted version of his winning campaignslogan to stop. Right now, many are signing “Ambo o, Ambo, eko sese bere iya ni o, Ambo o”.

Oliseh (2) Inadequate space last week got NFF ahead of Gibbers’ recommendation. Guess, it was telepathic. Part of what could not go in last week was an advice that Vincent Enyeama should be recalled and a befitting testimonial match arranged for him. Thankfully, the bumbling Team Pinnick fixed that. But the trouble in the senior national team is far from over. Incidentally, the Super Eagles and their performance are both the official rating index for the nation in global football and Nigerians binoculars of how healthy our football is. After the encouraging win over Cameroon, Manager Sunday Oliseh showed why he needed to be managed by psychologists. In a tweet rant, he saluted only the supporters that took his side, even when an obviously embarrassed Amaju Pinnick had told all Nigerians that a soothing calm had draped the entire saga after the Enyeama deal. The mindset-revealer read, “I dedicate this scintillating victory of the super eagles over Cameroon to all “true” Naija fans who irrespective of all lies, believed.” His employers must have been heavily scandalized by it as he had to quickly take it down but not early enough for a peep into how his mind was working. Something tells me Oliseh would not last the distance, despite the flashes of brilliance coming from his new team. With Obi Mikel reportedly concluding on quitting, it is now clear why Musa was chosen as the captain.

It is like enthroning an AIG as IGP for the DIGs to exit honourably. It wouldn’t have been a bad idea if the oldies were carried along. Change is desirable, when productive.

ria, there are 371,800 officers and men in the Nigeria Police, but it was revealed not too long ago that there were as many as 20,000 ghost workers in the police. Former police chiefs threatened fire and brimstone and assured that they would put an end to the scam. But not much has been done in this regard as there are still ghost workers in the force. The implication of this is that while the nation is releasing money to pay 371,800 policemen, only about 351,800 people are actually policing the nation. This then means that the nation is under-policed but it is hamstrung to recruit more men to facilitate effective policing because its assumption is hinged on the wrong premise of having a 371,800-man police force. This could be one of the reasons criminals are having an upper hand against security operatives in the country.

Imagine what 20,000 additional policemen could do in a country like ours.

The same goes for employment. There are so many young Nigerians roaming the streets without any job, not because there is no room for them in government establishments but principally because the government is working on the wrong hypothesis that it has a bloated workforce whereas this is not true as some people have perfected a means of perpetually stealing from government using names of non-existing workers.

The Federal Government in 2006 commenced the process of waging war against ghost workers when it introduced the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information Systems (IPPIS), but nine years after, the story has not changed. The process has been painfully slow probably because some of those superintending over it unduly benefit from the current system that leaves room for phantom workers. But that can only happen in government, no private sector employer will spend nine years looking for fake workers.

However, if the government is not bothered about the humongous resources lost to ghost workers, it should be bothered about the other effects of this systemic inefficiency which is responsible for Nigeria’s reputation as the country with one of the highest infant mortality rates, the country with the highest number of out of school children and one of the most unsafe countries in the world.

17

18 October, 2015

Artistes have reduced producers to nothing —Del B

People find it hard to believe

I have 3 kids —DJ Neptune

Sunday Tribune

5 qualities my ideal man must have —Bayray Mcnwizu

18

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Tade Makinde tademt2@yahoo.com 08055001753

First Bank MD wants regular Havana

Harps on importance of self-reliance

A

S Sigma Club of the University of Ibadan prepares to mark the 60 years of Havana Carnival later this year, the social and philanthropic club held

a public lecture at the First Bank building, University of Ibadan on Thursday in celebrating its 65th anniversary.

Theme: “Addressing youth employment through entrepre-

neurship”, the guest speaker, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank PLC, declare as essential, features such as passion, need, value, innovation and drive, as characters that defines an entrepreneur.

He asserted that the educational system in Nigeria was not teaching youths on the importance of self reliance, just as he called for concerted efforts on stakeholders to do something about unemployment in the country. “There is need for youths to start learning to be self-reliant and therefore entrepreneurs,” he said.

Most importantly to Sigma Club. the conveners, the special

guest got a thunderous applaud when he promised to support the hosting of Havana, just as he advised the Institution to do same.

“Havana, which was repackaged during my tenure as the Sigma Chief of Sigma Club in 1991, was very important as it helped the Club to fund the Sigma Charity Foundation, hence it has been able to play its philanthropic role in giving back to the society,” he said.

He urged the Vice Chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka, to ensure that Havana is finally resurrected as event activation has changed from what it used to be in the past when students sought, and got sponsors for Havana.

“A lot now goes into event ac-

tivation. Professionals, relationship and contacts are now important. We are glad that the First Bank MD raised this. We have not rested on our oars. We are working with an event outfit in Lagos and we are getting positive feedback as regards organising the 60th edition of Havana carnival this year,” said the present Sigma Chief, Damilola.

At the lecture were the Vice Chancellor-elect; Professor Olayinka, Niyi Yusuf, Chief Finance Officer; Forte Oil, Professor Tola Atinmo, Chairman, Governing Board, Sigma Educational Foundation, Maj. Gen Reuben Nkado (Rtd), Dr Kunle Olajide. The chairman was Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli.

Akpororo, Dj Spinall, Ehiz listed for TUSH Awards ORGANIZERS of the All Youths Tush Awards (AYTA), TDA have released the nominees’ list for the award which comes up on November 28 in Lagos.

Tofarati Ige, media head of TDA, said that the nominees were carefully vetted before the final list, containing 19 Youth Categories and 14 Student Categories, was unveiled.

Divided into two segments: Students and Youths, Tush awards seeks to spotlight and reward hardworking and outstanding personalities below 32 years.

For the Youth Segment, Falz, Patoranking, Seyi Shay, Yemi Alade, Olamide will go head-tohead in the Best Youth Act (Music) Category, while Tope Tedela,

Deyemi Okanlawon, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Mofe Duncan, Gabriel Afolayan, will slug it out

for the Best Youth Act (Movie) Category.

Others are Peteru, Dr Smile,

Emma OMG, Still Ringing, MC Diouf for the Next Rated Act (Comedy), and Small Doctor,

Simi, Adekunle Gold, Kiss Daniel, Reekardo Banks for the Next Rated Act (Music).

Guinness celebrates heroes in Lagos, Enugu FOLLOWING several weeks of nomination and voting for the best stories in cities, Lagos and Enugu celebrated their winning heroes at the #madeofblack heroes’ party held at Toscana Niteclub in Enugu and Xover lounge in Lagos respectively.

In the last couple of weeks, Guinness has been celebrating people who are doing ordinary things in extra ordinary ways; the dancers, the singers, the drivers, the barmen, the mechanics, the teachers.

It was an evening of fun and positive energy with family, friends and Guinness lovers as they celebrated those who believed in their dreams and dared to follow it.

The Lagos heroes who were nominated are Tayo Faniran, 1st runner up of the Big Brother Africa (BBA) season 9, Tunde Adebanjo, Temitope Okupe, Tony Chukwu, Caleb Oziegbe, Adonu Anthony Reuben, David King-Amin, Josephine Njokwu, Josephine Ukeme, DJ Toxic, Adekunle and Tina Nwosu.

Their stories are a clear demonstration of the black attitude. Adekunle stood out as the guy who sweeps the Anthony pedestrian bridge despite his disability. He has done this for 12 years, while Josephine Ukeme, a policewom-

an, has become popular by her commitment to duty.

Josephine tirelessly controls traffic at the St. Agnes junction in Yaba and has continually made life easier for road users.

In Enugu, the experience was exciting as fans gathered to celebrate nominees such as Yellow man, a policeman, Engr. Kelvin Igwu, a Lecturer, MC 4 God, Uche, Ifeanyi

and Nneka Anieze.

Olamide and Phyno were on ground to party with the heroes and thrill guests to an experience of a lifetime, in celebration of the chosen #madeofblack heroes.

The Portfolio Marketing Manager of Guinness, Ms. Liz Ashdown, said the #madeofblack campaign is more than an ad campaign, it is a movement. It’s about the people

making bold choices, those who ask ‘why not... those doing things their way and carving a path for themselves. This year, Guinness is turning the camera around to focus on the real ‘Made of Black’ heroes from various strata of life across Nigeria. This is our own way of taking the made of black experience to the streets and making Nigerians a part of it.

19

razzmatazz

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Toyin Adegbola, Jaiye Kuti on new AfricanMagic soapie

CREATIVE Village Productions, producers of Mr & Mrs Kogberegbe on African Magic Yoru-

ba, have added new bites to the long-running TV series.

Among the actors touted to join

Irokotv to air Behind Nollywood

British Library drags Lemi, 2face to Felabration, UK

IROKOTV has confirmed the airing and introduction of ‘Behind Nollywood’ under their platform. This is based on the fact that it will offer the best of movie makings.

Speaking, the Production Manager of Behind Nollywood, Olaiya Tolufashe encouraged viewers to adopt the brand, stressing that it will boost viewership after the shoot of any movie.

“We have good packages that would make viewers to ask for more. Inside it, you will find celebrity interviews, events and movie reviews all in one package.

“Being the first of its kind under the Irokotv’s platform, we hope to make it formidable with our inspiring, educating, convincing and entertaining packages. Therefore, we are urging viewers, especially subscribers of Irokotv to expect solid and quality entertainment,” he assures.

GHARIOKWU Lemi has left Nigeria for this year’s edition of Felabration. He will appear at special events with 2Face Idibia on the invitation of the British Library.

The event will include talks, discussions, film, live music performances and more, including the Felabration concert, which held on October 16.

After the Felabration concert, which held yesterday, Lemi is expected to join Rikki, Tony Allen, 2Face Idibia and others in discussion after showing the documentary, Finding Fela, today. This will present the renowned Fela graphic artiste the right platform to talk about art.

Lemi is also expected to create a poster for the Felabration. It would need to be something that could be reproduced online and in print.

The autumn/winter exhibition is themed ‘West Africa: Word, Symbol, Song’ and will showcase West Africa’s long literary heritage and its centuries-old oral traditions,

are Toyin Adegbola, Jaiye Kuti, Helen Paul, Doris Simeon, Regina Chukwu, Bayo Bankole (Alin-

co), Abdullateef Adedeji, Mistura Asunramu Alao and Awelewa Omoibadan.

The latest news comes as the third season of the production that progress on its weekly show.

Adebukola Olanrewaju Olakanlu, Executive Producer, also revealed that “We just signed a deal to begin airing on Ibile Channel on ACTV. What this means is that more people will have access to the quality entertainment content that we provide through Mr & Mrs Kogberegbe TV Series.

Yoruba actress, Toyin Adegbola, recently endorsed the programme. Olakanlu explained further, “It was a big encouragement to get commendation from a veteran like Mama Toyin Adegbola. We are looking to bring in something more freshness and dynamism to the homes and hearts of our viewers. Since we debuted with the third season some months ago, our feedback channels like Kogberegbe Family on Facebook have been bombarded with pos-

communicated through story-telling, music and sound. The exhibition will reference a millennium of history from the great empires of the Middle Ages through colonialism, enslavement, resistance and independence-to modern day life and culture. The exhibition

will also bring together political pamphlets, protest songs, historic film and sound recordings, woven and printed textiles and exquisite manuscripts.

The opening reception and private view took place October 15 with Wole Soyinka as speaker.

Ray set to ‘Carry Go’ RAY, real name Rahman Adeboriola Bisiriyu, has released his debut single entitled ‘Carry Go’.

Having previously collaborated with Reekado Banks, Bayoz Muzik and Young John, among others, the Krystal City record label act Ray asserts that nothing can stop his ascension as his vocal talents, song writing prowess and charismatic presence has become a consistent outlet for Nigerian music this year The 22-year old singer will be

supporting Olamide on his UK headline concert at the Troxy on October 25, as well as performing alongside Davido on Cyprus on October 28, among several show dates lined up for the autumn, leading up to a press tour in Nigeria at the end of the year.

SK debuts single ‘independent’ In the same vain, another label mate of Ray, SK, following the success of his previous two singles ‘Let’s Go There’ and ‘Mujo’, has released a new single entitled

‘Independent’, released on same label. Although SK is the youngest artist on the Krystal City stable, SK is seen as one of the front-runners of the burgeoning Afrobeats scene in the UK. Produced by Beatsmith GA, ‘Independent’ is laced with lush drum patterns, piercing brass arrangements and a mellow bassline, which sees SK in his full element, with his velvety smooth vocals, as he waxes lyrical about his ‘independent’ lady

itive messages from fans and celebrity colleagues from different parts of the world including Lagos, America and London to mention but few,” Olakanlu added.

The US-based producer who just completed certifications from the London TV & Film School added that new injections into the programme would be witnessed in different departments such as casting, scripting and technology.

Instead of the usual 13 episodes per season, the producers have outlined plans to shoot the American standard of 45 to 50 episodes.

Shedding more light, Olakanlu said, “scripting for the fourth season has reached advanced stage as a prelude to the shoot which will begin in a few months time. Arrangements are being concluded to deploy the best technology with the use of drone lenses to bring the most amazing magical feel into the homes.”

Nigerian guitarist shines in new single release KUNLE Olorundare, Kunle, the Nigerian-born and currently based in Toronto, has released a single entitled “Ami N Rele.”

In it, Kunle brings together his unique guitar tapping, harmonica, talking drum, global influence and rich vocals into what he terms Kunle sings in Yoruba, English, Pidgin and once in while German and has performed at the famous Mariposa folk festival, Habari African music festival and had one of his works “My little finger” awarded songs from the heart best instrumentals 2015 by folk music Ontario, USA. Kunle has also opened for Shaggy (Yes Mr. Bombastic himself) alongside other artistes such as Fred Penner, the famous French Classical guitaristThaibault Cauvin and a host of others.

Kunle is an acoustic guitarist and singer/songs writer, whose folk and soul music bridges contemporary styles with roots in West African stories, Iyrics and rhythms.

20

18 October, 2015

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

For almost a decade, music producer, Del B, has remained on top of his game as one of the finest music producers in Nigeria and his dedication and commitment to his trade has earned him huge respect among his colleagues. The Delta State-born diminutive entertainer speaks with SEGUN ADEBAYO about his new deal with Airtel and why he wants to become a performing artiste.

Y

ou seem to have been silent this year and your productions have not been heard unlike some years back when you dropped hit songs consistently, what has been happening to Del B? I have been silent because I have been working. You may not know, but I have been working on some projects that have kept me busy for months and I am going to be very busy for the rest of the year and early next year.

You are going to see the result of my silence very soon. In the next few months, it will be clear to you why I had to be silent and what kept me busy for almost a year now. You are going to see Del B in another form. I am going to be releasing new songs and videos from me anytime from now.

Would you say 2015 has been a good year for you?

I can’t complain about anything this year. I am very grateful to God for everything that has happened in 2015. Last year was awesome but this year has been great. You might not have heard about me but I really thank God for everything. In fact, I have enjoyed super blessing this year, compared to any other year.

What is this news that you are working on a project with Airtel, could you tell us more about it?

Yes, I was approached through my entertainment company Str82one and I am currently working with the winners of Airtel One Mic Naija. They have been signed to Str82one and they have dropped their first EP, which is an all-star project. Basically, we are trying to showcase these new guys to the world through their talent. We want to give them all the necessary support that will get them to the next level, so that they can become stars that we want them to be. The project actually started a couple of months ago and I am releasing the project for them, because I am doing a DJ mix with DJ Neptune and radio and club tours. So far so good, the video has been shot for one of the song which featured 2face Idibia. The song has been getting a lot of massive airplay and people are feeling it. As far as I am concerned, it is a very big one for me and the artistes.

How did you clinch the deal with Airtel?

My works speak for me. I might not sound or look like it, but the truth is that the volume of the work I have done speaks and I can’t hide that. This is music, people listen and they know what I have been doing over the years. People know the music that is popular. Working with Airtel is like a deal for me. I got a call from Airtel that they would need me to handle the project for them and I met with them. I looked at the deal and it found out it was nice, so I signed.

Having Airtel stars on my first project is a big success and I am grateful to God. It is really big, and we are putting a whole lot of work on the project.

Signing this deal with Airtel really shows you have upped your game, why

did it take you this long for deals like this to come through?

As far as I am concerned, it is high time producers raised their game to the level where they would be reckoned with. For a very long time, producers have operated in the background, acting like they don’t know what to do. We can continue to allow people treat us like we don’t know our rights. The fact is that producers have been working hard even harder but we are not getting the deserved the recognition.

So music production is no more business as usual for you again?

Producing songs is much more than playing songs in the studio, it is more about the business. It is unfortunate that we only hear our names everywhere but we have nothing to show for it. It is sad. I don’t want to live like that again. The artistes are ripping us off. We make the beats but they make the money. We make the big songs, but we have nothing tangible to make for it. People don’t really care about who sings a particular song as long as the beat is nice.

Nigerians love good beats and they appreciate any producer who could give them one. It will surprise to know that even if Nigerians hate you, if your song is good and the beat is nice, they will dance to your song. So, at the end of the day, it is about the music. The producers make the music. Sometimes, the artistes and the producer come together to make the music but most times, the producer does all the work and allows the artiste to take the glory and even the benefits. You can imagine a situation whereby a producer produces a song for an artiste, and the artiste goes about performing same song on different stages collecting a huge amount of money for a performance of five minutes. What comes back to me as the producer of that song? It is sickening.

I learnt you have also floated a record label, what do you intend to achieve with this?

It is my record label which I call Original Delta Boy (ODB) records. It is not just for Delta people, because I know will start saying am I going to be working with only Delta people. You can go with any name that fits whatever you want to do. I am operating the label with my partner Nelson Nwachukwu, who is based in the US. We have other artistes also that are coming under ODB, so I believe I have been given something big and the only thing I can do is to challenge myself to perform optimally.

And you are also an artiste on the label…

As an entrepreneur and music producer, I think the first thing you have to do is to see yourself as an artiste on your label, because that’s the only way you can keep the music alive.

But you are a producer, not an artiste…

If you can produce the music, what stops

e v a h s e t s i t r A c i s u m d e c u d re o t s r e c u d o r p B l e D — g n i h t no you from singing the song? To set the record straight, I started my career as musician before I delved into music production and I am telling you that I will do well as a musician. In the next few months, I will be releasing new singles and videos that featured a number of Nigerian super stars.

I don’t want to mention names now, but Wizkid, Stoneboy, Seyi Shay, Davido and others are on it. We have a lot of tracks put together. To set the record straight, I am dropping a couple of singles on October 22. I am really excited and happy about these projects and I can’t wait for them to be unveiled.

With Del B as a music performer, do you think you have the charisma to step on the big stage and perform or you want to get on that stage because of the money involved?

I am ready. This is not something that is new to me. I have been dropping songs before I became a producer. The fact that you didn’t hear about it does not rule out the fact that I have been doing it. I have writing songs and composing music over the years. It is not like I am changing my business. I am not quitting the entertainment business to start selling Banana. I am still in the game. I am only expanding my frontiers based on what I know I can do. What is my job? My job is to entertain people; make music that will make them happy.

Why don’t you keep producing and make your money, what is on that stage that you want to go and pick?

Laugh…The fact is that you don’t get the recognition being a producer. You get the recognition on the stage. Few years ago, I was still just a producer, but right now, I have a song that was released less than three weeks and Airtel contacted me based on that. So, what stops me from keep doing it? I can as well sit down and ignore these opportunities that are coming. But I will look like a fool to myself and my family.

It is only going to make more efficient and my work less stressful. I am going to sign new producers that would be working with me.

What happened between you and the Five Star Music family, it seems you guys have fallen apart…

Who told you that? I don’t know anything about that. Everybody is minding their business. I am facing my own now and I am sure they are working on theirs too. I don’t have to bother myself with what they are doing. I am trying to do what will help my life now and even in the future. I am preparing a better future for myself and family now.

Some years ago, I was nowhere near the stage I am today. I want to make sure I prepare a very good future for my life. I don’t have any problem with Kcee, I am only minding my business.

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18 October, 2015

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

It’s a movement, if you can’t move with the movement don’t venture into it.

Y

ou are called Dj Neptune.

What are you tuning?

I only tune and spin music, just to take the ‘nep out.’ I love spinning good tunes that would blow minds and keep you dancing on the dance floor.

How did you find yourself doing this job?

It started in 1999. I have always wanted to be an entertainer and to do anything that has to do with music. I have always been involved in music. It actually started when I was young as a radio listener. You would always see me listening to mix tapes and all that. But professionally, I started in 2001 .Funny enough, I started as a singer.

I used to have an uncle who would come to the house on Sundays to take me through voice training, but my dad was against it.

He insisted that I must go to school. You know African parents with their no school no music thing. They didn’t see the vision, because they didn’t understand what it was like to be an entertainer. I got to meet a Dj in 1999, who was spinning at the end of the year party. I fell in love with the act since that day and I felt it was part of the entertainment I wanted to be associated with.

At what point of your career did you begin to see the big picture coming?

When I started up in 2001, I didn’t know It was going to go places but I was very dedicated to the craft because I took my time to learn the basics and to understand what it was to be a DJ, because people don’t understand that being a DJ is beyond just mixing music; it is an act on its own.

When was your first big performance?

I did radio along the line from 2004-2010 on Ray power FM and I resigned in 2010 to go fully into mobile Dj. The radio platform made me popular, but it was really taking my time. I think the biggest stage was my first ever show outside the country and that was in Malaysia. The organizers, Orange Entertainment hooked up with me online, because of my huge online presence back then. It was during my birthday, which falls on September 25. The reception was crazy when I got in as I didn’t know the organizers had planned a surprise party for me. It was a very big surprise.

What does it feel like being a respected DJ in Nigeria?

I feel good. God blessed me with this talent and I always feel great displaying it. Above that, I feel happy bringing joy to the people.

This is something that really makes me happy.

What I have been able to do is to bring joy to people’s lives. You can imagine when people have issues, may be having house rent to pay or experiencing some difficult times, when they listen to me, they feel like let this problem go for now. They want to enjoy themselves. If that’s the only thing I could do to make them happy, I feel blessed to be able to play that big part in their lives.

There are quite a number of popular DJs in Nigeria, where do you place yourself among them?

How did it start?

In this part of the world Jimmy Jatt started that movement within his first album. If you go to the western world it is not new, even before Dj Khalid came into the scene, the likes of four Master Flex, Fat Man and many others have been doing it. The only constant in the life is change and you always need to adapt and be ready to move with the trend.

So, if those people can do it conveniently over there, I don’t see why we can’t do it here. I have just released So Nice video, where I featured Davido and Del B. We were inside this studio when I heard the beat and I was like take this out, put this and let’s take the chorus to this direction. When we were shooting the video, I was involved. I told the video director that I had an Idea that I wanted him to bring to reality. I don’t know how to the handle camera but I could chip in one or two things that would make the job look nice and appealing. My latest single which featured Olamide and Stoneboy, nobody saw it coming, but I did. If Neptune didn’t make that happen, probably it will never come to life. So, that is what I am trying to do with my kind of music.

‘Why I’m a special DJ’

Imohosien Patrick also known as DJ Neptune developed interest in becoming a Disc Jockey while he was in school and after watching several online DJ tutorials and practice, he became a DJ and started living his dreams, the Edo State-born father of three speaks with SEGUN ADEBAYO about his passion for his job and what makes him special.

If you have been following my career and what I have been doing in the industry, you will know that when it comes to putting a face the young set of DJ that we have, you will know that I am in the forefront. I am not trying to blow my horn, but if you go back memory lane, you will notice that Neptune introduced that. Like I said, I started off in 2001, I got on radio in 2004 and I resigned in 2010 to start doing other stuff. I started producing my own music and releasing videos, so it’s actually been a movement, but then the sky is wide for

everybody and it gives me joy to see new guys in the industry, because that is the only way the act itself can get more respect. I’m happy everybody is doing well and I am also doing good. It’s a movement right now, you have young kids, who can easily go to their parents and say I want to be like Neptune and their parents might have seen what we are doing. They know we are doing well.

Nigerian Djs are now dropping more videos and doing a lot of collaborations.

What informed this?

Is this not really going to take you away from being a DJ? It won’t affect it for any reason. It will add more value to my brand because people will get to see what DJ Neptune really looks like.

There are other Neptunes out there claiming to be me. From the kind of vidoes I am putting out, you already have an idea of what I look like. You will know that if you book me for your party, I will deliver. Those are the advantages attached to my craft. Secondly, I am also embarking on a tour after releasing my album. I would love to release the album this year, because it is ready but I am waiting for my fans to ask for it before dropping it. I want them to say we have heard enough of your singles, let’s have the album now. The album is ready, but I am in that promotion stage. You know I have just released So Nice video and it is really taking over everywhere.

After this, I want to drop one more video and single, and then I will drop the album.

So, I may drop the album this year or early next year.

Has there been any difference between the Neptune of those days and the new one that we have now?

The Neptune of those days and the Neptune of today is the same Neptune and will still be the same Neptune forty years from now. My brand may be different and my hairstyle or even the way I look, but when it comes to that Neptune with the talent to entertain the people, it is still the same one.

People could hardly believe that you are married let alone have kids...

I have been married since 2012 and my marriage has been wonderful. We just welcomed a beautiful daughter. She has brought so much joy to my life and that has put me on a different lane in terms of reality about life. What that tells me is that I need to work harder. People find it hard to believe I have three kids.

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18 October, 2015

entartainment

Sunday Tribune with Segun Adebayo tegbollistic@yahoo.com 08116954644

Amamn joins on Coson on the street

By Seyi Sokoya Following the upcoming COSON week which will commence from November 1, the Association of Music Artiste Managers of Nigeria (AMAMN), has decided to partner with the copyright association in its day 3 event tagged ‘COSON on the street where artistes and music pratitioners will engage in environmental activities in some major parts of Lagos State.

According to the president of the association, Sijuade Adedokun, the partnership was to show sense of belongning in the industry, adding that, “This event has come to symbolize the hope and belief, which our

various music superstars have in the future for our beloved country and in ourselves as Nigerians.

“This particular event will have musicians engage in humanitarian services such as environmental clean-up, traffic control, charity work and other activities aimed at giving back to the society that has been responsible for their success and has made them worthy role models.

“In keeping with our watch word of “enhancing value”,(AMAMN) will partner with COSON to make COSON on The Street not only an exciting experience, but a memorable occasion,” he added.

Eviction fever grips Glo-sponsored Dance with Peter contestants

By Rotimi Ige

E

viction fever has gripped contestants of Glo-sponsored Dance with Peter dance reality show as eight of the thirty finalists are up for eviction if they fail to secure the judges’ nod into the next round.

In spite of putting up a sterling performance and earning the applause of the audience and judges,

the duo of Captain Zee and Mannaseh, G-Stream and Ernest Smiley, Snipe and Tom Tom and Fearless and Ricky garnered the least scores from the judges, displaying the intensity of the competition and the abundance of talent in the show.

Their prospect of remaining in the show rests with the voting public.

“Latin American Dances” was the theme of the night’s

performance and it availed the 30 finalists the opportunity to dance in pairs. Since there were 17 men and 13 women, some of the boys ended up as pairs. Even this did not constitute a disadvantage as the male pairs waltzed and glided on the stage to the salsa beats just like their same-gender pair colleagues.

One of the couples, Yemi Idemudia and Ambrose

Mo Abudu, Omoni Oboli, Dakore, Ireti Doyle storm London for ‘Fifty’ premiere

By Segun Adebayo The British Council today hosted the cast and crew of the much-talked about film ‘FIFTY’ to a

pre-Premiere cocktail at Stephen St. Kitchen, London as part build-up to this Saturday’s BFI London Premiere. The

premiere will hold at the Vue 7 Cinema, Leicester Square, London.

Earlier in the year, ‘Fifty’ was selected un-

der the ‘Love Category’ amongst a diverse selection of films and events on the BFI London Festival programme. Fifty

is perfectly suited to this year’s festival theme “The Year of the Strong Woman”; a fitting theme for this riveting exploration of love and lust, power and rivalry, seduction and infidelity.

The film stars Ireti Doyle, Dakore Egbuson, Omoni Oboli and Nse Ikpe-Etim. Set in Lagos, a city of disproportionate and breathtaking contrasts, FIFTY celebrates the pulse and energy of this fast developing metropolis and explores the diversities and complexities of its colourful people through the lenses of its women.

FIFTY will have its special grand Nigerian premiere on the 13th of December 2015 at The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

T’jark proved that two men could do salsa together and pull it off so nicely with such an entertaining display with flips, stunts and spins which left one of the judges Flexx saying, “I felt their ‘chemistry’,” sending the audience reeling with laughter. Even Kaffy, the dance queen confirmed that the duo “had great connection delivering the story.”

The refrain, “What’s in a name?” may yet pop up as voting ends this week. Will it be victory for Captain Zee whose real name is Samson? Or will his pairing with Mannaseh be his undoing like Delilah was Samson’s undoing in the Bible? Will it be song of glory for G-Xtream whose first name is Gloria? Will the voters see her performance with partner Ernest earnest enough to earn a berth into the next round? Will Ernest Smiley be smiling at the end of the day?

What will be the fate of Snipes and Tom Tom? Will voters show love to Snipes whose real name is David which means ‘dearly beloved’?

Another couple at the risk of eviction is made up of Ricky and Fearless whose real name is Jonathan Tetteh. Will the voting public save him like he saved David from Saul’s wrath in the Bible? Will his performance with Ricky bring respite to both of them?

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18 October, 2015

sundayzest

With Victory Oyeleke victoryoyeleke@yahoo.com

Dangers of taking herbal remedies

H

erbal medicine, also known as botanical medicine, has been used for millennia in different cultures to treat all kinds of illnesses and ailments. In Nigeria, people turn to alternative medicine, partly due to its perceived potency and the high cost of conventional medical care.

From “agbo-jedi”- used for treating pile to “agbo-iba” – used for malaria, at one time or another we have all taken one form of herbal medicine or the other. With all the testimonies from those who have solved their medical problems with plant extracts and its ability to boost bodily functions, it is ludicrous to tell users, their trusted herbal concoctions are detrimental to their health.

The general assumption is that, herbs are harmless because they are natural- after all, we use them in the preparation of our foods.

However, some herbal remedies can be potentially dangerous, especially when combined with other medication due to drug interaction.

Unlike conventional medicine, herbal medication has not undergone any clinical trial, no formula has been drawn to decide the proper safe dosage and consumers’ risk organ damage and other problems when they take them.

The lax attitude around herbal supplements has caused a few people their organs and lives. Any substance that can reduce temperature or boost bodily function, has the presence of chemical in it.

The sad case of former N.B.A star and estranged husband of Khloé Kardashian

Lamar Odom, is a cautionary tale on how sneaky the humble herb can be. The player remains in critical condition after an alleged drug overdose, which reportedly involved up to ten pills of herbal viagra called “Reload” during a three-day period at a Nevada brothel.

“He was taking herbal viagra and he was taking a lot of it” the brothel owner, Dennis Hof told NBC. For a while now, health officials have warned about the dangers of herbal viagra.

From US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to UK National Health Service (NHS) and the Ministry of Health in Nigeria.

Difference between herbal and conventional viagra Viagra is a prescription medication that has been rigorously tested and used to

Sunday Tribune

treat erectile dysfunction. According to the Mayo Clinic, viagra works by increasing blood flow to the penis when you become sexually aroused. Due to drug interaction, viagra cannot be taken with some medication particularly, any medication used in treating heart condition neither can those with heart problems take viagra.

Herbal viagra on the other hand is cheaper, not regulated and is easily accessible.

Even those without the need for it take it to get a kinky boost, to aid their sexual prowess. Though herbal viagra improve blood flow by relaxing the walls of blood vessels, it does not focus specifically on blood vessels in the penis. As a result, it causes low blood pressure in some men.

Herbal viagra is particularly dangerous because it contains unstated and unidentified ingredients.

Though herbal viagra improves blood flow by relaxing the walls of blood vessels, it does not focus specifically on blood vessels in the penis. As a result, it causes low blood pressure in some men.

Harmful herbals Strophanthus hispidus, also known locally as “osisi Kaguru,”- used as part of the key ingredient for malaria concoction, contains chemical that can stimulate the heart and is unsafe to use without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. It can cause side effects such as nausea, headache, disturbance of colour vision, vomiting and heart problems. Pregnant women should not use it as it can cause miscarriage by contracting the uterus. It is also not suitable for breast feeding mothers. Strophanthus also interacts with other medications. (WebMD) Azadirachta indica (neem) contains chemicals that might help reduce blood sugar levels, prevent conception, kill bacteria, prevent plaque from forming in the mouth, and heal ulcers in the digestive tract. Taking neem for a long period of time might harm the kidney and liver. It is unsafe for children and can lead to blood disorder, seizures, coma, brain disorders and death.

Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) has many purported health claims. It is used for weight loss, heartburn, nasal congestion, fungal infection and loss of appetite. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims rather, it has been found, to contain chemicals that affect the nervous system. The concentration and effect of these chemicals can change depending on the part of the plant and the method used for preparation. These chemicals can squeeze blood vessels, increase blood pressure, and cause the heart to beat faster. Bitter orange is safe when taken in the amount found in food but not when taken as medicine or supplement.

Knowing the chemical composition of any substance is vital in preventing complications and drug interactions with deadly consequences. However, herbal medication does not have a full list of all its ingredients even the popular ones.

Consumers take the words of the producers and throw caution to the winds. For instance, the research and development manager of Alomo Bitter, Mr. Steven OsafoMensah claims their products had gone through clinical researches.

“There are clinical researches to back these claims. These were tested on animals and its scientific basis established. So, Alomo Bitters has gone through scientific evidence,” Since the ingredients in Alomo Bitters are a closely guarded secret, consumers can either accept their claims as credible or do without the product.

Herbal products coming from other countries are becoming household names in Nigeria and since we have a more trusting disposition towards foreign goods and the government lax regulations on chemical substances, ingredients that are banned in other countries are readily available.

Chinese herbal products have been reported to contain Arsenic, which causes nausea, vomiting, heart rhythm problems, convulsions and paralysis. It also contains Mercury-causes severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Kidney damage and diarrhea. Lead on the other hand causes coma, convulsions. Abdominal pain, and kidney damage. However these product could be purchased at most street corner kiosks.

This is not to say there are no benefits from using herbs for medicinal purposes. It however highlights the need for intensive research to determine their chemical component and the safe dosage for consumption.

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Sunday Tribune

18 October, 2015

makeover g n w i s o r p m i b t o e o y r g E

Rita Okonoboh 08053789087 rosarumese@gmail.com

ACCORDING to MAC Cosmetics’ director of makeup artistry, Romero Jennings, “Brows are really personal. Brows really give you expression. Brows can make you look strong or weak or powerful or not. A brow will give you approachability. If it’s too strong or severe, someone will pass you by.” Thus, the eyebrows are a vital part of the human make-up and deserve the best of care. Women, and men, owe it to their bodies to properly care for the eye brows. mal. We’re never going back to waxing our brows again.

Upkeep at home Once they are done by the professional, you can easily keep the shape at home when the stragglers start coming in. Take a minute each night before bed to tweeze out the ones that grow back quickly.

Invest in good tweezers Cheap tweezers are notorious at breaking the hair instead of pulling it out. You’ll be surprised how easy a good pair of tweezers can pull out a hair without breaking it.

Skip the brow fads Fads are just fads, but a professional can take the natural shape of your brows and give them the perfect arch.

Make them pop It’s true, shape is the most important thing - everyone can benefit from a brow shaping. Once shaped, however, it’s time to make them pop. Here are some ways to get even more from your brows.

Brush them into place Each morning, using a brow brush or a soft toothbrush, brush your brows into place. It will take all of two seconds and will leave them perfectly placed. Some people recommend using clear mascara or even a bit of hairspray sprayed onto the toothbrush to keep them in place all day long.

Fill in sparse brows Put down the pencil which can leave obvious darkening and sometimes, depending on how heavy handed you are, can leave obvious pencil lines. Get some mineral makeup that matches your brow colour and a makeup brush made just for your brows and fill them in.

For women

Jen Adkins, Skin Care expert shares tips on grooming eyebrows for women.

U

se professional services Sure, you can groom your eyebrows by yourself, but you’ll get a much better job when you pay to have it down. When you are lying back, the technician can easily and evenly shape your brows in a resting, natural position.

Photo: www.blackgirlhealth.com

Put the messy popsicle stick down Getting your brows done doesn’t have to mean waxing. Threading is hotter than ever and you’ll probably have no problems finding someone local to do it. There is less redness and it’s faster and far more precise than waxing. Added bonus: It’s usually cheaper! Plus, unlike waxing, you don’t need to really grow out your brows so there is enough hair for the wax to stick and pull out so outgrowth is mini-

For men

Executive fashion and beauty editor at The Huffington Post, Dana Oliver, shares Jennings guide to grooming men’s eyebrows.

Get expert recommendations The most important thing is to ask a guy with really great brows for a reference on where to go, not a woman.

Tweeze, not wax Traditional tweezing is best because it allows you to see progression. Sometimes guys go in and get their brows waxed and there is this really clean, blocked off, square shape. And because their hair is so dense and often dark, it looks draw-on. [Waxing] makes it obvious that it’s been done.

Step back from the mirror When you go into the salon, request to have the brows cleaned up a bit underneath. After that, take a second look in the mirror, then you can trim. Once the shape is there and you’ve gone back to your groomer a few times, they can make sure it’s tailored for your face shape and brow hairs.

Don’t touch your unibrow... right away Depending on your age, you might want to address it as you’re getting older.

Reduce post-eyebrow grooming A light moisturizer, tinted moisturizer or face powder also helps to reduce redness and calm skin post-eyebrow grooming.

Use a highlighter Putting a bit of highlighter right under the arch of your brow will accentuate the brow bone, leaving you looking younger and your eyes looking bigger.

Upkeep If you keep the stragglers that come in early at bay with nightly tweezing, a brow wax or threading can last a good month or more. Some people can keep the shape at home with at home waxing, as well, but we recommend just making a reoccurring monthly (more or less depending on growth) stop at the mall for a professional upkeep, especially if you let them all grow throughout the month.

Photo: Getty images

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Sunday Tribune

18 October, 2015

relationships Toxic lies people tell about

. . . issues, family, sex

Rita Okonoboh 08053789087 rosarumese@gmail.com

If you believe this about yourself, consider talking with a professional counsellor about the events or relationships in your life that led you to embrace this falsehood in the first place.

“I know this relationship isn’t great, but it’s better than being alone” People convince themselves there’s no downside to staying with the wrong person until the right one comes along, but the risks are actually huge.

There’s the risk of becoming so comfortable with the wrong person that you stay in a mediocre dating relationship, which could lead to a mediocre marriage. There’s also the risk that, being preoccupied with a mismatch, you’ll miss out on the right match.

“It has to look like ‘love at first sight’” Many people don’t take the time to get to know themselves or identify the essential qualities they need in a partner. These people often come to a first date with selection criteria based on distortions, and they make important decisions based on the delusion of “immediate chemistry.”

If sparks don’t fly right away, they might pass on a great individual without giving chemistry a chance to develop. Or they may pursue the relationship based on chemistry when other vital qualities are missing.

F

ALLING in love, according to experts, is one of the strongest feelings a person can experience. As such, when people find themselves on the negative side of love, there is bound to be feelings of insecurity and lies are told to make themselves feel better.

“No one enjoys being lied to. But when it comes to telling ourselves the truth, we don’t always hold to the same standard.

Sometimes we fudge a little. Sometimes, in fact, we tell ourselves blatant lies. Far from innocent and harmless, these self-deceptions can keep us from finding great relationships. Below are five of the most common lies, according to eHarmony, people tell themselves about dating: “Love is for everyone except me” Even if you don’t actually say these words to yourself, they may form the basis of a nameless, nagging fear. Either way, the feeling of being destined to forever stand on the

If you have nagging concerns about someone you’re dating, ignoring them only delays the inevitable. You might end up wasting months and even years with the wrong person, missing out on better prospects in the process.

outside of love looking in is common.

Instead of telling yourself this lie, stop blurring the line between fact and fear. The lack of a significant other in your life currently may be a fact, but projecting that reality dismally into the future is all about fear. It can also become a self-fulfilling prediction, keeping you from exploring new relationships.

“I don’t really deserve more” This lie can prevent you from taking the risk of exploring a new relationship or keep you stuck in a lousy one. Those who believe this lie may find themselves putting up with disrespect or even abuse. It’s counterintuitive to expect someone to love you well when you don’t expect it yourself.

“If I ignore this red flag, it’ll go away or change” If you have nagging concerns about someone you’re dating, ignoring them only delays the inevitable. Convincing yourself otherwise is a sure path to disappointment and even heartache. You might end up wasting months and even years with the wrong person, missing out on better prospects in the process.

Recognising and rejecting lies is a critical step in wise dating. By telling yourself the truth, you’ll be equipped and empowered to find a loving relationship.

What kissing says about relationships SHERIL Kirshenbaum, author of The Science of Kissing, shares tips on what a couple’s style of kissing reflects about the relationship.

The peck This brief kiss is about testing each other out. If there is a spark, it may lead to a different kind of kiss altogether. If you’re in a long-term relationship it’s a quick, comfortable check-in with each other.

The cheek kiss This one’s all about friendship instead of romance. If your partner kisses you on the cheek, it could be a sign that you still have a deep friendship at the core.

an old or a new love, this is a bond you want to continue.

The gentle kiss This one is believed to be about anticipation, teasing and delayed gratification, indicating a deep level of comfort.

The French kiss This passionate kiss is all about exploration and intimacy. If you and your partner kiss like this, you want to know more and more about them.

The sloppy kiss Your relationship is very physical, possibly more so than anything else. Sheril says that men are the biggest fans of this kiss.

The nibble kiss Another passionate one - couples who gently bite each other’s lips are likely to have a healthy, playful, athletic sex life.

The closed-mouth kiss You’re not entirely comfortable with each other - which is fine if your relationship’s still very new. In a longer-term couple though, it may be a sign of emotional walls.

The single-lip kiss This is a loving style that is all about shared experience and pleasure. Whether

Photo:www.madamenoire.com

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18 October, 2015

With Akintayo Abodunrin akinjaa03@yahoo.co.uk 08111813058

Film for empowerment: Cinematic searchlight on forced evictions across Nigeria Three international organisations use film to encourage and educate residents of Makoko Waterfront, Lagos facing eviction by government

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ELP from unexpected quarters came the way of the embattled Makoko Waterfront community on Friday, October 9 when Amnesty International Nigeria, Ford Foundation and CMAP joined the people in their struggle against forced eviction by the Lagos State government.

The government has been trying to evict the boat people from their stilt houses since 2012 with the then Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in the Babatunde Fashola administration, Toyin Ayinde, saying the community would be demolished with modern houses built in its place.

According to Ayinde, the new housing scheme would be similar to Lake Union, Seattle, US where houses are built on water in an organised manner. The Commissioner had also cited the extension of the community towards the PHCN high tension cables on the lagoon as another reason why the community had to be demolished.

Government carried out its threat on July 21, 2012 when its officials moved in to demolish the community. In the process, one of the local chiefs, Timothy Azinpono was killed by a policeman while 4,037 people were displaced. The people thereafter engaged in a series of actions including protesting to Governor Fashola, heading for the courts and petitioning the National Human Rights Commission.

Preparing for the screening at Makoko Floating School However, Friday’s support from Amnesty International Nigeria, Ford Foundation and CMAP, in the form of film screenings, was essentially to encourage residents of the community not to relent in their struggle and that following examples elsewhere, they can gain legal victory over government.

Interestingly, the now world famous Makoko Floating School built by architect and entrepreneur, Kunle Adeyemi, which the Fashola government also threatened to demolish in April 2013, was the venue of the film screening.

It was a relieved team of journalists who had never been on a canoe ride on the lagoon that clambered to safety aboard the Floating School after a 15-minute ride from Jesusemadegbe Jetty. They met a crowd of merry making chiefs, adults and children eagerly awaiting the commencement of the

screening while officials of Chicoco Radio that coordinated the screening, battled the winds to set up an inflatable screen rigged to a big canoe.

Also waiting for the journalists were officials of the three bodies; South Africans Thembani Ngongoma and Nan-diphaChala, founding members of the South African shack dwellers movement, Abahlalibase Mjondolo, which features prominently in the first documentary, ‘Dear Mandela’.

Described variously by critics and reviewers as “stirring…evocatively shot, lucidly edited”; “enthralling”; “gripping” and “a call to action as much as it is an indictment of a government that has lost its way,” ‘Dear Mandela’ chronicles the struggles of a group of slum dwellers in Durban, South Africa, who refused to be evicted from their settlement by government.

Ekwuazi, Pimenta, Lovelace, others unveiled as 2015 AFRIFF jurors SEVEN filmmakers and film scholars have been unveiled as judges for the 2015 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) holding in Lagos from November 8 to 15.

A statement from the organisers disclosed that the judges were carefully selected because of their in depth knowledge of filmmaking in Africa and their passion for its growth.

“At AFRIFF, we do not compromise quality. The jury members are some of the best hands that have come out of Africa. Their pedigree is unequal, but most importantly is their passion and dedication to the advancement of the art and business of filmmaking in Africa,” said Ms. Chioma Ude, Founder/ CEO of AFRIFF in unveiling the judges.

They are the new Festival Director of the Durban International Film Festival, Pedro Pimenta; co-founder and Executive Director of Nollywood Week Paris, SergeArmand Kouami Noukoue ; Director of the Cairo International Film Festival, Soheir Abdel Kader and Professor of Broadcasting and Film, Department of Theatre Arts, Uni-

Asha Lovelace versity of Ibadan, Hyginus Ekwuazi.

Others are lecturer of Film Production and Film Studies at the University of the West Indies, Asha Lovelace; South African film and TV producer, Teddy Mattera and head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, Dr. Abigail OgwezzyNdisika.

They have the onerous task of appraising the about 139 films in the competitive segment of festival which will also feature in-

dustry sessions, master classes and movie screenings.

Artistic Director, Keith Shiri, disclosed that 180 movies comprising 36 feature length films, 25 panorama, 27 documentaries, 58 short films, 17 student shorts and 13 animation films will be screened during the festival now in its fifth year.

Activities of the festival will happen in three venues; Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Genesis Duluxe Cinema, Lekki, and City Mall Cinema, Onikan.

However, interested participants have been advised to register at www.afriff.com as admittance will be for only registered and duly accredited delegates.

Founded in 2010 by Ude, an ardent film lover and entrepreneur, AFRIFF’s vision is to raise awareness about African cinema, its vast potentials and the tremendous socioeconomic impact it has not only on African economies but other third world and developing economies as well. The last two editions were held at Tinapa Resort, Calabar, Cross River State.

They formed themselves into the Abahlalibase Mjondolo (red shirts) and began their protest against forced eviction peacefully before taking the authorities to South Africa’s Constitutional Court where they won and retained their right to remain in their settlement.

The message to the Makoko Waterfront people was clear: refuse forced eviction by going to the courts to enforce your rights.

The second documentary, ‘Rebel Architecture: Working on Water’ showed how the Floating School was built and harassments Adeyemi faced while the edifice was being constructed. Its message, like the first film, was never succumb to government intimidation; pursue your rights legitimately in court. Shouts of joy from some of the pupils excited at seeing themselves in the movie interspersed the screening of ‘Rebel Architecture’ The last documentary, ‘People Live Here’ was also about settlers who got a raw deal from government. It centres on the plight of the inhabitants of Njemanze Waterside in Port Harcourt, Rivers State who were forcibly evicted by government in 2009. Many of the respondents in the documentary narrated their plight and denounced the callousness of government that claimed it was engaged in urban renewal. Nonetheless, there was no disputing the fact that ‘Dear Mandela’, directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza, resonated more with the viewers and gave them renewed hope.

Fittingly, the film that has so far been translated into 12 languages did not screen just in Lagos. Showing for the first time in Nigeria, it was also screened in Abuja and Port Harcourt to raise awareness about housing rights issues, forced evictions and gross violation of human rights.

Explaining her organisation’s involvement in the screening, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Housing Rights Researcher, Morayo Adebayo, said “our objective at this event is to highlight the human rights issues evoked by forced eviction while sensitizing Continues p27

27 arts&culture

18 October, 2015

The group intends to make profound artistic statements with over 40 massive works to be shown at Thought Pyramid Art Centre

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HREE years after their last outing, the Iponri Alliance made up of eight artists, is set to return with a massive exhibition titled ‘Today in History’.

The seven-day show will be on from October 22 to 28 at Abuja’s leading gallery, Thought Pyramid Art Centre.

A minimum of 40 works including paintings, sculptures, installations and mixed media will be on display during the exhibition.

The quartet of Tayo Olayode, Kehinde Oso, Sanusi Abdullahi and Bede Umeh, all members of Iponri Arts Studios and colleagues who share their visions, Bimbo Adenugba, Uchay Joel Chima, Bolaji Ogunwo and Gerald Chukwuma are participating in the show.

Speaking at a meeting with journalists ahead of the show which opens this Thursday with renowned arts patron, Mr. Sammy Olagbaju, as chair, coordinator of the show, Olayode explained its objectives. He said the artists intend to make profound artistic statements with works to be shown and that each of them will exhibit at least six works.

On why the show is happening in Abuja though all the artists are based in Lagos, Olayode said, “We are all artists with big canvases and installations and Thought Pyramid in Abuja is the only gallery that can accommodate us in Nigeria; it also meets international standards. In fact, we are partnering with Thought Pyramid for the show.” He added that the Alliance plans exhibitions in the US and Dubai next year and that the title was chosen because October is Nigeria’s Independence anniversary month.

On why he is showing with the Iponri Artists, Chukwuma who had worked with Olay-

Cinematic searchlight on forced evictions across Nigeria

continued from pg26

‘Ecstacy’ by Bimbo Adenugba

‘You are not alone’ by Gerald Chukuma

Iponri Alliance artists set Abuja aglow with Today in History ode in the past and saw their exhibition, ‘Beyond Boundaries’ in Ghana in 2012 said he shares the ideas of the Iponri Artists.

For Adenugba, who participated in the 2012 exhibition in Ghana, the forthcoming show is another opportunity to synergise with artists of like minds. “The synergy is an encouragement for me and besides, this show is about aesthetics; the beauty of these everlasting works we will be showcasing,” he said.

On what’s been happening to the Iponri Artists, Umeh said they have all been busy and being that they last showed as a group in 2012, “it is proper to make noise this time around with our significant works.”

Speaking on their expectations from the exhibition happening in Abuja, Umeh and Olayode said they expect a good show. Umeh said, “We had a good show the first time and the patronage was ok but it’s not just about the sales, it’s about the statement we want to make. We want people to come and see something different; we want people to see what we have been doing and we intend to make them marvel.”

For Olayode, “It’s a balance between the two; I mean commercial and expressing ourselves. When people see what you can do, they start chasing you with money. We want to bring out new styles that people will adore.”

‘Music of our time’ by Sanusi Abdullahi Given their pedigree, art lovers in the FCT are set for a good time with members of the Iponri Alliance, all talented artists. The

Auchi Polytechnic trained Abdullahi, for instance, is a resourceful teacher and sculptor with fascinating works who has participated in several group exhibitions within and outside Nigeria. The same applies to Chukwuma, a first class Art graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who started out as a painter but has successfully transformed into a mixed media relief sculptor and contemporary furniture designer.

Painter and portraitist, Ogunwo, was among the eight eminent Nigerian artists who participated in the ‘Living Legend’ show alongside Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo, Olu Ajayi and others in 2014.

Chima has exhibited in prominent galleries and Museums in Nigeria, South Africa, Canada, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

His works are featured at international auction houses including Bonhams, Arthouse Contemporary and Lagos Art Auction.

Painter and sculptor, Oso has also featured in several Nigerian and international exhibitions as has Olayode, President, Water Colour League and founder of the Iponri Arts Studios. It’s the same with Yaba College of Technology trained Umeh who worked as an illustrator before retiring into fulltime studio practice. The last artist, Adenugba, was also trained at YABATECH and has been a full time artist since the mid 90s.

Coal City Literary Forum fetes Anezi Okoro

Officials setting up the inflatable screen stakeholders on their obligations and rights, through human rights education and discussion sessions.

“Amnesty International is very much concerned about the trend of forced eviction which appears to be spreading across the country at an uncontrollable rate. It is in this light that we have considered it necessary to make the conversation a national one.”

AUTHOR of young adult novellas, ‘One Week One Trouble’, ‘Village Headmaster’, ‘Village Boy’ and ‘Double Trouble’, Professor Anezi Okoro, will be celebrated on Thursday, October 29 by the Coal City Literary Forum (CCLF).

The event happening at Ofuobi Africa Centre, Off Umuoji, Independence Layout, Enugu by 11am is in recognition of Okoro’s contributions to the promotion of reading in the country Aside writing popular young adult novellas, Okoro also translated four of Shakespeare’s novels into Igbo language. His works were included in the literary texts of public schools for many years and they influenced many writers.

Aside his contributions to literature, Professor Okoro, also forayed into public matters. A statement by the Planning Committee Secretary, Mrs. Chinemerem Anyi,

Anezi Okoro disclosed that, “It was Okoro who wrote the proposal for the citing of the Federal

Capital Territory in Abuja in 1976. Other numerous accomplishments of this legend have largely remained unsung. Against this background, the Coal City Literary Forum has decided to celebrate this 86 years old man who has given so much to society while he is still alive.

“We are expecting many dignitaries like his personal friend Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, his students, Senators Chris Ngige and Chimaroke Nnamani. The governor of Enugu State will be the special guest of honour.

The occasion will be chaired by Elder K. U. Kalu while the former Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo will deliver the key note address”.

Coal City Literary Forum is a communitybased organisation that promotes reading among young people and sharpens the writing skills of aspiring young writers.

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Sunday Tribune

Sunday Tribune

18 October, 2015

glamour G

Growing up ROWING up was normal for me. Like every other child. I grew up in a large family. I was allowed to do the things I enjoyed doing as a child. I was a jovial child, always singing and acting. There was a lot of freedom in my house to do that because my parents were liberal. I thoroughly enjoyed my childhood.

With Tayo Gesinde temiligali03@yahoo.com 0805 472 7801

Beauty regimen I take off my make-up every night. It is a must.

And I must shower every night. The kind of job I do, I have make-up all the time. I am under the light filming and sweating all the time so I have to refresh; shower and drink a lot of water. I try to grab some rest when I could and I exercise by taking a long walk. I like to keep fit and be healthy.

Foray into acting Acting is a natural gift that God has given me.

When I found out that I could act, I decided to pursue it as a career. I was very passionate about it.

I had a flair for it so I decided to make a career out of it. I started acting in church. While growing up, I was one of those children that people would call to come and act. And sometimes without being called, would start dramatising for them and they will all enjoy it. It was a gift but growing up, there were other skills I had to learn as an actress.

Fashion obsession I have a lot. Sunglasses! I have like a hundred pair of sunglasses. The last time we went to shoot at Mercy Aigbe’s boutique, my eyes caught this particular sunglasses and I had to get it. I am a blazer-kind of person. Those two items are musthaves for me.

My first movie After I won the Amstel Malta Box Office in 2008, I featured in Cindy’s Note and fortunately, it got me a nomination of the Most Promising Actress of 2009. It was a very nice experience because that was my first movie and I got to act the lead role. I got to act with Nonso Diobi, Clems Ohaeze and also worked with Uzu Ojukwu. It was a dream come true. Given that kind of experience for the first time in my life as an actress was overwhelming. I was so grateful to God and I am still grateful to God for giving me that kind of pedestal to kick start my career.

What I can’t be caught dead wearing Anything frumpy. It does something to my psyche so even when I am working, I try as much as

Challenges faced First of all, it was my name; Bayray, people had a lot of difficulty in pronouncing it. Of course, they liked the brand but they were not sure whether I was from Bayelsa, Cameroon or South Africa. So, I had to answer that question all the time. I would answer that question by saying that I am a Nigerian; a proper Ibo girl, who likes Nkwobi very well. I think people have got the knack of that so I don’t have to answer that question all the time now. Also, at that time because we didn’t have a lot of movies production as we do now, I sort of struggled to make a name for myself in the industry but it has gotten a lot easier over the years and I am so grateful.

Role models There are lots of them.

The likes of Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, I admire them. Rita Dominic and Genevieve Nnaji, for the fact that they are still relevant in an industry, that has sort of positively exploded.

They are brand ambassadors even internationally, such things inspire me that there is a lot that one can cover. And it is always good to stay fresh and hungry for more success.

My most challenging movie role I will say that most of the works that I had if not all of them took something important from me. Or let me say I gave out an important essence of myself to that character but the movie, The Visit, which was premiered in Cinemas this weekend and which starred Nse Etim, myself, Femi Jacobs and Blossom Chukwu. I have never played such a role before. She was such a complex and interesting character that you would love to hate but at the end of the day, you would just love to love her but you

29

Favourite designers I like Elie Saab, Armani and our local designers like Ejiro Amos Tafiri.

possible to look smart and fresh.

Accessory I can’t do without My clutch bag. It is handy, posh and easy to carry.

Favourite pastimes I relax on my bed, drinking juice, eating pop corn and watching a movie. I am not working, just chilling and I am happy. I could also go for a swim then go home and sleep and just be grateful for having time to rest.

Cost of looking good To be truthful, it cost quite a lot to look good.

You know what they say; “work hard, play hard.” I like to look good so, if I see anything that will look good on me or make me happy and it won’t empty my bank account, I will go for it.

Opinion on toning I have nothing against it. I will tone as long as it doesn’t damage my skin. For me, everything is good as long as it is done in moderation. Don’t get obsessed with it. Don’t try to change yourself because of people, do what makes you happy.

What I will like to change about myself Maybe I will like to grow like four inches taller because I am 5.2 or 5.3 but I guess this is how God wants me to be and I like it.

Cosmetic surgery Oh my God! I don’t know if they have a better procedure these days but as long as you have to go under the knife, count me out. I think those who do it are very brave. I am not condemning cosmetic surgery but the most important thing is for a man or woman to be at peace with how he or she looks.

For Eberechukwu Mcnwizu, known in the movie world as Bayray Mcnwizu, winning the Amstel Malta Box Office in 2008, marked the beginning of her exciting career in acting. TAYO GESINDE caught up with the young lady, who holds Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy from Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos State, at a location in Lagos, recently, where she speaks on her career, fashion obsession and how she has been coping with advances from male admirers. Excerpts:

5

My view on provocative dressing Well, I believe one should be moderate in everything one does. Don’t dress in a way that will give you undue attention but as much as possible, look beautiful.

Greatest physical asset My makeup artist always tell me I have beautiful lips and she is always applying lovely lipsticks on them. So, I guess my lips are my greatest physical assets.

qualities my ideal man must have

Philosophy of life Live an easy life. Forgive easily, forget the past, move forward and do as much as you can do because once you are gone (dead), you are gone.

Forget what anyone is saying, be focused, there is a purpose for which you are on earth so live your God-given purpose and keep dreaming big.

Coping with advances from men It happens all the time. It depends on your manner of approach. You can be cordial or rude about it. When they get to know that you are a really nice person and they get to know that you are not interested in a relationship, they will respect that and won’t be forceful but the forceful ones, they get the message that when I say no I, I mean it.

—Bayray Mcnwizu

would have come to understand why she behaved the way she did. It took a lot from me. We had to shoot for 14 days. The writer, Biodun Stevens has a very unique writing style and she made the character of the film very real. Someone you and I could relate with as a woman. I enjoyed characters like that. Not everybody is glamourous or good, some people have bad stories which made them to behave the way they did. Films like that are dear to my heart because I had to work hard to deliver the character.

Pains and gains of being an actress If you ask me to tell you the most painful thing about being an actress three years ago, I would have said; oh my God! I don’t have privacy anymore but it comes with the territory. You are on television all the time and people want to know what is happening in your life. I have come to accept the fact that I am in the limelight so I try to make the right decisions; decisions that I can live with bearing in mind that people are watching me especially the younger generation so that they too can make the right decisions. Though I can’t make the right decisions all the time, I would love to, the truth is that, I am human and I have flaws. How-

ever, I am trying to live my life the best way I can and leave the rest to God. Most embarrassing thing a fan ever did to me Well, I think it is usually when the opposite sex are getting too cozy or close to me. Someone who is just meeting me for the first time and he is trying to behave as if he has known me forever and is trying to touch my body. I try as much as possible to be very cordial and respectful to them but most of the time you just can’t avoid it so, I just try to make the best of the situation.

Definition of style Style is unique. It is your brand. Style is individuality; what stands you out. Your unique creativity that is not copied. I may be wearing a pair of jean with a tank top and the way I wear it and combine it would be different from the way another person would. I like to wear colourful things. I like to be vibrant and I like to be comfortable. I like my skin to breathe, I don’t like anything holding me too tight. I like to be stylish and glamourous. My mum always told me to always look nice because one does not know when God is coming; that means one should always look presentable because one doesn’t know when an opportunity will come.

My ideal man I want a guy who is fresh. Someone who takes care of his appearance and who is also an intellectual. His manner of speech, intellectualism and his comportment will give one an idea of how his mind works.

Actresses and promiscuity Anybody could be promiscuous. A banker or teacher. You can’t be promiscuous because you are an actress rather, it is your character. It just became pronounced because you are in the limelight.

So many women are promiscuous who are not actresses, so it has nothing to do with the profession.

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aspire

18 October, 2015

BY OLAIDE SOKOYA 0807 449 7425 (sms only)

ollydesanmi@yahoo.com

‘Govt should give room for youths to express their feelings’ Moyosoore Olamilekan Idris is the founder of Female Orientation Team (F.O.T) Federal School of Statistics, Ajibode, Ibadan Campus, Oyo State. In this interview with OLAIDE SOKOYA, he speaks on life as an entrepreneur and other issues. Excerpts:

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hat is Female Orientation Team all about?

Female Orientation Team is about building the nation’s women leaders. As we all know that our women have been relegated, forgotten, and written off from their rights and responsibilities.

Women are being intimidated in one way or the other either by opposite sex in their environment, their places of work in one way or the other. With the coming on board of Female Orientation Team, we have come to tell people that enough to women being intimidated; being oppressed and being frustrated.

Your motto is ‘Building the nation’s future women leaders’. How are you planning to build the nation’s women being a youth?

We are trying to deploy the idea of organising skill acquisition programme for female youths whereby they can be Information Communication Technology (ICT)oriented. We also organise seminars that are basically on health and on leadership training which can help them to exhibit their civil or social rights.

When did you establish this team?

The idea came up in April 2013, but we started Female Orientation Team fully on 29th of January 2015 at the Federal School of Statistics, Ibadan.

Since you started, what are the challenges you have faced and how have you been able to overcome them?

Before we could achieve this, we had a lot of critics, a lot of challenges and discouragement. But God saw me through, I got the team launched, I got sponsors from people and encouragement from my school management and others.

You are running a non-governmental organisation. How do you want government and other bodies to come to your help?

It would be a great privilege for me if organisations can render assistance to us. The government, as well as other eminent personalities can also help us out. They should try as much as possible to rally round us; support this vision to make it a reality for us to get to the point that we want to have the best Pan-African women leading the nation as well as put a stop to what is part of our slogan that ‘we are going beyond the borders of female being intimidated, our females being frustrated and our females being oppressed’. We urge our government to assist us in term of funding, assist us in materials, and assist us in giving by recognition and as well as giving us security and reasons that Female Orientation Team should be a platform where our females can be empowered. We also implore government to give room and organise programmes, seminars as well as empower our females.

Our females out there should not allow themselves to be intimidated, because if they allow intimidation, it can derail them from their vision and mission.

Moyosoore What is your advice to the general public especially ladies and women?

My advice to females out there is that they should not allow themselves to be intimidated, because if they allow intimidation, it can derail them from their vision and mission which can delay them from a lot of things for the rest of their lives. Secondly, they should not give room for frustration. They should not be oppressed; they are women of virtue, they are women of substance and they are nation builders.

What is your advice to Nigerian youths?

I think in the present day that we are now, we should not be looking up to the government nor our parents, we should try all means to be empowered. We should be skilled. But I have found out that a lot of opportunities are opened out there, a lot of awareness are being created both on radio and television but our youths are not yielding to it due to laziness and carefree attitude. All they want is ready-made posts. So, I urge our youths to think deeply and look for the problem in the society and how they can solve them by engaging themselves in skills acquisition, learning trades. When you learn one skill or the other, you get noticed and by the time you learn it, let them be published out, let them be upgraded; let them be lunched out, let them know that I know how to do fashion, I know how to do this, I know how to do that.

My advice to the government is to recognise youths; government should allow the youth to express their feelings.

They should also empower them by establishing them with funds, if not 100 per cent but 70 per cent because it is part of why they are being called governments of the people, by the people and for the people which is called democracy.

What is your philosophy of life, what keeps you going?

My philosophy of life is that ‘variety is the spice of life and that if you want to get there alone, go alone and if you want to go far, go together’.

Your Life Counts

Sunday Tribune

by Tunde Jaiyebo 0803 406 2013

Increasing your respect quotient (1) THE Readers Digest Word Power dictionary defines respect as “a feeling of admiration for someone elicited by their qualities or achievements.” To be respected is to be regarded highly by people. It is being honoured and esteemed greatly.

If we are going to be a people whose life counts it means we must be respectable people. Respect cannot be demanded, it is earned. Respect is the reward of a right mix of competence, character and reputation. Respect is the consequence of having a right value in the eyes of people we relate with.

Respect is earned in different ways depending on the kind of people and the kind of things we are engaged in, but there are some general principles which can help increase our respect quotient.

We cannot earn other peoples respect if we do not value and respect ourselves. The first rule of respect is respect yourself so others can respect you.

“If you want to be respected by others the great thing is to respect yourself. Only by that, only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you.”

Fyodor Dostoyevsky Self respect demands discipline and paying the price to earn it. It doesn’t just come on a platter of gold. We must be brutally honest with ourselves.

“It is the highest form of self-respect to admit our errors and mistakes and make amends for them.

To make a mistake is only an error in judgment, but to adhere to it when it is discovered shows infirmity of character.” Dale E. Turner “Self-respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased. It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations. It comes to us when we are alone, in quiet moments, in quiet places, when we suddenly realize that, knowing the good, we have done it; knowing the beautiful, we have served it; knowing the truth we have spoken it.” Whitney Griswold Once we have self respect, then, we need to put some things in place to make us earn the respect of others.

To earn people’s respect we must be people-oriented. We must place a great premium on the welfare and well-being of people. Even though we need people to execute our vision we must never see or use people as tools. “Respect begins with this attitude: I acknowledge that you are a creature of extreme worth.” Gary Chapman People will always respect those who treat them well. We must see people as partners in progress in executing our vision. In our bid to executing our vision we must ensure we are adding value to and treat people who assist us with dignity, respect and honour. We must develop a strong constructive mutually beneficial relationship with people. We must never be an oppressive or repressive agent but a value-adding supportive person. Respect, they say, begets respect.

“Friendship- my definition- is built on two things.

Respect and trust. Both elements have to be there.

And it has to be mutual. You can have respect for someone, but if you don’t have trust, the friendship will crumble.” Stieg Larsson When we respect people (especially those who work with us) they will in turn respect us. We respect people by treating them fairly, decently and courteously.”

For enquiries/comments please send email to urlifecounts@yahoo.com

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18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

thepolity As reps move to save internally displaced people of North-East In this report, KOLAWOLE DANIEL writes on the move by the House of Representatives to address the challenges facing the North East zone and the internally displaced persons (IDPs).

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HE 8th House of Representatives in its legislative agenda outlines steps and prioritises legislative actions required to achieve set goals and objectives among which included legislative initiative on the NorthEastern part of the country.

To salvage the zone, the House promised to take legislative action that supports the delivery of special economic development measures that will address the root causes of problems specific to the zone.

Specifically, the challenges of insecurity and terrorism in the North-East leading to massive displacement of Nigerians with the resultant huge Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), which the House agreed must be addressed.

Furthermore, the House accepted that the physical and infrastructural devastation of states of the North-East zone is a national security emergency that should be confronted.

To show the seriousness of the House in addressing the security challenges facing the North-East zone, the Speaker of the House Honourable Yakubu Dogara and 87 other members sponsored a motion for the “Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Recovery and Development of the NorthEast zone of Nigeria.”

While moving the motion, he expressed concern over the lack of policy framework to cater for the IDPs in such a sorry situation.

“There is no law or policy framework setting out responsibilities in terms of IDPs’ protection and assistance; the failure to define roles and responsibilities continues to hamper the humanitarian and development response, requiring a holistic approach towards durable solutions and efforts to prevent and prepare for future displacement.”

The speaker also commended efforts by the Federal Government and some private philanthropists, having initiated schemes such as the Presidential Initiative for NorthEast Nigeria (PINE), Counter Violence Extremism (CVE), Almajiri Education Programme (AEP), Safe Schools Initiative (SSI) and Terrorism Victims’ Support Fund to ease the hard situation of some of the IDPs. Basically, the motion was a move to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the sorry state of the zone and the need for the government to come to the aid of the zone.

IDPs hit 5 million not 2.1 million At different fora, Honourable Dogara disclosed that the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the NorthEast has reached 5 million, not 2.1 million reported official figures.

President Muhammadu Buhari

The speaker, who stated this when he received the head of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Ms Angel Dekonge Antangara, in his office, maintained that the actual number of people affected by Boko Haram insurgency may be close to five million.

According to him, “as an indigene of the North-East, it is safe to say the number of IDPs in Nigeria can be up to 5 million. The NHCR deals with symptoms of terrorism which is the displacement.”

He added that the House has passed a motion calling the attention of the executive to the plight of IDPs with the hope of working together to bring about a lasting solution through the engagement of international donor conference for the plight of those in the zone.

Speaking further, he said: “Terrorism is global and if not dealt with; it will spill across borders such as the current refugee crisis facing Europe from Syria, Libya etc”, noting that, the House Committee on Public Safety and National Intelligence when constituted will be mandated to handle issues relating to IDPs for now.

“If they are overwhelmed, however, a substantive committee for IDPs will be looked into. The House is ready to partner with all relevant bodies committed to ending the evil that produce refugees, IDPs and the events of statelessness.”

On the issue of domesticating the resolutions of the refugee conventions, the Speaker said the House will partner with the Senate to ensure that those important

Honourable Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of House of Representatives

treaties and convention are ratified through the relevant committees soon.

Speaking earlier, MsAntangara told the Speaker that the office is providing solutions both locally and worldwide.

The UNHCR, according to her, intervenes for people termed as stateless or border less and that she is in Nigeria to look at the MOU UNHCR has with the country.

“I hope Nigeria will sustain its pioneer role in the security and resettlement of IDPs as well as Parliamentary input to sensitising on the right of IDPs as human beings,” she stated.

Ms Antangara said that the existing draft from the IDPs convention should be domesticated and that a committee should be set up to take care of refugees as well as IDPs. “This issue warrants serious parliamentary attention. UNHCR is ready to provide technical and even financial support to organise events to sensitise members on the way forward in preventing and resetting IDPs when they occur», she stated.

Living up to its legislative agenda on the North-East, the House, on Wednesday, approved the creation of a committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Refugees and Initiatives of the North East zone as a standing committee of the House.

The House equally moved matters of refugees and internally displaced person matters from its committee on Human Right to the newly approved committee.

The House resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Honourable Em-

manuel Orker- Jev entitled «creation and jurisdiction of additional committee, pursuant to order 19, rule 216 (1) of the standing orders of the House of Representatives.”

While moving the motion he maintained that, «the murderous and destructive activities of the sect, especially in the NorthEast zone has led to the death of over 2 thousand people, displacement of over 5 million others, destruction of properties worth millions of naira and dislocation of the way of life of the people, particularly in Borno, Yobe, parts of Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.”

The new committee, according to him, will be engage in oversight functions of the ministry, agency, parastatals of government department responsible for IDPs, refugees, migrants and stateless persons.

The new committee would also have power oversight and legislate over the National Commission for Refugees and will also cover policy and legislative measures on the IDPs. When the motion was put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the session, it was unanimously supported by majority of the members.

With the seriousness of purpose displayed by the House to rescue the situation in the North-East zone, it is also important for the government at the centre to act as quickly as possible to support the demands of the House in order to restore back good life to the zone.

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interview

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Nigeria has been destroying geniuses —Banjo

Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo, CON, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, speaks with MOSES ALAO and OLAKUNLE TAIWO on the state of education in the country, Nigeria at 55, how a new nation can evolve and why there is no winner for the 2015 NLNG Prize for Literature, among others. Excerpts:

R

ECENTLY, the advisory board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature said there was no winner for this year’s edition and one would recall that same thing happened in 2009 and 2004. What exactly was the board, which you head, looking for that none of the 109 entries could not meet?

Let me clarify that the inability of the advisory board to recommend that the prize be awarded in 2004 and 2009 had nothing to do with children literature. We have awards for four genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children literature. So, the failure of 2004 related to fiction, the failure of 2009 related to poetry and the failure this year related to children literature.

I think the problem that we have with children literature is unique in many ways. First, not many known writers go for children literature. If you talk about prose fiction and poetry, you will name some well-known Nigerians who have written novels, but a few write specifically for children.

There is also a question of appropriate use of the language in children literature. The problem with many write-ups, anyway, is that there is lack of flexibility in the use of the language. If you are writing for or about children, you have got to be able to absorb not just the psychology of children, also their manner of speaking. These were some of the difficulties we had. Well, I don’t know what is going to happen to the prize money. The NLNG will decide what they want to do with it.

About the guidelines, let me say the common ones that are peculiar to the four genres: One is impeccable use of the language. We noticed, especially this time round, very poor editing. I am sure that some of the grammatical errors that we found in some of the books were not due to the writers themselves. It means nobody has done the proof-reading very carefully. And maybe, if they were by the writers, the editors should have been able to eliminate them. Also, the physical appearance of the entries also mattered. Some of the books were stapled together instead of being bound and so on.

Apart from the aesthetics of the books, we looked at the skill of the writer. Does the writer understand children? How they feel, talk and what sort of subjects interests them? And I think that, I may be wrong, children literature will be best written by women, because they make close contact with the children for a longer time.

However, the other difficulty, which we had with children literature in this country, is what I said before about the use of language. If you look at children literature, say in America or Britain, open the book to any page and read, it strikes you that these are children. They have their own slangs; they have their own way of doing things. But when an adult is putting grown up slangs into the mouth of children, it is just inappropriate. There is a range of vocabulary children command. This year, we found out that there were slangs or expressions that hardly any child could use.

So, the question you would ask, of course, is what is children literature? Who are children? When do people stop being children? You say that is arbitrary, but the field is wide. Every panel of judges makes its own distinction when it comes to children literature. Roughly speaking, children literature, you would say, covers children between the age of 7 and age of 17; that is primary and secondary. When people get into the university, they are no longer children.

But when they are close to 17, they are also on the borderline of being children and adult. So, the parameter that this year’s panel of judges used was 17. And we received books for kindergarten children, and rarely that is not children literature. Some see children literature to mean books used in the classroom for teaching. No, we want books which are written for children and they will enjoy, never mind there is no examination. In fact, some of the entries

Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo

submitted to us had questions at the end. They have commercial ideas and want to sell it to schools, but this prize is interested in stories that will grip children, that when they read, they will enjoy it and identify other children in the book. We want stories that will grip the children and go on reading it till they get to the end, not because they want to pass examination, but because this is interesting.

While they are doing that, they are also being educated.

Their knowledge of the language is expanding and they are enjoying themselves. That is the ideal to which we are working. We managed to come near it, at least, on previous occasions, when we have awarded prizes for children literature and the two people who won on one occasion are women. We didn’t have that this year ,but we are hoping that before the next time, because we are not going to award a prize in children literature until four years time, so people have time to prepare.

The falling standard of education is becoming worrisome in the country. What is the way out of this situation?

Well, the way out is not to go on tampering with the system which has failed, but to replace it root and branch.

The trouble with Nigerian education is that we have a disgraceful primary education and it dehumanises the children. And somehow, we hoped the children would

survive that kind of treatment in primary school and end up in the university and behave like highly civilised people. That is not possible. People in other countries, which are making progress, pay a lot of attention to children’s education. How many children in primary schools read, if you take away the elite? Ninety-five per cent of Nigerian children who go to government-run schools, do they even read at all? And part of the problem is that we are developing a class system in the country. Those who have the money send their children to schools where they are properly taught. Go to Ibadan, Lagos or Jos, you will find them there. What the government ought to do is to give every child equal standard. The government should go and look at where children are properly taught and make all government-run primary schools be like that. Once that is done then we are going somewhere. The terrible results that we are talking about among secondary school leavers also apply to primary schools. The Nigerian education system just has to be demolished and rebuilt.

As I said, we cannot improve except we lay a foundation properly at the primary. When I was growing, there used to be teachers’ training colleges everywhere. And I happened to have been familiar with teachers’ training college run by the Anglican Church. They took teaching Continues

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Sunday Tribune

‘How we can produce a new Nigeria’ Continued from

pg 32

very seriously, and you may say that is because they were being run by missionaries, by importing the standards of Britain. But I know that people now say that a Grade II teacher produced, say in 1960, is better than a graduate today. So, these teachers were well-educated, and then they were given the skill of teaching. And that is the reason why up to about 1970 or so, things were still all right.

People came to University of Ibadan and were doing well.

It was regarded as one of the leading universities in the Commonwealth. The College of Medicine was regarded as the second best in the Commonwealth. Now, this is because the people who came to the university at that time passed through these Grade I or II teachers who had been properly trained. The government should be able to say before a school can be built, these are the things that must be put in place, otherwise those schools will not be recognised.

Then the government should move to the secondary level. But I remember the government once said it has abolished Grade I and II, now every teacher, it doesn’t matter at what level, should be a graduate. Very good idea; they learnt it from somewhere else but they can’t practise it.

How many graduates do you have as teachers in the primary schools? Well, I don’t think all secondary schools in the country are run exclusively by graduates. We know what is right, but the will to do it is just not there.

Why is the will not there?

Partly because people don’t believe in it; they read books about happenings it other places and when they want people’s votes, they say we are going to do this and that. I have sometimes said that there should be a law in the country regarding the rulers of the country, starting from the president to the least person, that when they make public speeches, they should never use the future tense. What we want to know is not what you will do but what you have done. They must be confined to using the past tense. If you said you produced corn, you don’t just produce corn, you measure it and quantify it so that people are free to go and check whether you are telling the truth or not.

Sometimes ago, when I looked at the footage of the happenings in the House of Assembly in Oyo State, I said to myself, is this the same House where Pa Awolowo performed, and the like of Enahoro, Rotimi Williams, Akinloye. Look at the calibre of people ruling us at that time, just look at them. You wonder if these people have come to earn a living and that’s all. So, why don’t we choose our leaders? You can’t go on blaming your leaders, because you choose them. How do they get to be there unless they are voted in at various levels? Why can’t we put our first 11 forward all the time? That is what is done in other countries.

We don’t have to listen to this nonsense about democracy, that you have got to put some fools in government to represent the fools in the population. When it comes to doing things, you put the best people to do the thing there.

From what you have said, you seem not to have confidence in politicians parading themselves as either agents of change or progress?

Well, what I tend to see are individuals. Ghana produced Kwame Nkrumah, people talk about Awolowo here; if he was give the opportunity to try and shape this country, we might have been better than we are. And now people are talking about the man who is the current president, Muhammadu Buhari, that he is visionary and passionate to move Nigeria forward, but he has to work with the National Assembly. But look at the composition of the National Assembly. Maybe I am talking too soon. You will see that clashes will soon begin between the president and the National Assembly members, because they don’t share the same vision.

There are good individuals, but when you take the collection of people who rule us, and that is what I am quarrelling with. There can be a good governor, but what happens when the House isn’t sharing the same vision with him? What we need to do is for the people to vote for the very best. It is not that the people are ignorant of who is the best, but the problem is that people are elected for the wrong reasons.

Why are people being elected for the wrong reasons?

Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo

It is simply because the people are not educated. If the people are properly educated, they will never vote because of money for somebody who shouldn’t be there.

Everything is intertwined. It is really like a vicious cycle.

Poor education produces poor leaders; poor leaders perpetuate poor education, so the thing is going until somebody breaks it.

Nigeria recently clocked 55, and when you ask people who are well above 80 about independence, they relive the feeling of nostalgia; how things were then and where they were. Where were you on October 1, 1960?

I was in Britain, just finishing my university education.

What kind of Nigeria did you look forward to when you learnt that your country would become independent?

I had been in Britain for five years and in the last three years before independence, some Nigerians leaders came to Britain; they came and were negotiating for independence and also talked to Nigerians there. In fact, the first thing you got whenever they came to Britain was a postcard from Awolowo with an inscription ‘my dear so and so’, directed to you. They told us look, the British are going to leave, the future is in your hands. So, we were inspired to look forward to independence.

Later, I came back to Nigeria thinking we would be taking over the challenge from the British. That was the mood. In fact, I was contacted as I was finishing my degree in Britain. I was asked whether I would like to join the diplomatic service; they were just starting then and looking forward to independence. I almost fell for it, but I said no, that I was coming back home. That’s a choice.

Then, students in this university [University of Ibadan], as soon they finished their degree, are run after by businesses and departments trying to recruit them into jobs.

On the first day in office there was a car, and once you were paid the car allowance, it would offset what they were paying back as the cost of the car. Everything was rosy, but somewhere along the line, everything cracked up, because people then began to see the running of the country as essentially a money-making business for individuals. Some people feel that whoever runs the country is in charge of all the money and everyone wants to get there. I am not happy with the way things are going structurally in this country. It is ridiculous to be operating with 36 states and still clamouring for more as if they can’t see that this is just not it.

So, before our very eyes, the country, more or less, disintegrated in six years after independence. That is why Wole Soyinka said our generation is a lost one, because

we had looked forward to taking over the reins of leadership from the British but now, all kinds of people are coming in and doing what they like to the country.

It is very worrying to me that this country has enormous resources, human resources included, but we are not using them. But this party thing is also a problem; I don’t know. If something is black and your party says it is white, then you go on repeating after your party even though you can see it is black.

What are the possible solutions to this worrying situation?

Our society needs restructuring, but education is basic if we want to produce the new Nigeria. We must start from the beginning, and not continue to look up to products of rundown primary schools, rundown secondary schools.

We should go back to restructure the primary schools then the secondary schools. The government should put up a good system of training teachers. If you want to say only graduates should teach at all, then they must face the implications. A country in which the least intelligent goes for teaching, it is not doing any good, but destroying the intelligence of some of those he is supposed to be teaching, he is ruining them. And that is what this country has been doing, destroying children who would have become geniuses.

At 81, what have you been up to in terms of contemporary life and the academics?

Well, once you are an academic, I don’t think you have an afterlife after academics. Every Wednesday, most people know that I come over and interact with some of the postgraduate students. I interact with some of my colleagues. So, this is my life, and, as I said, I have been nearly 50 years in this office. I also take part in other activities; NLNG is a part of it. I am also a president of a very strong Academy of Letters. I have been pro-chancellor at the University of Port Harcourt and University of Ilorin, I was chairman committee of pro-chancellors of Nigerian universities. Only very recently, I have been called upon to be the chancellor of the new university in Delta State. So, I keep myself busy; wherever I can advise, I advise and whatever I can do, I do.

When people reach a certain age, they tend to change in their dispositions to life; some embrace religion more, while some become philosophical. At this your age, what kind of life did you change to?

I think the best person to answer that question is somebody watching me, because I don’t think you see all the changes going on, unless they are changes which are deliberately made by you.

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interview

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Why Buhari’s government needs a blueprint —Nwolise

Professor Charles Nwolise is the head of Political Science department, University of Ibadan. He speaks with OLAKUNLE TAIWO on how President Muhammadu Buhari can succeed in the fight against corruption and kidnapping, among other issues. Excerpts:

H

OW would you analyse the ministerial nominees?

Of course, there are complaints about some names we already know, but it is left for President Buhari Muhammadu to choose his ministers; that’s his prerogative, not ours. But my own point is that those he will choose should be people above board. They should be people who don’t have bad record officially and unofficially. There are people the masses know have bad records, but officially they don’t, we know.

How do you mean?

Some people’s names have been among those listed but officially, the courts have not proven them guilty. So, officially, you can’t say this man stole money, when in actual fact they used the judicial system to free themselves. But, history and humanity will judge. So, it is left for Mr President to choose those that are above board. But I assume that the four months should have enabled him to think deeply to select his cabinet members. Of course, you know my concept of first eleven, which I have been talking about since 2011. The concept is borrowed from soccer and it should be the best the country can offer. The president should choose our best 11 in terms of patriotism, the will to work and move the nation forward. As the president has said, the names are not sacrosanct, if anybody is proved not to be above board, or the security department comes up with it proven allegations, the person will be dropped. And if any Nigerian has anything against the names, he should forward it to the National Assembly which the nominee should answer. And if he or she can’t answer effectively, then he or she is dropped.

My happiness is that there is going to be transparency; it is not going to be business as usual.

But, do you see the qualities of the first eleven you talked about in the nominees?

Definitely, in terms of competence, some of them are people who have performed. I can tell you the history of Babatunde Fashola in Lagos State, Chris Ngige in Anambra State. Many of them, we know, are people who are very competent, but the question is this: when we place all of them on the balance of justice and morality, integrity and honour that is where there may be problem for some of them. But like I have said, the president has more facts than us and if anybody has anything against them, he should present it to the Senate, and if the Senate refuses to handle it, he should make it public as long as he is sure of his facts and figures. The most important thing is to make sure that these people are above board, because for the president to select anybody, no matter how close the person is to him, if such individual is known to be corrupt, it will dent his integrity and honour. The Buhari phenomenon should not end in Nigeria; it should extend to Africa and some other developed nations. If you listened to what the United Nations Secretary General said when he came to Nigeria, Mr Ban Ki Moon, he said, if we change Nigeria, that will also mean changing Africa, so nothing should be done to dent the image and the integrity and honour of Mr President, because it will create problems when we want to move his phenomenon and impact to other continents.

The question in many quarters is that how does the president intend to fight corruption since some of the nominees have been publicly accused of corruption and mismanagement of power while in office?

Well, he has said that, even if you are in the All Progressives Congress (APC), there will be no hiding place for anybody. But, if anybody knows he has skeleton in cupboard, the best thing is to stay away from Buhari’s government, because at the end, things will catch up with him or her. The Senate has said that it is not going to be business as usual in terms of screening; nobody is going to be told to take a bow and go.

Professor Charles Nwolise

Anti-corruption is the major pillar of the Buhari administration. In short, that is the main reason why many Nigerians voted for him en masse, so he can’t afford to let in any corrupt minister into his government, because there will also be criticisms from abroad. Even though they don’t talk to him, people will be looking at him as somebody operating double standard. No matter how close any of them can be to the president, if he is corrupt, I say, again, should be kept away, so that Nigeria can carry the new value or system we are creating to other parts of Africa. If anyone is to work in any government, internal or self assessment must be done. If anyone refuses and goes to the Senate, the media will take over from there, because it is not going to be business as usual. And there may be information from abroad also, because we can now see that what the foreign nations have been waiting for is a government that is ready to fight corruption. And those governments abroad that have names and data can now submit the names to the government. I know the president has been appealing to nations housing our stolen wealth to return it, but we as a nation must emphasise that by our laws, anybody that keeps stolen wealth is also a thief. We must reiterate that in order for anybody or bank abroad keeping money stolen from Nigerians will know that he or she or it is also a thief.

What other strategies can the country explore to tackle corruption?

As I said in one of my papers, we must be able to define corruption, because it is not only about stealing money.

Those who adulterate groundnut oil, petrol products, are also corrupt. The petrol sellers, who adjust their pump prices, is also a form of corruption. We need to define corruption openly for everybody to know, then we begin to enforce. And that enforcement is not only done by the law enforcement agencies, it is by all of us. The president

or chairman of agencies can’t be everywhere. Soldiers fight battles, the entire nation fights wars. I must also emphasise that whistleblowers must be protected by the government.

Their families must be protected. There must be allocation of funds for whistleblowers in case anything happens, because corruption has its own way of fighting back. If a whistleblower is killed, the government should pursue the killer, but the family must be taken care of by the state.

If we don’t have budgets for whistle blowers, we can forget the anti-corruption war. When ICPC started, I asked the first chairman in Ibadan, when we organised a conference, that: what is your budget for whistleblowers. He said nothing and I told him he couldn’t succeed. There must be budgets for whistleblowers both from EFCC and ICPC in case they are attacked or wounded or killed for saying the truth or reporting somebody and it is found to be true.

Another way we can fight corruption is that the country should organise a day of prayers for blessing and cursing.

Of course, we know that there are people who looted our common wealth that the arms of the law, for several reasons, may not catch. But on the day of national blessing and cursing, we shall pray for and bless all Nigerians, citizens of the world, organisations, nations, who are praying and helping us to make sure that Nigeria grows, develops and becomes great. After the blessings, we shall also curse all those who are cheating Nigerians and looting our money and making us undergo suffering. And if they don’t return the money, it will become a curse unto them and their families. For me, that is even more efficacious than all the [anti-corruption] tribunals.

What if the government does not see sense it this strategy?

Continues

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18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

‘To end kidnapping, Nigeria should adopt SSI’ Continued from

esty of purpose. Finally, we need to finance intelligence. The intelligence agencies are not fully funded and empowered to carry out their jobs, the equipment are not modern. I am emphasising not just on empirical intelligence, but spiritual strategic intelligence (SSI). It is very important, because that will enable us to know what to do or prevent actions before they happen. I talked about the Chibok girls. If the government had applied SSI when those girls were abducted, within two weeks, we would have been able to get them back before they were taken out of the country, because nobody knows where they are today. In the days of our forefathers, it won’t take up to one hour before they know where those girls are. Since I have been talking about SSI, nobody has asked me how it even works, not even the security agencies.

pg 34

Then we will do it as civil society. The media should take that up. Let us agree on one day; everybody should stay in his mosque or church or shrine or mountain and bless the good people and curse the bad people.

Some Nigerians have said that the list of nominees shouldn’t have taken so long to be released. How would you react to this?

Maybe the president did not expect he would win. Because, for somebody who had tried three times and succeeded the fourth time, I expected that within two weeks, he should have come up with names of kitchen cabinet, which I call strategic cabinet and then the political cabinets, which are the ministers, and the blueprint which he will hand over to the cabinets members. He has been there as head of state. So he has been watching the terrain and knows the problems and throughout the campaign period I expected they were working on the problems of the nation. On the basis of that, I would say that to wait till now is a period, too long to come up with the list. As I have said on many occasions, he has won, and we praise him for his courage, and since he didn’t do those home works before he was sworn in, he has to settle down to make sure he has a solid cabinet and a functional and good blueprint which he will hand over to the ministers the day they are sworn in. I don’t believe in a government that works without blueprint. There should be a blueprint for each minister which must have been worked upon by the strategic cabinet, because they determine what the political cabinet members, who are the president’s foot soldiers, will do.

So, the point I am trying to make is that on the day any of them is sworn in as minister, the blueprint with which he is going to work must be handed over to him. Then, he may make suggestions on how the blueprint will work better. If that is not the case, it means we will have to wait again. I am just using that to explain what the current government needs to do in terms of blueprint, but it is the president’s foresight, values, vision that must be pursued in the blueprint and not that of the minister.

Are ministers really noisemakers?

Let me laugh again. You know politicians make some statements which the professionals will not take as that. So, let’s leave that as a political statement.

How do you see the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Bureau?

His case is still in court, so I would not want to dabble in what is already sub-judicial. But the point needs to be made that if somebody submitted declaration of assets several years ago, and it is now that he is being questioned on those declarations, and the questioning is coming up due to crisis in the Senate, then there is no way some Nigerians or foreign people or organisations will not input political motives. If he was summoned by the CCB on their own before the crisis in the Senate, then of course, the government would have taken the credit.

Better still, if this was done the very period he handed over those declarations, now for those declarations to be dusted, because he emerged president of Senate to the surprise and anger of some people that is not very good. It is better after declaration, verification takes place and the person involved takes questions where there are problems, and not when trouble comes. That is my

Maybe they don’t believe in it?

It is because we are not a nation of serious people, but I just hope these things will change.

Nwolise

own view. And that is why I have also said that the president should declare a period of amnesty, every three months minimum for those who looted Nigeria’s resources to return the money. After the amnesty period, then we go into enforcement. And anybody who pretends as if he or she did not loot our money, but his or her name comes up somewhere in future, then we know the person is a hardened criminal, and the law should take its cause. Also, I don’t believe in retroactive laws. We should be able to make new laws, so that the people can know these are the laws of the land.

During the president’s trips to foreign nations, he described Nigeria as haven of corruption and to many Nigerians, he has not portrayed the country well, given the fact that some of these developed countries are found guilty of corrupt practices and immorality but still say good things about their countries. How would you react to this?

I would say that is a slip of tongue on his part. In Europe, their media are already painted us black. There is a lot of corruption in different countries, including Western, Eastern, Asian and Latin America nations.

They also steal money in Europe, and because they still money in China, that is why they cut off the head of those who steal their money. The problem in Nigeria is that nobody is checking. So, people were just looting our money and petroleum products and nobody cared and that is the most painful aspect of it. And that is why under previous governments, not Jonathan’s government, Nigeria was described as the most corrupt in the world, but we have come out of that. We are hoping that very soon, we will become least corrupt nation in the world. That is why I am insisting that the president must have budget for whistleblowers and must make sure that those that must work with him must be Nigeria’s first eleven, because they are going to be the gatekeepers, custodians, his eyes and ears in the field. So that we can come out of this leaking resources which can be used for the benefit of the nation. We have

been promised life in abundance since 1960, but we have not seen it. Every time, we are being told to tighten our belt; the belt is almost cutting our stomach. But if we all work hard within this four years and try to make use of some of these suggestions, Nigeria can achieve what it could not achieve in 55 years.

The spate of kidnapping in the country is alarming. What solution would you suggest to tackle the menace?

Kidnapping is a product of something; it is unemployment and greed. There is unemployment for the youth that are being used and greed for those adults that are using the youth. We need to create a minimum of two million jobs every year.

How can we achieve that?

We have over 50 million unemployed youths in the nation, and these youths must eat, marry and be educated. They also interact with counterparts all over the world through the social media. They know what their mates are doing all over the place and you keep them without jobs here in Nigeria without cash; it won’t work. That is why they go into armed robbery and kidnapping, ritual rape, cultism, among others. We are to blame our leaders who have squandered the resources and have no plans for the youth of this nation for over 55 years. The Federal Government, through the Federal Planning Commission, should plan with the private sector chieftains, tertiary institution heads on how to create two million jobs every year continuously for the next five to 10 years.

Then, there should be three-month short practical courses so that youths can learn practical and entrepreneurial skills that can enable them to employ themselves and work in industries. That is on creating jobs.

On enforcement, we need laws. There are many nations where kidnapping is punished by death penalty. He should go round and not just a few nations, but we must create jobs first. We must also change the values of the nation; we must bring down money from the Olympian height it is occupying and then enthrone good name, hard work and hon-

How does it even work?

We have prophets and priests that can help us to obtain information in this nation ahead of time. When kidnapping started, somebody would be kidnapped in Sokoto, and the police would be busy looking for him in Sokoto, whereas he has reached Calabar or Port Harcourt. But SSI will tell you exactly where the person is, then the prophets or priest can then lead you on how to invade the place and get the victims back. They will tell you the names of those who planned the abduction. When Dr Daramola and Mr Funso Williams, who were gubernatorial candidates in Ekiti and Lagos states respectively, were killed, I raised this issue of spiritual intelligence. I said on this continent called Africa, our forefathers had the technology of waking up a dead body and gathering information to what led to his death. There was nothing like mysterious death in Africa then. You would call up the dead man or his spirit and get all the information you need and then prosecute.

How do we achieve this in this age of technology?

You will have to translate the spiritual intelligence to empirical intelligence for you to be able to prosecute. I said it at that time, but somebody from the Faculty of Law wrote a one page position and I replied him with two pages in the newspaper, because I am sure of what I am saying. He was talking about forensic tests and so on. I said okay, if somebody is a professional assassin, he kills without allowing stain of the victim’s blood on anything, what then are you ‘forensicing’? If we want to be scientific, then we should be able to take pictures of someone who has been mysteriously killed; whether he is shot, strangulated or whatever form of killing. Before the body stiffens, we should be able to open his eyes, the pupil is a camera, and those who killed him were the last people he saw in his life, to develop something about his death. But what I am sure of is the SSI, because within one or two hours of a mysterious death, you can get the killers immediately and then transform the spiritual intelligence to empirical intelligence. When the two people I mentioned were killed, Nigeria went to bring in Scottish Yard Police, what is Scotland Yard coming to do in a nation without fingerprint registered? They just collected their pounds and went home.

What did we achieve till today, nothing? If we are serious about halting kidnapping, assassination, so that politicians will stop killing themselves, we must apply SSI.

36

thepolity

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Why PDP is the wind of change in Edo —Oseasochie

Honourable Sergius Ogun Oseasochie is a member of the 8th Assembly, House of Representatives, representing Esan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency of Edo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He speaks with KOLAWOLE DANIEL on a number of issues in the polity and his home state. Excerpts:

T

tax from them, it should be used judiciously.

working well. Somebody’s body language can scare Nigerians away from being corrupt, but let me just add that there is corruption all over the world. However, that of Nigeria is being systemic and where is it coming from? It’s the institutions. Every time I have the opportunity to say this I do not hesitate to say it, we should strengthen our institutions. When you strengthen that, most things would be taken care of.

We blame the civil servants; we call them evil servants, what is their take home? We should stop deceiving ourselves; you have a director in the ministry he is retiring in 2 years’ time, what is his annual pay? The man gets salary of how much a month? May be N200,000 or N300,000 and he is going to retire in a couple of years and the budget in that ministry is over N60 billion that comes in annually. So, he has the knife and the yam; it’s like tempting a goat with a yam, if you like tell the goat that there is poison in that yam he would eat it that is what is happening, and at the end of the day, you say they are corrupt. Why would they not be corrupt?

President Buhari’s anti-corruption war had been roundly criticised by the PDP; what is your take?

I do not think the president has actually started anything. They talk about his body language, I don’t know if it’s speaking and

There has been agitation in some quarters that it should be reviewed downwards, would you subscribe to that?

Well, it can be reviewed. Again, the challenge is back to the institutions, I can tell

HE gubernatorial election in Edo State will soon come up; do you think the wind of change across the country will affect the chances of PDP winning the governorship in 2016?

The wind of change of PDP, which means PDP will win the election, because that’s the wind of change. We have had the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for eight years and the people of the state are tired, so they want a change and that change is PDP. Edo State is said to be indebted, yet the Federal Government recently approved another loan for the state.

What is your take?

The state is in debt; when this government came in after nine years of PDP government, the state was owing N4 billion but as of the last count, the debt profile of the state, that I even think the government has acknowledged is about N260 billion. In nine years and eight months, we had a debt of N4 billion and but now with APC in close to 7 years, it is almost N300 billion. However, let me give credit to the governor for increasing the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), but I will also be quick to add that the tax money is not pocket money for the governor or any governor in this country. It is the sweat of Edo people, so if you collect

you that I cannot show up in my constituency if I do not have over a million naira in my pocket; that is the truth. I cannot and I am expected to be in my constituency every weekend so if I have four weeks in a month and I cannot show up at my constituency with less than a million naira from the simple arithmetic, you are spending over four million every month. How are you going to sustain that? I am not talking about projects; I am taking about showing up in the constituency. People would have to eat, drink and people will come with problems that you have to attend to before you come back. There is no amount of money you pay to the legislature that would take care of it, so this is my take.

Are you worried that your state governor appears to be too critical about the past President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration?

I am not, because each time he opens his mouth he embarrasses himself. Remember the Second Niger Bridge, he was saying one thing and PENCOM was saying another.

He is a governor and a governor should be respected, if you don’t get your facts right and go on the street, you will ridicule yourself. He is no longer a labour leader; he is a governor of a state. You can’t just come out and be making statements that are not supported with fact.

Oshiomhole’s successor should come from Edo Central —Inegbeniki Chief (Dr) Francis Inegbeniki was the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Edo Central in the last March 28, general election. In this interview with journalists, Inegbeniki speaks on why the next governorship ticket should be zoned to Edo Central, among other issues. EBENEZER ADUROKIYA brings the excerpts: YOU will recall that, recently, there was a publication by Esan Youth Movement, where they insisted that it was the turn of Edo Central to produce the next governor in 2016. Do you think the incumbent governor, Adams Oshiomohle, will support this agitation?

The All Progressives Congress preaches change which means we cannot continue doing things the old way. This change includes zoning the next governorship position to Edo Central which had only occupied the governor’s office for just 18 months. The APC in Edo State is determined to practise what it preaches, that is equity, justice and fair play. The people of Edo Central are demanding to produce the next governor to take over from Governor Oshiomhole in 2016. Honestly, I think the people of Edo South, who have occupied the position for over nine years and Edo North presently completing its eight years in that office in the person of Oshiomhole should not argue about it.

So in 2007, the governorship was zoned to Edo Central and Professor Osariemen Osunbor emerged the governor with the cooperation of the two other senatorial districts.

However, the election tribunal removed him from office and declared Comrade Adams Oshiomohle (Edo North) as governor, who

is serving his second term of eight years. I can confidently tell you that Oshiomohle will zone the governorship to Edo Central in 2016, because he believes and preaches “equity, fairness and justice” which is the mantra of our great party.

But sir, are you really convinced that leaders of the APC from Edo South and Edo North senatorial districts would allow the governorship to be zoned to Edo Central?

In Edo State, the APC is one big family; all the APC leaders across the three senatorial districts are very much aware that it is the turn of Edo Central to produce the next governor. However, Edo South may also be eyeing the office, but I know they would support Edo Central on this matter.

When Edo central takes over in 2016, after eight years by the grace of God, the governorship will eventually return to Edo South, that is how people should live together in love and harmony.

It is believed that APC leaders in Edo South are putting pressure on Governor Oshiomhole to zone the 2016 governorship to Edo South again That is not true; our brothers in Edo South are even more convinced that it is the turn of Edo Central to produce the next governor.

And I want to thank the APC leaders and our

we must continue to love ourselves, live in peace and harmony as one inseparable big family.

It is believed that Oshiomohle’s successor must be someone who can build on his legacy, do you have such a person in Edo Central?

Of course yes, we have many of them in Edo Central who are very competent, willing and determined to build on the legacy of our amiable governor, Oshiomohle.

Governor Oshiomohle has few months ahead to complete his second term, how would you rate his achievements?

Perfect. The people of Edo are proud of him, in fact, Governor Oshiomhole has transformed the state, and however, for those in doubt, they are free to visit the state to see things for themselves.

brothers in Edo South, for their understanding and for supporting the zoning of the governorship to Edo Central in 2016. Sincerely,

But the opposition Peoples Democratic Party seems not seeing the achievements of Oshiomohle?

The PDP in Edo state is only pretending not to see the good works and laudable achievements of Oshiomohle, yet they are driving their cars on roads constructed by Oshiomohle. They are enjoying other several infrastructural facilities built by the governor and they are still claiming ignorance of his achievements.

opinion How not to be Ooni 37

By Ayokunle Adetipe

T

HERE is a seed of triumph in every adversity.

Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi understands the nuanced import of this cliché. Until the demise of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife last July, he was a virtually unknown in the socio-political firmament. At best, he was just another enterprising young Nigerian making things happen in his corner of terra firma. He, however, rode on the demise of the late flamboyant king to become a media sensation, which, typically, has its flipside.

As would be discovered when he began reaching out to be considered for the Ooni throne, Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi was born into the Giesi Ruling House, Ojaja Royal Compound of Agbedegbede in Ile-Ife. A self-acclaimed consummate businessman with investments in different sectors of the economy, Prince Ogunwusi is a director on the Board of Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited (formerly GTHomes), a leading national mortgage bank and former subsidiary of one of the biggest banks in Africa, GTBank Plc. He is the founder and Managing Director of Gran Imperio Group, the holding company of Real Estate and Construction, Manufacturing, Facilities Management, Leisure and Tourism companies in Nigeria.

Conversely, Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s recent past tells a different story. The same media he courted to sell himself is now being employed by the state to tell the world the true story behind his wealth. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigations into allegations of forgery, fraudulent conversion and obtaining the sum of N400 million by false pretence against Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi and his firm, Metropole Interproject Limited. The news recently made the cover of frontline national newspapers including the Sunday Tribune Edition of October 4, 2015.

The newspapers had it that: In a petition written by the chambers of Rotimi Jacobs & Co. dated September 7, 2015, Messrs Sijuwade Holdings Limited stated that in 1993, it purchased a parcel of land measuring 30,000 square metres from the Ojomu Chieftaincy family at the Lekki Peninsula, Lagos, and duly obtained the governor’s Consent to the transaction. Thereafter, SHL claimed it entered into an agreement with Metropole Interproject Limited for the latter to sand-fill

the entire parcel of land, and that upon completion of the sand filling, Metropole would be given 7,500 square metres from the land “to serve as the company’s fees.”

Among other allegations, the petitioner stated, “To our client’s surprise, the search revealed that Mr Ogunwusi/ Metropole had forged the title documents by superimposing the name of Metropole Interproject Limited as a coowner of the parcel of land. The signature of Professor Olawoyin, SAN, who prepared the title document, was also forged by Mr Ogunwusi/Metropole. Mr Ogunwusi also submitted a forged Certificate of Incorporation with the name: Metropole Interproject & Sijuwade Holdings Limited and forged some documents belonging to the Lagos State Government and uttered same to the Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Authority. Apart from the forgery earlier complained about, Mr Ogunwusi/ Metropole has also sold the eight duplex units that ought to have accrued to our client and he converted the proceeds, running into N400 million, to his personal use.”

When contacted to confirm if the agreement allegedly submitted by Metropole for the building permits was prepared by the firm, Olawoyin & Olawoyin stated, “We wish to state that the agreement (a copy of which was attached to your letter under reference) was NOT prepared by our firm. We have taken the liberty to attach to this letter a copy of the actual document that was prepared by our firm and draw your attention to the following differing aspects of the agreement: (a) The front page of the agreement attached to your letter contains Metropole Interproject Limited as a party to the agreement of sale, while in the actual document prepared by our firm; Metropole Interproject Limited is not a party. (b) The signature on the front page of the actual document prepared by our firm is that of the undersigned, Professor Gabriel Olawoyin, SAN, while the signature attached to the front page of the document attached to your letter is NOT that of Professor Gabriel Olawoyin. (c) Page 1 of the agreement prepared by our firm does NOT make any reference to Metropole Interproject Limited, while the document attached to your letter makes reference to Metropole Interproject Limited.”

The young businessman however debunked the forgery and fraud tales, saying it was the handiwork of detractors.

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Sadly, those who should know are not helping matters. For instance, one Lekan Ijiyode, a Magistrate and apparently, Ogunwusi’ Campaign Manager, hiding under a pseudo organization called Ife Concerned Citizens, was recently quoted as saying that Adeyeye Ogunwusi never committed fraud against any individual or corporate organization and that the allegation was concocted by mischief makers who wanted to destroy his chances of becoming the Ife king.

“Adeyeye was not the author of the purported forged documents. He did not know about its existence until very recently when SHL brought it to his attention.” As if that was not bad enough, the secretary of the Giesi Ruling House in Ife, Prince Adelowo Ogunleye, told the Sunday Tribune: “That allegation is between him (Ogunwusi) and the petitioners. We are not aware of it. We interviewed him (Ogunwusi) just like we did other candidates and he did not mention the case. Nobody raised any matter against him. If they had written formally to us, we would have investigated. If he is qualified, we will present him to the kingmakers. Nobody informed us of any case against him.”

What Ogunleye implied is that if someone had petitioned the EFCC over some financial wrongdoings, the onus is on the Giesi family to wade into the issue to ascertain the veracity or otherwise, of the allegation, forgetting that the family is not an arm of any security agency and neither is the petitioner or petitioners obligated to direct their petition to the family. The onus, therefore, is on the family to wade into the matter by visiting the EFCC with their “Son” who, in this case, is an aspirant to the vacant stool of the Ooni and see things for themselves.

The Giesi Ruling House has a date with history as they conclude the process of electing a new Ooni. Whoever they choose eventually will rewrite the story of Giesi whether for good or bad in Ife. It behooves them however to avoid a tainted name, a man whose kith and kin did not know until now but has reportedly been throwing so much cash around, even going as far as buying transformers worth over N250 million for some Ife communities in his desperate and inordinate bid for the Ooni throne.

How the Giesi Ruling House meanders through this labyrinth would be judged by posterity and historians.

• Adetipe, an entrepreneur, wrote in from Awolowo town, (former Garage Olode), Ile-Ife.

Being a minister isn’t a destination

By Emma Davies Briggs THIS past week witnessed a frenzy of image laundering activities ahead of the commencement of the screening of ministerial nominees by the Senate. But the prize easily goes to the clan of supporters of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, whose nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari has, so far, attracted the most tenacious opposition from his home state. “Rivers Progressive Front,” “Ikwerre Youth Movement Int’l,” and an assortment of former federal lawmakers from Rivers took out lavish space to advertise their support for Amaechi, and in the process pillory those who are opposed to Amaechi’s nomination.

Former aides to Amaechi while he was governor, as well as former members of Rivers House of Assembly, who abandoned the designated chamber of the legislature and migrated to the Government House, Port Harcourt, for nearly half of their tenure between 2011 and 2015, also found a voice to attack the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry which recommended that Amaechi and others refund about N53 billion of Rivers’ funds.

But why is Amaechi in the eye of the storm? One answer was provided by Amaechi himself on August 2, this year, when he was hosted to a sumptuous reception by “friends” and other partisan dignitaries. Note that no other person, who became a ministerial nominee, was ever hosted to such elaborate pre-nomination reception. On that day, at the Abuja International Conference Centre, Amaechi announced: “Let me tell you what is currently going on in Rivers State. The governor and PDP are afraid of me getting an appointment to the National (Federal) Executive Council, because that will determine what the politics of Rivers State will be.”

So, upfront, Amaechi conceives his ministerial nomination as an opportunity for self-aggrandisement, and for interloping in the politics of his home state, rather than a focus on service to the nation. In this wise, it is significant that no other former governor nominated as minister has starkly stated his

mission the way Amaechi did on August 2. If Amaechi has opponents across the political divide in his state, who in his right senses would allow Amaechi to cock his gun and blast them out of town? There are lingering grudges against Amaechi for jettisoning the PDP, and becoming the arrowhead of the presidential victory of the APC. However, there is a related answer to why Amaechi is in the eye of the storm. Clearly, one would be gravely mistaken to assume that Amaechi is generating such antagonistic passion because he is “special” and must carry the cross, in order to validate his anointment. In truth, Amaechi excites such intense passion, because of his imperious disposition, by which he believes his way is the only right course. As governor, he relied on the Rivers State Tribunals of Inquiry Law to set up Commissions of Inquiry.

But when his successor did the same, Amaechi promptly ran to the courts in Rivers, seeking an injunction against the Commission of Inquiry. Yet, for more than one year, Amaechi had kept those same courts under lock and key, while he engaged in an ego contest with the National Judicial Council. The courts were reopened after Amaechi left office. In fact, it was one of the first executive actions taken

by Amaechi’s successor on the very day he was sworn in.

Despite his application for injunction being rejected by the court, Amaechi shunned the Justice Omereji Commission of Inquiry. Instead, he, along with a few of his uncouth aides, revelled in hurling insults at the inquiry. Amaechi approached the court, because he said the inquiry was ul-

tra vires; the court ruled otherwise. He had also contended that the inquiry was primarily targeted at him; the court held that an inquiry into the management of the finances of the state could never be conceived as a personal investigation. Amaechi equally complained that the 30 days given for the inquiry to do its work would infringe on his right to fair hearing; the court held that the 30-day deadline was not sacrosanct. Yet, Amaechi shunned the inquiry.

With the inquiry completed, and Amaechi and others asked to refund about N53 billion, Amaechi has, again, threatened recourse to the courts. If he ever were to succeed in his latest voyage to the courts, legal scholars and jurists would have to find a new meaning for abuse of court process. What is however interesting is that Amaechi and his vociferous supporters are asserting that an indictment by an Administrative or Judicial Commission of Inquiry cannot serve to bar him from public office. Quite rightly so, according to judicial authority. But what happened to Rivers’ resources and assets? Why did Amaechi shun the inquiry if he truly has the interest of Rivers people at heart?

Rivers people cannot forget in a hurry that, after eight years as governor, Amaechi did not prepare any handover notes for his successor, Chief Nyesom Wike. Ahead of the May 29 inauguration of Chief Wike, Amaechi’s agents ran from pillar to post, seeking an injunction to stop the swearing-in on the ground that Rivers had no substantive or Acting Chief Judge, even though Amaechi was the architect of that lacuna.

In the final analysis, being a minister of the Federal Republic is not a destination. How many ministers has Nigeria had since 1999, or even since 1960? Some ministers of yesteryears are barely recognised on the street these days. Yet, the names of some ministers still ring a bell, because of their record of service. Even if a person became Minister tomorrow, the job would end one day. If a person seeks desperately to be a minister so he can be the generalissimo of his state politics, President Buhari should be put on notice that such a person will scarcely bring lasting value to his cabinet.

• Davies Briggs resides in Port Harcourt.

38

B

Y now, those who have been saying it in hush, hush tones that President Muhammadu Buhari would not be interested in seeking a second term in office in 2019 principally on account of age and personal disposition to power should be having a rethink. If there is any doubt that the President was out to play politics and possibly institute his tendency across the land, a peep at the list of Ministerial nominees he submitted to the Senate on September 30 and October 5 should clear all that.

A number of political strategists had expected that Buhari as President would launch out to work and that it would be work, work, and work all through the four years tenure, when he would be expected to hand over to another administration.

It was understood that it was on the basis of such calculations that some political actors deployed energy and resources to the Buhari project ahead of the 2015 election.

In line with that thinking, some 2019 presidential hopefuls have had to lie low with their ambitions, while some took up other assignments to fill in the gap between now and 2019.

With the President unveiling his list of prospective ministers in the Senate last week, the insinuation that Buhari would be in a hurry to leave Aso Rock is getting dimmed. The President cut the picture of a leader who will mix his work with much of politics, perhaps, not allowing politics a breather of space at all.

Unlike the refrain that characterised the political space in the administration of his predecessor, President Goodluck Jonathan whose men consistently chorused the ‘it is too early to talk 2015’ refrain, the Buhari era is fast presenting one where politics may not be allowed to take the back stage for a moment.

It is also emerging that the man was not going to bog himself down with the story of appointing someone he has never met to the nation’s electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), unlike Mr Jonathan, who wanted to be celebrated for “statesmanly naming a reputable INEC boss he had never met.”

If you are in doubt of Buhari’s intents and purposes, you may wish to check out the emerging structures.

Looking at the ministerial nominations, it is clear that the President has set out to immediately revitalize the political machine once the Federal Executive Council

18 October, 2015

the lynxeye with Taiwo adisa

08072000046 taiadisbabatj@gmail.com

Buhari: 2019 on my mind

(FEC) starts running.

He has named the former Governor of Rivers state, Chief Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who served as Director General of his campaign. Amaechi as Minister would become the rallying point for the South of South South politics, becoming a huge threat to the influence of the likes of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and the governor

SOME state governments in the north have launched anti-rustling agencies to curb the murderous activities of the heartless nomads. Do they need such outfit if these rearers behave like humans? Their impunity is getting out of hand. Well, what do we expect from a tribe that sheds tears over the death of a cow but bats no eye-lid on the loss of a child? The arrest of some of those involved in the kidnapping has punched holes on Alhaji Kadir’s claims.

Dayo Oladeji, Saki, Oke Ogun 08027278748

frontrow

Yes, “The Yoruba must be ready to defend our territory when and where the government fails in its sacred duty to do it for us”. In fact, without something being done quickly on the matter by the governments and the peoples themselves, the socio- economic trajectory of this country is facing jeopardy! But the big question is, how? The most annoying thing is that a person of the calibre of Chief Olu Falae (a foremost illustrious son of Yoruba race) was kidnapped and he could not be rescued until his family paid a handsome sum of 5 Million Naira as ransom for his release, his life! Hey, where is the famed mystical prowess of the Yoruba people? Let My People Wake up!

O. Makanjuola, 08060099816

Re-Who is after Falae?

It is good news that the abductors of Chief Olu Falae have been arrested. Men of the Nigeria police should however not relent in their efforts to nip this evil act in the bud. The Nigeria police and other security agencies should be up and doing to make Nigeria safe for investors. We have the human and natural resource here to grow our economy.

Gordon Chika Nnorom, Abia State 08062887535 Whoever wants to send herdsmen out of the South West must be prepared to put a stop to all the ‘Owambe’ for which that the Yoruba are known. A trade with huge patronage is not easy to discard. If herdsmen are off the Southwest, I can assure you that within a week we would beg them to return, because of our wasteful spend-

with Toyin Willoughby Muyi 0805 500 1769 toyeenz@yahoo.com

ing during funerals and other social engagements. The patronage these people enjoy in Yoruba land does not exist in any other part of Nigeria even the world over.

My submission is that what cannot be cured must be managed.

Remi Adebisi 08169707698 While acknowledging your consistent write-up on Baba Falae’s regular attacks, I believe that there are still more underground facts that should be brought to light.

You have confirmed that there were four previous attacks on the traditional ruler and his workers including his abduction before the latest total destruction of his farmland. My questions therefore are what is the true relationship between the police (CP) and Baba?

How did they resolve the previous clashes? Did the Fulanis disappear with their cattle on the day Baba was abducted that no one was arrested? If not, how many of them were apprehended? Why did they not face the wrath of the law after the various attacks? Why did the police wait until the IGP personally took over the issue of abduction before they got a clue? Thanks to the Yo-

Sunday Tribune

of Bayelsa state, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson.

In the Western axis of the South South region, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who has continued to receive favour from Aso Rock Villa and has practically become its agent provocateur is to hold sway and control the politics.

In the South East, the President has brought forward Senator Chris Ngige, a man known for his populist tendencies just like Oshiomhole. Ngige would be expected to dig into his reservoir of personal razzmatazz to dazzle the people of the South East into believing in Buhari, while elderstatesman, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu would be expected to provide the balance of political character needed to win the zone to the Buhari country.

Already, the South West is practically tied to the Buhari ticket through its son, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the number two in the government, who has given clear indications that the task of running the economy rests on his shoulders. Even at that, Buhari is building up an arsenal among the younger generation of political forces in the zone. He has nominated Dr Kayode Fayemi, former Ekiti State governor, whose intellectual bent is expected to appeal to a number of youths in the area as well as the former governor of Ekiti State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

Notwithstanding indications in some quarters that the President was not on good terms with the National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there have been quick denials. There have also been some mysteries wrapped around the nomination of Fayemi and Fashola, who were believed to have been opposed by Tinubu. Some observers said that Buhari actually got Tinubu’s nod before naming them Ministers.

But the President is already seen as rebuilding the old CPC and ANPP platforms in the South West, which might have got empowered to supplant the existing tendency in the area by 2019. In that wise, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun is seen as Buhari’s point man as he is fast emerging a godfather in the new administration.

There is no indication that the North could radically drop its vociferous backing for the retired General in a space of four years, while some of the appointees in the North Central could become big crowd pullers along the line. Where does that leave the three APC “ready made” presidential hopefuls in 2019? It is a big question which would only get answered in the course of time.

ruba Elders’ intervention, this has woken the police from their slumber. As for me, there are still so many knots yet untied.

Adepoju Ajibare, 08070777773 Without doubt, this is adversity time for Baba Falae.

As a man of valour and an ebullient leader, he should get ready for the next battle. I discovered that, anytime our farmers in the South West have clashes with these herdsmen, our security agents particularly the policemen are always in support of them because they know that they are richer than our farmers are. This is unfortunate attitude must be mangled without further delay. The gentility of our farmers should not be taken for cowardice. It is just an indication that they still believe in peace and unity in the country as well as the rule of law but if the goat is pushed against the wall, it will surely fight back.

Taiwo Sangotikun, Iseyin, Oyo State 08056309372 Let us ask the I. G of Police, “who is after Falae?” because l am yet to agree with Chief Olu Falae that the Fulani were the originator of his abduction! Any evil minded person could put on Fulani garment to cause confusion between Yoruba and Fulani, if the police boss can get these kidnappers to be brought to book, and then we all have to help in finding a solution to the problem. And I am sure the government won’t fail in its own duty. Again, Chief Olu Falae must be careful with the people around him, especially those in his house.

He should also re-examine his involvement with past governments. Yoruba Leaders are very deceitful; instead of defending justice and insisting on good governance, they would rather queue behind injustice as long as their palms are financially greased.

Sesan Oyende, Somolu - Lagos 08085441411 NB: Some suspects have been arrested, and they have given details of how the N5 million ransom was shared. We are making progress.

39

18 October, 2015

on the

Sunday Tribune

With Bolanle Bolawole turnpot@gmail.com 07052631058

lord’sday

Matters arising from Buhari’s ministerial nominations (2)

B

Y the time you are reading this, nearly all of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees would have been cleared by the Senate and only a few, possibly, would have failed to clear the screening hurdle.

Last week, we took a look at the Buhari list and “cleared” some of them here. One person I refrained from commenting on that I thought I should have was former Rivers state governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi; the reason being that there was not enough space to do so. I intend to do so today; and in doing so, I will attempt to play the devil’s advocate. May it not go awry!

The list of proposed ministers as presented by Buhari did not meet up with the expectations of Nigerians who had expected to meet with surprises; rather, the names and faces they saw were the same old and jaded faces they had always seen.

Many of the new ministers have been around the corridors of power for so long the people felt they ought to have gotten tired of popping up again and again. Of all those on the list, Audu Ogbeh was the butt of cruel jokes at newspapers’ stands.

I stopped at one last week only to hear them say that the late strongman of Kwara politics, Oloye Olusola Saraki, as Senate Leader participated in the screening of Ogbeh to become minister in the Second Republic; more than three decades after, the same Ogbeh returned to be screened again as minister under Oloye’s son, Bukola Saraki as Senate President. They said Saraki Jnr. was 19 years old when Ogbeh got his first ministerial shot. It does not get worse than that but I wonder who to blame for this: Buhari, who made the appointment; Ogbeh, who made himself available; Saraki, who “stole” the Senate presidency from his party; or the system which continues to allow the recycling of the same circle of people as leaders! Check the list of ministers and you will find it replete with people who are moving from one high point to another high point – former governors, former lawmakers, retired military officers; former top civil servants; former vice-chancellors and other eggheads. There is no single “ordinary” person on that list; it is a list of “ex-this”, “exthat”. Consider also those undertaking the screening: the Senate, too, is filled with ex-governors, ex-House of Representatives members; retired military officers; and every big man and woman you can think of.

So, big positions in Nigeria are for the few big men and women – and their sons and daughters! Buhari, the man who made the appointments, is also an “ex-this”, “ex-that”.

Since 1999 at the least; it has been the same pattern: Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan were all men who moved from one corridor of power to another corridor of power. The Nigerian ruling class is a gild into which outsiders are not easily admitted.

Many of the people I listened to at the newspapers’ stands last week were hopeful that those cited for corruption would not scale through screening; how mistaken! Virtually everyone has been cleared and this for good reasons. One: allegation is not the same thing as conviction; the law says an accused person is presumed innocent until a court

of competent jurisdiction proves otherwise.

And I am sure you know that no such court exists here – they do only in Britain! Our judges are no fools! Share the booty, meen!

Only those thieves who make the mistake of walking into the lion’s den (Britain) with their eyes wide open get messed up. Those who stay away from trouble (remains here at home in Nigeria) have nothing to fear.

By the way, what is the status of those doing the screening that is any different from that of those being screened? In the Senate are all manner of persons with corruption allegations also hanging around their necks! Many of them have been quizzed\ charged to court by the anti-graft agencies.

The Senate President himself is standing trial for corruption at the Code of Conduct Tribunal! So, it should have been clear to those ordinary Nigerians heckling one another at the newsstands that corruption was not going to be the criteria for disqualifying anyone at the ministerial screening. For instance, Lai Mohammed would not have scaled through if the Senate President had not vetoed the resounding “nays” of senators rejecting him. His “offence” was not corruption. On account of his perceived godfather and the merciless but efficient way he marshalled the propaganda machinery of the APC to run rings around the PDP, he stood condemned by most PDP big-wigs. There is no PDP man who does not know that Lai and the political tendency he represents are the reasons PDP lost power. It was Lai who put sand in their garri, as it were.

The other person is Amaechi: Corruption may merely be a convenient excuse for denying Amaechi his well-deserved nomination but the truth of the matter is that the real reasons why he may be the fall guy are elsewhere. I attempt to offer a few here. Ameachi used to be in PDP; he was a two-term speaker of the House of Assembly and, immediately afterwards, two-term governor. Initially, he

was chummy with Jonathan and the First Lady, Patience. For reasons which need not detain us here, Amaechi reportedly first fell out with Patience and the altercation between both Okrika indigenes was bitter. Williams Shakespeare was right: Hell hath no fury like a woman spurned.

Thereafter, Amaechi parted ways with Jonathan and the recrimination between both surpassed that between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku Abubakar. Amaechi was a member of the Group of Seven PDP “rebel” governors who broke the party’s spine and created the cracks that eventually proved too deep to paper over or mend. When the other “rebel” governors were tempered in their speeches, Amaechi threw all caution to the winds. He was garrulous and went for the broke. When election time came, Amaechi was reported to have put his money where his mouth was. He spent and was spent for the presidential election. The good thing about corruption is that no single person can be corrupt without helpers or accomplices; therefore, all that Amaechi threw into Buhari’s election could not have been hidden from everyone. The Amaechi corruption probe by the new Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, is not really about any commitment to probity as it is an ill-tempered vengeful mission against Amaechi. If PDP will not punish anyone else, I expect them to punish Amaechi. He was, truly, their nemesis.

This, however, is not to acquit Amaechi of whatever charges.

There is, however, a lot of double standard involved in these issues. First is the one that concerns the people. They love the fact that Buhari won the last election but they prefer to play the ostrich with the processes that gave the man the victory. Thrice in the past, Buhari, running as a saint and unwilling to be tainted by corrupt politicians, failed in his bid for the presidency. The last time, however, he

swallowed his pride, accepted the terms of the politicians he had hitherto snubbed and flocked together with them – and he won. So, Buhari stooped to conquer, as it were. But having so stooped, can we expect him to be able to stand upright again?

A bent, dried fish who can straighten again? The processes that brought Buhari to power were not clean, if we should put it that way. As the Yoruba would say, “isale oro l’egbin” (the source of wealth\ power is usually dirty). The people must have to reconcile themselves to this fact.

Otherwise, they would be like those who want the rainfall without thunder or who want to make omelette without breaking eggs. My grandmother said: You cannot be quarrelling with the ground and be walking on mole hills. You cannot love to have Buhari as president without coming to terms with the circumstances of his emergence. He made compromises to get into office; he closed his eyes to certain things; he accepted certain terms. He cannot now pretend or behave as if they did not happen.

If he did, be assured that the Oyinbo man that made the pencil is also the same that made eraser.

The second double-speak is to behave as if the last election was the first time governors or presidents dipped their hands into the treasury to fund campaigns. Elections in this country have always been funded by public funds. How much do party members contribute to the party coffers and which president or governor took election expenses from his own pockets? Was it Obasanjo, Yar’Adua or Jonathan? How much of his election campaign bills did Buhari pick? Put succintly, much of the funding that goes into elections is stolen money – and how can a leader who stole himself into office or condoned slush funds turn round afterwards to play holy, holy? Until we reform the system and adopt stringent election-funding rules as they have in the United States, for example, our leaders will continue to pilfer the treasury to fund their campaign expenses.

RE: Adebayo Shittu’s ministerial nomination Your submission on Buhari’s ministerial nominations, Barrister Adebayo Shittu’s especially, said it all! Shittu is a personality of repute; one of the most responsible, responsive, sympathetic, energetic, and humane persons I have ever come across. I am now about 73 years old.

Only God knows the prophet that discovered Bayo Shittu for Buhari. For this singular choice, support for Buhari’s government in Oke-Ogun will be limitless. Shittu is a pearl among his equals. I am not an APC member; neither am I a Muslim. But I know Shittu is gold discovered. This is the time, probably, when neglected, despised, and marginalised Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo state will take her rightful place in the scheme of things. The few who rose up against Shittu’s nomination are enemies of progress because Shittu is not a pushover. Thanks for sincerity, boldness, courage, and wings of imagination.

– Elder Kola Oladejo, Tede, OkeOgun, Oyo state.

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language&style

by Samson Dare 0805 500 1770 samsonadare@yahoo.co.uk

Stumbling block

S

AMPLE 1: “Political violence and the social stigma that politics is a dirty game is a further stumbling block for women to become actively involved in the politics of this country. These are the major causes for the low representation of women in Nigeria’s political terrain…You remind her that a lot of women’s groups are complaining that the number of women in politics and positions are dwindling and you wake up something in her with this response…Ask her to advice women politicians and she answers: ‘I would tell them to work together as women…’”(Why I Fought to Recover My Mandate in Spite of Physical Threats, The Nation On Sunday, July 19, 2015) I draw readers’ attention to the verb is which occurs in the following context: “Political violence and the social stigma that politics is a dirty game IS a further stumbling block…” That verb (IS) is obviously in its singular form. There must be a nominal item in the structure which is singular and which occurs in a position that is relevant to the verb slot. I can’t find any such. There are in fact two relevant items which together constitute the subject. These are: 1) political violence 2) the social stigma that politics is a dirty game.

In elementary arithmetic and elementary English, would we say two entities are singular or plural? We would say they are plural of course. It would even be contradictory to speak of two items in singular terms. In the light of this, a plural verb-form should replace the singular verb-form (is). The appropriate verb-form is: are.

Next, we note the structure: “a further stumbling block for women to become actively involved in the politics of this country.” The idiom stumbling block, let us note, is usually followed by the particle to, but here it is followed by the particle for. Idioms are idioms, we have had cause to say repeatedly, because of their unique and immutable collocation. Certain words, particularly particles, have to be in certain places for particular verbal stretches to retain their idiomatic character. Yes, the particle to has to replace for in the context under review. For this to happen effectively, the structure has to be adjusted. Consider this: “a further stumbling block to women becoming actively involved in the politics of this country.”

Next we note the relationship between the noun number and the verb-form are which occurs in the following context: “a lot of women’s groups are complaining that the NUMBER of women in politics and positions ARE dwindling.” The verb is supposed to be in concord with the noun number, and the latter should be treated as a singular noun which it is. Actually, there are contexts in which the noun number is to attract a singular verb and there are contexts in which it should attract a plural form of the verb.

This matter has been treated fairly extensively in this place one or two times before. Today, we take advantage of the examples given in an earlier discussion. I urge readers to note the relationship between the noun number and the verb was in the following structure: “the number of people becoming aware of their rights as consumers was on the rise in the sector.” Now compare the relationship between the word number and the verb were in the following structure: “the number of complaints cases were fast rising.”

In the first structure, the reporter has treated the noun (number) as a singular word by choosing the singular verb form (was) in relation to it. In the second structure, he has preferred the plural form of the verb (were) relative to the noun (number).

What is the appropriate way to treat that noun---singular or plural? In the context under review, the word number should be treated as a singular noun.

Read the following sentences: 1) Many people have visited the sacred site, and the number of visitors has been increasing in recent times. 2) The number of products received this year is higher than that of last year. 3) The number of students in the school is quite high. 4) Let’s find out how many people have been attending the programme in the last three years so that we can know whether the number has been increasing or decreasing over the years. 5) The number of participants is not as encouraging as the comment has suggested.

Let’s have more examples drawn from yet another earlier discussion: 1) The number of casual workers is higher than that of regular workers. 2) If the number of those earning monthly salaries is not increasing it should not be decreasing. 3) The number of people involved in crime is not as large as the police have presented it. 4) The number of registered participants has influenced the number of bags we have provided. 5) The number of members that came was responsible for the huge sum of

Sunday Tribune

18 October, 2015

line

life

with Niyi Osundare

Random Blues money spent. 6) The number of vehicles plying our roads has increased greatly in recent times.

There is a sense, however, in which the word number is used with a plural verb. Consider the following sentences: 1) There are a number of police officers living in our neighbourhood. 2) A large number of protesters were moving from street to street urging the government to change its mind on the issue of removal of oil subsidy. 3) A large number of armed robbers were arrested and summarily executed during the military era. 4) A number of memos have been written on the vexatious issue. 5) A number of cars were purchased recently by the company. 6) A number disciplinary cases are being addressed by the institution.

Finally, we note the use of the word cause in the following context: “These are the major causes for the low representation of women in Nigeria’s political terrain.” Please note that the particle for following the noun cause directly is an inappropriate one. The proper particle is of. Of course there is a sense in which the particle for can collocate with the noun cause. The following sentences illustrate this usage: 1) The police chief has assured us that there is no cause for alarm. 2) The political developments in the country provide no cause for optimism. 3) The man told his troubled wife there was no cause for anxiety. 4) There is no cause for that kind of announcement. 5) There is no cause for rejoicing yet.

In the following sentences, the noun cause takes the particle of except in number 8 in which it does not take any particle at all: 1) Careless driving is one of the major causes of road traffic accidents in Nigeria. 2) One major cause of corruption in Nigeria is poverty. 3) The police in conjunction with the doctors are investigating the cause of his death. 4) Nobody has been able to identify the cause of the fire disaster. 5) Accommodation and food were the main causes of students’ unrest in those days. 6) Medical experts have not been able to establish the cause of cancer. 7) Conflict of egos among Nigerian leaders was the cause of the civil war. 8) There are people who would hate you without cause.

Finally, we note the word advice which occurs in the following context: “Ask her to advice women politicians and she answers…”

It should be obvious that the slot occupied by the word advice belongs to a verb, especially in view of the infinitive marker (to) preceding it. It is equally obvious that the word advice is in its noun form. Let us note the letter c in its spelling. Its verb form is advise.

Here we must also note the letter s in the spelling.

The following sentences illustrate the usage of the noun form (advice): 1) I can assure you that the advice was given with the best of intentions. 2) Your doctor’s advice is as important as your lawyer’s advice. 3) In rejecting that advice, the president was guided by the national interest. 4) I find myself unable to accept his advice because it is always misleading. 5) We owe the success to the invaluable advice given by members of the board. 6) The advice could have been precious if it had not come at a wrong time.

The usage of the verb form is illustrated as follows: 1) I advise you to leave this environment immediately. 2) I have advised him twice on three different matters but he would not listen. 3) The president has been advised not to consider the military option. 4) Wives are expected to advise, support and comfort their husbands. 5) The lawyer advised his client not to go to court of the issue the land dispute.

(Colonial Musical Chairs)

The Dutch owned her first Then came the British Yes, the Dutch owned her first After that, the British Gunboats, bloofloods, arrogant edicts Morbidly tough, severely brutish

They stole their lunch From a neighbor’s garden Hun, stole their lunch From a neighbor’s garden Lice-coated louts without a farthing Their bodies lived in wafered cotton

The sea cut the season With a salty knife Hear? Sea cut the season With a salty knife Pale pieces on floating waves White with power, blue with strife

The Tortoise says The Hare is slow Yes, Tortoise says The Hare is slow Crawling one mile in one month

The verb is supposed to be in concord with the noun number, and the latter should be treated as a singular noun which it is. Actually, there are contexts in which the noun number is to attract a singular verb and there are contexts in which it should attract a plural form of the verb

Tortoise’s tricks continue to grow

Whose horse is gored By my happy Bull Asking, whose horse is gored By my happy Bull Who says his head is aching Because my market is full

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18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

With Rita Okonoboh rosarumese@gmail.com 08053789087

tribunechurch My journey from hard drugs to the pulpit —Pastor Salaberrios In this interview, Dimas Salaberrios, co-pastor of Infinity Bible Church in New York City’s Bronx borough and president of Concert of Prayer Greater New York, tells how he initially became moved to pursue a life of crime, the harrowing encounter with evil that finally compelled him to take God seriously and how some of what he learned in the streets carries over to his ministry work today. Excerpts: In your book, Street God: The Explosive True Story of a Former Drug Boss on the Run from the Hood—and the Courageous Mission That Drove Him Back, you credit your mother with planting some of those Jesus seeds in your life? y mother was a CEO type of Christian. She always kept a Bible under her pillow, which I still don’t understand today. I mean that Bible was shredded, from, I guess, [her] rolling and tossing and turning throughout the years. I didn’t see her read it a lot. She taught me the Lord’s Prayer.

The other thing about my mother, she was a principal, a loving woman, and it was hard breaking her heart over and over again. One of the [reasons] why we wrote this, is [I know] it will encourage a lot mothers to not give up on their kids and really empower them on the mindset of a young man and how to reach them.

M

How do you think God saw you when you were running around doing what you wanted and living for yourself?

I think He saw me as a weapon of Satan that needed His grace, needed His message badly. It was clear I was totally committed to the wrong side. I would go and I would find a Christian business person, or anybody in that kind of field, and I would try to team up with them and pull them out of their jobs to help build the infrastructure for the drug market that I was operating. So I was a user of people. I pulled people out of light into dark. And a lot of death surrounded me, unfortunately. I know God looked down and said, “This guy needs me.”

Do you ever encounter people who are skeptical or find it hard to forgive the kinds of things you did when you were running the streets dealing dope?

Not too often. And I think part of that was the amount of surrender I did to the Lord. … I think with me, I made a complete 180. Like, I said, “I want to change my vocabulary, I don’t want to curse, I don’t want to do these things.”

I started listening to vocabulary tapes to better my English. I changed my dress. I wasn’t really a suit guy, but I wanted to make sure I wore button-down shirts and slacks and shoes to give a different appearance. So I worked really hard at becoming someone who was completely opposite of the drug boss. I hung up hoodies, you know. The only time I wear a hoodie is maybe if I’m jogging in the rain or something. Other than that, I’m done with that.

Did you learn anything in the streets that you’ve

found to be relevant in your ministry?

Absolutely. I can see fake Christians a mile away. I can see fake pastors a mile away. Those senses are so acute because I was selling drugs for so long. At age 12, I’m out there with a package dealing with grown ups I’m selling drugs to. I had to figure out in seconds, were they coming to rob me? In seconds, were they coming to purchase?

Did they just get into an argument? Were they coming to kill me, you know, for my stuff? I had to figure that out. I learned to trust that instinct. I think to be a kingpin; you had to know thousands of drug dealers. So I think I have a higher skill of meeting and networking with people to know thousands, because that’s been my whole life. I used to wake up five in the morning to sell drugs. I get up five in the morning to do ministry. It doesn’t change. And I [slept, drank] and thought about hustling, you know.

Now I sleep, drink, think and pray about how to make God’s name more known and how to introduce people to Christ. So that translates over pretty well.

What do you want people to take away from reading Street God? There’s a couple of incredible takeaways. One of the big takeaways is that I was reachable and no one reached

‘Impacting women, my divine mission’

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out, for a long time. And three brave women knew, they knew I was the kingpin and they shut down a gun smuggling operation, a crack business and a marijuana empire by a prayer meeting. I wonder what we could do more if we were to grab some drug dealers, some people off the street and say, “Can we pray for you? Can we pray for God to have a better plan for your life?”

What bothers me, is Christians go to a church where there [are] huge failures and they’d be led astray by staying there. Leave! Go to a better place and hold onto the truth and follow the truth.

And believing God can overcome any situation. I could have been doing seven years, but I got pardoned. There’s no mountain too big. So I think some people live on fear of taking on a challenge when I see over and over again the old acronym that we’ve all heard: F.E.A.R. — false evidence appears real. But that’s so true.

I hope this book will conquer people’s fear and build their faith. That God can just show up when you put legs to it, and I think that’s a big part. Put action to your faith, is one of the things I would like to be done with people that read the book or one day see the movie.

Source: Christian Post

90 per cent fulfilled prophecies is an accomplishment —Suleman

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18 October, 2015

‘Impacting women, my divine mission’

year, especially our main programmes, “When Women Pray” and the Mothers and Daughters programmes.

The association’s conference is around the corner. Could you shed more light on it?

The Empowered Women Conference comes up this month, precisely on October 24. It’s a conference that started in 2003 with the vision of calling to arise and fulfill God’s purpose for life. We go about this by equipping and empowering the total woman. We invite speakers to talk on health, finance, business, and spiritual matters as they relate to women. To live the life God designed us for does not just happen; we must consciously and purposefully seek it. We also have free health screening.

Pastor (Mrs) Aduke Obey, Senior Pastor of House of Refuge Church, Lagos, and president of Daughters of Sarah Women Fellowship, in this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, speaks on the qualities women should possess and how she intends to empower women through her upcoming conference. Excerpts:

A

Is there any hope for the underprivileged and unemployed through this programme?

Yes, our message is always one hope. At this programme, we offer registration for one-month free skill acquisition programme. At the end of the four weeks training, an assessment would be carried out by the trainers and a total of two persons will be selected for award to set up their own businesses.

S the president of Daughters of Sarah Women Fellowship, what is the vision of the religious body?

The main vision of DOS, which is to raise women of excellence through the love of Christ, the teaching of the word of God and fellowship with other women, has made the body to encourage women to be all that God created them to be. It is centred to empower people, irrespective of class, age or tribe and we thank God for the success it has recorded since the movement stated.

How long has this fellowship been affecting lives?

I think we should not be particular about when we started, but focus more on the lives we have been able to affect positively, as well as those it will still impact. We are really impressed with the testimonies and physical results we have witnessed. But for the sake of record, by the grace of God, this fellowship has been affecting lives since May 1997.

How has it been since it started?

There have been numerous challenges at different times, but God has always been faithful to see us through.

You know it is not easy establishing anything in Nigeria, especially when it comes to religious works and charity, but God has been able to sustain the vision beyond imagination. We are no longer threatened by the challenges, because we have God’s backing.

Why focus on women?

It is not that we have sidelined the opposite sex. Our

Sunday Tribune

What are other activities lined up to make the event memorable?

We look forward to an awesome time and a life changing encounter as we have uplifting time of praise and worship, prayer, feeding people with the word of God, and workshops on topics such as ‘Maximising your impact’ and ‘Online marketing for business’ to be addressed by Mrs Buki Fadayomi and Miss Stephenie Obi, respectively. There will also be networking, counselling, consultations and so on.

We also have free gifts for distribution. men are also important to us, but they cannot do it all alone. The scriptures even describe us as their supporting force. This is why we have set up this platform. We also need to empower ourselves as well as develop in our careers; we also want our impact to be felt in nation building. We thank God our dream is coming through. The fellowship has really experienced massive growth through positive impacts. Those who have benefited from the development are the ones inviting friends, neighbours and colleagues. When they encounter the word, they tell others about what God is doing through the ministry. We also have outreach programmes at different times of the

How have you be able to combine your pastoral job and overseeing this ministry?

Honestly, it has been easy through the help of the Holy Spirit. As I said earlier, women should be active in nation building, take good care of the home and affect lives positively. Prayers and love are part of our major qualities and this are the things that can make us grow as humans and as a nation. At DOS, we see ourselves one, irrespective of different backgrounds. And as the leader, I have been able to create a bond and we have all been able to build lasting friendships. I think it is a divine mission to impact lives, especially the women.

‘Anglican Communion’: Slavish attachment or spiritual fellowship?

By Ven (Dr) Samuel A.O. Osungbeju AT a Book Launch recently, the Chairman of the occasion, an accomplished legal luminary and a known figure in the Nigeria politics, while commenting on the title, “Ministering in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) – Highlighting what the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is and How it operates”, authored by the Rev. Canon J.O.A. Olubode, observed that it was high time the reference to “Anglican” be discarded or jettisioned by the Church of Nigeria as an independent church.

His argument bordered on the fact that the word, ‘Anglican’ still points in the direction of neo-colonialism – a slavish attachment to colonial roots even in the 21st century. He depicted such a situation as unacceptable and culturally irritating. He therefore challenged the elders and the leadership of the church to critically consider his observation and argument in order to be able to practically react to it.

Against this backdrop, this article is a reaction to that challenge or observation. This article seeks to explore whether the term, “Anglican Communion”, actually portrays a slavish attachment to the former colonial masters or European missionaries after more than five decades of independence or a spiritual fellowship of a common experience of God’s saving grace, a common belief and practice of the Christian faith and a hope of eternal glory with the Lord Jesus Christ and the rest of the Christian communities around the world as one universal Church of Christ, in spite of the seemingly cultural distinctiveness of those communities.

It is noteworthy that the recent crises in the Anglican Communion worldwide regarding what is termed as “Revertionist Agenda”, especially as it concerns the place of the Bible in Christianity and human sexuality. The Church of Nigeria is playing a leading role in the process of maintaining the true biblical Christianity as well as finding lasting solutions to the crises. In addition, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has been involved in missions to the US with the establishment of the Convocation of Churches in North America (CANA) as well as nomadic missionary activities in Nigeria to cater for those who have been displaced by the Revertionist Agenda of the Church in the US and the UK. Till date, the issue of the relationship/ fellowship among the Anglicans across the world is being debated. Here is the crux of the matter. I wonder what role the Anglican Church in Nigeria would have played in regard to the recent development within the Communion, especially the crises confronting the Communion if she had severed her relationship with the Communion, especially the Anglican Church in England. The Anglican Church in Nigeria is at the forefront of the struggle for the biblical Anglican Christianity and she still has an important role to pay in the matter, because of her overwhelming influence over the mother Church in England in particular, and in the world generally.

The relationship is such that is based on independence, freedom and autonomy. It is not a forced or slavish fellowship, but a voluntary and spontaneous one that is inspired by a common experience of the saving grace

of Jesus Christ and divine inspiration by the Holy Spirit that knits us all together.

The point is that the common identities of the church which revolve around the person and work of Jesus Christ, keep us together; while we make use of our cultural distinctiveness and peculiarities to enrich the life of our churches at the local levels without any contradiction to the generally accepted biblical faith and doctrines of the Church.

The Church of Nigeria – Anglican Communion as it is known today, is not alone as a local church in Africa. It belongs to other parts of the universal church around the world of different cultures and worldviews, which makes it an international church in nature and scope.

The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion is not just a church in Nigeria for the Nigerians, it is a worldwide church – her

mission is beyond the shores of Nigeria.

We will definitely miss these points if we should sever our relationships from those who urgently require our spiritual care and Christian brotherliness, in order to be delivered from spiritual degeneration, secularism and ungodly social principles. They may have the economic strength, but we have the spiritual enlightenment to assist them. Therefore, what we owe the Anglican Church in England and the US, we also owe the entire world as a mission church in the world, our name notwithstanding.

In conclusion, one may argue about the name we call our church, just like a group known as the Church of Christ is pursuing that the church should simply be known as the “church of Christ”.

Although the argument may appear plausible, it does not offer any meaningful solution to the development. In other words, although it may be irrelevant to call our church Anglican, because there is no such thing in heaven, such organic unity envisaged by such argument is not realisable in this dispensation. We therefore must be guided by the slogan “unity in diversity”.

It should be noted therefore that regardless of any name that is adopted, the authenticity or genuineness of any group as a true part of the body of Christ – the universal church, must be that it is Bible-based, Christ-rooted, Holy Spirit-guided and heaven-focused; otherwise it is just a group of its own that cannot be regarded as a true part of the universal church of Christ.

Osungbeju is of the Diocese of Ibadan North (Anglican Communion)

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18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

With Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 08074497425

churchnews

Buhari should be careful about anti-corruption war —Ayodele

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OPULAR Lagos seer and founder of INRI Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to be careful in his anti-corruption crusade so as not to shoot himself in the foot, just as he advised that the president should be careful of sycophants in his administration.

Primate Ayodele stated

this while interacting with newsmen at the headquarters of his church.

According to him, “President Buhari means well for the country but he should be careful in his anticorruption war so that he would not shoot himself in the foot. We are at an important stage in our nation and we must be careful in whatever we do.

‘The All Progressives

Congress (APC) should be very careful with its handling of its interaction with the Senate. The relationship between the Senate and the APC has not really been fantastic in the last few months. I see a problematic APC. Both the ruling party and the Peoples Democratic Party won’t function as parties later.”

The seer equally added

that there “will be so much rancour against Buhari’s purported second term ambition.”

It will be recalled that the Primate had predicted the present predicament of the former Minister of Petroleum, Alison Madueke, which was in the January 14, 2015 publication of City People Magazine. On page 31 of the said publication,

the Primate stated that ‘Madueke must be careful not to lose anybody around

Why we organised Salvation Cup Tournament —MFM Akin Adewakun-Lagos THE Regional Overseer, Mountain of Fire Ministries, Lagos Region 32, Ogba, Lagos, Pastor Aderemi Oseni, has identified the need to reach out to the church’s immediate community and preach salvation to the populace, especially its teeming youths, as one of the reasons for the church’s communitybased Salvation Cup Tournament, held last weekend

St. Joseph’s celebrates cultural day

By Rita Okonoboh

Reverend Father John O’Hea, SMA (left); Reverend Father Joseph Akinbinu (fourth right); Reverend Father Darlington Agubosim (second right), with members of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke Ado, Ibadan, during their cultural day celebration, held last Sunday.

The General Overseer of New Paul Apostolic Church, Papa Pastor Hector Babatunde Adesanya, flanked by his daughter, Mrs Adeola Johnson, and her husband, Engineer Akinkunmi Johnson, during Adesanya’s 80th birthday celebration, held at the Methodist Cathedral Church hall, Agbeni, Ibadan, recently.

ST. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, popularly known within the Catholic Diocese of Ibadan as ‘the parish of reality where good things happen,’ last Sunday, celebrated her cultural day.

The event which kicked off with a mass at 9a.m., featured parishioners who came all out decked in various traditional attires, and was followed by a reception.

In his address on the occasion, the parish priest, Reverend Father Joseph Akinbinu, who spoke on the uniqueness of culture and how it connotes rich development for Nigeria, urged the parishioners to use their traditional inclinations for the promotion of good in the society and nation building.

Zonal groups of the church – Southwest, Southeast, Southsouth, Arewa and ECOWAS – showcased cultural presentations, and there was display of various traditional foods for all cultures represented at the event.

Segun Gold rocks RCCG with ‘Da-Promise’ Ebenezer Adurokiya-Warri “I will eat the labour of my hands, I shall not suffer for another man to eat, I’ll eat the labour of my hands, this is the promise in the name of the Lord.”

The above quote is the chorus of the gospel single, Da-Promise, billed for performance today at the main auditorium of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Strong Tower, Delta Province 2, Warri, Delta

State.

The single, sung by sensational Warri-based gospel psalmist, Segun Gold, is also set to rock other churches in Warri and the entire Niger Delta after today’s performance and of-

ficial launch.

‘Da-Promise’ is a prayer to God to reward the labour of people’s efforts and hard work, and also frown on situations where someone else reaps the harvest of the labour and hard work of an-

her and must be prayerful for her health and also be careful of blackmails.”

other.

The Ondo State-born dancer, who founded Creative Dancers in 2006, told TribuneChurch that the single, was written in 2007, but was delayed by the poor quality of production.

in Lagos.

Speaking with TribuneChurch, at the conclusion of the eight-team football tournament that saw Ojodu FC winning the coveted trophy, a gold medal and the sum of N60,000, Pastor Oseni explained that the region decided to use the football platform;, since the game had become a passion for many Nigerians, especially the youth.

He stated that besides the fun of the tournament and the monetary rewards attached, the church also took the opportunity of the gathering to preach salvation to the audience that had come to watch the tournament.

“What we have been able to achieve is that, besides developing and encouraging football talents, we have, at the same time evangelised, and reached out to the youth through the game they love best, which is football.

“The most important thing is to use football to bring the community closer to God. And more importantly, we are taking the battle to the devil’s front, because if we are able to turn these youths to God, we must have succeeded in depopulating the kingdom of darkness, since the youths are highly vulnerable,” he stated.

Pastor Oseni expressed satisfaction with the quality and quantity of attendance at the tournament, describing it “as a testimony that the church of God is marching on.”

Expressing his delight at the initiative, the Baale of Omole, who also served as Match Commissioner for the two-day tournament, Taiwo Bakare, commended the region for coming up with the unique initiative, noting that such would go a long way in engaging the youth in the area and, as a result, reduce the level of crime in the society.

Zion FC, Ogba and D Tiger FC, Ojodu won the sums of N40,000 and N20,000, as first and second runners up, respectively.

44 tribunechurch

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

90 per cent fulfilled prophecies is an accomplishment —Suleman President, Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, is known for his varied predictions. In this interview, the Edo State born cleric speaks on the intricacies of prophecies, the performance of the Buhari administration, the gospel of giving back to society, among other issues. TADE MAKINDE provides excerpts:

W

HAT’S your view on the current crop of leaders in Nigeria?

The current leadership, from President Muhammadu Buhari to the governors down to the local councils, couldn’t have been in power today but for God, which reminds me of the prophecy I made recently about God wanting to effect changes in the nation’s leadership at the centre because He had decided to rescue the nation from the clutches of the misrule of the past. I will thereby ask the current leadership not to tempt God; they should fight for people and not fight for their individual pockets and stomachs. Their positions should not be seen as avenues to further choke the masses; they should work to rescue the ordinary people who defied the rain and scorching sun to cast their votes for them to be where they are today.

How do you feel when you see your prophecies being fulfilled?

The day every prophecy you give comes to pass 100 per cent, you have become God. I’m not God. I derive my messages from God. Therefore, 45 coming to pass out of 50 prophecies is a fulfillment. I said some prophecies are delayed not that they will not come to pass because God does not speak in vain. You may have prophecies this year and you see them coming to fullment the next year or two. That is the dynamism God’s words. For example, I predicted the Boko Haram bombings that killed many in Borno about three weeks back before the latest Abuja bombing which I even told my congregation would happen a day before. Long before the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, started having troubles with the last government, I predicted that he would be made Kano king and it came to pass. But before

the prophecy came to fulfillment, many unbelievers were sceptical of the message. So, you need to study prophecies before you can understand prophecies.

The church is well involved in charity. What drives you?

This is something we have been doing since the church was born. We transfer the donations that we receive from non-members of the church to the vulnerable members of church like widows and orphans. This is our primary responsibility. Yearly, we give out cars and cash donations to the needy within and outside the church. We don’t need to keep repeating that, since the birth of Omega Fire Ministries, wonders of different versions have happened and it has always been testaments galore.

Barren women have given birth to babies after attending miracle programmes with us, while many have received healings, secured employment, financial breakthroughs, turn-arounds in their respective businesses and deliverance from ancestral curses. These are what endear us to the multitudes that witness the church’s services across the 42 countries where we have branches.

What should be expected from the Octer programme?

The October programme has begun in earnest, with people from across the world trooping to witness it as it is done regularly. Our mission, apart from the vision to spread the gospel, is to save the world of afflictions and preach the word to deliver and liberate, while we engage in charity by not just donating from our personal pocket, we also ensure that the church secures a place for the needy at all time. The October crusades has begun and will continue with the Cameroon Invasion which holds

between the 20th and 21st of October before the International Men’s Conference of 23rd. On 27th and 28th, the ministry will host International Ministers Conference while the regular Fire and Miracle Night holds on October 29th 2015. Previous editions of Jehovah the Doctor especially have experienced tremendous reports of miracles and healings orchestrated by God just after we laid hands on those that have attended from different nations, while so many testimonies have been given from attendees of the previous meetings and this was one of the vehicles of mobilisation for the 2015 edition of the two-day extraordinary programme.

Landmark Faith Dominion Global Church in four-in-one celebration THE Landmark Faith Dominion Global Church, also known as Landmark Christian Church, located at Oke-Offa, Atipe, Ibadan, Oyo State, broke the barriers penultimate Saturday when it celebrated four achievements with the aim of strengthening the faith of the church, its leadership and the members.

The church celebrated the launch of a book written by the General Overseer of the church, Pastor (Dr) Segun Tella; graduation ceremony; convocation, and ordination of new deacons and deaconesses as one programme held on the same day.

The graduation ceremony was the second for the Bible school arm of the church, known as Bible-way Training Institute International (BIWATI).

In his address at the graduation ceremony, Pastor Tella thanked the management and the lecturers for making the institution great, adding that it was their collective support that made it possible for the school and the mission to live up to God’s expectations.

According to him, “the

main objective of the institution is to train those who will take up the work of God on the way to succeed and meet challenges with emphasis on holiness as a way of life,” just as he congratulated the graduating students and enjoined them not to detract from the ways of God. The registrar of the Bible School, Rev (Dr) Israel Adeleke, eulogised the Rector for his vision and steadfastness in establishing the school, saying it has helped in moulding students by training them in the ways of holiness. He urged him not to relent in his pursuit of excellence, both for the school as well as in the ministry of God andadmonished the graduating students and the in-coming ones to emulate the good works of great men of God. Thereafter, the book launch took place with the author, Pastor Tella, disclosing that the book, entitled, Idibaje Ijo ni Igba Ikehin (The Ills with Latter Day Evangelism) was facilitated by a man, Engr Mofoluso Olutayo, who encouraged him to publish a book

to support evangelism. He gave kudos to the man who he said made it possible for the book to become a reality.

In all, twelve men and women were ordained as deacons and deaconesses in a short service conducted for the purpose in the church auditorium with those ordained taking the oath to commit themselves to the service of God. The ceremony ended with the new students swearing to the oath of good conduct and that of the institution, followed by special praise and worship, and a sermon with the G.O. expressing his gratitude to all for being part of the occasion.

From left, Mrs Wale Aina; General Overseer of the Landmark Faith Dominion Global Church, Ibadan, Pastor Segun Tella, and Mrs Mofoluso Olutayo, during the 4-I-1 ceremony, held at the church auditorium, Oke-offa, Atipe, Ibadan, Oyo State, recently.

Kumuyi to organise crusade in 12 Ogun communities Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta THE General Superintendent, Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, is billed to hold a ground breaking crusade across 12 communities in Ogun State from 27th October through 8th November, 2015.

The state overseer of the

church, Pastor Edison Daminabo, disclosed this at a press conference to herald the crusade in Abeokuta, last week.

Daminado stated that the crusade would take place at Agbado District Comprehensive High School, Oke-Aro; Excel College International Home School, Ijoko; Deeper Life Camp

Ground, Ota and Local Government Secondary Commercial School, Atan; Methodist High School, Ifo; Empire Field, Behind Nigeria Prisons, Ilaro; St. Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu-Imushin and Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu-Ode, among other venues.

Daminado said no fewer than 50,000 rural dwellers

are expected at each gathering with free registration for all participants.

He said, “The bulk of the population in this state is in the villages. So we are focusing on those places because some of them can’t come because of transportation and some are old. By going into the remote areas, they will be able to gradually join us.”

45 tribunechurch with Most Revd J.O. Akinfenwa

with Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, fradebadejo@yahoo.com

In the world, but not of the world

The sign of Jonah

The sign of Jonah Jesus Christ used the Jonah metaphor to address the challenges of our present times: “People of the present time are troubled people. They ask for a sign but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah, As Jonah became a sign for the people of Nineveh so will the Son of man be a sign for this generation. (Lk. 11: 2930). There is so much in the saga of Jonah that should query the logic of our day and times. Jonah’s refusal to go God’s way until he was compelled to, speaks to majority of us. Jonah eventually delivered the message of doom sent through him and then immediately took up the judgment seat. He tried to usurp God’s sovereignty and sentence Nineveh. On hearing the message of Jonah, the people of Nineveh embarked on change and repentance. God then repented and did not visit the people with the destruction he had threatened. However, Jonah in arrogance, queried and even chided God for changing his mind. So indignant was he that he even used his life as a blackmail tool. “O Yahweh, is this not what I said when I was yet in my own country? I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and full of love, and you re-

Nigeria needs people and leaders like Nineveh had.

Were the people of Nineveh Nigerians, they would have read different meanings into Jonah’s emergence.

Sunday Tribune

dawnofanewera

firmfaith:rightreason

A story like no other The story of the prophet Jonah in the Bible is a literary thriller. Among the dramatis personae is the all powerful God who sent to Nineveh the self-opinionated prophet Jonah, who in his turn, was determined not to go. Jonah deployed his evasive tactics to the full. He boarded a ship bound for Tarshish and went into the hold of the ship in order to go “far away from Yahweh” (Jo 1: 1-3). He obviously had not read much of the psalms. “Oh Lord you search me and you know me ...where could I flee from your Spirit? You are there if I ascend the heavens: you are there if I descend to the depths” (Ps 139: 7-8). God activated his own coalition and deployed the sea to give Jonah a little shake up. Jonah’s sailor allies tried hard to take him as far away as possible from this “troublesome” God. At the end of their wits, Jonah they were forced to deeply reflect over their plight. They expunged the evil in their midst. Jonah, cast into the sea, reverted to his former “OYO” (on your own) status. God then provided him with an exotic means of travel which safely delivered him where he needed to be. That is the kind of dramatic story that makes award winning scripts. However with this Bible story there are even much deeper lessons to learn for everyone.

18 October, 2015

lent from imposing terrible punishment. I beseech you now, Yahweh, to take my life, for now it is better for me to die than to live”(Jo. 4: 2-4). Such crooked, ill-willed prayer! The sign of Jonah remains a pointer to human vengeance and wickedness.

God’s response to him sums up the reason why, in spite of all the wickedness around us, we all still evade destruction.

That other side of the coin Fortunately Jonah’s stubbornness and indignation with God’s benevolence was not all we find in this story. The people of Nineveh themselves are a counter-sign to the characteristic resistance to repentance which is commonplace among us. God must be saying something to us too through Jonah’s words to Nineveh: “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown”. Harsh as those words were, they never came to pass. Three things intervened to stop the impending calamity on Nineveh. The people’s belief and their listening ear to God, their decision to take painful and decisive action and probably the most important, God’s boundless mercy. “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea...”, goes the old church hymn. The people of Nineveh believed in God, proclaimed a fast and all put on sackcloth in an unreserved gesture of repentance and change. “Then tidings reached the king of Nineveh and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, and covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. He made proclamations throughout Nineveh: ‘By the decree of, the King and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them cry mightily to God; yes, let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence which is in his hands.

Who knows, God may yet repent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we perish not’” How beautiful! That was what made God, according to the Bible, to repent “of the evil which he had said he would do to them”. Imagine that, God “repented”! Such sincere human action can indeed move the heavens.

We need hearts of gold Nigeria needs people and leaders like Nineveh had. Were the people of Nineveh Nigerians, they would have read different meanings into Jonah’s emergence. What tribe is this Jonah from, having travelled for all of three days to chastise Nineveh?

Is he not just witch-hunting somebody?

Could he not respect the sovereignty of Nineveh and mind his own business?

Was the King making that additional declaration for repentance not just playing politics? Would his sitting-down-in-ashesgesture not raise the cost of ashes? In any case is it not mere hypocrisy, doing all that, just to be seen? An honest analysis would surely see Nigerians with these attitudes?

Such are what have handicapped and paralysed transformation here and taken us all hostage. Such are the attitudes that we need to firmly denounce and summarily discard.

For that, today is as good as any other day.

OUR Lord, while praying for the saints in John chapter 17, said in verses 14-16, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

With this in mind, our Lord then went on to pray in John 17: 17 thus, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

I agree that we are saved by grace (Eph 2: 8). But to assess how we are walking worthy of the name of Jesus, we must examine our works - the outworkings of our sanctification.

People of God, the visible, actionable proof of the Christian life is right behaviour. We cannot dodge this fact. Yes, many people engage in good deeds without faith in Jesus Christ. Others claim to have faith in Christ, but rarely produce good deeds. A deficit in either faith or right behaviour will be a cause for shame when Christ returns. We all must realise that true faith always results in good deeds. Those who claim to have faith in Christ and who consistently do what is right are the true believers. Good deeds cannot produce salvation (cf. Eph. 2:8, 9), but they are necessary proof that true faith is actually present (Jam. 2:14-17). Our lives should be a reflection of God. When our actions fall short of our faith, we discredit the Christian identity that we carry about.

We should daily grow to resemble our Lord in: Victory over sin; love for others; confidence before God; hope of eternal kingdom (salvation).

Apostle Paul echoed this truth in several places. For example, Philippians 3:20 states, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 2:6 states: “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” In fact, in 1Corinthians 15, he warns against earth-bound, materialistic Christianity. 1Corinthians 15: 19 states that “If in this life only have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” The point I am making, brethren, is that our Christianity should be heaven-centred. We should live on earth with eternity in view. We are IN the world, but not OF the world.

Now, the Lord Jesus Christ described the Kingdom of God to us.

Mark 4:26-29 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full com in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

To be continued

livingword

By Bishop David Oyedepo Call 7747546-8; or e-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Engaging the wonders in the mystery of the anointing oil! (3) WELCOME to another exciting week on your favourite column. In last week’s edition, we discovered from scriptures that the Mystery of the Anointing Oil is not just an Old Testament practice but one that must be engaged through all generations. This week, we will examine the wonders inherent in the Anointing Oil. What is in the Oil? The Spirit of the Lord (1 Samuel 16:13); The yoke-destroying power of God (Isaiah 10:27; Zechariah 1:17, 21); The healing power of God (Mark 6:7, 11-12; James 5:14-15); The fan and the fire: This is commissioned to purge our physical bodies of every sickness, disease and all torments of the wicked (Matthew 3:11-13; 1 Corinthians 6:19); Supernatural Insight (1 Corinthians 2:9-10; 1 John 2:27).

Divine Protection: Through the anointing, we are exempted from every assault of the enemy (Psalms 105:13-15; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Peter 1:5).

Supernatural Breakthroughs (Isaiah 45:1-3, 13).

What are the manifestations of this mystery?

As demonstrated in the testimony of Saul, the son of Kish, this mystery is ordained to manifest the following: Supernatural Enthronement: The anointing makes a captain of a captive and a king out of a slave. For instance, when Saul was anointed, the Bible says that he was made a captain over God’s

inheritance. In other words, when we are anointed, we are conferred with authority to take full delivery of our inheritance in Christ (1 Samuel 10:1).

Supernatural Restoration: From scriptures, we understand that the Holy Spirit manifests Himself through the Anointing Oil. For instance, when the anointing oil was poured upon David, the Bible says that the Holy Spirit came upon him from that day. Similarly, when the oil came upon Saul, Prophet Samuel declared: When thou art departed from me today, then thou shalt find two men

by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found (1 Samuel 10:2). That means when the anointing oil comes on us, the Holy Spirit terminates our frustrations and establish the restoration of what we might have lost (1Samuel 16:13).

The Anointing empowers for unstoppable progress (1 Samuel 10:3).

Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you 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. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

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18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

specialreport Rage, fire and thunder: The world of violent spouses

Incidence of domestic violence sometimes has led to the death of either of the spouses, in the country. REMI ANIFOWOSE writes on the factors responsible for such violence, the implications, effects on the home front and society.

A victim of domestic violence

I

T was recently reported that a police officer was stabbed to death by his wife in Akure, Ondo State, during a hot argument that ensued between them.

This made the woman to dash into the kitchen, bring out a knife, rush into the living room where her husband was and stab him. It was at this point she realised what she did and started crying for help from neighbours.

The husband eventually died on the way to the hospital.

Though she had been arrested by the police, a life has already been taken due to an avoidable mistake—anger.

Also recently, a Zimbabwean woman was arrested for cutting her husband’s penis, thereby killing him in the process. Another Nigerian woman set her husband ablaze.

According to the former case, she decided to cut her husbands manhood because he was a serial cheat. In the latter case, the gist from neighbours and the man himself was that she was angry he didn’t take her out on Valentine’s Day, so after a heated argument, she threatened to set his dick on fire. He dared her and the rest is history.

Domestic violence, according to Abel Obosi, a postgraduate student of the Psychology Department, University of Ibadan, could be regarded as a disagreement, misunderstanding or fallout between a couple or spouse, that upsets the emotional state of either or both of the spouse(s), usually resulting in physical abuse, assault or violence, even death.

Similarly defining the concept of domestic violence, Professor Wilfred Shaapera Tile of the Department of Sociology, University of Abuja, regarded it as an any act that intentionally or unintentionally causes harm psychologi-

The suspect, his wife

cally or otherwise to another person, be it husband and wife;. parents and children or other members of a household in any disagreement or conflict.

Domestic violence, which, in the dictionary, is also regarded as a violent or aggressive behaviour within a home or typically a violent abuse of a spouse or partner, is a problem prevalent in Africa and it is said to be traditionally committed against females, but the latest trend in town, just like the incidents highlighted above, showed women also abusing their husbands. Some of the common forms of violence, especially against women, according to Obosi, included rape, acid attacks, molestation and wife beating.

Obosi noted that domestic violence takes many forms, including verbal, physical, sexual, emotional and mental.

“Domestic violence doesn’t really look into the lifestyle or issues leading to a big fallout between couples but cares about any action of violence taken against one’s partner,” he said.

Factors responsible for domestic violence Professor Tile, who explained that the causes or factors responsible for domestic violence were multidirectional and multidimensional, identified poverty, psychological insult and physical violence as some of the problems that lead to conflict in the home. He explained that ‘‘the problem emanates from reasons of poverty within the family or inability of the husband to meet the needs of his wife and children.’’

He also listed: ‘‘Promiscuity, waywardness, drunkenness, drug addiction, poor childhood upbringing, jealousy, laziness, differences in the political opinions of spouses and enmity,’’ saying al these factors provoke ag-

gressive tendencies between spouses and extend frustration to significant others.

Speaking from the psychological point of view, Obosi identified anger as one behavioural tendency that usually triggered marital conflict, which if not controlled reasonably, ‘’leads to domestic abuse and violence, even death.’’

According to Obosi, anger occurs as a result of recurring issues between spouses that were not addressed or communicated, but bottled up within the individual. He said anger could also be regarded as a soothing action or reaction of either of the spouses, following a provocation by the other party, which sometimes comes in the form of revenge or pay back.

He disclosed that an angry spouse, following bottled up issues, has tendencies of using verbal violence, in terms of using abusive words to provoke the other and these utterances could lead to physical violence- wife beating, molestation and assault. He also said couples who based their actions or reactions on assumptions were susceptible to marital conflict and domestic violence.

Corroborating Obosi on the causes of marital conflict based on assumptions and wrong perceptions, Professor Tile said illiteracy and misinterpretation of social behaviours or habits, gestures and gesticulations caused by truancy were also responsible factors.

Obosi, who also added that it was normal for an individual to get angry, said anger acted an a soothing expression of an individual’s feelings, which usually was caused Continues

pg 47

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specialreport

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

‘Children are direct victims of domestic violence’ slightest provocation. Three months after we married, I started receiving the beatings of my life, even before I got pregnant.

At first, I thought it was a child’s play, but when the beatings persisted even after our second child six years after, I decided to talk to his parents and mine to let them know what I was going through. They intervened, but their intervention made matters worse, s my husband would strip me naked and beat me to stupor. I never prayed for or wanted divorce, but what I hated most was staring me right in the face. Though, I was determined to stay put despite physical and emotional abuse and the conflicting pieces of advice from friends and relatives.

But when it got to a point that I realised I was close to death, I rescinded my decision and sought for divorce.’’

In the account of a banker, who pleaded anonymity, “Domestic violence, to us that have experienced it, is killing and self demeaning. it is not a palatable experience at all. I was not only physically assaulted or abused, I was sexually abused. My husband beats me to a coma before he derives his sexual satisfaction. He doesn’t care if I was medically fit or not. Once he is aroused, he doesn’t care how I feel, he gets it however and whenever. The worse aspect of it all is that once he is satisfied, he apologises and gets me all kinds of gifts.”

Using dangerous weapons during marital conflicts Explaining the use of dangerous weapons, especially knives, during heated arguments between spouses, Obosi said the use of knives, relatively in the Nigerian context, during a fight could be because it was easily accessible, as most homes use knives in their kitchens, but that knives were not only the weapons used in situations of domestic violence in Nigeria. He stated that pestles, acid, hot water and other things were also used in such situations, just as gun policy of the United States made guns handy and accessible.

municated which degenerate into physical violence. Others, he added, were frustration on the part of either of the spouses due to unemployment, health implications, drug and alcohol addiction.

Professor Wilfred Tile Continued from

pg 46

by issues that had been built up within such individual.

Communication patterns of spouses This could lead to marital conflict, which results in domestic violence. “Lack of effective communication between spouses, as well as isolation make couples farther away from each other and brings distance between them.

There are some couples who don’t have heart to heart talks. They only discuss their children. Communication does a lot to either make or mar marital relationships.

Religious affiliations and beliefs: Sometimes, these could serve as a factor responsible for violent.

When spouses belong to different religious setting or hold different religious beliefs.

Third party: Obosi also noted that the involvement of a third party- in-laws, relatives and friends in a disagreement between spouses could lead to marital conflict or domestic violence. He said when a third party interferes in the home, there were likely to be issues not com-

Victims of domestic violence The CLEEN Foundation reports one in every three respondents admitting to being a victim of domestic violence. The survey also found a nationwide increase in domestic violence in the past three years from 21 per cent in 2011 to 30 per cent in 2013. Sunday Tribune spoke with some victims of domestic violence.

Mrs Ayomide Dada, a businesswoman, who admitted being a victim of domestic abuse by her ex-husband, said: “I got married early because I had always believed in the marriage institution and wanted to go into it early enough.

I wanted to have the number of children I planned to have early enough and enjoy the bliss of marriage for the rest of my life, but little did I know that all that glitters is not gold. My ex-husband was highly temperamental and I had observed this right from when we were dating and courting, but I ignored that aspect of him, thinking I was cool and calm enough to withstand the temperament. Instead I focused more on his other positive attitudes that endeared me to him. All through the times we courted, he never raised his hands at me, so I was convinced he could not go physical with me despite his temperament.

Each time he went hot with me when we were courting, he usually realised it and controlled himself and was ever ready to apologise. So all these really didn’t signal something could be wrong if we got married. Eventually, we got married. My ex husband raises his fist at me at the

Effects of domestic violence The direct negative effect of domestic violence, according to Obosi, is on the children the union has produced.

Physical violence by either of the spouse in the presence of their children demoralizes, saddens and demeans the children. ‘’They become less focused in school, feel unloved unattended to, less confident and sometimes, this results in failure in schools. ‘’Such children may become victims of circumstance through peer pressure and influence, and this sometimes exposes them to environmental hazards, prostitution, drugs, thuggery, armed robbery and other social vices.

These vices, in turn, negatively affect the society at large.

In extreme cases where death of either of the spouses is involved, for example where a wife stabs her husband or vice versa, stigmatization comes in. the children produced from such union is labeled or stigmatized by the society.” ‘‘Domestic violence causes divorce, which has fundamental effects on children. Children of such homes learn aggressive behaviours and express them anytime and anywhere. It also affects the psyche and psychological growth of children,’’ Professor Tile added.

He also identified physical harm, disabilities , trauma and sometimes death as other effects of domestic violence .

Possible solutions to the problem of domestic violence Speaking on the way out of the problems of domestic violence, Obosi explained that ‘’from the psychological point of view, possible solutions are first, the spouses must recognise that there is a problem because if they don’t, they won’t know that they need help.’’

He said, after identifying or acknowledging that there is a problem, the spouses should seek help, not from friends or relatives, but from a professional that could be trusted with private issues. Such professionals, he added, could be a marriage or family counselor, or a psychologist who would administer family therapy to proffer solutions.

Obosi, however, advised couples in such situations to seek help together, saying therapy would not work if it was only one of them that sought help from a professional.

Professor Tile stated: “Dialogue, dialogue and dialogue should be the way out of any disagreement or conflict so that consensus will be reached and peace and harmony will reign in the home, family, community and society at large, because the whole essence of human relationship is give and take and compromise where necessary for peace to reign and development to occur.’’

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18 October, 2015

children’sarena

Sunday Tribune Olaide Sokoya ollydesanmi@yahoo.com 0807 449 7425

Words from the kids

If you are a leader, what would you change in your country?

Oyelola Ayobami, J.S.S 2, 11 years

Ayobamiji Tumilara, J.S.S 2, 12 years

I will create employment for the youth

Corruption and terrorism will be eradicated

If I become the leader of my country, I will sort out the calamities and atrocities in Nigeria for the country to be great.

I will make people aware of the things I want to do. Employment would be provided for the jobless, the standard of education would be improved upon and children would be given free education. All primary school buildings would be rebuilt for students’ convenience .

The situation of petrol will be solved and the price will be reduced to N40 per litre. I will make sure that corruption and terrorism are eradicated from the country. The use of kobo will be revived and I will make the country so easy that Senators and teachers will be paid same salaries. Unemployment will be eradicated with the building of many companies for the jobless to be employed and the issue of rape will be stopped.

Matthew Marvellous, J.S.S 1, 10 years

Oyelaja Iremide Blessing, S.S 3, 16 years

Free education would be given to the poor

I will make education free for all

I will allow women to participate more in politics. I will make sure 95 per cent of children on the streets go to school while public schools will be rehabilitated under my leadership.

I will make primary, secondary and tertiary institutions free for all. The condition of electricity in Nigeria which is not to be proud of will be revived, other sources of generating electricity would be generated because the stability of most businesses in Nigeria is basically reliant on electricity.

The tourism unit will be revived, the tourist sites will be well taken care of and children will have more attractive places to visit.

famousinvention

I will be a good leader and end corruption in Nigeria, I will also stop people from embezzling the county’s money and for those who have already embezzled the country’s money, they will be arrested while their properties will be confiscated.

The country will be a peaceful place, the poor children would be given free education, bad roads will be repaired, more companies will be built in order to enhance employment, more schools will be built for qualitative education, shops for traders would be built, widows and widowers’ debts would be paid off and the security of the country would be more secured.

All students are from The Amazing Grace High School, Ibadan

Brief history of Blender

Tiger •The tiger is the biggest specie of the cat family.

•Tigers can reach a length of up to 3.3 metres (11 feet) and weigh as much as 300 kilograms (660 pounds).

•Around half of tiger cubs don’t live beyond two years of age.

•Tiger cubs leave their mother when they are around two years of age.

•A group of tigers is known as an ‘ambush’ or ‘streak’.

•Tigers are good swimmers and can swim up to 6 kilometres. of C th hil ew d ee k

called Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. Since Fred Osius knew Waring had a love for gadgets and new inventions, he was able to convince him to financially back the project, hence the name Waring blender.

Today you can find blenders of many varieties and price ranges. The containers now come in plastic, glass or stainless steel with a base to match your current kitchen decor.

They are very sleek in their design, and I know mine fits easily into my cupboard. Blenders also come with so many different options such as speed, a heating function and other attachments making them multi-use.

Riddle

A

s far as small kitchen appliances go, the blender is actually a newer invention than most.

In 1922, a man by the name Stephen Poplawski decided to place a spinning blade at the bottom of a tall container. He used his new invention to make soda fountain drinks.This initial “blender” drew the interest

of another inventor, Fred Osius, who decided to see what improvements could be made to it.

Fred Osius made some changes, and from his design the Waring blender was created in 1933. Fred Waring was a former Penn State student in architecture and engineering, and he was a man of many talents. He actually made his money fronting a band

Compiled by Victoria Ilari

What does a nosey pepper do?

Gets jalapeno business!

What do you call a fake noodle?

A: An Impasta What do you call an alligator in a vest?

An Investigator What happens if you eat yeast and shoe polish?

Every morning you’ll rise and shine!

“What’s the difference between a guitar and a fish?”

“You can’t tuna fish

•Rare white tigers carry a gene that is only present in around one in every 10000 tigers.

•Tigers usually hunt alone at night time.

•Tigers have been known to reach speeds up to 65 kph (40 mph).

•Less than 10 per cent of hunts end successfully for tigers •Tigers can easily jump over five metres in length.

•There are more tigers held privately as pets than there are in the wild.

•Tigers that breed with lions give birth to hybrids known as tigons and ligers.

PROVERB

‘No matter how long a log stays in the water, it doesn’t become a crocodile’.

Interpreted Meaning:

Master Iyanuloluwa Obafemi

Anifowose clocked 1 recently

Many happy returns.

‘You will always be who you are no matter how you fake yourself’.

49

news

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

N108b probe: Akpabio’s ‘properties’ may be seized •As EFCC quizzes him again •Extend anti-corruption fight to APC members —CACOL From Lanre Adewole and Moses Alao

A

s investigation deepens in the alleged N108 billion fraud involving Senate Minority Leader and former Akwa-Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, indications emerged at the weekend that properties alluded to him in various petitions accusing him of fraud, may be temporarily seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

For the second day running, operatives of the anti-corruption commission quizzed him for many hours in Abuja.

When this report was being filed, the immediate past governor of the oil-rich state, had done over 12 hours under interrogation and was later released, having reported to the commission’s head office yesterday morning.

Sunday Tribune learnt that following the former governor’s rejection of the mentioned properties as his, the commission will likely approach the court this week to seek an order of temporary forfeiture until the probe ends.

Several high-profile properties located in high-brow areas of Abuja and Lagos, in excess of billions of Naira were linked to him in the petitions by a lawyer from the state, Mr Leo Ekpeyong.

It was further alleged that the former governor looted the state treasury to purchase the said properties.

Akpabio had, through his former Commissioner for Information, denied the ownership of the said properties.

A security source told Sunday Tribune on Saturday night that the anti-corruption agency would seek a forfeiture order to have a temporary custody of the properties since they are now subject of probe, coupled with the ownership controversy.

“Since no one is appearing to own the properties again after they were claimed to be proceeds of alleged corruption, it is just normal for the Federal Government to take them over until an owner or owners as the case may be, show up. You can’t do that without a proper order of the court” a knowledgeable source volunteered.

Another source could not say categorically if Akpabio would be arraigned this week.

There was also an unconfirmed report that he may be arraigned and granted

bail while investigation continues, just to have him on proper court bail with his travel document expected to be seized.

When this report was filed, the former governor had not returned home.

He was first pulled in for interrogation on Friday. He spent about an hour.

His return to the commission for interrogation at the weekend raised a bit of concern since the commission isn’t always administratively active on Saturdays.

Yesterday’s development is

said to be a pointer to certain peculiarities in Akpabio’s case and a decision to speed the probe up.

Meanwhile, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), yesterday, came close to accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism in the fight against corruption, calling on him to treat anyone with corruption petitions with all seriousness.

This is coming on the heels of accusations of the president being selective in the fight against corruption, as about three

immediate past governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including Alhaji Sule Lamido; Mr Gabriel Suswam and Akpabio, have been quizzed by the EFCC on corruption allegations while former governors of the APC, including former Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, who had similar petitions against them have neither been arrested or invited.

Loyalists of the PDP had, in several statements, criticised the APC-led federal government of

selective prosecution of corruption.

But CACOL, in a statement signed by its Executive Chairman, Mr Debo Adeniran, lauded the effort of the EFCC on fighting corruption by inviting and quizzing Senator Akpabio, describing it as a step in the right direction in the war against corruption in Nigeria.

It, however, stated that it was aware that many of the recently announced ministerial nominees had corruption questions to answer, adding that the

defence some of them put up during their screening were self-indicting on the corruption allegations against them.

“Since nepotism is a form of corruption; that someone belongs to the ruling party, is a legislator or a minister should not be misconstrued as immunity against prosecution. Such people should not be allowed to occupy any public office till they satisfactorily answer the charges against them lest they constitute a dent on its anti-corruption image,” the statement noted.

Controversy rages over announcement of new Ooni Nobody can stampede us into burying our father —Obalufe’s family

By Abiodun Awolaja As the nation awaits the announcement of the new Ooni of Ife, following the death of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, on July 29 this year, more controversies emerged during the weekend over the impact which the demise of the Ooni’s second-incommand and head of the kingmakers, Obalufe of Iremo, Oba Samuel Folorunso Omisakin last

Thursday, will have on the selection of the new monarch.

Rumour doing the rounds had claimed that one of the contestants for the exalted stool of the Ooni, whose candidature had in the last few weeks, been enmeshed in controversy following allegations that he was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged forgery, would be announced during the week as the new

Ooni-elect.

It was also alleged that some individuals were piling pressure on the family of the late Obalufe to ensure he is buried at the earliest possible time, so that a new Obalufe could emerge and conclude the rites to usher the new Ooni.

However, speaking with Sunday Tribune by phone from the United States of America, Obalufe’s eldest son, Prince Omidiran

Omisakin, dismissed the insinuation that the family was under pressure to bury the late Obalufe.

“We own our father and nobody can force us to bury him when we are not ready to.

“I have brothers and sisters in Australia, the USA and Brazil. Can our father be buried without their input? Did anyone stampede the children of Oba Sijuwade into burying him?

“We shall make our

Appointments: If you like, commit suicide, el-Rufai tells aggrieved citizens Muhammadu Sabiu -Kaduna Malam Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has told persons aggrieved over political appointments ministerial appointments made so far by his administration to go and commit suicide if they are not happy about the appointments.

The governor, who visibly lost his temper while answering questions from stakeholders at the 4th town hall meeting with Kaduna Central, otherwise known as zone 2, said he would not give appointment to persons that did not vote for him during the last governorship election.

His words: “If you are not happy with appointments made, you can go and climb Kufena mountain and fall.

“It was what you voted that you got because we are aware that there are people who did not vote for us, in fact they worked against us.

“But now they claim to be APC members and loyal to the party. We know such people. And so there is

no way they would expect anything from us.

“You didn’t vote us but you want appointments. What you will get is zero. It is politics and in whatever we do there is politics.”

The governor also said he has no hand in the nomination of Hajiya Zainab Shamsudeen as minister.

“Before we were elected as Governors we advised President Muhammadu

Buhari not to allow any Governor nominate minister for him, because if he allows that they will nominate somebody of their choice and not that of the President’s choice.

“And the President heed to that advice. No governor nominated any ministerial appointee for the President.

“And there are some people who appeared on the face as APC, but right inside them

they are PDP. We know those who did anti-party.

And they didn’t vote for us but they went to get house close to Buhari in Abuja for nomination.

President Buhari So single handedly nominated Zainab,” el-Rufai explained.

Earlier, Governor El-Rufai also unveiled new logo for the state saying henceforth the state will now use its own court of arms.

South-West records lowest road accidents in Nigeria —FRSC The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said on Saturday that the Southwest geo-political zone of the country has recorded lowest road accidents in the year.

The FRSC Commander in Osun state, Mr Muhammed Husaini, said this in Osogbo during the kick-off of the ‘ember month’ campaign.

Husaini said that Osun has the lowest road accident occurrence compared to other states in the country.

However, he called on motorists in the state to

continue to cooperate with the commission in its efforts to ensure road safety.

He said that the command has made available both human and material resources to meet the challenges of the ember months.

“The ‘ember’ and Yuletide seasons happened to be the most challenging periods for us, as many Nigerians especially the road users, take advantage of the these periods to travel for various activities.

“It has always been our plea to the road users to

desist from road vices such as speed violation, overloading, drunk driving.

“Use of cell phones while driving, non-use of seat belts and use of worn-out tyres, among others.

“To avoid being prosecuted, there must be strict compliance to all our rules and regulation,’’ the sector commander said.

In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensure total protection of lives and property during the ‘ember’ months.

position on our father’s burial and allegations surrounding his death to the media via a statement on Tuesday.

On whether the new Ooni could be unveiled without a new Obalufe, Omisakin said he was not sure, but doubted whether it could be done.

“All I know is that it is the Obalufe who announces a new Ooni. How can you do an election in Nigeria without INEC?” Omisakin reiterated that his father had not endorsed any candidate before his demise, saying that he could not do so while background checks of all the Ooni-hopefuls were still being done.

He also dismissed insinuations that the late Obalufe may have been poisoned because of his hard stance on the due process in the selection of the new Ooni.

“My father was not poisoned. The day he died, he had just finished speaking with my mother for about 15 minutes when he collapsed. He, my mum and the maid were the only people at home and there was no indication whatsoever that he was poisoned.

“Obalufe made his position clear that he could not support or endorse any candidate being investigated for fraud or any untoward activity, particularly as the background checks on all the contestants were still being carried out.

“Obalufe did not append his signature to any document. As Obalufe, he would only endorse the candidate chosen by the 15 other chiefs,” he said.

50

news

18 October, 2015

Osinbajo sets 25-yr-goal for indigenous company Bola Badmus-Lagos

V

ice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on an indigenous company, Kresta Laurel Limited, to ensure that it produces its own brand of lift in the next 25 years, instead of dealing in imported items.

Kresta Laurel Limited is the only ISO 9001: 200x certified lift distribution company in Nigeria, which has since taken over from multi-nationals, including Holts, among others.

The vice president gave the charge in Lagos, while speaking at the 25th anniversary celebrations of

the company, which took place at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki.

Eminent Nigerians that graced the occasion also included the Gombe State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwabo, Ogun deputy governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga and former Senate President, David Mark.

Others were one-time Governors Donald Duke and Niyi Adebayo; the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who led other obas; captains of industry, including Chief Subomi Balogun, Chief Kessington Adebutu (aka Baba Ijebu); Chief Kunle Ojora, Chief Fola Adeola; Pastor Tunde Bakare,

among others.

“I am sure you know that in the next 25 years, and I pray that you will live all of the 25 years and more. But the challenge is that Crestal Laurrel must make its own lift, we must now have krestal Laurrel brand of lift that can stand the test of time. I am sure that you are already involved, that is the challenge,” he said.

Osinbajo, who lauded the founder and chairman, Krestal Laurel Limited, Chief Gbenga Daniel, who is also former governor of Ogun State, for his foray in the business world in the last 25 years, said he was not surprised that Daniel was able to make extreme

success with the company.

The vice president, who had been a friend of 40 years to Daniel through their university days, recalled the lone effontary of the former governor to form a social club outside the two officially allowed by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) authorities, saying he made a success of the effort as his club became the richest on the campus as of then, overtaking the ones he met, including AJC and Rotaracts.

Osinbajo, however, described Daniel as a reliable and trustworthy person, whose stand on most issues would always be known.

From left, Chairman, Kresta Laurel Ltd, Chief Gbenga Daniel; the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; chairman on the occasion, Chief Subomi Balogun and the former Senate President, Senator David Mark, at a dinner marking the 25th anniversary of Kresta Laurel Ltd., at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, at the weekend.

Tribunal verdicts: PDP slams APGA over protest in Abia JacobSegunOlatunji-Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Saturday, slammed the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) over its embarrassing resort to calling out paid touts and street urchins to attempt and/or orchestrate a cosmetic protest in Abia against the verdicts of election tribunals.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary,Chief Olisa Metuh.

The PDP declared that the action of the APGA “is, indeed, a crass display of shameful desperation that a political party that was roundly defeated in duly conducted elections, as well as in election tribunals would resort to attempting an imaginary protest.”

The statement reads: ‘‘For record purposes, the PDP wishes to remind APGA that our candidates in the national and state

feated them and we have no apologies for that.

In the same vein, APGA needs not be told that in the governorship election, they were comprehensively vanquished by the PDP candidate, who is by all measures, the true choice of the people.

“Furthermore, we wish to inform APGA leaders that their attempt to go into an alliance with the All Progressives Congress

(APC) and pledge an unholy mortgage of Abia State treasury and the identity of their party to Bourdillon is inoperable, since the image and identity of APGA has since been lost.

“May we remind APGA that its main identity, after the passage of their founder, Chief Odimegwu Ojukwu, has been the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, who is now a committed member

of the PDP. “Nigerians are aware that the weight, strength and financial muscle of APGA was concentrated in Anambra Central Senatorial zone in the elections, only for their candidate, their former national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, to be completely overwhelmed, out matched, dazed and roundly defeated by the PDP candidate.”

Our Cocoa’ll soon get stock market pricing —Mimiko Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has said plans are almost concluded to ensure cocoa products in the state gain commodity pricing and value at the Stock Exchange Market.

Mimiko said group-farmers would get stock brokers and thus market their products in stock exchange, stressing that the goal of the present administration was to process and brand its cocoa in a globally acceptable way that would in turn produce chocolate that was

internationally worthy, hygienic, nourishing and outstanding.

The governor, while speaking at a Gala night/ dinner organised for participants of the National Defence College, Abuja, Course 24, as part of activities rounding off their six days week-long geo-strategic tour of the state at the weekend, said his focus, since the inception of his government, was to empower the people through the ‘‘A CARING HEART’ mantra, and l

invariably motivate them to pay their taxes.’’

Fielding questions from participants at the dinner, the governor observed that with the partnership of the government with an internationally-recognised chocolate producing company as his government had done, a lot of value would be added to the interest of the state, stressing that with the development, the state would soon be recognised globally in its cocoa revolution.

Sunday Tribune

Ministerial screening: ‘Shittu deserves to be minister’

By Segun Adebayo Ahead Tuesday’s screening of ministerial nominess by the National Assembly, a legal practitioner, Mr Adetunji Rufai, has backed the nomination of a former Attorney General in Oyo State, Mr Adebayo Shittu, describing him as the best man for the job.

In a release made available to newsmen in Ibadan, on Saturday, Rufai said the selection of Shittu by President Muhammadu Buhari was ordained by God, urging those who had been kicking against his nomination to back down in the interest of the state, adding that the appointment should be embarced by all in view of the present determination for change.

According to him, “The selection of Adebayo Shittu reinforced the belief that President Buhari meant well for the progress of the masses. Shittu is the best man for the job,because he’s a grassroot politician, a devout Muslim and irrepressible social critic.”

He urged the member of the 8th assembly not to give in to cheap and unfounded claims that could sway them away from doing the good job they had started.

IGP receives UN deputy executive director of counter terrorism

The Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate, Mr Weixiong Chen, on Thursday, paid a courtesy call on the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, in his office at the Force Headquarters.

The visit, which was at the instance of the National Security Adviser to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria discussed amongst other things the identification of technical assistance needs.

Receiving Mr Chen and his entourage, the IGP said what the Nigeria Police needed at present to combat terrorism was capacity building, International police cooperation, mechanism for coordination of operational activities of all law enforcement agencies with a counter-terrorism mandate and institutionalisation of mechanism.

Responding, Mr Chen said he was in the office of the IGP to identify the specific needs of the Nigeria Police with a view to channeling it to the United Nations.

Thanking Mr Chen for the honour of visiting the Nigeria Police Headquarters, IGP Arase said partnership with international organisations such as the United Nations was a welcome development in the fight against terrorism.

AD to hold national convention November Christian Okeke-Abuja The Alliance for Democracy (AD) has adopted November for state congresses and national convention of the party.

The decision to hold the congresses and convention was part of the resolutions of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which held in Abuja.

The meeting, which was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), served to further unify the party.

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

Sunday Tribune gathered that prior to the NEC meeting, the commission had written to the party, drawing its attention to the need for the convention.

It was further gathered that a meeting between the leadership of the party and officials of the commission was held to resolve pending issues same Thursday.

Speaking at the NEC meeting, the national chairman of the party, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, agreed to hand over as soon as the new officers were elected.

He stated that he agreed to call the meeting in the interest of peace and for progress of the party.

According to him, the AD remains the party of the future, as he commended members of the party for standing with the party despite the challenges it faced.

Akinfenwa described AD as a viable and strong political party that had the interest of the masses at heart.

He expressed the hopes that the party would form government at the centre one day.

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interview

18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

I borrowed N14,000 to start my multi-billion business —Fasuyi

Yinka Fasuyi, CEO of Supreme Management Consultancy and President of Ibadan Business School, who turns 60 next week, takes SULAIMON OLANREWAJU through the turns and twists as well as the valleys and mountains of his voyage through life before gliding to the crest where he is currently perched.

F

Reflections at 60 IRST and foremost I feel grateful to Almighty God who has preserved me till now. This is a country where the life expectancy is 47, 48 years. For one to have lived to be 60 years, 12 clear years above the average, can only be by the grace of God. I thank Him for His mercies on me.

I also feel fulfilled in the sense that God has enabled one to contribute one’s quota to the development of one’s country. In my chosen career, I have been able to make a mark. By the grace of God, we run the foremost management consultancy organization in West Africa. This has been the doing of the Lord.

I am particularly grateful to God for this because I almost missed the opportunity to go to school. My father, the late Chief Jacob Olowookere Fasuyi, was a businessman of means during his lifetime. I, as one of his youngest children living with him in Ilesha, had privileged access to his money even as a secondary school student to the extent that I was promoting musicians and organizing concerts in Ilesha as far back as 1971. So, I became the toast of the town and the heart of social gatherings. Then, my plan was to finish secondary school and start a business but God had a better plan for me.

After I finished my secondary education in Ilesha, one of my brothers insisted that I had to leave the town. So, I left Ilesha and went to Lagos, where I had to sit for my school certificate examination again. I came out with Grade 1 to the consternation of everybody. Then I worked for a while before going to Akure for higher school certificate. On completion of that, I got admitted to the University of Ibadan to study Economics.

Work experience After my youth service, I taught for a while before being employed by Total Nig. Plc. I was posted from the head office to the Western Regional office in Ibadan. I worked at the region for sometime after which I was transferred to the North Central Region. My office was in Ilorin but I was covering places as far as Kaduna. My colleagues, subordinates and superiors can testify to this; I gave my all to the work. I gave Total my total while I worked with the organization to the extent that barely six months after being employed, I was featured by the in-house journal as someone to look out for. My superiors recognised my input and tried their best to encourage me.

Limping out into business While I was in Ibadan, I had a master’s degree in Labour Relations. Shortly after that, I started the MBA at Ife. It was at this point that I realized the purpose of education. Education is not meant to be a meal ticket but that is how most people see it. If you ask those in school now what they want to do after school, nine out of 10 will tell you that they want to work in Chevron, Total, First Bank, NNPC etc. But that should not be. Education is supposed to be a window to see opportunities in life. Education is not an end in itself but a means to an end. Education should be applied to addressing everyday challenges.

After going through the MBA class, I became more attentive to the environment with a view to identifying needs which I could meet. That was when I discovered that there was a gap in human capital development in the country and I decided to explore the opportunity.

Raising capital for business I did not leave Total because I had financial security; I left because of the burning desire to meet an identified need. As a matter of fact, I had to borrow money to pay the company in lieu of notice. I took a loan of N14,000 from Apple Trust Finance in 1992 and the company deducted 10 per cent interest up front. It is from the balance that I paid Total and I used the rest to run the business.

Big break

The first big break was a training programme that we got in 1993. After the training, we had a profit of N100,000. I almost ran mad; I couldn’t even lodge the cheque in the bank.

After a while, I did. Very close to where we were living at New Bodija then, a house was up for sale, it was going for N90,000. I told my wife that we should use the money to get the house but she was of the opinion that the money should be invested in the business and I agreed. From that money, I opened an office in Ikeja, Lagos; I also opened an office in Kaduna and bought eight vehicles for marketing. That changed our story within two years. My staff members were going all over the country marketing the company and we have been able to organize training programmes in no fewer than 500 of the 774 local government areas in the country.

Helpful attributes I am a hard thinker. I look beyond the surface to unveil opportunities that are not readily obvious. I see new opportunities in the environment everyday. When I read a report in the newspaper, I try to analyze it to see how that development could be turned into opportunities. I do this everyday. I see every challenge in the environment as a business opportunity. That is not to say that it is every pursuit that one embarks on that turns out well but the fact is that you lose 100 per cent of the shot that you refuse to take.

Lessons from my father My father was a shrewd businessman from whom I learnt the values of integrity, fairness and hard work.

Apart from my personal attribute, these are values that have helped me.

Integrity has helped me greatly. Everyone who has had cause to relate with me identifies this in me. My word is my bond. When you are recognized as a person of integrity you earn people’s trust. Once you earn the trust of others, you don’t need any other thing.

I remember that a person once approached us to organize

a training programme for local governments in a state but he added that we would only train a half of the local governments and we would share the money for the rest. I told him that we couldn’t do that. I said we were not in the business of taking money for job not done. He couldn’t believe it but I told him bluntly that he could try somebody else.

I have also learnt that it pays to be fair to others. As fallout of the June 12, 1993 crisis, there was a time that we couldn’t do any business for six months yet we had to pay salaries. My staff members were jittery, thinking that they would lose their jobs but I did not sack any of them. Instead of sacking them, I sold some of the company vehicles to raise money to pay them. This has also been helpful because that gesture earned me their trust and commitment.

When I was at Total, I worked very hard as if I was running my own business. Sometimes I would be on the road as early as 4.00am to keep an 8.00am appointment. This came in quite handy when I started my own business; I was traversing the whole country marketing the services of my company. If I could do it as an employee why would I not do it for my own company? But I was able to do it for myself because it had become part and parcel of me.

Philosophy of life Aside those ones that have helped me in business, I also hold the view that the world is a community; no one is an island. Life is beautiful when love is shared. Part of sharing love is identifying people’s needs and rising to the occasion to meet them. You don’t have to wait for them to ask, once you see a need, just do what you can to address it. There is a reason God brought it to your attention.

Social life I love partying. I work very hard and I also socialize very well. I don’t compromise my socials. I have been able to compartmentalise my life to the extent that one does not affect the other. I can dance for six hours non-stop.

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18 October, 2015

SUNDAY

Editor: Ganiyu Salman tribunesporteditor@yahoo.com 08105299044

I can fill Aguero’s shoes

Oliseh makes surprise appearance against Burkina Faso

Moses

—Iheanacho

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho has said he is up to the task if he is beckoned upon by Manager Manuel Pellegrini to play a part for Manchester City in the absence of the injured duo of Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

Iheanacho 19, who was a 78th minute substitute in City’s 5-1 win over Bournemouth yesterday, insists that City have a strong enough squad to maintain title challenge without injured stars, saying that the team will need to double up to fill the vacuum.

The 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup MVP burst onto the limelight with his last minute winner against Crystal Palace last month and he says it is up to the rest of the squad to step up in the absence of the injured stars though he was not listed as City pounded Bournemouth 5-1 yesterday at the Ethiad.

“Everyone is part of the team but that’s why we have a complete squad,” Iheanacho was quoted as saying on Manchester Evening News.

“Those players who aren’t in the team must now work hard and make sure that w e get the three points in every game that we play.

“It’s a big blow to have t h o s e players missing, but we don’t have to relent.

By Ahmed Pele

Victor Moses listed among EPL’s fastest

N

igeria international Victor Moses has been included in list of the top five fastest Premier League players this season.

Moses’ teammate at West Ham where he currently is on a season long loan Carl Jenkinson coming in at eighth place.

The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index confirms that Moses – who is currently on a season-long loan move at the Boleyn Ground from champions Chelsea – is the fifth-fastest player in the English top-flight this term with a top speed of

Sunday Tribune

35km/h.

Moses’ teammate at West Ham, Jenkinson, comes in at eighth place with a top speed of 34.89km/h – with no other players from any of the London clubs featuring in the top 10.

In fact, high-flying Leicester City dominate the list as 50% of the 10 fastest players in the Premier League play for the Foxes – with top spot going to the club’s striker Jamie Vardy.

The forward has hit a top speed of 35.44km/h this season, which beats his Leicester teammate Jeffrey Schlupp by 0.18km/h.

Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh took charge of proceedings as the home based Eagles beat Burkina Faso 2-0 in yesterday’s CHAN qualifiers decided in Port Harcourt.

There have been so much misinformation about the Eagles gaffer as contradictory statements have come from the media arm of the Nigeria Football Federation as well as the Super Eagles camp.

The NFF had initially denied that Oliseh was sick and would be in Camp on Thursday only for the media officer of the Eagles to say Oliseh was sick and would be coming in today.

But in a somewhat surprise manner, Oliseh breezed in Friday night to the delight of the home based players and was on hand to stimulate the Eagles to victory.

“I took a lot of water and antibiotics to be here,” Oliseh said after the game.

“It is important to keep the team spirit and it is very crucial that I am here for the game.”

Oliseh added that despite the 2-0 first leg win, it was far from over. ‘’If we could beat them 2-0 here, they could do the same in the return leg, so we need to keep working hard’

Iheanacho

Igiebor may go for knee operation Officials of Israeli Ligat Limut side, Maccabi Tel Aviv, fear that their Nigerian midfielder Nosa Igiebor may have to undergo operation for a troublesome knee injury.

Igiebor was injured in the Uefa Champions League match with Swiss side, FC Basel, a few weeks ago and though he is recuperating on schedule, there are still pains in the region which is not suppose to be the case.

“The pain in Nosa’s knee is refusing to ease. He is working hard to get fit and except it goes he cannot get back to action,” an official of the club told Israeli sports website, one.co.il.

“Knees are a very complex thing. We can’t see what the issue is for now and that area is a bit complicated.

“It might be a ligament thing or even a meniscus and maybe they have a hand in hiding what is causing the pain.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv are afraid that if the pain does not stop and Igiebor fails to recover on time then he may probably have to undergo a medical procedure, but they are hoping to avoid an operation.

Buhari, Saraki want World Cup from Eaglets President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets to come out triumphant at the end of this year’s under-17 FIFA World Cup Tournament going on in Chile.

Also, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday urged the Golden Eaglets to re-enact their winning streak as they partake in this year’s under-17 FIFA World Cup tournament in Chile.

He said: “This is another chance for our dear Golden Eaglets to conquer the world. You have done it before and I believe you can do it again. Nigerians

and indeed the Senate are solidly behind you.

“I know that with patriotism, focus, resilience and indomitable spirit, you can again prove to the the world that you can still shine like a million stars,” he stated.

According to a statement by one of Buhari’s media chiefs, Garba Shehu, the President assured the Eaglets and their handlers of the full support of the Federal Government and all Nigerians as they strive to bring more sporting glory to their fatherland by outplaying all their opponents in Chile and winning the Under-17 World Cup for a record fifth time.

Igiebor (right)

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18 October, 2015

Sunday Tribune

Goalscorers Wilfred Bony (no 14) and Raheem Sterling shared the spotlight in City’s 5-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. BBC PHOTO.

Man City will win Epl title —Mancini

R

oberto Mancini says he expects his former club Manchester City to win the Premier League title this season.

The Inter Milan boss guided City, now managed

by Manuel Pellegrini, to a first league title for 44 years in the 2011-12 season.

He also won the FA Cup during his three-year spell, and clearly his affection remains.

“I think that we will win the league - Manchester City will win the league,” he told BBC’s World Football programme.

Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick yesterday as City thrashed Bournemouth to remain top of the Premier League on 21 points.

Ivorien Wilfred Bony also

helped himself to a brace.

Mancini was sacked in 2013, exactly a year after winning the title, and is now back for his second spell at Inter after a short stint in Turkey with Gala-

“Seven or eight years ago, they played for relegation or mid-table. In the last four or five years Manchester City is the best team in the Premier League.”

“I think Chelsea are like Juventus,” said Mancini, referring to the Italian champions who currently lie 10 points behind Serie A leaders Fioren-

tina.

“They had problems at the start of the season, but, for me, they will come up in two or three months.

Shangai Masters: Tsonga,

Djokovic battle for title Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will face world number one, Novak Djokovic in today ‘s final Rolex Masters in Shangai, China.

The Frenchman overcame Rafael Nadal in three sets of 6-4, 0-6, 7-5 scores in Saturday’s first semi-final while Djokovic beat Andy Murray 6-1,6-3 in a match that lasted just 68 minutes.

US Open: Bouchard sues for damages Eugenie Bouchard, who was this year named the world’s most marketable athlete, is taking legal action potentially worth “millions and millions” of dollars after suffering a concussion at the U.S. Open in New York.

The 21-year-old is suing the United States Tennis Association and United States National Tennis Center. According to the civil suit -- a copy of which was obtained by CNN -- filed Wednesday in a U.S. District Court, she slipped, fell and suffered a “severe head injury” after playing a mixed doubles match on September 4.

tasaray.

“I was really proud about what I did in Manchester because we changed the situation there after many years,” he said.

“We could be talking about millions and millions,” Bouchard’s lawyer Benedict Morelli told the New York Times.

Bouchard

Nadal was bidding to reach his first Masters hard-court final since Miami in March 2014 but could not get the better of sixteenth seed Tsonga.

Tsonga now has the chance to claim a first Masters title since Toronto in August 2014 when he takes the seemingly unstoppable Djokovic.

Tsonga said ‘’I feel good.

To be honest, the season was difficult with a lot of ups and downs. This surface is one of my favourites, of course.

I know I’m able to play good tennis.

‘To be honest, before I came here, I didn’t know if I would be able to play that good. But finally I played really good, so it’s good for me.

I hope it’s going to continue.’

Tsonga celebrates win over Nadal

Djokovic

Why I left out Hazard —Mourinho Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said the struggling English champions will stick to their back-tobasics approach after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday in which Eden Hazard started on the bench.

He added that the Belgium winger, Chelsea’s stand-out player in last season’s title-winning team, was among the substitutes as part of a revamp to end his side’s miserable

run of form.

“I left out Hazard because we are conceding lots of goals, we need to defend better, we need our midfield players to be just in the central area of the pitch,” Mourinho told reporters.

“When, for example, a central midfielder has to be worried about providing cover to one of the sides, it’s like a blanket, you pull this side, you have your feet in the cold, you

know?”

Hazard, the Premier League’s player of the year last season, had previously started every league game for Chelsea this season but only came on as an 83rd minute substitute on Saturday.

By then, the game was effectively over, thanks to a first-half goal by Spain striker Diego Costa and a 53rd minute own-goal by Alan Hutton who deflected in a strike by Costa.

Hazard

54

news

18 October, 2015

Man with 108 ATM cards arrested From Shola Adekola and Olakunle Taiwo

A

34-year-old man, Udeh Onuora Pascal, suspected to be working for an international criminal organisation has been arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for being in possession of 108 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) debit cards.

The arrest took place at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, while the suspect was attempting to board a Qatar Airline flight to China. The debit cards belong to five commercial banks.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Mr Ahmadu Garba, said the suspect was arrested in connection with suspected money laundering and was immediately transferred to the Assets and Financial Investigation Directorate of the Agency for investigation.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) had the highest number of cards – 58; Stanbic IBTC Bank – 23; Zenith Bank – 19, Fidelity Bank – 6 and Diamond Bank – 2.

Mrs Victoria Egbase, the Director of Assets and Financial Investigation said that the Agency had established a prima facie case of financial crime against

the suspect and that the Chairman had ordered the transfer of the case to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

The suspect in his statement said that he was asked to take the cards to China.

According to him, “I am not the owner of the cards.

I was told to take them to China and that somebody will collect them from me when I get there. I have a shop where I sell clothes at Onitsha main market.

I am also a 300 level student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State studying History and International Relations. I never knew it would lead

Pascal to my arrest”.

Udeh hails from Obibi in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

Commenting, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said that the case should be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation.

Turbulent periods: What keeps me going —Fayose through the back door. I thank God that in such situations, I don’t take to fear. For me, courage is a virtue.

“For me, I will see what is pursuing me before I run.

When there are difficult and trying periods, some people will come to the Government House to see what the face and the countenance of the governor will look like.

As a leader, when you lack

courage, what do you want the followers to do?

While thanking the people of the state for their support so far, he charged those working with him to show 100 per cent loyalty.

Governor Fayose, who gave his scorecard to the people, noted that the previous administration left the state in a comatose position.

He reiterated his determination to leave the state

better than he met it, saying paucity of funds would not stop his drive.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola, in his remarks, said it had been interesting working with the governor, just as he pledged the support and loyalty of other members of the cabinet to the governor and urged the people of the state to defend the administration always.

Tinubu lauds appointment of Lawal as SGF NATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday described the appointment of Engr. Babachir David Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), as a step in the right direction, expressing optimism that he would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the office.

Tinubu, who spoke at a thanksgiving reception held in Abuja in honour of

Lawal, extolled his qualities, saying that while some of his contemporaries have succumbed to the temptation of illicit wealth and the abuse of power and privilege, he (Lawal) has remained faithful to the course of the nation.

Alluding to the fact that his appointment was a reward for hard work and selfless service, he said Lawal’s eye for detail and due process makes him the best man for the job.

Tinubu, who was repre-

One killed, houses, vehicles razed in Ogun tanker fire incident Olayinka Olukoya-Abeokuta

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose (second right); his wife, Feyisetan (right); wife of Ekiti State Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Oluwawole (left); Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Owoseni Ajayi (second left) and his wife, Olayemi (third left), at a dinner organised in commemoration of Fayose’s one-year in office, held in Ado Ekiti, during the weekend.

EKITI State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, has said strong faith in God and not giving in to fear are some of the things that keep him going even in the face of turbulent and traumatic political happenings.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti at a state dinner organised to mark the first year of his second term in office, the governor said he is always thankful to God for making him overcome political hurdles placed on his path by opponents.

In a release by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, yesterday, the governor described the period between April and the first week of June this year as another traumatic period in his political life.

“The beginning of April till the first week of June this year was traumatic.

This was because what the opposition lost in the poll, when they were roundly defeated in all the 16 local governments of the state, they wanted to take back

Sunday Tribune

sented at the event by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, said, “If you are looking for a man who is diligent in his work with a keen eye for details and correct process, there is none better than Babachir Lawal.

“He knows this nation and understands its complexities, from the intricacies of our federal bureaucracy to the diversity of our social fabric, to the multiple dimensions of our political dynamics.”

A petrol tanker driver was consumed in a tanker fire incident that occurred at Owode-Ijako junction, in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State,in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The tanker, loaded with diesel, was reported to have fallen, leaving one injured,three houses and two vehicles burnt.

The victim’s name was given as Wale Olaitan, and he was said to be conveying the product towards Ifo-Abeokuta axis.

Sunday Tribune learnt that shops and other property worth several thousands of naira were destroyed.

A resident who identified himself as Mr Kareem Saheed, said the incident happened at about 4:30 a.m.,as the tanker spilled it content which later resulted in a loud bang before it finally caught fire.

He said: “My father is the owner of one of the houses (House 98) affected by the fire. The tanker, from the information, we gathered fell around 4:30 a.m. on that Owode-Ijako junction, where the road is so bad and spilled its content. About fifteen minutes later, there was a loud bang and the whole place caught fire, including the tanker. Nobody knew what triggered the fire.”

Speaking with newsmen, Mrs Adeyinka Onileowo, said she had lost everything inside the shop in house 96.

She said: “I used to sell engine oil and alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks. I lost everything to the fire.”

Another shop owner, Obraije Nwaola, who sells spare parts, said all his consignment, including motor engines, had been consumed by the raging fire.

“Everything I lost is close to N1m, if not above,” he lamented.

When contacted the Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Traffic Enforcement and Compliance Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the tanker driver lost control due to “overspeeding and brake failure.”

While, according to the account of the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kareem Olanrewaju, “The tanker, though was halted by the median, fell on its side and the content spilled over the express way and spread to residential areas.

“However, the driver who was already soaked with petroleum product while trying to seek help unconciously moved near a generator as a result of which he caught fire which consequently spread to tanker and houses were also affected.

“According to information, the driver who was later known as Alhaji Wale Olaitan, a resident of Shasha in Lagos, died immediately.”

Ogun’s infrastructural devt worth N200bn in assets —Lawmaker A member of Ogun State House of Assembly representing Odogbolu State Constituency, Hon. Adebowale Ojuri, has said those against the government of Senator Ibikunle Amosun taking N10billion Federal Government Infrastructural Development Intervention Fund just approved by the state House of Assembly are those who lack knowledge of where the money is coming from and what it will be used for.

Speaking with members of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC), who paid him a courtesy visit at Odogbolu on Saturday, Ojuri said only five states in the country met the criteria of obtaining the infrastructural loan and Ogun State is one of them.

According to him, “If we do a personal assessment of infrastructural development in the state in the last four years, it is worth about N200billion in assets. How can you say a government is amassing debt with N48billion debt and N200billion assets in roads, bridges, schools and many more.”

APC appoints Malumi as Ondo South senatorial leader

By Olakunle Taiwo A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Taiwo Malumi, has been elected leader of the Ondo South Senatorial district at a meeting of the party leadership in the zone.

He emerged on consensus, following the decision of other contenders to reconsider interest in the position. Another APC top shot, Chief Adesanmi Olusola, emerged as the second leader, as the senatorial leadership office provides for two leaders.

Dr Malumi was the nominee of three of the six local governments of Ilaje, Irele and Ese-Odo making up the senatorial zone.

According to party faithful, the election of the medical doctor was well deserved, in view of his “transparency, excellent leadership and selfless service to the community and the nation at large.”

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18 October, 2015

Anambra top govt officials, others savour Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce

T

op officials of Anambra State government, on Friday, night joined other Glo subscribers in the state capital, Awka, to savour the best of entertainment as the Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert packaged by the Next Generation Network, Globacom, hit the state.

Among those who attended the concert were: Mr Obi Nwankwo, Anambra State Commissioner for Public Utilities; Mr Emeka Okoye, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obaino on Project Monitoring and Compliance; his counterpart in Creative Media and Nollywood veteran, Bob-Manuel Udokwu; Special Assistant on Protocol, Obiano Evans; Senior Special assistant on Environment, Ms. Tochi Obi and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr. Uche Nworah.

Others were Willie Nwokoye, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Chairman, Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Works, Hon. Dr. Umeh Ikechukwu, and Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr Hosiah Karma.

The concert, held at the Marble Arch Event Centre, drew such a huge crowd that many of the dignitaries and fun seekers had to watch the pulsating performances from the huge screen provided by the organisers to take care of the overflowing crowd.

Signals that the evening was bound to be memorable emerged when the Awka-based up and coming artistes, Chuks-D, Thiotee, C1- Osinachi, Young Breeze, E Neutral, D Prince, Sir Fair, SP and the thrilling Omega

Inspired Dance group, put up a spectacular opening show.

Further glamour was added to the show by the bevy of ladies contesting for the Miss Anambra Beauty Pageant, billed to take place later in the month. They attended the event wearing the insignia of their respective Local Governments.

Master guitarist and Glo brand Ambassador, Bez, who was the first of the bigger arts for the night, took off from that octane point as he opened his electrifying performance by singing love lyrics to the beautiful dam-

sels one after the other. Bez took the show to a high level when he sang his hit track, “Stupid Song” and displayed a dexterous mastery of the guitar as he swiveled around many times while playing away on the guitar.

Renowned rapper, MI, entered the stage with his “Bo Se Danfo” track and the audience went literarily wild, as everybody stood up to dance to the lyrics of the Taraba State-born vocalist.

MI was simply at his best as the crowd joined in singing all his tracks such as “Let’s Go There”, “I nobody Talks about you”, “Gbabe”.

The class of 79 set of Queen’s College, at the weekend, in Lagos, held a forum for the visually impaired students to discuss ways to improve the lives of visually impaired Nigerians and also commissioned a state-of-the-art classroom with computer gadget and learning kits that would aid easy learning.

The president of the class of 79 set, Mrs Oludayo Awosesu, while delivering her speech, said that her

PHOTO NEWS

1

FRSC disclaims traffic offender arrested by gov Fayose The Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, has officially disclaimed an alleged fake Corp officer, one Mr Adeola Alabi, just as he acknowledged the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose who accosted and eventually arrested him along Ikere road, Ado Ekiti on Saturday.

Reacting to the report, Oyeyemi, through the Head of Media Relations and Strategy of FRSC, Bisi Kazeem, also reacted that the Corps Marshal, a disciplinarian, who has zero tolerance for indiscipline called for immediate investigation and it was discovered that the said traffic offender was not in the service of the corps either as a regular marshal nor special. He further appealed to other senior government officials to emulate the rare deed of the governor as road safety is everybody’s business.

While appreciating the governor in discovering the

traffic offender, the Sector’s Commander, Ekiti State Command, Mr Stanley Chinedum, however, revealed that the said traffic offender from all available records is not a staff of FRSC as neither a regular marshal nor a volunteer special marshal.

Chindedum further stated that the said offender could be an impersonator or rather a dismissed special marshal who is still using old sticker of special marshals. He said: “FRSC is noted for discipline and exemplary behaviour with adequate machinery to check excesses and abuses, we therefore, always inculcate in staff at all times the necessity to obey all traffic rules while on official duties and even on private engagements.

He, however, emphasised that the command puts on record that the offender arrested by the executive governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, the said Mr Adeola Alabi is not a staff of Federal Road Safety Commission.

Queen’s College class of 79 set commissions classroom for visually impaired students Sylvester Okoruwa-Lagos

Sunday Tribune

group decided to donate the state-of-the-art classroom to Queen’s College in remembrance of one of their colleagues, who is now late and was the only colleague of their that was visually impaired, so the need to keep her memory alive and also to help the 20 visually impaired students who are presently studying in the school.

She, however, acknowledged the Access Bank Plc; the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Ijebu Remo Land, Oba (Dr) Sonariwa, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade,

Superflux International, Nigerwives and Murtala Mohammed Foundation for their effort and contributions that made it possible for her group to be able to donate the equiped classroom for the visually impaired students, and named it in memory of one of their late colleagues, Mrs Rebecca Adeniji.

The event also witnessed presentation of awards to Queen’s College, King’s College, Pacelli School for the Blind, Nigerwives, Mrs. Soyanwo, Bola Tinubu and classes of 1974 and 1983.

2

3

4 1. From right, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Chief (Mrs) Olusola Ayoka Adebayo and Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo, during a church service to commemorate the 80th birthday ceremony of Mama Adebayo, at the Chapel of Christ The Glorious King, Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), in Abeokuta, on Saturday.

2. Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce: Master guitarist Bez Idakula (left) and music rapper, Jude Abaga (MI), both Glo brand ambassadors, and their fans, Sharon Madueke (middle) and Dumebi James (far right) at the Awka edition of Glo Slide “n” Bounce concert, held at Marble Arch Hotels and Event Centre, Awka, on Friday.

3. From right, Professor Wale Adebanwi of the University of California, Davis; former deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Adigun Agbaje; Professor Tayo Adesina of the Department of History, University of Ibadan, and former Special Adviser on Media to the governor of Oyo State, Dr Festus Adedayo, at the African Studies Association of Nigeria Conference, in Ibadan, recently.

4. From left, president, Queen’s College Old Girls Association, Mrs Shirley Okharedia, Director/ Principal, Queen’s College, Yaba, Dr (Mrs) Lami Amodu, Director in charge of rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, Ms Mojisola Victoria Akintaro, cutting the tape to commission a well-equiped classroom for visually impaired students named after her late younger sister, Mrs Rebecca Adeniji, and Head of Service, Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Jaji, held at Queen’s College, Yaba, in Lagos, on Saturday.

Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa.

SIDELINES

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has advised those who disagree with President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of ministers to commit suicide. But how would el-Rufai, a strident critic of the immediate past regime, have felt if anyone had advised him to commit suicide then? What kind of democracy punishes criticism with suicide?

NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER

NO 2,016

18 OCTOBER, 2015

www.tribuneonlineng.com

N200

Nigeria deserves FIFA presidency —Adamu

By Ganiyu Salman

F

ORMER Director General of the Nigeria Sports Commission, Dr Amos Adamu has advised the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), to throw its weight behind a Nigerian candidate for the office of the FIFA president.

FIFA is expected to conduct fresh polls in March 2016 to elect a new president to replace Sepp Blatter and two Nigerians Segun Odegbami and Orji Uzor Kalu have declared interest.

“I am happy we have Odegbami and Orji Kalu in the race, I love the competition; the more, the merrier, he told Tribunesport.

“Orji Kalu is not a novice in politics, he has met all conditions for FIFA Presidency, he is a success story we must celebrate and certainly when you talk about football you have to mention Odegbami because he played football prominently.”

However, Adamu feared the huge cost of campaigning for FIFA Presidency could be a discouraging factor to the Nigerians.

“Kalu has the resources and knows how costly the bid is.

Look, Prince Ali of Jordan travels around the world with his entourage on a Boeing 747, that is how costly the mission is.”

Recalling Nigeria’s feats on

the global level, Adamu said the country has legitimate claims to field a candidate for FIFA Presidency “Nigeria has paid its dues in terms of football. We have played in World Cups, both men and women. We have won age group competitions so many times. So how come do we feel those who have signified their interest in

running for the FIFA presidency are not qualified? If the men from Liberia, Jordan are qualified, then a Nigerian is also qualified.

“Have you ever seen a Jordan side play at a FIFA tournament?

But Nigeria has always been there. I think Nigeria should support any Nigerian that wants to be a FIFA president,” he said.

I need no striker —Wenger

Wenger

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger believes his decision to resist buying a new striker last summer has been justified.

Goals from Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud in a 3-0 away win at Watford yesterday ensured that the Gunners remain a top scoring side.

Yet, The Londoners were the only club in Europe’s top five leagues not to sign an outfield player in the last window.

Instead, Theo Walcott has been moved from the wing to a more central role and has scored four goals in 11 games.

“Theo looks always dangerous in this position. The quality of his movement is outstanding and he has found his finishing again,” said Wenger.

Giroud, who came in as a second half substitute in yesterday’s win has not started a league game since the draw against Liverpool on 24 August, while Danny Welbeck has been ruled out until January.

“I believe Theo can be a central striker,” added Wenger. “But at the start of the season, I faced questions from everybody: ‘why don’t you buy a central striker?’

“So sometimes you have to have strong beliefs and show the players as well that you believe in them in that position.

“I always said that he will play through the middle and he got his knee injury when he played well through the middle against Tottenham. It took him a while to come back, I must say.”

EPL results

Tottenham Chelsea Crystal Palace Everton Man City Southampton West Brom Watford

Two of Arsenal’s goal scorers Oliver Giroud (right) and Aaron Ramsey (middle) celebrate the 3-0 win over Watford yesterday. PHOTO: DAILY MAIL

0-0 2-0 1-3 0-3 5-1 2-2 1-0 0-3

Liverpool Aston Villa West Ham Man Utd Bournemouth Leicester Sunderland Arsenal

POOLS6,13,15,17,19,20,25,26,37,43,44,45,49, TODAY’S MATCHES-05 and 12

Salami

CHAN:

Eagles overpower B/Faso NIGERIA beat a resolute Burkina Faso 2-0 in the first leg of a 2016 CHAN qualifier played in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The return leg will be played in Ouagadougou next weekend with the overall winners advancing to the final tournament in Rwanda next year.

Bature Yaro put Nigeria in front with a clean strike from an almost acute ankle after 24 minutes.

The home-based Eagles doubled their lead in the 76th minute through a penalty taken by substitute Gbolahan Salami after Enyimba forward Ezekiel Bassey was fouled inside the box on his way to goal.

Substitute Chisom Chikatara ought to have given Nigeria a more comfortable win a minute later, but his chip after a defensive blunder by an opponent was misdirected.

And five minutes from time, the Abia Warriors forward again threatened when he got to the end of a pass from the right, but the goalkeeper was quick enough to cuddle the effort.

Even before the opening goal, Nigeria had threatened before then as Nasarawa United midfielder Yaro, Osas Okoro and Ezekiel Bassey carved out chances.

But Burkina Faso, to their credit, did not sit back in their defence as they continued to chase the game.

Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa pulled off a big save in the 32nd minute, when he beat off a swerving shot from distance.

In the second half, Les Etalons of Burkina Faso continued to chase the game and that way kept their hosts at bay for most part of this half of the encounter before the home-based Eagles got their lifeline with the penalty.

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